The poster for the Pigeon Paint Off at City Screen Picturehouse, York, On Saturday
A COMPETIVE Pigeon Paint Off, the biggest of book fairs, top-drawer chamber music and Wright&Grainger’s new material are among Charles Hutchinson’s recommendations for a particularly intriguing week ahead.
Bird show of the week: Dead Toe Society presents Pigeon Paint Off, City Screen Picturehouse, York, Saturday, 12 noon to 5.30pm
THE inaugural Pigeon Paint Off creative fundraising event in support of Columba Sanctuary and Advocacy for Pigeons features a live art competition with 11 artists and resulting picture auction, complemented by a Pigeon Social and Pigeon-themed Pub Quiz from 6pm, with the quiz starting at 7pm. Look out too for bird-themed arts and crafts on sale and a raffle with “some snazzy prizes”.
“Watch talented artists bring original works to life, each one inspired by our feathered friends, in two rounds of one-hour paint-offs with audience votes deciding the champion,” says organiser Sam Crick. “You’ll also be able to learn more about why pigeons are suffering, the issues they are facing, why they need our support and how you can help advocate for their wellbeing.” Tickets:https://www.tickettailor.com/events/deadtoesociety/2373410.
Book event of the week: York National Book Fair, Knavesmire Suite, York Racecourse, Knavesmire, Saturday, 10am to 5pm
AT Britain’s largest antiquarian book fair, 186 ‘bookshops’ are set up under one roof with prices ranging from only a few pounds to tens of thousands for more than 100,000 books. All subjects, all dates, from medieval to ultra-modern, are on sale, along with ephemera, manuscripts, prints, photographs and posters, while trade stands are selling marbled papers and binding materials.
York Racecourse offers unlimited free parking and a free shuttle bus is running from the Memorial Gardens on Railway Street to Knavesmire every 30 minutes. Tickets on the door cost £2. Alternatively, head to https://yorkbookfair.com/one-day-complimentary-ticket-2/ to book a complimentary ticket. Children aged under 16 are admitted for free
Classical festival of the week: York Chamber Music Festival, Saturday and Sunday
THIS year’s festival has invited six of the best string players in Europe – Charlotte Scott and Tim Crawford, violins, Simone van der Giessen and Lilli Maijala, violas, and Adrian Brendel and festival artistic director Tim Lowe, cellos, to participate, along with regular festival artist Katya Apekisheva, the British-based Russian pianist.
On Saturdayy, at 1pm, at St Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel, Brendel plays Imogen Holst’s The Fall Of The Leaf and J. S. Bach’s Cello Suite No 2 in D Minor; at 7.30pm, at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York, all seven perform Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No 1 in D minor Op 49, Mahler’s Piano Quartet (movement) in A minor – Nicht zu schnell and Brahms’s Piano Quartet in C minor Op 60. All but Apekisheva return for Beethoven’s String Quintet in C Major Op. 29 and Brahms’s String Quintet in F major, Op. 88, on Sunday at 3pm at St Olave’s Church, Marygate. Box office: ycmf.co.uk or 01904 658338.
Artist trail of the week: Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage, Staithes, near Whitby, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm
DISCOVER 113 artists exhibiting across 67 venues through Staithes. Explore galleries, cottages, studios and hidden spaces transformed into exhibition venues across the fishing village. Find out who is taking part at https://www.staithesfestival.com/festival/artists.php.
Enjoy live music, buskers, creative workshops, demonstrations, outdoor cinema, family activities and festival extras too. For the full event programme, go to: https://www.staithesfestival.com/festival/events.php.
Americana gig of the week: James Felice & William Lawrence, Pocklington Arts Centre, Saturday, 8pm
JAMES Felice and drummer William Lawrence, two members of New York State’s Felice Brothers, are taking to the road to perform songs from their respective solo works in a dreamy and quiet evening of Americana music and storytelling. James and William last appeared at Pocklington Arts Centre alongside Ian Felice and Jesske Hume in the Felice Brothers gig in June 2021. Box office: 01759 301547 or pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.
