What’s On

The first place that events usually get listed is at wegottickets.com/ashburtonarts. Sometimes they get listed there before they appear below. You can also book tickets there (+10% booking fee) or email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk to reserve and pay on the door (cash or card). See Access, Tickets & Finding Us for more about why there are three ticket prices, plus other useful info about coming to events at Ashburton Arts Centre. To be kept up to date with everything going on at Ashburton Arts Centre, join our mailing list.

May 2025

Blue Rose Code
Tuesday 13 May 2025 - Friday 13 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Blue Rose Code
More info and tickets

Blue Rose Code come into 2025 with a fresh wind in their sails. The last year saw sparkling reviews in the national press for award winning album, ‘Bright Circumstance’, radio play on BBC R2 & R6 as well as an appearance on the R4 institution ‘Loose Ends’.
 


Club Tropicana - 80s Club Night
Saturday 17 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
Club Tropicana - 80s Club Night
More info and tickets

A fundraising club night with DJs Al and Vicki spinning your favourite 80s tracks in support of South Dartmoor Community College Ten Tors Team.


Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Concert Band
Sunday 18 May 2025 at 3:00 PM
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Concert Band
More info and tickets

The Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Concert Band is in its 31st year with over 40 members, including former professional musicians and skilled amateurs from the broader local community. The programme will include a wide variety of music styles including classical, pop music and film music, plus some contemporary concert band pieces. The programme includes Prismatic Light by Alan Fernie, Morning, Noon & Night in Vienna, Trumpet Voluntary and Swing When You’re Winning – a medley of big band numbers from Robbie Williams’s 2001 album.


Ahmed Dickinson and Eduardo Martín: virtuoso guitar duo from Cuba
Thursday 22 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
Ahmed Dickinson and Eduardo Martín: virtuoso guitar duo from Cuba
More info and tickets

The show compiles some of Grammy nominee composer Eduardo’s most alluring works for two guitars. Prepare to listen to classical styles merged with rock and son montunos, old Yoruba chants or feel-good rumbas with funk- boleros, and new-age tunes and cinematic pieces sitting alongside Cuban tumbaos with slap bass.


Sold Out: Martha Tilston
Friday 23 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
Sold Out: Martha Tilston
More info and tickets

“She has probably the purest voice I have heard and at times it sent shivers up and down my spine” BBC


DARTMOOR – OPEN TO ALL? A conversation with Kate Ashbrook, Matthew Kelly, Guy Shrubsole and Lewis Winks
Saturday 24 May 2025 at 9:30 AM
DARTMOOR – OPEN TO ALL?  A conversation with Kate Ashbrook, Matthew Kelly, Guy Shrubsole and Lewis Winks
More info and tickets

Who really holds the power on Dartmoor? As a National Park, Dartmoor is supposed to be accessible to all, and until recently was the only place in the country you could wild camp freely. But a recent court case has thrown all that into doubt. Can we feel confident about being able to access Southern England’s biggest wilderness in future? Part of Dartmoor Tors Festival


ROCK IDOLS – DARTMOOR’S EXTRAORDINARY TORS: Wyl Menmuir in conversation with Alex Murdin and Sophie Pierce
Saturday 24 May 2025 at 11:00 AM
ROCK IDOLS – DARTMOOR’S EXTRAORDINARY TORS: Wyl Menmuir in conversation with Alex Murdin and Sophie Pierce
More info and tickets

Fantastical yet natural, Dartmoor’s 280-million-year-old tors are among the most iconic landmarks in southern Britain. Victorian antiquarians described them as ‘rock idols’, believing them to be stone deities worshipped by the Druids. Thousands of years before that, they inspired our ancestors who built ceremonial stone rows and circles aligned on them…
Part of Dartmoor Tors Festival


THE SECRETS OF CUT HILL AND PILES HILL: Uncovering the lives of the ancestors – A talk by DNP archaeologists Lee Bray and Andy Crabb
Saturday 24 May 2025 at 12:30 PM
THE SECRETS OF CUT HILL AND PILES HILL: Uncovering the lives of the ancestors – A talk by DNP archaeologists Lee Bray and Andy Crabb
More info and tickets

