Cornwall Harp & Gurdy Festival Returns to Falmouth with Eclectic Performances and Workshops

The Cornwall Harp & Gurdy Festival is back in Falmouth, bringing an exciting weekend of performances, workshops, and opportunities to explore the distinctive sounds of harps and hurdy-gurdies. Supported by Arts Council England and Falmouth Town Council, the event promises a unique experience that will change how audiences view these two instruments.

With both local and national acts, as well as taster sessions, the Festival offers something for all ages, from first-time players to seasoned enthusiasts.

Saturday Highlights: Beginner Workshops and The WAD Morris Dancers

The Festival kicks off on Saturday, 30 November, with a Beginner Harp Taster session from 15:30 to 17:00. Led by local harpist Alice Wonder, this workshop offers novices the chance to try folk and half-size harps, with a close 1:2 teacher-to-student ratio.

Later, from 19:30 to 20:00, attendees can enjoy a performance by The WAD, a Falmouth-based all-female Morris dancing group. Named after Joan the WAD, Queen of the Cornish Piskies, the group brings a feisty, progressive twist to traditional Cornish folklore, blending border and Cotswold dances with high-energy performances.

At 20:00, Scottish singer, songwriter, and Clàrsach player Anna McLuckie takes the stage, weaving a tapestry of contemporary folk music influenced by her classical and traditional background. Her performance will feature layers of harmonies, story-driven lyrics, and free-form structures. The evening wraps up with a Stone Club DJ set from 21:30 to midnight, promising a mystical journey with sounds from Breton hurdy-gurdies to Welsh harps and Gregorian chants.

Sunday Highlights: Harp Journey and Gurdy Jam Workshop

Sunday, 1 December, continues with a relaxing Harp Journey led by Alice Wonder from 15:00 to 16:00. Attendees will learn about the healing history of Celtic harp music, experiencing a soundscape designed to unwind and inspire. Comfortable clothes and a blanket or mat are recommended for this semi-interactive session.

Running simultaneously from 15:00 to 17:00, hurdy-gurdy player Ian Waughman will lead the Gurdy Jam Workshop, a creative collaboration inviting instrumentalists of all levels to fuse various musical styles. Using Cumbia beats, Dub sounds, and lyrics, participants can explore new techniques with their instruments. The afternoon concludes with the Gurdy Jam Curtain Raiser from 19:30 to 20:00, showcasing the workshop’s imaginative results in a performance described as ‘Psychedelic Cumbria meets Dub and Drone.’

The Festival wraps up with a lively Gurdy Ceilidh from 20:00 to 22:00, a dance session with traditional tunes re-interpreted by a harp and hurdy-gurdy band. Open to dancers of all experience levels, it guarantees an engaging end to the weekend.

For a unique musical experience and a fresh perspective on these intriguing instruments, the Cornwall Harp & Gurdy Festival in Falmouth promises a memorable event.

Buy tickets here.