First Weekend Of Be Newquay Festival Was A Success

One weekend of the month-long Be Newquay Festival down, four more to go…

The month-long Be Newquay Festival began with a brilliant bang as many of the activities and sessions were enjoyed by visitors and the local community last weekend (Friday 1^st November – Sunday 3^rd November). The first weekend of five was a vibrant celebration of the town’s culture, identity and heritage filled with colourful creativity, rejuvenating wellness workshops and warming community spirit.

Cornwall’s seven-piece female folk band, Kana, kicked off the first night of the festival and were simply sensational. The atmosphere of St Michael’s Church and the candlelight made it super special.

On Saturday, families kicked off the festivities with the colourful Bellyboard Painting Workshop for Kids with Newquay-based Dick Pearce and Friends, where young artists applied their creative skills to craft their unique designs. Meanwhile, on Saturday 2^nd November, The BIG Newquay Market was a bustling hive of activity atop the town’s Killacourt, with various vendors peddling their wares, showcasing the best of local art, food, and goods. Families had the chance to drop-in to Blystra’s Autumnal Crafting workshops too.

Visitors to the market also enjoyed watching local artists at work as they were inspired by the wild Atlantic seascapes via Seascape: A Live Art Event and Auction. Six local artists created some amazing artwork and now people have the opportunity to pledge a bid on the artwork created, helping raise money for community partners. The Auction is now live and will close on Monday 11th November at 9pm, so make sure you make your bid and be in with a chance to own your very own piece of locally inspired artwork.

Over at A State of Mind Studio, the Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises and Sound Bath was a complete sell out, providing participants with a deeply rejuvenating experience through guided release exercises paired with a soothing sound bath. On Towan Beach, Newquay Marine Group and Newquay Wild Activities Beach Art Workshop encouraged participants of all ages to create artwork from rogue items found upon the shores including driftwood, and seashells. Magnet Making at Tor Pottery proved to be a fun, hands-on activity for partaking potters who left with their very own bespoke creations to remember the session by.

The BIG Movement Pop-Up Community Workshops and 4Motion’s feel-good dance workshops at the Killacourt Bandstand brought a welcome injection of energy and joy, inviting all to join in uplifting, spontaneous sessions of movement and dance (happening again on the 9^th November). The Wildlife Walk provided a memorable opportunity to explore the local flora and fauna, guided by knowledgeable locals who shared their insights into the area’s rich natural ecosystem.

Film fans gathered for a special Matinee Curated by Cornwall Film Festival featuring a selection of Cornish short films that spanned genres and showcased fresh talent, part of the incredible Cream of Cornish Weekender. Other elements of the Cream of Cornish Weekender by Groundswell events included the stirring Kana by Candlelight, LOL-A-Day Destination and Dracula The Vampyr.

The second weekend of the Be Newquay Festival, from Friday 8^th – Sunday 10^th November, invites locals and visitors to dive deeper into everything that defines Newquay. Tickets are needed in most cases, even when free of charge as spaces are limited. Weekend two is getting booked out fast, so make sure you plan your itinerary via www.benewquayfestival.co.uk.

On weekend two, check out Phil Strugnell’s residency at Seaspace, as part of the festival. Its Seaspace’s first Artist in Residence, Phil Strugnell (and painter of their own vibrant mural), will host a series of free events, both at SeaSpace and at Project 83. On Friday 8^th Nov, join the launch evening with a DJ at SeaSpace, on Saturday 9^th November, there’s an artist workshop 10am-1pm at SeaSpace and on Sunday 10^th November, join an abstract collage workshop at Project 83.

Or join Upstart Theatre for a live-action storytelling game, in Red Planet: Revolution. Played in teams, placing the power to shape society in your hands! Additionally, get involved with To The Moon & Back’s free workshops. Pick from VRCade Play Party or Build a Secret World Craft Workshop.

For those looking to let off a little steam after a busy week, the Saunassa Sessions will offer a rejuvenating retreat, providing a chance to relax and recharge in a soothing Nordic style sauna setting.

For the full festival line-up, individual events happening across the weekends, and booking details, check out the What’s On page: www.benewquayfestival.co.uk/events  or follow the Instagram account at @ benewquay_festival for continual updates. Please remember to book onto sessions and workshops if required as spaces are often limited.

The Be Newquay Festival is commissioned by Cornwall Council’s project Experience Newquay and supported by Newquay BID and Visit Newquay. It is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.