This Weekend is Devizes Carnival; What Else? I Want More! Whaaaa!!!

For that certain some-Karen who drove through town last weekend, jumped on social media to waffle off the cliché rant “nothing happens in Devizes,” but I’m not personally willing to do anything about it other than moan on social media, and to everyone else who most likely didn’t, who either was, or wasn’t, hiding away from her in the British Lion for Black Rat Monday, Carnival is THIS WEEK, my darlings!!

So what else is going on, you know, like fringe events, after parties, warm ups, and such like? Well, here’s what we know, for what it’s worth because you know when you want to find what’s happening you come here, you sensible people; shame there’s not more like you!!

You know there’s been DOCA workshops all week at Pamela House, right? Tomorrow (Wednesday) they’ve carnival workshops open to all from 11am to 2:30, bring your own picnic. Then from 3pm there’s a giant puppet workshop. Thursday from 10am-4pm pretty much the same, bird puppets making, open carnival workshops and bring your own picnic.

The Camerados of Devizes Public Living Room have also been getting their hands dirty, designing carnival banners. They meet every Friday at the Cheese Hall, from 1-4pm, it’s a wonderful free social group, and you can help them put the finishing touches to their banners.

Early bird warm ups , the Southgate’s regular acoustic jam on Wednesday evening, the best way to spend a Wednesday evening. And of course, the Carnival Quiz at Devizes Town Hall, at 7pm.

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On Friday 30th our phenomenal youth band, Nothing Rhymes With Orange plays a farewell gig at the Exchange nightclub. After huge success locally and blossoming further afield the guys are heading off to Bristol to study music together. I’m hoping to meet up with them beforehand, run a quick interview type chat thing, and I have some Cliff Richard CDs they can take to inspire them on their way! On at 9pm at the Exchange, The Vivas support them, and the party continues with an indie disco with guest DJs Thorfinn (I think we know him!) and fantastic regular DJ Stevie MC. Tickets HERE>>

Failing them, there’s an eighties disco down the Dolphin.

Or, if you’re staying in, don’t forget Andy and Som can deliver homemade Thai Curry to your door, yes Thaiday Friday, and Som is preparing the super tasty Thai green chicken curry with onions and green beans, accompanied with soft Thai Jasmin rice.

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Saturday 31st August is Carnival Day, you could work some motivation at Quakers Walk Parkrun’s Pacers Week, a regular free parkrun with the option to pick your speed between 20 & 40 minutes. You can challenge yourself or just pick a speed you want to be constant at. There is no obligation to run with the pacers, you are still able to run/walk at your own pace. This is an open event anyone who wants to run, walk or jog the 5K course is welcome. I’m exhausted just typing it!

Or you could take yourself along to Wiltshire Museum for the final day of The Wiltshire Thatcher exhibition.

Now, carnival, at 5:45pm, departing from The Green. The parade takes around 2 hours, expect the Parade to reach the halfway point around 7pm-ish. Roads close on the Parade circuit from 5pm – 9pm, with Sidmouth Street closing at 4pm. Don’t forget! If you park in one of the car parks on route, you won’t be able to exit until after the parade is finished and the road closures have been lifted. Find any other info direct from DOCA HERE.

Look out for Devizes Salsa Group’s Surprise Flash Dance, at midday at the Brittox!

Afterwards, there’s blues, pop, rock and funk covers & originals at the Southgate with Freepeace. Trash Panda are at The Three Crowns and are always lots of fun! And if you feel like giving it a go yourself, it’s carnival karaoke time at the Pelican!

But if you want to go beyond Thunderdome, you need to get yourself to the Corn Exchange, where Simply the Best Kinisha Morgan-Williams becomes Tina Turner, and you’ll be impressed by this even if you’ve only a passing interest in Tina, I kid you not. Here’s our preview on that. Here’s your ticket.

Then, all you have to do after that is descend a flight of stairs, as DJ Karl Maggs is in the mix at the Exchange until 2am.

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Sunday 1st September, Vince Bell graces the famous alcove at the Southgate from 5pm. If nothing ever does go on in Devizes, as he says, “you ain’t ever leaving!”

That’s this coming weekend in Devizes, people. Yeah, but you know, I agree with Karen, it’s a disgrace, nothing ever happens in Devizes!!

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