Born in Dungiven in 1975, surrounded and infused with the rich cultural heritage of her native County Derry, Cara has risen to become one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world. Together with her husband and musical partner, Sam Lakeman, she has succesfully steered an eclectic musical path defying the typical pigeonholes that hinder most artists in her genre. Celebrated for entwining traditional and contemporary elements she has earned both commercial success and astonishing critical acclaim. Whether she's singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she'll remain there for a very long time.

A presentation of harp music with deep local roots and sparkling international connections. Professional harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry will present and talk about pieces composed by one of Teignmouth’s most famous 19th-century sons. Parish Alvars was born in Teignmouth in 1808 and enjoyed a great international career. His innovatory harp technique was admired by such iconic figures as Liszt, Mendelssohn, Berlioz and many others. Come and be sparkled!!

The Lantivet Duo is Cornish violinist Anna Brigham and Scottish pianist Brendan Musk. They bring a fresh, contemporary approach to the violin and piano duo, combining excellence in performing traditional repertoire with writing their own music. At the heart of their collaboration is the desire to explore. Their roots in classical, folk, jazz, pop and funk music combined with boundless creativity have earned them critical acclaim, with Classic FM hailing them as "one of the best things to see." Together, they captivate audiences with a spellbinding blend of traditional and original pieces. Their exceptional programming is completely unique and has been described as "genuinely original and exploratory". The duo take a concept or a classical work and explode it outwards, exploring deep into what inspired the composer and using it as inspiration for their own music. Contemporary folk traditions, family life, environment, personal obsessions - there are so many influences in any composer's work. Using this as a jumping off point, the duo write their own music and arrange traditional folk tunes, which when paired with the classical work, reflects back to create a deeper, richer experience of the piece.

Even if you've never heard of American jazz guitarist B.D. Lenz it's very possible you've heard his music before - it's been featured on hundreds of TV shows around the globe. He's released thirteen recordings of his unique brand of funky jazz that fuses virtuoso musicianship with expert songwriting. Joining B.D. will be James Rosocha (bass) and Joe Falcey (drums). Together, this trio will keep you surprised with their eclectic mix of jazz standards, original jams, and pop classics

Nos Lowen is a style of Cornish social dancing with its roots firmly in traditional Celtic music. Nos Lowen is Cornish for "Happy Night" Why not join us at Calstock Arts in welcoming the Kelliwik Golowi Band and get ready for an unforgettable night of music and dance with a proper Cornish knees up, full of energy, laughter and community spirit. This event is a Gallery Bar Special with a bucket collection, all proceeds to Callington Youth Project Group.

Alan Dall and the Sea of Stories is an exciting new show from Mike OConnor and Barbara Griggs. It comprises dramatic tales from Celtic Lands, told in words and music, with harp, violin and concertina. Mike and Barbara are not only great storytellers and musicians, they are also both accomplished offshore sailors. In this show, their tales are set on the sea, in the sea, and beside the sea. They are rich with insight. They are engaging, exciting, moving and amusing. The audience is taken on a voyage of adventure, drama and magic, but they are always brought safely home. Since the Bronze Age, bards have declaimed battle honours, genealogies, histories and stories, both to entertain and also to endorse the positions of their rulers. By camp fires and hearths, families told tales to entertain and to educate both adults and children. As late as the nineteenth century, travelling storytellers in Cornwall told tales in return for bed and board. Mike OConnor OBE is a well known storyteller, with a deep knowledge of legend and folk tale, and a great skill with language. A bard of Gorsedh Kernow, he is respected as a violinist, song writer and musicologist, and is known to many for his music for Poldark. Barbara Griggs is a skilled and sensitive musician and a fine storyteller. She too is a bard as well as being a Gorsedh harpist. Her music has been described as having breath-taking beauty. She is the expert on costume and custom, and with Mike, has worked to integrate words, sound effects and music to high praise. Mike and Barbara's Return to Lyonesse won a British Award for Storytelling Excellence and Odysseus Dreaming was an acclaimed retelling of Homer. The show lasts 90 minutes, with two 45-minute halves. It is family friendly and best suited to children of 12 and over.

Mae Karthauser brings her latest band to sing the songs of Joni Mitchell including the songs from the seminal album Blue. Mae and her fellow musicians put together a one off Joni Mitchell Blue tribute at the Barrel House in Totnes, were floored by the response and have now had 3 sell out gigs in Devon performing the songs. Mae is a Devon based singer/songwriter who has toured Europe extensively. She has featured on both Radio 3 and Radio 6 and performed live on the BBC's One Show. One of the most moving gigs, if not the most moving gig I have ever attended Tracie Gillies, Programme Director, The Barrel House, Totnes.

Cole Stacey is a visceral and lyrical songwriter, singer and musician whose versatility as a performer has taken him from The Royal Albert Hall to a 14th century castle in Gdansk, from Manchester Central Library to The Westfalenhalle Arena, from festivals in Johannesburg to live sessions on BBC Radio 5 Live. With more than a decade-long association with Midge Ure and India Electric Company he has roamed the highest echelons of British folk through to 80s synth pop.

A night of stories and poetry with Robin Ince, author of Bibliomaniac and NormallyWeird & Weirdly Normal, twice winner of author of the year from the bookseller's association, winner of Celebrity Mastermind and house of Games, and for 16 years the host of The Infinite Monkey Cage on Radio 4. In the words of Stewart Lee, Robin is like a piece of a Jenga puzzle - pull him out and a lot of things would collapse. Without Robin, comedy would be a very different shape and a generation is grateful. Robin Ince is many things. A multi award winning comedian, author, broadcaster, bibliomaniac and a populariser of scientific ideas. He is perhaps best known as the former co-host and co-creator of the Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox. As a stand up Robin has toured the world and as an author he has written four acclaimed books, including Bibliomaniac, earned him the prestigious Booksellers Association Author of the Year award. His fifth, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal was published in May 2025. He co-created the Cosmic Shambles Network and created the groundbreaking science variety night Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People which has been adapted worldwide. He has received an Honorary Fellowship of UCL, an honorary doctorate from Royal Holloway College (University of London), and is a fellow of the British Science Association

Cornwall-based chamber choir, Levowan XII was established in 2015 by Director, Marcus Alleyne. Originally eight voices put together to perform a live carol concert for local radio, they are now 12, all of whom have a strong musical background and bring a broad range of experience and versatility. The choir performs three main concerts per year and also collaborates with other music ensembles at a variety of events in Devon and Cornwall. Delivering a vast repertoire covering almost any genre, including major works, they perform both a cappella and accompanied by piano, organ or chamber orchestra. Levowan XII also has firm links with both British and international composers and arrangers and has premiered several pieces of their work here in the UK. A highlight has been to perform alongside the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Accompanied by Mark Smith. Mark studied piano and organ at Trinity College of Music, London, and worked as a professional accompanist in the South East before moving to Cornwall 12 years ago. He now shares his work time between gardening and accompanying. In any free time, Mark enjoys growing organic veg, walking, foraging and yet more music making Listen to Levowan here: https://levowan.co.uk/have-a-listen

Tarren is an ambassador for New-Folk; music that is fresh and dynamic, rooted in the English tradition. Original and traditional material is expertly arranged by this trio of musicians, who are creating music that moves and excites people. By incorporating modular hooks and minimalist forms, Tarren is leading folk music to a new place, while keeping the pulse of traditional dance at its heart. Tarren is made up of Bristol-based artists Sid Goldsmith (Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith, Awake Arise), Alex Garden (The Drystones, Harriet Riley & Alex Garden) and Danny Pedler (Pedler // Russell). They combine cittern and concertina, fiddle, and accordion to create their music. Tarren's debut album REVEL was released in 2022 to high acclaim and was compared with the work of Faustus and Lau's legendary debut album Lightweights and Gentlemen. Just the kind of band we need on the Folk circuit today. Brilliant! - FRUK A Mini Folk Supergroup - Tradfolk

