Curated Cumbria 09/07/2025
Major photo exhibitions focus on work and water, and the Brewery’s new season
Curated Cumbria is our free newsletter dedicated to the pick of the county’s arts and entertainment scene, brought to you by Intro in partnership with the Cumbria Arts & Culture Network.
This week the camera eye is turned on Barrow where exhibitions inspired by the town’s remarkable photograph archive are launched. We also take a look ahead to the September season at one of Cumbria’s leading venues while another finds an innovative way to celebrate its landmark birthday.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Work and water in focus in two major exhibitions
Photography exhibitions this summer celebrate two critical aspects of life in Barrow-in-Furness: water and work.
They are among a series of projects as part of Sankey: Lives Through the Lens, inspired by the Sankey Photography Archive and organised by Signal Film & Media.
Signal asked two photographers to create a contemporary response to the archive and collaborate with local people. Their results unfold across multiple public locations in Barrow, capturing the town through a new lens, celebrating its people, bodies of water, and its working spirit.
The water theme is explored in the work of Nicholas J R White who has created an outdoor exhibition titled The Binding Tide.
The Scotland-based photographer's images celebrate the connection between the people of Barrow and its coastline, tracing the coast road from Ulverston to Roa Island; North to South Walney and the fringes of Barrow Island.
"I wasn’t looking to replicate photographs from the archive,” says Nicholas, “rather craft a contemporary response to conversations started by the Sankeys.”
Work is the focus of The Workers by Dawn Parsonage, displayed along an outdoor trail covering Barrow Library, the train station, Dandy’s Furniture Store, Cavendish St ginnel and the Town Hall.
Dawn, from Sussex, wanted to capture businesses in Barrow today that people have connections to while echoing the workers in the Sankey photographs from a century ago.
There is a launch event for both exhibitions at the town hall tonight, Wednesday 9 July, and you can view them for free until 31 August. More details here.
The Sankey Archive is a collection of more than 10,000 photographs of Barrow and the surrounding areas taken between 1900 and the 1970s by Edward Sankey and his sons Raymond and Eric. It can be viewed here.
EVENTS
Comedy and music in Brewery Arts’ forthcoming season
Comedian Rosie Jones heads the new season at Kendal's Brewery Arts starting in September.
The venue will be presenting its usual eclectic mix of music, comedy and conversation after the summer.
Rosie brings her I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying show to the Brewery on 12 September when she will be talking about the big stuff: being single, the pressures of representing huge sections of the population, and gravy.
The previous evening, there's a somewhat more serious event in store when Mike Berners-Lee, brother of Worldwide Web inventor Tim, presents Honesty in Politics, with a cross-party panel chaired by Jennifer Nadel of Compassion in Politics.
There's plenty of music to enjoy too, starting with singer-songwriter Horse on 4 September and also featuring folk musicians from north of the Border, Rura (5 September) and Jenny Sturgeon With Patsy Reid (September 13), singer-songwriter Nadia Reid, originally from New Zealand, now based in Manchester (19 September), and the timeless Wishbone Ash, whose twin-guitar style has been such an influence on British rock music (24 September) plus Jazz Club and a tribute to Neil Young.
Music is also the focus before September rolls around with Summer Sundays, four free afternoon shows featuring the multi-genre Dilutey Juice (27 July); long-serving Cumbrian guitar band The Seals (3 August); tribute act Meetwood Flac (10 August); and alt-pop trio Vacant Weekend (17 August).
CINEMA
30 films to celebrate 30 years of the Kirkgate
30 for 30 - that's the task that staff and volunteers at Cockermouth's Kirkgate Arts Centre set themselves.
Thirty films to celebrate the venue's 30th birthday in 2025, one for each year of its existence.
And they've managed to produce a hugely varied list for the programme, each with a link to Cumbria, such as someone from the county involved in its making or part of it being shot here.
Opening the season on 18 July is Leaving Las Vegas, the 1995 film directed by Carlisle-born Mike Figgis, for which Nicolas Cage won an Oscar.
Figgis's work features again the following day, with the autobiographical The Loss of Sexual Innocence, partly filmed in Carlisle.
Others in the programme include the Beatrix Potter biopic, Miss Potter, and the film version of her best-loved character, Peter Rabbit; Calendar Girls; and the zombie horror 28 Days Later, scenes for which were filmed in Ennerdale.
