T’S ON GUIDE. SOUTH WALES WHA AUGUST 2015
BRECON
JAZZ
WE ROUND-UP THE BEST OF THE FESTIVAL AND INTERVIEW ITS LEGENDARY ACTS
ROCK 'N' ROLL MEETS COAL AT VELVET COALMINE MARK LANEGAN: “IF YOU’RE IN IT FOR THE MONEY, YOU’RE IN THE WRONG JOB”
PLUS ROB GITTINS | GLOW IN THE DARK FOOD | PRIDE CYMRU | SUMMER COMPETITIONS
Dewch ar siwrnai i Fae Caerdydd am sioe ysblennydd yn yr awyr agored. Make your journey to Cardiff Bay for a free outdoor spectacular of myth and magic.
Dewch i ymgynnull y tu allan i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru i fwynhau noson wefreiddiol o orymdeithio, canu, chwedleua, cerddoriaeth, dawnsio, taflunio a phyrotechneg. Gyda mwy na 700 o berfformwyr o Gymru benbaladr a Shân Cothi fel y Feistres Hud a Lledrith, Ceridwen.
Gather outside Wales Millennium Centre for a breathtaking performance of processions, song, storytelling, music, dance, projection and pyrotechnics. Featuring over 700 performers from across Wales and Shân Cothi as the Mistress of Magic, Ceridwen.
Medi 12 Sept 2015
Roald Dahl Plass 7.30pm / AM DDIM | FREE Dilynwch y llwybr at 12 Medi Follow the journey to 12 September
arwaithardaith.com ArWaithArDaith #Awen2015 Crëwyd gan Created by
Gyda chefnogaeth Made possible by
Bydd y perfformiad yn digwydd y tu allan waeth beth fo’r tywydd. Gwisgwch yn addas. This free performance will take place outdoors whatever the weather. Please dress appropriately.
august2015
buzz... publisher EMMA CLARK editor HEATHER ARNOLD listings/music editor NOEL GARDNER advertising MOLLY CHINNER film technician (buzz tv) JAYDON MARTIN administration TERESA CLARK designer POLAR 10 contributors KEIRON SELF (FILMS), JENNIFER ALLAN, LOIS ARCARDI, DEE CUSACK, PHOEBE DAVIES, KATIE DRISCOLL, SAM EASTERBROOK, BEN GALLIVAN, DAVID GRIFFITHS, ROB HARRIES, RYAN HEEGER, RHIANNON HOLLEY, ADAM JONES, MAB JONES, ZAK MAOUI, SINNEAD MCCLUSLAND, DAN MULLER, ELLIE MURRAY, LYNDA NASH, DAMI OKHIRIA, CHRIS PEACH, JAMEY PENGILLEY, CHARLIE PIERCEY, RHONDA LEE REALI, LAURA RILEY, HUGH RUSSELL, OWEN SCOURFIELD, CHRIS SEAL, THOMAS STEWART, GETHIN THOMAS, MARK TIMLIN, REBECCA WILSON phone number 029 2022 6767 general enquiries info@buzzmag.co.uk editorial editorial@buzzmag.co.uk listings listings@buzzmag.co.uk advertising marketing@buzzmag.co.uk accounts accounts@buzzmag.co.uk BUZZ MAGAZINE 220C Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY published EAC PUBLISHING contents TAPE cover ROBERT GLASPER (BRECON JAZZ)
04roundup
“Do not fear if the skies are cloudy”
10upfront
How about the homage to the Blue Note record label design on the cover of this issue, then? Tasty, isn’t it? As I am a piece of paper, it’s impossible for me to have lustful urges – or so I thought until that front cover touched me, with its back side. It’s flagging up the Brecon Jazz festival, which heads a music special also featuring Velvet Coalmine and Mark Lanegan
28film
Keiron Self, always an eyebrow-raising turner of phrases, filed a review of American Ultra this month which included the words “Topher Grace’s anal suit”. Turns out this is a character, played by the actor Topher Grace, who is fastidious – anal, if you will – and is employed in the corporate sector: a suit, as such people are colloquially known. Oh, the laughs we have
30food&drink
If you ever find yourself reading Twitter biogs of British people aged 24-40 approx, you’ll surely be aware that, like tea and cupcakes, gin can be used as a substitute for a personality. Many people also use coming from Cardiff for the same purpose. Well, the process is shortly to be streamlined with the production of, wait for it, a Cardiff gin! Which we’ve written about in this section
34previews
It may not be hyperbole to say that the photo of one-time Tunnel Club DJ Steve Scott, in the clubbing section, is the best photo ever printed in Buzz. The moustache reels you in, of course, but there’s also the unsettled expression of Luisa Fernandez on the record sleeve, the packet of Polos within easy reach, Steve’s Casio watch and the fact he’s DJing with cassettes
42reviews
“Some may be turned off by the crass nature of certain songs” – a solemn warning which, in decades past, has prevented elderly aunts from accidentally buying records like My Ding-A-Ling, Straight Outta Compton, I Like It When You Die etc. This month, it’s been invoked in a review of an album ruder than all of them put together. Find out which inside!
47lifestyle
Despite just being a piece of paper, the fashion page reckons it knows what I should wear while drinking Pimms in my garden, and that is a secret slimming twisted frong ruched plunge swimsuit. This has reminded me that I won a bottle of Pimms in a raffle a few weeks ago, and that I don’t have a garden
49listings
I’m Really Really Excited About The Upcoming Elementary Didgeridoo Festival In Baskerville Hall
70competitions
Q: What is the name of the Status Quo tribute act performing at The Big Tribute? A: The Time John Coghlan Kicked His Drum Kit To Bits For No Reason
www.buzzmag.co.uk • www.twitter.com/buzz_magazine • www.facebook.com/buzzsouthwales
Friday 4 September 2015
MARK LANEGAN BAND PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS Y PLAS, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Saturday 5 September 2015
SWEET BILLY PILGRIM
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
Sunday 13 September 2015
Friday 18 September 2015
CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
THE MOON CLUB, CARDIFF
Tuesday 22 September 2015
Saturday 3 October 2015
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
PEACE PLUS SPLASHH / YAK
Sunday 4 October 2015
MOTORPOINT ARENA CARDIFF
THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
SIN CITY, SWANSEA
Sunday 4 October 2015
Saturday 10 October 2015
PAUL POTTS TOUR 2015 PLUS SOPHIE EVANS
30TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT - PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
10 Oct ABERDARE COLISEUM 11 Oct PRINCESS ROYAL THEATRE
JESSE MALIN PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
CROSBY, STILLS & NASH
THE SHIRES PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
THE GLEE CLUB, CARDIFF BAY
DAN OWEN PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
MIKE PETERS & THE ALARM WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
JACK SAVORETTI
PORT TALBOT
All tickets available from
ORCHARDENTERTAINMENT.CO.UK | 02920 230 130 BUZZ 4
Friday 23 October 2015
Monday 26 October 2015
Thursday 29 October 2015
CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
THE TRAMSHED, CARDIFF
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Tuesday 3 November 2015
STEVE HARLEY
CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
Y PLAS, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Friday 13 November 2015
HAPPY MONDAYS
STONE FOUNDATION PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
SUNDARA KARMA
THE PICTUREBOOKS
EAVES PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
THE STAVES PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
FUEL ROCK CLUB, CARDIFF
Saturday 12 December 2015
Thursday 18 February 2016
ST DAVIDS HALL, CARDIFF
ST DAVIDS HALL, CARDIFF
ONLY MEN ALOUD
HOTHOUSE FLOWERS
RICHARD AND ADAM 21 Nov 27 Nov 02 Dec 06 Dec
PARK AND DARE, TREORCHY THEATRE HAFREN, NEWTOWN VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO WILLIAM ASTON HALL, WREXHAM
FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS
BUZZ 5
roundup
WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
BRIEFLY
EVENT
A WALK TO REMEMBER Would you like an evening spent with friends and family watching the sun set, listening to live music and experiencing a fire dancing samba band? Well, you can enjoy all of this and help a great cause at the same time. Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness, is hosting Walk To Remember. This 10-kilometre evening walk, which takes you through Cardiff Castle’s 2,000 years of history and beautiful parklands, allows you to have fun and be fit while knowing you’ve participated in, and raised money for, a good cause. You don’t have to do this alone either: you can participate in the walk as a pair or with a group of friends. You can register online for £10 per person, or £20 on the night; under-16s can even go free. Alternatively, you can volunteer as part of the cheering crew, event member, or event marshal. Marie Curie: A Walk To Remember, Cardiff Castle, Sun 30 Aug. Registration: £10 per person / £20 on the night. Info: 08450 524184 / www.mariecurie.org.uk/ walkcardiff
