Monday, September 13, 2021

St Ives Becomes Festive

Tregenna Castle, St Ives

St Ives is literally hopping and popping right now, and will continue doing it for the next two weeks. The St Ives September Festival is always like that. In 2020, they were not allowed to hop and pop because of the you-know-what. So they have gone to extreme lengths to put together a grand show this year.

We have been here during the festival before. Only we didn't know we were there during it; we just sort of stumbled in.

"Why are there so many people out on the streets?" my sister asked in the middle of jet lag the first day. 

"Hmm. There are rather a lot..." and I scratched my head. We heard music coming from somewhere, rather good music. A crowd clustered outside one of the shops, and if you leaned in a little you might see a singing duo in there with a guitar and a bass, and the audience applauding enthusiastically. Such a thing makes a person want to go in. But as there was no room for us, and because we had no reservations, we gave up and moved dolefully on. 

THIS year, though, we were aware, and talked about it, and MADE RESERVATIONS.

On opening night I went to a simply excellent concert - a singing/songwriting/guitar playing duo who just happened to be married. Their names are Jamie and Sophie Gould, and they are terrific. Jamie writes their songs, and as a ponderer, and question-asker, he puts heart and soul straight into each. Sophie creates beautiful harmonies, making sweet comments that cause the audience to laugh and warm to them both. I loved it.

At the end, I bought a CD. 

"I think maybe you and Sophie should be in an Arena.." I murmured, thinking of lights and fog machines.

"Well, perhaps some day," said Jamie. "But for now, this" - and he gestured with an arm - "is the right place for us." 

He was right. The simplicity of the stage and the lack of a drummer made the evening into a gift. Nothing to distract from their lyrics. It bears thinking about. 

And I was wrong about the lights and fog machines. Such things would scream "Fake!" and Jamie and Sophie were anything but that.


See you along the way!

the SconeLady
















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