A creative ensemble lands on the golden shores of St Ives this September!

St Ives September Festival’s 300+ artistic, theatrical and musical celebrations bring an eclectic close to the hazy days of summer.

Welcoming in the warm September autumn days in a creative seaside haven, the extensive St Ives September Festival is staged over two weeks, providing locals and visitors alike with a colourful array of artistic performances, literary recitals and musical concerts. 
The 2015 Festival opens on the 12th, running until the 26th September, with an immense 300 events set within the laid back and picturesque St Ives. Now in its 37th year,  the Festival has a dedicated following of literary and musical lovers who enjoy a wide range of arts and this year’s line-up sees folk, jazz, rock and blues music, poetry, theatre, talks and art exhibitions.  For the first time, the September Festival will be supported by St Ives Business Improvement District (BID), bringing further security and extending the options available to the programming team.
Famed for its artistic spirit as well as the brilliance of the performers, St Ives plays the perfect host to all manner of eclectic and artistic presentations in intimate, historic and modern venues all scattered around the iconic harbour and town.
The historic Guildhall will form the backdrop to a range of renowned folk acts and delighted crowds keen to celebrate magical and memorable performances from everyone from Show of Hands to The Beat, from Dervish to Mad Dog Mcrea to Ben Waters as well as John Lees’ Barclay, James Harvest and Joanne Shaw Taylor.
The Western Hotel will be providing the perfect surroundings for the St Ives Jazz Club and unforgettable evenings with the Ronnie Scott’s Quintet and their special guests Ian Shaw and the Nicholas Meier group. Comedy performances from Johnny Cowling will ensure that laughter will also embrace the Guildhall and roll out onto the cobbled streets outside.
Festival goers can embark on an adventurous and diverse artistic journey through St Ives and drop by studios and galleries which showcase stunning drawings, paintings and sculptures from both well established and emerging artists. Guided walking tours will enable visitors to gain more of an insight into St Ives artists as well as visit iconic, or generally hidden, places. The small cobblestone streets will play host to impromptu stages for readings and poetry, and theatrical plays will be dramatised on the famous St Ives Island.
Visitors are also encouraged to try a new form of creative expression or brush up on painting or ceramic skills with several creative workshops and courses available during the Festival. With the arrival of September and less crowds, Porthminster and Porthmeor beaches will also provide open space for events throughout the Festival period.
Dave Brotherton, chairman of the St Ives September Festival, says, “We’re now in our 37th year, a quite phenomenal achievement, yet the creative and artistic energy of this very special town continues to greet visitors from all over the world, welcoming different tastes and styles, of all ages.  We are so fortunate to have such a stunning backdrop and the Festival and its 300 plus events will illuminate every corner of the town, whilst allowing visitors and residents alike the opportunity to nurture new cultural or musical discoveries.  We’re delighted to have the St Ives BID on board as key backers this year and are very grateful for this invaluable support.”
Damian Sargent, Director of St Ives BID, says, “The St Ives September Festival is an absolute epic and must be one of the longest running events in the county.  The Festival brings such a magical opportunity for visitors and locals to see and experience different art, culture and performance in so many places and it’s a stalwart on so many people’s calendar.  With over 300 events over just two weeks, we are so pleased to be able to bring our support on board and to be able to help amplify the Festival to drive more footfall into the many BID businesses to benefit as a result of all of the hard work of the St Ives September Festival team.”
For more information on events and how to book tickets please check out http://www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk/