Pontio spring2014 by Bangor University

GIGS CABARET CHORAL POETRY COMMUNITY COMEDY CONCERTS WHAT’S ON FILM IN BANGOR SPRING ART 2014 & MORE…

At a glance Front cover: Winner of 2013 Welsh Music Prize Georgia Ruth performs for Ar y Rêls this February, page 16

Wed 5 A TASTE OF TABLA Pontio Shop, 1pm

Thu 6 MUSIC AT BANGOR: TABLEAUX WITH SHAWN MATIVETSKY Powis Hall, Bangor University, 8pm

Fri 7 WET SOUNDS Bangor Swimming Pool, 8pm

Sat 1 CHINESE OPERA MASK PAINTING WORKSHOP Pontio Shop, 11am – 2pm 30

Wed 12 POETRY KICK WITH MARTIN DAWS Pontio Shop, 11am – 1pm

Sat 1 MUSIC AT BANGOR: FREDDY KEMPF Powis Hall, Bangor University, 7.30pm

Sat 15 MAKE AND CREATE SATURDAY Pontio Shop, 10.30am - 3pm

Sat 1 AR Y RÊLS: GEORGIA RUTH Bangor Railway Club, 8pm 16

Thu 20 MUSIC AT BANGOR: BENYOUNES STRING QUARTET Powis Hall, Bangor University, 8pm

ART INSTALLATION

Thu 6 MUSIC AT BANGOR: PRE-CONCERT TALK Cledwyn Room 3, Bangor University, 7pm

Thu 6 MUSIC AT BANGOR: JAMES GILCHRIST & SHOLTO KYNOCH Powis Hall, Bangor University, 8pm

Fri 21 CABARET: DAMMED NATIONS [SIÂN JAMES, GAI TOMS & NUBA NOUR] Powis Hall, Bangor University, 9pm

CABARET

Sat 8 CABARET: HANGGAI Hendre Hall, Talybont, 9pm

Sat 22 BENYOUNES STRING QUARTET LUNCHTIME CONCERT Pontio Shop, 12.30pm

JANUARY

Fri 31 HIDDEN CORNERS 2 Reichel Hall Dining Room, Bangor University, 7.30pm

FEBRUARY

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9 Page

Sun 9 WORKSHOP: HANGGAI Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge, 2.30pm 12 Wed 12 POETRY KICK WITH MARTIN DAWS Pontio Shop, 11am – 1pm

Fri 14 MUSIC AT BANGOR: BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University, 7.30pm 20 Fri 14 FRIDAY FILM: UNTOUCHABLE Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University, 7.30pm

Thu 20 MUSIC AT BANGOR: EARLY MUSIC BANGOR Powis Hall, Bangor University, 8pm

Fri 21 FRIDAY FILM: THE SELFISH GIANT Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University, 7.30pm

Sat 22 AR Y RÊLS: MAFFIA MR HUWS Bangor Railway Club, 8pm

Fri 28 FRIDAY FILM: RENOIR Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University, 7.30pm

MARCH

Sat 1 MUSIC AT BANGOR: PRE-CONCERT TALK Cledwyn Room 3, Bangor University, 6.30pm

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Sat 1 MUSIC AT BANGOR: BANGOR UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University, 7.30pm 21 Registered charity number: 1141565

Mon 24 COMEDY: ROMESH RANGANATHAN + NATHAN CATON Powis Hall, Bangor University, 7.30pm 15 Thu 27 MUSIC AT BANGOR: BANGOR UNIVERSITY CHAMBER CHOIR Powis Hall, 8pm

Fri 28 FRIDAY FILM: LE WEEK-END Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University, 7.30pm

APRIL

Sat 5 MINI CEREBELLIUM Pontio Shop, 11am – 1pm

Sat 5 MUSIC AT BANGOR: BANGOR UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University, 7.30pm

Sat 12 MAKE YOUR MARKS Pontio Shop, 10am – 1pm

Wed 16 POETRY KICK WITH MARTIN DAWS Pontio Shop, 11am – 1pm

Wed 16 MUSIC AT BANGOR: WILLARD WHITE & EUGENE ASTI Powis Hall, Bangor University, 8pm

JUNE

COMEDY COMMUNITY FILM

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Thu 3 MUSIC AT BANGOR: ENSEMBLE CYMRU Powis Hall, Bangor University, 8pm

Fri 6 MUSIC AT BANGOR: END OF YEAR GALA Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University, 7.30pm

AR Y RÊLS

MUSIC AT BANGOR PONTIO SHOP PONTIO RECOMMENDS

Page

27 Pontio: Events

@PontioTweets

International sensation Bodies in Urban Spaces took on Bangor performing in every nook and cranny of our city.

What did Pontio get up to

Kate Lawrence performed vertical dance Angel down Bangor Cathedral to a festive audience following a lantern procession along Bangor High Street.

during the autumn season?

Bangor University’s Dr Xenia Pestova brought her toy piano to the Pontio shop for a musical hour.

We learnt about hairy giants at the Rhita Flewog puppet workshop.

Young people from Ysgol Tryfan joined musician Manon Llwyd for our Hidden Corners 2 - an artistic residency at Bangor’s Plas Hedd and Brynllifon homes.

Dancer Cai Tomos designed pop-up audio installation LOST at the Pontio shop created from interviews recorded on tape and digitally re-mastered.

Astounding young cellist Steffan Morris performed at Bangor University’s Powis Hall as part of the Music at Bangor Concert Series. 5

How to book

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We recommend you arrive for events 30 minutes prior to the advertised start time.

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ACCESS We are committed to making our events as accessible as possible. Please contact us if you have any special access requirements on: 01248 388090 or email: info@pontio.co.uk.

