Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="869" height="869" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham.jpg" alt="Patrick Cunningham, director of Exeter Phoenix " class="wp-image-54478" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham.jpg 869w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/patrick-cunningham-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 869px) 100vw, 869px" /></figure>



<p>When he&#8217;s not curating a boggling array of year-round gigs at the <a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk">Exeter Phoenix</a>, Patrick Cunningham presides over the charity and trading subsidiary&#8217;s glamorous underground cocktail bar, <a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/introducing-the-mermaid/">The Mermaid</a>, and local artists&#8217; store <a href="https://www.makermart-exeter.com">Maker Mart</a>, on Gandy Street. He&#8217;s also the chair of Exeter BID, working on ways to enhance the city&#8217;s footfall for traders, and city experience for visitors. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1220" height="698" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/exeter-phoenix.jpg" alt="Exterior front of Exeter Phoenix" class="wp-image-54528" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/exeter-phoenix.jpg 1220w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/exeter-phoenix-800x458.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/exeter-phoenix-1000x572.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/exeter-phoenix-768x439.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/exeter-phoenix-900x515.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1220px) 100vw, 1220px" /></figure>



<p>With a mission to enable creative connections, promote diversity and new music, Exeter Phoenix booked the Arctic Monkeys to play here in 2006 when they were still spotty teenagers, and was among the first to host folk artist Seth Lakeman and Biffy Clyro, and comedians such as Russell Howard and Rhod Gilbert. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="942" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mermaid.jpg" alt="copper colour sofa and monochrome wallpaper at The Mermaid, Exeter " class="wp-image-54539" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mermaid.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mermaid-800x754.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mermaid-768x723.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mermaid-557x525.jpg 557w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic credit The Mermaid, Exeter</figcaption></figure>



<p>Like its soulmate, <a href="https://exetercavern.net">The Cavern</a>, opposite, the Phoenix brings a buzzing music scene to the city centre, and also hosts arts exhibitions, dance classes, media courses, workshops for young people, plus there&#8217;s a cinema, digital media centre and it&#8217;s the base for community radio station, <a href="https://phonic.fm">Phonic FM</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With all this burgeoning activity &#8211; and The Refuge, a shiny-new party space in The Mermaid&#8217;s basement to launch this spring &#8211; Patrick definitely has his finger on the pulse of what&#8217;s new and cool on Devon&#8217;s culture scene. </p>



<p>Over to you, Patrick! What&#8217;s on your hitlist?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-change-festival-totnes"><a href="https://seachangepresents.co.uk/events/weekender-23">Sea Change Festival</a>, Totnes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sea-change.jpg" alt="poster for Sea Change festival in Totnes " class="wp-image-54533" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sea-change.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sea-change-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sea-change-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sea-change-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sea-change-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Sea Change</figcaption></figure>



<p>Rupert Morrison, the owner of Totnes&#8217; Drift Records does fantastic things with Weekender, his annual three-day music and arts festival, Sea Change. I&#8217;ve been to every one, including one at Dartington Estate, and more usually when it&#8217;s a multi-venue event that sprawls out across Totnes, including the church, pubs, civic centre and The Barrel House. He always brings in interesting underground and under-the-radar acts, as well as famous names, including Damon Albarn. It&#8217;s a very visceral experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecornishbank/?locale=en_GB">The Cornish Bank</a>, Falmouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Cornish-Bank-Update-2-2-1-1536x1024-1.jpg" alt="stage with red curtains and person playing keyboard at The Cornish Bank Falmouth" class="wp-image-54495" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Cornish-Bank-Update-2-2-1-1536x1024-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Cornish-Bank-Update-2-2-1-1536x1024-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Cornish-Bank-Update-2-2-1-1536x1024-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Cornish-Bank-Update-2-2-1-1536x1024-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Cornish-Bank-Update-2-2-1-1536x1024-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit The Cornish Bank</figcaption></figure>



