Your guide to What's On this weekend

Your essential guide to What's On in and around Exeter this weekend (18-20 December)

THEATRE

Eloise and the Curse of the Golden Whisk
Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter
The year is 1944. In the depths of a dusty larder in the bombed ruins of an Exeter restaurant, Eloise finds a beautiful, golden whisk. But when she clutches the shimmering relic, she unleashes an ancient curse.  The show runs until 9 January. www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

A Christmas Carol
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Ebenezer Scrooge is a notoriously bitter old man who is determined not to let Christmas interfere with his miserly routine. But one Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives some unexpected supernatural visitors who are determined to show him the true spirit of Christmas and the error of his ways. The show runs until 3 January. http://www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

The King with Donkey's Ears
Exeter Phoenix
The king has something hidden under his hat. Something big…. He has donkey’s ears! Only the royal barber knows his secret, and if he tells another living soul he stands to lose everything that is precious to him. But the barber can’t contain himself. He can’t eat, he can’t sleep. What is he to do? The show runs until 3 January.www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Sleeping Beauty
Exeter Corn Exchange
Exeter Corn Exchange presents one of the most loved traditional pantomimes. Join a host of classic characters for songs, laughter and a perfect Christmas show! The show runs until 3 January. http://www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

MUSIC

The Selecter
Friday, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix
The Selecter  is led by their iconic frontwoman Pauline Black, whose recent series of shows on BBC 6Music were hugely well received, alongside an incredible talented band of musicians, including Neil Pyzer (Spear Of Destiny) Will Crewdson (Rachel Stamp) and co-fronted by original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson (who features extensively on Subculture). The music they make is still rooted in ska, punk and reggae except they now have a horn section and this fills out their sound magnificently.  Tickets £17.50, standing. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Live Music
Friday, various venues, Exeter
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: The BobKatZ, 9.30pm, free.
The Old Firehouse, New North Road: Cabaret Voltaire Yuletide Shindig with Screamin’ Miss J, 10.30pm, free.
The Sorry Head, Blackboy Road: Melosa, 9pm, free.

Winter Concert
Saturday, 7.30pm, St David’s Church, Queen's Terrace, Exeter.
Wren Music is bringing together five choirs and one of its youth groups, to present a seasonal winter celebration of singing. There will be over 100 singers, mince pies, mulled wine and a Christmas hamper raffle. Concert begins at 7.30pm.  Admission by donation.

The Pegasus Trio: Music for Christmas
Saturday, 7.30pm, Mint Methodist Church, Fore Street, Exeter
The Pegasus Trio is a new ensemble formed by three professional musicians living in the Exeter region. The combination of voice, piano and violin gives a unique opportunity to explore and arrange a wealth of repertoire, whilst the sounds of voice and violin complement each other beautifully. The Christmas programme will feature a wealth of seasonal music. Tickets £15, £10 conc. Tel: 01392 667080

Joey the Lips
Saturday, 8pm, Exmouth Pavilion
Fast, fun and furious - you won't be able to sit still! 10-piece Joey the Lips perform their 'Funky Soul, Blues & Disco Revue'. From Gimme Some Lovin' to Beyonce's Crazy In Love, from Long Train Running to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now, and their finale is a mad ten minute version of the B52's Love Shack with a heavy metal medley thrown in for good measure!  https://www.ledleisure.co.uk/exmouth-pavilion/book-now/joey-the-lips

Zion Train
Saturday, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix
Zion Train are a Dub phenomenon. Their work from the past 2 decades still sounds fresh to today’s discerning ears. Expect the deepest of dub bass-lines and full-on effect-heavy mixing from main-man Neil Perch, the tightest of brass playing from The Crispy Horns and crazy tosting from hyperactive frontman Dubdadda! A benefit gig for Phonic FM. Supported by Revelation Roots. Tickets £16. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Balkan Xmas Party
Saturday, 8pm, Jubilee Hall, Chagford
Celebrate Christmas Balkan style in Chagford! A raucous orkestra of klezmer mayhem, Hazaar are a six piece band consisting of clarinet/sax, violin, flute, guitar, double bass and drums. Balkan Beats will include a fusion of Mediterranean-influenced music that incorporates Jewish, Eastern European,Balkan Gypsy punk, reggae and electronica. Bands & DJs, bar, cocktails. Tickets on the door: £5 (early bird)  or  £7 (after 9pm).     http://www.hazaar.co.uk/

Live Music
Saturday, various venues, Exeter
The Devon Yeoman, Stoke Hill: Matthew Finnish, 10pm, free.
The King’s  Arms, Cowick Street: Dave Can’t Dance, 9pm, free.
Prospect Inn, Exeter Quay: Filta, 9pm, free.
The Bowling Green, Blackboy Road: BarraCoodas, 9pm, free.
Heart of Oak, Pinhoe: Kiss This! 9.30pm, free.

Live Music
Sunday, various venues
The Bishop Blaize, Commercial Road, Exeter: Upside Down, 6pm, free.
The King’s Arms, Cowick Street, Exeter: Carnaby Street, 4pm, free.
The Bishop Lacy, Chudleigh: Jai Rocks, 3pm, free.
The Famous Old Barrel, Exmouth: Celtic Soul Brothers, 8.30pm, free.
The Strand Inn, Exmouth: Reckless, 4pm, free.
First & Last Inn, Exmouth: Eventine, 6pm, fee.
Sidbury Village Inn: Tamie French, 8pm, free.

EVENTS

Lunchtime Carols
Saturday, 1pm, Exeter Cathedral
Everyone is welcome to join a communal carol-sing led by the mighty Cathedral Organ. Warm up those vocal cords and get ready to sing some of your favourite carols. Free.

RSPB family friendly nature walk 
Saturday, 2pm, RSPB shop, 2pm, Darts Farm, Topham, Exeter
The staff from the RSPB Shop offer free family friendly walks that showcase the beautiful surrounding farmland and wetlands - a great chance to get out and see some wildlife. Binoculars can be hired from The RSPB Shop - the route provides some great lookout spots along the way. 2pm-3pm, free. https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/details....

Christmas at Killerton: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Daily, Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter
The magical world of Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is brought to life at Killerton. See the house transformed into scenes from the classic fairy-tale. Wrapping up warm to follow the outdoor family trail, take part in activities and see if you can spot the willow reindeer under thousands of twinkling lights. Normal admission fees apply.

EXHIBITIONS

Home Front Fashions
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
The First World War was a time of momentous change for individual people, families and society, when thrift and economy in dress became increasingly important on the home front. Woollen serge and silk taffeta in dark or neutral colours were frequently worn as the availability of fabrics and dyestuffs was restricted. Practical, hard-wearing suits or ‘costumes’, and washable shirt-waister blouses became a kind of everyday uniform for women in Britain during the war. http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/

Make 2015 - Christmas Craft exhibition
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey
A seasonal celebration of the hand-made, showcasing over 50 of the UK’s best contemporary designer-makers working in a variety of craft media. With a range of prices to suit everyone, MAKE 2015 is an excellent opportunity to buy an individual piece of craft this Christmas. In addition to the exhibition our shop has everything you need to decorate your home and choose the perfect gift as well as seasonal cards, wrapping and decorations. Open   10am-5.30pm, until January 3. www.crafts.org.uk

Whatever the Weather
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
Whatever the Weather exposes humanity’s relationship to the elements. Constantly changeable, occasionally extreme and always unpredictable, the weather has always affected our lives. Our desire to understand, predict and control the weather has led us to invoke the gods and harness science and Whatever the Weather brings together a lively mix of historical paintings and prints, artefacts, archives and the work of contemporary artists exploring this changing relationship.