E is for expectations – great ones it has to be said – as well as excitement, as the countdown begins in earnest to Exeter's star-studded Festival.

There are just 14 days to go to the big opening in Northernhay Gardens when Bands In The Park – a brand new event – lights the blue touchpaper with Robbie's Angels featuring the music of Nicole Something Stupid Kidman's singing partner, Robbie Williams.

Tropical Storm, the stars of last year's Caribbean Party are also featured along with local favourites Street Heat, and the whole event is rounded off by children's entertainers, a barbecue and fireworks.

The following day, fame is waiting just round the corner for up and coming West Country musical acts who have made it to the finals of the 2002 Carlton Performance Challenge at the Northcott Theatre.

Sixteen acts – a record for the event – were chosen from the 500 entrants.

The Challenge is open to young West Country musicians under the age of 19 and all kinds of musical persuasion. The finalists range from cellists to singers and pianists while their tastes stretch from classical and brass bands to jazz and rock.

Luke and Daniel Simpkins, a rock guitar duo from Ivybridge, jazz pianist Michael Adlington from Plymouth, folk singer Keira Hayden from Brixham and classical guitarist David Fountain from Kingsbridge have all been chosen from the South Devon region.

The competition has seen some notable performances over the years, including last year's winner, 15-year-old jazz saxophonist James bateman from Wells Cathedral School who narrowly missed out on a place in the finals of the BBC's prestigious Young Musician of the Year.

The final will be filmed by Carlton's cameras for a half-hour special to be broadcast later in the year, but will not go out live.

That day too – at lunchtime – there is a chance to sample Harold Pinter's sexually-charged series of encounters and mind games in The Collection at the New Theatre in Friar's Gate.

Completing a day to mark in red in your diary Kate Rusby, one of the biggest stars of the British folk scene, will be on stage at St George's Hall with John McCusker on fiddle and Andy Cutting.

The next day – Sunday June 30 – comes one of the highlights of the fortnight with Maria Ewing stepping on stage at the Northcott Theatre.

Accompanied by two guitarists and John Langridge on piano, she proves that great actresses can be memorable sopranos as well.

This evening she is turning her shapely back on Carmen and presenting an evening of showstoppers such as When Sunny Gets Blue, Love For Sale and Moon River, in what promises to be a memorable evening.

So is it downhill all the way after that? Don't you believe it. How could it be when Jet Harris and His Shadows are waiting in the wings – along with special guest Mike Berry and The Rapiers.

Legendary guitarist Harris – remember his recordings of Diamonds or Scarlett O'Hara anyone? – is back in top form, so ignore the fact that his hair is a little thinner on top, there is still magic in them thar fingers.

Wednesday, July 3, is another red-letter day with an appearance at the Northcott by Marianne Olyver and her Salon Orchestra. They promise to serve up a dazzling blend of masterpieces from around the world.

This is virtuoso light music from the golden age of light orchestras in the resorts and spas of Europe.

Included will be the thrilling gypsy music of Hungary and Romania, British light music classics, tumultuous tangos and Jewish numbers.

Over at the Barnfield Theatre meanwhile, more than 100 young performers will be belting out Hercules, the Musical with Muscle! While at the Cathedral, as the festival spreads its net ever wider, Willard White presents A Tribute to Paul Robeson, and The Susie Arioli Trio pops up with a evening of swing jazz at St George's Hall.

It isn't just music that makes the festival so special (though don't miss The Mediaeval Baebes at the cathedral on July 5) there is a fascinating presentation at the Northcott on July 4 of the behind the scene story of the breaking of the Enigma code.

The amazing behind-the-scenes facts are superbly told by Dr Mark Baldwin with the use of archive photographs and there will be a hands- on demonstration of one of the few surviving Enigma machines.

Appropriately enough this will be followed by a showing of the film Enigma with Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott.

So much for the festival's first week. Come back next week and read what else there is in store!

l The festival box office can be reached on 01392 213161.

STOP PRESS; All tickets have been sold for the Medieval Baebes and the Enigma show – and many others are selling out fast.