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Top Picks

Cornwall 365’s February Top Picks

Get stuck into the very best events, activities and fun stuff happening across Cornwall in February 2018

February is here with a whole load of fantastic events. This month you can rock out for Independent Venues Week, laugh out loud at Bodmin Jail, indulge in a cheese-fest, journey into the rainforest, or see some excellent art exhibitions. We’ll see you out there!

(Header image: Signs and Wonders)

1. Independent Venue Week at The Old Bakery

The Old Bakery, Truro
Thursday 1st – Saturday 3rd February

To celebrate Independent Venue Week, The Old Bakery have put together a line up of three epic music nights, showcasing some of the best up and coming acts around. Thursday is Indie night, with sets from This Feeling, The Velvet Hands and Himalayas. Punk night on Friday features Bastards, The Eyelids, Swansong and No-Robell, and Saturday night is Rock night with Moriarty, Cleanslate, Godstone and Hypophora.

If you come to more that one of these gigs, keep your tickets to show on the door for a free pint of St Austell Brewery’s Tribute!

2. The Comedy Avengers at Bodmin Jail

Bodmin Jail
Thursday 1st February

Join Bodmin Jail for a night of comedy and chat with the infectiously funny Luke Honnoraty, musical internet sensation Louis Burgess, and the hilarious Tom Glover and Sandi Smith.

3. Fondue Friday Nights at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa

Bedruthan Hotel & Spa
Friday 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd February

Start your weekend the right way in the cosy comfort of Bedruthan Hotel’s sea view restaurant at their sharing cheese fondue nights. On a dark winter’s evening, there is no better way to warm up than with a steaming, oozing bowl of melted cheese laced with white wine and Kirsch – accompanied with hunks of bread and cold cuts. No double dipping!

4. Virginia Woolf: An Exhibition Inspired By Her Writings

Tate St Ives
Saturday 10th February – Sunday 29th April

Discover art from the past 160 years, inspired by the writing of Virginia Woolf, who spent much of her childhood in St Ives. This exhibition is led by her writing, with works by over 70 female artists which will act as a prism through which to explore feminist perspectives on landscape, domesticity and identiy in contemporary art.

5. Kernow King Celebrates Cornwall

Hall for Cornwall
Saturday 10th February

Don’t miss this chance to see a double bill of entertainment exploring Cornish history and myth, starring Kernow King. The history of Cornwall is inspiring, exciting and gripping, with many achievements and stories that make Cornwall great. The Cornish Caretakers tells the story of two caretakers who arrive for their final day of work at The Kernow Museum in St Just before it is knocked down to build retirement flats. But not all is as it seems, and some of Cornwall’s greatest tales are told in their quest to save the museum!

Trevithick! is the gripping story of one of Cornwall’s greatest sons, whose life was tinged by tragedy and steeped in engineering achievement. Bursting with music, comedy and tragedy, Trevithick! celebrates the life of Camborne man Richard Trevithick, who revolutionised the use of steam power and whose genius led to the building of early cars and trains.

6. A night of South East Asian street food at St Ives Brewery

Brewhouse Cafe, St Ives
Saturday 10th February

Lee Skeet’s Supper Clubs are back for 2018, starting with a night of South East Asian inspired street food at the lovely Brewhouse St.Ives. With the menu featuring a feast of locally sourced duck, mackerel, cod and more, this night is set to sell out – so get your tables booked sharpish!

7. The Man Engine Remembers book launch

Waterstone’s, Truro
Saturday 10th February

Pop along to the children’s illustrated book launch and signing with Will Coleman. Discover more about The Man Engine – the largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain that will rise again this Easter! To book tickets for his upcoming tour, visit https://manenginetickets.com/

8. The Good Old Fashioned Lover Boys at St Austell Brewery

St Austell Brewery
Friday 16th February

Beat the winter blues with a musical treat at St Austell Brewery, who are kicking off this year’s Brewery Beats nights with well-known Queen tribute act The Good Old Fashioned Lover Boys.

9. I Was Born, But… presented by Kevos

Calstock Arts
Friday 16th February

Watch a cinematic masterpiece accompanied by a live film score at Calstock Arts. Composer Ed Hughes has long been captivated by the work of Japanese film director, Yasujiro Ozu. Ozu’s comedy, ‘I Was Born But…’ a masterpiece of silent film released in 1932, centres on brothers Ryoichi and Keiji as they navigate the twin challenges of a new school and the neighbourhood bully in a newly-emerging suburb of Tokyo.

