Back for another year, the volunteers behind Penistone Arts Week have been hard at work organising yet another brilliant festival based around art, music, literature, drama and film.
This year’s event will take place between Friday 15th and Sunday 25th March at various venues across Penistone and the surrounding villages.
Penistone Arts Week belongs to the people of Penistone and celebrates local and national talented artists and creatives. This year, visitors can watch show-stopping live events at the town’s cinema, Penistone Paramount, take part in workshops at Penistone Library, and enjoy classical concerts at the area’s churches.
After the success of last year’s competition, where 60 people took part, the volunteers are bringing back the Landscape Artist of the Year award to close the festival. Grab your easel, paintbrushes and canvas, choose your favourite outdoor scene in Penistone, and get ready to paint all day in the open air.
Penistone Art Collective are also heavily involved in the festival. This year, to support the printing costs of the programme, they have produced a calendar that quickly sold out. They have also contributed artworks to the High Street Gallery art trail.
The festival is run solely by volunteers and is supported by Arts Council and Towngate Plc.
High Street Gallery
An art trail displayed in over 30 shop windows featuring original pieces by members of Penistone Art Collective.
Penistone Paramount
Book directly with Penistone Paramount or call 01226 767 532
The Boys are back ‘n Tarn
Friday 15th March
Stand up poet Lee Pollard’s latest play tells the comedic tale of an ageing Barnsley rock band who reunite after a lengthy break.
£14.00
Made in Motor City
Saturday 16th March
Relive the classic music and sounds of Detroit during the 1960s and ‘70s with a tribute to Motown legends such as Martha Reeves, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye and many more.
£20.00
Steamboat Bill Jr.
Sunday 17th March
A showing of the 1928 silent comedy, Buster Keaton’s final film for United Artists. Accompanied by Donald Mackenzie on the Mighty Compton Paramount theatre organ.
£15.00
The Making of a Murderer
Monday 18th March
Investigating the UK’s most notorious serial killers hosted by Scottish detective, David Swindle, who brought psychopath Peter Tobin to justice. From Jack the Ripper, Harold Shipman, and Peter Sutcliffe to Fred and Rose West and The Moors Murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, get the detective’s perspective on the warning signs of a serial killer.
£28.00
Opening weekend of Kung Fu Panda 4 and Dune: Part Two.
Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th March
Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir
Saturday 23rd March
Celebrity concert alongside the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Band
£10.00
Penistone Library
Illustration workshops with Liz Million
Saturday 16th March
10.30-11.30am and 1-2pm
An interactive and engaging drawing workshop for 5–16-year-olds to create their own characters.
Free, booking essential.
Unleashing Memories poetry workshop
Monday 18th March
5-6pm
A poetry writing workshop for all levels of experience with poet Toria Garbutt.
Followed by a poetry open mic session 6.30-7.30pm
Free, booking advisable.
Meet the Author – Chrissie Yates
Wednesday 20th March
Penistone Arts Weeks’ founder member Chrissie talks about her journey into becoming a published writer and the inspiration behind her two novels.
Free entry, all welcome
The Children’s Book Trail
Throughout the festival
In aid of the LimbBo Foundation, a charity that supports children born without limbs.
Cannon Hall Museum
Inside the World of Bridgerton
Saturday 16th March
2.30pm
In her revealing guide to the Regency, bestselling novelist Catherine Curzon looks at this fascinating era, from the social whirl of high society to fashion, medicine and, of course, romance and marriage.
Free, booking advisable
St Leonard’s Church, Wortley
Sunday@4 Concert – The Elgar Connection
Sunday 17th March
2pm Tour of churchyard led by Paul Lafferty to identify the graves associated with the pre-Raphaelites and Sir Edward Elgar
3pm Talk in church followed by time to look at the art work
4 pm Concert by Gerrard Sinfonia, John Bashforth organ, Jonathan Bickley piano and Elizabeth Charlesworth soprano featuring the music of Elgar, his contemporaries and followers.
Free entry
Throughout the festival
Bell ringing experience
Thurgoland Primary School art exhibition
St John The Evangelist Church, Hoylandswaine
History book project launch
Wednesday 20th March 7pm
Hoylandswaine Arts Group officially launch their project to create an illustrated book about the area’s historic buildings.
Talks by Prof Peter Collinge of Keele University on the architect John Carr who designed Cannon and Wortley Halls; Sarah Hardy, national director of the de Morgan Collection, on the collection at Cannon Hall Museum; and Paul Lafferty reading part of Roddam’s niece’s diary and letters.
Free entry
St Andrew’s Church, Penistone
Penistone Folk Ensemble
Thursday 21st March
Open rehearsal between 6-7pm. Any musicians playing any instruments are welcome to join. Followed by a concert from the ceilidh band at 7pm.
Cubley Hall
The Purpletones
Saturday 23rd March
A popular female duo with guitarist Trish and lead singer Krystal performing the whole works from Whitney Houston to the Foo Fighters.
£15.00
All Saints Church, Darton
Come and Sing Stainer’s Crucifixion
Saturday 23rd and Monday 25th March
Singing workshop Saturday 2-5pm, all welcome
Performance Monday at 7pm with organ and soloists, audience welcome
Penistone Landscape Artist of 2024
Sunday 24th March from 10am
Register at Penistone Royal British Legion Club, 14 St Mary’s Street
£5 to enter. Open to everyone regardless of artistic ability/experience.
Paint ‘plein air’ all day in an open space or public venue within Penistone.
Return to the RBL Club by 4pm for artwork judging. Winners announced at 5pm.
There will be five prizes including people’s choice.
How to get involved
There’s still more events and information to be confirmed, so be sure to follow Penistone Arts Weeks on social media Facebook, Instagram or their website.