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REFUNDS Unfortunately, once tickets have been purchased, we are unable to refund them unless the performance is cancelled. Any tickets unsold in advance will be available to buy on the door.

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POSTAL CHARGE No booking fee will be charged when you buy tickets, but a 50 pence mailing charge will apply if you request tickets by post. Tickets by post can only be requested until 10 days before the event to ensure they reach

FAMILIES Where a family ticket price is denoted, the offer is available to a group of four. A minimum of one member of the group must be under 16.

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ONLINE Online booking is available for selected Pontio events at: www.pontio. co.uk. This service will close four hours prior to the event, or at 5pm of the previous day if the event takes place in the morning.

CONCESSIONS Wherever ‘concessions’ is denoted for Pontio events, the following categories are included in that definition: children under 16 years of age, students and those over 65. Carers and children under 2 go free.

HOW TO FIND US The majority of Pontio events take place at venues across Bangor, but performances are also regularly staged within a 30-mile radius of the city from Anglesey to the Llŷn Peninsula, the Conwy Valley to the North Wales coast. Please contact us for more details about a particular venue on: 01248 388090 or email: info@pontio.co.uk.

Prichard-Jones Hall

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IN PERSON Can be purchased at the Pontio Shop on Bangor's High Street. Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Weds, Sat: 10am-3pm, Thurs, Fri: 9am-3pm.

you on time. After this, all pre-bought tickets can be collected on the door.

Main Arts Lecture Theatre

BY PHONE Bookings for Pontio events (those listed on pages two and three) can be made by telephone where indicated on: 01248 382828. Our telephone bookings line is run in partnership with the Wales Millennium Centre and operates a fully bilingual service from Monday-Saturday, 10am6pm.

MEIRI

HOW TO BOOK

Advance booking is recommended. Please check individual events for times, prices, booking details and venues.

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STATION

The Railway Club

Hendre, Talybont

The next 9 months are going to be busy. It’s a period of preparation, recruitment and training for our staff, moving in to a brand new building, and confirming our first season programme - and of course familiarising ourselves with our new Centre which will be home to the highest quality arts and innovation in Bangor. This will be our final brochure before we open the doors to Pontio in September 2014. I hope you will forgive us then that this is a smaller programme of events this time. Your Spring 2014 season includes high profile classical concerts, world music cabarets and our Pontio

Bitesize programme at the shop. In addition, Bedwyr Williams will become Pontio’s first artist in residence and also oversee the implementation of Pontio’s public art programme. You also have until 30 April to submit your memories of Theatr Gwynedd to us. Email them to us at legacy@pontio.co.uk, post them, Tweet them, or of course pop down to our shop on the High Street where you’ll find our memory box. You’ll have a warm welcome there. Onwards to 2014 – it’s going to be a big year! Elen ap Robert, Artistic Director @elenpontio Photographer: Dewi Glyn

Friday 31 January, 7.30pm Reichel Hall Dining Room, Bangor University

HIDDEN

£3 ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk Pontio Shop In November 2013, the versatile musician Manon Llwyd spent a whole month in Plas Hedd care home and Brynllifon nursing home in Bangor, taking music to every corner. Hidden Corners 2 is Pontio’s second community artistic residency following a pilot project held last year. This time Manon shared the experience with 16 young people from Ysgol Tryfan. Throughout the month Dr Gwawr Ifan researched the effect that the residency had on the young people. Listen to Manon Llwyd, Dr Gwawr Ifan and Elen ap Robert, Pontio’s artistic director, share the project. There will be an opportunity to see film footage and hear from the young people themselves. We extend a warm welcome to everyone and especially care and nursing staff, arts practitioners, policy makers, academics, students and the wider community. An artistic project by Pontio in partnership with arts and dementia research at Bangor University.

COMMUNITY

The Theatr Gwynedd LEGACY exhibition will be located on the second floor. Animations from POBOL will be projected throughout the building and our performing arts project for children BLAS will have made its new home in Pontio’s studio theatre. Students will have enjoyed their share of gigs and comedy acts, and many friends will have

enjoyed a lazy lunch at our restaurant, putting the world to rights while looking out over our city.

CORNERS 2

A year from now, Pontio’s opening season will be drawing to a close, and people from Bangor and beyond will have experienced a wealth of theatre, film, aerial dance, drama, world music, the Dylan Thomas Festival, chamber opera and much much more in our new Centre.

Photographer: Osian Williams

Pontio’s fun weekly drama workshops to develop theatre and performing skills. We also create devised performances and give stage to young talent in Bangor.

HaDAsyniaDA

Dr Ed Wright visits Ysgol y Talwrn Composer Ed Wright spent two mornings with Ysgol Y Talwrn creating Sonic Art pieces inspired by their HaDAsyniaDA Ideas Seeds poems. The children spent time recording all kinds of fantastic noises: a plastic tractor being pushed across the yard, leaves on

the trees, a cook shaking a box of Rice Krispies, and then recorded themselves reciting the poems. The following day they pieced it all together and created PONTIO. PONTIO was premiered at Music at Bangor’s evening concert with Electroacoustic Wales. With a 32-loudspeaker surroundsound system Ysgol Talwrn Year 6 had the chance to work the desk with professional composers.

HaDAsyniaDA

Chwedlau

Two fantastic weeks were spent in various Bangor and Anglesey schools with four of Wales’ prominent bards. Dewi Pws, Eurig Salisbury, Tudur Dylan and Ed Holden encouraged the young people to share their hopes and dreams for Pontio.

BLAS had another busy and exciting term of weekly workshops. The children worked like professional actors rehearsing for their play: Chwedlau, an adaptation of Marlyn Samuel’s original play Môn Mam Cymru. Performed at Ysgol David Hughes, the audience was transported from Taid’s living room, back in time to meet Saint Dwynwen and the Witches of Llanddona.

