News

Last updated 07/10/08 - click here to go to the forthcoming gigs list

Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, Falmouth

Photo:  Philip Hosken

Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta was held during the second week in September, and Hevva were invited to take part in the entertainment being provided on Custom House Quay on Thursday 11th.

On a showery day we were fortunate that our half-hour slot remained dry as we danced and played for an appreciative crowd.  RH

Dehwelans 2008

At the Dehwelans Gala Performance. Photo:  Ian Dunn

Hevva played a full part in Dehwelans 2008.  This Cornish homecoming festival, held during the first week of September, was attended by Cornish folk from around the world and was hailed as a great success by the host town of Looe.

We took part in the Friday evening Gala Performance, danced around the town on the Sunday before joining the Dehwelans Processional, and participated in the Saturday night 'come all ye' troyl led by Troyl and Error.  However, the most enjoyable part of the festival was probably just meeting and mixing with those from around the globe who turned up simply because of the pride they take in their Cornish roots, including singer/musicians Heather Dale from Canada and Jim Wearne from America.  RH

Barn Dance for Tresillian Chapel

One of the rare occasions when a barn dance is actually held in a barn was at Nansmerrow Farm near Tresillian on 30th August.  The event, to raise funds for Tresillian Chapel, was enthusiastically supported and Hevva provided the music.  RH

St. Ewe country Fair

On Sunday 17th August Hevva took part in St Ewe Country Fair.  The event organisers were fortunate to have picked one of the few dry days this summer, and the fair was packed with people delighted to be able to get out and enjoy themselves without worrying about getting soaked for a change!  Hevva performed two displays of Cornish dances as part of the wide range of entertainment, which also included a Wild West show, sheep dog trials, and a display of birds of prey in flight. ES

Dancing at St. Ewe Country Fair

Festival Interceltique de Lorient

Musicians from Hevva supported Redruth based dance group Kekezza at the Lorient Interceltic Festival in early August.  The scale of this 10-day festival, the largest on the interceltic circuit, impressed everyone.  RH

Yn Chruinnaght

The Isle of Man festival Yn Chruinnaght took place at Peel in mid July, with performers from Newfoundland, Brittany, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall adding to the considerable local talent.  Hevva found themselves to be the only invited dance group, and judging by the many kind and positive comments I think we can be pleased with our role as Cornish ambassadors!

Performances at a local school, in a twmpath/fest noz, at the House of Manannan, and an impromptu session at a pub we just happened to find ourselves in, together with regular late night mixed sessions all made for a highly enjoyable weekend of music, dance and craic.

Many thanks to all Yn Chruinnaght committee members, who worked so hard throughout the festival. RH

Rescorla Festival

Having taken part at various events building up to the main Rescorla Festival weekend, Hevva were pleased to perform at both the festival's opening ceremony on Friday and the recreation of the Snail Creep on Sunday.  For the opening ceremony, which attracted press from around Cornwall, members of Hevva teamed up with members of Pyba to provide a dance display in the old chapel.  On the Sunday we shared the festival marquee's dance stage with Tan ha Dowr before joining in with a recreation of the Snail Creep, a dance which used to be danced at tea treat celebrations, and we were fascinated to meet with a gentleman who actually remembered the Snail Creep being done around Rescorla before the Second World War.  ES

Dancing at Rescorla Chapel...

...and in the festival marquee

Visitors from the Basque country

On 26th June our normal practice evening was given over to entertaining, and being entertained by, a group of students from the Basque country.  We were looking forward to this event as similar evenings in the past have always been very enjoyable, and this was no exception.  The Basque youngsters enthusiastically joined in a number of Cornish dances, and treated us to a display of traditional dances of their own.  Not only that, but they brought along trays of delicious freshly baked Basque bread pudding to share.  Another successful cultural exchange!  RH

Gŵyl Ifan

This year's Cardiff based mid-summer festival was adjudged a resounding success by those attending.  Although a first for Hevva, several members have been frequent visitors in the past and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet up with our friends from this part of the Celtic world once more.

After the traditional Friday night twmpath there was a busy programme of dancing in Penarth and Cardiff for us on the Saturday, followed by a highly enjoyable taplas in the evening and and of course the never to be missed Gŵyl Ifan 'fringe'!  Sunday morning workshops took place for Welsh, Breton and Cornish dance, with Hevva running the Cornish.