THE LADDER
BUZZ 06
• CALLING ALL GEEKS: Geekedfest is coming to the Newport Centre on Sat 8 and Sun 9 Aug to provide you with a variety of exhibitions, interactive displays, Cosplay Competitions and much more. Special guests heading to the convention include Ian McElhinney (from Game Of Thrones), Virginia Hey (Mad Max 2: Road Warrior and Farscape) and contortionist Pixie Le Knot. Info: www.geekedfest.com
•
Want to climb the ladder and work with art professionals and creative individuals who all of us creative folk have a kinship to? Well, look no further than The Ladder itself, a unique production that combines dance, music, and drama. Produced by the New Theatre’s Arts Active Team and working with organisations across the grand ‘ole city of Cardiff, this entertaining evening is designed to provide an opportunity for young dancers, aged 14-25, to work with both the young and new as well as the old (sorry) and experienced – enhancing their teamwork skills and the creative side of their souls, all in one night. Plus, if you’re young/ unemployed/bring a group of eight plus friends, you are eligible for £2 off your ticket! What’s not to love? The Ladder, New Theatre, Cardiff, Sat 8 Aug. Tickets: £8. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
IT’S RAINING METEORS! Come and view one of the finest shows that nature has to offer, live in night sky. On Wed 12 Aug experts from Dark Sky Wales will be setting up their telescopes in Brecon Beacons National Park and inviting people to come and witness the perseid meteor shower. Do not fear if the skies are cloudy; a team of highly trained lecturers will be at the ready to talk about the subject so if you’re not lucky enough to see anything you can at least learn a thing or two. Info: www.breconbeacons.org
GET FLEXIBLE FOR A GOOD CAUSE as the One Love Movement hosts a healthy retreat for charity at The Abacus, Cardiff, on Sat 8 Aug. There will be lots of yoga (slow-style Yin yoga, stress-relieving Hatha yoga and strengthening power yoga) for beginners, families or experienced yoga-lovers. The One Love Movement aims to raise awareness and funds of youth issues through yoga events. The money raised in Cardiff will be split between their beneficiaries and local homeless charity Huggard. Info: www. jointheonelovemovement.org STAGE
SLIP AND SLIDE EVENT
Remember when you were young and used to make your own waterslide in the garden? Activities company Slip N Slide have recently made this childhood pastime possible once more, but this time on a much grander scale. The 500ft long slide, which is longer than a football pitch, will make its first appearance at Aberdare Park on Fri 14 Aug, then at Singleton Park in Swansea on Sat 15 and Sun 16 Aug. Tickets are per ride and include free tube rental, with an all day ticket also available for those who really want to splash out. As well as the epic water slide, there will be food stalls, rides and other sorts of entertainment happening throughout the day. So if you’re up for a laugh and don’t mind getting soaked, Slip N Slide sounds like the ideal way to cool down this summer. Slip N Slide, Aberdare Park, Sat 14 Aug; Singleton Park, Swansea, Sat 15 + Sun 16 Aug. Tickets: £6 per ride / £20 all day. Info: www.slipnslideevents.co.uk
pic: Brian Phillips
CARDIFF CARNIVAL EVENT
The 26th Cardiff Carnival returns to the streets of the capital, and it’s going to be good. The day promises dancing, parades, fun, intricate and colourful costumes, street bands and more. Organised by SWICA (South Wales Intercultural Community Arts), the bright and bold parade will start at 3.30pm from the Atrium. It will then go down Queen Street, through to St Mary Street and will end on The Hayes – where Cardiff Carnival’s Street Stage will be set up. The stage will showcase music and dance from lots of Cardiff’s movers and shakers, including 1920s jive from Lindy Hop Cardiff, belly dancing from Persian Belles and family-friendly burlesque from Cardiff Cabaret Club. Self-described as ‘intercultural’ and ‘intergenerational’, SWICA makes the effort to get people of all ages and background involved and enjoying the carnival. If you’re not into the brightly coloured sequin covered costumes then you might still enjoy the big band grooves of of Wonderbrass, the Bollywood dancing of Dakshin or the Brazilian martial arts of Cardiff Capoeria.
EVENT
pic: Keef Gibson
Cardiff Carnival, The Atrium, Cardiff (starting point), Sat 8 Aug. Admission: free. Info: swicacarnival.co.uk
THE GREEN GATHERING Set in the picturesque landscape of the Welsh borders, the Green Gathering brings you a festival committed to sustaining communities in a creative and low impact way. On site festivities include a range of live artists and DJs including Martha Tilston, The Undercover Hippy and Libby Lawes. Delving deeper into the forestry, the long weekend consists of speeches from activists, a craft area, a radical cinema (created by Reel News) and fireside sessions for those who love a bit of acoustic. In the day why not browse the green markets and food stalls whilst at night stumble across the weird and wonderful mythical creatures? The Green Gathering is suitable for all ages, with the festival’s own Majical Youth encouraging both teens and kids to explore and get involved in the mayhem. The Green Gathering, Piercefield Park, Chepstow, Thurs 13-Sun 16 Aug. Tickets: £100 / £54 under-15s / children under 10 go free but need a ticket. Info: www.greengathering.org.uk BUZZ 07
roundup
WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
SPORT
BRIAN CONLEY Phoebe Davies talks to the comedian/presenter/singer/ actor Brian Conley about taking on the role of history’s greatest showman, Phineas T Barnum, as the musical Barnum heads to the Wales Millennium Centre. pic: Johan Persson
Did you know much about Phineas T. Barnum before taking on the role?
Not really. All I knew was that he had something to do with the circus but that was it. I didn’t know anything else about him until they asked if I would be interested in the part. He’s a very interesting character. People think it’s a circus show but it’s not really. It’s a story about the first entrepreneur, the first spin doctor. He really knew how to manipulate the press to get his way and to build up a show to make it sound bigger than it probably was. He was a very clever man. He was the world’s second millionaire and when he died he was the richest man in America.
Were you surprised about anything when you looked into him?
Just what an incredible life he did have. He started off with these sort of freak shows and built that up, then he bought the American museum, but he very much loaned the money. He was obviously a real charmer because he managed to get the money out of the banks and pay for the American Museum which went down as a huge hit. The show is very much a love story between him and his wife and her trying to control him because he is a bit of a live wire and wants to take over the world. It’s about her cleverly sort of manipulating him and pulling back the reins.
Was it daunting to be taking on the role?
Of course, it was physically a very demanding role. There are so many skills you have to bring to it and have to learn. You’ve got to be good at comedy, then there’s acting, singing, dancing, stilt walking, juggling, there’s magic, there’s fire eating, there’s walking on a tight wire.
“It’s a story about the first entrepreneur, the first spin doctor”
If Barnum was alive today, and had a TV show, what one would he have?
I think he’d be the Simon Cowell. He would also be the Sir Cameron Mackintosh – the biggest, most powerful [theatre] producer in the world.
Why, if so, do you think it’s important to tell Barnum’s life story?