As well as covering a wide selection of genres there are documentaries too: Life on a Mountain - A Year on Blencathra and The Story of Fleetwood Mac.
It closes on 17 August with a screening of Between The Lights, the 2023 debut film by Cumbrian brothers Michael and David Groom.
Keeping with the 30th theme, the Kirkgate is offering all 30 for just £30. Full details here.
EVENT LISTINGS
Start making plans with a bit of help from our guide to what’s on in Cumbria and the Lake District.
**HIGHLIGHTS**
Sounds of Summer, St Pauls Church, Seaton
Friday 11 July
An evening of music and community spirit at St Paul’s Church, Seaton. Expect a joyful mix of choral favourites, toe-tapping tunes, and warm harmonies, with songs from the Seaton Junior School Choir, and a solo performance from the incredibly talented Logan Hudson.
Choristers’ Concert, Carlisle Cathedral
Friday 11 July
An informal concert, offering a programme of classical and contemporary pieces outside of the Cathedral's choral repertoire. The talented choristers will be performing both solo and together for this evening of live music in the Cathedral.
Beatles Complete, Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven
Saturday 12 July
With over 200 shows at the world-famous Cavern Club, Beatles Complete are the youngest Beatles tribute band to hold a residency there. Aged 18 to 22, they capture the spirit and energy of the early Beatles, delivering classic songs with passion and authenticity.
The K’s, Old Fire Station, Carlisle
Wednesday 16 July
The K’s return to Carlisle for an intimate, stripped-back performance to celebrate their new album, Pretty on the Internet. Expect an evening of heartfelt indie anthems and personal stories from the band. Ticket bundles include options for CD and vinyl editions of the new album.
**MORE LISTINGS**
In Bud & Bloom, Rheged Gallery, Penrith
Friday 18 July to Sunday 5 Oct
Celebrating flowers through 220 contemporary artworks by 43 artists across 21 mediums. From painting to ceramics, textiles, sculpture, and installations. There will be a preview event on Thursday 17 July from 5.30pm-7.30pm. RSVP to daisy.strong@rheged.com
Festival of Transport, Barrow Town Centre
Saturday 19 July
A free family day out featuring classic cars, vintage motorcycles, electric vehicles and more lining the streets from 10am to 4:30pm. Includes funfair rides, exhibitor arenas, street entertainers and a live stage, culminating in a procession through the town centre.
Anything Goes Summer Silent Disco, The Brickyard, Carlisle
Saturday 19 July
Be part of one of the weirdest and most popular nights in The Brickyard’s calendar with everyone singing and dancing along to three different DJs all at the same time. Expect the biggest hits from every genre, old and new, plenty of curve balls and a few guilty pleasures thrown in for good measure too.
CONFLUENCES, Cross Lane Projects, Kendal
19 July–13 September - Opening Preview: Friday 18 July, 6-9pm
Cross Lane Projects presents 17 contemporary artists including Mark Woods, Gavin Turk, Louise Bourgeois, and Helen Chadwick. Curated by Rebecca Scott, this exhibition explores influences and dialogues between co-director Mark Woods and artists from his London and Cumbria networks. Featuring painting, sculpture and installation.
Incredible Country, The Howard Arms, Carlisle
Wednesday 23 July
Cumbria's Most incredible acts including the Sensational Kerry Weir, an artist who is known for her Amazing voice & Sold out Venues
Cumberlandia, Rivendell Festival Site, near Workington
25-27 July
Boutique folk music and dancing festival celebrating local artists and culture with special guests, set in acres of carefully landscaped countryside with a maximum 500 people creating an intimate, magical atmosphere.
Coast Roads Festival, Barrow Park, Barrow-in-Furness
26-27 July
A diverse two-day music festival featuring over 30 acts including The Silver Bars, Little Strange, Jon Dawes, and The Dales across multiple genres in the scenic Barrow Park setting.
The Dead Religion, Thin White Duke, Carlisle
Sunday 27 July
The gospel according to the gone. Reserve your free place now. This is a very small venue.
The Courettes, The Brickyard, Carlisle
Wednesday 13 August
The Courettes is an explosive rock duo from Denmark and Brazil who found the perfect blend between garage rock, 60s Girl Group, Wall of Sound, r&b, surf music and doo wop. Like The Ronettes meet The Ramones at a wild party at Gold Star Studios echo chamber.
See our full list of July events by clicking the link below.