We would like to say a big 'thank you' to all members of Cwmni Dawns Werin Caerdydd for a great weekend.  RH

Dancing at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Royal Cornwall Show

Hevva enjoyed a busy Royal Cornwall Show this year, performing not only as part of the show’s Festival of Dance but also at the Camborne Town Council marquee.  It was a long and hot day, especially for the members of the group who had to keep rushing back to work on a stall promoting the Cornish language between the displays, but it all went well and there were appreciative audiences wherever we performed.  ES

Photo - Philip Hosken

Carnglaze Caverns ~ Faery Ball

On 24th May Hevva performed a ceilidh at what has to be one of the most unique venues around - Carnglaze Caverns near Liskeard.  This was the setting for a Charity Faery Ball in aid of the National Maternity support Foundation.  It was a fancy dress affair with a theme of fairies, elves, goblins and other mystical folk, and although yours truly was not persuaded into fairy wings there was a host of magnificent costumes on display worn by those supporting this very worthwhile cause.  RH

The magical setting of Carnglaze Caverns

Builth Wells Dance Festival

Our first 'away' festival of the year was the Builth Wells Dance Festival held over the weekend of 17th/18th May on the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd, just outside Builth Wells in mid-Wales.  This colourful affair embraced Scottish, Appalachian, Playford, clog, and Armenian traditions, as well as Cornish.

Hevva waved the flag for Cornwall in the parades, gave dance displays, and ran a Cornish dance workshop.  The weather held fair and this was a good start to the festival season!  RH

Truro-Morlaix Twinning Association

Only a little over a week after our last Breton twinning event, Hevva gave a display and workshop at Carnon Downs for the Truro-Morlaix Twinning Association.  The display took place on one of the smallest stages on which we have ever performed!  However, we were able to make use of the whole of the hall for the workshop afterwards and the floor was packed with people keen to learn a few dances.  We obliged by teaching a range of dances that demonstrated the variety of steps and formations within the Cornish tradition.  ES

Getting to grips with the Newlyn Fishermen's Reel

Calstock Parish Twinning Association

On Friday 2nd May Hevva travelled to Harrowbarrow in the extreme east of Cornwall to entertain a group of visiting Bretons from St. Thuriau as part of a reception given by Calstock Parish Twinning Association.  The band played whilst the guests finished their meal and then before the caller had even picked up his microphone a number of the guests got up spontaneously to dance an impromptu Mr. Martin’s Reel.  Once the tables had been cleared away the floor filled with dancers and it was very satisfying to see almost everyone up dancing on the floor.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and the members of Hevva who made the long journey, after what seemed to have been a heavy week for everyone, felt it was definitely well worth it!  ES

King Edward Mine Museum Open Day

The Sunday following Trevithick Day is the traditional date for the King Edward Mine Museum Open Day, which fell on 27th April this year.  The museum, just outside Troon, Camborne, is situated on the oldest complete mine site in Cornwall, and Hevva were pleased to enjoy the usual fine weather associated with Trevithick Day to perform a morning and an afternoon display.  RH

Click to visit the Museum web site.

Photo - Josephine Stewart

Rescorla Project Roadshow

Having danced at the opening of the Rescorla Project, Hevva were delighted to take part in the first of a series of roadshows around the Clay Country which are building up to the Rescorla Festival itself in June.  This was held at Treviscoe Community Centre on April 9th.  An unexpected bonus for us was the presence of a musician friend and colleague of long standing - Adrian Evans - who was back visiting Cornwall and who joined our lineup for the event.  ES

Click to visit the Rescorla Festival web site

Golden Wedding Party

On Saturday 5th April, Hevva were at Constantine to provide the entertainment for a golden wedding celebration.  The event was held at the Tolmen Centre, where a good time was had by all - the band included!  RH

St. Piran rally

Devon and Cornwall Caravan Club held a rally around the St. Piran celebrations that included a ceilidh at Goonhavern Community Centre on Saturday 8th March.  Hevva provided the entertainment, and a room full of keen and capable dancers meant it was enjoyable work and a fun evening!  RH

The Serpent Dance at Goonhavern - 

a traditional ending to a Cornish troyl

St. Piran evening, Norway Inn

This Pirantide gig was at the Norway Inn, Perranarworthal, on Friday 7th March.  Hevva musicians went along to provide music for the evening while the clientele were enjoying  a real Cornish meal for the event - right down to stargazey pie!  RH

Click for Norway Inn web site.

Exploring Cornish Music

The Institute of Cornish Studies' Cornish Music Research Group ran a seminar at Tremough on Saturday 16th February entitled "Exploring Cornish Music" and Hevva was invited to provide a display of Cornish dance and costume during the lunch break. The venue was the beautiful wooden panelled board-room of Tremough House, on the university campus, and within the crowd there were a number of scholars from the world of folk academia.  The performance included a selection of scoot and solo dances from Cornwall, accompanied by music and singing in Cornish.  ES

Rescorla Festival launch

Hevva performed at the launch of the Rescorla Project on 24th January at the Eden Project, stepping in with less than a week’s notice as the original performers had unfortunately had to pull out suddenly.  With only three performers available due to the majority of the group having work commitments, Hevva were nevertheless able to offer two rounded display spots featuring dance, music and song, and the press and photographers who were present jumped at the opportunity of photographing us in our costume and interviewing us for their articles.  ES

Click to visit the Rescorla Festival web site

Cornish Talk and Taste Day

The dancers and musicians of Hevva returned to Constantine to participate in the annual “Cornish Talk and Taste Day” which takes place at the village’s thriving arts and community hub, The Tolmen Centre.  Despite some dark clouds threatening rain we were able to display a few dances outside before running a Cornish dance workshop indoors.  The participants were worked hard during the hour long workshop and everyone seemed to enjoy having the chance to learn a range of traditional Cornish dances.  ES

