1 May 2021: We’re expecting that from Monday 17 May, the Arts Centre can reopen to live audiences. Artists are desperate to get back on stage, so we’ve put together a superb line up of live events for the 2021 Tinners Moon Festival, from 17–31 May, with something happening every day, either at the Arts Centre, or in a beautiful outdoor venue nearby. See below for details.
These will be reduced from the normal max capacity, so there’s space between bubbles; we’ll also have plenty of windows open, which means that the ventilation in the main hall is extremely good – almost as good as being outside! Audiences will be expected to obeserve other good covid practice, like wearing face masks whenever possible and regular hand-washing/sanitising.
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May 2021
Tinners Moon Festival 2021 • 17 – 31 MayMonday 17 May 2021 - Monday 31 May 2021 at 12:00 AM
More info and tickets
In anticipation of being allowed to reopen to audiences inside the Arts Centre on 17 May*, we’re planning the Tinners Moon Festival 2021, with two weeks of fabulous live music, magic, song, dance, words and plants!
Tinners Moon Opening Celebration with Sam Walker
Monday 17 May 2021 at 6:00 PM
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Gather in and around the Forecourt for some live music, and a chance to see how the Arts Centre has changed.
Community Cabaret - Open Mic
Monday 17 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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On our opening day, the floor is open for anyone who’d like to perform a song, to anyone who wants to come along and watch.
Annika Skoogh & Ashburton Arts All Stars
Tuesday 18 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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The many-times-delayed Arts Centre Christmas bash from 2020. Featuring Steve Dow (guitar), Jim Rintoul (bass), Martin Jenkins (piano and organ), Andy Williamson (sax) and Josh Rose (drums).
Tom Adams
Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Defined both by a distinctive atmospheric approach to production and his unique falsetto vocals, Tom’s music has been described as being “just beautiful” by Mary Anne Hobbs of BBC6Music and “a wonderfully intimate, intensely emotive experience” by Clash Magazine.
Talk: Guy Shrubsole: Who Owns England?
Thursday 20 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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This talk will focus on who owns Dartmoor, rights of common and rights of access, and what scope there might be for rewilding within the National Park, by restoring some of Dartmoor’s lost temperate rainforests.
These Hills Are Ours: Daniel Bye & Boff Whalley
Friday 21 May 2021 at 5:30 PM
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Dan and Boff plan are running from Devon North coast to the south, doing shows along the way. Starting on the quay at Hartland, they’ll perform in beauty spots, up hills, by waterfalls, in coves – and in front of the Arts Centre.
Moments of Pleasure Trio (Kate Bush Tribute)
Friday 21 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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The music of Kate Bush performed accurately and affectionately capturing the tone and emotion of Kate’s songs perfectly.
Tom Ollendorff Trio
Saturday 22 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Known for his expansive technique, outstanding improvising and imaginative composition style, guitarist Tom Ollendorff has fast been building a reputation as one of the most exciting jazz guitarists in the UK.
Sam Fearon / Safiya Joscelyne & Craig Milverton / Maisie Waterhouse
Sunday 23 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Some rising stars in the making from Ashburton. The music scene here is thriving with emerging talent!
Magical Engagements with Brian Rappert
Monday 24 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Join our conjuror-in-residence for a brand new, highly interactive event that uses entertainment magic to explore themes of connection and estrangement. Brian is a Professor in Sociology at Exeter University. As part of that he has become interested in how magic can be used to speak to the human condition. Join us for a mixture of make-believe and philosophical inquiry.
Sarah McQuaid
Tuesday 25 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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A warm, charismatic stage presence, five critically acclaimed solo albums and a battery of instruments including acoustic and electric guitars, drum and piano = a one-woman powerhouse who defies categorisation.
Wren: Alice Smith / Angus Balbernie
Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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A solo dance devised by Angus Balbernie and performed by Alice Smith. Wren takes from the old stories and songs of “cutty wren”, and from the poem “Half Hanged Mary” by Margaret Atwood and re-imagines them for 2021. This promises to be a beautiful, thought-provoking evening.
Ashburton Community Folk Orchestra
Thursday 27 May 2021 at 11:00 AM
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The Ashburton Community Folk Orchestra, led by David Faulkner, is an open group and all musicians are welcome. He writes, “We will be celebrating spring and sharing our joy in making music & playing together. We play traditional music from Dartmoor and beyond.”
holding hands octet / Fowl
Thursday 27 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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The octet features some of the most exciting improvisers from around the UK. Their music mixes hymn-like and lush brass textures with post-minimalist vibraphone patterns, merged together with electronics by several members of the group. Fowl make pieces that involve words and music, sometimes these creations are songs.
James Kirby
Friday 28 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Singer-Songwriter James Kirby has been touring worldwide over the last 15 years, captivating audiences of all ages with his mellow voice and unique style of guitar playing, he is not to be missed!
Toby Strong : talk / films
Friday 28 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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The Platform Cinema group presents this wildlife filmmaker, famous for his work with David Attenborough and the recent BBC Alaska series.
Lyric Trio: Bach ~ Kodály ~ Purcell
Saturday 29 May 2021 at 12:00 PM
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Led by Patricia Calnan (Violin, ex Academy of St Martins in the Fields), with George Robertson (Viola) and Vicky Evans (Cello) this superb chamber group plays music by JS Bach, Zoltán Kodály and Henry Purcell. This concert starts at 12 noon, and lasts around an hour with no interval.
Attila the Stockbroker & TV Smith
Saturday 29 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Two original punk legends team up for one of their first post lockdown gigs – perhaps the very first of all – both desperate to get out gigging again and both with brand new releases on the go.
Riviera Ramblers
Sunday 30 May 2021 at 1:00 PM
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An excellent sextet playing the sounds of the Swing era of the 1930s and 40s. The front line brass and reeds blend with empathy and energy, buoyed by a pulsating rhythm section that adds echoes of Parisian “manouche / gypsy” jazz of the Hot Club of France. These regulars play at Ashburton Arts Centre on the first Sunday afternoon of every month.
Kitty Macfarlane
Sunday 30 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Kitty Macfarlane is a songwriter and guitarist from Somerset, whose music is rich with visual imagery and written with an eco-eye.
Not Only But Also The Blues: Vince Lee, Russell Sinclair, Black Cat Bone
Monday 31 May 2021 at 7:30 PM
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The spectacular Vince Lee’s Big Combo, Russell Sinclair & the Smokin’ Locos with the house band Black Cat Bone featuring legendary Bill Birks! A triple bill of the finest to round off the festival in style.
Jun 2021
Yusuf Cat Stevens – performed by Keith JamesSunday 20 June 2021 at 7:30 PM
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Keith James is back, after his performances of the songs of Leonard Cohen, and later Nick Drake with his show dedicated to the music and life of Yusuf Cat Stevens.
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Event Calendar
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What we’ve been up to so far…
