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Hi! I'm Helia.
Whats on

Poor Queen by Mab Jones

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Writer Mab Jones stops by to tell us about her new book, Poor Queen! Mab will be launching Poor Queen at Waterloo Tea Rooms in Roath, Cardiff on 21 October 2014, from 6-7.30pm. Why not go along and support her! More information about Mab’s Book Tour here

Poor Queen cover FINAL

Poor Queen is my first collection, an accumulation of satirical, scurrilous, and sometimes even scatological verse, mostly written in the first few years after I began writing poetry, from 2007-2010.

Really, this is a book that should have been published back then, but the right publisher for it simply did not exist. Now, they do: they are called Burning Eye Books, they are based in Bristol, and they are run by a guy called Clive Birnie who loves performance poetry, is a fine poet himself, and is now the publisher of many well-known modern perf poets such as Salena Godden, Rob Auton, Monkey Poet, Anna Freeman, Lucy Lepchani – and myself.

It’s great to be amongst such luminaries of the spoken word scene, and we all owe a lot to Clive’s passion, hard work, and vision. I’m also indebted to ‘outsider artist’ Norris Nuvo who designed the amazing cover image – a punk-ish meld of me and the queen set as a sort of postage stamp. I think Norris is a true talent and some limited edition postcards, prints and poems are also available and will be up for sale soon on my website.

The poems in this are similarly punk in style… Mostly rhyming, funny, political, angry, raw, and rude. There are lots of pieces about love going wrong, about need and greed, about social injustice. It is very un-PC. My style is a lot different now – especially since becoming Resident Poet in the National Botanic Garden of Wales in 2012 – but these are the poems which ‘made my name’, as it were, and it’s great to have them all collected together in one place.

They are, indeed, “witty verse telling of lively working-class scenarios”, and they are a fun, rollicking read (even if I do say so myself!). You can buy the book signed, from me, with a limited edition postcard, for £10; or from Burning Eye Books for £8.99.

As far as Cardiff goes, I am of course an Ely girl, and the humour is very definitely of our city. Some of the poems are written in a Keeerdiff dialect. I hope my fellow Diffians enjoy it.

Mab Jones Press Photo

Mab Jones is a ‘daring wordsmith’ from Cardiff. Find out more at http://www.mabjones.com

http://www.mabjones.com/purchase

http://burningeyebooks.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nuvoforever

Whats on

Matthew Bourne’s Lord of The Flies in Cardiff: local male dancers, and changing perceptions of dance

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Ballet. It’s for girls from stuffy top ballet schools, right? Matthew Bourne’s latest production of Lord of the Flies is here to CHALLENGE ALL YOUR PRECONCEPTIONS ABOUT DANCE!

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What actually happened when casting the show? Well, rather than having a full cast of dancers that toured the performance around the country, instead free workshops were held across South Wales to introduce boys aged 10 – 25 to a unique form of dance devised by Bourne to appeal specifically to males and help change their perceptions of dance.

lord of the flies 2014

After the workshops auditions were then held, and 24 boys from south Wales and surrounding areas were selected to perform in the cast of the New Adventures and Re:Bourne production of Lord of the Flies at Wales Millennium Centre, running from 22-25 Oct 2014.

Buzz put together this great little documentary following three boys taking part in the performance:

The local cast will be performing alongside professional dancers from Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures company in this dance adaptation of William Golding’s celebrated novel.

The workshops were led by the Wales-based Lord of the Flies Dance Ambassadors, Siân Rowlands and James Morgan, who have been responsible for building interest in the Lord of the Flies project amongst local boys and for scouting out potential candidates to perform in the show.

Over 400 workshop participants – not necessarily those with the most experience, but those who showed the best aptitude for the distinctive dance style – were invited to auditions where the final cast was chosen.

lord of the flies 2014

Graeme Farrow, artistic director at Wales Millennium Centre, said: ‘Inspiring young people to get involved in the arts is a primary focus of our tenth anniversary programme, so I’m thrilled that Lord of the Flies provides the newly chosen young cast with the opportunity to perform on our main stage. Our relationship with Matthew Bourne was formed when the Centre opened and we’re continually delighted by the response Welsh audiences give to his work. I’ve no doubt that Lord of the Flies, will delight and enthral audiences and leave them in awe of the incredible talent of our local cast.’