<p>Falmouth is leading the way in the South West too. The Cornish Bank is a new community arts venue, a café by day and a small-scale music venue by night. I love the ground-up ethos and community activism of it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.makermart-exeter.com">Maker Mart</a>, Exeter</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart.jpg" alt="colourful wall decor at maker Mart in Exeter " class="wp-image-54497" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/makermart-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Opened in 2019, this underground indie store&#8217;s mission is to support local artists and designers across the South West. It&#8217;s a crucial part of what we do as a charity with a deep purpose to help local artists, 90% of them women, to make a career of their art. It&#8217;s a great go-to for gifts and cards, prints and jewellery, and regular craft workshops with a cocktail thrown in from The Mermaid. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.beautifuldays.org">Beautiful Days</a>, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/beautiful-days.jpg" alt="crowds and stage at Beautiful Days at Escot, Ottery St Mary" class="wp-image-54502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/beautiful-days.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/beautiful-days-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/beautiful-days-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/beautiful-days-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Beautiful Days</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Levellers&#8217; festival has a particularly good line-up this year (18-20 Aug 2023), including Suede and Primal Scream. It&#8217;s all run and managed by an Exeter-based management team, DMF since 2003, so a strong local angle. It&#8217;s award-winning and multi-generational with camping and camper vans, drawing around people from right around the county. At around 15k visitors, it&#8217;s never overwhelming and they don&#8217;t want it too grow too much more which keeps it family friendly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/the-mad-dog-mcrea-weekender/">Mad Dog Mcrea Weekender</a>, Exeter Phoenix</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="714" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Mad-Dog-Mcrea.jpg" alt="Mad Dog Mcrea band " class="wp-image-54509" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Mad-Dog-Mcrea.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Mad-Dog-Mcrea-800x571.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Mad-Dog-Mcrea-768x548.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Mad-Dog-Mcrea-735x525.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This is our new festival on Fri 28 &#8211; Sun 30 April, hosted by folk-punk band, Mad Dog Mcrea, in the main auditorium of Exeter Phoenix, plus there will be live music in two other spaces within Exeter Phoenix &#8211; in total 20+ bands/artists, plus DJ&#8217;s and a beer festival. They play here every year so we thought why not package it into a three-day-er, with dozens of bands, all folky, American acoustic type that fit well together. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.newlionbrewery.co.uk">New Lion Brewery</a>, Totnes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery.jpg" alt="staff at New Lion Brewery in front of the bar at New Lion Brewery, Dartington in Devon" class="wp-image-54189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s a proper brewery and a taproom with bands, acoustic and DJ nights opposite The Cider Press at Dartington. There&#8217;s real spirit of can-do there, bringing great music connections and some urban-ness to the area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://ashburtonarts.org.uk">Ashburton Arts Centre</a>, Ashburton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ashburton-Arts-Centre-1218x1280-1.jpg" alt="the exterior front of old Methodist Church Ashburton arts Centre in Devon" class="wp-image-54519" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ashburton-Arts-Centre-1218x1280-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ashburton-Arts-Centre-1218x1280-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ashburton-Arts-Centre-1218x1280-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ashburton-Arts-Centre-1218x1280-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Ashburton Arts Centre</figcaption></figure>



<p>The former Methodist Church in the centre of Ashburton is now a go-to for jazz thanks to the fact its Arts Director and sax player, Andy Williamson. Together with other locals, he bought it in 2017 and now hosts a whole range of arts events, from touring jazz musicians, to dance and jamming sessions, and it&#8217;s a brilliant cultural space made with community effort. They also host workshops on everything from belly dancing to yoga and art. Very inspiring. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://totnescinema.co.uk/web/index.html">Totnes Cinema</a>, Totnes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/totnes-cinema.jpg" alt="view across tables and screen at Totnes Cinema in Devon" class="wp-image-54522" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/totnes-cinema.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/totnes-cinema-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/totnes-cinema-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/totnes-cinema-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Totnes Cinema</figcaption></figure>



<p>Again a great effort from ordinary individuals working to restore the former town library and on-time Romany cinema into a fabulous indie cinema and café right in the centre of town. It&#8217;s great to see cinemas not only surviving but making a come-back like this.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.marketsinexeter.co.uk/">Markets in Exeter</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Exeter-Independent-Market-July-22-509.jpg" alt="street performers in front of Exeter cathedral" class="wp-image-54537" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Exeter-Independent-Market-July-22-509.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Exeter-Independent-Market-July-22-509-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Exeter-Independent-Market-July-22-509-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Exeter-Independent-Market-July-22-509-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Exeter-Independent-Market-July-22-509-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Exeter Independent Market (monthly from April through September) create an incredible buzz for the city, driving footfall and helping businesses. Featuring over 60 stalls on the steps at the front of the Cathedral and the West Front, it will also showcase a new curated ‘suitcase pitch’ area, live music, and street entertainment. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="572" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/10/forestreetflea.jpg" alt="stilt walkers at Fore Street Market in Exeter " class="wp-image-49438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/10/forestreetflea.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/10/forestreetflea-800x458.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/10/forestreetflea-768x439.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/10/forestreetflea-900x515.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Fore Street Flea, a popular market in the West Quarter, has four dates in the diary for 2023 in May, July, September, and November. It&#8217;s a haven for bargain hunters, where you can find one-of-a-kind treasures and local gems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.ullacombefarm.co.uk">Ullacombe Farm</a>, Bovey Tracey</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/ullacombe-farm1.jpg" alt="flower bedecked doorway at Ullacombe Farm, Bovey Tracey in Devon" class="wp-image-54526" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/ullacombe-farm1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/ullacombe-farm1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/ullacombe-farm1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/ullacombe-farm1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I like to go here for a weekend lunch and a walk with my wife. It&#8217;s also a small farm shop and they do good Sunday roasts and cream teas. Afterwards, we&#8217;d normally go for a wander on Dartmoor and end up in the <a href="http://www.rugglestoneinn.co.uk">Rugglestone </a>with a pint. In truth, there&#8217;s probably not that much walking involved.</p>



<p><strong><em>Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS Tel <a href="tel:01392667080">01392667080</a></em></strong></p>


My favourite places: Exeter Phoenix’s Patrick Cunningham

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