Live music, film and crafts in new 'Better Tomorrow' season in Devon Libraries
This winter’s season of arts events across Devon libraries promises fun, creativity and a focus on a sustainable future in warm welcoming community spaces.
The ‘Better Tomorrow’ season is part of a three-year programme of creative offerings being rolled out by Libraries Unlimited in Devon and Torbay this winter.
The charity, which runs the 54 libraries across the county, secured a £720,369 grant from Arts Council England in 2022 to boost its thriving programme of music, films, workshops, and high-quality community events between 2023 and 2026. ‘A Better Tomorrow’ will focus on a sustainable future and the natural world. Thousands of people have already enjoyed the dozens of workshops, performances, art, and music events that have been staged so far on two themes – ‘Pride of Place’ and ‘Get Creating!’.
This winter season will feature everything from a battle of local bands and an after-hours party to a chance to create a light show and Christmas tree decorating.
The sessions kick off in November and run through until March at three key libraries – Barnstaple, Exeter, and Paignton – as well as smaller libraries around Devon and Torbay.
Rae Hoole, Creative Communities Producer from Libraries Unlimited, said: “Libraries are fast becoming key venues for arts events in Devon. Our Arts Council England funding has enabled us to dramatically expand the number and range of events we’re able to put on, reaching even more people and keeping costs low. Winter can be an isolating time, with worries about fuel costs and the colder weather, which makes it the perfect season to get out and get together in the warm, welcoming space of a library. We hope we’ve laid on something for everyone with old favourites and some surprises!”
Events for ‘A Better Tomorrow’ are listed below. Please note that there may be a small additional booking fee for those booked via Eventbrite.
EXETER LIBRARY
Battle of the Bands
Fri 6th Dec
7.30 - 10pm
£8 / £4 self-selecting concession
Ages 12+
Exeter Library's very first Battle of the Bands! A huge musical event on the main library floor that aims to shake the shelves and blow some dust off the book covers!
How to apply:
Are you an artist or band based in Devon? We're looking for eight acts to take part, with prizes including a £150paid slot at a Library Lates and a day's studio time courtesy of Cameron Mills. The competition is open to all artists, genres, and ages. Please fill out our short Expression of Interest by Wednesday 13th November, with your name, a brief bio (1-2 sentences), and a link to your work. We'll let all acts know by Friday 15th November: https://forms.office.com/e/hmxfn98mQZ
Battle of the Bands at Exeter Library Tickets, Sat, Dec 7, 2024 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite
Swinging Christmas with the Exeter Jazz Orchestra
Wed 18th Dec
7.30 - 10pm
Pay what you can afford, from £6-£12
All ages
Exeter Jazz Orchestra are back at Exeter Library, with a swinging night of jazz classics and absolute Christmas crackers, following a sell-out performance last year! From Count Basie and Glenn Miller through to the more modern sounds of Buddy Rich and Gordon Goodwin (and with just about everything else in between). Plus Christmas classics with a twist.
Doors from 7.30pm - the band kicks off at 8pm. There will be pop-up bar serving soft drinks and booze, plus some free mince pies.
All profits made will go back into both EJO and Libraries Unlimited, a registered charity.
Swinging Christmas with the Exeter Jazz Orchestra! Tickets, Wed 18 Dec 2024 at 19:30 | Eventbrite
BARNSTAPLE LIBRARY
I, Tonya - Film Screening at Barnstaple Library
Thurs 5th Dec
2 - 4.30pm
£3
Suitable for 15+
Margot Robbie stars as former figure skating world champion Tonya Harding. The first American woman to complete a Triple Axel in competition, she is arguably best known for her altercation with her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan which led to Tonya being banned from competitive figure skating for life.
Runtime two hours - informal audience discussion welcome after the screening.
Refreshments included.
Screened during 16 Days of Action a global campaign that aims to end violence against women and girls.