Taking their inspiration from the children themselves the poets developed poems embodying their ‘idea seeds’. We now have around 800 individual seeds of ideas ready to be physically planted in the landscape of the new Pontio Centre during the spring.

Red Carpet Night

Bodies in Urban Spaces

The BLAS team also had the chance to put on their glad rags and strut their stuff down the Red Carpet at a very special event at CAST, Parc Menai. Their own short films were premiered for the first time and a small surprise awaited them - they all received personal Oscars just like real movie stars.

The children from Hirael school had a very special invitation from the dance group behind Bodies in Urban Spaces. Because their performance path went right by Hirael School, the BLAS children had the chance to watch them rehearse through the streets of Bangor.

Lantern Workshop with Mari Gwent Artist Mari Gwent visited both Glancegin and Hirael schools to work with the BLAS children to create lanterns based on the theme Angel, ready to be used for the procession through Bangor city centre during the festive Angel performance.

Angel To end their term, BLAS took part in Angel. With their singing and sign language they added to the atmosphere of Kate Lawrence’s Angel as she danced down the side of Bangor Cathedral.

COMMUNITY

What is BLAS?

What has BLAS been up to recently? 11

Saturday 8 February, 9pm Hendre Hall, Talybont

Pontio in association with Byd Mawr

HANGGAI THE MONGOLIAN GRASSLANDS’ ANSWER TO THE POGUES

CABARET

£12/£10 concessions ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk

Pontio Shop

Founded by Beijing-based punk rocker Ilchi, Hanggai mix traditional Mongolian throat singing with rock instruments. Hanggai’s gorgeous music has won it many fans all over the world. Their reinterpretations might make liberal use of traditional instruments like the morin khuur (a horse-hair fiddle) and the tobshuur, a local two-stringed lute, but Hanggai have made the leap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers — without losing their soul. There’s rebellion in the air and fire in the belly reminding us very much of the wild yet poetic art of The Pogues. Built from, and meant for, Mongolia’s wide-open spaces, this music will make you homesick for a place you’ve never been.

‘exhuberant, exotic, exciting and unusual’ Sydney Morning Herald The evening will also feature DJ sets by DJ Fflyffilyfbybl and others.

Sunday 9 February, 2.30pm, £3 Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge Hanggai workshop Join Hanggai for an afternoon of singing and trying out traditional instruments. Suitable for all ages.

Pontio Shop

Theatr Mwldan | Access All Areas | 30IPS Co-Production

Dammed Nations WALES AND NUBIA. TWO LANDS. ONE SHARED LEGACY.

Debuting in Wales in March 2014, Dammed Nations is a music tour featuring singer Siân James & guitarist Gai Toms alongside traditional Nubian frame drummers Nuba Nour from Egypt, collaborating for the first time for what promises to be an enchanting and engaging evening of music from Wales and Nubia. Political decisions and divisions from 1960s continue to shape the current world and in Dammed Nations, voices from two seemingly unconnected communities unite on stage recalling the fates of the village of Capel Celyn in North Wales - lost to the waters of the Tryweryn Reservoir - and the traditional Nubian homelands in Aswan, Egypt drowned with the construction of President Nasser’s High Dam.

CABARET

£12/£10 concessions ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk

Friday 21 March, 9pm Powis Hall, Bangor University

The concerts will feature solo sets by each of the artists along with a special collaboration featuring songs about Tryweryn and the continuing plight of the Nubian people. Cash only bar open from 7pm. www.dammednations.com Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and the National Lottery.

Friday 7 March, 8pm Bangor Swimming Pool Pontio Shop

ART INSTALLATION

Soundlands & Bangor Sound City present

WET SOUNDS

UNDERWATER DEEP LISTENING SENSATIONS   RETURN OF ALTERNATIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE TO BANGOR SWIMMING POOL Float, swim and dive in water filled with sound from special underwater speakers. Listen to live music performed by surf-rockers Y Niwl plus more live music, underwater dance performance, film and installations.  Wet Sounds creates two sound spaces in Bangor Swimming Pool. One under the water, one above - choose your own mix as you float on the surface or dive below. This unique event returns to Bangor after its sell-out success in 2011 as part of Bangor Sound City’s exciting programme of public sound art.

“astonishingly immediate, inescapable” - The Guardian  “like being in the womb” - Mizled Youth

“exhibitions don’t get much more successful” - The Wire www.soundlands.org 14

£8 / £5 concessions ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk

Pontio Shop

Pontio in association with Bangor Comedy present

ROMESH RANGANATHAN AND NATHAN CATON

Providing warmup support and improvisation Bangor Comedy will once again bring their stand-up skills to Pontio.

Romesh Ranganathan has spent the last few years spreading his cynical gospel. Having forged his comedic talents in the furnace of secondary school Maths teaching, he has developed a reputation for being consistently hilarious. A sharp and funny writer he has penned gags for John Bishop and Seann Walsh and has recently appeared on BBC 1’s Live at the Apollo, C4’s Stand up for the Week plus BBC 3’s Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live. Romesh was recently crowned the 2013 Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year alongside past winners Rhod Gilbert, Johnny Vegas and Jason Manford.

COMEDY

£10 / £7 concessions ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk

Monday 24 March, 7.30pm Powis Hall, Bangor University

“Searingly dry wit” Three Weeks Nathan Caton began his successful sideline as a comic at just 19 and is now a force to be reckoned with. Mixing the personal and the confessional, with the social and the political, he is regarded as one of the UK’s best young comics. Nathan has appeared on BBC2’s Mock the Week, Russell Howard’s Good News and his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom Can’t tell Nathan Caton Nothing.

‘… laidback, on-the-nose material, chopping down fools of all colours, both in day-to-day life and in the media’ – The Guardian

COMEDY NIGHT

Saturday 1 February, 8pm Bangor Railway Club, Euston Road

Saturday 22 March, 8pm Bangor Railway Club, Euston Road

£10/£8 concessions (Early Bird Offer: £7 before Friday 31 January) ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk Pontio Shop Pontio, in association with Gŵyl Gardd Goll, present:

£10 / £8 concessions (Early Bird Offer: £7 before Friday 21 March) ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk Pontio Shop Pontio, in association with Gŵyl Gardd Goll, present:

AR Y RÊLS

+ CHRIS JONES

WINNER OF THE 2013 WELSH MUSIC PRIZE Raised bilingually in Aberystwyth, west Wales, Georgia Ruth is a singer, songwriter and harpist whose haunting voice has drawn favourable comparisons with the melancholy folk sirens of the late-60s. Her harp playing was inspired more by the finger-picking style of guitarists such as Bert Jansch and Meic Stevens than by the classical method she was taught as a child. Yet Georgia’s own music is more than an amalgamation of those early influences. It is something quite different… Georgia is supported by contemporary Welsh folk balladeer Chris Jones.

“A dazzling debut, rich with sweet pain and joy” (Andy Gill – The Independent – 4*) “Her own debut is a wonder, full of longing and melody” (MOJO – 4*) “It could have been made in 1968, in the loveliest possible way” (Simon Price – The Independent on Sunday – 4*) “One of the British folk discoveries of the year” (The Guardian)

Welsh music at the Railway Club See you for a night out on the rails!

MAFFIA MR HUWS +Y RHACS

LEGENDARY WELSH ROCK GROUP Maffia Mr Huws, one of the most influential bands of the Welsh music scene since the 80s, bring their energy and attitude to Ar y Rêls for the first time. Formed in Bethesda, they are a creative force of Welsh rock - and their influence goes way beyond their albums. Maffia have recorded 9 records – including their greatest hits in 2008. From lead singer Neil Williams’ heart melting voice to the power of their well-loved hits – this is a fantastic live band.

Maffia are supported by young Dyffryn Nantlle band Y Rhacs.

AR Y RÊLS

GEORGIA RUTH

“A delight.” (Folk Roots) “Heaven.” (Lauren Laverne, 6Music)

James Gilchrist (tenor) Sholto Kynoch (piano) Thursday 6 February // 8pm POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY £12, £9 concessions, £3 student

January-June 2014 The Music at Bangor concert series brings you a wealth of high quality artists both international and home grown. This season we have an exceptional range of renowned performers from solo artists to full scale orchestras. Purchase Spring Season tickets:

01248 38 28 28 www.pontio.co.uk or in person at the Pontio Shop.

A season ticket ensures your seat at every concert excluding those marked as exceptions. Student tickets are £3. These are available to buy online, over the phone or in person. These can only be redeemed on the door with an accompanying NUS card.

Freddy Kempf (piano) Saturday 1 February // 7.30pm

POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY

£14, £12 concessions, £3 student

Former BBC Young Musician of the Year and prizewinner in the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow Freddy Kempf regularly performs in venues across the globe. Discover one of Britain’s best-loved and most successful international pianists. The climax of this demanding programme is Mussorgsky’s great Russian masterpiece Pictures at an Exhibition, ‘symphonic in its range of tone and colour … deeply Russian in feeling and wonderfully evocative’.

One of England’s finest lyric tenors James Gilchrist is joined by pianist and Bangor University honorary fellow Sholto Kynoch for a performance of Schubert’s evergreen song-cycle Die Schöne Müllerin.

Free pre-concert talk: An introduction to German romantic poetry and the Schubert Lied by Dr Anna Saunders (Cledwyn Room 3, Bangor University, 7pm).

MUSIC AT BANGOR

Schubert: Die Schöne Müllerin

Beethoven: Sonata Op. 109 Schumann: Symphonic Etudes Schuman: Toccata Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Early Music Bangor

Bangor University Symphony Orchestra

Andrew Woolley and Hana Vlhová-Wörner (directors) Thursday 20 February // 8pm

Katerˇina Marešová (violin) Chris Collins (conductor)

POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY

Saturday 1 March // 7.30pm

£10, £7 concessions, £3 student

PRICHARD-JONES HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY

BBC National Orchestra of Wales Callum Smart (violin) Nicholas Collon (conductor) Friday 14 February // 7.30pm PRICHARD-JONES HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY £12.50, £10.50 concessions, £6 student (not part of season ticket)

Conductor Nicholas Collon makes his Bangor debut with a concert of classical and early romantic masterpieces, including Schubert’s ‘Great’ C major symphony, and Mozart’s ‘Turkish’ Violin Concerto in A major, with the award-winning young violinist Callum Smart. Last season’s visit from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales was hugely popular, so book early! Beethoven: ‘Leonore’ Overture No. 1 Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major

The University Symphony Orchestra is joined by young Czech violinist Kateřina Marešová for a performance of Mendelssohn’s beautiful and exciting Violin Concerto. The programme also includes Beethoven’s magnificent Eroica Symphony, and we celebrate St David’s Day with a rare performance of Grace Williams’s Castell Caernarfon, originally written for the Investiture of HRH the Prince of Wales in 1969. Grace Williams: Castell Caernarfon Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, ‘Eroica’

Free pre-concert talk: Dr Graeme Cotterill introduces the music of Grace Williams (1906-77), the greatest Welsh composer of her generation (Cledwyn Room 3, Bangor University, 6.30pm).

MUSIC AT BANGOR

Bangor’s own Early Music Ensemble presents a mixed programme of instrumental and vocal music, including a plainchant sequence, and 17th- and 18th-century music in the French style with suites by Lully, Fischer, Telemann, and others.

Photographer: Osian Williams

MUSIC AT BANGOR

£12, £9 concessions, £3 student

Shawn Mativetsky (tabla) Andrew Wooley (keyboard) & Josephine Wilkin (flute) Thursday 6 March // 8pm POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY £10, £7 concessions, £3 student

MUSIC AT BANGOR

Dynamic Canadian tabla player Shawn Mativetsky, is joined by collaborators Andrew Woolley and Josephine Wilkin for an eclectic programme of new music for tabla. From an Indian classical tabla solo, new works for tabla and flute, and tabla with electronics – this is a colourful musical voyage. The trio will explore trans-musical and cross-cultural possibilities through blending western and north Indian classical music showcasing the beautiful, rhythmic tabla drums of north India. Exponent of the Benares gharana, and disciple of the legendary Pandit Sharda Sahai, Shawn Mativetsky is a sought-after tabla performer and educator. He actively promotes the tabla and north Indian classical music through lectures, workshops, and performances across Canada and internationally. Based in Montreal, Shawn teaches tabla and percussion at McGill University. The concert repertoire will include: Traditional, arr. Shawn Mativetsky - Tabla Solo in Teentaal, Tabla with keyboard accompaniment Bruno Paquet - Les arbres célestes (1994, rev. 1998, 2010) * Tabla and fixed media Payton MacDonald – Alap (2003) Tabla solo Paul Frehner – Ke-Te (2006) * Tabla solo Shawn Mativetsky – Bol (2013) * Tabla solo Tawnie Olson – New Work (2013) * Tabla and fixed media Jim Hiscott - Shadow Play (2007) * Flute and tabla

Benyounes String Quartet Residency

Benyounes String Quartet Concert

Thursday 20 March – Saturday 22 March

Thursday 20 March // 8pm

We welcome the Benyounes String Quartet back to Bangor for a series of concerts and events in the community. During their residency they will perform in Brynffynnon Referral Unit, visit the Pontio building site to offer workers some live music during their coffee break, and will delight Pontio shop visitors with a mini concert as part of the Pontio Bitesize programme. Plans for 2014 include recitals in the Wigmore Hall and Vienna Koncerthaus and the release of their debut record of Mozart Piano Concerti with Jeremy Young on Meridian Records.

POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY £10, £7 concessions, £3 student

Winners of the 2012 1st International Sandor Vegh String Quartet Competition in Budapest, Bangor University’s resident Quartet is gaining a reputation as one of the most engaging, dynamic and successful young quartets to have emerged from the UK in recent years. The programme will include: Haydn: String Quartet in G major, Op. 76 No. 1 Dvořák: String Quartet in E flat major, Op. 51 Beethoven: String Quartet in F major, Op. 59 No. 1

MUSIC AT BANGOR

Tableaux

During his visit Shawn will give a Taste of Tabla to music students of nearby Friars school and an informal Tabla demonstration in the Pontio shop.

Peryn Clement-Evans (Ensemble Cymru Artistic Director) Adrian Partington (BBC National Chorus of Wales Director) Thursday 3 April // 8pm POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY

Bangor University Chamber Choir Guto Pryderi Puw (conductor) Yanmi Au (accompanist) Thursday 27 March // 8pm POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY £10, £7 concessions, £3 student

Ensemble Cymru, resident Ensemble at Bangor University and Venue Cymru, with special guests from Mavron Quartet and the BBC National Chorus of Wales present this special concert featuring music from the 18th-century to the 20th. Stephen Powell Rees

MUSIC AT BANGOR

£12, £9 concessions, £3 student, £25 family ticket

Jehan Alain: Messe Modale Bach: Coffee Cantata, BWV 211 Mendelssohn: Octet

Bangor University Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Graeme Cotterill, Chris Collins and Andrew Thomas (conductors) Saturday 5 April // 7.30pm PRICHARD-JONES HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY £12, £9 concessions, £3 student

The University Orchestra and Chorus present two magnificent choral works in memory of Dr David Evans (19432013), the much-loved former conductor of the University Chorus. The enormous emotional range of Haydn’s Mass for Troubled Times is followed by the serene and ethereal beauty of Howell’s Hymnus Paradisi. Haydn: ‘Nelson’ Mass Howells: Hymnus Paradisi

MUSIC AT BANGOR

Ensemble Cymru with members of the Mavron Quartet and members of the BBC National Chorus of Wales

“My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.” (Wilfred Owen) August 2014 will mark hundred years since the beginning of the Great War. This concert will explore the poetry and music  inspired by this horrific event. Taking centre stage is the performance of Judith Bingham’s An Ancient Music that combines the narration of letters by poet Wilfred Owen and the setting of war poetry by French poet Guillaume Apollinaire, complemented by other pieces by Howells, Vaughan Williams and Joseph Gregario.

Sir Willard White (bass) Eugene Asti (piano)

End-of-Year Gala Concert Friday 6 June // 7.30pm

Wednesday 16 April // 8pm

PRICHARD-JONES HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY

POWIS HALL, BANGOR UNIVERSITY

£12, £9 concessions, £3 student

Since making his debut with the New York City Opera, Sir Willard White has sung regularly at the Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, San Francisco, Glyndebourne and many other notable opera houses and festivals all over the world. This season Willard returns to the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden as Klingsor Parsifal and to Munich for further performances of Babylon. Other appearances include Alceste in Madrid and a new production of Benvenuto Cellini with Terry Gilliam for English National Opera. His accompanist, Eugene Asti has performed with numerous great artists including Angelika Kirchschlager, Dame Felicity Lott, Sarah Connolly and the late Dame Margaret Price. Eugene has devised many recital series for St John’s Smith Square, London and St George’s Bristol to mark anniversaries of Brahms, Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Strauss and Schumann, which included many of today’s leading artists. In 2009 he became an official Steinway pianist.

