Road Trip! London 2012 Olympic Beach Volleyball at Horseguards

On The Mall for the 2012 Olympics in London

I wasn't expecting to be as excited as I was when I got off the 501 National Express coach and arrived at the London 2012 Olympics, you know, from off the BBC, but it was really hard not to get swept up into the feel good spirit. So many smiling friendly people, all happy to be in London. The army personnel that came in to work security were pleasant and reasonable. The volunteers were helpful and informed. The setting was thoughful and inventive. The sport skilled and inspiring.

We went on Saturday 28 July and were lucky enough to see the beach volleyball with number one ranked Brazilian Womens team, the Team GB mens and a pair from the 11 strong delegation form Mauritius. Sun, sand, the sound of Big Ben? What more could you ask for?

Olympic sand castle sculpture outside of the stadium

View from our Downing Street seats

Brazil v Mauritius

 Yes, there were dancing girls in the time outs

Sun Shines on Articulture Opening at Gallery 36

Gallery 36's Articulture revellers

I was lucky enough to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the opening of Articulture, the latest exhibition at Veronica Gosling's Gallery 36. From now until July 29th, 10 artists will take over the St Leonard's art space with pieces full of whimsy, colour and beauty.

View from Polly's Cafe

Visiting Gallery 36 is always a treat, but Sunday was particularly delightful because the whole place was a buzz with artists on hand, picnicking in the garden, music in the lounge and the sun in the sky.   The Articulture exhibition features ten artists with ceramics, woodwork, paintings and sculpture plus 3 large colourful market stalls in Exeter's most inspired sculpture garden.

Ardyn Griffin's papier mache looking glass

In the house visitors enjoy papier mache phantasies by Ardyn Griffin, stained glass panels by master glass painter Deborah Lowe, small sculptures by Belgian artist Norah Claeys, paintings by ex international football referee, Gordon Hill, assemblages, drawings etc. etc. and many ‘During the Night’ prints by resident artist Veronica Gosling continue the diversity and interest of this show.

Paul McCullough haunting surrealism

In the garden, woodworker Julian Duckham’s toys, tables music stands and easels, Isabel Merrick’s, decorative and useful ceramics, Paul McCullough’s surreal paintings, Victoria Hooper’s cards and paintings and Polly Dolby’s, luminous, decorative paintings.

The  gallery is such an important space of creativity and community in Exeter.  Veronica has opened her home to artists and the appreciative for many years, serving as a kind of rare beacon of inspiration and artistic generosity. Like the Watts Towers in California, Gallery 36 is a private space with wide reaching public legacy. And is easily one of the best places in Exeter.

If you've weren't able to visit for the opening of the exhibition, you can visit on any day except Mondays until 29 July and you can catch the next open day on 22 July with Chill Acoustic.

Art garden at Gallery 36

Sculpture in the garden in Gallery 36

Reflection sculpture in the garden at Gallery 36

I'm Talking Jive at the Exeter Corn Exchange

Jive at the Exeter Corn Exchange

It's Thursday night and that means there's something stirring at the Exeter Corn Exchange. Or more specifically something whirling and twirling. With an average of more than 150 dancers for every Thursday night session, Exeter's Modern Jive Classes might be the city’s worst kept secret.

I visited on a quiet Thursday and there were approximately 60 to 100 friendly folks going through the paces with the instructors. I’ve been to other ballroom dancing courses and the thing that sets this apart is that the emphasis is not on making sure that you’ve got perfect rumba hips or that you’re arms are at exactly the right angle, rather that you're having a good time. And I know that lots of people say that, but this lot actually mean it.

They’ve set if up so that it’s really easy to come along as a pair or as an individual without feeling awkward. Each beginner, intermediate or advanced section starts off with step by step instruction where everyone gets a go. And during the freestyle beginners can practice their moves with intermediates or more advanced dancers who are generally happy to help.

Exeter Jive is run by Nelson and Karen Rose of Floorplay

The music was great with lots of modern pop like Rihanna and Beyonce and you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in. And you can go at your own pace – as long as your in time.  I’ve got a few friends who’ve gotten really into Jive of late mostly because it’s a great source of exercise as well as being a really good way to meet people.