Songs old and new of the week: Michael Ball, Glow UK Tour, York Barbican, Saturday, doors 7pm
MUSICAL star and radio and TV presenter Michael Ball promotes his 23rd solo album, Glow, on his 25-date tour.
“There’s probably only one thing I enjoy more than being in the studio – writing, producing and singing songs with people I love – and that’s taking it all out on the road and performing those songs, as well as all the old favourites to the audiences I love,” he says. Liss Jones supports. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.
Comedy gig of the week: Urzila Carlson, Fatty On A Yacht, York Barbican, Sunday, 8pm
SOUTH African-New Zealander Urzila Carlson returns to the UK with her understated punchlines and signature deadpan delivery in Fatty On A Yacht. Ever felt like you don’t belong? Like everyone else got the memo – and you turned up in the wrong outfit, on the wrong day, on the wrong yacht? Carlson’s new show is for anyone who has ever tried to squeeze into a space, physical or social, and thought “This can’t be right”. “It’s about not fitting in, standing out and laughing about it anyway,” she says. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.
Country gig of the week: Ward Thomas, Celebrating 10 Years Of Cartwheels Tour, York Barbican, September 14, 7.30pm
HAMPSHIRE twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas perform their second album in its entirety, revisiting the record – written at home and in Nashville – that made history as the first by a British country act to top the UK Albums Chart in 2016.
“We had to plan a celebration for its ten-year anniversary,” says Lizzy. “We’ll be bringing our full band, doing a type of show we haven’t done in a long time.” The Wandering Hearts support. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.
New music, words and stories of the week: Wright& Grainger, Scratch An Itch, Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, September 18, 7.30pm
IN a rare little moment of public-facing recklessness, Easingwold duo Wright&Grainger have some brand new stuff they wish try out in front of, and with, some other people. “It’ll defo involve a piano,” say Alex and Phil. “It’ll defo have music and words and story.
“There’s some tasty clues to follow, some sweet ideas to develop, some scary instincts to trust. And now there’s this big and warm open invite to you, to come join. So please do. We’d love that. Fingers crossed it’ll be good.” Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk.
An artwork by Ian Burke, one of 113 artists participating in Staithes Festival of Art and Heritage at 67 locations in the fishing village
THIS weekend’s festival celebrates art, creativity, music and heritage throughout the historic fishing village of Staithes, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.
Enjoy a packed programme of live music, headline concerts, creative workshops, demonstrations, outdoor cinema, family activities and festival extras.
DISCOVER 113 artists exhibiting across 67 venues throughout Staithes, including 15 students from Northern School of Art (Middlesbrough campus) taking part in a group exhibition. Full-time students Sophieand Harry will exhibit independently at St Peter’s Centre and 1 Webster Steps.
Explore galleries, cottages, studios and hidden spaces transformed into exhibition venues across the village. Explore the artists at https://www.staithesfestival.com/festival/artists.php.
Eliza Carthy: Performing at Staithes Memorial Village Hall tonight at 7.30pm with a new punk-spirited albumto promote. Recorded with The Restitution, Frenemies is set for release on October 26, addressing themes of motherhood, the state of the modern world, forgiveness and personal resilience as Eliza turned 50. Guest contributors to the recording include Jools Holland, Robyn Hitchcock, actors Miranda Richardson and Tim McInnerny, and Queen Of Harps
Live Music
ENJOY ticketed headline concerts by folk fiddler and singer Eliza Carthy, of Robin Hood’s Bay, at Staithes Memorial Village Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm tonight and Saltburn-by-the-Sea shanty group Saltburn Smugglers, same venue, same show time, tomorrow.