Commenting on the Lord of the Flies tour, Matthew Bourne said: “Lord of the Flies is a project never before mounted on the large-scale. This unique collaboration between my production company, New Adventures, and charity, Re:Bourne will enable thousands of young people and their families across the country to experience dance at close hand, and for many, for the very first time. I look forward to an exciting, and for some, life-changing year ahead.”

For this adaptation of Lord of the Flies, the action is transferred from the deserted island of William Golding’s classic novel to a deserted theatre, where a group of schoolboys find themselves abandoned.

With no adults around they start to make their own rules and create their own civilisation, before order breaks down and the story builds to an electrifying climax. Golding’s legendary characters Ralph, Piggy, Jack and the boys will be brought to life with raw energy and emotional intensity.

Sounds good, hey? Lord of the Flies will be at the Wales Millennium Centre from 22-25 October 2014.
Tickets range from £17.50- £30.50: Book tickets here or call 02920 63 6464.

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Whats on

Made In Roath 2014 – festival picks!

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Okay, so ARGH, it’s already mid October, and it’s ALREADY MADE IN ROATH WEEKEND!

made in roath banner 2014

In a nutshell … Made In Roath is an arts festival that takes over the Roath neighbourhood, bringing together tens of events, exhibitions, happenings, be-ins, participatory events, workshops … basically, anything that’s art-related? They’ve probably got it going on.

I’ve been so busy I’ve not had a chance to give the festival a proper blog yet, and seeing as it’s already started (eep!) I thought I’d just outline a couple of things going on this weekend you might want to visit. But really, there are a trillion things on, and actually you’ll have a brilliant time if you just turn up in Roath Saturday morning, grab a Made In Roath pamphlet from somewhere (or download it from here), stick your finger on any of the events and just go marching around to see what’s happening.

Get yourselves to Roath this weekend! And let us know what you get up to…

Made In Roath website

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HAPPENING – Brent Morgan – TXT U DA LOCATION #roathrave
Fri 17th Oct 7pm – 9pm approx
Location revealed when booking…

There is a secret party tonight and we will text you the location of where you need to go. You might need to pick some supplies up on the way. That’s if you can even find the venue at all. Part treasure hunt, part knees up, 100% memorable. Pre-booking essential: txtuda@gmail.com

I graduated from Performing arts and theatre studies – Swansea Met in 2009. Since then I have been making experimental theatre, performance art and pervasive games. Showing work at Edinburgh Forest Fringe, Bristol Old Vic, Wales Millennium Centre and London Roundhouse. I have worked with companies like National Theatre Wales, Give It A Name (Cardiff), Volcano Theatre company (Swansea) as well as international companies Peer GrouP (Netherlands) and Surprise Performance (Canada. I have also run a scratch theatre night called Scratch That Itch for the last 4 years with support from NTW TEAM.

The main focus of my practice is how I can combine techniques from different disciplines to create exciting experience for audiences to engage with. At the heart of all the work is honesty and truth, with the pieces being created from performers personal experiences and passions. I aim to create memorable theatrical experiences that make a direct impact on the audience opposed to giving them a passive experience. I have worked on a variety of shows from a SKA musical to a zombie chase game.

Facebook event

 

 

Mark Blayney – Octopoet
Fri 17th Oct, 7.30pm – 11pm
The Coffi House, Wellfield Road, CF24 3NZ

Octopoet returns! Enjoy an evening of spoken word with 8 leading writers and performers, who will entertain you with funny, serious and thought-provoking verse. Expect dazzling wordplay and a lively, positive vibe, all in a friendly café setting with a bar. Come and see the best poetry around, for free!

 

Dai Smith, Professor Chris Williams, Professor Meic Stephens – new under the sun: The Man from the Rhondda
Fri 17th Oct, 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Cameo Club, CF11 9HQ

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun…

Fancy reading something Slovakian this autumn? The nights may be drawing in but, before you decide which books to hibernate with, why not join us for a pop-up international literary festival in Cardiff this October and discover new playwrights, novelists, works in translation and more? Will you find your new favourite drama king or queen or meet new local and global talents? Is anything new under the sun possible as ‘a generation goes, and a generation comes’ and the books they write may or may not remain forever?

To launch the 39th title in our Library of Wales series novelist and Chair of the Library of Wales, Dai Smith will be in conversation with Professor Chris Williams and winner of the Non-Fiction Award at this year’s Wales Book of the Year, the biographer of Rhys Davies, Professor Meic Stephens.

Free entry. Sponsored by the Rhys Davies Trust. A Hand of Roath event as part of madeinroath.com and Parthian’s literary pop-up festival new under the sun (@nutscardiff).

www.facebook.com/newcardiff
http://nutscardiff.wordpress.com/

 

Green City Events & Cynefin Cardiff – Exchange in Roath Workshops: EXCHANGE IN ROATH Giant Swap Shop
Sat 18 Oct, 11.30am-3.30pm
The Gate Arts Centre, CF24 3JW

Exchange in Roath is essentially a giant swap shop event run in partnership with Green City Events, Cynefin Cardiff, Made in Roath, YMCA and Cardiff Council. It is funded by the Big Lottery.

The event is split into two main parts: the GIVE element and the TAKE event.

People can bring their unwanted (but still usable) stuff to a large drop off container which will be situated next to the Gate Arts Centre on Keppoch Street. It will be open Monday 13th – Friday 17th October between 5 – 7pm. People who bring stuff will be able to collect points (to exchange for items at the event) and might even get a piece of cake (bring and cake!).

Come and take stuff on Saturday 18th October between 11:30 – 3:30pm inside the Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch Street, Roath. Join up-cycling & re-use workshops, print new designs on old clothes, see installation artists in action & help out with some pedal powered disco.

This event is free and you don’t need to give in order to take. Please DON’T bring ‘white goods’, VHS tapes, broken items or rubbish.

The types of things you can bring are: Books, CDs/DVDs, Clothes, Toys, Tools, Garden Items, Plants, Small Electrical Items, Kitchenware, Small Furniture and Bikes.

For more information and opportunities to volunteer contact Exchange@Greencityevents.co.uk

Reuse – Recycle – Relove

 

HAPPENING: Roath Road block – the Made In Roath Street Festival!
Plasnewydd Road
Sat 18th October, 11am – 5pm

The ‘made in roath’ Street Festival.
people + art + music + food

We’ll have loads of free stuff happening, live music, street theatre, art workshops, food/refreshments, art making and lots of fun activities for all ages.
Roving Performances, Kitsch Kitchen Tea n Cakes, Art Workshops, Young Talent Showcase, World Street Food from Commune, Kids activities, M.A.D.E. Juice and Chai bar, Art on show, DJ’s and more.

And to add to the excitement, the area will be a Arts, Food and Entertainment destination, as there will also be:
Inverness Groove in Inverness Place – Baked in Roath
Tea in SHO gallery with Art exhibition
Dj workshop in The Record Shop.
Exchange in Roath – a giant swop shop at The Gate.
Plasnewydd Community Garden is Open.
The Crofts Pub – Eclectic Eccentrics Oxjam Art & Music
The Andrew Buchan Pub – Oxjam Art & music all day/eve.
The Macintosh Centre- Roath Farmers Market is open for longer especially on the Saturday till 3pm
And in the evening, the ROAD BLOCK after party in the evening. 19 – midnight.

 

 

 

OPEN HOUSE ARTIST STUDIOS – Lost & found memories ‘Heimat’ – Dagmar Bechhaus, and Dorothy and Helen Clifford
13 Boverton St CF24
Sat 18th – Sun 19th Oct, 1pm – 5pm [Change from brochure]

Wales in Germany is also known as the land of story telling. Dagmar will read the experience of a holiday in the east of Germany, the former GDR, her mother’s homeland and “Heimat” and show illustrating work. Dagmar Bechhaus will be reading a diary narrative on “Heimat”, 18th & 19th Oct at 4pm. On the 19th Oct at 4pm writer James Rourke will read a personal short story about “Home”.

Helen Clifford explores memories through a dialogue with her mother, Dorothy, of childhood homes and the impact of growing up during and after the second world war. Dorothy has created a series of paintings in response.

 

OPEN HOUSE ARTIST STUDIOS – Esyllt George, Claire Prosser and others
Lane between Mafeking Road and Ladysmith Road CF23 5DQ
Sat 18th Oct to end of festival

Creative Lane Space will involve a response from a range of artists to this unnoticed quiet lane in Penylan. Work will involve wall art, installations and pop up creative movement workshops run by Claire Prosser. For workshop times contact Esyllt: e.george20@ntlworld.com

 

EXHIBITION: ‘Traces: of Roath’ – Doreen Barnaville and Jan Lewis
Penylan Pantry, 72 Kimberley Road, CF23 5DN
Tues 7th – Sun 26th Oct (except Mon)
Tues – Sat 10am – 6pm
Sun 10am – 4pm

‘Traces: of Roath’ is a small exhibition of work recording the life in Roath – from the birdlife in illustrator and printmaker Jan Lewis’s collographs, to the buildings, parks and plants in Doreen Barnaville’s cyanotype prints on muslin.
(‘Traces: of the Ridgeway’ – prints by Jan and Doreen can be seen at Colchester Avenue – see Open Houses entry)

Jan Lewis, illustrator and printmaker, and Doreen Barnaville, textiles, photography and print, have joined forces in this small exhibition, ‘Traces: of Roath’, to illustrate the area – from the birdlife in Jan’s collographic prints to the buildings, parks and plants recorded in Doreen’s cyanotype prints on muslin.

This work follows on from a group exhibition held at Wantage museum earlier this year – ‘Traces: of the Ridgeway’ – which can now be seen at Colchester Avenue on the 18th & 19th October – see the Open Houses entry.

 

Whats on

Cardiff Alms – re-inventing the blue plaques writing workshop, Sunday 19 October 2014

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A few months back, Jodie Ashdown wrote a piece for We Are Cardiff about some forgotten Cardiff places that she used to frequent. She picked out The Cabin, The Monaco, The Bandstand and Rhiwbina Infants as parts of Cardiff that contained personal pieces of history for her.

Read that piece here: Jodie Ashdown – Cardiff Alms

jodie_ashdown_1_web

This Sunday as part of Made In Roath festival, Jodie will be running a free creative writing workshop at the Poet’s Corner Pub on City Road, where you’re invited along to encourage you to think about lost city landmarks in a new way. Remember a pub which you used to frequent but is now a bank? Your childhood home knocked down for flats? Here is the place to put pen to paper and pay homage to Cardiff past. See you there, right?

Cardiff Alms Facebook event

Whats on

Final line-up announced for DimSwn 18 October 2014 – last tickets now on sale

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You heard. The final line-up for this year’s mini Swn (or DimSwn – which means ‘No Swn’ for the Welsh learners in the crowd)(actually technically it means No Sound, but anyway) has been announced, and is below.

dimswn final line up

 

Horizons / Gorwelion will be showcasing their 12 bands at DimSwn this year.

Horizons is a scheme delivered by BBC Cymru Wales in partnership with Arts Council Wales to develop new, independent contemporary music in Wales.  Its aim is to support and promote emerging Welsh music talent to new and wider audiences.

Horizons / Gorwelion artists performing at DimSwn are: Baby Queens, Candelas,Chris Jones, Climbing Trees, Gabrielle Murphy, Houdini Dax, Kizzy Crawford,Plu, Seazoo, Swnami, The People The Poet.

You can see the full line up on the Swn website here: DIMSWN LINEUP

Buy tickets for Swn here: SWN TICKETS

See you on the dancefloor!

 

Whats on

Empty Walls exhibition at the Abacus – photo review

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Although there’s a couple of weeks until the Empty Walls festival is finished, its exhibition at the Abacus has now been taken down. We sent photographer Benjamin Blyth along to take some snaps of the exhibits, showcasing work from some of the artists involved as well as some amazing local talents.

The show featured  Andy Fung, Gar Jon Day and Tom Kitchen, creating site specific murals within the gallery as well as hosting a collection of paintings drawings and prints from the likes of Dale Grimshaw, Rae, Elinor Evans, David De La Mano, Ekstraternek and more.

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Ben Blyth is a first year photojournalism student studying at the University of South Wales. Previously he lived in Newark On Trent near Nottingham before making the move last month to Cardiff. In the last year, he’s been mainly been working for Notts County Ladies FC as their official photographer and have also been working for The Newark Advertiser and The Nottingham Evening Post. He’s excited about working on live briefs whilst studying in Cardiff and getting to know the area whilst gaining experience as a photojournalist. Find him online: Twitter @PhotoJ_BenBlyth and
blog.

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Whats on

Cardiff neighbourhood survey 2014 – fill it in!

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A reminder if you haven’t done so already to fill in our CARDIFF NEIGHBOURHOOD SURVEY! Go on, it’ll only take a few seconds!

Please take a few minutes to fill in the form below (if you’d like a direct link to the survey, click here: We Are Cardiff Neighbourhood Survey 2014), and please send it to ALL YOUR FRIENDS / CO-WORKERS / FAMILY here in Cardiff. We want as many responses from as many parts of the city as possible!

We look forward to hearing from you

Helia x

The Arts

Crashmat Collective present – FACADE, Autumn Tour 2014

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One of the best performances I saw last year was the Crashmat Collective’s Facade, which I went along to at the Newport Riverfront Centre. Facade is about to set off on an Autumn Tour, which includes a show at the Weston Studio in the Millennium Centre on the 17 October 2014 (book tickets here). If you haven’t seen it, you should TOTALLY GO!

crashmat collective facade 2014

If you haven’t seen Facade already, I strongly recommend it – it’s a night of entertainment set in a cabaret style club, where you get served a three course meal, and the waiters are also performers.

Here’s the blurb:

The Crashmat Collective crew are back on the road this Autumn for a another stuffing (sorry!) of Façade after a sell out run in Spring 2013.

Façade; an intimate and theatrical three course meal, during which, stories unfold in thrilling and touching ways, encircling you as you dine.

Prepare for a feast for the senses, as well as the appetite.

Become enthralled as the Crashmat performers spin, swing and serve at your table. beautiful, funny and always unpredictable, FAÇADE offers a circus-theatre experience that blurs the boundaries between performer and audience.

Your ticket will include a three-course meal. Please specify any dietary requirements while booking. 

(Scroll to the bottom for show dates in the Autumn Tour)

Here’s a lovely interview with Anna Sandreuter, the co-director of Facade, which includes some great rehearsal footage.

Some photos from their rehearsals this time…

FACADE – AUTUMN TOUR DATES

The Riverfront, Newport
10-11 Oct
Tickets – 01633 656757 newport.gov.uk/theriverfront

Aberystwyth arts Centre, Aberystwyth
14-15 Oct
Tickets – 01970 62 32 32 aber.ac.uk/artscentre

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
17-18 Oct
Tickets- 029 2063 64 64 wmc.org.uk

Ffwrnes, Llanelli
30-31 Oct
Tickets- 0845 226 3510 theatrausirgar.co.uk

The Albany, London
13-14 Nov
Tickets – 020 8692 4446 thealbany.org.uk

Arts Depot, London
20-22 Nov
Tickets- 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk

The Hafren, Newtown
26-27 Nov
Tickets – 01686 614555 thehafren.co.uk

 

LINKY DINKS

Facade Autumn Tour Facebook page

Crashmat Collective Facebook page

 

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The City

Stop the planning madness! Object to the proposed development at Hamadryad Hospital

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There comes a time in every active citizen’s life when you live in a place you quite like, and then someone comes along and wants to build on some lovely green space near your house, vomiting up 70 new identikit flats, because everyone knows that what Cardiff Bay REALLY needs is MORE FLATS.

hamadrayd-objection

Okay, I’m a little biased – this proposed development is happening within a couple of hundred metres of my house, but still. If you’ve been to the old docks area within the past ten years, you’ll probably agree that the last thing this part of Cardiff needs is more flats, amirite?

Planning application 14/02077/DCI is proposing 75 new dwellings on an area that’s currently populated with trees that have preservation orders on them, and also would destroy an area currently used as foraging for the local bat population. The space is also an extra green belt between the A4232 and the local residential area.

STOP THE PLANNING MADNESS!

If you, like me, are getting to the end of their patience with applications like this, please support this cause!

Things you can do:

1. Write a letter saying you object to Planning Application 14/02077/DCI.

2. State in it WHY you object to the development: you could say any number of things, including the following:

(a) Development is out of scale with local area in terms of design and size
(b) Development would affect residential amenity of surrounding area including Hamadryad Park
(c) Development would have adverse affect on residents in terms of parking
(d) Development would entail felling of trees with a preservation order (and for more information about why urban trees in Wales are so important, read this article)
(e) Development would remove important foraging and commute area for local bat population
(f) The proposal is not supported by a current Ecological Survey
(g) The development does not make adequate provision for bicycle storage
(h) There was a development of 20 new flats only very recently completed on nearby Pomeroy Street and Clarence Road

3. Email it to developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk

4. OR you can post it to:

Planning Development
Cardiff Council
County Hall
Atlantic Wharf
Cardiff CF10 4UW

The closing date for applications is THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER, so GET YOUR OBJECTIONS IN (please). It’s really important that AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE write in to the council to object to this proposal – without the voice of the community, this horrendous scheme could go ahead.

For any active citizens in the Butetown / Grangetown area (or even further away – please help your neighbours!) you can join the South Docks Facebook group, which has been set up to help fight this planning application.

