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Whats on

Cardiff’s Free For All Festival 2017! The Moon / Full Moon, 5 – 31 January

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Is it over? Has it finally finished? Has someone finally dragged 2016’s lifeless body out to the garden and buried it under a mountain of Leicester City and Nigel Farage memorabilia? Great, well let’s all collectively repress our memories of 2016 together with Free For All Festival running from 5 January to 31 January at The Moon Club + The Full Moon. They have kindly put on a month of free events – so don’t worry if your pockets are empty like the rest of us – with bands and artists of varying descriptions, so give your eardrums a treat and pop down to The Moon Club + The Full Moon and support these artists.

The event runs from 5 – 31 January, so if you’re gagging for an all-dayer or fancy checking out some local talent see the array of events on below.

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Tuesday 10 January, 8PM
Downstairs: 6foot7 + Paul Divers & support 8pm

Thursday 12 January, 8PM
Upstairs: Electrick Haze (EP launch) + KINGSON + Plasterscene + Lon Chaney 5 8pm
Thursday 12 January Facebook event

Friday 13 January, 7PM-10PM, 8PM-late
Upstairs: Electronic Music Wales showcase feat. Skeleton House & support 7pm-10pm
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The Black Hole Of Womanby St feat. Samurai Cop + DJs til late
Downstairs: Monsterometer + Godbomber 8pm
Friday 13 January Facebook event

Saturday 14 January, 5PM + 8PM
Upstairs: Maddie Jones – Band + Lilygreen’s Sky Machine + Instructions + Tobias Robertson + Charlie Says 5pm
Downstairs: Mike Dennis + AcouMetal & support 8pm

Sunday 15 January, 7PM-10PM + 6PM

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Upstairs: Staylittle Music presents Beth Goudie + Joe Bayliss + Matthew Frederick 7pm-10pm
Follow the event on Facebook
Downstairs: Timeless Promotions + Beast PR + HOPE not hate + Decidedly Records present Gareth Bonello (The Gentle Good) + Vinna Bee +Francesca’s Word Salad + Adwaith 6pm
Follow the event on Facebook

Tuesday 17 January, 7PM

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Downstairs: Fountainhead + Naomi Rae (single launch) + Harri Davies Music + Dusty Cut 7pm
Follow the event on Facebook. 

Wednesday 18 January, 7PM

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Upstairs: Pilgrim + Fireroad + Twisted Illusion + Stone Theory 7pm
Follow the event on Facebook. 

Thursday 19 January, 7:30PM

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Upstairs: Radioactivity electronic night 7.30pm feat Conformist / Music live + Sound Affects PR DJs
Follow the event on Facebook. 

Downstairs: PJNB presents Young Black Americans + Heavy on the Ride + Jimmy Watkins (The Vega Bodegas) 7.30pm

Follow the event on Facebook.

Friday 20 January, 8PM + 10:15PM

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Upstairs: We’re No Heroes + Tarsiers + Saccharyn & support 8pm

Downstairs: Mumbleman 10.15pm

Follow the event on Facebook

Saturday 21 January, 2PM + 9PM

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Upstairs: 8 O’clock Spot Alldayer feat: VAN-illa + Nuclear Lullaby + Soviets+ Handsome Ape + Boris a Bono + Silent Forum + Fingertrap + Rainbow Maniac + Grand Tradition 2pm

Downstairs: Run Logan Run 9pm

Follow the event on Facebook. 


Sunday 22 January, 2PM
Upstairs: RecRock Youth Music Project showcase 2pm (Ages 14+)
Downstairs: Pi & Hash Music alldayer feat:
Them By There + The Sam-Antonio Freeway + Thee Manatees + Siblings Of Us + Charlie Says + Canada Road & support. 2pm-11.30pm

Wednesday 25 January, 8PM
Upstairs: Project + Beatbox Hann + Turna Phrase & support. 8pm

Thursday 26 January, 7:30PM

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Upstairs: Aeddan – Music + Ofelia + Eädyth 7.30pm

Follow the event on Facebook

Friday 27 January, 7:30PM-10:30 PM + 9PM 

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Upstairs: Bubblewrap Collective stage feat. MY NAME IS IAN + Ivan Moult Music Band & more TBA 7.30pm-10.30pm

Downstairs: Happy Fun Time Game Band + Nightmares from the Discotheque 9pm

Follow the event on Facebook.

Saturday 28 January, 4PM

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2-floor alldayer! Tibet + Junior Bill + The Chalk Outlines + M I L K + Shop Girls + Them Dead Beats + Nevsky Perspective (solo – performing the works of Britney Spears) + Thom Bentley & more TBA. 4pm

Follow the 2-floor alldayer on Facebook. 

Sunday 29 January, 2PM
Forté Project // Prosiect Forté showcase – 2 floors! 2pm (Ages 14+)
Showcasing the 10 acts announced as part of the Forté Project scheme.

Monday 30 January, 8PM
Upstairs: CitySound Publications – magazine launch night feat. CHROMA & support 8pm
Downstairs: Anonymous Iconoclasts + Capra Mamei & support 8pm

Tuesday 31 January, 7:30PM + 8:00PM 

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Upstairs: LUCKYMAN RECORDS closing party! 8pm
LUCKYMAN RECORDS closing party on Facebook
Downstairs: Amy Grindhouse + Twisted Ankle + Heil Zilla + HODAD 7.30pm
Amy Grindhouse, Twisted Ankle, Heil Zilla and HODAD on Facebook

That’s all the free music and events you can partake in at The Full Moon + Moon Club this month, so be sure to get on down there and support your local scene. Even when your pockets are empty and the January cold bites a little harder than you remember, there’s still a way to support your local scene and – most importantly – your city. Be sure to check out some of these events as they are putting a lot into Cardiff, so it’s only fair for us to give back.

Oh, and have a fun, crazy, challenging and memorable 2017.

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The City, Whats on

Kongs Cardiff: arcade games in an underground bar

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Arcade and competitive gaming – at its core – is a social activity, one that flourishes under the influence of beer and alcoholic hedonism. Interestingly enough, however, Cardiff has yet to have an arcade or bar that appeals to this dream combination. Retro-fetishism has had something of a renaissance period in the past few years, yet Cardiff hasn’t really jumped onto this social trend.

There’s been a huge gap in the city for an arcade for a while and Kongs – given the success of their branch in Bristol – has seen this gap as an opportunity to combine this niche with one of Cardiff’s great loves: bars. The nonchalant exterior of the bar can fool many, a few short steps down and suddenly you’re submerged in a basement of neon signs and 8-bit classics.

The food and drink at Kongs offered something a little different than traditional pubs on St. Mary’s street. Lesser known lagers such as Red Stripe and beers like Blue Moon were popular amongst the pint sippers of the bar, whereas the food offered tasty and interesting twists on traditional pub food (the BBQ burger was a real treat). Craft beer, too, was popular on tap, so that’ll appeal to all you beard waxing craft beer aficionados out there. Pricing was similar to the rest of the pubs on St. Mary’s – i.e. a little on the pricey side – but this is to be expected for such a popular street in Cardiff.

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Of course, what matters most at Kongs are the games. Classic arcade games such as Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong and Pac-Man got the most attention at the bar. What I liked about Kongs was the sheer array of arcade games available. Outside of the staples mentioned, you could also find things like OutRun and NBA Jam, too. The majority of the games had a competitive edge, and were suited to a social setting: everything in the bar was geared towards promoting good-natured competitive gaming, an ode to the unique gaming social culture of the arcade era. In case you’re interested, prices were £1 for 2 credits.

The bar, overall, struck a good balance between social drinking and dedicated gaming. Kongs proved to be an exciting collage of conversation, drinking and combo-punching, an experience that was original in comparison to the growing homogeneity of St. Mary’s.

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The major question about Kongs is whether it can sympathise the gaming bar niche with the boozy nature of St. Mary’s Street, but judging by the success of their Bristol branch they should have no problem finding a clientele itching for a game of Street Fighter II over a pint. Bars like Koopas and 8-Bit Bar have been huge successes in Swansea, so why not Cardiff?

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The City, Whats on

A very Cardiff Christmas – gift guide!

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We accidentally went to four Christmas craft fairs yesterday, so here are some lovely, local independent artists and businesses where you can find super special Christmas pressies this year. We’ll keep adding to this post as we find new stuff! Leave us a comment if you have an idea!

Nelly’s Treasures – gorgeous homeware, gifts and accessories.

Katherine Jones art – beautiful intricate prints of Cardiff and beyond.

Claire Hill jewellery – a favourite of ours. Claire makes beautiful, lightweight jewellery in her studio in Canton and sells it for incredibly reasonable prices!

The Power of Greyskull  – another one of our faves. Quality Cardiff-made leggings that DON’T FALL DOWN, even during aerial circus acts (certified by us).

Emily England designs – papercut prints, cute cards and beautiful books- the wonderful Emily has got you covered.

Penylan Pantry’s Christmas hampers – whether your weakness is cheese, chocolate, coffee or quite simply, damn good food, the Pantry girls have it covered in the different ranges available.

Screenprinted t-shirts from the Printhaus – print your own at the Snapped Up market this weekend!

Hula hooping wonderfulness from Elliecopter Hoops – keep fit and fun at the same time! Ellie runs classes all over Cardiff and sells her homemade hoops for a tenner.

Wonderful homewares from Anna Palamar – another maker who will be selling stuff at the Snapped Up market…

StitchCity – super nice map-based homeware and gifts!

Waterloo Tea 6 month subscription – the gift that keeps on giving!
Art prints from the SHO Gallery– such a great selection of local art at reasonable prices!

Ceramics for Everyone – Welsh tableware

Jade Fisher – unique, beautifully designed cards

High end fashion with Kiti in Pontcanna

Make an upcycled gift with a Green City event workshop – the bike tyre earrings are BANGING!

In Rainbows – quirky crochet and knitted taxidermy! The giraffe head went down a storm with my niece last Christmas…

Flow Knitting – lovely unique knitted necklaces.

Nomadic Me – minimalist style

Handmade Baby Bear – gorgeous knitted baby clothes.

I Loves The ‘Diff – always a hit!

And if all else fails…..

Aerial circus classes at NoFit State Circus – our Hana has been attending trapeze classes for years and it still makes her happy!

Afternoon tea at Wyndham Tea – not to be scoffed at (scoffed, yes)!

Chapter Friends membership – discounts on food, drink and ticket!

Gift vouchers for Nine Yards – prosecco, cheese and pastry! Our new favourite place in town.

DON’T FANCY ANY OF THE ABOVE? WHY NOT VISIT A LOCAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Christmas Markets in Cardiff 2016

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Whats on

Stress-free Christmas shopping at the Ethical Cardiff Night Market

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Fancy visiting Cardiff’s first ever ethical night market?

Picture the scene – in the build-up to the festive season the magic and excitement of Christmas quickly disappearing as you navigate through crowded department stores with terrible Christmas music played over tinny shop speakers and the worry that the products you’re lovingly picking out have been made in less-than-ethical conditions.

What Christmas shopping really needs is a stress-free cosy atmosphere, ethical local brands (and maybe a glass or two of mulled wine).

This December will see Cardiff’s first ever Ethical Cardiff Night Market, and it’s going to be a Christmas special!

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VITAL STATS:

When: Saturday 10th December

Where: Cardiff Speaker Hire, Dumballs Rd, Cardiff CF10 5FF

Tickets: Free (advanced booking required)

This alternative market – organised by environmentally friendly letting agent Green Valley Moves – will be popping up in Cardiff Speaker Hire on Dumballs Road on Saturday 10th December. It will include stalls filled with eco-friendly products, delicious veggie and vegan food and lovingly handmade crafts.

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All of the vendors have a passion for sustainability and are providing products that are good for people and the planet. The stallholders include independent coffee and vinyl venture Outpost, natural male grooming product makers Old Faithful and vegan-friendly coffee and juice experts The Moos.

There is more than just stalls, however, as the night will also include a bar, live music (championing local female musicians) and a pottery workshop by Cardiff Pottery Workshops.

The event was created by Green Valley Moves founder, Cat Woods, to provide people with a more relaxed shopping experience.

“I’m prone to anxiety” Cat explains, “and Christmas shopping, with all the crowds, is something that puts a strain on me. So when I decided to organise the Ethical Cardiff Night Market I had mental health in the front of my mind.”

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Cat Woods of Green Valley Moves

Cat reached out to other people who find Christmas shopping nerve-wracking to see what she could do to help. The whole event has been designed with these suggestions, meaning the market will have calming acoustic music and staggered entry so that it doesn’t get overcrowded.

There will still be a strong sense of festive magic, however, as Cat continues: “We have lots of things planned – including a snow machine!”.

Green Valley Moves Facebook page

Green Valley Moves is an ethical Landlord/Letting Agent, based in Cardiff, with a passion for sustainability and the environment. They provide sustainable lettings services for landlords and help tenants save money by giving them the knowledge and inspiration to live healthier, greener lives.

Founded by Cat Woods, Green Valley Move’s profits create and support local community eco projects.

The Ethical Cardiff Night Market was created to champion ethical and eco-friendly producers in Cardiff and South Wales, as well as provide a low-stress shopping alternative for those who find Christmas shopping anxiety inducing.

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The City, Whats on

Milgi Market – grand opening and FREE lunches, Thursday December 1st

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Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch?? Roath-based good food institution Milgi are opening a new branch in Cardiff Indoor Market, and to celebrate they are giving away 50 free lunches on Thursday 1st December from 11am – first come, first served!

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The MILGI MARKET menu will consist of seasonally inspired – wholefood bowls, one pots, sushi wraps, hot and cold elixirs and conscientious sweet treats – you’ll even be able to add extra superfoods.

You will also be able to pick up everyday essentials, dry store goods and Christmas stocking fillers to kickstart your plant based living at home. Bespoke small batch food and lifestyle products will be coming in the new year.

Gabrielle Kelly Milgi Market owner says: “Our ambition is to become the go-to option for anyone looking for a quick bite in the city centre. We’ll be serving a range of delicious seasonal and natural fast food all lovingly made at the kiosk. We’re all about making everyday delicious, wholesome food that makes you feel great inside and out.”

Where
The kiosk is number 15-16 and used to be a butcher’s shop, opposite the new Penylan Pantry Cheese counter!

Delivery
If you can’t make into the market you can use Deliveroo for all office lunchtime deliveries within Cardiff region.

Find out more:

MILGI Market Grand Opening Facebook event

MILGI Facebook page

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The Arts, Whats on

Crazy Christmas Cabaret is coming to the Depot!

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Get your Christmas cabaret on! A collective of international circus and cabaret artists famous for their thrilling, immersive performances is coming to the DEPOT warehouse at the end of this month.

