St Ives September Festival 2016

St Ives will come alive once again as one of Cornwall’s richest cultural experiences delivers a full spectrum of arts from classical to world music, folk and jazz to flamenco, from poetry to theatre, talks and art exhibitions.

These are our Top Picks chosen by festival chairman Dave Brotherton. Download the full festival programme here.

Sound of the Sirens
The Guildhall
Friday 16th September, 8pm (doors open 7pm) Plus support
£12 plus booking fee. Standing – limited seating

Sound of the Sirens is a foot-stomping, crowd-engaging female folk/rock duo whose strengths lie in their passion and chemistry. These girls know how to rock a stage, and make you believe in every word they sing. Individually, their voices tell their own tale but when blended together their harmonies leave the listener wanting more, compelled by its magic.

St Ives Entertains
The Guildhall
Thursday 15th September,  8pm (doors open 7pm)
£5 plus booking fee. Unreserved seating

Did you know there was so much local talent? They’re here tonight!

Bamaluz Bootleggers performing sea shanties and Cornish music,  award winning St Ives pianist Jez Kemp with a lively blend of classical, jazz and blues music, well known local couple Dee & Dave Brotherton with Allen Greenall performing songs in English and Cornish and St Ives Community Choir, now in it’s 12th year, bringing their particular style of music making.

Compering will be Phil Barnett, founder of St Ives youth theatre and recent star of BBC Strictly for Comic Relief.

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin
The Guildhall
Saturday 17th September, 8pm (doors open 7pm) Plus support
£15 plus booking fee. Unreserved seating

The alchemy of Martin’s ever evocative songwriting, fiddle and banjo playing and the much extolled skills of Henry on dobro, harmonica and lap steel fuse into a wholly distinctive world sound – songs of lament, tunes of hope, and totally unpredictable twist and turn music, burgeoning with deft double bass from Matt Downer (Jamie Smith’s Mabon) and the textured percussion of James Taylor.

“Subtle, atmospheric…Bravely original” – Robin Denselow, The Guardian ****

Juan Martin’s Flamenco Trio
The Guildhall
Sunday 18th September,  8pm (doors open 7pm)
£18 plus booking fee. Unreserved seating

Juan Martín, a truly awe-inspiring guitarist, composer and all encompassing musician returns to tour the UK with a new flamenco programme of music, song and dance direct from Spain.
The show features flamenco dancer Carmen Moncada and singer Antonio Aparecida. Both have toured with Juan throughout many countries including Canada, Turkey, Poland and Ireland as well as performing altogether at flamenco festivals across Southern Spain. Antonio began his gypsy singing career in Madrid at the famous tablaos Las Brujas and El Café de Chinitas working with well known singers and gone on to record numerous albums; two of them with Juan. Carmen has trained with Inmaculada Aguilar and Adela Campallo amongst others and has toured with Juan throughout Spain, Morrocco and the UK.

Phil Beer
The Guildhall
Friday 23rd September, 8pm (doors open 7pm)
£15 plus booking fee. Unreserved seating

Phil Beer is the multi-instrumental half of the west country’s award winning acoustic duo, Show of Hands, described as a true craftsman, a master musician and consummate performer.

With a professional career of over 36 years, Phil has a great deal of material to draw on for his solo appearances. All are songs and music of memory and significance sung in the subtle and melodic Phil Beer style and interjected with musings and amusings to an almost personal audience. It is a treat of past and current favourites from one of the most popular musicians on the acoustic circuit.

Baka Beyond
The Guildhall
Saturday 24th September,  8pm (doors open 7pm)
£16 plus booking fee. Standing – limited seating

The rhythms of the hunter-gatherer Baka People from the Cameroon rainforest resonate with musical styles from all around the world. Baka Beyond use them to tie music from different genres together. Also carried in these rhythms and in all Baka Beyond performances is the sense of joyous celebration and inclusion that the Baka bring to all their music. The band brings musicians from different cultures and backgrounds together in a seamless celebration of the Global Village.

Towl Ros! / Cast Net!
Borlase Smart Room, Portmeor Studios, St Ives, TR25 1NG
Wednesday 21st September, 3.30pm
£5.50 advance tickets (www.crbo.co.uk)

St Ives fishing – interpretations in words, music and dance, capturing the sights and sounds of the catch, tragic loss and the joy of lighter moments.

With Tir ha Tavas (Delia & Dave Brotherton) and Dave Higginbotham, Mick Paynter, Bob Devereux, Helen Musser & friends and Cornish choir Keur Heb Hanow.

In between events you’ll also find some fantastic street entertainment in Fore Street on Saturday 10th & 17th: