Belmont Park will play host to the annual Exeter Respect Festival this weekend - here's everything you need to know including dates, times and the full line-up.
The theme of ethnic diversity is appropriate as the festival marks 25 years since the end of apartheid in South Africa.
There will be a memorial wall at the festival to remember the victims.
This year marks the event’s 22nd year and will feature food, arts and crafts, music, dance and more to help eliminate racism and prejudice from the community and spread a simple message: All Different, All Equal!
Here’s everything you need to know about 2019’s Exeter Respect Festival.
When and where is the Exeter Respect Festival?
2019’s Exeter Respect Festival will held at Belmont Park on Saturday 8th June from 12pm to 7pm and Sunday 9th June from 11am to 7pm.
What is on display at the show?
The event will include food, workshops, stalls, arts and crafts, campaigns, activities and displayers.
There will be five stages to showcase all forms of dance and music, ranging from Bollywood to belly dancing to folk and soul to rock. There will be something for everyone!
Festival Headliners
Saturday: South African Cultural Choir
Consisting of 20 singers who have toured and performed across the UK and around the world, the South African Cultural Choir will bring an exciting energy to the Exeter Respect Festival on Saturday. Among the performances on Saturday night will be acapella, classical and traditional gospel and the energetic Zulu dance. The SACT will be performing on the Mandela Stage on Saturday at 3:30pm and 5:10pm. Full details on the weekend’s line up across all five stages can be found here .
What's On in Devon
Sunday: RSVP Bhangra
Recurring acts at Glastonbury, WOMAD and Boomtown, as well as performing around the world in countries like Belgium, Germany and Italy, RSVP Bhangra are sure to light up the Exeter Respect Festival on Sunday. Bringing high-energy, interactive and fun music will be sure to keep the crowd wanting to dance all night. RSVP Bhangra offers a truly unique blend of Punjabi Indian music and mainstream pop. RSVP Bhangra will be performing on the Mandela Stage on Sunday at 5:40pm. Full details on the weekend’s line up across all five stages can be found here .
Why is Exeter Respect Festival alcohol free?
The increasing number of festival-goers is a sign of Respect’s success. An ongoing challenge is how to keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone who comes along.
Due to the capacity limits of Belmont Park and a number of issues related to the consumption of alcohol in 2013, this year we took the tough decision to make the festival alcohol-free. We made this decision in consultation with the public and the Exeter Safety Advisory Group, which includes Exeter City Council and the Police.
We know that some people may be disappointed but hope that people who prefer to drink will understand the reasons. In the spirit of the festival, we hope people will respect this decision and refrain from bringing alcohol into the park.
Sam Kinsella from Ripple Effect, a recovery project for people in recovery from addiction said, “Exeter Respect is a family friendly open community event. The decision to free this from alcohol will create a safe environment. Ripple sees the impact of drugs and alcohol in young people and families and we support this decision. It is vital to have events where our community can be seen enjoying activities without the use of alcohol”.
Other Festivities
After Party: Asanda Jezile
Rising to fame as a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent and becoming a star on Young Eurovision in 2017. Asanda will meet fans starting from 7pm on Saturday night at Exeter Phoenix on Gandy Street and will start performing at 8pm. Other acts include Revolution Roots, Love Community, DJ John Sealley and Waz.
Family Based Activities
To accommodate families attending the event, there will be storytelling, a bouncy castle, costumes and a pop-up farm. The event is also completely alcohol free. There will also be The Windrush Stage, hosted by the Newtown Community preschool on Saturday and by One Thousand and One Stories on Sunday.
