Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your guide to the best music, events and activities taking place in and around Exeter this weekend.

THEATRE

Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage
Friday & Saturday, Northcott Theatre, Exeter
The eve of one of the biggest games of his life Gareth Thomas recieved a warning from the Sun newspaper that they were going to ''out'' him as gay. This play tells the story of how he was not beaten by the media speculation. After getting 100 caps for Wales, he is now the world's best known gay sportsman. His hometown, Bridgend has fallen victim of intrusion following several deaths of young residents. Tickets £14.50-£24.50.: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

A Fool's Proof
Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm, Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
Trapped in a well shaft for 56 hours, a little girl waits to be found. Above ground, three journalists chase the story every step of the way, framing it for media consumption and spinning it wildly, erratically and erroneously away from the truth. 
Inspired by true events, this tale searches for answers and scatters accusations as the rescue mission for the child struggles on. Incorporating sharp new writing, imaginative tomfoolery and earthy folk music, Scratchworks scrutinise the media’s editorial power over public perception. Tickets: £10/ £8. www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

MUSIC

The Manfreds
Friday, 8pm, Exeter Corn Exchange
The Manfreds, with "The One In The Middle" Paul Jones, will be performing many of their biggest hits including 5-4-3-2-1, Pretty Flamingo and Do Wah Diddy Diddy, along with a mix of solo hits and jazz and rhythm'n'blues renditions for which they are famous. Tickets £22.50 (£20.50 conc over 60/under 16). http://www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

Live Music
Friday, various venues, Exeter
Venezia, Exeter Quay: Manuka , 7pm, free.
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: Beautiful Blue Mac, 9.30pm, free.
John Gandys, Gandy Street:  K2, 9.30pm, free.
The Old Firehouse, New North Road: Model Folk, 10.30pm, free.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Shovelhead, 9pm, free.

Atomic Blondie and The Bowie Experience
Saturday, 8pm, Exeter Corn Exchange
Back by popular demand! Celebrating 40 years of Blondie, and their induction into the rock n roll hall of fame in 2006 & NME Award in 2014, do not miss this explosive tribute! Tickets £15 in advance, £17 on the door, £10 under 16s (accompanied by an adult). www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

Teignmouth Folk Concerts: Artisan
Saturday, 8pm, The Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth
The premier UK acapella folk group will be appearing at The Alice Cross Centre, 1-3 Bitton Park Road on the 9th May.  Tickets: £14 on the night or £12 in advance or concessions. For more information call Hugh on 01626 775517. www.teignmouthfolkconcerts.co.uk

Jangle Presents
Saturday, 9pm, Exeter Phoenix
Jangle presents: Born on Road Showcase featuring Kelvin 373, Stivs, Aries + B.O.R. Over 18s. https://next.fatsoma.com/events/3runistt/jangle-presents-born-onthe-road...

Live Music
Saturday, various venues, Exeter
The Devon Yeoman, Beacon Heath: Matthew Finnish, 10pm, free.
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: Kiss This! 9.30pm, free.
The Old Firehouse, New North Road: Count to Fire, free before 10.30pm, £1 after.
The Bowling Green, Blackboy Road: Grooming the Wookie, 9.30pm, free.
Heart of Oak, Pinhoe: The BobKatZ, 9.15pm, free.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Electric Spank, 9pm, free.

Marenje
Sunday, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix
Chartwell Dutiro, Denise Rowe and Exeter Contemporary Sounds present the fruits of project ‘Meta-Mbira’. Zimbabwean Mbira and European String Quartet, icons within their cultures, provoke and explore each other with dance delving deep into their rhythms, moods and creative drive. ‘Meta-mbira’ is a unique crosscultural music and dance project performed by Marenje ensemble: world-renowned Zimbabwean mbira player, Chartwell Dutiro with Denise Rowe and the string quartet of Exeter Contemporary Sounds. Tickets £10 (£8) www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Liive Music
Sunday, various venues
The Old Firehouse, New North Road: ExTunes live, 9pm, free.
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: Martin Weller, 8.30pm, free.
The Bank, Exmouth: Just Misbehavin, 3pm, free.
The Ship Inn, Teignmouth: The SwampHogs, 6pm, free.
Sidbury Village Inn, Sidbury: The Risk, 8.30pm, free.

EVENTS

History of Poltimore House Talk and Walk
Saturay, 2pm, Poltimore House, Exeter
Have you ever wondered about the history of Poltimore House and Estate, curious to know what happens next? Now is the chance to hear about the house and the Bampfylde family who lived there. Talk and guided tour followed by tea. Numbers limited so booking is essential. http://www.poltimore.org/

VE Day Celebration Dance
Friday, 7.30pm, Jubilee Hall, Chagford
VE Day Celebration Dance at The Jubilee hall, Chagford, £20 for supper ( bring your own wine). Tickets from Sally’s Newsagents, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Devon & Cornwall. https://www.facebook.com/MacmillanDevonandCornwall

Civil War at Poltimore
Sunday, 11am, Poltimore House, Exeter
Wardour Garrison is making a return visit to Poltimore House. Experience what it was like to live in a Civil War garrison, including living history experience, combat demonstrations, authentic sites and sounds of the battlefield.  You can also investigate the house and grounds, and have lunch or afternoon tea. This event may not be suitable for dogs due to loud noises. Adult £3, family £9, one adult family £7, Friends of Potlimore House £2. 11am-4pm. http://www.poltimore.org/

National Mills Weekend
Sunday, 10am, Cricklepit Mill, Exeter Quay
Devon Wildlife Trust is running its popular annual National Mills Weekend event this Sunday. Visitors will be given the chance to see the historic mill in action and hear traditional mill songs from Exeter’s folk choir. The wildlife garden will be open and the flour that is milled will be available to buy. This free event runs from 10am-2pm. The wildlife garden will also be open to visitors.  www.devonwildlifetrust.org

EXHIBITIONS

Historic views of Exeter canal and the Exe
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
Starting Saturday 9 May, visitors to Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) will be treated to a new exhibition featuring historic scenes of Exeter canal and the Exe. Drawn from Exeter’s Fine, Quay Views: Exeter Canal and the Exe can be viewed in gallery 5 from 9 May to 2 August. Entry is free.

Max Cahn
Exeter Phoenix Café Bar
Max Cahn’s paintings depict structures that resemble everyday matter. A suggestion of the familiar is stripped right back, at times to the barest point of recognition, easily misconstrued and falling into abstract form. The paintings are unpredictable and in a constant state of exploration. Work is on show until May 23.

From  Cowboys to Astronauts – Towards A Circular Economy
Devon Contract Waste, Exeter
From Cowboys to Astronauts is an art from waste exhibition promoting the concept of a circular economy - where materials and energy from products are recovered and put back into the system instead of simply being disposed of. Invited artists will use waste materials to demonstrate what can be achieved when we move away from the throwaway mind-set that is endemic in our society. Entry to the exhibition will be free, and it will be open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, excluding bank holidays, until 22 May.  More information here: http://bit.ly/1zkYZBG