Please note that tickets for this concert will be available on the door only. Advance sales will not be possible on this occasion due to the implementation of new ticketing software ahead of Pontio’s opening.

MUSIC AT BANGOR

The Music at Bangor season draws to its traditional close with a programme of popular classics from the University’s Music Society, Brass Band, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, and Symphony Orchestra, including a performance of Lowell Lieberman’s Flute Concerto with soloist Josephine Wilkin, and a free glass of cava for all.

Sir Willard White, concert and opera bass of international repute, and accomplished pianist Eugene Asti, perform at Bangor for the very first time. Their compelling and varied programme of lieder, art song and negro spirituals will include: Brahms: serious songs Op 121 Schumann including Husaren-lieder Op 117 A selection from Copland’s Old American songs and negro spirituals

Photographer: Osian Williams

MUSIC AT BANGOR

£14, £12 concessions, £3 student

Friday 14 February, 7.30pm

Friday 21 February, 7.30pm

UNTOUCHABLE

THE SELFISH GIANT

(2011) 112 mins - Biography | Comedy | Drama Directors: Olivier Nackache, Eric Toledano Starring: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny

A charming and uplifting French drama with an irreverent, humorous take on disability, closely drawn from real life. It focuses on the superficially mismatched friendship between a wealth quadriplegic and his ex-con carer. Each has his own disadvantage – one, physical following a paragliding accident, and the other, socioeconomic. 28

(2013) 91 mins – Drama Director: Clio Barnard Starring: Conner Chapman, Shaun Thomas, Sean Gilder

Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s story of the same name, The Selfish Giant is a contemporary fable about two teenage boys who get caught up in the world of copper theft. A forensic and uncompromising depiction of Britain on the breadline, with an achingly sad ending.

£4/£3 ) 01248 382828 8 www.pontio.co.uk. Also available on the door. This is the last term for the BANGOR COMMUNITY FILM GROUP before the opening of Pontio’s cinema in the autumn. We’d like to thank the group for all their support for Pontio over the past four years and for their consistently interesting choice of contemporary films.

Friday 28 February, 7.30pm

Friday 28 March, 7.30pm

RENOIR

LE WEEK-END

Set on the French Riviera in the summer of 1915, Jean Renoir - son of the Impressionist painter, Pierre-Auguste - returns home to convalesce after being wounded in World War I. At his side is Andrée, a young woman who rejuvenates, enchants, and inspires both father and son.

Nick and Meg celebrate their wedding anniversary with a weekend getaway to Paris – 30 years after their honeymoon there. As they revisit the highs and lows of their relationship, and continue to run out of restaurants without paying the bill, they meet up with an old colleague of Nick’s, leading to some painful truths being spoken…

(2012) 111 mins – Drama Director: Gilles Bourdos Starring: Michel Bouquet, Christa Theret, Vincent Rottiers

FILM

FRIDAY

FILM

Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University

(2013) 93 mins – Comedy | Drama Director: Roger Michell Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan

PONTIO BITE SIZE AT OUR HIGH STREET SHOP CHINESE OPERA MASK PAINTING WORKSHOP Drop in to the Pontio shop and paint your very own Chinese opera mask to celebrate Chinese New Year at this special workshop run by Bangor University’s Confucius Institute. Open to all ages and abilities. www.bangor.ac.uk/ confucius-institute

Wednesday 12 February, 12 March, 16 April, 11am-1pm, Free

POETRY KICK Interactive one-to-one bilingual creative writing tutorials facilitated by the Young People’s Poet Laureate for Wales Martin Daws. Poetry Kick brings together a wide range of professional writers to offer individual feedback, advice on writing and direction to anyone who would like to develop their creative writing - whether its poetry, prose, autobiography or scripts or social network posts. Each session will include informal readings of work.

MAKE AND CREATE SATURDAY

Wednesday 5 March, 1pm, Free

A TASTE OF TABLA

PONTIO SHOP

Saturday 1 February, 11am-2pm, Free

Saturday 15 March, 10.30am – 3pm, Free

An introduction to the Tabla, a percussive Indian instrument by Shawn Mativetsky, in anticipation of his concert in Powis Hall Thursday 6 March. his event is part of the Music at Bangor T Concert Series.

‘Make and Create’ Saturday art workshop, in collaboration with Coleg Menai’s Access to Art and Design Programme. This fun-filled workshop, led by some of the students, is designed especially for children under 12 years old. For further information, contact Coleg Menai’s Art and Design Centre: 01248 674 341 or e-mail: art.menai@ gllm.ac.uk www.gllm.ac.uk

PONTIO SHOP

Saturday 22 March, 12.30pm, Free

BENYOUNES STRING QUARTET They’re young. They’re full of energy and their music is delighting audiences throughout the UK and beyond. Call by the Pontio shop for an hour of chamber music of the highest quality. This event is part of the Music at Bangor Concert Series.

Saturday 12 April, 10am – 1pm, Free Saturday 5 April, 11am – 1pm, Free

MINI CEREBELLIUM

MAKE YOUR MARKS

Immerse yourself in Pontio’s new ‘z-space’ - an interactive, 3D experience - and visit the new Pontio Centre before its doors are even open. Drop by the Pontio shop, try on the special 3D eyewear, and discover for yourself what Bangor’s new Arts and Innovation Centre will have to offer with this unique holographic computer…

MIND ADVENTURES FOR ALL AGES Are your eyes telling you the whole truth? Is what you see really what you see? Is your brain playing tricks with you? To tickle your mind, you are invited to the Pontio shop, where the amazing Professor Guillaume Thierry from Bangor’s School of Psychology will lead you on a playful mini-adventure of the brain.

