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.
Oct 2024
Photo Booth Snapshot of Ashburton (Forecourt)Saturday 5 October 2024 - Sunday 27 October 2024 at 10:00 AM
More info and tickets
During October Ashburton Arts Centre will host the booth and Kate is inviting residents to join her each weekend to help create a large-scale artwork using the booth.
You will be asked to pose for an individual photo strip, which will then be used to create a collective piece that will serve as both an archive of the people of the town in 2024, and a celebration of its community.
Ranagri
Wednesday 23 October 2024 at 7:30 PM
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“You’re unlikely to hear anything more irresistible & more folky this year” Louder Than War
Ranagri is an award winning folk band from Ireland and England. With a unique blend of instruments that includes voices, guitar, bouzouki, flutes, whistles, harp/electric harp, and bodhrán/drums, they create a sound that is both mesmerising and unforgettable.
Film: Swede Caroline (15)
Friday 25 October 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Competitive vegetable growers investigate the theft of prize marrow plants and uncover a tangled conspiracy.
Italian Special: Enrico Merlin & Bristol European Jazz Ensemble (BEJE) / Per La Vita Trio / Vintage Film
Saturday 26 October 2024 at 7:30 PM
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An Italian special, in association with the Exeter Italian Cultural Association: great jazz plus an eclectic duo with vintage film from the Exeter Phoenix Archive Project
Minny Stynker: by Soap Soup Theatre
Sunday 27 October 2024 - Friday 1 November 2024 at 2:00 PM
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A story about the magic of creativity – for ages 3+
What would you do if you moved to a new city? All your friends are far away, your house smells weird and it rains all the time?
Devised by by on of Bristol’s leading theatre makers for family audiences, and based on a brand new book by Artistic Director Tasmin Cuthbert. Soap South theatre combines high quality theatre with projection mapping, bringing vibrant illustrations from the book to life.
Not Only But Also The Blues: Chris Jagger Band / Big Mouth Blues Band
Monday 28 October 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Another great line up of two of the best blues or blues-inspired acts in the South West, plus an open mic/jam session.
Rodolfo Richter and Pierre Joubert, violins with William Carter, Lute
Tuesday 29 October 2024 at 7:30 PM
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We are delighted once again to welcome three of the world’s top early music specialists to Ashburton performing as solo, duo and as a trio. The three musicians have been friends and colleagues since the 1990s and have played hundreds of concerts together around the world in various period chamber ensembles and orchestras, notably the Academy of Ancient Music.
Nov 2024
Camp Theatre Co: HansardFriday 1 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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It’s May 1988. Robin Hesketh, a junior minister in Margaret Thatcher’s Government, comes home to his idyllic Cotswold residence two days after passing the notorious Section 28 that prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities. But life is not as blissful as it seems. The foxes have dug up his garden, his wife has a hangover and the fridge is empty. A morning of comical marital sparring evolves into something darker and deeper as an incident from the past tests their relationship to its limits. This funny, brutal and ultimately touching play was premiered at the National Theatre in 2019. In this general election year there could not be a better time for its revival.
The Jamestown Brothers
Saturday 2 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Drifting between the likes of The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Merry Hell, Ferocious Dog and The Pogues, they play original songs influenced by folk, country and americana, with lyrics that mine the rich history and social tapestry of Great Britain and Ireland. With a line-up of guitars, trumpet piano, bass, drums, fiddle, recorder and trombone, the band creates a big sound with intricate instrumental interplay.
Milonga: Afternoon Tango with Live Music for Dancing
Sunday 3 November 2024 at 3:00 PM
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Come to the first ever Milonga at Ashburton Arts Centre. Let yourself be charmed by the mesmerizing sounds of the bandoneon played by Ruth Rozelaar and Jamie Gifford. There’s dance space downstairs and seated listening space there and up in the balcony. DJ is Jamie Gifford, all the way from Oz!
Jazz Jam Session (first Monday of each month)
Monday 4 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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
Tom Ball on Piano/Hammond organ
Coach York on drums.
Michael Kevin Jones, cello and John Bryden, piano
Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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British cellist Michael Kevin Jones is now based in the USA. He’s returning this November for a series of recitals with John Bryden, who was his piano teacher when he was at Dartington College of Arts. Their programme features music by Vivaldi, Bruch, Daniel Van Goens, Rachmaninov and Grace Tin Yen Christus.
Aspyrian: contemporary jazz trio
Thursday 7 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Aspyrian is a London-based trio blending jazz with an array of folk music traditions from different corners of the world. Influenced also by an eclectic mix of soulful songwriters and alternative bands, the result is an ensemble sound that is captivating and truly unique. 2022 awardees of the Help Musicians UK Record/Release Fund.
Opa Rosa
Friday 8 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Opa Rosa are an energetic acoustic ensemble sharing music from the Balkan, Greek, Klezmer & Roma traditions. With several combined decades of study and experience, all five musicians are well-versed in the musical traditions’ syntax and significance, capturing all the joy and sorrow that these traditions are so renowned for expressing.
Chris Cleverley / Katie Whitehouse
Saturday 9 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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“Rather Lovely Electro-Folk” Radcliffe & Maconie BBC 6 MUSIC
“The feel of Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens” ★★★★ Scottish Daily Express
“Frighteningly brilliant works” The Daily Star
The Rheingans Sisters
Sunday 10 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Songs in the folk tradition, exquisitely sung, with a musical treatment inspired by many other genres, to create something unique, arresting and wonderful.