On the 29 / 30 November and 1 December, guests are invited to dress in their craziest Christmas clobber and head to the DEPOT for an evening of wintery cabaret, circus tricks and ‘dodgy Santa comedy’ – courtesy of Mary Bijou Cabaret and Social Club’s ‘Fairy Tale Christmas’!

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Having previously performed sell out shows at the Wales Millennium Centre, Edinburgh festival and around the country, The Mary Bijou Cabaret & Social Club are critically acclaimed for their immersive and intimate performances which are driven by playfulness and good fun.

Tickets for the Mary Bijou Fairy Tale Christmas are priced at £15 and available from depot.eventcube.io/events. Fancy dress is warmly encouraged!

 For more info see DEPOT’s social media pages, or search @themarybijou

www.marybijoucabaret.com

Facebook.com/ Mary-Bijou-Cabaret-Social-Club

www.depotcardiff.com

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The City, Whats on

Attention cheese lovers! Cheese Pantry to open in Cardiff Indoor Market, Saturday 26 November

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Holy cheeseboard Batman … Penylan Pantry – the award-winning Cardiff delicatessen will be opening a sister location in Cardiff Indoor Market this Saturday. The Cheese Pantry is an exciting new specialist cheese stall in Cardiff Central Market, and I can’t wait to eat my entire daily calorie allowance from it.

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The Cheese Pantry will offer the largest selection of exceptional British cheeses in South Wales, a bench for lunchtime cheese board customers and a selection of chutneys, crackers and gifts for sale – this will surely become Cardiff’s go-to spot for lovers of all things cheese.

Melissa Boothman, who along with business partner Jolene runs Cardiff deli/cafe Penylan Pantry, is delighted to be setting up shop in the market.

“We are so proud to be here inside such a beautiful historic building that has been at the heart of the city’s food trade for over 120 years and with such a strong sense of community.”

Penylan Pantry was opened in December 2013 by Mel and Jo, wanting to create a place to showcase all the fantastic produce from Wales and the rest of Britain. Their ethos is all about sustainability: low food miles, supporting local producers and therefore the local economy and aiming to maintain a 95 per cent level of recyclable waste.

Penylan Pantry - one of Elliot's choice spots in Cardiff
Penylan Pantry in Penylan, Cardiff

As a result of their hard work since opening, Penylan Pantry has won a Cardiff Life award for Best Cafe, and been Runner-Up three years in a row in the Observer Food Awards in Wales for Best Ethical Retailer, Best Cheap Eats and Best Independent Retailer.

When asked why she wanted to open a specialist cheese stall in Cardiff, Mel said:

“We are nuts about cheese! The smells, flavours, textures, characteristics, the rich history and varied stories that lie behind each one… did you know there are over 700 cheeses made in Britain?! Each one has its own tale to tell and we’d like to share some of those with you and showcase the absolute best of British cheese.”

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Cheese fans Melissa and Jolene are joined by cheese expert Owen, who has 14 years’ experience in the artisan cheese market as a buyer for the catering industry, sourcing the best British cheeses directly from the makers and farmers. If those credentials weren’t enough, he has also been a judge at The World and British Cheese Awards. Sounds like a cheese lover’s dream! Safe to say, Owen is a man who knows his Cornish Yarg from his Dorstone and he’ll be the head cheese monger at Cheese Pantry, imparting his knowledge and expertise to all staff. Unsurprisingly, Owen is also excited about the stall opening:

“We want to give Cardiff the very best cheese counter and this understanding of the cheese we sell will absolutely set us apart from any of the supermarkets. Working with the girls from Penylan Pantry is a perfect match, combining their passion for exceptional food, supporting British producers and their love of great cheese.”

“Their passion for cheese shines through and their know-how will be shared with you when you buy, showing customers how to cut, care for, wrap and present each cheese, including many cheeses which cannot be found anywhere else in Cardiff. What better time to head down to the market and pick up some fantastic cheese and top tips on creating the perfect festive cheese board.”

See you guys at Cardiff Indoor Market on Saturday 26 November for the opening, yeah??

Penylan Pantry website

Penylan Pantry Facebook page

@PenylanPantry

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Whats on

Proud Valley showing at Chapter for BFI Black Star Season

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You guys! BFI and Film Hub Wales have collaborated on a season called BLACK STAR. It’s the UK’s biggest ever celebration of black screen actors. In Wales, the focus is on a film called The Proud Valley (1940) which was filmed in Rhondda Valley coalfields and it starred American actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson.
The first screening is on 13 November in Chapter. 
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The tour celebrates American actor, bass singer and Civil Rights activist Paul Robeson and the film, The Proud Valley, which was filmed on location in the Rhondda Valley coalfields.
The film tells the story of David Goliath, played by Robeson, who has sailed to Cardiff to find work. On discovering his voice, he joins the local male voice choir, finds work with the Blaendy miners and is is adopted by the community. It was extremely rare for a black character to be presented as kind, generous and good natured in the 1930s and 1940s, when cinema audiences were used to seeing Stepin Fetchit playing the fool in American comedies.The film enabled Robeson to express his socialist beliefs and portray the struggles of Wales’ working class.

The screenings launch with newly remastered material at Chapter Cardiff, on Sunday 13 November and will be accompanied by a performance from Treorchy Male Choir. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, exploring Robeson’s impact on Welsh life, politics, and BAME communities.

More about BLACK STAR
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The Arts, Whats on

Cooooontenders, are you ready?! Celebrate Gladiators THIS Friday!

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Well, kinda. Splatch, the wonderful company that ran the Y Mor circus show in August on Penarth Pier, and Platform Cluedo, are celebrating the 90s TV show Gladiators this Friday 11th November!

Fluidity Freerun Academy and Splatch care coming together to explode the idea of cabaret, with fierce challenges, audience games and contemporary circus.  The event is being run to raise money for the wonderful organisation Performers Without Borders, which teaches performing arts to vulnerable children in countries of high child poverty.

Here’s Esther from Splatch to tell us more… 
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We’re celebrating the nostalgic Gladiator TV show using the newly opened freerun academy as a platform to create a high adrenaline night with circus spills and thrills, extreme athletic challenges and classic games. Bring your comfy shoes ready to move around and dance your tootsies off after. It runs 8pm until late with a DJ and drinks. 
And it’s all in aid of a charity that’s close to our hearts …..
Two Nofit State performers, Sam Goodburn and Esther Fuge will be sharing, teaching and creating the life changing experience and skills of circus with vulnerable and poverty stricken children in Nicaragua. They will be joining a team of 8 performers for a three month tour around schools and community groups to build confidence, develop empowerment and overcome social barriers.
Tickets
Tickets are only £5. What a bargain! Get them here: http://splatch.brownpapertickets.com/
However there are £10 and £15 tickets available if you an afford a larger contribution to donate to the cause. 
We recommend printing or sending a ticket to your mobile (at no extra cost) to be checked at the door.
Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Check out the Splatch Facebook page for more info: https://en-gb.facebook.com/cardiffsplatch/ 
Whats on

Sŵn Is Ten – photo essay

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We had an absolute blast at this year’s Sŵn. Photojournalist Chloe Jackson-Nott was out and about capturing the bands and the vibe for  us …

Drummer of Himalayas, James Goulborn performing in Moon Club at Swn Festival on Saturday 22nd October 2016.
Drummer of Himalayas, James Goulborn performing in Moon Club at Swn Festival on Saturday 22nd October 2016.
Lead singer of Himalayas, Joseph Williams, performing in Moon Club, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Himalayas, Joseph Williams, performing in Moon Club, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Bassist of Himalayas, Louis Heaps, performing in Moon Club, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Bassist of Himalayas, Louis Heaps, performing in Moon Club, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Bassist of Himalayas, Louis Heaps, performing in Moon Club, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Bassist of Himalayas, Louis Heaps, performing in Moon Club, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Ellie James commonly known as Ellie Makes Music, performing downstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach on Saturday 22nd October.
Ellie James commonly known as Ellie Makes Music, performing downstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach on Saturday 22nd October.
Ellie James commonly known as Ellie Makes Music, performing downstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach on Saturday 22nd October.
Ellie James commonly known as Ellie Makes Music, performing downstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach on Saturday 22nd October.

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Fenny Lily performing downstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach on Saturday 22nd October.
Fenny Lily performing downstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Drummer of Max Raptor, Pete Reisner performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Drummer of Max Raptor, Pete Reisner performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer of Max Raptor, Will Ray performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.

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Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Lead singer and guitarist of Black Foxxes, Mark Holley, performing in Tramshed, Cardiff on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O'Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O’Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O'Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O’Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O'Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O’Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O'Neils on Saturday 22nd October.
Singer Danielle Lewis, performing on the Horizons stage at O’Neils on Saturday 22nd October.

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Young Promoters Network working their own stage at Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.
Young Promoters Network working their own stage at Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.

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Singer Vince Jones performing on the Young Promoters Network in Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.
Singer Vince Jones performing on the Young Promoters Network in Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.

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Members of Chroma, Zac Mather, Katie Hall and Liam Bevan posing outside Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.
Members of Chroma, Zac Mather, Katie Hall and Liam Bevan posing outside Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.
Members of Chroma, Zac Mather, Katie Hall and Liam Bevan posing outside Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.
Members of Chroma, Zac Mather, Katie Hall and Liam Bevan posing outside Undertone on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Drummer of Chroma, Zac Mather, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Drummer of Chroma, Zac Mather, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Bassist of Chroma, Liam Bevan, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Bassist of Chroma, Liam Bevan, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.
Lead singer of Chroma, Katie Hall, performing in Undertone, Cardiff on Sunday 23rd October.

Sŵn Festival website

Sŵn Festival Facebook 

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Whats on

What’s on in Cardiff for Halloween 2016!

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You guys! It’s (nearly) Halloween!!!!

ron_swanson_dancing

Of all the excuses for dressing up throughout the year, this one is pretty much my favourite. Wanna be a Mexican Day of the Dead senorita? Or a unicorn? Or a lobster? Or a blood splattered Mrs Mia Wallace? Fine. What other holiday embraces all these dressing up options??

Anyway. Seems like I’m not the only one that likes it, as the following Halloween parties are being held all throughout the city!

Treat yo-self to a natty outfit and get thee to a knees up – we’ve got disco, Bowie tribute nights, death metal, storytelling nights, cocktail parties, trampoline park events – everything you need for a good night out!

What’s on in Cardiff for Halloween 2016

Friday 28 October

Day of The Dead Halloween Fiesta Cardiff (The Depot)

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A halloween fiesta like no other! With carnival-esque pageantry, giant skull processions, acrobats, dancers and beautiful decorative art & costumes. Giant Skull processions around the venue, ‘The skulls’ dance troupe & acrobats, DJs all day accompanied by the live section, Pinatas, Free skull face painting, Confetti, co2 and light show

Venue: DEPOT, Dumballs Road, Cardiff

Please note: this event is not part of the Dia de los Muertos public holiday, which has significant religious meaning and many traditions that will not be happening at our show.

Day of The Dead Halloween Fiesta Cardiff FB event

Day of The Dead Halloween Fiesta Cardiff tickets

 

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) Bowie Celebration! (Cardiff Speaker Hire)

After sell out shows at The Full Moon and Porter’s earlier this year and smashing it at Truefest last month, Let’s Dance: A Bowie Celebration are delighted to be gracing the stage in Cardiff once again to pay a Hallowe’en homage to he who can only be described as a most magnificent man, the late, great, David Bowie.

This event will be at Cardiff Speaker Hire, which is on Dumballs Rd, right by Depot.

It’s sure to be fabulous, featuring a fantastic array of Bowie’s greatest musical hits (not to mention the fantastic array of outfits) so put on your red shoes (if you don’t have red, any other colour will do) and come and join us for an absolute banger of a gig on the Friday before Halloween! Expect visuals and 2 hours of the best Bowie hits.

Scary Monsters fancy dress is compulsory. Tickets are £10, which includes a free spooky drink on entry.

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) Bowie Celebration FB event

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) Bowie Celebration tickets

 

Cauldron of Regeneration – a Storytelling Workshop for Samhain (Chapter)

Christine Watkins and Cath Little are offering an exploration of stories of transformation, decay and release. The day will include performance, discussion and reflection on what the old stories mean to us, as tellers and as listeners. Open to anyone over 16. £35

Cauldron of Regeneration – a Storytelling Workshop for Samhain Facebook event

 

Saturday 29 October

Monster Ball (Cardiff Speaker Hire)

Blood Thirsty Bands, Vampire DJ Sets, Skull & Bones Bar, 2 Live Music Stages, Howling Open Mic, Creepy Cocktails & Craft Beers, Trick Or Treat Shots, Scary Hour Til 7, Best Costume Competition, Spooky Student Discounts, Ghoulish Gifts & Ghostly Activities, Classic Horror Movies, Smokey BBQ & Vegan Stall, Free Reserved Entry,

Monster Ball tickets

Monster Ball Facebook event

 

The Big Top presents: The Halloween Freakshow Spectacular

Bearded Ladies & Strong Gentlemen… Dog faced children of all ages… Step right up and be part of the greatest Halloween show on earth! It’s time to step out of the shadows with your two heads held high… and join us for this sideshow spectacular as we try and gather the largest collection of circus freaks and sideshow oddities ever seen on this side of the Severn Estuary! Making sure things get extra freaky on the dancefloor throughout the night will be the Gung-Ho Carny Collective bringing with them their usual special blend of party beats!!

Music: House/Funk/Disco/Hip-Hop
Date: Saturday 29th October
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Entry: £5 (This will give you access to both The Big Top & 10 Feet Tall)
Guestlist: £3 until 11pm with name tagged on the event wall

Dress code: Circus Freaks & Sideshow Oddities

If Freaks don’t take your fancy then there’s always room at The Big Top for carnival queens, circus performers, mythical creatures and angry townspeople (who else is going to chase the freaks out of town with their pitchforks and torches!)

COME ONE, COME ALL!! x

The Big Top presents: The Halloween Freakshow Spectacular Facebook event

 

Go Scare – Halloween Event (Go Air trampoline park)

Go Air Trampoline Park Cardiff are holding a super spooky night that will literally have you ‘jumping’ out of your skin! The 2-hour event will be taking place on Saturday 29th October, 5pm – 7pm and will include the following –

– Trick 4 treat (show the Go Air staff your best tricks onto our Foam Pit and you may be awarded with candy)
– Ghostly Go Air games to be played on the trampolines
– Live DJ playing all of your favourite funky tunes
– Best Halloween costume prizes
– A one-off Go Air Ghost Snapchat filter
– Dracula Dodgeball
– Smoke Machine

£12.50 per person (if you already have Go Air socks, please bring them with you)
Over 6’s only. To book, please call the park on 02920 099899

Go Scare – Halloween Event Facebook event

 

FHED Halloween Party Night Two (The Moon)

F H E D presents a god-awful amalgamation between a Halloween Show and Sam Wall Appreciation Night! £6 ADV // £7 OTD // £10 weekend ticket for Night one and two

Cancerous Womb / Verdelet / Agrona /Judas Cradle / Narayana / Anal Floss Is Boss

FHED Halloween Party Night Two Facebook events

FHED Halloween Party Night Two tickets

 

Tiki’La Day of the Dead Cocktail Party (Kemi’s)

Tickets are £12 and include a tapa and special cocktail upon arrival… We may even surprise you with a Mexican spirit taster.

Mezcal, Tequilla, Margarita’s, Day of the Dead cocktail specials and Mexican inspired tapas night!

Get your face paints out and come join us for an awesome “tiki-la takeover” Mexican Day of the Dead themed party.

Tiki’La Day of the Dead Cocktail Party Facebook event

Tiki’La Day of the Dead Cocktail Party tickets

 

Sunday 30 October

Abertoir International Horror Film Festival: Cardiff 2016  (Chapter)

Once again, Abertoir, Wales’ International Horror Festival, is uprooting from mid-Wales to take over Chapter Arts Centre’s Halloween line-up!

Best of all, if you want to come for the full day, these four films will only set you back £20! You’ll need to call up Chapter (029 2030 4400) for the full day pass, and all individual tickets are available on Chapter’s website.

2pm THE LOVE WITCH (15 adv) Anna Biller, USA 2016, 120 mins

4:30pm A DARK SONG (15adv) Liam Gavin, Ireland 2016, 100 mins

6:45pm BAD FILM CLUB: THE HOWLING II (18) Phillipe Mora, USA 1985, 91mins

9pm CARRIE (18) Brian De Palma, USA 1976, 108 mins

Abertoir Facebook event page

Abertoir tickets

 

The Shining in the Angel Hotel at Halloween (The Angel Hotel)

Some places are like people: some shine and some don’t.

Come and play with us: experience ‘the scariest moment in cinema history’ in Cardiff’s historic Angel Hotel on Halloween night. You’ll want to stay there forever … and ever … and ever …

Tickets on sale now at the Chapter Cinema box office.

The Shining in the Angel Hotel at Halloween Facebook event

The Shining in the Angel Hotel at Halloween tickets

 

Day of the Dead (Canary) Party (The Dead Canary)

Big Halloween party! Think punch pong, apple bobbing, music, fancy dress and partying ’til late. More info TBA.

Day of the Dead (Canary) Party Facebook event

 

 

Monday 31 October

Zombie Zombie / Hipicat / Totem Terrors / My Name Is Ian & more (The Moon)

The Moon Club, Womanby St, Cardiff CF10 1BR
Ages 18+
£8 adv / £10 doors

7pm *STARTS STRAIGHT AWAY – SUPER EARLY! *

ZOMBIE ZOMBIE: Immense live act embracing their retro influences like THE RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP, sci-fi B MOVIES, ITALO DISCO, MEDITERRANEAN PROG ROCK – all done with a sense of humour. Playing with electronic music’s trippier origins, they breathe new life into these influences while mixing in DOUBLE DRUMMING and reverberating AFRICAN PERCUSSION, synth orchestration, KRAUTROCK, and ELECTRO bass. . Tribal, trance-like, danceable riffage!

Facebook event

Tickets

 

Halloween Horror Quiz and An American Werewolf in London (Roath Park pub)

Halloween Special – Horror Movie Themed Pub Quiz (7pm) with special petrifying prizes followed by John Landis’ AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (8.30pm)
Donations on the door in aid of the Trinity Centre.

Halloween Horror Quiz and An American Werewolf in London Facebook event

 

 

The Lost Boys: A Private Screaming (Penarth Pier Pavilion)

You are cordially invited to our haunting Halloween screening of The Lost Boys. The private showing will be held at the mystic Penarth Pavillion.

What better way to spend Hallows-eve than watching a spooky 80’s classic, surrounded my some fantatsic people (if we do say so ourselves), all in aid of a pretty fantastic charity!

Doors will open at 7.45pm with the screening starting at 8pm. A bar service will also be available.

Tickets: £10

And…. crucially, all ticket sales will be going directly to The Wallich charity as part of our #ClashOfTheCorporates battle

The Lost Boys: A Private Screaming Facebook event

The Lost Boys: A Private Screaming tickets

The Fest does Fright FEST! Glam Monday’s Halloween Special! (GLAM)

If you’re a student, you’ve probably already got yourself a ticket for this – Cardiff’s biggest Monday night is holding a super spooky & speical Halloween event this year!  The Fest does FRIGHT FEST! There’s no two ways about it, this will be THE BIGGEST Halloween event in Cardiff this year!

Expect: ❥ Insane Halloween Decor  ❥ Terrifying Halloween Performers  ❥ Giant Cobwebs  ❥ Spooky Halloween Inflatables  ❥ Thousands of Free Sweets  ❥ Cash Prize for Best Dressed  ❥ Sh*t Loads of Fake Blood & MORE!

