THE Cornwall Harp & Gurdy Festival returns to Falmouth for the weekend of November 30 and December 1 with a programme filled with live performances and events to explore and celebrate these two distinctive instruments.
Bringing together local and national acts, alongside taster sessions and the opportunity to hear their influence on all types of music, this festival for all ages will mean audiences will never view harps and hurdy-gurdies the same way again.
Guests can experience and take part in beginner harp workshops, a hurdy-gurdy ceilidh, Stone Club DJ set, acclaimed harp player Anna McLuckie and more.
The festival schedule:
Saturday, November 30
The WAD (7.30pm-8pm) - A Falmouth-based Morris dancing side named after Joan the WAD, Queen of the Cornish Piskies. Taking inspiration from Cornish folklore and Joan's feisty and fiery nature, this all-female Morris side brings the WAD energy and a modern, progressive take to a mixture of traditional border and Cotswold dances.
Anna McLuckie (8pm-9.30pm) - Scottish singer, songwriter and Clàrsach player. Raised on classical and traditional music, Anna’s writing draws on her musical beginnings and also takes influence from her love of popular music and more experimental sounds. Her music sits in a world of contemporary folklore; her songs layered with interweaving harmonies, story-led lyricism and free form structures.
Stone Club DJs (9.30pm-midnight) - Join Stone Club for a journey into the realm of the mythic. Featuring sounds from around the world, they will take you on a voyage taking in everything from Breton Hurdy Gurdys to Welsh Harps, and more than a few Gregorian chants.
Sunday, December 1
Gurdy Jam Workshop (3pm-5pm) - An opportunity for electronica buffs and instrumentalists of all kinds to work with hurdy gurdy player Ian Waughman. This will be a collaborative and creative workshop with a focus on giving participants the opportunity to do something new with their instrument, equipment and/or writing. All levels and instruments welcome. All forms of participation welcome.
Gurdy Jam Curtain Raiser (7.30pm-8pm) - A chance to hear the amazing sounds created by the afternoon's workshop participants. Organisers have no idea what they'll come up with but 'Psychedelic Cumbria meets Dub and Drone' sounds unmissable.
Gurdy Ceilidh (8pm-10pm) - A one-off ceilidh with dances from across the UK and beyond. Dance along to traditional tunes re-interpreted by a band that includes harp and hurdy-gurdy. No experience needed, it’s guaranteed to be a lively session.
To book tickets, visit: thecornishbank.co.uk/TheCornishBank.dll/WhatsOn?f=392513