What I love about St Ives is how briskly its persona changes through the months and seasons. July and August are buzzing, the town is a whirlwind with families, ice creams, buckets and spades, sandcastles, bodyboarders and so on.
Come September, like a switch the town adopts an air of calm and a relaxed vibe.
Just in time for the September festival to commence.
So what’s it all about you may ask? Old hands will tell you it’s hard to explain and you must experience it first hand, and that would be sound advice, but for those of you that may have the image of Glastonbury, wellies, mud, huge stages and a tent for two whizzing around your head, let us explain further…
The September festival is a two week, cultural extravaganza staged in the town of St Ives, surrounded by its stunning golden beaches, and fringed by the dramatic Cornish coastline. Along with fantastic bars, cafes, restaurants, galleries and museums, it’s a culture vultures dream!
For newbie festival goers wanting to venture along to the September festival and see what all the fuss is about, or if you are looking for ideas to plan your stay around, the team at Ocean Holiday’s Cornwall have cherry picked our favourites from the September Festival 2018 calendar.
The September Festival opens on Saturday 8th September 2018 and runs to the 22nd September.
Saturday 8th September
Seth Lakeman will be headlining the opening night at The Guildhall.Folk star Seth Lakeman began the year touring the USA and Australia with former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. Seth is described as ‘classic folk rock’ Artist and we are truly excited about having him here in St Ives.
Tickets are £27 and can be purchased from the Guildhall.
Sam recommends Tom Dale, a firm local favourite playing in the Queens Head 9.30 pm
Tom’s style is old times blues, slide guitar mountain music, banjo and more..
Ashleigh’s-Hot Pick
Talking Art. Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
10.30 am to 12.30pm
This workshop is designed for the blind or partially sighted visitor and friends. A morning of making and talking with detailed spoken descriptions of the works on display.
Book on stivesticketing@tate.org.uk
Sunday 9th September
Ashleigh recommends, The History of St Ives with Hugh Trevarthen.
Be inspired and entertained as you take a 1-1.5 hour walk, with Hugh’s fascinating stories and knowledge.
The Malakoff. 2pm £5.00. Proceeds to the St Ives Archives.
Sam’s Hot Pick (with his wedding fast approaching this could come in handy)
An introductory workshop to Cuban Son Salsa Dancing
The Guildhall, Street An Pol. 6pm £5.00
Dan’s Nostalgic film night
Film Season – 12 Angry Men 1957
St Ives Art Club, Westcott’s Quay
Doors Open at 7pm £6.00
Monday 10th September
Ashleigh recommends Layered Landscapes for a relaxing afternoon of Art.
St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios.
2pm to 5pm £35.00
Sam’s Hot Pick
The Fishermans Friends
Known for the revival of shanty style choral singing, this local shanty group should not be missed! The GuildHall, Street An Pol. 8pm doors at 7pm £20.00
Tuesday 11th September
Dan recommends Mary Poppins Jr
Award winning Kidz r Us Theatre group, perform this classic childhood favourite.
The St Ives Theatre, Lower Stennack. 7.30pm £12 Adults & £9 children
Dan’s Hot Pick
Saxy Maids
Returning to the festival this year are the Saxy Maids, a female quartet playing for every occasion in all styles. St Ia Church, Market Square. 8pm £7.50. Bring a cushion
Wednesday 12th September
Sam recommends Lobster pots and knobs
David Harrison will demonstrate the traditional Art of making lobster pots along with ex Trinity house coxswain Rob McLeod showing his collection of seaman’s tools and knots.
Cellar 4, Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West.
11am to 3.30pm Free
Dan’s Hot Pick – Whodunnit
Set in 1940’s New York, a private detective is hired to protect Nightclub singer as her gangster boyfriend is gunned down, can they solve the crime?
Boathouse theatre, Carnglaze Place
7.30pm £8.00
Thursday 13th September
Sam’s Hot pick The Big Frug
BYO drinks and settle down for an evening of Poetry, Musicians and Story telling.
St Ives Art Club, Westcott’s Quay. 8pm doors at 7.30pm £8.00
Sam recommends Trink Dairy, local milk producers talk.
Grass growing, cows grazing, fresh milk from farm to customer. Be sure to buy yourself some of Trink Dairy’s milk, so fresh and tasty!
Towednack Church TR26 3AZ. 2.30pm Free
Friday 14th September
Today is all about Art! Ashleigh recommends, a walk with watercolour, Nicola Higgins.