Ed Hughes’ musical score has a lightness of touch that perfectly captures the emotion and restraint in Ozu’s story-telling and his modern musical language matches a film that still looks fresh today.

10. Airfish Aerial Arts presents Some Like it Hotter

Acorn Penzance
Saturday 17th February

A night of circus, burlesque, Valentine vaudevillian thrills and smoking hot swing, brought to you by Airfish Circus, Company B and the Fantastic Miss Fanny. With a dress code of ‘Uptown Class, Downtown Sass’, this promises to be an unforgettable night!

11. TAWAI screening and journey through the Rainforest at the Eden Project

Eden Project
Monday 19th February

The Eden Project has teamed up with explorer and filmmaker Bruce Parry for a very special screening of his new film, TAWAI – A Voice from the Forest.

The evening will start with a guided journey through the Rainforest Biome where you’ll meet special guests, including Bruce himself, who have all dedicated their lives to meeting, learning about and saving the plants and the people of the world’s forest. You’ll nibble canapes made with plants from rainforest regions before a screening of the film, followed by a Q&A with Bruce. Tickets also grant entry to Eden on the day, so you can arrive as early as you like to immerse yourself in the Rainforest biome!

12. Wild Cornwall – Out on the Edge

Poly Falmouth
Wednesday 21st February

Cornwall Wildlife Trust hosts the UK premiere of celebrated filmmaker Ian McCarthy’s award-winning new film. Wild Cornwall – Out on the Edge follows the turning year in Cornwall – ‘one of the most beautiful and dramatic places in Europe’ – winning a prestigious Silver Dolphin Award at Cannes. It showcases the dramatic lives of many of our much loved species including breeding seabirds and peregrine falcons on the cliffs, dolphins, seals and basking sharks in the ocean, and bats and otters hunting in the streams that flow from moor to sea.

13. Rachel Newton at Bodmin Folk Club

Bodmin Folk Club
Friday 23rd February

A regular on the folk circuit and BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year 2017, Rachel Newton brings her harp, strings and ethereal voice to Bodmin Folk Club. Specialising in interpreting traditional folk songs in both English and Gaelic as well as writing her own music, Rachel’s performance is haunting and compelling.

14. Banff Mountain Film Festival

Hall for Cornwall
Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th February

Experience an extraordinary collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. Follow the expeditions of some of today’s most incredible adventurers, see amazing footage of adrenaline packed action sports and be inspired by thought-provoking pieces shot from the far flung corners of the globe. Each night shows an entirely different film programme to ignite your passion for adventure, action and travel. Book now as these always sell out!

15. Signs and Wonders – Light Spectacular at Carn Marth

Carn Marth Amphitheatre
Saturday 24th February

Signs and Wonders will be bathing Carn Marth in pools of rippling light in celebration of this stunning location. As well as light projections, lanterns and an illuminated floating installation on the lake, there will also be music, dancing, hot food and drinks, and performances from The Day-Light Choir.

16. Life Girl

Liskerrett Community Centre
Saturday 24th February

Life Girl is a storytelling show about living alone without being lonely. Jane grew up watching Saturday morning children’s telly and one of her favourite programmes was Robinson Crusoe, a badly dubbed drama about a blonde man on a tropical island and tramping across the sand. That was it, really.

Then she grew up and forgot about it until she read about how loneliness shortens your life-span and she panicked because she lives on her own and she thought she was going to die. She did some research and discovered that being alone and being lonely are two entirely separate ways of being. So, this show is a survivor’s guide to the art of living on your own.

17. David Ferris Septet + Mari Vali

Loveday’s, Charlestown
Wednesday 28th February

Originally from Cornwall, David Ferris brings his septet of some of the Midland’s best musicians to Charlestown. Joined by special guest singer Maria Väli, their new music includes settings of poems by WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney, WH Auden and Ted Hughes. Don’t forget to book your table for dinner!

18. Faces of Cornwall at Falmouth Art Gallery

Falmouth Art Gallery
Until Saturday 14th April

Famous faces, colourful characters and everyday people all feature in this portrait show starring the people of Cornwall. This striking exhibition features portraits of men, women and children from the 16th Century to the present day. There’s always something for kids to get stuck into at Falmouth Art Gallery, and the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere makes it great for families.

Imogen Weatherly

Imogen can usually be found in a village community cinema, exploring Cornwall’s great outdoors, at foodie events, or watching live theatre. When she’s not getting stuck into all the lovely cultural stuff in Cornwall, you can find her on the beach.