2011 International Guitar Festival in Cornwall

Constantine is a relatively obscure Cornish village, set around seven miles drive south west of Falmouth and at its heart is The Tolmen Centre. This community run arts centre in a refurbished Methodist Chapel supports many events with its varied arts programme and on 14 to 16 October 2011, the Third Tolmen International Guitar Festival will be featuring a host of inspiring and talented, internationally renowned musicians.

Sponsored by Classic Cottages again this year, it was last held in March 2009 and along with five main concerts, there will be workshops and masterclasses with the acts, plus an on site cafe.

Headlining on Friday is Vladislav Blaha, a Professor of guitar at Brno Conservatoire in the Czech Republic. Blaha has been touring the world and on his return from Lima, Peru, will be making his appearance at Constantine. He is certainly one to watch, having inspired 27 composers worldwide to dedicate works to him.

One of folk music’s greatest innovators, Martin Carthy has inspired contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon with his guitar playing abilities and has been gigging non-stop all over the country this year, before stopping at the Tolmen Centre on Saturday.

Sunday sees the TG Collective bringing the festival to a close with Birmingham based musicians playing flamenco, jazz, gypsy, hotclub and contemporary classical music centred around two acoustic guitars alongside double bass, cajon, trumpet, flute and percussion.

With music from around the world there should be something for everyone and you can read what our Chairman, Simon Tregoning has to say about it in a recent Press Release. For an exact programme of concerts, times and prices visit the Tolmen Guitar Festival Web site.

There is lots more to do and see in the area, so if you want to stay we have holiday cottages in Falmouth, a vibrant maritime town just a short drive away.