Capture the stunning landscape of St Ives. No experience needed, all welcome.
Barnoon Workshop, Clodgy View. 10am -12 am £15
Ashleigh’s Hot Pick – Space and Matter Sandra Blow
You will find some of Sandra Blow’s art exhibited in Tate, St Ives. There is no better way to celebrate this British born abstract artist than on her birthday, born on 14th September 1925. Experiment with space, colour, shape and composition exploring Blow’s processes.
St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West. 2pm – 5pm £35 Tutor Liz Luckwell
Saturday 15th September
Week two kicks off with the Hackney Colliery Band performing at The Guildhall.
This British brass band is a mix of traditional with a modern New Orleans style.
8pm doors 7pm £22.50
Dan recommends – Sweet & Sour.
A four piece comedy improvising group that will ignite spontaneous humour.
St Ives Art Club, Westcott’s Quay
7.30, doors 7pm. £8.00
Ashleigh’s Hot Pick – Expressive seascapes.
2 day outdoor landscape drawing course. Meet at the Mariners gallery, Norway Square. 10am-4.30pm, £70.00 per day £140.00 for 2 days.
To book contact, riapoole@hotmail.com 07868734570
Sunday 16th September
Sam recommends Foxes fair, Country & Folk
The Castle Inn 3pm -6pm
Ashleigh’s Hot pick Rusty Shackle
Described as tearing up the stages since 2010. A captivating performance, with a mix of electric guitars, drums, fiddle, trumpet and banjo. The GuildHall, Street An Pol, 8pm £15.50.
Dan’s Nostalgic Film Night…
Film Season –The Lady Killers 1955
St Ives Art Club, Westcott’s Quay
7.30pm Doors at 7pm £6.00
Monday 17th September
Sam recommends
Borlase Smart room, Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West. Film Pilchards, A brief history of the Cornish Sardine.
3.30pm-4.30pm £5.50.
Ashleigh’s Very Hot Pick – Spyralz, Jazz Fusion Quartet
Last year, waiting for a friend outside the Church I was introduced to this band, they sounded really cool. Just remember your cushion!
St Ia Church, Market Square. 8pm £7.50.
Tuesday 18th September
Dan recommends – Daphine’s Flight.
Featuring 5 of the finest singer/songwriters of their generation, a magical blend of individual styles & complex harmony arrangements.
The Guildhall, Street An Pol. 8pm £17.50.
Wednesday 19th September
Ashleigh recommends – Pit Firing Ceramics on the Beach
Using the seaside environment, Artists Mary Kaun English & Martyn Perryman will demonstrate this exciting firing method.
Porthmeor Beach, in front of Tate St Ives. 10am sharp. Free.
Sam’s Hot Pick – Steve Knightly ‘Songs & Stories’ SoloTour
Don’t miss this multi award winning songwriter, as he takes you on a musical journey.
The Guildhall, Street An Pol. 8pm doors 7.30pm £19.50.
Thursday 20th September
Ashleigh really recommends – Talk – St Ives in 1938.
To coincide of the 80th anniversary of the opening of the St Ives School of Painting an illustrated talk of what living in St Ives was like the year before World War 2 broke out.
Borlase Smart room, Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West
10.30 -11.30am, £5.50.
Dan’s Hot pick – The New Jersey Boys
The Guildhall, Street An Pol
8pm do0rs 7pm £18.00
Friday 21st September
Ashleigh recommends – Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach
Late at the Tate. Relax with a drink and enjoy exhibitions, performances, music and talks.
6.30pm – 9pm. stivesticketing@tate.or.uk
Sam’s Hot pick – The Young’uns English folk band
Winning BBC2 Best Group in the BBC2 Folk Awards in 2015 and 2016, don’t miss the trio and their combination of harmonies & humour.
The Guildhall, Street An Pol. 8pm doors 7pm £16.50.
The September Festival closes on Saturday 22nd September with a band that has received 5 star reviews. With Celtic connections, award winning Folk band Breabach hits the Guildhall as the festival draws to an end.
All of the above is a snap shot of the September Festival, full event calendar can be found on the St Ives September Festival website.
In addition to the calendar of events, there is so much more to come and experience. Throughout the two week event you will find, life drawing classes, yoga, music and poetry in the square.
Plays, theatre productions, historic talks, painting workshops, walks, free street entertainment, films, live bands and various other artists performing in the town.
St Ives is truly alive, in our opinion there is something here for everyone to come along enjoy.
For full ticket details please contact the Guildhall, St Ives.
