What’s On in North Devon – Sept 20-23

There are a number of events taking place this weekend to keep the whole family entertained.

You could enjoy the rides at Barnstaple fair, which is in town until Saturday night, or enjoy the fun-filled atmosphere at Barnstaple Carnival on Saturday.

In Bideford, a three-day music festival at the Palladium Club will see a host of local bands performing. Up-and-coming Exeter band, The Computers, will headline the opening night of Beta Fest on Thursday.

On Sunday, foodies will want to head over to RHS Rosemoor for The Taste of the Westcountry Food Fest which promises to offer a host of locally distinctive food and drink.

As always, we've rounded-up a pick of the best events in North Devon this weekend and listed them below with all the details you need.

Enjoy your weekend!

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Music Festival:

What: Three-day music event

Where: Palladium Club, Bideford

When: Thursday, September 20 until Saturday, September 22.

The area’s coolest DIY independent music festival returns this weekend. The event, organised by The Dead Betas, takes place in Bideford’s Palladium Club. Saturday’s headliners are a band on a mission to avoid the mediocre, Scholars. Joining them will be a host of other outfits including Dirty Colours, a burgeoning post punk band with an incredible talent for writing catchy songs.

“I’m always excited about Beta Fest, in fact, I think I’m just always excited,” said Tobias Kennedy Matthews from the Dead Betas, who organise the festival. “I love the bands we have down here. I also choose the weekend of my birthday to host the festival, which is great. I get to throw myself an epic birthday bash. It will be The Dead Betas last gig until our tour with Mindless Self Indulgence in October too, so it should be a good one.”

The festival, which started out as a private jolly with Tobias and a few friends, now has cult status and is a highlight in the calendar for indie-lovers.

Local bands playing over the weekend include The Verbals (an indie-punk band who were the recent winners of Black Hole Promotions’ battle of the bands) and Chapters of Eden, (champions among local hardcore fans).

“Most of the bands on the bill are local to the area,” said Tobias. “They are the bands that make up the Black Hole Promotions nights I run and they are what it is all about.”

Headliners on Thursday are Exeter band The Computers who fuse garage rock’n’roll with Eighties hardcore. They will be joined by Jackdaws, The Verbals, Dick Narnia and Hometown Attraction.

Headliners on Friday are hard-twang roots punk quartet Crazy Arm from Plymouth who will be joined by The Dead Betas, Call The Doctor, Chapters Of Eden, The Silk Offenders, 2 Sick Monkeys, Abel Archer.

The three night residency has its finale on Saturday with headliners Scholars with Dirty Colours, Days Gone By, Oh Captive, The Julies, The FP’s and Hoinville.

Tickets: £4 on the door at The Palladium Club, Bideford: 01237 478860.

Doors open on Friday and Saturday at 7.15pm and on Thursday at 7.45pm. Weekend tickets will be available on the Thursday night for £10.

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Music:

What: Sonic Fusion

Where: Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe

When: Saturday, September 22

Sonic Fusion will be playing an extra gig on Saturday, having already sold out the Landmark Pavilion on Friday. The band, who play everything from swing to soul and rock’n’roll, are an immensely popular function band and are renowned for creating a party wherever they go.

“We knew we’d be busy again for this year’s gig but we never imagined we’d sell out with weeks still to go,” said singer Charmain Lovett.

“After looking through our diaries we were offered the opportunity to be able to do a second night which is fabulous as we were turning away people last year so hopefully this year we won’t see as many disappointed faces.”

The gig is part of the Landmark’s live music sessions which aim to offer great music for an affordable ticket price.

“Before we start playing we’ll have Sam Dowden doing a support slot. Sam is such a hard-working and talented musician and he supported us last year so he was the ideal person to come along and nicely warm the crowd again.”

The band will be playing a mix of soul, funk and rock’n’roll plus lots of lively toe-tapping songs.

The extra date is on September 22 at the Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe.

Tickets: £4 (advance) or £6 (on the door). Box office: 01271 324242.

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Music:

What: Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman - Shammick Acoustic

Where: Pack O’ Cards, Combe Martin

When: Saturday, September 22, 8pm

The beautiful harmonies of Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman will be entertainment at Combe Martin’s Shammick Acoustic on Saturday.

Dave is no stranger to North Devon, having lived at Instow for several years in the Seventies. However, it was after leaving the area having absorbed the rich diet of traditional music that existed here, that he started writing songs as well as singing. Anni is a native of Gateshead in the North East of England, and grew up with the deep well of urban and industrial song from the Pitman Poets and others. With Dave’s powerful and rich tones, and Anni’s enchanting and melodic voice, they teamed up with two friends to form the late quartet Beggar’s Velvet. When the group split, Dave and Anni began a career as a mainly a cappella harmony duo and are in constant demand at folk clubs and festivals.

The concert is at the Pack O’ Cards, Combe Martin on September 22 at 8pm. Tickets: £7 (at the door), £6 (in advance) from www.wegottickets.com/event/137349.