Fright Fest Facebook event

Fright Fest tickets

 

CYNT Halloween w/ Monki (Clwb Ifor Bach)

This is a proper Halloween party. Haunted house décor, apple bobbing, jack-o-lanterns and one CYNT annual guest list space up for grabs to the best dressed! Monki will be headlining the show with all of the CYNT residents on support. We’ll have a few surprises for you inside Clwb Ifor Bach.

MONKI – An underground tastemaker for Radio 1 who’s been championing new electronic talen on her regular show. At just 21 years old she is a resident at Annie Mac’s critically acclaimed touring club night ‘AMP’ and a regular fixture behind the decks at clubs and festivals around the UK and Europe. Her box-fresh bass music inspired sets include everything from piano house to thumping sub bass to classics.

If you’ve seen her play before, you’ll be aware of the energy she can bring to a room, she has a real talent for bouncing between genres of house whilst keeping it all linked together and people fixed firmly to the dance floor

CYNT Facebook event

CYNT tickets

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The Arts, Whats on

Super secret giant guerilla cross-stitch street art is landing in Cardiff…. intrigued?!

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Oh, this is very exciting! With needles, thread and grand ambitions at their disposal, cross-stitchers of Cardiff have been plotting a super secret street art project that they plan to unleash at this year’s Made In Roath arts festival……

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Whether you are cross stitch crazy, mad about the arts or just looking for something different at the Made In Roath week, look no further! All kinds of cross stitch lovers from the local community have been working hard behind-the-scenes to bring a new and exciting project to the streets called Crossing Paths.

The Crossing Paths team have been meeting regularly in secret, in order to create a series of giant cross stitch street art that will appear overnight just in time for Made In Roath Festival.

As Becca Clark at Green City Events explains:

“We had no idea that so many people wanted to create street art and it seems we have found a really accessible and unique medium – giant cross stitch! Plus, I think the secretive, guerrilla style group was a factor!”

Every piece has been made by a member of the community using different recycled materials such as t-shirts, tights, naturally dyed sheets and even old bicycle wheels. The aim of the project is to bring colour and art to the streets of Roath and Adamsdown using the resources within the community. It aims to create awareness of the beautiful community gardens in the area that can sadly be overlooked at times.

People from all different backgrounds and parts of Cardiff have joined forces and contributed their own personal pieces of art. Ten year-old Osian Allsopp explains why he wanted to get involved:

“I wanted to learn a new way of sewing and I had good fun experimenting. I can’t wait to tell people; I’ve been very good at keeping this a secret!”.

On Saturday 8th October, everyone involved in the project will come together to cross-stitch ‘bomb’ the Plasnewydd and Adamsdown community gardens and surrounding streets. There will be an array of designs that all relate to what you may find in a garden; plants, wildlife, garden tools and maybe even a Pokémon or two!

The guerilla stitchers tell us more:

How did the Crossing Paths project idea originally begin?

“After a trip to Valencia where the streets were just bursting with colourful art I thought it would be fun to brighten up our own streets back home. A couple of weeks and a sneaky Facebook group later we had gathered a group of keen cross stitchers to make our dreams a reality!” – Becca Clark, Green City Events.

What do you hope to achieve from this project?

“We hope that people stumble across our unique pieces of street art during Made in Roath and maybe see a part of their everyday surroundings in a new light. For those keen to see them all, you’ll find a map on the Green City Events website, you can follow the path of plants and wildlife and in turn discover three beautiful community gardens. We hope this is just the start of a new community project and that others are inspired to create random acts of art!”

What do the crossing paths team think of the giant cross stitch street art?

“The perception of cross-stitch needs to taken out of the parlour and onto the streets; nothing like a bit of subversiveness to challenge the every-day!” – Dorcas Frazer

“As a prolific stitcher, I was thrilled to be part of Crossing Paths. Not only was it a great opportunity to meet other Cardiff Creative types it was so much fun stitching up giant cross stitches” – Charlotte,Twin Made

Why will Crossing Paths be a great addition to the Made In Roath week?

“The made in roath festival is all about bringing art out into the community, be that in schools, on street corners, in community gardens, and anywhere else we can find. CDF Cross Stitchers & Green City Events have done just that, with the unexpected element of stumbling upon their work whilst we wander the streets we think we know so well. We can’t wait to discover what’s on our doorstep!”

MORE INFO – CROSSING PATHS STREET ART PROJECT

Dates:
On display from Sunday 9th October – Sunday 16th October

Locations:
Mackintosh Community Gardens – 38 Keppoch St, Cardiff CF24 3JW
Plasnewydd Community Gardens – 5 Shelley Walk, Cardiff CF24 3DX
Adamsdown Community Gardens – Moria Terrace, Adamsdown, CF24 0EJ
And the surrounding streets.

CROSS-STITCH ‘BOMB’

Date: Saturday 8th October 6.30pm

Location: Secret meeting place – please contact Becca at Green City events to get involved.