In August 2024 a Bronze Age burial cist — described as exceptional — was excavated at Cut Hill, one of the moor’s highest and most remote sites. And the year before that, a possible surface made of quartz was found underneath a double stone row at Piles Hill. Archaeologists Dr Lee Bray and Dr Andy Crabb, from the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), will reveal the latest findings from these extraordinary discoveries, taking us on a journey of archaeological inquiry.  In a story which involves everything from battling the moor’s inclement weather, to re-erecting fallen stones, they will unveil the secrets of these ancient stone monuments.
Part of Dartmoor Tors Festival


BEYOND HUMAN: LANDSCAPE’S EMOTIONAL RESONANCE: Readings and conversation with Sean Borodale, Fiona Williams and Caspar Walsh (chair)
Saturday 24 May 2025 at 2:00 PM
BEYOND HUMAN: LANDSCAPE’S EMOTIONAL RESONANCE:  Readings and conversation with Sean Borodale, Fiona Williams and Caspar Walsh (chair)
More info and tickets

What role does place play in human stories?  And how can our emotional response to wild landscapes deepen our lives and those of the other beings which share our planet?  From caves and rivers, to moors and marshes, join writers whose work is deeply rooted in British locations for readings and a conversation about our relationship with the landscapes that surround us.
Part of Dartmoor Tors Festival


DARTMOOR IS THE ARTIST: A visual presentation and conversation with Land & Lore, Garry Fabian Miller, Matthew Shaw and Mark Jessett
Saturday 24 May 2025 at 3:30 PM
DARTMOOR IS THE ARTIST: A visual presentation and conversation with Land & Lore, Garry Fabian Miller, Matthew Shaw and Mark Jessett
More info and tickets

Through visual presentation and conversation, find out how Dartmoor, and other places, have been leading the way for some of the most interesting human artists making art today: Lore & Land, Garry Fabian Miller, Matthew Shaw and Mark Jessett.
Part of Dartmoor Tors Festival


SOLD OUT: Seth Lakeman (with Benji Kirkpatrick and Alex Hart)
Saturday 24 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
SOLD OUT: Seth Lakeman (with Benji Kirkpatrick and Alex Hart)
More info and tickets

Dartmoor Folk legend with two of his regular collaborators. Tickets will go on sale from 12 noon on Saturday 22 February.


BELTANE BORDER: THE DARK SIDE OF FOLK: A conversation with, and performance by, Dartmoor’s wildest Morris side
Sunday 25 May 2025 at 6:00 PM
BELTANE BORDER: THE DARK SIDE OF FOLK: A conversation with, and performance by, Dartmoor’s wildest Morris side
More info and tickets

Join us for rare conversation with Beltane Border, followed by a thrilling performance outside Ashburton Arts Centre.

What is behind the tradition — and subversion — of this legendary Dartmoor Morris side?
Where do the dances come from, and how do they relate to the landscape of Dartmoor?
And why the fierce faces and fishnets?
Part of Dartmoor Tors Festival


NOBATB: Alex Voysey Trio and Vince Lee & Sophie Lord
Monday 26 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
NOBATB: Alex Voysey Trio and Vince Lee & Sophie Lord
More info and tickets

The last Monday of every month here is Not Only But also The Blues where we feature some of the finest exponents in the south west, and beyond, of music whose roots are in the blues.
Alex Voysey Trio: “Outstanding, energetic, breathtaking” Swanage Blues Festival 2024
Vince Lee & Sophie Lord, recently returned from touring in California, USA


Milkweed
Tuesday 27 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
Milkweed
More info and tickets

Stretching the boundaries of folk music tradition, experimental electronics, lo-fi weirdness and psychedelia. Milkweed is two anonymous musicians. They recently appeared in a live session on Radio 3’s Late Junction, where Verity Sharp said that they “commune with the spirits of the past…[and] cast some great lo-fi spells…”


Ellie Gowers
Saturday 31 May 2025 at 7:30 PM
Ellie Gowers
More info and tickets

Stretching the boundaries of folk music tradition, experimental electronics, lo-fi weirdness and psychedelia. Milkweed is two anonymous musicians. They recently appeared in a live session on Radio 3’s Late Junction, where Verity Sharp said that they “commune with the spirits of the past…[and] cast some great lo-fi spells…”


Jun 2025

Jazz Jam Session (first Monday of each month): Tom Ball & Gary Evans
Monday 2 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Jazz Jam Session (first Monday of each month): Tom Ball & Gary Evans
More info and tickets

The first Monday of each month starting at 7.30pm. This month’s house band will be:
Jesse Molins on guitar and your host for the evening with: Tom Ball & Gary Evans


A Band Named Brian (a cycle tour)
Tuesday 3 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
A Band Named Brian (a cycle tour)
More info and tickets

Two parts Billy Bragg to one Part Levellers, with a touch of Johnny Cash and a side order of Beans on Toast: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry… you may even dance!


