TRURO: THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

The sites listed on GD's "Truro: Our Vibrant City" page provide a wide-range of information about Truro, from which interested residents and visitors can find leads to sites dealing with more detailed information. But for people who have specific interests in cultural events in and around the city, the following links may be more convenient.

Truro has a lot going on in the way of music (secular and sacred,) theatre and cinema. Many of our customers are on the way home from recitals, gigs, concerts, films and shows - in the city centre or at the Truro college campus - when they pick up their food from the Golden Dragon.

Other customers pick up a snack as they pass on the way to one of the many daytime or evening events in the Lemon Quay piazza, or a new exhibition at one of te Lemon Street galleries, or in the Royal Cornwall Museum.

And of course we have many proud Mums and Dads dropping in, to recharge their kids after picking them up from dance school or music practice. (Strangely, the kids seem always to be energised by their activities and never seem tired, so - if it's late afternoon - we recommend steering away from any of our dishes with a lot of sugar in, unless you want a hyperactive evening!)

The Hall For Cornwall (HFC) includes a sizeable theatre with a lively repertoire of classic and West End plays, ballet, shows, comedies, rock music and much more. It's the first place to check when you're looking for culture and entertainment in Truro.

The HFC website features detailed listings of what's coming, lavishly illustrated with photographs. You can also become a HFC member to gain additional benefits.

Besides it's obvious use as a gathering place for Christian worhip, the cathedral is also a cultural centre, with concerts of sacred and secular music, organ recitals, opera and even movies(!) - many of which are free.

The Eastern end of the Cathedral is only about 100 meters from The Golden Dragon, so we know it well.

While being glossed as a Classical Music society, the "3" in the name refers actually to Classical Music (mostly chamber Music,) Opera and also the visual arts.

The Society is sponsored by Truro College and many of the concerts take place on their campus. Despite that, many of the concert goers can be found in The Golden Dragon later!

If you are looking for more in the way of the visual arts, then there are often exhibitions behind the elegant Georgian façade of the Royal Cornwall Museum (RCM.) The exhibitions feature sculptures as well as paintings. Unfortunately, at the time of writing (June 2012) RCM has just started charging £5 (per season) entry. Of course, RCM has to support itself, but we feel this will discourage casual interest in their exhibitions, which often leads to a more abiding interest. RCM also has family-oriented activities, talks and workshops.

We have friends who support the museum through volunteer work. If you are interested in their collections maybe that could be for you?

More visual art exhibitions can also be found in Lemon Street - in the 3 floors of the Lemon Street Gallery (LSG.) This is a commercial Gallery, but they do focus on Cornish artists, so it's a good place to see what's happening locally.

On the opposite side of Lemon Street is the Lander Gallery. You can find it on the top floor of Lemon Street Market. It focuses on "Fine art with a Cornish Connection" and is also commercial, although it's so informal and has no doors, so anyone can feel comfortable wandering through and looking at the exhibitions." We've seen pictures by a variety of talented local artists there.

Both are close to Truro's main cinema (below.)

You'll also find a-periodic exhibitions in marquees in Lemon Quay. For example, Truro College's art students and clothing designers hold annual exhibitions of their work, which is innovative and well-worth a squint.

Run by WTW Cinemas, who have several theatres in Cornwall, the Truro Plaza has several auditoria with a good selection of movies in 3D and 2D.

A listing of current films can be found on their website.

Or if you'd rather be doing something outside rather than in, consider giving a hand to Truro In Bloom. The Committee have done great work in keeping Truro beautiful, winning the Portman Cup in 2011 and making Truro a Britain in Bloom Finalist in 2012.

Clicking their logo links to their events calendar page.