I think the biggest buzz I get is when people go “I really want to find out more about this man”. Obviously in America he’s a lot more famous and well known than he is over here, but it’s an interesting story and it’s a love story. He eloped and married his wife; they were married for 44 years. It’s the story of their life and their relationship as well as all his dreams. One of Barnum’s quotes is “the noblest art is that of making others happy” – and he is still making them happy because we are doing this.
Barnum, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 11-Tue 18 Aug. Tickets: £17.50-£44.50 / £53.50-£54.50 premium seats. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
BUZZ 8
WALES V IRELAND Muscles! Anger! Violence! Sound like your kind of thing? Then you’ve no doubt heard of the warm-up match to the World Cup, the Dove Men Tests, taking place this month at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. With kick-off at 2.30pm, this is sure to be a passionate match; the rumour on the street is that us Welshies and the giddy Irish folk have a lot of tension between them re: rugby. Who would have thought? While it’s probably not correct to compare this match to the Battle of the Titans, I think it’s safe to say that, yes, it can be said that these big built men running around with a weirdshaped ball on a big field is equal to a battle fought to decide whom could dictate the universe. With Wales having won 66 of the 121 matches fought between Ireland, the odds are in the reds’ favour, but you better get your tickets fast – it looks as though the match will sell out. Rugby Union: Dove Men’s Test – Wales v Ireland, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Sat 8 Aug. Tickets: £10-£50. Info: 08448 471881 / www. millenniumstadium.com
The Robert Cray Band Tuesday 6 October
Dresden Philharmonic Wednesday 7 October
Art Garfunkel Thursday 17 September
Let’s Hang On Saturday 5 September
Richard Thompson Tuesday 15 September
Welcome to Night Vale Friday 25 September
Calan & The Gentle Good Tuesday 22 September
Jim Davidson Monday 12 October
Capital City Jazz Orchestra Tuesday 29 September
BUZZ 9
roundup
WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
BOOK NOW IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT Sherman Cymru, Cardiff Tues 1-Sat 5 Sept Tickets: £7.50-£15 Info: 029 2064 6900 www.shermancymru.co.uk
?
SOUTH WALES SECRET #57 Boofy’s, Barry Island
In the run-up to this year’s Pride Cymru event we talk to the organisations Chair Lu Thomas about Pride, LGBT+ rights and her South Wales Secret. With 2015 marking an important anniversary for Pride Cymru, the organisation’s Chair is determined to return Cardiff’s LGBT pride event (formerly known as Cardiff Mardi Gras) to its roots. “It's 30 years since the very first LGBT march through Cardiff,” says Lu Thomas, “and we are enormously proud that we have some of the original organisers and participants, along with original members of Lesbians And Gays Support The Miners, to lead the parade through the centre of Cardiff. “To be led by these amazing, brave and truly inspirational people is fantastic. Without these people leading the way all those years ago we wouldn’t be here today. I wouldn’t be here holding my pregnant wife’s hand.” Though there is still a fair way to go before real equality is reached, the progression of LGBT+ rights in Wales is something to celebrate and this year’s Pride Cymru event is set to have a fun festival feel. “It is a party – a celebration for all,” Lu explains, “so please bring your neighbours, bring your family – mum, dad, the kids and Nana!” Kicking off the event will be the big, loud and colourful Welsh Pride Parade – which will end at Cooper’s Field just in time for the main Pride Cymru event. “We have teamed up with the Color Festival guys, who will be in our Dance Arena. There will be a street food village and we’re also working with
BUZZ 10
Attitude Is Everything to make our event the most accessible event possible. “We have the children and young people’s area with a Playbus, face painting, storytelling and this year we also have Boulders coming with their Climbing Wall. For those that need a sit down and couldn’t think of anything nicer than a cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake – we have the Vintage Tearooms, which will be a little oasis of calm in the middle of the field. With so much going on it’s easy to imagine that Lu doesn’t have any time to relax, so her South Wales Secret comes with instructions to be carried out in the colder, less busy months: “My South Wales Secret is sharing a bag of chips from Boofy’s on Barry Island beach in the winter with the wife and dog. But it must be the winter, slate grey sky and freezing cold!” Pride Cymru, Cooper’s Field, Cardiff, Sat 15 Aug; Welsh Pride Parade, Churchill Way, Cardiff (starting point), Sat 15 Aug 11.30am. Tickets: £8 / £12 multi-entry wristband / £5 children under 13 / £19 family ticket / Parade: free to spectators or £1pp donation to participate. Info: www.pridecymru.co.uk
FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Thurs 3-Thurs 10 Sept Tickets: £45-£55 Info: 029 2063 6464 www.wmc.org.uk
AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD: ONE MAN, ONE GUVNOR Swansea Grand Theatre, Fri 21 Sept Tickets: £26 Info: 01792 475715 www.swansea.gov.uk
OMAR The Globe, Cardiff Fri 25 Sept Tickets: £14 Info: www.globecardiffmusic.com
THE WOMBATS The Great Hall, Cardiff Students Union Fri 2 Oct Tickets: £17 Info: 029 2078 1400 www.cardiffstudents.com
JACK SAVORETTI Sin City, Swansea Sun 4 Oct Tickets: £16.50 Info: www.sincityclub.co.uk
FALL OUT BOY Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Mon 7 Oct Tickets: £34 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.livenation.co.uk
PAUL POTTS Aberystwyth Arts Centre Fri 9 Oct Tickets: £25 Info: 01970 623232 www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
pic: DON Q HANNAH
upfront
BRECON
JAZZ ROBERT GLASPER Texas native Robert Glasper returns to the classic piano trio format this year. Do not be fooled by the false sense of conventionality, however, as Glasper is anything but. He represents a new generation of jazz musicians, with the multi-talented pianist, bandleader and composer combining the classic jazz language with explorations in hip-hop, presenting a juxtaposition of eras, languages and styles. This all showcases how, along with his recordings for Blue Note, Robert Glasper has set a new benchmark for jazz in the 21st century.
With three days’ worth of genuine jazz music, it can be difficult deciding what shows to see at the Brecon Jazz Festival. Phoebe Davies and Sinead McClusland have a look that the legendary lineup and make some suggestions. NIA LYNN
RAY DAVIES
What contemporary artist would you like to work with?
With creative vocals and emotive lyrics, Nia Lynn is bringing her soothing music to Brecon, with the soft lyrics being exemplified by her Bannau Trio. Gareth Lockrane, the band’s flautist, and Ross Stanley, the band’s pianist, mix their reassuring tone with Lynn’s emotional lyrics, creating an almost cathartic atmosphere. Chapter Stage, Brecon Cathedral, Fri 7 Aug, 5.45pm. Tickets: £15
Janelle Monae. I like her voice, and I feel like I could take her out of her zone and she would take me out of mine – and we would be in some kind of super dope zone that neither of us have been to!
KENNY BARRON DAVE HOLLAND DUO
Influential singer and songwriter Ray Davies graces the Grolsch Market Hall stage alongside his band as the first headline act on the Friday. Since forming one of the first and most influential rock bands, The Kinks, in the early 1960s, Davies has enjoyed multiple chart hits and retained enduring appeal as a solo artist. More recently, in 2010, he released a collaborative See My Friends. Although he may be at The Grolsch Market Hall and not Waterloo, we can still gaze upon a Brecon Sunset, right? The Grolsch Market Hall, Fri 7 Aug, 8.30pm. Tickets: £37.50
Who would be your dream band for a ‘one night only’ gig and where would it be? Ahmir on drums, Meshell Ndegeocello on bass, Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Wonder singing and Prince on guitar. And the show would be some underground spot in NY.
We’ve had ‘jazz death’ (a type of hardcore jazz fused with experimental loud sounds) what’s next for jazz? I don’t know the future of jazz, but i’m glad people are still creating; still making new sounds. Ultimately I enjoy the ride; not knowing the destination.
Any collaborations due on the horizon and who with? I’m currently producing a Miles Davis tribute album, which involves Hiatus Kaiyote, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Erykah Badu, Bilal and Stevie Wonder, and which is gonna be out sometime in the fall. There are also some production opportunities on the horizon, though I can’t speak on them at the moment... but get ready – they're gonna be fucking awesome! I also just produced a Nina Simone tribute album which came out in July – and on that I collaborated with May J, Gregory Porter, Jazmin Sullivan Sullivan & a few others too.
Who and what do you listen to when relaxing/and for a big night out? For a big night out I’m listening to [Kendrick Lamar's] To Pimp A Butterfly – and not just because i’m on it; because it’s an awesome album!
What’s next for you this year? Putting out the Miles album and touring my new trio record Covered. I’m letting this record ride for a minute before doing anything new – and thinking on my next move...
CD or vinyl? Vinyl’s better but I don’t listen to vinyl because I travel all the time, so I listen to CDs... but vinyl gives you the best sound. The Grolsch Market Hall, Sun 9 Aug, 8.00pm. Tickets: £25. BUZZ 12
With one being named one of the top jazz pianists in the world and over a dozen Grammy Award nominations between them, NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron and Dave Holland come to the Festival to combine their different backgrounds and influences into an immersive jazz experience. Theatr Brycheiniog, Fri 7 Aug, 5.30pm. Tickets: £25
WORLD WIDE WALES If you know Seu Jorge (probably from Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) then you’ll probably like Adriano Adewale, a São Paulo-born composer who has collaborated with the likes of Jorge, Seb Rochford, and Tuti Moreno. Invited to Brecon Jazz Festival by Welsh pianist and composer Huw Warren, the dynamic between Adewale’s percussion with Warren’s rhythmic grooves and melodies shows how music can be emotive and serious as well as approachable and fun. Chapter Stage, Brecon Cathedral, Fri 7 Aug, 6.15pm. Tickets: £15
WINSTONE / GESING / VENIER The Grammy nominated trio Winstone / Gesing / Venier, sometimes called Distances, comprise of an English singer, a German reedman, and an Italian pianist. The blend of Winston’s ethereal voice, Venier’s striking harmonisations and Gesing’s textures creates a beautiful combination of music and melody, ensuring an evocative performance. Chapter Stage, Brecon Cathedral, Fri 7 Aug, 9pm. Tickets: £18
NEIL COWLEY PRESENTS THE OTHER SIDE OF DUDLEY MOORE This year marks two noteworthy dates concerning the late comedian/actor/ musician Dudley Moore; not only has it been 50 years since the release of his influential album The Other Side of Dudley Moore, but it would have also marked his 80th birthday. Fittingly, the multiple award-winning composer and life-long fan, Neil Cowley, has decided to assemble his trio – consisting of Rex Horan on bass and Evan Jenkins on drums – to pay respect to musical Moore. Theatr Brycheiniog, Sat 8 Aug, 1pm. Tickets: £18.50.
pic: NICK MARUODIAS
KENNY BARRON DAVE HOLLAND DUO
NEIL COWLEY
JULIA BIEL Singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Julia Biel has achieved a lot. So far, she has won the Perrier Jazz Vocalist Of The Year in 2000, released two albums and is now touring worldwide. Her poetic lyrical style, cinematic arrangements, and pop song structures will speak to the souls of each and every person.
You're described as a ‘storytelling singer and songwriter’ – how important is it to you that your music has a story element to it?
GOGO PENGUIN
Hopefully that quote just gives people the idea that there's some shifts in the mood and then it allows me the freedom to be a rounded artist in terms of what I am presenting because, in truth, all songs tell a story really – some subject matters are just more involved than others. Also I would hope it gives the impression that the lyrics are an important part of the picture. When I'm writing I'm always really conscious that a song needs a very clear reason to exist and that ultimately songs stand or fall by their lyrics – even if in the short-term it appears not to matter, it always seem to me good lyrics allow a song to stand the test of time.
Do you think festivals such as the Brecon Jazz Festival are important? I think Brecon Jazz Festival shines a spotlight on jazz and if you're into jazz you'll be in the right place! There are a lot of UK music festivals these days but jazz does remain a rarity in the mainstream so for jazz acts and jazzloving punters alike, a festival like Brecon ensures the spotlight shines on jazzland. Although I'm a Brecon Jazz Festival virgin, my impression is that Brecon occupies a very special place in the festival calendar. Chapter Stage, Brecon Cathedral, Sun 9 Aug, 8.30pm. Tickets: £17.50
BUZZ 13
upfront
DR JOHN
TIMO LASSY BAND
Originally from Finland, Timo Lassy is a leading saxophonist and composer. Combined with his band mates – Teppo, Antti, Georgios and Mamba – who form the Finish musician’s quintet ensemble. The Timo Lassy Band are sure to light up the Brecon stage with their perfect dichotomy of music, infusing the classic 50s/60s-inspired soul jazz with modernday execution and personality. The band’s fifth album has been described by Timo Lassy himself as their most personal work to date, meaning you will have first-hand experience to a raw, authentic show. Y Neuadd Goffa, The Memorial Hall, Christ College, Sat 8 Aug, 4.15pm. Tickets: £15
PHRONESIS This Anglo-Scandinavian trio, Jasper Høiby (double bass), Ivo Neame (piano) and Anto Eger (drums) form the energetic and increasingly popular jazz band Phronesis. Their most recent album Life To Everything gained worldwide praise and led them to be voted for another MOBO nomination for Best Jazz Act. They have continued to command the stage with their unique style and boppin’ rhythms. Theatr Brycheiniog, Sun 9 Aug, 6pm. Tickets: £17.50
Louis Armstrong once sang “Stars fell on Alabama”. Well, we can change that lyric to “Stars fell on Brecon”, as the six-time Grammy award-winning musician and Rock’n’Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Dr John perform his critically acclaimed Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit Of Satch show, paying homage to Louis Armstrong himself.
Why did you decide to create a tribute to the work of Louis Armstrong? Louis Armstrong came to me in a dream and said, “Do my music, and do it your way.”
COURTNEY PINE PRESENTS SONG (THE BALLAD BOOK) – FEATURING ZOE RAHMAN On the Saturday one of the UK’s most celebrated Jazz artist Courtney Pine will be grabbing his saxophone and pairing up with Mercury nominee and MOBO award winning pianist Zoe Rahman. Having both performed at Brecon Jazz individually in 2013, the musicians now join forces for their return will present a creative, colourful, collaborative performance. Chapter Stage, Brecon Cathedral, Sat 8 Aug, 9pm. Tickets: £22.50
GOGO PENGUIN
Do you remember the first time your heard Louis Armstrong? My Pa loved music and most of all we would listen to Louis Armstrong records. I don’t remember the first song I heard but I remember that he was so inspiring. I loved Gutbucket Blues, and Louis singing with Billie Holiday on Sweet Hunk O'Trash.
What is it about Armstrong’s music that you think speaks to so many people? He was an ambassador to the world from New Orleans and that was a good thing. We were from the same neighbourhood and every time my Pa passed his place he would say, “That's where Louis Armstrong is from.”
Was it difficult choosing what song to pick for the album? It was hard to pick. We [co-producer & arranger Sarah Morrow] tried to be true to the songs by Louis that were special to me as a kid and make the songs fresh. Every song on the album has a spiritual connection. The Grolsch Market Hall, Sat 8 Aug, 8.30pm.Tickets: £37.50
SONS OF KEMET
This intriguing trio bringd together a world of influences and fuses them into something brand new. Their genredefying second album, V2.0, perfected their unique sound and was nominated for the 2014 Mercury Prize.
