Tinners Moon Festival 2024, 18 April – 6 May

We have a stunning line up of music, workshops, talks and more. Book at wegottickets.com/tinnersmoon2024 (10% fee). You can also reserve tickets for any event by emailing boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk. Download the Tinners Moon 2024 festival brochure here (1.8Mb pdf file). There are three prices for everything – pay less and come to more!

Tinners Moon 2024 festival brochure here (1.8Mb pdf file). There are three prices for everything – pay less and come to more!

Tinners Moon 2024 Opening PartyOPENING PARTY: Diz and the Doormen with Russell Sinclair
British New Orleans style piano legend, Diz Watson leads this star-studded band with special guest Russell Sinclair (guitar and vocals), featuring: Paul Harris keys | Martin Dale sax | Gary Evans drums | Adam Glanville bass | and more… Come and get this festival going with a funky swing!
Thu 18 April    7.30pm    £10/£8/£6 Book here


Reg MeurossReg Meuross
Reg Meuross was introduced onto the stage of the Royal Albert Hall by Mike Harding as “one of this country’s finest” and is a true modern troubadour, representing contemporary English folk writing at its best. Captivating audiences with his beautiful tenor voice, and with breadth and depth of material that is unparalleled, Reg has toured extensively for decades across Europe, North America and the Antipodes.
Fri 19 April    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

Ben the Juggler: All Age Circus Workshop Ben The Juggler
Everyone of any age is welcome here where Ben Cornish will teach you balancing, plate spinning , scarf juggling & poi swinging, plus some hula hooping outside (weather permitting).
Sat 20 April    11.am-1.00pm    £9/£7/£5 Book here

Ben the Juggler Family Circus ShowBen The Juggler
Ben the Juggler’s one man Comedy Circus Cabaret, with ball spinning, hat tricks, top notch juggling, audience participation & a hint of danger. 
Sat 20 April    3.00pm    £9/£7/£5 Book here




Joanna Cook BandJoanna Cooke
Joanna is a singer based in Plymouth who is finally getting the national (and beyond!) recognition she deserves, supporting Tom Jones recently. We’re delighted to have her here with her great new band. Catch them here in our intimate space while you still can.
Sat 20 April    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here



Ben the Juggler: Everything you ever wanted to know about jugglingBen Cornish
Ben Cornish tells you everything you ever wanted to know about juggling crash course’ part talk, part demo , part have a go session… including unveiling the mysteries of ‘Contact Juggling’ (where you make it look as though you are floating balls in the air!) This is more geared for grown ups.
Sun 21 April    11am-12.30pm    £9/£7/£5 Book here


Linden Dance: Between UsLinden Dance
A double-bill exploring human relationships and the importance of connection in a world which divides us.
UNBOXED is a physically explosive work where the dancers set themselves in opposition to two giant cubes in a physical representation of their battle with prejudice and judgement.
Re[Frame] investigates the fragility of our closest relationships and how our desire to protect can ultimately harm one another, inspired by Linden Director Sara’s recent hip replacement. “Mesmerising.” 
Before these, a curtain-raiser from South Dartmoor Community College.
Sun 21 April    3pm    £13/£10/£7 Book here

Joe MartinJoe Martin
He did such a great gig at last year’s Tinners Moon Festival, we wanted him back. From singing along to James Taylor and Paul Simon as a child, Joe knew that he wanted to recreate that feeling for others with his own songs one day. Now, the comment he receives most from his live audience is, “your songs sound beyond your years”. His descriptive lyrics capture the stories of people and encounters picked up on the road. 
Sun 21 April    7.30pm    £14/£10/£7 Book here

Tim EdeyTim Edey
After seventeen years of touring the world recording with major names in Celtic and contemporary roots, Tim is now a name on the global stage in his own right. He is one of the world’s finest melodeon and guitar players in the folk & contemporary scene today! He has played with many of the foremost Celtic and roots musicians from The Chieftains and Christy Moore, to Julie Fowlis and Frankie Gavin, to name but a few…
Mon 22 April    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