So if it’s Thursday night and you’re looking for something to do. You’re not a big drinker and you don’t fancy being out too late, but you’d like to meet some new people and maybe try something new, pop along and shake a leg.

Floorplay's Exeter Modern Jive at the Exeter Corn Exchange on Thursday's from 7:30pm. £6

Weekly Jive Dancing Classes at Exeter Corn Exchange

Spotlight on Organic Exeter: Seasons whole foods shop

All Smiles at Seasons Whole Foods

Seasons whole food shop is one of my favourite places in Exeter because it is small and perfectly formed. While their shelves are stacked high with an amazing selection of organic, fair trade, local, and vegetarian you’d be surprised at just how many more goodies they have tucked up behind the counter. I went in looking for one vegan meat substitute, came out with three and I've hadn't scratched the surface of their extensive selection.

For specialist vegan and organic items, they often have a  much wider selection than most supermarkets. What they don’t have they can easily order. Like the time I bought a bread maker and decided what I really needed was a 25kg bag of organic whole wheat flour, they didn’t ask a million questions, just gave me a call when my massive sack of flour arrived and thanked me for my custom.

And the smell. Mmmm…. The aroma of their collection of herbs and spices is positively intoxicating and always gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when ever I visit.

Located on Well Street, just across the road from St Sidwells School, the shop is full of delectable treats and friendly people and is a real asset to the community.

Check them out at Seasons, 8 Well Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6QR.

Lots of organic whole foods to chose from

Always feel welcome at Seasons

Seasons whole foods on Well Street in Exeter

Poet Matt Harvey comes to Exeter's Boston Tea Party

Wondermentalist Poet Matt Harvey

Former official Wimbledon poet and regular on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live, Matt Harvey is coming to Exeter's Boston Tea Party to raise funds for Transition Exeter on Thursday 12 July at 7.30pm.

In an evening of music and humor, the Totnes based poet and activist will be performing a selection of poems as part of a summer tour that will take him to the Port Eliot Festival, Dartington's Way With Words Wondermentalist recordings and HM Prison Shrewsbury. The evening will include support from The Exwick Singers and Invent More Theatre's Jack & the Green Stalk in a celebration of poetry, drama, and music for a good cause.

For tickets visit organic/local/fair trade food mecca The Real Food Store (£10) or come along the night (£12).

Best of the Fest: Under Stokes Croft at The Oddfellows for Ignite Theatre Festival

Exeter's Ignite Festival of theatre, dance and music is well and truly underway at venues throughout the city. From the Exeter Phoenix and the Northcott Theatre to pub spaces at Oddfellows and the Rusty Bike, Exeter will be treated to a selection of more than 65 shows by the end of the festival on 7 July. The programme is rich and varied, here's my top pick for Tuesday.

Tuesday 03 July at Under Stokes Croft at Oddfellows' Speakeasy 

Jack Dean's one man show adapts Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood to Bristol using poetry, animation and a performance by Dean that has been described as nuanced and considered:

Dean’s talent as an actor as well as writer comes into play as he brings each character to life. He raises plenty of belly laughs with his witty delivery and apt characterisation, varying the pace and tone and reining the piece back from ever feeling bland or repetitive. The comedy also provides a contrast with the serious nature of the poem’s conclusion – those April riots – and prevents it ever becoming preachy or overly political.

The childlike, hand-drawn animation sequences of the monster going about his errands, which appear throughout the performance, give a naïve, childlike quality to the piece. This is torn apart by the raw, mobile phone footage of the riots that appears to the end, edited to a shuddering bassline. Dean does not attempt to analyse the riots and their causes, nor does he take sides or condemn. Rather, the overwhelming feeling we are left with is one of sadness and loss.

Dean’s love for the area and the people in it are obvious throughout the piece, and the destructive final events leave the audience as heartbroken as he clearly is. - Jessica Bateman at Venue Bristol

Under Stokes Croft by Jack Dean is on at the Oddfellows Speakeasy on Tuesday 03 July at 6:30pm. £5.