Iona Lane
Wednesday 4 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Iona Lane
More info and tickets

From basking sharks to lighthouses, lichen to vanishing islands, curlews to shipwrecks; the album was recorded in a boathouse on the West Coast of Scotland and the eager listener may even hear the lapping sound of the tide murmuring through the album.


Winter Wilson: Live and Unconventional
Friday 6 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Winter Wilson: Live and Unconventional
More info and tickets

Book here now: £15 full price • £10 or £7 if you prefer – please pay what you can*

Kip Winter & Dave Wilson perform often hard-hitting original songs in stunning harmony, interspersed with self-deprecating humour. Over the past few months they’ve toured throughout the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada

In recent years they’ve made many festival appearances including, Cambridge, Shrewsbury, Gate to Southwell, Cropredy, New Forest, Wimborne, Costa Music in Portugal, Warwick, Brugge International Festival of Arts, Bromyard, Derby and many more. and have recently recorded their twelfth album – Home.

“If you need evidence of just how special the duo Winter Wilson is, then Live & Unconventional delivers in abundance” Steve Caseman, RnR magazine

“Beautiful voices, exceptional songwriting, and utterly endearing performances…. I loved watching the audience fall in love with them!” Shari Ulrich (Canada), Multi Juno Award Winner.

https://youtu.be/6L_2a0Mrqzs

https://youtu.be/MsR6vI1qeTA

 

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See Access, Tickets & Finding Us for more about why there are three ticket prices, plus other useful info about coming to events at Ashburton Arts Centre: getting here, parking, loos, PA tickets, etc.

* We usually have three ticket prices – please pay what you can. If you can pay the full price, that’s great. If choosing a cheaper ticket allows you to come to more things, then please do! Ticket receipts are split between the artists (it’s usually their livelihood!) and the arts centre (keeps the place going). Except on the rare occasions when we have a sellout gig on our hands, it’s always better to have someone here in the audience than an empty seat, so genuinely, please pay whatever you can.

 


Earl Okin, legendary crooner/comedian - Diamond Jubilee
Thursday 12 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Earl Okin, legendary crooner/comedian - Diamond Jubilee
More info and tickets

Earl Okin is now a legendary crooner/comedian in that ‘cult’ bracket of musicians who each generation (re)discovers, but somehow he has never quite made the big time. I first came across him at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1985 (writes Andy Williamson), and kept coming across him there over the years, and then in London where he’s lived in the same flat in Notting Hill for 68 of his 74 years! In all that time, he’s hardly changed. I never tire of watching him perform – he’s always amazing.


Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh
Sunday 15 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh
More info and tickets

Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh is a close harmony folk trio that brings together the exciting talents and exquisite voices of award-winning songwriters Odette Michell, Karen Pfeiffer and Daria Kulesh.


The Charlotte Carrivick Band
Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
The Charlotte Carrivick Band
More info and tickets

Four of the most exciting modern bluegrass musicians in the UK today come together in this new band. With a shared passion for modern bluegrass, The Charlotte Carrivick Band brings together four of the most exciting musicians in the UK today. Charlotte Carrivick is a flatpicking guitarist of international renown, sought for her inventive lead playing and regarded as an expert fiddle tune interpreter on the guitar.


Tim Edey
Monday 23 June 2025 at 7:30 PM
Tim Edey
More info and tickets

Multi award-winning Tim Edey has been recognised as: BBC Musician of the year BBC ALBA/Scotland, Best Traditional musician 2020, and BBC Radio Two Musician of the year 2012 (BBC R2 FOLK AWARDS)


Jul 2025

Matt Holborn Quartet: For Stuff
Saturday 12 July 2025 at 7:30 PM
Matt Holborn Quartet: For Stuff
More info and tickets

Join Matt Holborn and his quartet for a concert dedicated to jazz violin legend Stuff Smith. A major figure in jazz from the 1930s onward, Smith played with greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole, and Ben Webster, and appeared in the iconic 1958 photo, “A Great Day in Harlem.”