“Scandi-noir, but tinged with joy and avant-garde trad” Songlines
“Brilliant complexity and sparkling diversity on show” Folk Radio UK
Simeon Walker: solo piano
Monday 11 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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“Isn’t that wonderful?” Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music | “Honesty in every note” Stationary Travels
Heidi Talbot & Boo Hewerdine
Tuesday 12 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Heidi has been nominated for folk singer of the year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the Irish Music Awards.
Zoe Francis & Jim Mullen Quartet
Thursday 14 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Zoê Francis, vocals • Jim Mullen, guitar • Tom Ball, Hammond organ • Tristan Mailliot, drums
The Urban Voodoo Machine
Saturday 16 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Part circus part theatre, with a dose of good old Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Threeway (Steve Waterman, Steve Lodder, Ben Crosland)
Sunday 17 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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“The ensemble playing has the togetherness that only comes from top musicians who know each other well and think as one.”
Dave Gelly, The Observer
Folk in Ashburton: Bar Room Folk Session
Monday 18 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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
Tom Ball on Piano/Hammond organ
Coach York on drums.
Talking with the Hippies, with Tom Widdicombe
Monday 18 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
More info and tickets
A live multi-generational variety show with words and music, as part of Tom’s podcast series of the same name
Not Only But Also The Blues: Bad Knees Blues Band / Stompin’ Dave & Lucy Piper
Monday 25 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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
Tom Ball on Piano/Hammond organ
Coach York on drums.
The Occasional Quintet: Recording Rites album launch
Thursday 28 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
More info and tickets
The Occasional Quintet music is by definition, something else, making it a unique occasion.
Film: Cabaret (15)
Friday 29 November 2024 at 7:30 PM
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Inside the Kit Kat Club of 1931 Berlin, starry-eyed singer Sally Bowles and an impish emcee sound the clarion call to decadent fun, while outside a certain political party grows into a brutal force.
Dec 2024
Alice ArmstrongMonday 9 December 2024 at 7:30 PM
More info and tickets
Book here now: £15 full price • £10 or £7 if you prefer – please pay what you can*
“Really loving that vocal” Craig Charles, BBC Radio 2
Alice Armstrong is a multi UK Blues Awards-nominated singer-songwriter from the UK, known for her wide vocal range, unconventional lyrics, enigmatic stage presence and powerful performances peppered with her trademark sense of humour.
She has spent the last few years on the stage of many of the UK’s biggest rhythm and blues festivals and has regularly guested with the Stevie Watts Organ Trio.
Andy W writes: “Alice performed here at Ashburton Arts Centre in the Tinners Moon Festival with Stevie Watts on Hammond organ – it’s one of the best gigs here ever, and their album is never off of the player – I never get tired of hearing her vocals, just extraordinary! Book early for this one!” Andy Williamson, Arts Director, Ashburton Arts Centre
With Alice will be:
Josh Rigal, bass
Kev Hickman, drums
Olly Knight-Smith, guitar
Joe Bonamassa invited Alice to bring her band and perform on his “Keeping The Blues Alive” Cruise in August 2023.
Alice credits Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Donnie Hathaway, Amy Winehouse, Peggy Lee and Dinah Washington as her main musical influences.
“Speed Dial” https://youtu.be/7bBpQwopNUc
Second single release: https://www.facebook.com/alicearmstrongmusic/videos/128625836796983
Guesting with Stevie Watts Organ Trio: https://youtu.be/lby3pTM3tRo
When the Party’s Over (Billie Eilish cover) with Matt Long: https://youtu.be/UjK2q-bb2dU
Website: https://www.alicearmstrongmusic.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicearmstrongmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicearmstrongmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AliceArmstrong
“Armstrong delivers a soulful, immaculately phrased vocal…. (she) shifts her tone from reflective to assertive… slinky and sultry… in the soulful singer stakes Alice Armstrong, I have to say, is a real find” BluesEnthused.com
“Nice Pipes, Miss Armstrong” Phill Jupitus
“From deep and soulful to spine-tingling; add to that her sassy with and Alice is the full package” Blues in Britain Magazine, 2020
“Armstrong deserves special credit for the amazing range of her voice. She reminded me of a young Amy Winehouse” Blues Matters Magazine
“Prodigiously talented…… Armstrong’s voice set the hairs on the back of my neck at full attention – I cannot remember the last time I heard such a purity of tone and a depth or range” Music-News.com
FINALIST IN UK BLUES AWARDS 2023 “BLUES VOCALIST OF THE YEAR” AND “BLUES ARTIST OF THE YEAR”
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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.
Steve Turner
Tuesday 10 December 2024 at 7:30 PM
More info and tickets
Steve Turner is known as a pioneer of highly sophisticated English concertina song accompaniments, stretching the boundaries of traditional forms, with one of the best voices in the business. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who also accompanies himself on the cittern, and plays mandolin and banjo.
Film: Anatomy of a Fall (15)
Friday 27 December 2024 at 7:30 PM
More info and tickets
A woman is suspected of her husband’s murder, and their blind son faces a moral dilemma as the sole witness.
Event Calendar
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What we’ve been up to so far…
