Category Archives: Whats on

In Review: Arcade Fire’s Owen Pallett at Portland House, Cardiff

Writer Ellie Philpotts went along to enjoy this show at one of Cardiff’s oldest-new venues, Portland house, on Pallett’s final year of touring.

Owen pallett playing violin

Owen Pallett has some impressive links. He’s collaborated heavily with indie-rock band Arcade Fire and worked with big deals such as The Pet Shop Boys; Linkin Park; Snow Patrol; Robbie Williams and even Taylor Swift, conducting her single The Last Time, from smash-hit 2012 album Red – which impressed me because I’m one big Taylor Swift fan. But away from these notable affiliations, Owen is a renowned name in his own right. Just last year, he was even Oscar-nominated, for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures – Original Score, for the film ‘Her.’ Basically, he’s a talented guy. And his Cardiff Bay show on 3 June at Portland House accurately reflected this.

The night was a success in every way. I was actually the first to arrive at Portland House (unusual for me, so I must’ve been eager!); got chatting to some interesting fellow solo gig-attendees; and revelled in the varying styles of the support acts. The opener, Scriber, a Welsh lad who describes himself as an ‘alt-folk presence’ (http://www.scriberofficial.com/) sang lovely lyrics such as ‘it’s hard to lose grip on something if you know you always have it’, paired with charming guitar twangs. To follow was King of Cats, a very unique band with loud beats, belting out refreshing tracks which included the line ‘I will not walk in the garden of Eden but I’ll die in the garden of eating.’ Makes a change from typical love-songs centred around human love, doesn’t it!

Then it was time for Owen. The man, the legend. He had stage presence, asking the audience direct questions – he was asked whether he’d sampled a ‘cheeky Vimto’, which apparently is a local delicacy, although the Welsh man next to me dismissed this notion, having never heard of it. Demonstrating that Canadians can have flawless knowledge of British culture, Owen replied that he hadn’t, but he had heard of ‘cheeky Nandos.’ Fortunately, a cheeky Nandos does indeed sit right round the corner from this venue in Cardiff Bay, so maybe that’s where he headed afterwards to celebrate a successful show! Although, his status as fitting in with us Cardiffians did slip up when he enquired if there even is a Welsh language. But his music was so good, we’ll forgive him.

Owen isn’t to my usual style, but I was genuinely blown away by his skill. He turns what it means to be a violinist on its head – exciting fast-paced beats teamed with a brilliant voice, and this wasn’t the extent of his instrument-playing – he was no stranger to the keyboard either. The Secret Seven was my favourite of his tracks – he described it as ‘a song about not killing yourself, but about killing someone else instead!’ Only figuratively, I should add as a disclaimer. I also appreciated how he played recordings of his music on loop to compliment the live performance. All in all, a very interesting perspective on that wide thing called ‘music.’ I can see why he’s such an in-demand musician!

After the satisfied audience began to bid a sad farewell to Portland House (in a move mirrored by Owen, as this was one of his final ever tour dates, let alone in the UK!), I was lucky enough to meet the face of the show himself. We had a photo – excuse the lighting – strong lights at gigs just aren’t atmospheric, don’t y’know! Owen is not only a fantastic performer, but also a lovely guy, so I’m sure I speak for many others in saying that Cardiff will miss him!

 

Owen Pallett and Ellie Philpotts

Portland House

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Ellie Philpotts

Ellie Philpotts is in her first year at Cardiff University studying English Literature, Journalism and Media. Follow her blog or Instagram.

 

 

 

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LACED 2 at the Boiler House – this Sunday!

IMG_0404 LACED is all about bringing together people with a shared love for the ‘sneaker game’ and all that it represents. This Sunday, the Boiler House graffiti project plays host to the second of these special very special events, from 12pm until late.
Whether you’re into trainers or not, get down there and check out the amazing line up of music, shops and food.
Expect sneaker stalls, competitions, clothing, live graffiti, breakdancing and music.
There will also be:
  •  a pop-up barbers shop from Sleep When You’re Dead offering fresh cuts to all for a discounted price, and Captain Cats beard oil helping tame the wildest of facial fuzz;
  • the cool guys at Punk Bikes, who will be bringing along a range of their wares, and also running a sprints competition for anyone to try;
  • silent film screening of ‘Style Wars’ by OnerSigns;
  • tasty grub will be coming from Pieminister, Dirty South BBQ and Bake my Day cake specialists and vegan fare; and
  • an on site bar selling Pipes ales, Red Stripe, processo by the bottle, shorts and soft drinks for children.

As well as all of that, Cardiff Geek Party will be bringing a load of old Sega and Nintendo consoles, and they’ll be running competitions and bringing back a whole load of nostalgia through the day.
So dust off your freshest kicks, rock that Kangol hat, bring along the kids and join LACED events for the coolest Sunday ever!

Check out their Facebook event  for more info!

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Welsh Hula Hoop Convention 2015 – WhoopC in review!

Recently, Cardiff hosted the first Welsh Hula Hoop Convention (WHoopC!) We sent photographer Lorna Cabble along to document the day…

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If you’re interested in going along to play hoop next year, make sure you join the WHoopC Facebook group for discussions of their next event.

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All photos by Lorna Cabble

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Art auction fundraiser and all-day festival for the Abacus, Saturday 9 May 2015

Everyone’s favourite, Cardiff-based, volunteer-run art-space The Abacus is doing an all-day festival fundraiser extravaganza on Saturday 9 May, and you are all invited!

abacus_fundraiser_may_2015

 

With an art auction, workshops, a jumble sale, street food, home brewed chai, cocktails, local real ale and live music from the likes of Junior Bill & The Scallies, The Brwmys, Third Party, One Time Alive, Efa Supertramp and more TBA, this promises to be a corker of an event!

For the last year The Abacus has aimed to provide Cardiff with a grassroots, creative and open-minded space that allows artists, musicians and other creatives to explore, challenge and experiment within a supportive environment.

The Abacus runs on the passion and commitment of a handful of volunteers who give their time to run an entirely not-for-profit arts space. However, the cost of the building, recent break-ins, and essential repair call for your help! The Abacus will use the money to support Cardiff’s thriving art-scene and continue providing subsidised galleries, studios, rehearsal rooms and event spaces.

Our favourite hooping teacher Elliecopter will also be teaching a hoop workshop at 4pm (suggested donation of £4): hoops supplied! Hoop workshop Facebook event

Come along on Saturday 9 May 2015, for a true Abacus style knee’s-up and help us raise the funds for a sustainable future!

Abacus May Fundraiser – Facebook event

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We Are … Changing!

We Are Cardiff is five years old. Can you believe it?? In that time, we’ve published over 400 articles, racked up nearly 300,000 views and we have 30,000 followers on social media.

The Guardian chose us as one of the best city blogs in the world. We won the People’s Choice Award at the Wales Blog Awards. We made a film. We made a radio documentary. We’ve had exhibitions and a stage at Swn festival. We even have an official sister site in We Are Chester.

Now, we are changing …

We’ve already mentioned that we’ll soon be launching a small press called We Are Cardiff Press. Based on that, we thought we’d try and refine what we’re doing a bit. So here’s what we’ve decided!

The We Are Cardiff site will be split into four brand new, easy to see categories:

  • The People: featuring the personal stories that we’ve been documenting for five years;
  • The City: historical and documentary posts about the city, and local campaigns;
  • The Arts: reviews, interviews and all the news on music, art, photography, performance and film: and
  • What’s On: ever-popular events listings and previews of upcoming awesome things.

The site will continue to feature factual, ‘people-powered’ blog posts with minimal editorial oversight. We will aim to commission more work, but focused around these four categories. Helia will pretty much be in charge of all of this stuff, and Hana will still be running the Twitter feed.

The We Are Cardiff Press will publish beautiful, collectable books to showcase new creative work from Cardiff, which could be literature, art, photography or personal storytelling. It will have a stronger editorial influence to ensure that the quality of the physical end product is incredibly high. Content from the books will not be available online, only in the limited edition books, bought online or in selected retailers in the city. Hana is running the Press, which will be announcing its first publication very, very soon…

We are so excited about the future, and looking for MORE writers, photographers, historians, artists, campaigners, citizens, musicians, businesses, performers, experts and EVERYONE ELSE to feature on the site or in our books, films and everything! If you want to be featured on the website, get in touch on wearecardiff@gmail.com, and if you have any questions about the Press, contact hello@wearecardiffpress.co.uk.

We can’t wait to fill the next five years with Cardiff stories.

Big love

Helia and Hana xx

Photo by Simon Ayre
The We Are Cardiff joy monkeys, photographed by the wonderful Simon Ayre

The Moscow State Circus are in town with Zhelaniy … get 2 for 1 tickets!

From the ‘world’s most famous circus’ (their words, not mine), the Moscow State Circus are coming to CARDIFF between 29 April – 4 May 2015, and bringing their new show ‘Zhelaniy’, which is based on the Russian folklore story of Cvetik-Semicvetik, or “the flower with seven colours” by Benjamin Losin, where each of the flower petals represent a wish.

Are you still following? Good!

 

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Wizard Wako and his  sidekick Natalia Mezentceva guide you through this tantalising tale, granting wishes to the beautiful Kushka Veslovskiy (who plays Zhenya). They are surrounded by a multitude of flying, back flipping, juggling, wire walking and roller-skating performers.

This years show features the following:

  • The award winning RUBAN 13 people springboard troupe
  • STYNKA on the horizontal bouncing Russian bar
  • VESLOVSKIY roller-skating revolutions
  • ELIZA KHACHUTRYAN Ballerina on the high wire in the roof of the big top
  • TRIO ATLAS on the floating globes
  • OLGA ROZHKOVSKAYA devastating low wirewalker
  • TATIANA OZHIGANOVA Beautiful daredevil aeriel divas.

Don’t miss this amazing show, created especially for its first ever-European tour, all housed in a state of the art air-conditioned big top.

And ESPECIALLY for you guys – get yourselves two for one tickets! This offer lets you buy two full price adult tickets for the price of one … call the box-office on 0203 3753970 and quote the promotional code JUGGLER. (Offer not valid in conjunction with any other discount or against tickets already purchased).

www.moscowstatecircus.com

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Can you dig it? Canton community garden opening party!

The bees were partying this morning at the official opening of Canton’s community garden! Canton Grows Wild are a group of residents who are turning various plots around Canton into community gardens, with the permission of the council.

Seed bombs, bee hotels and cake were the order of buzzness (sorry, couldn’t resist)this morning, and the garden is already looking great. If you’d like to get muddy, get yourself down to Lansdowne Road, just near the pub, at 10am every Saturday.

Check out Canton Grows Wild’s Facebook page or Twitter to keep up to date with how the garden grows. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with community environmental activist and all-round local hero Gareth Sims garethcsims@gmail.com.

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Photos by Hana & James

Street Food Cardiff presents The Street Food Circus! Throughout May and June 2015 – get your eat on!

There is something VERY exciting happening through May and June – Street Food Cardiff are BACK, and bringing you a whole bunch of street food choices with a particularly circus vibe!

Behold – the Street Food Circus!

SFC_streetfoodcircus

So here’s the deal: Throughout May and June, the Street Food Circus will be bringing you the best local food on Fridays and Saturdays, 5pm – 11pm and Sundays, 2pm – 10pm.

And here’s who will be there in May:  HOKKEI / PURPLE POPPADOM – STREET KITCHEN / HANG FIRE SMOKEHOUSE / PEMBROKESHIRE BEACH FOOD / MR CHURROS / CHUCKS MICRO DINER / MEAT AND GREEK / (DFC) DF CHICKEN / SLOW PIG / EL SALSA / DOUGH BOYS / HEMP HUT / MR CROQEWHICH / JOLS FINE FOOD / BURGER & LOBSTER / FFWRNESS / TIPI PIZZA / BIG FISH LITTLE FISH / DUSTY KNUCKLE / LA FFROGA / NELLYS BARN / PATAGONIA STEAK SHACK / LOLAS WINGS / DIXIES VINTAGE ICES… 

Sounds good, yeah? There will be street food trucks, craft ales and beers, cocktail bars, and pizza wars!

If you’re wondering what the whole circus thing is about – check out the big top that’s going up outside the NoFit State Circus HQ on John Street …

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(photo by Chris Price)

The big top will be doing double servings, as NoFit State bring Bianco back to Cardiff in June (we’ll be posting about that soon!), and also as the central focus point of the Street Food Circus!

On weekends throughout May and June, get yourselves down there to enjoy.

Cardiff Street Food: Meet the traders! (Wales Online)

Join their Facebook event to keep up to date: Cardiff Street Food Circus!

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Happy world circus day – bag a discount for Bianco tickets ONLY on 18 April 2015!

As the Big Top goes up, prices come down: NoFit State celebrates World Circus Day with discounted prices!

To celebrate World Circus Day, NoFit State are offering a special 10 per cent discount on tickets to see their award winning show Bianco, showing  12 – 27 June 2015.

World Circus Day is on Saturday 18 April, and the discount will be available until midnight that day!

This weekend NoFit State will be erecting their famous silver spaceship shaped Big Top outside their HQ on John Street in Cardiff city centre. Over the coming weeks the company will be rehearsing and re-creating their show Bianco under the guidance of acclaimed director Firenza Guidi. The show will open to the public from 12 – 27 June, and is complemented by the Street Food Circus that will be popping up in John Street between May – June. 

Bianco is an immersive promenade circus experience that takes place above, behind and all around a standing audience. With a constantly evolving narrative set to a pounding soundtrack performed by a live band, this is an all consuming theatrical experience that is not to be missed.

NoFit State Circus - Bianco by Seventh Wave

To claim the discount, you must book on 18 April using the code WORLDCIRCUS online at www.nofitstate.org or by calling 0333 222 9000 (local rate). DO IT NOW!

BIANCO FACEBOOK EVENT

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Dolma-licious! Learn to roll dolma with Lia’s Kitchen, Saturday 18 April 2015

We’ve long been supporters of Lia’s Kitchen here at We Are Cardiff – she champions great food and has fed our hungover heads many times.

And on Saturday 18 April, Lia is running her first workshop! It will cover rolling Dolma, vine leaf rice wraps. The half day workshop between 11am and 2pm includes lunch, drinks and refreshments and your own takeaway dolma. Tasty!

This is Lia. Read the interview we did with her last year: Invite to Lia’s Kitchen

As a special We Are Cardiff treat, we’ve got a discount code for our readers who’d like to attend the dolma workshop! Go through the booking link below and use the code MATESRATES

We hope you enjoy the class! Bring us back a dolma, would you?
liaskitchenworkshop

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New venue klaxon: check out Portland House!

Who thinks a Grade II listed Banking Hall down Cardiff docks would make a good venue? I mean, it’s 4000 square feet, featuring a large glass atrium ceiling and ornate marble pillars … but apparently, the place has got amazing acoustics. Meet Portland House!

Don’t take our word for it though … Jack Feeney decided to test the place with a drum kit, synthesizer, and one camera. The following shows the results!

Portland House recently welcomed dub reggae legend, Lee Scratch Perry. Not a bad opening gig, eh?

Lee Scratch Perry - Portland House

Lee Scratch Perry - Portland House

Lee Scratch Perry - Portland House

Lee Scratch Perry - Portland House

Lee Scratch Perry - Portland House

Lee Scratch Perry - Portland House

 

Their next live show is OWEN PALLETT from Arcade Fire (little bit exciting!) on Wednesday 3 June 2015. For tickets and to subscribe for information about their forthcoming shows, visit Portland House: Tickets

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What’s on in Cardiff this weekend: Easter bank holiday 2015 bonanza!

Okay, so EVERYTHING is happening in Cardiff this weekend. I’ve tried very hard to filter out all the gross smeary oily crud you find on the top of the fridge when you haven’t cleaned it for ages … and just leave you with some delicious, tasty, joyful Easter bank holiday event morsels! Now get out there and ENJOY!

*** update: We’ve added in a massive house night

WHAT’S ON IN CARDIFF THIS BANK HOLIDAY!

THURSDAY 2 APRIL 2015

THURSDAY 2 APRIL: Easter fun at Cardiff Castle
11am – 4pm
A week of traditional Easter treats with games, egg decorating and egg rolling.

Easter fun Facebook event

 

THURSDAY 2 APRIL: Seren Morgan jones: ‘portraits of protesters’


2 April – 2 May 18.00 – 17:00
Gallery/ten, 23 windsor place, cf10 3by Cardiff

seren morgan jones | portraits of protesters
exhibition launch thursday 2 april 6-8pm – welcome to all
exhibition open from 3 april – 2 may 2015
a solo exhibition of 13 new paintings documenting welsh suffragists at the beginning of the twentieth century
portraits of protestors: Facebook event

 

THURSDAY 2 APRIL: ► BROOKLYN ZOO ◄ THE HIP HOP PARTY

 



Clwb Ifor Bach, 22.30-03.00, £3/4

Brooklyn Zoo is a dedicated hip hop night currently taking Bristol’s hip hop scene by storm. In a market saturated by unbelievably dull club nights ran by walking steroids, the Zoo was started to bring back fun and charisma to a night out – whilst focusing and playing the most durable and well-respected genre in music.

Brooklyn Zoo Facebook event

 

THURSDAY 2 APRIL: Blues Dragon Electric Jam



Cathays Conservative Club, CF24 Cardiff

Yes folks, it is that time of the month come on over bring your various instruments and join in the fun. Although mainly blues, other genres of music are more than welcome to join.

It is also good Friday the day after and that means many of you do not have to get up for work, so come on down and make a night of it!

Blues Dragon Electric Jam: Facebook event

WHAT’S ON IN CARDIFF: FRIDAY 3 APRIL 2015

FRIDAY 3 APRIL: SPRUNGNACHT Cardiff: PT. II


Undertone, 10.00 – 04.00, £2/£4, 100% Techno.

Due to popular demand, Sprung Records will be returning to the basement on Church Street this Easter weekend, with a later closing time and two new guests. Capacity will once again be strictly limited. No advance tickets, and entrance will be on a first come, first served basis – once it’s full, it’s full.

Whether you missed out last time or you want to experience the sounds of Sprung Records again, we invite you to descend into the smoke and strobe on the 3rd of April to rattle your ribcages with us once more… Check out a video of the last Sprungnacht instalment…

Sprungnacht Facebook event

 

FRIDAY 3 APRIL: Wales Goes Pop! 3-6 April, The Gate, Roath



WALES GOES POP! – An all-ages pop weekender over the long Easter bank holiday, Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th April 2015 at The Gate, Cardiff.

3-day / 1-day tickets are now on sale from http://www.wegottickets.com/f/8702 + seetickets and they’ll also be in Spillers/Diverse shortly. £40 for 3 days, or £15/£15/£16 for 1-day tickets. Under 12s go free.

FRIDAY 3RD APRIL (1.30pm doors) – The Pooh Sticks, The Lovely Eggs, Feature, Martha, Tyrannosaurus Dead, Cave Ghosts, Mowbird, The Catenary Wires, Jen Schande, Oh Peas! followed by DJs Trev Odd Box Records vs Hue Pooh Sticks

WALES GOES POP! Facebook event

 

FRIDAY 3 APRIL: Cafe Jazz late night sessions …. Nico ZZ Band


Cafe Jazz, Cardiff

The French man returns! Nico’ZZ are a four-piece blues band from France led by guitarist and vocalist Nicolas Zdankiewicz. Nico draws on an eclectic mix of blues, r&b and funk and has developed his own style whilst developing new sounds. Performing mainly original music and some standards.

Band on at 10pm £4 on the door.

Cafe Jazz late night sessions: Facebook event

 

FRIDAY 3 APRIL: The Allergies


Gwdihw, 3 April, 21.00

THE ALLERGIES (JALAPENO RECORDS)
Bristolian duo DJ Moneyshot & Rackabeat have made it their mission to take vintage sounds and reshape them for the modern dance floor.

Future classics like ‘Heartbreaker’ [Tune of the Month – Mixmag] and uptempo stomper ‘As We Do Our Thing’ have been championed on radio by the BBC’s Craig Charles, and live their DJ sets mash up their dusty influences with hard-earned hip-hop skills.

Since forming in 2012 they’ve racked up two EPs, a handful of remixes, and won over crowds from Greece to Bestival. 2015 looks like a big year for The Allergies. They’ve been snapped up by Jalapeno Records, and plan to release a new EP on the label, featuring guest rappers from both sides of the pond.

If you think the fun (and funk) factor has been missing from the breaks recently, then The Allergies have the remedy.

soundcloud.com/theallergies
www.youtube.com/TheAllergiesUK
www.facebook.com/theallergies

Tickets: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/314439
The Allergies Facebook event

 

 

WHAT’S ON IN CARDIFF: SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: Cardiff Indoor Flea Market – Easter Bank Holiday Event


4 April – 6 April, 09.00 – 17.00 each day
Cardiff Indoor Flea Market
2 Clydesmuir Industrial Estate,Tremorfa CF24 2QS, CF24 2QS Cardi

Saturday 4th April, Sunday 5th April, Monday 6th April

Want to see what’s going on inside Cardiff Indoor Flea Market? We ran a story about it a few months back: Cardiff Indoor Flea Market – a peek inside

Cardiff Indoor Flea Market – Easter Bank Holiday Event: Facebook event

 

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: Skaters! listen up! Bootcamp with Mercy, Left Turn Coaching (Rose City Rollers + Team USA), hosted by Tiger Bay



09.00–17.00, USW Sports Centre, Lodge Road, Caerleon, NP18 3QT

Tiger Bay Brawlers are super excited to announce that Mercy, Rose City Rollers, Team USA and Team Vagine power house, is joining them South Wales to host a day long bootcamp.

Now coaching full time with Left Turn Coaching, as the captain of the Wheels of Justice in 2014 Mercy lead her team to a gold medal for International Playoffs and a silver medal for International Championships. We all remember that game, right?

Onskate tickets are £55. Off skates tickets will also be available for £10.

Mercy: Facebook event

 

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: BAR OPEN @PIPESBEER (CRAFT BEER CARDIFF)


12.00 – 21.30, Pipes Beer, 183A Kings Rd, CF119DF Cardiff

PIPES BEERS available on the day…

– Bohemian Pilsner 4.2%
– California Pale 5.0%
– American IPA 5.6%
– Saison (Farmhouse Ale)6.1%
– Smoked Lager 5.4%
– Vienna Red Lager 5.3%
– Schwartz Lager 4.8%

We’ll also have our house blend cider – wine & soft drinks for the non-beer drinker also.

This month we roll out our 2015 rotational kitchen offering and we’re really pleased to house Cardiff’s latest Street Food outfit…. La Ffroga. La Ffroga specialise in “Raclette”. A delicious alpine dish that is traditional to both France and Switzerland. Their Raclette cheese is prepared authentically, melting and layering cheese from a half round onto a hearty bed of new potatoes, adding cornichons (gherkins), white pickled onions, or top it off with cured meats, or for the vegetarians try balsamic glazed shallots and fresh salad.

La Ffroga will also be serving gourmet raclette cheese sandwiches. And a warming French chestnut and root vegetable soup (vegan and gluten free). Moist chocolate brownies, and yummy lemon polenta cake are on offer also!

Pop down try some amaizing food and enjoy a beer with friends.

As with all our ‘BAR OPEN’ events – we welcome all. Our courtyard is a people, child and dog friendly venue – we only ask that all children and pets are accompanied by an adult when in attendance.

In the event of forecasted rain, we will have gazebo shelter ready to hand…

Pipes Beer: Facebook event

 

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: Wales Goes Pop! 3-6 April, The Gate, Roath

SATURDAY 4TH APRIL (1.30pm doors) – Ballboy, PINS, Echo Lake, Oscar, Trust Fund, Tigercats, Tuff Love, The School, Emma Kupa, Tramgirl Karaokeclub feat. Edine & Maskopet, Two White Cranes followed by DJs Ready Steady Girls vs Twisted By Design

WALES GOES POP! Facebook event

 

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: Blue Honey Bank Holiday – Saturday



21.00 – 04.00
Gwdihŵ Café Bar, 6 Guildford Crescent, CF10 2HJ Cardiff

DANIEL WANG (balihu)

Californian born Daniel Wang made his name during the 90s with a string of disco driven house records released under his Balihu record label. Within this period, Wang’s music was sample heavy and released under a myriad of pseudonyms (including our favourite, Eugene Tambourine).

Nowadays Danny resides in Berlin and you’ll catch him travelling all corners of the globe spreading his infectious love of disco and dancefloor culture behind him. Known as one of the cheeriest people you’ll see behind a pair of turntables, we can’t wait for 2 hours of wonderful wangdom and see Balihu in Gwdihw.

M.ONO (rose records)

The man behind one of the most sought after represses of 2015, Germany’s M.ono (m dot ono) has been turning heads with his own blend of house that is firmly rooted in today’s dancefloor whilst nodding toward the past. Limited pressings of M.ono’s Easydance EP sold out in no time causing a swathe of mild hysteria on discogs and ever increasing demand for an EP that combines the deeper side of house with other bits that incorporate an afro-latin tinge.

OWAIN K (arthouse / city bass)

Bristol born and Cardiff bred, Owain Kimber is one of our favourite people. Regulars to Cardiff’s club scene will have no doubt caught one of Owain’s sets that peruse the vast landscape of dancefloor culture with enviable ease, whilst newcomers to Owain will itch to catch him again. Today, he releases new music on Arthouse and pens pertinent words through his own website Inn8.

Blue Honey – Facebook event

 

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: OCTA


19.30 to midnight
Sherman Cymru, Senghennyd Road, CF24 4YE Cardiff

OCTA the multi-stage music event returns for its second year showcasing some of the best music from Cardiff and further afield. Featuring the fearsome talents of: Cotton Wolf, Gwenno, Rhodri Brooks & Eugene Capper, Totem Terrors, Albatross Archive, Jon Ruddick and his magnificent camera tracking Ping Pong table! Casey Raymond and Nic Finch doing horrible and terrible things to your eyes! Peski DJs and Gareth Potter

Octa Facebook event

 

SATURDAY 4 APRIL: Back to Basskicks presents JMAN & PETE CANNON + Traffic



22.00 – 03.00, £5 all night
The Moon Club, Womanby Street, CF10 1BR Cardiff

Known for his multi faceted style, explosive energy, unmatched live shows and some of the best underground music to have come out of the UK in recent years, Jman – UK joins us for our April show with the right honourable Pete Cannon spinning dem tunes!!

Basskicks Allstars feat MC Little Tree: F Block, Mikey Nitro, Hud Son

Room two TRAFFIC: Effigy, Blokeye, Rory Fisher, Shanti-Squire

Basskicks Facebook event

WHAT’S ON IN CARDIFF: SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015

SUNDAY 5 APRIL: CHIKARA Wrestling!

18.00
Cardiff Masonic Hall, 8 Guildford Street, CF10 2HL Cardiff

For the first time ever, American Lucha Libre wrestling show CHIKARA comes to the UK! CHIKARA is one of the top US based professional wrestling promotions which was founded in 2002 and is potentially the most unique. Combining a combination of Lucha Libre, Puroresu, and high quality technical wrestling with story lines and characters that are most comparable to that of a comic book, the CHIKARA brand is something that can not be found anywhere else.

The company is very focused around tag team matches with one of their annual highlights being their King of Trios tournament featuring six-man tag team bouts. The company did not crown a singles champion until 2011 with the introduction of the CHIKARA Grand Championship.

In 2013, CHIKARA looked to be lost, closing its doors and appearing to be gone for good, however, on May 25th 2014 CHIKARA re-emerged even stronger than it was before. The return of CHIKARA has been so well received that it has now spawned into a UK tour, something that has never happened before.

With such a range of talent, diverse styles, and colourful characters this is set to be a series of shows like nothing that UK fans have seen before.

In 2015 it is time to join the CHIKARMY!!!

http://www.chikarauktour.com/
Chikara Wrestling Tickets

 

SUNDAY 5 APRIL: LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY AND HIS BAND

Portland House, 113 – 116 Bute Street, CF10 5EQ Cardiff
Doors 7PM.

Go see the legendary Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry at Portland House! Support from Stephen Russell and Nakesha Esnard.

Tickets for Lee Scratch Perry

 

SUNDAY 5 APRIL: MEMOREX PRESENT’S BENEATH10FEET (EASTER BANK HOLIDAY BASEMENT PARTY)

22.00 – 04.00, £5 before 11
Undertone, (10 Feet Tall’s basement) 12 Church Street, CF10 1BG Cardiff

We bring you a series of intimate Basement parties, showcasing our Resident’s and other home grown talent. The Undertone Basement is stripped back, and perfect for a raw House/Techno party, and suited to just how us, and you like minded people like it. Plus, we get to party on a Bank Holiday Sunday, and for our first party we bring you one of Bazzra’s finest, Mr Anthony Ham, aka Haematoma.

BENEATH10FEET LINE UP…….

HAEMATOMA
The Organ Grinder, Scott Kerr, Sinky, JV

MEMOREX Facebook event

 

SUNDAY 5 APRIL: LAmerica Bank Holiday

22:00 – 04.00, Admission £10 earlybird £13.50 general motd
Clwb Ifor Bach, 11 Womanby Street, CF10 1BR Cardiff

LAmerica Tickets

Lamerica return to the amazing Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, for the first in a series of exclusive bank holiday Sunday parties, that showcase the finest DJ talent the world has to offer. Lamerica – it’s what bank holidays were made for ……

room 1 – the best in soulful vocal house
The legendary Paul Trouble Anderson (3 hour set ); Craig Bartlett; Silver ( radio Cardiff )

room 2 – #HoUsE: house music pioneer and Hacienda legend will take us on a journey through house 1985-2015
Graeme Park ( 3 hour set); Dave Mills (coolhouse); Gareth Hopkins

room 3 – discopup
House disco techno Balearic and more
OOFT! (Foto recordings); Chris Massey (El Diablos Social Club Manchester); Darren Stewart

LAmerica Facebook event
 

SUNDAY 5 APRIL: Blue Honey Bank Holiday – Wookie, Mo Kolours at Gwdihw

Gwdihŵ Café Bar, 6 Guildford Crescent, CF10 2HJ Cardiff

SUNDAY DAYTIME – OUTDOORS – Gwdihw car park 4pm – 10pm

MO KOLOURS live (One Handed Music / 22a)

We love Mo Kolours. No, we really love Mo Kolours. Those already conscious of the half-Mauritian, half-English producer will know that we are truly blessed to hear a live interpretation of Mo Kolours percussion driven sound. A finely tuned one-man-band, Mr Kolours uses loop pedals and anything else that he can get his hands on to create lush rhythmic patterns blended with dream-like vocals. His 2014 self titled album released on One-handed Music (an aptly named label for the man we think you’ll agree) pays a hypnotic homage to soul, afro, groove and a myriad of other genres. It’s an 18-track winner of a debut album that deserves to be in every collectors home. His latest EP, How I (Rhythm Love Affair), has just been released and you’d be very foolish indeed to not get accustomed with it before this appearance.

TENDERLONIOUS live (22a)

Not only is Tenderlonious the head honcho of emerging tight-knit Peckham label 22a, he also has a string of superb and lustrous releases under his own moniker. Sharing both a living space and musical direction with Mo Kolours, Tenderlonious pinpoints Roy Ayers and John Coltrane as influences amongst a cross-genre and historical approach to collecting music. The eclectic approach to music and digging is overtly apparent in the ethos of 22a and fan’s of Al Dobson Jr’s recent showing at Groove Theory will no doubt dig the undoubted beauty in Tenderlonious’s craftmanship. We’ll also be showcasing some serious local talent from Slymoove AKA Lou Hekla giving a live take on his own productions that look toward lo-fi beats, hip hop and other nuggets that peak at the glitchier end of the spectrum. All this alongside some of Cardiff’s most well versed, clued up and top promoters Sure Shot, Hully Gully & Groove Theory.

SUNDAY NIGHTTIME – indoors 10pm – 4am

WOOKIE

Known affectionately as one of the pioneers of the UK Garage scene, Wookie AKA Jason Chue has become synonymous with the sound that transfixed London in the early 2000s and then went to dominate Britain’s club landscape. Working in the mid 90s with Soul II Soul and many other jewels in the crown of British club music, Wookie’s dedication capitulated with the massive 2000 release ‘battle’. After a long awaited return to touring and djing, Wookie’s sound crosses the spectrum of the underground whilst still taking a look back to the days of snapback caps before Steve Jobs was the real big mac.

CITY BASS

The kings of Cardiff’s club culture, City Bass have been peddling everything underground since 2010. With an impressive alumni that reads like a who’s who of dance music and a crew that rolls deeper than most actual families, we couldn’t think of a group of people more fitting to wrap up a weekend of Cardiff club music. Here’s to 5 more years boys!

Support also from the well capable hands of our friends Woo Ha & James Morgan-Rees

Needless to say, We can’t wait!

Blue Honey – Facebook event

 

SUNDAY 5 APRIL: Wales Goes Pop! 3-6 April, The Gate, Roath

SUNDAY 5TH APRIL (2.30pm doors starting in the cafe) – Emmy The Great, Duglas T Stewart & Chloe Philip (BMX Bandits) are Dreamers, Freschard, The Drink, Jessica Pratt, Little My, Trwbador, Thomas Truax, Alpaca Sports, Barefoot Dance Of The Sea followed by DJs Daytrip vs Wales Goes Pop!

