Exeter Big Screen at the Park 2013 listings announced!

The good folks at the Exeter Phoenix have really outdone themselves this year with the lineup for the 2013 Big Screen in the Park at Northernhay Gardens. One absolute classic, one total legend, a masterpiece and a visual feast? There will be much popcorn eating methinks.

If you've never been before, the way that it works is for 4 days every summer, they put a...big screen...in the park....and everyone comes along with a picnic and enjoys the show. It's brilliant. It used to be free but they sell tickets now at a reasonable £3 per film so that they can afford to do it again next year.  Shows start at 9pm and it's just lovely to cozy up with your sweetheart and a film as the sunsets.

Envelope please. And the nominees for best Devon hillside picture show are....

The Goonies on Weds 14 Aug

Poster by Brickhut

Skyfall on Thurs 15 Aug

Poster by Jack Woodhams

Life of Pi on Fri 16 Aug

Poster by Chungkong

The Great Gatsby on Sat 17 Aug

Poster by Tiffany Chen

Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots Story Telling Evening at Exeter Phoenix

Story Teller Sandhya Dave 

Hot on the heels of a fully booked spring performance at RAMM, Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots, presents an evening of storytelling, inspired by new historical research into Exeter's multicultural history, on Wednesday 5 June at the  Exeter Phoenix  for the 2013 Exeter Ignite Theatre festival. Rich story-telling, music and verse bring a new multi-cultural perspective to Exeter’s history in a special performance.

Expect an evening of traditional tales mixed with original stories of people from around the world, moving to, living in and affecting lives in Exeter. Hosted by story-teller Sandhya Dave and local historian Lucy MacKeith, Telling Our Stories' volunteer team will present stories of Black GIs in St Thomas, Exeter's Jewish History, tales of slavery, abolition and more.

In this special performance for Exeter's Ignite Theatre Festival, the Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots collection of stories takes inspiration from new research uncovering Exeter's diverse past. Part of a year long Heritage Lottery Funded project, the 5 June event follows hot on the heels of a fully booked storytelling evening at the RAMM earlier this spring and will give insight into just a few of the human stories revealed in more than 20 different research inquiries and interviews with modern day Exeter residents from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. 

The stories will include pieces that bring new perspectives to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum's Collections and local stately homes. How did war time Exeter respond to a US Army presence that kept black and white GIs separated on the city's streets? Hear tales of Exeter's Jewish community in the Middle Ages and today. Discover how Exeter's residents were affected by slavery and abolition. What happened when Tennessee's Fisk Singers Jubilee Singers arrived in Victorian Exeter and more.

Telling Our Stories, Finding Our Roots, £6/£4, at Exeter Phoenix on Wednesday 5 June at 7:30pm for more information visit www.exeterphoenix.co.uk

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