Mississippi MacDonald is an English Soul-Blues singer/songwriter/guitarist, fronting a four piece band. He is a 6 times British / UK Blues Awards and three times US Independent Blues Awards nominee. He has appeared on BBC Radio 2's Blues Show with Cerys Matthews, has played extensively in the UK and the US, and has recorded recently in the US with Vaneese Thomas (Rufus Thomas) and Benny Turner (Freddie King, Mighty Joe Young). His previous album, Do Right, Say Right was named in the top 10 Blues Albums of 2022 by Mojo Magazine. Touring his second album for APM Records, Heavy State Loving Blues, he was appraised by Blues In Britain Magazine as one of finest modern bluesmen in the U.K. and on this release he's excelled in all areas. The Heavy State Loving Blues album has charted for multiple weeks at the top of the RMR Global Blues Report, second only to Buddy Guy. Contemporary British bluesman Mississippi MacDonald proves he's as legit as they come on his hard-charging new record HSLBa compelling, engaging artist who is going to make a lot of new friends with this record. Make sure youre one of them Rock and Blues Muse Mississippi MacDonald represents the next generation of great guitarists who hail from the UKwholly authentic, he's earned the right to claim the name Living Blues, USA Hell Yeah!.fabulous, very Albert King circa his Stax days and in my world, it doesnt get much better than that, Blues Matters!

Dale Storr The Sounds of New Orleans A very, very fine piano player indeed Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2 Dale is the best New Orleans player Ive ever heard Richard Hawley Described by Jazz Journal magazine as the piano man's piano man... and a national treasure, Dale Storr's musical journey has now brought him recognition as one of the UK's leading exponents of New Orleans piano. Immersed in the styles of heroes like Dr John, James Booker, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino and Huey Piano Smith, he established himself in his early career as a highly sought after pianist backing many top blues stars from the UK and America.

Hailing from Bristol, UK, The Terraplanes are an authentic Rhythm & Blues Band, with a sound echoing the 1960's British R'n'B invasion with a heavy dose of Delta Country Blues. The Terraplanes formed in 2013 when singer Nick Scrase met Eduardo Allen in Bristol, the relationship between the two founding members is the driving force of the band. Scrase' authentic vocal tones and slick guitar plus the harmonica skills and hi energy stage perfomances from Eduardo Allen make for an electric live show. They are ably supported by the rhythm section of Karl Anthony (drums) & Craig Shaw (Bass).

Join Granny's Attic as they teach you a song from their new album, "Cold Blows the Wind". Whether you're a seasoned folk singer, or just fancy trying your hand at something new, everyone is welcome for this fun and inclusive workshop. The workshop will run from 11am - 1pm with a short break halfway through. With exceptional musicianship and boundless energy, Granny's Attic are going from strength to strength. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe since 2009. They are much loved by audiences up and down the country, with bookings everywhere from Cambridge Folk Festival to Cecil Sharp House. The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. In October 2021, they released "The Brickfields", an instrumental collection which saw them reach new heights as both performers and composers. This year, they followed this up with "Cold Blows the Wind", which has gone down a storm with audiences and reviewers alike. Described by Folk Radio as one of the most exciting and accomplished English folk acts on the scene right now, this outstanding trio can hold audiences in the palm of their hand.