What shows are you planning to catch at the festival? We've managed to have a quick scan of the lineup and it’s good to see our label mate Robert Glasper is performing so if we get chance we'll try and catch some of that gig. Otherwise Dave Holland and Kenny Barren springs to mind. It'd definitely be good to see two jazz greats in the more intimate setting of a duo.
With such a unique sound, do you consider yourselves a jazz band? We just consider ourselves to be a band that culminates our different influences first and foremost. Of course one of those influences is jazz but we’re also hugely inspired by electronica and many other styles. We don’t feel it’s necessary to label it one thing or another as we like to take inspiration from many places. However, we are signed to Blue Note Records which is an iconic jazz label, so there is undoubtedly a jazz element to our music.
What do you like the most about jazz? The sheer amount of variation between different groups and artists. Its energy and daring to experiment and create in the moment. Y Neuadd Goffa, The Memorial Hall, Christ College, Sat 8 Aug, 7.45pm. Tickets: £17.50 BUZZ 14
ANDREA MOTIS AND JOAN CHAMORRO Born 30 years apart, Andrea Motis and Joan Chamorro seemed an unlikely duo. However, when the precocious Motis began collaborating with the Sant Andreu Jazz Band as a pre-teen, she and Chamorro hit it off and the rest is history. With five albums under their belts, as well as being able to name drop the likes of Dick Oatts, Scott Hamilton and many other famous musicians they’ve worked with, Andrea Motis and Joan Chamorro are sure to bring their unique energy and talent to the stage. Chapter Stage, Brecon Cathedral, Sun 9 Aug, 1pm. Tickets: £16
SONS OF KEMET There’s little chance you’ve heard anything quite like Sons Of Kemet before. The diversity in genre this award-winning British foursome offer complies of a mixture of jazz, rock, dub, Caribbean folk and traditional African diasporan history. Originality, exuberance and brilliance are just a few words used to describe what the band bring to a live performance. Y Neuadd Goffa, The Memorial Hall, Christ College, Sun 9 Aug, 3.15pm. Tickets: £18
吀栀攀 䤀爀椀猀 倀爀椀稀攀 椀猀 猀甀瀀瀀漀爀琀攀搀 戀礀 吀栀攀 䴀椀挀栀愀攀氀 䈀椀猀栀漀瀀 䘀漀甀渀搀愀琀椀漀渀
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upfront
CRUGMAWR FESTIVAL
S
UMMER LOVIN
Wimbledon might be over, the ‘longest day of the year’ may feel like a distant memory and your Pimms supply might be running dry but the summer isn’t over just yet – especially with a national day off just around the corner. Here’s our round-up of what’s on this Bank Holiday weekend so you can embrace the summer spirit one last time before the sunshine fades. SWANSEA BEER AND CIDER FEST last chance to hear Bellowhead’s catalogue of traditional dance songs, folk ballads and sea shanties live. There will also be performances from tribute acts The Bohemians (the Queen tribute band that has even earnt the admiration of Brian May himself) and ELO (who take on the iconic Electric Light Orchestra).
CASTELL ROC
CASTELL ROC Nothing screams rock’n’roll more than a building that dates back to the 11th century, and Chepstow Castle is determined to prove this fact with 11 days of live music shows. Acts performing includes Newport hip-hop troupe Goldie Lookin Chain, folk-rock band the Levellers and boyband sensation Blue. Also on the line-up is the 11-piece folk band Bellowhead who, after 11 years of making music and with eight BBC Radio 1 Folk Awards under their belt, are playing out their last few shows before they bid the band goodbye and part ways. Their performance at Castell Roc on Thurs 27 Aug might be your BUZZ BUZZ16 16
Castell Roc, Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire, Thurs 20-Mon 31 Aug. Tickets: £13.50-£27.50 per night / some events free. Info: www.castellroc.co.uk
SWANSEA BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL Most of us will want to celebrate the last bank holiday of the summer with a relaxing drink, so why not let the people in the know pick out the best beers and ciders to try. There will still be plenty of choice as The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) brings together over 100 real ales and 60 different craft-brewed ciders and perries. New microbrew kids on the block Boss Brewing will be serving up drinks at the festival, as will award-winner Tiny Rebel and the (also award-winning) Gower Brewery. It’s more than just the booze, however, as there will be live music and talks on as well.
Swansea Beer And Cider Festival, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Thurs 27-Sat 29 Aug. Admissions: £5/£3 CAMRA members. Info: www.swanseacamra.org.uk
CARDIFF BREWFEST The Swansea Beer And Cider Festival has some local competition, however, as Cardiff celebrates its first independent craft beer festival this month. The event has been created by two guys who know a thing or two about creating a top quality craft beer – Bradley Cummings (of Tiny Rebel Brewing) and Nick Otley (of Otley Brewing Company). Details are still to be announced but South
Wales’ Crafty Devil, London’s Beavertown Brewery and Warwickshire’s Purity Brewing will all be there – as will a number of tasty street food vendors. Cardiff Brewfest, The Depot, Cardiff, Fri 28-Sun 30 Aug. Tickets: £5. Info: www. twitter.com/cardiffbrewfest
THE BIG TRIBUTE
THE BIG TRIBUTE FESTIVAL Don’t feel too bad if you bought a ticket to Glastonbury just to see the Foo Fighters, if you don’t have a spare £40-£200 for U2 tickets or if you think that Status Quo just don’t tour enough because Aberystwyth’s Big Tribute Festival has the next best things: the Four Fighters, U2UK and Quo-incidence. The festival dedicated to tribute acts has a line-up of brilliantly punningly-named bands including Stereosonics, Coldplace and The Kounterfeit Kinks. It won’t just be imitation acts at The Big Tribute, however, as there are two other stages dedicated to local musicians (the Other Stage) and family friendly activities such as crafts, circus skills and face painting (the Little Rockers Stage). A sense of good fun running the festival, and the Saturday (dubbed ‘Spellbound Saturday’) is Big Tribute’s official fancy dress day so you might want to dig out your neon wig as well as your festival wellies. The Big Tribute, Lovesgrove, Aberystwyth, Fri 28-Sun 30 Aug. Tickets: £55/£45 adv (weekend) / £10-£27 (weekend conc) / £14-£30 (adult day ticket) / £4-£18 (day ticket conc) / free under-5s. Info: www. thebigtribute.co.uk
GŴYL CRUG MAWR FESTIVAL
BOG SNORKELLING
CINEMA BY THE SEA
Although bog snorkelling sounds like it could be a character from the BFG, it is actually a bona fide sport where competitors (you guessed it) snorkel through a bog. The 30th World Bog Snorkelling Championships will see snorkelers from around the world flipper their way through 120 yards of peat bog. Last year a new world record was set by 33-year-old Kirsty Johnson when she completed the course in just one minute 22.53 seconds. A new world record has been set each year since 2010 but only time will tell if this will happen again in 2015. If simple bog snorkelling isn’t enough for you (really, that’s not weird enough for you?) then the Championships are preceded by Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling and a Bog Snorkelling Triathlon (which involves an eight-mile run, 120-yard bog snorkel and 12-mile mountain bike ride) the day before.
Ever been out in the sunshine, donning your light and breezy summer outfit, and decided to go to the cinema only to freeze to death at the hands of their relentless air conditioning settings? Well fear not because you can watch film in normal temperatures when the Cinema By The Sea returns to Barry Island as part of their summer Weekender events. This year the sea-side outdoor cinema will be screening the action packed 80s hit Top Gun on the Saturday and the singalong inducing kids film Frozen the following night.
Bog Snorkelling, Llanwrtyd Wells, Sat 29 + Sun 30 Aug. Admission: free for spectators. Info: 01591 610666 / www. green-events.co.uk
STEAMPUNK WEEKEND The lovely people of Llandrindod Wells has been taking their town back in time every summer for the last 34 years as part of their Victorian Festival, and this summer is no exception with the town getting all old fashioned from Sat 22-Sun 30 Aug. This year the week long blast from the past will come to an end with a stylish new steampunk finale. The steam-power-meets-sci-fi style will be taking hold of the festival with a steampunk market, a time travelling tea tent and a cabaret and ball (where you’ll be able to see burlesque artists, electronic violinist Lauren Charlotte and colonial adventurer/ hip-hop artist Professor Elemental). The whole festival will come to an end with a torch-lit procession, a firework display and a performance by steampunk band The Copperfield Ensemble. Steampunk Weekend, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Sat 29 + Sun 30 Aug. Tickets: daytime events free / individual evening events priced separately. Info: www. victorianfestival.co.uk
BRECON BEACONS SUMMER FAIR It’s the time of year where summer fairs pop up everywhere, from church car parks to school playgrounds, but how about a fair set in the stunning Brecon Beacons? The fair has been an annual event at the National Park Visitor Centre and its surrounding lawns and fields for 10 years; with all that practice, they’ve got entertainment down to a T. There will be live music, food from local producers, activities for the kids (including willow sculpting, potter turning and folk dancing lessons) and artwork displayed. Brecon Beacons Summer Fair, National Park Visitor Centre, Brecon Beacons, Sat 29-Mon 31 Aug. Admission: free. Info: 01874 623366 / www.breconbeacons.org
BRECON BEACONS SUMMER FAIR
OUTDOOR THEATRE: THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE Open-air theatre aficionados Illyria return to the grounds of St Donats Castle with the 18th century poem The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Yes that’s right kids, this tale of a sorcerer’s right hand man who creates chaos when he tries to cheat his way out of the chores was created by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – not Micky Mouse. The touring theatre company, Illyria, have been taking outdoor performance across the world since 1991 with much success. For this particular production they even have tricks designed by the famous magician and illusionist Paul Daniels.
The overwhelming success of this year’s Tafwyl Fair (who, last month, welcomed over 34,000 people into their weekend of entertainment) proves that there’s a demand for Welsh language festivals, and Gwly Crug Mawr is back to cater to that demand and champion Welsh talent. The festival will play host to four live music stages and Indie rockers Candelas, beatbox artist Mr Phormula and solo artist Gwenno (former member of The Pipettes) all on the roster. Gwyl Crug Mawr Festival, Caeau Oernant Fields, Crug Mawr, Cardigan, Fri 28 + Sat 29 Aug. Tickets: £25 weekend / £15£17.50 per day. Info: 01239 621200 / www. mwldan.co.uk
Cinema By The Sea Weekender, Barry Island Gardens, Sat 29 + Sun 30 Aug. Admission: free. Info: 01446 704737 / www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
CINEMA BY THE SEA
The Sorcerer's Apprentice, St. Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan Mon 31 Aug. Tickets: £12/£7.50 conc. Info: www. stdonats.com BUZZ 17
upfront
VELVET COALMINE If I said the words ‘writing’ and ‘rock’n’roll’ to you – what are the images that come to mind? Guitar smashing? The manic scribblings of a creative? Wales’ industrial history? Okay, you might not have thought of that last one, but the organisers of Blackwood’s Velvet Coalmine Festival have, as they pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of the end of the Miners’ Strike with music, literatures, comedy and art.
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Don Letts
SLAVES
T
he town of Blackwood, like many towns in Wales, has strong historical links with coalmining. One of the town’s main venues, the Blackwood Miners Institute (known locally as the ‘Stute), was opened by the Coal Industry and the Social Welfare Organisation. However, many people probably don’t realise that the Caerphilly town has a strong rock’n’roll streak to it. Not only was Blackwood an important site of the rebellious, working-class Chartists movement and the starting point of the Newport Rising – rock’n’roll being about attitude, not just music – it’s also the birthplace of Paul ‘Legs’ Barrett (the UK’s most famous rock’n’roll agent and first manager of Shakin’ Stevens) and the ‘Stute is where the members of post-hardcore band McLusky met each other. “In case anyone missed it,” Iain Richards, the festival’s director, adds, “Blackwood also produced Wales’ best and most important band – Manic Street Preachers! We have rock history!” Velvet Coalmine isn’t a festival that Ian made up and then just plonked in a Welsh town that seemed to fit. It’s been built from the ground up with Blackwood in mind. “First and foremost, I'm a Blackwood boy,” he explains. “I spent all my childhood there, went to school there, all my family still live there and my abiding memory of being a teenager learning guitar was that nothing happened there! It’s one of the few towns in the Valleys that has the resources to stage an event of this calibre, with a number of high quality venues and a central location within the region that ensures it’s accessible for people from many different towns. “It was really important to me to focus more on rock/punk/ alternative for the music, and the idea of ‘telling our story’ through the other elements of the festival,” Ian continues. “So much of Valleys life goes untold and ends up being depicted nationally as a bunch of redundant, outdated clichés like something out of Stella, which is annoying. There are lots of intelligent, highly articulate and creative people in the Valleys and it’s about time we got taken seriously. Therefore the event attempts to reflect this.” Welsh talent is certainly playing an important part in the festival, with Blackwood-born Manic Street Preachers bassist Nicky Wire curating the festival’s film programme, along with BAFTA-winning director Kieran Evans, who was born in St Davids. Wire’s brother, renowned poet Patrick Jones (Wire, for the uninitiated, is an assumed surname), takes care of the literature lineup. Newport’s recently-reunited metal/punk/ragga band Dub War will be headlining on Fri 4 Sept after Cardiff-born electropop artist (and former member of The Pipettes) Gwenno takes to the stage with
her predominantly Welsh language tunes. Henry’s Funeral Shoe, hailing from Ystrad Mynach, will be performing their growly mix of blues and alt-rock on Sat 5. The band of brothers have shared the stage with the likes of Feeder, Status Quo and Lynyrd Skynyrd in the past few years, their energetic live performances meeting with much praise. On Sun 6, Blackwood sextet The Noses, who recently played Glastonbury, present their unique hillbilly punk sound. Cardiff-formed electro-indie foursome Fjords will also be making an appearance. It isn’t all about the locals, however, as Velvet Coalmine is a festival than has the clout to call in musicians of international fame. The Meat Puppets, who were introduced to their widest audience in 1993 when they joined Nirvana onstage to perform three of their songs for the now-iconic MTV Unplugged performances, will be the festival’s final headliner on the Sunday night. Expect an encyclopaedia of musical genres courtesy of the Meat Puppets, whose sound changed dramatically over the course of their career. They started off with a matchless blend of punk, psychedelic rock and Americana, but later went on to experiment with acid rock, country & western and folk (they even helped create a genre called cowpunk – a heady mix of new wave, country, folk and blues). British punk duo Slaves, recently nominated by music critics and industry figures for the BBC’s Sound Of 2015, will be headlining on the Saturday night with their punk-attitude-meets-garage-riffs sound. Others performing include former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock, London based space-punk outfit The Voyeurs (formerly known as Charlie Boyer And The Voyeurs) and the legendary Don Letts – who will be performing a DJ set. Remember that the festival isn’t all music, however: there’ll also be films, poetry readings, industry panels and art. Ian also is determined to make sure the affects of the festival last longer than the weekend. “Too many festivals just occur for one long, great weekend and nothing happens. The whole point of Velvet Coalmine is to engage people throughout the year in projects and areas where they can develop skills and self-expression. One of these is a week-long music industry development course in the October half-term that aims to equip local people between 16-19 with music industry knowhow and access to the right information.” And what does he hope the festival, and its extra events, will achieve? “Quite simply that more people pick up instruments, read books act, direct, paint and to realise that it can all be done in Blackwood and we're the same as everyone else, everywhere else.” Velvet Coalmine Festival, various venues, Blackwood, Tue 1-Sun 6 Sept. Tickets: £12-£16.50 day tickets / £40 full weekend. Info: www.velvetcoalmine.com
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pic: STEVE GULLICK
upfront
MARK LANEGAN American rock survivor Mark Lanegan catches up with Jennifer Allan to discuss songwriting, music, inspiration and Wales.
M
completely different – a completely different experience. ark Lanegan has notched up a When I work with Isobel Campbell she writes the song and musical career spanning more than I’m there with her, supporting her vision. Sometimes with three decades. The extensive, highly impressive discography includes other artists, it’s a shared vision and we work together to realise it.” collaborations with Queens Of The Stone Age and Belle And Sebastian’s Isobel Campbell; he even Mark works predominantly with his voice – a gravelly, recorded an unreleased album with Kurt Cobain and dusky baritone that’s often compared with Tom Waits – to Krist Novoselic of Nirvana, paying tribute to blues legend create his music. Keyboards, guitars and experience all Leadbelly. help in the songwriting process too, of course. His solo career began in 1990 with an album titled The “In all honesty,” he says, “I’m wilfully inefficient when it Winding Sheet, which was acclaimed on release and has comes to learning instruments. The instruments are just retained cult status. By this time an aid to the creative element of he’d already released four albums I do. “I’m wilfully inefficient what with Screaming Trees; a Seattle “I’d say the musicians who have band whose take on hard rock when it comes to inspired me most have been [late presaged the explosion of grunge of The Gun Club] Jeffrey learning instruments. frontman in the early 90s. All in all, it’s fair Lee Pierce and Son House. But, to say that he’s a bit of a legend, The instruments are just you know, I’d say that the majority and in early September he returns my inspiration comes from life an aid to the creative ofitself to Cardiff for the first time in a – there’s so much to draw very long while. element of what I do.” upon...” “When I write a song, you know, I Mark has visited Wales before start with nothing,” says Lanegan, and he’s performed with Velvet “then I’ll make a sound with my guitar, with my voice and Underground legend and Carmarthenshire native John gradually that sound becomes words; becomes music. Cale, as part of concerts in tribute to Warhol’s superstar Each song informs the next, so the music continually Nico. grows and develops – the more you write, the more you “I like a lot of Welsh music – even the stuff sung in Welsh play, the more creative you become. – I can’t understand a word of it! I like Meic Stevens and “I’ve collaborated with a lot of people and each one is the Manic Street Preachers – it’s beautiful. I’ve been to
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Cardiff many times in the past. Last time I was there it took more than eight hours to leave the city because the Severn Bridge was closed... that was a long day. I’m looking forward to coming back, though, and seeing how the city’s changed since I was last here.” With so much experience and such an impressive collection of work and collaborations behind him Mark was happy to share some songwriting tips before he had to leave. “Always let the music be its own reward. If you’re in it for the money, you’re in the wrong job; you have to do what you heart tells you to do. Sing from your heart, write from your heart. Take any sort of expectation off the table. Nothing will ever be the way you think it will. If you start with an open mind and an open heart you’ll have nothing to lose and so much to learn.” Mark Lanegan, Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 4 Sept. Tickets: £17.50. Info: 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents. com
A co-production between Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre and West Yorkshire Playhouse in association with Royal Exchange Theatre Cyd-gynhyrchiad rhwng Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru a West Yorkshire Playhouse mewn cyd-weithrediad â Royal Exchange Theatre
8 & 9 Oct | Hyd 24 – 29 Nov | Tach 2015 wmc.org.uk 029 2063 6464
SWEENEY TODD Performed by Welsh National Opera Perfformwyd gan Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru Music and lyrics by|Cerddoriaeth a geiriau gan Book by|Llyfr gan
Hugh Wheeler
Stephen Sondheim
From an adaptation by|O addasiad gan Christopher Bond Originally directed by|Cyfarwyddwyd yn wreiddiol gan
Harold Prince
Original orchestrations by|Offeryniaeth wreiddiol gan Jonathan Tunick
THE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY EXPRESS
THE TIMES
WNO Registered Charity No | Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig 221538
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upfront
WALES IN EDINBURGH As the arts scene of every country ups sticks to prove itself at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Heather Arnold has a look at the shows making the journey from Wales.
A
ugust is a month during which anyone who works in the arts media in Wales (i.e. me) can’t get anything done, as every sent email comes back with an out of office reply that says ‘I’m in Edinburgh! Lucky me!’. If you are also lucky enough to be going to the world’s largest arts festival then here is a look at the Welsh talent who will be strutting their stuff. If you’re not, then this is a good excuse to brush up on what’s happening in the Wales arts scene. Lets start with the anarchic attitude of Mr and Mrs Clark, who will be embracing an attitude of wanton destruction in Smash It Up (Summerhall, Sat 15-Sat 29 Aug) which does what it says on the tin with a show that explores the destruction of art and culture. Meanwhile, Robert Bowman will be doing his bit for Russian culture as he returns to his role of low ranking civil servant Poprishchin in Living Picture’s adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic short story Diary Of A Madman (Zoo, Fri 7-Sun 30 Aug) – a role that won Bowman rave reviews in its last run (it’s also directed by Olivier Award-nominated Sinead Rushe). Speaking of award winners, choreographer/director/ performer Jo Fong (who has won two Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards) is embracing the creative process in An Invitation... (Dance Base, Sat 25-Sun 26 Aug) – a show which appears to be being created in the moment, and in which the audience influences the outcome. Fong isn’t the only woman from Wales planning to make waves at the festival. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru brings the all-female cast of DawnsYsbrydion/Ghost Dance (Zoo Southside, Fri 24-Wed 29 Aug) to the festival. The dance production takes inspiration from Capel Celyn, a village in North Wales that was flooded in 1956 to create a reservoir that would supply water to Liverpool, and the ghost dances performed by the indigenous people of America at the end of the 19th century. Quirky duo Flossy & Boo will also be packing up BUZZ BUZZ22 22
their brightly coloured costumes and taking their Curiosity Shop (Bedlam Theatre, Wed 5-Sun 16 Aug) of silly songs, sensational stories and strange characters north. One-woman shows will also have their share of the stage with the Wales Millennium Centre’s Man To Man (Underbelly, Topside, Wed 5-Mon 31 August), an English language adaptation of Manfred Karge’s Jacke wie Hose which tells the tale of a woman forced to take on her husband’s identity in Nazi Germany, and Sherman Cymru’s Iphigenia In Splott (The Pleasance King Dome, Fri 24-Sun 30 Aug) – which explores social injustices and ideas of an underclass through the character of Ellie. Other Welsh theatres taking shows to Edinburgh include Aberystwyth Arts Centre, who will be showing their haunting dance adaptation of Caradoc Evans’s dark and controversial short story collection My People (Zoo Sanctuary, Fri 24-Wed 29 Aug), and Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre who have two biographical productions: Grav (Assembly Hall, Thurs 6-Sun 30 Aug), which looks at the life of the much loved rugby player Ray Gravell, and Oh Hello! (Assembly Hall, Fri 7-Mon 31 Aug) which tackles the effervescent character of Carry On star Charles Hawtrey. Alfred Hitchcock will also get a hilarious homage in Mary Bijou Cabaret & Social Club’s Hitch (Big Sexy Circus City, Fri 7-Sun 30 Aug) – a Reduced Shakespeare Company-esque cabaret show that looks at the film catalogue and public persona of the ‘Master Of Suspense’. Another man getting the theatrical treatment is Alun Turing in Scriptography Productions’ To Kill A Machine (Zoo Aviary, 7-31 Aug) which looks into the life of the WW2 code-breaking father of computer science. Swansea’s Volcano Theatre, too, bring the past to the stage with Black Stuff (Forest Centre Plus, Fri 17Tues 28 Aug) – looking into Wales’ industrial past
pic BLACK STUFF by VOLCANO THEATRE
by exploring lives and imaginations that have been shaped by coal mining. If nothing else, this lineup of shows being shifted to the Scottish capital demonstrates the wealth of artistic and theatrical talent we have here in Wales. If you’ve haven’t been lucky enough to see any of these shows when they were being performed locally, and you’re now cursing yourself for not getting around to it, then don’t worry as some of these theatre companies have pre-Edinburgh shows scheduled in Wales early this month. If you still can’t make it, then take note of some of the theatres and company’s mentioned here, keep an eye on their website and add ‘see more theatre’ to your next New Year’s resolution list. Info: www.artscouncilofwales.org.uk / www.edfringe.com
Roots Unearthed Great Acts, Global Sounds & Relaxing Atmosphere 9BACH
2015
Monday 6 July, 8pm 9Bach are an atmospheric, evocative and emotional hybrid of the Welsh folk tradition and contemporary influences.
