The Countdown is on for this year's Roseland Festival which kicks off on Friday, October 19.

With 30 artists performing in 50 events in venues across the Roseland, the two-week programme has something for everyone to enjoy.

Now in its second year, the festival of music, film, drama, poetry, literature and art features a host of internationally renowned performers, as well as home-grown talent.

Taking place in St Mawes, Tregony, Veryan, Portscatho, and villages in between, the programme begins with a night of romantic piano music from Robin and Kim Colvill, for festival association members and sponsors only, at Rosteague Manor, near Gerrans. The same evening the St Mawes Hotel in St Mawes is hosting a free gig by the Cajun-inspired Gumbo Flyers.

Headlining the festival is the Bath Philharmonia Wind Ensemble, directed by Jason Thornton, who will perform works by Mozart and Mendelssohn in two concerts on Friday, October 26. The first at Roseland Parc in Tregony starts at 5pm and the second at Portscatho Memorial Hall starts at 8pm.

Back by popular demand from last year's inaugural event are the Carrie Mann Jazz Quartet, who take the stage at Tregony Village Hall on Saturday, October 20, and the Mount Charles Youth Band, who perform at Portscatho Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 31.

Cornwall's break-through heavy metal band Valkyr has a gig at Roseland School in Tregony on Wednesday, October 24, and the school's own Samba de Roselando band appear at St Mawes Memorial Hall on Monday, October 22.

Bringing her unique approach to celtic, jazz-influenced folk, Canadian-Cornish singer Heather Dale supported by Ben Deschamps performs at Tregony Village Hall on Saturday, October 27, and Polperro Fishermen's Choir make a rare visit to the Roseland at St Mawes Memorial Hall on Monday, October 29.

In addition to music there is Cornish wit and repartee from Bert Biscoe and Pol Hodge at Veryan Village Hall on Tuesday, October 23, and music and story-telling from Mike O'Connor on Tuesday, October 30 at Roseland Parc in Tregony feauring Mike's interpretation of the story of Tristan and Iseult. One for all the family !!

There are also audiences with local writer Philip Marsden on Tuesday, October 23 at St Mawes Millennium Rooms, and journalist William Shawcross at the Tresanton Chapel in St Mawes on Sunday, October 28.

Performances from the Roseland's theatre and drama groups, and screenings of films with Cornish links, also feature in the programme, as do events in popular village pubs such as the King's Head at Ruan Lanihorne and the Roseland Inn at Philleigh.

Last but not least, there are guided Roseland walks, sketching and marine art workshops, and an art exhibition and sale of work by some of Cornwall's most respected artists. The exhibition takes place in the Millennium Rooms in St Mawes from Tuesday, October 30 until Saturday, November 3, and includes works by Rachel Mia Allen, Mike Hindle, Andrew Tozer, Michael Sanders and Paul Lewin.

The festival ends on Saturday, November 3 with a last night party at Portscatho Memorial Hall from the Roseland's favourite Irish Band, Black Velvet and well-known North Cornwall a cappella trio, Thorn and Roses.

Festival chairman Greg Williams said: "It's an ambitious and varied programme with local, national and international artists, right on people's doorstep - there can't be anyone on the Roseland who's more than three miles away from at least one of the events!"

The main sponsors of this year's Roseland Festival are Skinners Brewery, Roseland Parc, and Tiddy's estate agents. Other sponsors include the King Harry Ferry Company, Wing of St Mawes, the Tresanton Hotel, and Roseland Music Society with several local sponsors of individual events.

For a full programme visit the website www.roselandfestival.co.uk from where tickets can also be booked.

Programmes are also available from tourist information centres and other publicity outlets. Tickets can also be bought from the Cornish Riviera Box Office at St Austell Tourist Information Centre, Portscatho Post Office, and the Roseland Visitor Centre in St Mawes.