David Mitchell describes his guitar playing as Folk-Classical fingerstyle, combining these genres to create a beautiful and unique take on some well known pieces and traditional folk tunes as well as performing his own original compositions. Alongside performing solo, David enjoys collaborations, depping in with other bands and musicians near and far as well as his fiddle and guitar duo Mitchell & Kirby. For ceilidhs, he leads the Barn Owls Ceilidh Band and gigs regularly with the Monkey See Monkey Do Ceilidh Band. In addition to being a talented musician, David trained as a luthier at Newark and Sherwood College and uses a Classical Guitar that he crafted himself. He also plays other stringed instruments as well as whistles and recorders. David has enjoyed performing solo guitar at a range of lovely venues including Downend Folk & Roots, Banbury Folk Club, The Amadeus, Wessex Acoustic Folk Club, Fivehead Folk & Acoustic Music Night, VegFest Bristol, Broadstairs Folk Week as well as many other public and private events. David's debut solo album, Contours, released on the 18th of October 2024 has been described as tremendous by Alan Ritson of Fine Folk (LCR FM), "A bit of a cracker!" by Mike Norris of Classic Folk (the EFDSS radio show) and excellent by Robert Ford of The Folk & Roots Show (Abbey FM). Website: https://www.davidmitchellmusician.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmitchellmusician YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitchellmusician Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmitchellguitar/

A selkie woman comes ashore to dance under moonlight and finds herself caught in the arms of a sailor. Captivated by love, she chooses to stay, surrendering her bond with the ocean for the promise of family life. But what does it really mean to stay As the years pass, she is tethered to a growing child, weighed down by domestic routine, and slowly estranged from her own wild self. Where once she swam vast oceans, she now migrates between the washing machine, the oven, and the school gate - an unwitting tradwife. Torn between loyalty and longing, depression and quiet rage, our selkie must reckon with the cost of staying and the near-impossibility of leaving. Hilarious, heartfelt and darkly intimate, The Selkie Who Stayed reshapes the classic Selkie myth for the age of consent. The night will open with Tales of Freyja a collection of stories of the fierce Norse Goddess.

Described by The Guardian as one of the great acoustic guitarists, and praised by Paul McCartney for his beautiful touch, Forcione combines dazzling virtuosity with deep emotional expression and an unmistakable stage presence. Over a career spanning decades, he has performed at some of the world's most prestigious festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, Glastonbury Festival, WOMAD, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Antonio has shared the stage and collaborated with internationally renowned artists including Phil Collins, Bobby McFerrin, Charlie Haden, Diego El Cigala, Angélique Kidjo, Trilok Gurtu, Martin Taylor, Dominic De Piazza and Dominic Miller among many others. Alongside his acclaimed solo career, he has created a wide range of original projects including the Antonio Forcione Quartet, Acoustic Mania, AKAtrio with Seckou Keita and Adriano Adewale, collaborations with Sarah Jane Morris and Giorgio Serci, and most recently Storytellers with Turkish guitarist Cenk Erdoan. Beyond the concert stage, Forcione has actively supported humanitarian and cultural initiatives, collaborating with organisations including Amnesty International, and contributing to music education projects in Rwanda through Amata Africa.

Over twenty years, the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, including the Tamar Valley and Tavistock, has demonstrated the power of collaboration in shaping a globally significant landscape. Join us for the ongoing journey to inspire everyone to connect with, care for, and champion this remarkable heritage, while sustaining its global significance for generations to come. The event starts at 10am until late afternoon & includes a pasty. Talks & lunchtime music from the following - Lesley Strong (WHS Stakeholder Engagement Officer) - A World Heritage Landscape: 20 Years of Connection and Collaboration Ben Dancer (WHS Planning Officer) - Planning within the World Heritage Site and its setting Emma Trevarthen (Strategic Historic Environment Officer (Rural Environment) Cornwall Council) - Managing rural heritage in mining landscapes Tavy Tarrs with Clive Charlton at lunchtime - Ballads related to the World Heritage Site Andrew Thompson (Independent Heritage Consultant) - The Bedford Estates Rick Stewart (Independent Mining Historian) - Mining History in the World Heritage Site Robert Waterhouse (Independent Archaeologist) - Morwellham Quay and the Tavistock Canal