WALES GOES POP! Facebook event

WHAT’S ON IN CARDIFF: MONDAY 6 APRIL 2015

MONDAY 6 APRIL: Welsh Hoop Convention 2015!

whoopc

11.00–20.00
Jacobs Antique / Vintage / Retro Market, West Canal Wharf, CF10 5DB Cardiff

We wrote a preview of the event: We Are Cardiff – WHoopC

An intense one day wonder, filled with workshops from Internationally celebrated hula hoop teachers and performers with classes varying from dance, yoga, circus and skills sharing! Lunch is provided by Penylan Pantry: a seasonal honest delicatessen and food store that aims to promote local producers, the environment and health lifestyle. Provides vegan, gluten free.

See the timetable for WhoopC

WHoopC: Facebook event

 

MONDAY 6 APRIL: Chapter MovieMaker – April 2015 – CIFF Special

18:00–20:00
Chapter Cinema, Market Road, CF5 1QE Cardiff

Chapter MovieMaker is a monthly event where we screen and chat about short films with the people who made them. SPECIAL PROGRAMMING ALERT: This month we’re going to be showcasing several fine films from the Cardiff Independent Film Festival PLUS a few shorts from local MovieMakers too.

Admission is free, but tickets still need to be reserved/collected from the box office and it’s often best to get them early (Cinema 2 only has 57 seats). Please note that confirmation on Facebook unfortunately doesn’t guarantee you a ticket. Though obviously we’d love you to come.

If you have something you’d like to show at a future screening – the next one after this is on the 4th of May – message Tom Betts or email moviemaker@chapter.org. Submissions should now be as digital files (Quicktime or mp4 are ideal). We recommend sending via wetransfer.com or Dropbox.

As ever, the programme may contain strong material that’s only suitable for over 18s. Details of previous films screened can be found on the MovieMaker blog at http://chaptermoviemaker.blogspot.com/.

We’re continuing to team up with Shooting People (www.shootingpeople.org) to host Cardiff’s own ‘Shooters In the Pub’ networking events straight after our screenings, so why not stick around for a drink and a chat in Chapter’s lovely bar with several other intelligent and attractive filmmakers? We’ll be in the area near the cinema posters. And here’s an additional Facebook group you can join: Shooters in the Pub Facebook group

Chapter Moviemaker: Facebook event

 

MONDAY 6 APRIL: Hamlet with Maxine Peake: Encore

13:30–17:00
Chapter Cinema, Market Road, CF5 1QE Cardiff

Hamlet’s father is dead and Denmark has crowned a new king. Consumed by grief Hamlet struggles to exact revenge with devastating consequences. The ultimate play about loyalty, love, betrayal, murder and madness. Every Hamlet is defined by the actor. In this stripped back, fresh and fast-paced version, Maxine Peake creates a compelling Hamlet for our time.

“fast, fluent and revelatory” – The Guardian

Hamlet – tickets
Hamlet: Facebook event

 

MONDAY 6 APRIL: Monday Blues with The Rumblestrutters & Viv Hinds-Payne

Monday Blues returns in April with the 3rd instalment of monthly music influenced by classic, Mississippi, Delta and Dust bowl Blues, alongside finely paired Southern Food and Cocktails.

THE RUMBLESTRUTTERS
Telling tales of bootleg liquor, all-night parties and bacchanalia abound, all tapped from a rich musical source, the Swansea band authentically evoke images of the prohibition era with their rich, finely crafted Jazz & blues, shot through with Roots texture.
http://www.therumblestrutters.com/

Support comes from VIV HINDS-PAYNE

Southern Cocktails & Southern Platters available all night!! Arrive early and order some tasty goods!

Monday Blues Tickets
Monday Blues Facebook event

 

Gwd Mondays: Northern Lingo Bingo

6 April at 19:30 to 1 June at 22:30
Gwdihŵ Café Bar, 6 Guildford Crescent, CF10 2HJ Cardiff

We LOVE Mondays in Gwdihŵ, and that’s why we’ve got a brilliant free entry event every single week. Not only do we give you lucky blighters 50% off EVERYTHING, we’ve also got Bingo, Comedy, Quiz and Open Mic Nights on rotation!

Get all the latest deets n’ treats on Gwd Mondays at Gwdihw at Facebook.com/GwdMondays!

1st Monday: NORTHERN LINGO BINGO
Eh’ up chucky eggs! What better way t’ kick off t’ start of the week, than with a whole heap of northern lingo, hilarious banter, prizes and of course a mashoosive amount of bingo with the ever charming Katie-Louise Green!

Northern Lingo Bingo Facebook event

 

***

AND THAT’S IT! (what, IT? yes. It.)

Have we missed any events off? Let us know in the comments. And whatever you’re doing this weekend, have a good one! (and take a scarf, in case it’s cold)

Peas

We Are Cardiff

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