Camborne Christmas Festival

This event took place on December 20th, a freezing evening, and we were secretly delighted at a last minute change of plan that saw us playing in the Tyacke Hotel instead of appearing outside in the Town Square!  The only problem was fitting ten musicians around one reserved table - but who cared, we were warm and the music went down well, as did the beer!  RH

Camborne Christmas Lights Switch On

December 1st saw the switching on of Camborne's Christmas Lights.  Leading up to the event was a day of entertainment that included dancing by Hevva in the Town Square at lunchtime.  Despite some heavy showers causing a short break in our performance, we enjoyed taking part in the event, and ended up no wetter than the audience and shoppers around us!  RH

Falmouth Canoe Club

On a wild, wet and windy Friday evening, 30th November, Hevva were at the Falmouth Watersports Association to give a ceilidh for Falmouth Canoe Club, with proceeds going to the RNLI.  Having arrived in spite of a fallen tree blocking the road on the way there and wondering who on earth would turn out on such a night, we ended up much to our delight with a floor full of very keen dancers almost as wild as the weather, making it a great night in the end!  RH

Poldark Appreciation Society

Hevva gave a ceilidh for the Poldark Appreciation Society at Lostwithiel on 17th November.  The event, in aid of Cornwall Air Ambulance, was attended by enthusiastic Society members and others all wonderfully dressed in period costume.  Elegance was challenged a little at times when the capacity of the not overly large floor was exceeded by the number of dancers trying to remain on it, but that certainly did not seem to detract from either the enthusiasm or the enjoyment!

Credit must go to the Society's Val Adams for organising this worthwhile event.  RH

Bedruthan Steps Hotel

The Bedruthan Steps Hotel at Mawgan Porth was the venue for a family celebration on November 3rd.  Hevva were there to entertain by way of a display and ceilidh, and a really good evening was enjoyed by all.  Enthusiastic dancers of all ages made it a pleasure for us to play!  RH

Lowender Peran

Photos taken at Hevva's dance workshop

Cornwall's festival of the Celts took place from the 17th to the 21st October at Perranporth, an event we always look forward to.  Hevva took part in the Saturday pageant, followed by street dancing - for which the weather remained wonderfully kind, and ran a successful Cornish dance workshop on the Sunday  RH.

(We have other private bookings that are not listed below.  To check our availability, please contact us.)

Lowender Peran - 15th-19th October

Hevva are delighted to be taking part in Cornwall's Celtic festival, which will be based in the Ponsmere Hotel, Perranporth.  We will be be performing the Cornish troyl in the ballroom on the Friday evening (9.30-11.00 p.m.), taking part in the Pageant and street dancing in the town on the Saturday afternoon, and performing in the Dons Kernow display on the Sunday afternoon.  One or two Hevva musicians will also be helping out with a performance by pupils from Doubletrees School on the Thursday afternoon.

To keep up to date with festival information, visit the Lowender Peran web site.

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Illogan Village Hall - 24th October

We will be visiting the village of Illogan to perform a troyl for the WI Carn Brea Autumn Group Meeting.  This will be a typical Cornish troyl, with a mix of display dances, music, song, dancing for all, together with a costume presentation.

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Cornwall Family History Society Conference - 1st November

Hevva will be performing a Cornish evening of dance, song, music and more at the Cornwall Family History Society's annual conference in Newquay at the beginning of November.

Also appearing will be Mike O'Connor, with whom we look forward to sharing the evening.

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Camborne Feast Day - 11th November

The mayor of Camborne is putting on a Cornish evening at the Lowenac Hotel to celebrate the town's Feast Day on November 11th, and Hevva are very pleased to have been invited to perform as part of the entertainment.

For more information on this event, please contact Camborne Town Council at r.bennett@ruralnet.org.uk.

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Camborne Christmas Lights Switch On - 6th December

Saturday 6th December will see the switching on of Camborne's Christmas lights.  As last year, there will be a day of events leading up to the ceremony and Hevva are pleased to again be taking part.  We will be providing music and dance in Camborne Square between 1.00 and 1.45 p.m.

For more information on this event, please contact Camborne Town Council at r.bennett@ruralnet.org.uk.

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St. Piran Ceilidh - 7th March

St. Piran's Day will be celebrated by Devon and Cornwall Caravan Club by holding a ceilidh on Saturday 7th March.  Hevva will be providing the entertainment.

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Cornish Language Weekend - 3rd-5th April

The annual Cornish language weekend, organised by Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek, will be held over the first weekend in April at Sandy Lodge Hotel, Newquay.  Hevva are pleased to have been invited to perform a bilingual troyl on the Saturday evening.

For further information on this event, please contact Koreen Twydell at koreen@koreen3.orangehome.co.uk. 

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