Calstock Arts

November 13 : “The Selkie Who Stayed and other stories, an evening of storytelling”

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. Suitable for ages 12+. Hannah Sneyd is a storyteller based on Dartmoor. She began performing four years ago when stories began to drop into her thoughts, asking to be told. Her style is witty, lyrical and bold, using story to weave bridges between the world we inhabit and the magical realms just beyond our fingertips. With a background in science and nature documentary television and a passion for nature, her work is deeply inspired by the landscape and the creatures within it.

Fri 13 NovCalstock Arts

“The Selkie Who Stayed and other stories, an evening of storytelling”

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. Suitable for ages 12+. Hannah Sneyd is a storyteller based on Dartmoor. She began performing four years ago when stories began to drop into her thoughts, asking to be told. Her style is witty, lyrical and bold, using story to weave bridges between the world we inhabit and the magical realms just beyond our fingertips. With a background in science and nature documentary television and a passion for nature, her work is deeply inspired by the landscape and the creatures within it.

Fri 13 NovCalstock Arts

15 November: Elizabeth Jane Baldry

We are delighted to welcome the return of the highly accomplished local harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, for what will be an enchanting concert. As a recitalist, she is well-known for her warm and approachable presentation style. The Bath Chronicle said of her: “It is hard to say just which was more pleasurable – the exquisite playing or the often deliciously outrageous stories of composers’ lives that Elizabeth Jane recounted in between the music.” She performs both nationally and internationally, giving around eighty performances a year from recitals in historic houses or specialist arts cruises to weddings and funerals. She has performed to sold-out audiences in the USA, Italy and France. Elizabeth-Jane fell in love with the harp as a little girl whilst reading fairy-tales in which the harp possessed magical powers! She grew up to study at Exeter University and the Royal College of Music, and has been a full-time professional musician for over thirty years. As well as performing recitals, she is the only specialist silent movie harpist in the world, playing live to cinema screenings of early film, and has won multiple awards for her silent film accompaniments and compositions. Her uniquely rich tone on the harp has graced film and TV soundtracks screened in over thirty countries including Canada, Iceland, Kenya, Iran and South Africa.

Sun 15 NovCalstock Arts

Elizabeth Jane Baldry

We are delighted to welcome the return of the highly accomplished local harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, for what will be an enchanting concert. As a recitalist, she is well-known for her warm and approachable presentation style. The Bath Chronicle said of her: “It is hard to say just which was more pleasurable – the exquisite playing or the often deliciously outrageous stories of composers’ lives that Elizabeth Jane recounted in between the music.” She performs both nationally and internationally, giving around eighty performances a year from recitals in historic houses or specialist arts cruises to weddings and funerals. She has performed to sold-out audiences in the USA, Italy and France. Elizabeth-Jane fell in love with the harp as a little girl whilst reading fairy-tales in which the harp possessed magical powers! She grew up to study at Exeter University and the Royal College of Music, and has been a full-time professional musician for over thirty years. As well as performing recitals, she is the only specialist silent movie harpist in the world, playing live to cinema screenings of early film, and has won multiple awards for her silent film accompaniments and compositions. Her uniquely rich tone on the harp has graced film and TV soundtracks screened in over thirty countries including Canada, Iceland, Kenya, Iran and South Africa.

Sun 15 NovCalstock Arts

20 November - Granny`s Attic

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 that saw them reach new heights as both composers and performers. This was followed up in 2025 by Cold Blows the Wind, an album of largely traditional material which went down a storm with reviewers and audiences alike. Described by KLOF Magazine 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. QUOTES “Their high-octane take on English folk has brought a whole new audience to the genre” The Irish Times “They’re very well established now amongst the top English trad players in the country.” MARK RADCLIFFE, BBC RADIO 2 “Great tunes, great energy, great arrangements, great stuff!” Jon...

Fri 20 NovCalstock Arts

Granny`s Attic

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 that saw them reach new heights as both composers and performers. This was followed up in 2025 by Cold Blows the Wind, an album of largely traditional material which went down a storm with reviewers and audiences alike. Described by KLOF Magazine 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. QUOTES “Their high-octane take on English folk has brought a whole new audience to the genre” The Irish Times “They’re very well established now amongst the top English trad players in the country.” MARK RADCLIFFE, BBC RADIO 2 “Great tunes, great energy, great arrangements, great stuff!” Jon...

