Myths, monsters and the power of timeless tales
Launching a day of music inspired by myths, legends and fairytales, acclaimed author and storyteller Nicholas Jubberinvites audiences into the strange, beautiful and sometimes dark world of traditional storytelling.

Drawing on his celebrated books The Fairy Tellers (2022) and Monsterland (2025), Jubber explores why folk tales continue to captivate us — and why they so often carry a monstrous edge beneath their magic.
What to expect
This illustrated morning talk weaves together:
Classic myths, legends and fairytales
Their origins and cultural meanings
The enduring appeal of enchanted and unsettling stories
How storytelling continues to shape music, literature and imagination
Through vivid narration and imagery, Jubber reveals how these tales have been passed down, reshaped and reinterpreted across generations — and why they still resonate so strongly today.
Why attend
A perfect introduction to a day themed around myth and legend
Ideal for lovers of folklore, literature and cultural history
Engaging, accessible and richly illustrated storytelling
A rare chance to hear one of the UK’s most thoughtful narrative writers live
Festival context
This event forms part of the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival, presented by Music in the Round, connecting words, music and imagination across a week of concerts and talks.

🎟 Tickets & full details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/the-art-of-storytelling

Event details

Event details

Music, myths and storytelling for all ages
A magical early evening concert where music and storytelling intertwine, Ensemble 360 is joined by soprano Claire Booth and narrator Nicholas Jubber for a programme inspired by timeless tales, distant lands and daring adventures.

Presented as part of the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival, this concert brings together some of the most evocative story-driven works in the classical repertoire, culminating in one of the best-loved musical tales ever written.
Programme
Debussy – Danse sacrée et profane (10’)
Ravel (arr. Strivens) – Shéhérazade (20’)
Debussy – Trio for Flute, Viola and Harp (16’)
Prokofiev – Peter and the Wolf (30’)
The stories behind the music
At the heart of the programme is Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, narrated live by Nicholas Jubber. This symphonic fairy tale introduces audiences of all ages to the instruments of the orchestra through the fearless Peter’s encounter with a ferocious wolf — thrilling, playful and endlessly engaging.

Ravel’s Shéhérazade, presented here in an intimate chamber arrangement, conjures a dreamlike world of ancient fairytales, lovers and far-off lands, while Debussy’s shimmering music for harp and strings adds colour, atmosphere and a sense of wonder to the journey.
Why this concert is special
A perfect introduction to classical music for families and newcomers
Live narration brings Prokofiev’s story vividly to life
A richly imaginative programme inspired by myth, legend and adventure
Ideal for children, parents and anyone who loves stories told through sound
Festival context
This event forms part of the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival, presented by Music in the Round — a celebration of chamber music, storytelling and cross-artform creativity across the city.

🎟 Tickets & full details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/peter-the-wolf-other-stories

Event details

Acoustic Encounters - Evenings of hand-woven dreams

These evenings are taking place on the third Wednesday of each month between March and July 2026, at Sheffield's historic Crookes Social Club. Each evening will feature three primarily acoustic acts playing a 40/45 minute set each, all for £10 entry. An aim is to highlight local talent, but also welcome acts from further afield.

Tickets from - https://wegottickets.com/event/679563/

This evening will feature

Racing Colours - Songs and stories overseen by Jason Quinsey

Lofter - Ant Clifford’s troupe bringing harmonies, congas, and a music-box

Auka - If the Peak District were a band

For the full programme, and other events put on by RoughDraftAudio, see https://www.roughdraftaudio.com/events

To sign up for the RoughDraftAudio mailing list, which includes details of gig programmes, micro-label album releases by Duncan Parsons, Nick Fletcher, and others, plus news about John Hackett Band with whom Duncan and Nick play, see - https://www.roughdraftaudio.com/music/signup.htm

Event details

What is Bird Tunes about?
Bird Tunes is a live folk and chamber music performance inspired by birdsong, presented as part of the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival at the Playhouse in Sheffield city centre.

The concert features a newly composed suite by Miranda Rutter, created from fragments of birdsong recorded during woodland walks. These field recordings are woven into the music, creating an atmospheric blend of live performance and natural sound.
Who is performing?
Miranda Rutter is joined by two of the most respected musicians on the UK folk scene:
Sam Sweeney, described by BBC Radio 3 as “the fiddler with the golden ear”
Rob Harbron, praised by The Guardian as a “concertina wizard”
Together, they combine fiddle, viola and concertina with birdsong recordings to create a rich, immersive listening experience.
Why is this concert special?
As well as celebrating the beauty and complexity of birdsong, Bird Tunes reflects on the pressures faced by migrating birds in a rapidly changing, human-dominated world. The result is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant concert that connects music, nature, and environmental awareness.

Miranda Rutter explains:
Who is this event for?
This concert will appeal to:
Folk and acoustic music fans
Chamber music audiences
Nature and wildlife enthusiasts
Anyone looking for thoughtful, cultural things to do in Sheffield

🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/bird-tunes-miranda-rutter-sam-sweeney-rob-harbron

Event details