The Meaning of Life with Prof. Joe Foweraker (3 & 4 of 8 weekly sessions)
Mon 22 April: Morality, Religion, and Culture
Mon 29 April: Vocation: Self-sacrifice and Struggle
These are informal seminars, part of an 8 week series on Monday evenings. It’s a bit like being at university, though you don’t need any qualifications to come along. It’s a lovely opportunity to listen, think, ask questions if you like.
Joe is an emeritus Fellow of St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, and an honorary Professor at the University of Exeter. Over the course of his career, he has studied and taught literature, language, politics, and philosophy; and has worked at universities and research centres worldwide. Always open to a new challenge, he now invites you to share his thoughts on The Meaning of Life.
Book hereMore info here • Starts 8pm
NB Upstairs in Studio, no lift. The picture is La Clairvoyance by René Magritte.  It’s a self-portrait of himself painting a bird. But, as with all of Magritte’s work, there is so much more going on…

Sarah Yeo and Sarah JorySarah Yeo and Sarah Jory
Sarah Yeo has been making an impression on the live music scene for at least two decades. In recent years she has won fans in New York and California and been likened to Karen Carpenter, the Corrs and Mary Chapin Carpenter. 
The incredible Sarah Jory, “Queen of the pedal steel” has toured the world performing with the greats, including Van Morrison, Glen Campbell, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Kenny Rogers.Together these talented Devonian artists make magic happen, performing originals and big hits.
Wed 24 April    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

Peggy Seeger in conversation with Sam RichardsPeggy Seeger
Sadly, this has been postponed to 12 October 2024, as Peggy is recovering from an accident, and is unable to travel. Tickets are available now.
An intimate conversation with a unique artist who has carved a special place in the folk pantheon of both the UK and the USA. Now in her late 80s, Peggy’s light burns as brightly as ever, as we’ll hear in this chat with her old friend, Sam Richards.
“Peggy Seeger’s life is the stuff of a rip-roaring blockbuster…an illuminating, witty, revelatory and unflinchingly candid account, presented in vivid vignettes and nonchalant anecdotes, often funny, sometimes shocking” Mojo Magazine.
Thu 25 April    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

NOBATB King Dinosaur / Jeff HorseyKing Dinosaur
Speakeasy-meets-Dick-Dale in this psychedelic Spaghetti Western Swing Band. Guitar, Trumpet, Double Bass, Piano and Drums with lots of harmony singing. They play fun, high energy, original tunes to dance to and have been ripping up the south west scene with sell out gigs in some of the area’s best venues and festivals. Their raucous, joyous gigs are highly memorable – especially their fantastic original tunes.
“You never had so much fun!”
Jeff Horsey of Junkyard Angels fame is doing a solo set: vocals, harmonica and slide guitar.
Fri 26 April    7.30pm    £13/£10/£7 Book here

Deep Time Moving – Kyra NormanKyra Norman Deep Time Moving
Deep Time Moving brings together dance and geology in a playful exploration of place and environment: how might an embodied imagining of the distant past help us to imagine new futures? Expect sounds from out on the cliffs and under the Atlantic Ocean, costumes fit for the walking holidays of your dreams, atmospheric lighting, and exquisite movement inspired by rocks, water and rural rituals.
NB Performance is upstairs in the Studio. No lift.
Sat 27 April    6pm – 7pm    £13/£10/£7 Book here

Weird DogWeird Dog
Just bliss out and dance to the uplifting house music and transcendental visualisations that these guys create.
Sat 27 April    8pm – midnight    £10/£8/£6 Book here


Lyric Chamber OrchestraLyric Chamber Orchestra
Elgar, Introduction and Allegro
Dvořák, Serenade for strings
Dag Wirén, Serenade
This Devon-based ensemble is led by violinist Patricia Calnan, who played for years with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields under Sir Neville Marriner. This is part of the orchestra’s first season of concerts under the baton of its new conductor, Keith Marshall.
Sun 28 April    11am    £15/£10/£7 Book here

Ash Arts Community CabaretDilys Dalrymple Community Cabaret
This is YOUR chance to take to the stage, with a friendly, supportive audience. Everyone is welcome to perform something – if you need some. Our MC is Dilys Dalrymple, the clown alter ego of someone very close to this place. Email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.u and tell her what you’d like to do. There’ll be piano, PA, mics and a stage. If you need help, we will if we can.
Sun 28 April    7.30pm    £8/£5/£3 Book here