There was a residents meeting last night, which was attended by Media Wales and BBC journalists, as well as local councillor Ali Ahmed and National Assembly for Wales Member Eluned Parrott (who pledged her support to the objection).

From the BBC: Residents unhappy at flats plan

From Wales Online: Angry residents pack into church hall to oppose controversial plan for 75 new homes

SUPPORT THE CAUSE! SEND IN YOUR OBJECTIONS BY OCTOBER 16! It only needs to be an email. COME ON FOLKS!

Whats on

Autumn art in the city: Cardiff Contemporary, 3/10-9/11 2014

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Somehow we’ve crash landed in autumn in the city, and as you might have guessed from the title of this post: autumn means art in the city of Cardiff. The Cardiff Contemporary Festival has already started – apologies for not blogging about it sooner but it’s been a busy few weeks! Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with laying out the Cardiff Contemporary Festival for you.

cardiff contemporary 2014

Cardiff Contemporary bills itself as a city-wide festival of contemporary arts, showcasing a programme of exhibition, events, and activities over  five weeks (see the image above if you don’t believe me). The theme for this year’s festival is Reveal/Conceal, and thus the festival takes art into the city’s arts centres, galleries, museums and iconic spaces, but also uses hidden or unknown sites, revealing the city in “fascinating and intriguing ways”.

Cardiff Contemporary makes use of the entire city as a space to experience art – from Central Station to the pages of South Wales Echo, you may find art anywhere.

CARDIFF CONTEMPORARY 2014 – WE ARE CARDIFF PICKS

There is absolutely shedloads going on in Cardiff Contemporary this year. I thought I’d pick out some of the things I’ll be trying to see. I’ve chosen things that are taking place in buildings you can’t normally get into, or events that seem to indicate some kind of interesting exchange between artist and visitors. Etc.

Read on!

CIVIC (4 October – 9 November, Cardiff Story Museum 11am-5pm)

CIVIC is an interactive display put together by a series of artists, inviting visitors to propose ideas and interventions for Cardiff. All visitors are invited to experiment with constructing and rebuilding their own cities using a variety of materials – to help you out, there are workshops in drawing, shadow puppetry, wireframe sculpture, and even a Phonebox Disco! (CIVIC – more info)

 

The Told and Untold Tour (11, 18, 25 October 2014)

The Told and Untold Tour is a weekly series of themed, artist-led mystery bus tours in Cardiff. Each weekend throughout October a selected artist with tannoy in hand will take participants on a journey through the city and its lesser-known points of intrigue. The Told and Untold Tour highlights the mystery of travelling, asking the passengers to let the artists lead in an educational leap of faith. The excitement of simply stepping on a bus to who-knows-where becomes a catalyst for exchange between artists and the public.

Pick up at Cathays Park, tours are as follows:

Saturday 11 October 2014, 2pm
Thomas Goddard ‘Nato in My Town’

Saturday 18 October 2014, 2pm
Roger Lougher

Saturday 25 October 2014, 2pm
Neil McNally ‘Far Off Things’

Tickets: Please call St David’s Hall Box Office on 02920 878444. Tickets are free but limited.

 

Sculpture Trail (3 October – 9 November 2014)

The works encountered on Matt Cook’s Sculpture Trail range from life-size abstract figures overlooking the canal, to discreet works concealed in the surroundings. The sculptures use natural processes such as wind and water to create sounds and movements that mimic those in the environment. Only a few minutes’ walk away from Cardiff city centre, the Feeder Canal walk is a world apart, a different time or place. The sculptures acknowledge this particular ambience, highlighting and merging with the natural sights and sounds to create a unique experience (more info).

Location: Docks Feeder Canal, parallel to Schooner Way (Little Venice)
Guided tour 12pm, Saturday 11 October 2014, starting from The ‘Stute’

 

Radio Nought (Wednesday 15–16 / 22–23 / 29–30 October and 5–6 November 2014, Radio Cardiff 98.7FM, 12am – 2am)

On this late night live radio programme, the lone voice of Samuel Hasler rambles and drones through oddities, clichés and strange tales: an exploration through the twilight zone of Cardiff. Broadcast live, a lone human voice in the night. Transmitted from the far horizons of the unknown, tune in for tales of dark debauchery, jumbled jokes, magnificent myths and experiments in excess, splurges of speech, tinkerings of time, and spooky, spinning space. These are stories of the near future and the distant past; adventures in which you’ll live through a million could-be nights in a thousand may-be cities.

With a rambling structure this set of live, late night, radio broadcasts will borrow heavily from the twilight zone, noir fiction, alternative humour and similar tropes. The broadcasts make use of their late night scheduling, to have freedom from conventional radio and to speculate about the strange types of people that might be listening. The programme is focused on a lone voice that digresses from and repeats a series of oddball autobiographical stories.

 

Paradise Lost (26 October – 7 November 2014, tactileBOSCH)

ParadiseLost unites established and emerging artists in one of Cardiff’s most iconic disused buildings. Painting, video, installation, sculpture, photography and live performance respond to the unique setting of the Customs and Immigration Building on Bute Street, in a fully immersive art experience organised by the great tactileBOSCH collective in celebration of the memory of Kim Fielding. (more info)

Location: Former Customs & Immigration Building, 56 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5LE, 12 – 5pm
Preview: Saturday 25 October 2014, 7 – 11pm

 

 

 

Bedazzled – A Welshman in New York (29 October – 1 November 2014, Cory Chambers)

Ffotogallery presents Bedazzled, a celebration of the special relationship Dylan Thomas had with the United States (New York in particular), and the enduring influence of his life and work on both sides of the Atlantic. In a series of live performances/installations, audience members are transported back to the 1950s world of bohemian New York where Dylan Thomas’ charisma and dramatic and lyrical use of language left all around him spellbound. Conceived by artistic director/curator David Drake, writer Ben Gwalchmai and composer John Rea (more info) (Facebook event page)

Location: Cory Chambers, 57 Bute Street, CF10 5LE
Tickets £12, concessions available (book at Ffotogallery’s website)

 

 

Art Hotel (7/9 November 2014, The Abacus)

The Art Hotel is an all inclusive hotel which specialises in holidays for makers and creators. All guests who stay at our hotel will arrive with a suitcase filled with all the necessities required to turn their hotel room into an art installation. The selected guests will be in residence for one week and on Friday the 7th of November the ArtHotel will open its doors to visitors for the whole weekend.

The public will have the chance to explore the artists suites as well as enjoy the Art Hotel facilities. These include, vacant art suites where you can create your very own piece of art, the lobby where there will be a cocktail bar and lounge area, and on Saturday the 8th of November the Art Hotel will be collaborating with Milgi to put on a supper club with live entertainment from our resident bands and vocal entertainers. Booking is required for the Supper club so please email info@milgilounge.com if you want to reserve a space. (Art Hotel Facebook event)

 

OTHER STUFF

Like I said, there’s LOADS more on during the next couple of weeks in Cardiff Contemporary – if you’re brave enough, dive into the CC calendar, and if I’ve missed anything that you think looks particularly worthy, let me know in the comments.

 

LINKY DINKS

Cardiff Contemporary website

Cardiff Contemporary Facebook page

 

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Whats on

Cardiff’s answer to Riverdance!

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Recently we were contacted by reader Sandra Elson, who wanted to tell us about Cardiff’s answer to Riverdance! She’s written a piece about the Irish dancing school and competition that takes place in Ely. Read on!

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It’s been 20 years since Riverdance hit our screens and became an overnight Irish dancing phenomenon. However for over 30 years one Cardiff dweller, James Smith – originally from Belfast, has taught the children of the city the complex art of Irish Dancing.

The annual class feis (competition) of the Smith Academy of Irish dancing (Scoil Rince Gaelacha Macgabhan) was held recently in St Francis Parish Hall, Ely.

It was a truly multi-generational family event. Amongst the supporting crowd of the little Flatleys of tomorrow, were three mums who were actually ex pupils of the Academy.

The family theme continued through the competition as there were six sets of siblings dancing. Most of whom were competing against each other which put a new emphasis on sibling rivalry!

Adding to the connections the adjudicator, Mrs V O’Connor was James Smiths ex-Irish dancing teacher from his childhood who flew over especially to judge the competition from Belfast.

The music streamed out as the newest members of the class practiced their hops, the more advanced ones lined up to show off their leaps and jumps, and the little experts in-between showed off their skills with cheeky grins and glitzy costumes.

Cups were won and medals were awarded meaning that in a little corner of Cardiff, Irish eyes were definitely smiling. These young Cardiffians will be competing against dancers from all over the UK and Ireland in Swindon, London, Coventry and Kettering in the next few months.

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Q. What’s your Cardiff history?
A. I am Cardiff born and bred – I was raised in Ely, now live in North Cardiff.

Q. What’s your favourite part of Cardiff?
A. Bute Park, Cardiff castle and Cardiff Bay.

Q. What do you think makes Irish dancing so popular?
A. My two daughters attend lessons and compete in Irish dancing competitions. It’s good for children physically, cognitively and emotionally; i.e. the exercise, learning the steps, competing and having fun with friends.

Q. Do you think Cardiff is a good city to live in if you have a family?
A. Yes Cardiff has lots of parks and open spaces; it also offers full range of clubs and activities to suit all families. It’s also close to wonderful scenery, both sea-side and mountains, for exploring further afield.

Q. If you had some friends coming to visit Cardiff for the weekend, where would you take them? what would you do?
A. That depends who it is – shopping in town if it’s my choice!

 

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Scoil Rince Gaelacha Macgabhan- Smith Academy of Irish Dance – Facebook page

Thanks Sandra! And good luck to everyone competing in the Irish dancing competitions…

 

 

Whats on

What’s on in Cardiff this weekend… 26/27/28 September 2014

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September is always a super Brucey bonus time for events in the city. Need proof? See what’s coming up below. I’m exhausted just reading it. Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments!

 

Friday 26 September – Empty Walls Launch and Exhibition opening

This year’s Empty Walls project will be launched on Friday night, alongside an exciting exhibition of urban art, from in-gallery murals to sketches, prints and live painting.

Come along to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and to start the project with a good ol’ knees up! Live music, cinema room, bar and bloody great art!

Empty Walls Launch and Exhibition opening Facebook event

www.emptywalls.co.uk
www.theabacusrooms.wordpress.com

 

Saturday 27 September – Block and Banquet Micro Festival

A whole load of stuff going on at the Spit & Sawdust Warehouse, Art Space, Cafe & Skatepark ….



– Outdoor courtyard. Outdoor wood fired pizza oven / Pop up Icecream van DJ booth / Red Bull mini drome / Rothfink modified VW Car display / Graffiti.
– Boutique cafe & craft beer bar. Home cooked / Organic meat / Locally sourced foods / Homemade cakes / Craft beer / Punch / Pop up stalls / Sneakers / Vintage / Streetwear / Deadstock sale / Free WiFi.
– Warehouse skatepark. Live music stage / Huge visual screen / All day Skateboard & BMX jam / Giveaways and prizes / Mini ramp jam / Best trick comp / Highest ollie comp /Highest bunnyhop comp / Warehouse party til late.
– Upstairs hidden gallery. Vintage skateboard display / Retro BMX display / Art / Skate photography / History of skateboarding in Wales micro cinema.

Block and Banquet Facebook event

Saturday 27 September – Global Parasite / 2 Sick Monkeys / 51st State (fixing the roof benefit gig)

Red and Black Umbrella are holding a benefit gig to fix the roof of their building in Splott.

More info about the event on their website

 

Sat 27 / Sun 28 September – Cardiff Country Fair 2014

Takes place in the castle on Saturday and Sunday.

Cardiff Country Fair 2014

Saturday 27 September – NoFit State Circus Guest show: EricTheFred

With 30 years of performing skills and experience, including Slava’s Snow Show, Chris Lynam brings to life, a brand new character, ErictheFred.

‘the most dangerously funny man on the planet’
Eddie Izzard

ErictheFred is a clown, but if you think you know clowns – think again. Here, the traditional art of clowning is taken to another wondrous level.

This is a curious and poignant story of an old trouper trying to come to terms with a fading career.


NoFit State, Four Elms Road, 8pm
Tickets: £10/£8 (available here)
EricTheFred Facebook event page here

 

Sunday 28 September – Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair

Join us at the City Hall for vintage fashion and homeware and of course the vintage beauty salon!

Lou Lou’s Vintage Facebook event

 

Sunday 28 September – Darkened Rooms presents Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton

Join Darkened Rooms for their latest screening, hip-hop documentary Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton…

6pm, Clwb Ifor Bach
Tickets £5.50
See Facebook event page for tickets and more info

 

Sunday 28 September – Street Food Cardiff Festival

11am – 4pm, High Street, Cardiff. Why come long? Because its’s the only place in the city that you can eat a selection of the finest street food. A fortnightly street food feast-ival of amazing independent traders serving from 11am – 5pm.

Street Food Cardiff Facebook event

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