Taking part will be Dire Staithes and Wall Of Noise tonight; Saltburn Ukulele Band, Men Of Staithes, Becky Foord, Nick Rooke Band and Andy Blackford’s WYSIWYG tomorrow; Irish Coalminers Fylingdales Folk Choir, Michael Nagasaka and Ben Beattie and Men Of Staithes on Sunday. Look out for buskers and pop-up performances around Staithes throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Heritage
DISCOVER the stories, history and landscape of Staithes through heritage talks, guided walks, geology, fossils and events celebrating the village’s artistic and maritime past.Some heritage events are free, while others require payment or advance booking at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/staithesfestivalofartsandheritage.
South Bank Studios seascape acrylic artist Carolyn Coles: Taking part in Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage at Kindly Light, Wesleyan Chapel, Chapel Yard, Staithes
Further highlights
Outdoor Cinema at Kippers Corner
Friday and Saturday, 9pm
Venue: Kippers Corner, High Street Cost: Free Presented by: Staithes Cinema Club
As the sun sets, join the gathering on the High Street opposite Kippers Corner. Bring your deckchairs and blankets for a screening of films about Staithes’ past and present, telling the story of thisremarkable village.
As dusk settles over Staithes, visitors can look forward to the festival’s lighting show, adding colour, atmosphere and a little extra magic to the village after dark.
Explore the Jurassic world on a guided rock-platform walk between Staithes Harbour and Old Nab.
The people behind the Yorkshire Fossil Festival bring together a family programme of fossils, science and creativity, with walks, talks, craft workshops and hands-on activities exploring the deep-time heritage of Staithes and the surrounding area.
Suitable for beginners and enthusiasts.
More information: Earth Science Outreach UK
Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership
Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Venue: Cowbar Staith Cost: Free
Explore examples of Concrete Coast enhancements designed to blur the boundary between land and sea, helping coastal defences work for both people and nature.
Be inspired by coastal textures and your own relationship with the sea, then contribute to a collaborative community print tapestry.
Booking: No booking required—drop in throughout the day
GO hands-on with creative activities led by creative scientists.
Part of the Staithes Rocks programme, this drop-in workshop brings together fossils, science and creativity while exploring the deep-time heritage of Staithes and the surrounding area.
Discover what happens when engineering and science become kinetic art.
Watch colour, movement and physics come together as swinging pendulums create constantly changing patterns in this family-friendly display.
Booking: No booking required
Heritage & Local History
Rod Jewell’s Staithes Experience: Heritage Exhibition
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to5pm
Venue: Granary Yard Garage Studio Cost: Free
Roll up, roll up for a continuous and rare silent film showing the arrival of the motorised Staithes lifeboat in 1924, along with reels from Rod’s treasured Victorian magic-lantern collection of unpublished slides featuring bygone Staithes in the 1890s, the Staithes Group of Artists and fisherfolk.
Immerse yourself in collector Rod’s Staithes Experience. Photographs, antiques, ephemera and bric-a-brac will be on display and available to buy.
Rod is the author of the photographic village history Staithes: Between Two Nabs.
Booking: No booking required
An artwork by York digital photomontage and mixed media artist Adele Karmazyn. Find her work rooted in a fascination with antiquities, weathered textures and forgotten spaces at High House, Cinder Path, Staithes
Bill Hinchley’s Guided History Walk
Saturday and Sunday, 11am to1pm
Meeting point: Bank Top viewpoint, Staithes Lane Cost: Donations in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Booking: Advance booking required
Join lifelong Staithes resident and historian Bill Hinchley for a captivating heritage walk through the village.
Equipped with coastal humour, personal memories and rich storytelling, Bill brings the historic fishing village vividly to life.
Venue: Poplar House, High Street Cost: £5 per lot consigned, payable on the day
Find out more about your family heirlooms, prized possessions or boot-sale bargains with Bargain Hunt’s Caroline Hawley and her auctioneer husband, John.