Ashburton Chamber Music Festival 2025
Friday 18 July 2025 - Sunday 27 July 2025 at 12:00 AM
Ashburton Chamber Music Festival 2025
More info and tickets

We’ve confirmed the dates and programme for the Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025, This series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events are hosted around Ashburton from 18 – 28 July 2024. To see the preliminary information, that is subject to change, read the ACMF 2025 webpage. If you want to hear when the dates and venues are announced and tickets are available, please sign up to the Ashburton Arts Centre’s mailing list here. 


ACMF 2025 Hausmusik # 1: 25 East Street
Friday 18 July 2025 at 7:00 PM
ACMF 2025 Hausmusik # 1: 25 East Street
More info and tickets

What is a Hausmusik? An informal event where the audience decides what’s played from a selection of chamber music, and the musicians will sight-read it together for the first time.

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27 July 2024. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ACMF 2025


ACMF 2025 Hausmusik # 2: Bigadon Cottage, Buckfastleigh
Saturday 19 July 2025 at 7:00 PM
ACMF 2025 Hausmusik # 2: Bigadon Cottage, Buckfastleigh
More info and tickets

What is a Hausmusik? An informal event where the audience decides what’s played from a selection of chamber music, and the musicians will sight-read it together for the first time.

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27 July 2024. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ACMF 2025


ACMF 2025 Meet the Musicians: Ashburton Arts Centre
Sunday 20 July 2025 at 4:00 PM
ACMF 2025 Meet the Musicians:  Ashburton Arts Centre
More info and tickets

Richard Gonski, moderator Introduces the musicians, & selections from the programme.

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27July 2025. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


ACMF 2025 Family Concert: Ashburton Arts Centre
Tuesday 22 July 2025 at 5:00 PM
ACMF 2025 Family Concert:  Ashburton Arts Centre
More info and tickets

Hear short selections from the week

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27July 2025. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


ACMF 2025 Concert No 1: Ashburton Arts Centre
Wednesday 23 July 2025 at 7:30 PM
ACMF 2025 Concert No 1: Ashburton Arts Centre
More info and tickets

This concert features music by Bach, Shostakovich, Knussen

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 128– 27 July 2024. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


ACMF 2025 Concert No 2: A secret venue
Thursday 24 July 2025 at 9:00 PM
ACMF 2025 Concert No 2: A secret venue
More info and tickets

What is a Nachtmusik? NEW for 2025, this is a concert performed in the dark, close to nature in a magical Dartmoor location.

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27July 2025. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


ACMF 2025 Concert No 3: St Pancras Church Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Friday 25 July 2025 at 9:30 PM
ACMF 2025 Concert No 3: St Pancras Church Widecombe-in-the-Moor
More info and tickets

This Concert features music by Bach, Shostakovich, Knussen with informal artist “Talk Back” afterwards

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27July 2025. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


ACMF 2025 Concert No 4: St Andrew's Church, Ashburton
Saturday 26 July 2025 at 7:30 PM
ACMF 2025 Concert No 4: St Andrew's Church, Ashburton
More info and tickets

This Concert features music by: Thomas with dancer Lois Taylor, choreographed with Angus Balbernie, Vignieri, Mills (world premiere), Beethoven

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27July 2025. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


ACMF 2025 Concert No 5: Ashburton Arts Centre
Sunday 27 July 2025 at 5:00 PM
ACMF 2025 Concert No 5:  Ashburton Arts Centre
More info and tickets

This Concert features highlights from the Festival. If you’ve heard something that you’d really love to hear again at any of the performances, let us know – you can email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk – and it might make it into the programme.

This is part of Ashburton Chamber Music Festival (ACMF) 2025 – a series of concerts, hausmusiks (where the musicians sight-read what the audience chooses) and other events in and around Ashburton from 18– 27July 2025. To see everything that’s happening, and more about the music and the musicians go to ashburtonarts.org.uk/acmf.


Event Calendar

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regular activities

What we’ve been up to so far…