Iago BanetIago Banet
Banet released his third studio album in March 2023 and, in it, he takes the acoustic guitar to its limits. The album features new levels of skill, complexity and versatility, fusing styles, including gypsy jazz, blues rock, country, dixieland, swing, pop and folk. Iago’s technique and approach to performance have captivated crowds across the UK and Spain. A one-man-band on acoustic guitar.
A master of the guitar” Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3
Mon 29 April    7.30pm    £13/£10/£7 Book here

Roger Beaujolais TrioRoger Beaujolais
When Roger plays his vibraphone, it feels like you’re in tropical sunshine! He hit the scene with the Chevalier Brothers, then as an Acid Jazz star; he’s recorded with Robert Plant, Morrissey, Kirsty MacColl, Roni Size and Paul Weller plus countless stars of the jazz world. He’s squeezing us in before a tour with the reformed Fairground Attraction. With Neil Burns on guitar, and Kevin Sanders on double bass a dazzling night of great music is guaranteed.
Tue 30 April    7.30pm    £14/£10/£7 Book here

Community Dance with Ashburton Folk OrchestraCommunity Folk Orchestra
David Faulkner leads the Ashburton Community Folk Orchestra. He’ll be calling folk dances perfect for a spring Thursday afternoon. 
Thu 2 May    1pm – 3pm    £8/£5/£3 Book here

Suntou Susso, Kora MasterSuntou Susso
Suntou is a kora player, percussionist, singer and composer from The Gambia. Born a griot in the 700-year old tradition unique to the Mandinka people. Suntou has a unique societal role as oral historian whilst transmitting and preserving a people’s culture through the generations in song, music and poetry. His musical abilities are outstanding and he is an in-demand and charismatic performer. 
Suntou Susso’s music brings nothing but good vibes as it combines the rich, traditional sound of his West-African Mandinka culture with Afro funk and soul”  Songlines ★★★★
Thu 2 May    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here




The ScribesThe Scribes
Multi-award-winning hip hop three-piece whose unique blend of beatboxing, off the cuff freestyling and genre-spanning music has created a live show quite unlike any other on the scene today. Winners of both the Exposure Music Award’s “Best UK Urban Act” and the EatMusic Radio Award’s “Best Live Act”, they’ve shared the stage with Wu Tang Clan, Dizzee Rascal, Kelis, Rag N Bone Man, Example, Lethal Bizzle, The Wailers, Jurassic 5, Sugarhill Gang, KRS One, De La Soul, MF Doom, and Souls Of Mischief. Always extraordinary!
Fri 3 May    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

Oss Girls and Morris Men: Folk Reimagined and RetoldLucy Wright
Dr Lucy Wright: Folklore is a Feminist Issue  Widespread perception of folk as something ‘of the past’, in need of preserving, risks perpetuating inequities around gender, race, class and sexuality. In this talk, artist and researcher, Dr Lucy Wright shares some of her observations as a collector (and creator) of ‘contemporary folk customs’, excavating the historical practices that were not deemed important enough to record and inventing new, more inclusive ones for the 21st century.
Followed by:
Way Of The Morris (Film, Cert 12, 54 mins)Way of the Morris Film
Filmmaker Tim Plester’s deeply personal journey to reclaim Morris dancing from national joke to one of England’s most ancient and enduring roots traditions. With contributions from Billy Bragg and Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie.
Sat 4 May    2pm    £10/£8/£5 Book here
In partnership with our new next door neighbour: Field System Gallery 

Grimspound Border MorrisGrimspound Border Morris
A small side will be dancing in the forecourt.
Sat 4 May    4.15pm    Free/Donations







hKippershKippers
Formed in 1987 by Stephen Warbeck (Oscar winning Shakespeare In Love composer), the hKippers play, as they call it, ‘Stupid World Music’; bizarre lyrics about fish, hats, plaster, beer, cowboys and more fish set to a tight up-beat, klezmatic Euro-jazz-folk groove combining flights of inspired soloing and melodies your children will sing in the car home.  The Bonzos Go Womad! Staggeringly surreal, brilliant fun, the music is wild and sure to get people dancing while the lyrics and musicianship will keep you entertained. These are top musicians (plus a TV soap star) having fun!
Sat 4 May    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here This band played here a few years ago and were absolutely brilliant! A great night guaranteed.