DISCOVER PONTIO IN 3D Suitable for all ages. Younger children will need adult supervision.

PONTIO SHOP

PONTIO BITE SIZE AT OUR HIGH STREET SHOP

Any time during the shop’s opening hours, Free

Join local street artists Tam Tomkins and Mr Kobo on the first day of the Easter holidays for a day of making public art outside the Pontio shop. Come and help them complete a 3D scene on the pavement using just street chalks. A chance for all ages and abilities to try their hand at 3D drawing. Outside the Pontio shop – inside if wet.

COMMUNITY

The mind-bending Cerebellium is now in its third year and entering an exciting period of development. In this creative collision between cognitive neuroscience and theatre we are exploring how to evolve the experience even further. With the innovative theatre director Iwan Brioc, the inventive neuroscientist Professor Guillaume Thierry, professional performers and set designer, we’re now taking Cerebellium to a whole new level. As Cerebellium grows, we’ll be looking at how to make the set versatile and portable, how the show investigates themes of cultural identity, and how we can broaden elements of audience interaction. Following an intensive period of development, a sharing day will be held on 29 March to invited audiences. This will inform the continuing production phase for Cerebellium. Watch this space!

What’s your lasting memoryof Theatr Gwynedd? Generations of people of all ages from Wales and further afield have very special memories of Theatr Gwynedd… We would like to include your memories in a multimedia exhibition, organised in partnership with Gwynedd Art Gallery, to coincide with the opening of Pontio. The exhibition will celebrate and commemorate an institution, which was close to the hearts of many, and contributed in such a significant way to the cultural life of Wales. Already many people have sent us their memories. Some remember the big productions, other remembers the noise the wind made in the fly-tower, or the severity of the shower, some met their spouses there… and many remember the booming voice of the Stage Manager announcing “the show will begin in 3 minutes time...”

COMMUNITY

Calon Cerebellium

Please send us your favourite memory by 30 April 2014 via email to LEGACY@pontio.co.uk, on Twitter to @PontioTweets, or by post to Pontio, Main Arts Building, College Road, Bangor. Drop by the Pontio shop on Bangor’s High Street to see Martin Morley’s model of the set for ‘Llyfr Mawr y Plant’ – Theatr Gwynedd’s last ever production – and write up your memories on our special postcards. For more information, call the Pontio shop: 01248 383838. www.pontio.co.uk. #Legacy 35

With less than a year until Pontio opens, we’re looking to build our team of volunteers ready for our much-anticipated Opening Season.

We are looking for individuals: – who have a passion for theatre, film and the arts – who are reliable, punctual and diligent – who are confident in a customer facing environment – who want to learn new skills – like to make new friends Become part of our dynamic, one-of-a-kind Centre from day one – and be part of the biggest development Bangor has seen in decades.

Community Engagement Project If you would like to become part of the team at Pontio, complete our online application form at www.pontio.co.uk, drop by the Pontio shop on Bangor High Street, or speak to one of our team at any Pontio event.Volunteers must be 16 years or over. For any further information, call the Pontio shop on 01248 383838

Become a

Supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Pontio and a number of partners are developing an innovative and experimental programme to support local young people to reach their full potential.

Young people will work together with students and local employers to solve a real life challenge, whilst focusing upon their own personal development building skills and widening horizons.

Working with Chris Walker from People Systems International, Year 12 pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni will help shape the first pilot project in 2013/14 made possible by funding from Reaching Wider.

There are a variety of ways for businesses and organisations to get involved – for further information please contact Elen Bonner, Project Manager – Community Engagement on 01248 382813 / e.bonner@pontio.co.uk

COMMUNITY XX

COMMUNITY

Becoming a volunteer with Pontio means that you’ll become part of a welcoming, friendly group. There are a number of roles for our volunteers – from stewarding our performances to helping out with our children’s workshops. It also means that you’ll have the opportunity to see some great shows and many of the latest film releases!

Pontio is grateful to our growing list of sponsors, partners, stakeholders and supporters which includes: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, North and Mid Wales Reaching Wider Partnership, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Chris Walker – People Systems International and Business Consultant, Bangor University, Careers Wales and Families First Project, STEMnet Cymru, Technocamps, Bangor Employability Award, The People and Work Unit, GISDA, Cwmni’r Frân Wen, WJEC.

PONTIO RECOMMENDS

Chinese Evenings Tuesdays, 6-8pm BOCS Arts Centre, Caernarfon

Saturday 1 February 11am-2pm Pontio Shop, Bangor

An informal language course for adults to give you the basics in Mandarin (one hour), followed each week by a Chinese arts and crafts workshop. Free of charge. For more information, please contact BOCS on: 01286 671366 or email: oriel@bocs.org.uk.

Drop in and paint your very own Chinese opera mask. Open to all ages and abilities, free of charge.

2-2.30pm Bangor High Street Celebrate Chinese New Year 2014 – the Year of the Horse – with traditional Chinese performance including a magical Lion Dance in the centre of town.

Mervyn Rowe Exhibition: China Sketchbook

2.30-4pm Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery, Bangor

18 January - 1 March Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery, Bangor Back by popular demand, Barmouthbased artist and designer, Mervyn Rowe, visits Bangor for a second time with this outstanding exhibition of drawings inspired by his recent travels in China. Free of charge.

www.bangor.ac.uk/confucius-institute 38

Chinese New Year Celebrations

For more information about any of these events, please visit our website (www.bangor.ac.uk/confucius-institute) or contact us at: confuciusinstitute@ bangor.ac.uk, 01248 383555.

Visit the gallery for an afternoon of Chinese culture as students from Bangor University perform traditional Chinese music to accompany Mervyn Rowe’s fantastic new art exhibition, China Sketchbook. Chinese finger food will be served from 2.30pm, courtesy of Bangor’s Garden Hotel. Free of charge, food available on a first-come firstserved basis.

Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 March, 10am-10pm Bangor University £0-£15

Jazz Club at the Teras

Why not enjoy a night of fine food, mellow music and smooth wine? Join us for our jazz evenings at The Teras Lounge. 28 February & 1 March – with Huw Warren £8 / £5 concessions Teras Lounge, Bangor University, Main Arts Building, Bangor, LL57 2DG

 teras@bangor.ac.uk ✆ 01248 388686 teras.bangor.ac.uk

Owen’s Gigs The Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge Sunday 2 February The Stray Birds www.thestraybirds.com Saturday 8 March Henry Priestman www.henrypriestman.com Wednesday 26 March The Once www.theonce.ca

Tuesday 22 April Bayou Seco www.bayouseco.com Wednesday 30 April The Sweet Lowdown www.thesweetlowdown.ca

Tickets available from Palas Print Bangor

INTER/actions: Symposium on Interactive Electronic Music INTER/actions is a symposium and mini-festival focusing on performance and interaction in electronic music. In collaboration with the Bangor New Music Festival, Diaphonique and Yamaha. 8pm, Saturday: Stockhausen: Mantra (Xenia Pestova, Pascal Meyer, Jan Panis). 8pm, Sunday: Sunday: Arlene Sierra: Urban Birds and music by other composers (Richard Craig, Clare Hammond, Kathleen Supové, Xenia Pestova, Seth Woods). www.bnmf.co.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/music/ interactions

Saturday 8 March, 1pm – 5pm Main Arts Building, Bangor University Free

International Women’s Day A day to celebrate Welsh women’s lives and the 20th birthday of the MA Women’s Studies.

PONTIO RECOMMENDS

Bangor University’s Confucius Institute brings a rich programme of cultural activity to north Wales, with opportunities for everyone to learn more about and engage with Chinese language and culture.

www.bangor.ac.uk/ll

For more information : www.vicmenai.com/functions Kathleen Supové by Miriam Hendel

Book your tickets in advance at Bangor University’s online shop (www.shop.bangor.ac.uk) or purchase them at Palas Print, Bangor High Street: 01286 674631.Individual Tickets From £5-£15 Season Tickets £15-£50 www.bnmf.co.uk

PONTIO RECOMMENDS

Wednesday 12 March, 7.30pm Powis Hall, Bangor University

Night and Day Madeleine Mitchell (violin) Central to this concert is a selection of contrasting pieces by Ned Rorem (Night Music and Day Music) where the music awakens our senses and leads us on a journey from darkness to light. These short pieces are supported by more recent works by John Woolrich (…that is Night), Anthony Powers (In Sunlight), Rhian Samuel (One Charming Night), Hillary Tann (extract from Seven Poems of Stillness), Michael Berkeley: (Veilleuse - Night Watch) and a world premiere of a new piece (commissioned by Tŷ Cerdd) by Mared Emlyn.

Thursday 13 March, all-day Powis Hall, Bangor University & Greek Taverna, Bangor 10:00-12:00 Master Class . Madeleine Mitchell (violin), Diane Clark (flute), Matthew Forbes (cello) and Asaf Sirkis 14:00 Jazz Workshop Asaf Sirkis Quartet 16:00 Festival Lecture Natasha Barrett 19:30 Electroacoustic WALES: Portrait of Natasha Barrett 22:00 Asaf Sirkis Quartet (Greek Taverna)

Electroacoustic WALES: Portrait of Natasha Barrett Natasha Barratt is at the forefront of the creative use of technology in many genres: live electronics, sound installations, multimedia and computer music improvisation. This concert focuses on her acousmatic music, including the world premiere of a BNMF commission. Asaf Sirkis Quartet Asaf Sirkis (drums/compositions) Sylwia Bialas (voice/compositions) Patrick Bettison (bass/harmonica) Frank Harrison (piano/keyboards) “Sirkis is not only an inventive drummer but also a composer of rigour, wit and surprising delicacy.” (MOJO, 2008) Enjoy and relax to the compositions and arrangements of this talented instrumentalist, who will be joined by some of the finest jazz musicians across Europe.

Saturday 15 March, 8pm Powis Hall, Bangor University

Stockhausen: Mantra

10:00 Jazz Masterclass. School of Music Hall, Bangor University 13:15 Bangor New Music Ensemble Deiniol Shopping Centre, Bangor 16:00 Festival Lecture: Robert Saxton Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University 18:30 Pre-concert Talk Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University 20:00 Orchestra of the Swan Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University BNME Deiniol Shopping Centre, Bangor An experimental open air performance of new Shakespeare inspired compositions by Katherine Betteridge, Fran Reader, David Draper and Nel Gwynn, amongst others.

Orchestra of the Swan Madeleine Mitchell (violin) Simon Desbruslais (trumpet) David Curtis (conductor) This concert includes musical reactions by three composers to the literary works of Shakespeare, with two world premieres in Tom Coults’ new work, Guto Pryderi Puw’s Violin Concerto – Soft Stillness (Commissioned by Tŷ Cerdd) and Shakespeare Scenes by Robert Saxton. The remainder of the programme draws upon the ling list of commissions by the orchestra, which includes Residuum by Tansy Davies’ and Little Symphony by Huw Watkins.

As a tribute to one of the most important musical innovators of the Twentieth Century, the Pestova/Meyer piano duo present Karlheinz Stcokhausen’s rarely performed masterpiece MANTRA (1970) for two pianists and live electronics. This event is in collaboration with INTER/actions conference.

PONTIO RECOMMENDS

Bangor New Music Festival

Friday 14 March, all-day Prichard-Jones Hall & Main Arts Lecture Theatre, Bangor University

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