Fri 20 NovCalstock Arts

Musica Medievalis

Join us for a magical afternoon and experience the rich tapestry of music that filled the air centuries ago, from haunting melodies to lively dances. Marco Cannavo, Steve Tyler and Katy Marchant present an instrumental journey into the music of medieval Europe, spanning the 12th to 15th centuries. Featuring historical musical instruments such as hurdy-gurdy and its early predecessors, bagpipes, harp, lute, citole, portative organ, and percussions, the concert explores rhythms and melodies from both sacred and secular traditions, interpreted with imaginative freedom while remaining rooted in historical sources. Much of the music would have been heard in churches during Christmas and other religious celebrations, while the livelier tunes would have been played at seasonal gatherings and communal festivities. Harken thou to the melody! Marco Cannavò is a hurdy-gurdy player and multi-instrumentalist dedicated to medieval and traditional music. Having studied with and mentored by Steve Tyler they now collaborate on projects exploring the music of medieval Europe with performances throughout the UK. Deeply connected to his Southern Italian heritage, the tambourine holds a central place in Marco’s musical identity and in the traditions of Southern Italy. Steve Tyler is a renowned hurdy-gurdy player.

Sun 6 DecCalstock Arts

January 9 Bass to Face featuring multi award winning Claire Martin

Multi-award winning Brighton-based singer Claire Martin OBE and bass legend Laurence Cottle have joined forces for an extraordinary new collaboration, merging their deep love for the Great American Songbook with their own original compositions. The new duo — named Bass to Face — is set to captivate audiences with an exceptional and unique approach to a duo setting – the only instrumentation being Claire’s soulful vocals and Laurence’s electric bass. Laurence, who is revered worldwide for his extraordinary bass playing skill, will also treat audiences by adding his trombone to the mix, showcasing yet another of his musical talents. Friends for more than 35 years, Claire and Laurence have worked together in a variety of settings, from trio performances to grand orchestral collaborations across the globe. Bass to Face is an idea that they’ve shared for years and now, with their combined creativity, it’s finally coming to life! Unique and full of energy, this collaboration is an adventure pushing the boundaries of a duo setting and having fun along the way. ‘World-class’ – Clive Davis, *The Times* ‘If there’s jazz royalty in Britain, Claire Martin is definitely ermine-clad’ – Andrew Cartmel, *UK Jazz News*

Sat 9 JanCalstock Arts

9 January: Bass to Face featuring multi award winning Claire Martin

Multi-award winning Brighton-based singer Claire Martin OBE and bass legend Laurence Cottle have joined forces for an extraordinary new collaboration, merging their deep love for the Great American Songbook with their own original compositions. The new duo — named Bass to Face — is set to captivate audiences with an exceptional and unique approach to a duo setting – the only instrumentation being Claire’s soulful vocals and Laurence’s electric bass. Laurence, who is revered worldwide for his extraordinary bass playing skill, will also treat audiences by adding his trombone to the mix, showcasing yet another of his musical talents. Friends for more than 35 years, Claire and Laurence have worked together in a variety of settings, from trio performances to grand orchestral collaborations across the globe. Bass to Face is an idea that they’ve shared for years and now, with their combined creativity, it’s finally coming to life! Unique and full of energy, this collaboration is an adventure pushing the boundaries of a duo setting and having fun along the way. ‘World-class’ – Clive Davis, *The Times* ‘If there’s jazz royalty in Britain, Claire Martin is definitely ermine-clad’ – Andrew Cartmel, *UK Jazz News*

Sat 9 JanCalstock Arts

23 January: Sarah McQuaid

Singer-songwriter in a tradition that spans cultures and genres with peerless musicianship. Sarah McQuaid’s lush, velvety voice combines with her engaging personality and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience. Her live performances are full of warmth, wit, and intimacy, and have earned her loyal followings on both sides of the Atlantic. Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material. From contemplative ballads to playful blues to atmospheric instrumentals, Sarah’s music invites reflection, connection, and a deep appreciation of the quiet power of a well-crafted song. In the words of one audience member: “Sarah is a truly impressive artist who takes you on a journey through storytelling, blending a variety of musical genres and instruments with ease and creativity. Her lyrics are down-to-earth yet incredibly captivating. Attending her concert feels like diving into a book of short stories — some resonate deeply, some spark your imagination, others make you pause and reflect, and a few bring tears or spontaneous laughter. Sarah’s connection with the audience is both gentle and profound. You don’t just watch a performance — you become part of it, part of the story she’s telling.

Sat 23 JanCalstock Arts