Hawleys Auctioneers will be on hand to value and share information about jewellery, watches, coins, silver, paintings and objets d’art.
Venue: Singing Waters Yard, High Street Cost: £5, payable on the day
Spin your own masterpiece with Ed and Al in Singing Waters Yard – fun for the young and not so young. Create a piece of art to take home as a memento of your visit to Staithes Festival.
Booking: No booking required—pay on the day
Painting Demonstrations with Lynton Parmar-Hemsley
Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am to 4pm
Venue: Staithes Gallery, High Street Cost: Free
Visit Staithes Gallery during the festival weekend to see painting demonstrations by artist Lynton Parmar-Hemsley throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Venue: Sunday School beneath the Wesleyan Chapel, Chapel Yard With: Artist Ian Burke Cost: £15 Booking: Advance booking advised
Explore the dramatic effect of light falling across one side of the face using simple relief-linocut techniques. No drawing experience is required.
Ian will provide expressive black-and-white portrait images inspired by woodcuts, which participants will transfer onto lino and carve as the first printing block. A second lino block will then be created to print the light and bring out the features through contrast and tone.
During the session, you will create your own striking chiaroscuro portrait print and explore how light can define form and expression.
Preening, Staithes, by Yorkshire wildlife artist Tracey Waddington, whose work will be at Harbour Cottage, High Street, Staithes
Recycled Copper Ring-Making
Saturday and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm
Venue: Chapel Garth, High Street With: Bean Creative Cost: £7 per person, payable on the day Session length: Approximately 20 minutes
Try something a little different by making your own unique copper-pipe ring using old plumbing parts. Become creative with files and hammers to produce a beautiful ring: the perfect piece of recycled festival jewellery.
Join artist Sue Nichol for a free drop-in painting demonstration. She will show how she creates her bold and colourful paintings inspired by the Yorkshire coast and its famous sailing cobles.
View the artwork created by the talented winners of the children’s seaside art competition and have a go at winning raffle prizes.All funds raised will help support the festival.
Booking: No booking required More information: Co-op
Poetry & Performance
The Stand-Up Tragedy Show
Sunday, 10.15am to 11.45am
Venue: The Lifeboat Shed Cost: Free With: Andy Blackford, Carmen Marcus and Bob Beagrie
The Stand-Up Tragedy Show features Andy Blackford—voted 1970’s Man Least Likely To Make 30—and his more talented friends, the poets Carmen Marcus and Bob Beagrie.
Please note, there is no festival visitor parking in the old village. Instead, festival parking will be available at Cowbar, with a free shuttle service for visitors who need assistance.
Check the latest parking, travel and accessibility information before setting off. For more information, go to: https://www.staithesfestival.com/plan-your-visit-to-staithes/parking.php.
Whimsical automata maker Philip Wilkinson: Making his York Open Studios debut at 241 Burton Stone Lane, York
THE sun is out for weekend two of the biggest ever York Open Studios but Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage “can’t continue”.
Dormant in the Covid years of 2020 and 2021, now a shortage of locations and manpower has brought down the festival curtain, perhaps permanently, after the scrapping of the 2022 event in the North Yorkshire fishing village.
Blame the “staycation effect” that fills the cottages all year round, squeezing out artists, say the organisers of this volunteer-run event. “We feel that the model we based the SFAH on is no longer workable and that if the festival were to come back in any form it would need a radical re-think,” reads the official announcement. “We regret we must cancel SFAH 2022 and for the foreseeable future.”
Two Bigs Egos In A Small Car arts podcasters Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson discuss the contrasting fortunes of these two long-running celebrations of northern art and crafts in Episode 85.
What else is bothering the chatty art duo? Under discussion are: Oscars 2022, the fallout; Sheffield Leadmill’s future; Michael Bay’s hyper-action movie Ambulance; writer Harry Sword versus Public Service Broadcasting; Magritte, the back story. Oh, and what is Clifford’s Tower?
