June Boom - Week One: 1st - 7th June

Belinda Dillon, Arts Writer, Editor and Co-Producer of June Boom, introduces us to the first week of exciting events. 

On your marks, get set… GO!

Make sure you’re well hydrated, limbered up and have diaries at the ready, because once again Exeter is putting the Boom in June with a bonanza of arts, culture and creativity. Comedy, visual art, performance, literature, music, talks, spoken word… whatever your bag, there’s so much going on you might need a Harry Potter-style time turner to fit it all in. To give you a steer, let’s dive into what’s on the roster for Week One…

Named in The Guardian as a must-see for art aficionados, Bruce Asbestos: Bootleg Shreg 2 at Exeter Phoenix (until 20th June) is a playful, thoughtful exhibition with the colour (green) turned all the way up. Mixing installation, digital media, sculpture and painting, the show celebrates every green character who’s stolen your heart (Gilbert the Alien, anyone?) while shining a light on what it means to create art in the Age of AI. Join the artist for a talk about his work at 12noon on Saturday 6^th.

Around the corner at RAMM, dive into the world of ‘Colour’ - an exhibition bringing together more than 150 objects spanning art, science, nature and cultural histories. Artworks by Hokusai, Kandinsky, Bridget Riley and Andy Warhol are on display alongside examples of decorative ceramics. A diamante-studded Trinidadian carnival costume and Victorian mourning dress illustrate how colour can imbue clothing with cultural significance, while examples of pre-historic gold jewellery show the value of colour across millennia.

Down at Exeter Custom House on the Quay, Art Work Exeter launch a retrospective exhibition and live events programme celebrating their three-year residency at this wonderful historic building. ‘Custom Made’ (2nd - 28th June) brings together highlights, glimpses and traces of the consistently lively, thought-provoking and surprising work they’ve presented. It culminates on the weekend of 26th - 28th June with ‘The Considerate Society’, a collaboration with associate artists and members of the community that will turn the Custom House into a hotbed of creative conversation and thoughtful provocation.

In need of a good laugh (aren’t we all)? Then Exeter Comedy Festival (3rd - 7th June) will bring the giggles. Now in its third year, the festival is showing big names in even more small venues across the city, and is proving to be a key driver in Exeter’s growing reputation as a place for high-quality live entertainment. It’s a great opportunity to see acts you know - and some you don’t know yet - up close.

Long one of the city’s – and region’s – foundational cultural events, Exeter Respect returns to Belmont Park for its 29th year on 6th and 7th June. The festival continues its mission to promote respect for all, bringing the city together under this year’s powerful theme: ‘Different Roots, One Community’. Festivalgoers can expect a dynamic line-up of three stages offering live music and dance performances from around the world. Bookcycle will hold storytelling and talks exploring issues of social justice, equality, and inclusion. Multicultural food stalls showcase global flavours; children’s and family activities promote understanding through creativity; plus community stalls from local organisations working for positive change. Admission to the festival remains a symbolic fee of £2 and under 16s are free of charge.

Since becoming a UNESCO City of Literature in 2019, Exeter has seen a huge upswing in literary opportunities, events, activities and programming – not least of which is the annual Book Market. Bringing together some of Devon’s best independent bookshops, free literary activities, and inspiring author talks, the Book Market (Sunday 7 June, 11am - 4pm) lands on the Quayside for the first time, and creates a wonderful space for stories, creativity, and community spirit. Whether you're an avid reader, a budding writer, or simply looking for a unique way to spend a summery Sunday, this event is not to be missed. To get you in the mood, head along to Topsham Brewery on 3 June, 6-8pm, for the regular Silent Book Club.

If live music and performance are your jam, Exeter Phoenix has tribute acts honouring Oasis, David Bowie and The Jam, while Bomba serves up a fresh take on Fleetwood Mac. For fans of something sharper, The Cavern brings post-punk cult band Wasted Youth to town, while those seeking indie and global sounds – outside the amazing line-up at Respect – should head to 12 Bar Music & Social for Ghuraba, and to Bomba for Daudi Matsiko.

For theatre fans wanting to get a sneak preview of acts heading to the Edinburgh Fringe later in the summer, head to Exeter Phoenix on 5th June to catch award-winning cabaret and theatre double act Fag Packet (Kheski Kobler and Holly Wilson-Guy). DYKE Systems introduces Sally and Susan, who are here to demonstrate how to get filthy rich. Equal parts corporate seminar and queer fever dream, DYKE Systems - (D)ynamic! (Y)oung! (K)nowledgeable! (E)ntrepreneur! - is a sharp, subversive takedown of pyramid schemes, ruthless heteronormativity and corporate feminism. 

And that’s not all! If you’ve an itch to get creative yourself, then June Boom has you covered. From creating your own post-human paradise through the art of collage (2nd June, Collage Club) to exploring botanical monoprints (4th June) and letterpress (6th June) with Double Elephant Print Workshop, there’s opportunities aplenty. Budding wordsmith? Join Word Kitchen’s writing workshop (2nd June) exploring places and settings, then share your work at the evening’s Open Mic session.  

Gosh, we might need a sit down… AND IT’S ONLY THE FIRST WEEK! Pace yourselves, chums – it’s a cultural marathon!