The Guide

Music

Musicians celebrate the late great John Martyn

John Martyn's music celebrated
Thursday 26 November 2009
Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington

The life work of John Martyn is celebrated in a special tribute at the Plough Arts Centre by Keith James and Rick Foot. The pair have put together a personal performance of one of Britain's very talented and influential performers who died in January 2009.

Both are musicians in their own right with Keith playing acoustic folk and jazz, while Rick plays double bass.

The focus will be on the central integrity of the songs in their pure form on acoustic instruments only.

Other artists to be recognised on the night will be Davy Graham, Sandy Denny and Nick Drake.

See more on the website.

Plough Arts Centre

Beverley Craven; Watermark, Ivybridge; Friday 4 December 2009; 8.30pm

Beverley Craven well known for her single, Promise Me

The 'Promise Me' singer-songwriter Beverley Craven is back on the road with tracks from 'Close To Home', her first album in ten years.

The Brit award winner is well known for singing songs about subjects which really touch her and which her audience can relate to.

Now after a decade this Ivybridge venue will be ideal for an intimate evening with Beverley and the musicians making music with her.

Watermark

Tributes galore

It's a double whammy for Rockers who will be hitting the Wharf in Tavistock when Live/Wire (AC/DC tribute) and Limehouse Lizzy (Thin Lizzy tribute) hit the stage for two nights.

Live/Wire will cut the mustard with classic numbers like, 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and 'Highway To Hell', while Limehouse Lizzy keep alive the great rock music left by Philip Lynott, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson and Thin Lizzy.

Fantastic backdrops and pyrotechnic displays are expected to make your jaw drop both nights.

Live/Wire and Limehouse Lizzy
Thursday and Friday 26 - 27 November 2009
The Wharf, Tavistock

Tavistock Wharf

Out of the Darkness; St Mary's Church Totnes; 28 November, 7.30pm

A poem by German lyric poet Gertrud Kolmar, who died in Auschwitz in 1943, is the inspiration behind a new piece of work by Devon composer and musician Julian Marshall. Julian is best known for his 1978 Marshall Hain hit, Dancing in the City. His latest work is a million miles away from that pop song - a 35-minute haunting cantata. The work is called Out of the Darkness, after the poem by Kolmar, who was deported to Auschwitz as a Jew.

Read our full feature

Out of the Darkness website

Theatre

MED Theatre All That Was Left Behind: 9 December 2009 at 7.30pm

Dartmoor's war prison, which housed inmates from many nationalities during the Napoleonic Wars, is the setting and inspiration for MED Theatre's latest play which will be staged at the prison's museum.

Read our feature about All That Was Left Behind

Visit our Am Dram messageboard for more theatre suggestions.

History and heritage

Toys at Torre Abbey

The ancient abbey opens its doors to the toys and models of artist Rodney Peppé who has written and illustrated more than 80 children's books and is the creator of the BBC's Angelmouse.

Rodney Peppe with one of his creations

Trained as a wood engraver Peppé went on to work as a graphic designer and his first children's book, The Alphabet Book, was published in 1968.

On show will be some of his original illustrations, moving toys, some with handles at the ready waiting for you to bring them to life.

The Wonderful World of Rodney Peppé at Torre Abbey
21 November to 11 April, Torre Abbey, Torquay

Arts and crafts

Winter Sculpture, RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington
Friday 27 November 2009 - Sunday 28 February 2010

Tree Ring by Steve Baddeley

There is always something on show at the beautiful gardens of Rosemoor and Winter is no different. This year along with the rich evergreens, colourful barks and grasses there will be more than 50 sculptures from 17 artists to see around the grounds.

Take your time wondering through this winter wonderland to witness some thought provoking pieces in wood, bronze and coil wire.

Each piece has been put in the garden to amuse visitors as well as inspire and enlighten them.

See more details on the website

RHS Rosemoor Gardens

The Art Room, Topsham

Painters Evelyn Dewar, who lives in Budleigh Salterton, and Christine Spencer Green are exhibiting at the Art Room.

"Both Christine and Evelyn interpret what they see into an abstraction of colour and light," said Deborah Wood, from the gallery.

"They work to capture the essence of an experience; Christine the Cornish landscape and Evelyn the rich Italian interior found in the Fortuny Museum, Venice."

For more details about the exhibition, which runs until 29th November 2009, visit the gallery's website.

Animal Healing at The Gallery, Torbay Hospital
Friday 30 October 2009 - Friday 4 December 2009

One of Susan Young's photographs

An exhibition of Susan Young's photographs, specially selected to be shown in The Gallery, Torbay Hospital, depicting the healing that goes on in another kind of hospital environment - animal hospitals.

Read about Susan Young's exhibition and see her pictures

Bellringing lesson

Saturday 28 November 2009, 10am-12 noon

Kenton Church

Fancy having a go at church bellringing? All Saints Church at Kenton in South Devon is throwing open its historic bell tower for its ringers to show people the ropes.

All Saints is Grade I listed and dates back tot the 1370s, while the bells themselves are over 250-years old

The event is free of charge and is suitable for would-be ringers of all ages.

Read our feature on Kenton Church bellringing day

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