I, Tonya - Film Screening at Barnstaple Library Tickets, Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite
The Man Who Invented Christmas – Film Screening at Barnstaple Library
Sat 14th Dec
2 - 4.30pm
£3
PG
The journey that led to Charles Dickens' creation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas. In 1843, Dickens is at a low point in his career with three flops behind him and family expenses piling up at home. Determined to recover, Dickens decides to write a Christmas story and self-publish it in less than two months. Starring Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Pryce. Cert PG.
Doors open 1.45, film runtime 1 hour 45mins.
Join us for a friendly screening including refreshments & optional informal audience discussion.
Festive Tree Decorations with Gherkin Blue
Sat 14th Dec
2pm - 4pm
Free
All ages
Make decorations for our tree and yours with Kash, an artist from Gherkin Blue CIC.
All ages and abilities welcome. No need to book, free drop in.
Tis the Season of Joy - display of work by Pete Loveday
Dec 11th - end Jan 2025
Opening hours
Free
All Ages
Joyous display of original artwork celebrating the British underground cartoonist Pete Loveday, best known for his series of comics charting the adventures of hippie character Russell, including Big Bang Comics, Big Trip Travel Agency and Plain Rapper Comix.
Create art for the library light show with North Devon Arts
11th, 17th, 20th and 25th Jan 2025
11am - 1pm, 1pm - 3pm, 11am - 1pm, 11am - 1pm
Free
All ages
Join members of North Devon Arts in four free drop-in workshops to decorate your own piece of art which could be chosen to be projected on the front of Barnstaple Library. We are grateful to our partner organisation, Black Beam, a Chivenor-based company specialising in projection, for their expertise in delivering this project on the night.
North Devon Arts is a membership group formed twenty-five years ago to bring together rurally isolated artists and like-minded people.
Create Art for library light show with North Devon Arts Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Jackie Morris Exhibition
Sat 1st Feb – Sat 29th Mar
Opening hours
All ages
Free
Exhibition celebrating the work of award-winning illustrator and author Jackie Morris. Her book ‘The Lost Worlds’ created in partnership with Robert Macfarlane, was awarded the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, for outstanding illustration in a children's book.
Seed & Plant Swap with The Gardeners Co.
Sat 22th Feb
10am - 1pm
Free
All ages
Bring seeds, seedlings and plants, or come empty handed, and find some beautiful new items to take home. Shan from The Gardeners Co. CIC will be on hand to answer any of your questions, with pots, seeds, labels and compost to help you get growing.
Barnstaple Library Lates
Fri 14th Mar
7pm - 10pm
£10
Suitable 18+
All are welcome at the hotly anticipated, Library Lates event at Barnstable Library. In conjunction with North Devon Arts projection project, another stunning evening of entertainment along with a free outdoor light show for all the community to enjoy.
Activities will also include - live and recorded music, The Gardeners Co. with mushroom growing activity, Joseph Witchall cartoonist in-residence, pop-up bar, board games, storytelling, enchanted forest dance floor, LEGO, and Gherkin Blue community artists.
Barnstaple Library Lates #2 Tickets, Fri, Mar 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Fungi: Web of Life - film screening at Barnstaple Library
Sat 8th Mar
2 - 4pm
£3
Age 12+
Follow British biologist Dr Merlin Sheldrake on a quest to find a rare blue mushroom in Tasmania's ancient Tarkine rainforest, revealing fungi's extraordinary abilities. Merlin will show us some the grandest and strangest organisms ever discovered, showcased through jaw-dropping time-lapse cinematography, in a landscape largely unchanged from the time of the dinosaurs. Narrated by Björk.
Fungi Web of Life Tickets, Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite
Meet the artist Jackie Morris and book sale supported by Seven Fables
Sat 29th Mar
11am - 1pm, 2pm - 4pm
Free
All ages
Meet the award-winning artist and author Jackie Morris. Jackie is internationally admired for her imaginative and atmospheric picture books, illustrated with watercolours and often with a fantasy dimension. Supported by Seven Fables.
