Tenby Arts Festival returns next week, in a smaller format than usual, from September 22 to 24, but with a wide range of events to go to, from - jazz to classical piano, Punch and Judy to one woman plays, and poetry to sandcastle competitions.

The Festival starts on Thursday, September 22 with ‘Post post impressionism and me’ at Church House at 1 pm - an amusing, informative look at art through the eyes of local and well-known artist Guy Manning who works from Upper Frog Street.

At the same venue on the same day, Susie Brooks presents ‘Oriental Spices and Colonial Empires’ at 3 pm.

The relentless search for oriental spices, silks and other precious commodities led to the development of land and sea routes spanning continents.

Wealth and power, religious and secular, bore fruit in expansion and conflict.

Centuries of competition and strife, with frequent warring of European nations in the fight for supremacy, left an enduring legacy in the establishment of the Colonial Empires.

Let Susie Brooks be your guide in these hazardous ocean journeys.Who came out on top? What was achieved? Susie draws on her experience as lecturer in the National Museum of Singapore to paint the most colourful picture of these empire building journeys. Tea is provided afterwards.

That night Tenby Male Choir will be performing at St Mary’s Church at 8 pm.

Representing the great Welsh tradition of male choirs, Tenby’s own male choir is a permanent fixture of the festival.

Every year the choir never fails to delight a packed house with a rich, varied programme sung with the finest voices. The concert will also feature soloist Carys Wood on trumpet.

On Friday, September 23 at Church House, ‘Glowing Bright’ a one actor play performed by Alison Neil will tell the story of Marie Curie at 7.30 pm.

One of the most famous scientists of all time. An outstandingly talented Polish girl with huge ambitions both for herself and her country. She broke through all the restrictions imposed on women at the time.

Her amazing discovery of not one but two new elements, with her beloved husband Pierre Curie, is an astonishing story.

The ups and downs of her subsequent turbulent private life and spectacular work during World War One are perhaps less well known but equally fascinating.

At the Harbwr Brewery Taproom at 8 pm, Hot Club Gallois - Wales’ hottest Gypsy Jazz and Swing Band will perform.

Conjuring up the swirling dance halls of 1940s Paris with a heady mix of Django Reinhardt classics, swing flavoured jazz standards and Hot Club Gallois originals.

An irresistible mix of fiery violin, lyrical vocals, virtuosic guitar and stomping bass.

Saturday, September 24 will see free entry to events on Castle Beach between 11 am and 3 pm, with a sandcastle competition (cash prizes of £50, £30 and £20), plus a spectacular Punch and Judy Show at midday and at 2.30 pm.

Pembrokeshire’s celebrated Samba Band, Samba Doc, will be parading exuberantly, rumbustiously between St Mary’s Church and the harbour on Saturday too, so do join the party between 11 am and 12 noon as the band sashays along in true Caribbean style.

At St. Julian’s Church at 1 pm, there will be a poetry reading by Brother David - a prolific and widely published poet.

He is a monk of the Caldey Island Cistercian Abbey and has read his poetry at previous Tenby festivals.

On this occasion, Brother David will be reading poetry from previous collections but in particular from his most recent eighth collection, entitled ‘Deep Unto Deep’.

The collection speaks of the monastic life of prayer on an island setting, of its flora and fauna, of the flight of seabirds, of liturgy, memoir and contemporary issues.

For lovers of poetry an occasion not to be missed.

At 3 pm, at St Julian’s Church ‘Gwen John’ will see Sharon Thompson portray this celebrated Welsh artist, who was as gifted as her more famous brother Augustus John.

In this dramatic monologue (researched and written by Mark Lewis curator at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery) the artist, who spent her early life in Tenby, reflects on the life she has led.

At 8 pm, in Church House there will be a ‘Piano Recital’ performed by Alexander Ullman, who is making a return visit to the festival.

He is enjoying a successful international performing and recording career.

This month and next he will be giving concerts in the USA, Amsterdam, and Austria (Vienna and Saint Pölten).

Alex will perform: Haydn – Sonata no. 54; Beethoven – Sonata no. 30, Op 109; Ravel – Pavane for a Dead Princess; Franck – Prelude, Chorale and Fugue.

More information on how to book tickets can be found at: https://www.tenbyartsfest.co.uk