Workshop: Hedge Morris with Lucy WrightHedge Morris
Hedge morris dancing is for those of us who don’t have, or can’t be with a group of morris siblings on May morning, but who still feel the call to dance up the sun! You can dance anywhere: an idyllic rural clearing, the steps to a block of flats, or in your backyard…
Dress in whatever you have lying around, or make something gloriously non-canonical. Dance alone – or with others – just for the joy of it and to welcome the sunrise and the promise of summer ahead.
Sun 5 May    10am   £16/£10/£8 Book here



FitkinWall HarplandFitkinwall
Internationally-renowned harp and electronica duo FitkinWall follow threads of migration, loss and longing. Graham Fitkin has created enigmatic and mesmerising new versions of Gaelic song, fiddle and pipe tunes for Ruth’s three harps: the sitar-like Renaissance bray harp, the beautiful medieval Gaelic wire harp (clàrsach) and the Scottish lever harp. Ancient aural sources mix with technology creating something beautiful; dark folk moods transform into soaring fast-paced music.  From the BBC Proms, Aldeburgh and Glastonbury Festivals to Spiral Hall Tokyo, Aula Magna Rome and tours in Iceland, Sweden and Italy, now Ashburton.
Sun 5 May    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

Joanna Eden and Craig Milverton An Oscar For EllaAn Oscar for Ella
Jazz greats Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald met at ‘Jazz at the Philharmonic’ – they were a natural pairing, a legend was born. This tribute includes Tenderly, Stomping at the Savoy, Dream a little Dream, Lush Life and many more classics. Joanna and Craig are two British jazz greats, and this will be a wonderful night.
“A fitting tribute to Ella… the full house clamoured for an encore!” London Jazz News
“[Craig Milverton is] Britain’s nearest to Oscar Peterson and the best to come along in the last 20 years” Digby Fairweather 
Mon 6 May    7.30pm    £15/£10/£7 Book here

To book tickets please see wegottickets.com/tinnersmoon2024. You can also reserve tickets for any event by emailing boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk. You can download the festival brochure here (1.8Mb pdf file). There are three prices for everything – pay less and come to more things!

OPENING PARTY Diz and the Doormen: Diz Watson with Russell Sinclair Thu 18 April 7.30pm
Reg Meuross Fri 19 April 7.30pm
Ben Cornish Family Circus Show Sat 20 April 3pm
Joanna Cook Band Sat 20 April 7.30pm
Linden Dance Sun 21 April 3pm
Joe Martin Sun 21 April 7.30pm
Tim Edey Mon 22 April 7.30pm
The Meaning of Life with Prof. Joe Foweraker (3 of 8 weekly sessions) Mon 22 April 7.30pm
Sarah Yeo and Sarah Jory Wed 24 April 7.30pm
Postponed to 12 Oct: Peggy Seeger in conversation with Sam Richards
King Dinosaur / Jeff Horsey Fri 26 April 7.30pm (Not Only But Also The Blues series)
Deep Time Moving (Contemporary Dance) – Kyra Norman (Studio) Sat 27 April 6pm – 7pm
Weird Dog Club Night Sat 27 April 8pm – midnight
Ash Arts Community Cabaret Sat 27 April 7.30pm
Lyric Chamber Orchestra: coffee and cake concert, Elgar, Wirén and Dvořák Sun 28 April 11am
Iago Banet Mon 29 April 7.30pm
The Meaning of Life with Prof. Joe Foweraker (4 of 8 weekly sessions) Mon 29 April
Roger Beaujolais Trio Tue 30 April 7.30pm
Tinners Moon Afternoon Dance with the Ashburton Folk Orchestra Thu 2 May 1pm – 3pm
Suntou Susso Kora Master Thu 2 May 7.30pm
The Scribes Fri 3 May 7.30pm
ADGA Plant Sale Sat 4 May 9am – 11am
Dr Lucy Wright: Folklore is a Feminist Issue (Talk) Sat 4 May 2pm tbc
Followed by Film: The Way of The Morris Sat 4 May 3pm
Grimspound Border Morris (outside in the forecourt) Sat 4 May 4.15pm
hKippers Sat 4 May 7.30pm
Workshop: Hedge Morris (dancing solo) with Lucy Wright Sun 5 May 10.30am – 12.30pm
FitkinWall Harpland Sun 5 May 7.30pm
Joanna Eden and Craig Milverton An Oscar For Ella Mon 6 May 7.30pm