TED's essential guide to what's on in and around Exeter this weekend

From open air theatre to dragon boat racing, there is no shortage of entertainment to suit all the family this weekend!

THEATRE

Dancing at Lughnasa
Friday, 7pm, Poltimore House
Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds of this country house and let us transport you to Ballybeg, County Donegal for the harvest time in 1936. The Mundy sisters, trapped by poverty, escape the drudgery with banter and dancing to the Marconi wireless, hoping to find love and a continuing future together. A warm and compelling play by Brian Friel, one of the greatest modern Irish writers.  £10 adults, £5 children, £8 friends of Poltimore House and Cygnet ACT. Box Office 01392 277189 or purchase on the door. www.poltimore.org

The Importance of Being Earnest
Saturday, 7pm, Poltimore House
Jack wants to marry Gwendolen, but there are two obstacles: her mother who is a ‘Gorgon’... and Gwendolen’s ideal ‘to love someone of the name of Ernest’ ... Meanwhile, with the discovery that Jack has ‘an excessively pretty ward, who is only just eighteen’, his friend Algy sees the perfect opportunity for some Bunburying at Jack’s place in the country! £10 adults, £5 children, £8 friends of Poltimore House and Cygnet ACT. Box Office 01392 277189 or purchase on the door. www.poltimore.org

National Theatre Live: Macbeth
Saturday, 8.30pm, Exeter Picture House cinema
Kenneth Branagh returns to playing Shakespeare for the first time in over a decade as Macbeth, with Alex Kingston taking the role of Lady Macbeth. Tickets are £17.50 adults, £14 conc and £13 for Picture House members. www.picturehouses.co.uk

MUSIC

Diamondogz
Friday, 9.30pm, Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay
Stevie Stardust, Toto, Rocket Ryan and Sarah Starchild AKA Diamondogz bring 70s Glam Rock to Exeter Quay! 9.30pm, free entry.

Luke Jackson
Saturday, 8pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
Luke Jackson is a rising 18-year-old Roots singer/songwriter from Canterbury, Kent and 2013 sees him nominated for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. Tickets are £10 per adult. www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Ash Grunwald
Sunday, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix
The Australian musician has a strong international reputation based on his energetic live shows and blistering festival performances. His blues are propelled by driving dancefloor rhythms, buoyed by hip hop beats and slammed by the dubstep crunch.  Tickets: £8. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

EVENTS

Topsham Flower Festival
Friday & Saturday, St Margaret’s Church, Topsham
View more than 45 exhibits on the theme of Creation which are provided by local organisations and traders in the town. Admission fee is free but money raised will go to local charities. Open 10am to 8pm on Friday, and 10am to 5pm Saturday. Refreshments available.

Community Workshop and Drop-in
Saturday, 2-5pm, Exwick Parish Hall & Jubilee Garden, Exeter
Community Workshop - 2pm-3.30pm: Find out more about the changes happening at Exwick Parish Hall this summer, discuss concerns and come up with a possible vision that meets the needs of Exwick. Running in parallel will be a children's workshop 'Smoothie Energy' for children of parents attending the workshop. Call Gill to book on 07806 623311 or email gillwyatt@transitionexeter.org.uk
Tea Party with Bouncy Castle - 3.30pm-5pm: Drop in for cream teas, cakes and fun! Give your suggestions and views about the future of Exwick Parish Hall.

Dragon Boat Racing
Sunday, 10am, Exeter Quay
Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club are holding a Charity Dragon Boat Racing event at Exeter Quay raising money for ELF. The races will comprise a series of heats over a course of approximately 200 metres. Racing starts at 10am and the awards will be presented at 4pm. www.execalibre.co.uk

FETES

St David’s Hill Playgroup Summer Fete and Barbecue
Saturday, 11am, 41b Bonhay Road, St David’s, Exeter
Family fun including  face painting, cake stall/sweet stall, great raffle prizes and days out tombola as well as delicious  barbecue food to enjoy, all between 11am and 2pm.

Exminster Village Fete
Sunday, 11.30am, Deepway Green, Exminster
Celebrating its third year,this year’s fete including a pet show, Welly wanging, bouncy castle, tug o’ war, Scottish dancing, displays and live music. There will also be stalls, crafts, games and competitions and locally produced refreshments and lots more!  For more information and regular updates follow on Facebook and Twitter @exminsterfete 

EXHIBITIONS

Masters of the Moor: William and FJ Widgery
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
An exhibition of Dartmoor scenes by William and FJ Widgery which runs until 27 October. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm.  From time to time the galleries will be closed for special events; please check before travelling, phone: 01392 265858. www.rammuseum.org.uk

Artbeat Exhibition
Saturday, 10am, East Devon Art Academy, Old Fore Street, Sidmouth
An art and textile deign exhibition of 10 local artists using mixed media including acrylics, oils, watercolours and pastels, open 10am-5.30pm. Free admission.

Peter Randall-Page: Drawings and Prints
CCANW, The Innovation Centre, Rennes Drive, Exeter
A selection of Peter Randall-Page’s botanical drawings and prints made 1994-2000. Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm except bank holdiays.  www.ccanw.co.uk