Evolve - Award-winning artist and author Jackie Morris at Barnstaple Library
PAIGNTON LIBRARY
Classical Concert for Children
Thurs 12th Dec
11am
Donations
Families
Duo Tutti (Alex Wilson & Ruth Molins) combine well-known classical tunes, unusual sounds and new music to create unique concerts that are entertaining and accessible to all. Inspired by old and new music they create sound worlds you might not expect to hear from a flute/piano duo.
The concert is a free drop-in session lasting approximately 45mins - perfect for pre-school children, but kids of any age are welcome!
Duo Tutti Tickets, Thu, Dec 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Sat 14th Dec
11am - 1pm
£12
Aged 16+
Enjoy a Christmas experience not seen in the library before - learn how to decorate Christmas themed cookies in this two hour workshop with Stefanie from Sweet Art Bakery. Decorate three bauble cookies with stunning designs and take home boxed. Whether you are a beginner or looking to learn something new, the workshop is for all abilities and is a great workshop to enjoy with friends and get into the Christmas spirit.
Christmas Cookie Decorating Tickets, Sat, Dec 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
Give it a Go Day
Thurs 14th Jan
10am - 5.30pm
Donations
All ages
January is a great time to find a new hobby, club or activity. Groups from all over Torbay will be holding taster sessions to give everyone a chance to find something new to do, including Zumba, ventriloquism, art and lots more.
Evolve - Give it a Go Day - Paignton
Lunar New Year
Sat 2nd Feb
11am - 1pm
Donations
All ages
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with crafts, activities and dancing for all.The wonderful Hikmat CIC will be performing Chinese Line Dancing. Although the event is free, donations to the library would be greatly appreciated
Lunar New Year Celebration Tickets, Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
Futureproof
Sat 8th Feb
10am - 2pm
Donations
Families
Thanks to the success of last year’s Eco Takeover, 'Futureproof' is back for another year at Paignton library. There will be a fun activity at every table to join, with the aim of making helping the planet fun for every generation. There will also be pre-bookable shows including animal Meet and Greet with South West Animal Services.
Animal Encounters with Chris Johnson Tickets, Sat, Feb 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
Diddi Disco - Movie Magic
Sat 22nd Feb
2 - 4pm
£4 per child
£1 per adult
For children 4 to12 years old and their adults
Move to the movie music as the very popular Diddi Disco returns. Dancing, crafts and games plus a surprise visitor. A quiet room with soft play for little ones to enjoy.
Diddi Disco- Movie Magic Tickets, Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite
Library Takeover - Scary Little Girls
Sat 8th March
7pm
£8
Suitable for 18+
When chocolate was first brought to England in the 1600s, it was considered a taboo substance, enjoyed only by the risque and elite in private salons. Some of our finest literature was also once considered too provocative for public consumption and was heard in similar salon environments by only the boldest of ears. Join us as performers from Scary Little Girls recreate these intimate environs. Performed, read and sung to you by highly acclaimed storytellers, the Salon du Chocolat invites you to succumb to a literary seduction!
Evolve - Library Takeover - Scary Little Girls - Paignton
Ceilidh Barn Dance
Sat 15th Mar
7 - 9.30pm
£8 per adult £4 per child
Adults, but children can attend with them
Get your dancing shoes ready as our Ceilidh Barn dance is back! After the sold-out success of last year, the wonderful professional live caller Jeremy and the incredible live band Amber Fire will be returning to Paignton library. Bring your own drinks as all that dancing is thirsty work!
Ceilidh Barn Dance Tickets, Sat, Mar 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Libraries in Devon and Torbay are run by Libraries Unlimited, an independent staff and community owned charity. Join up for free by filling in the online form atdevonlibraries.org.uk or torbaylibraries.org.uk. Follow Libraries Unlimited on Facebook.
For further information and full contact details please visit our web page librariesunlimited.org.uk.
Photo credit: Matt Biggs
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