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Family entertainment:

What: Barnstaple Fair

Where: Seven Brethren

When: Until Saturday, September 22

Barnstaple Fair is in town this weekend, providing a host of family entertainment with rides like the Star Shape Hare and Gallopers.

On Saturday the fun starts at 2pm and ends at around 10pm. There will be plenty of attractions for younger children including rides, stalls and games. Saturday is also Barnstaple Carnival day with entertainment processions and fun through the town from 1pm.

The fair runs at Seven Brethren all this week until Saturday, September 22.

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Family entertainment:

What: GIG In The Park

Where: Victoria Park, Bideford

When: Sunday, September 23

GIG In The Park takes place on Sunday promising everything from acoustic performances to thrash metal showdowns.

The free event has been organised by participants on the National Citizen Service programme, led by Young Devon, and will showcase local young talent.

Entertainment includes live music, face painting, craft workshops and more.

It is in Bideford’s Victoria Park on Sunday from noon until 8pm.

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Day Out:

What: The Taste of the West Country Food Fest

Where: RHS Rosemoor, Torrington

When: Sunday, September 23, 10am till 4pm

Foodies won’t want to miss all the gorgeous aromas and tastes on offer at the Taste Of The West Country Food Fest on Sunday.

It’s a chance to heap your shopping bags with fresh, seasonal and locally distinctive food and drink and savour some of the most scrumptious food around – all produced on our doorstep.

RHS Garden Rosemoor’s marquee will be home to a wide range of traditional local produce and organic foods plus there will be a chance to try some tasty samples.

The festival celebrates delicious West Country delights including locally-reared beef and lamb, handmade cheeses and English wines, plus a wide range of other tasty things.

Treats for local gourmets include Tried and Tasted’s range of imported Greek olives, sauces and olive oils; slow grown, free range pork, lamb and poultry from Youldon Moor Cottage; and deep-filled meat, fish and game pies from Wessex Pantry.

There will also be stalls from Dan the Fish Man, Country Cooks (gluten free), Red Dog Bakery, Dunstaple Farm Ice Cream, The Shebbear Cheese Co and Dartmoor Chilli Farm.

It is also the final day to see the popular art exhibition: The Artist’s Garden. More than 80 of the South West’s most talented artists are involved in this exciting and colourful exhibition of naturalistic pictures, prints and cards created using a variety of media. The focus is on gardens and plants as well as landscapes, seascapes and wildlife pictures.

“Both events are situated with the stunning backdrop of RHS Garden Rosemoor,” said Heather Eales, marketing and PR manager at Rosemoor.

The Taste of the West Country Food Fest is on Sunday, September 23, 10am till 4pm at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington. Normal garden entry applies.

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Entertainment:

What: Julian Clary

Where: Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple

When: Wednesday, September 26, 7.45pm

Julian Clary is back touring his new show, Position Vacant, Apply Within, and it kicks off at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple on Wednesday.

Apparently, he is looking for love, and he’s determined not to depart empty-handed. He promises to leave no straight unturned.

Clary, who has been a well-loved staple on British stage and screen for the past three decades, explains the concept behind Position Vacant, Apply Within.

“Because I’m still considered quite a catch and because your town is noted for its heterosexuals on the cusp, there’s bound to be stiff competition. Therefore, I will be hosting ruthless elimination games. We can be sure of one thing: By the end of the evening all will be celebrating my new partnership.”

“The show is like an open audition. We will be getting a lot of people up on stage – up to eight. No man will be safe, even though they don’t all have to be men. Like Sticky Moments, there will be a series of elimination rounds. I will have a cattle pen with a white picket fence and a prod so I can herd them into it. The eventual winner will have a gay marriage with me, conducted by a female archbishop.”

He proceeds to elaborate on some of the elimination rounds:

“They’ll be asked to complete the song title, ‘I’m Forever Blowing…’ They will say, ‘Bubbles’, and I will reply, ‘No, I'm afraid the answer I was looking for was ‘Russell Tovey’.

“They will also have to impersonate me and dance. They will really have to earn the right to marry me. The winner will be the most amusing contestant – it could even be a woman. The ultimate prize is 20 minutes in my dressing room. The winner will be hoiked backstage to spend time with me at the end of the show.”

Julian Clary is at the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple on Wednesday, September 26, 7.45pm.

Tickets: £21. Box office: 01271 324242.

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Exhibition:

What: Simone Hunt Exhibition

Where: Art Coop at Gallery 39, Barnstaple

When: Until Thursday, September 27, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Ethereal images of women by Simone Hunt are on show at Barnstaple’s Gallery 39 until next Thursday.

Simone has become interested in figurative work, combining traditional painting techniques with her photography and digital skills.

Her pictures are influenced by Vermeer and Klimt, yet also include cultural references from today.

The models are modern women whose beauty demands attention, without seeking approval.

See them at the Art Coop at Gallery 39 in Barnstaple, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, until Thursday, September 27. Details: 01271 346415.