MARTIN CARTHY & DAVE SWARBRICK
FREE EXCITING FAMILY EVENTS AT BARRY ISLAND 1 & 2 AUGUST
ISLAND ROCKS
Featuring The Strip Lights, The Underdogs, Outback and more. From 12noon each day on top of the Eastern Shelter
8 & 9 AUGUST
STREET THEATRE WEEKENDER
Street shows from 12noon each day all along the prom plus Taming of the Shrew - Sunday at 6pm on top of the Eastern Shelter
15 & 16 AUGUST
THE ENCHANTED BEACH - NEW
The new Eastern prom will be transformed by huge colourful projections of Barry Island past and present. From 9pm each night
22 & 23 AUGUST
SPORT, ART AND PLAY WEEKENDER Beach sports, play village and arts workshops. 11am to 4pm each day
29 & 30 AUGUST
CINEMA BY THE SEA WEEKENDER
Saturday – Top Gun Sunday – Frozen From 8.30pm each night
Tuesday 1 September, 8pm Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick each played an important part in the tremendous shake up given to British folk music in the middle to late 60s.
CALAN & THE GENTLE GOOD Tuesday 22 September, 8pm Calan and The Gentle Good are artists at the forefront of the resurgent Welsh folk scene.
MARTIN SIMPSON & DON FLEMONS Tuesday 13 October, 8pm Simpson and Flemons explore how folk songs travelled from England to North America and back.
Bring a blanket or low backed chair. Deckchairs available to hire.
CYLCHCANU2 SONGCHAIN2
All events take place along the prom, Eastern Shelter or Island Gardens. Please note events may change at short notice.
Wednesday 14 October, 7.30pm A chain of interlinking solos, duets, trios and quartets with the participating musicians combining in different collaborations to celebrate Welsh music.
COMING SOON: JAMIE SMITH’S MABON, FAUSTUS AND SWEET LIBERTIES
For more information please call 01446 704737 or go to www.visitthevale.com @visitthevale visitthevale
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upfront
TAPE If the sight of a spider is enough to make you run for cover then climbing into a giant imitation of a spider’s web may just be your worst nightmare. However, even the most reluctant to venture out can’t fail to be intrigued by the new artistic installation popping up in Cardiff’s Bute Park this month. Created by Numen, an award-winning Croatian artist collective, the Tape project involves sticky tape being wound around 12 trees in the city centre park to create an interactive sculpture. Having already featured in various cities around the world including Tokyo, Melbourne and Stockholm, the outdoor installation is the first of its kind in the UK and is a debut for the artists in an open environment. Set in the middle of Cardiff's Bute Park, which is known to hold events from firework displays to outdoor concerts, this particular art project will be something completely different. A team of volunteers – plus Numen’s Sven Jonke, Kresimir Pauk and Ivan Hinger – will be providing the opportunity for the public to step into the giant cocoon. Providing the perfect excuse to explore the great outdoors and immerse yourself with the city’s wildlife, don’t be surprised if you make a few new acquaintances in the form of creepy crawlies – it’s all part of the experience. The interactive project is in collaboration with Migrations, a not-for-profit organisation that aim to bring contemporary international art to Wales, RSPB Cymru’s Giving Nature A Home Project and the City Of Cardiff Council. There will also be a schedule of free family events inspired by nature taking place during the month long installation. And if you’re wondering what will become of the tape once the installation is dismantled, fear not as it will be recycled into wildflower planters and specially designed bird houses – the perfect way to complete the cycle. RHIANON HOLLEY Tape, Bute Park, Cardiff, throughout August. Admission: free. Info: www.migrations.uk/tape
HARBOUR FESTIVAL AND GRAND PRIX OF THE SEA The bank holiday is just around the corner and I know exactly what you’re thinking: ‘I need to see some race boats competing in the P1 Welsh Grand Prix Of The Sea championship.’ You sit staring forlornly out of your window in your nautical themed clothing and cry ‘but how can I possibly sea (that’s right, I went there) this spectacle?!’ Well, you poor soul, you are in luck. It just so happens that on the bank holiday the P1 Championship, established in December 2002, is gracing Cardiff’s Harbour Festival for the fourth time. As the competitors use Cardiff Bay as a racecourse, you will be able to get an up close and personal view of race boats created by the best nautical engineering minds in the business. It’s an exciting and unpredictable competition that will be taking place right in front of your eyeballs. For you race boat nerds, the P1 currently operates on a variety of marine racing series at national level, such as The P1 SuperStock 250, which has been used in the UK, USA and UAE. Plus, all of this is free! Back in the unwatery part of the Bay, the annual nautical-themed Harbour Festival will be providing lots of activities and sea inspired street entertainment. The Cardiff Bay Beach (an artificial beach that sees Roald Dahl Plass filled with sand and covered with beach-themed games and stalls) will be the perfect place to enjoy some seaside fun or pull up a deck chair, get comfortable and watch the race. If this doesn’t convince you to get your racing boat caps on, I don’t know what will. You can also momentarily transcend the excitement taking place on the waves by getting a taste from around the world at the continental market. Whether you are a seasoned aquatic race enthusiast or simply someone who wants to view water-motorbikes on your bank holiday weekend, the Welsh Grand Prix Of The Sea and the Harbour Festival is a good excuse to don your stripy blue and white t-shirt. SINEAD MCCAUSLAND Harbour Festival and Grand Prix Of The Sea, Cardiff Bay, Sun 30 + Mon 31 Aug. Tickets: free (some activities may incur a charge). Info: 029 2087 2087 / www.cardiff-events.com BUZZ 24
profile ROB GITTINS He’s written for every major British soap opera, had his radio plays performed and already has two books under his belt. Now, as he brings out the second part in his crime novel series, Rob Gittins and talks to Heather Arnold about violence, witness protection and never having a job. “I always wanted to be a writer. I’ve never actually had a job. Any sort of job at all which is a bit embarrassing in a sense.” This may seem like a strange way to start off an interview, especially when the person saying it is a screenwriter who has penned scripts for almost every British soap opera you can think of – including The Archers and EastEnders (on which he is the longest serving writer). A man who not only won the award for Outstanding Achievement at this year’s British Soap Awards but has also written two well received books and is now launching a third. That’s a CV that many would be envious of but, like many success stories, Rob had to start his career somewhere and, before he got his foot in the door, the world of professional writing seemed very daunting. “I used to read interviews with all sorts of writers where they talked about the amazing experiences they’d had – working as a lumberjack in the Rockies, kayaking in the Amazon basin, working for this exotic
organization – whereas all I’ve ever done is sit in a room and make things up. It doesn’t make for a very interesting background and it’s also a bit dispiriting when you read advice like ‘write about what you know’. The problem being, I don’t know very much because I’ve never done very much. Just sat in that room and made things up. “At the same time, I heard that the BBC would read radio plays if you sent them in,” Rob continues. “Back then television seemed a closed shop, publishing was also very difficult to break into, but this seemed quite democratic and open. “So I started writing and sending in plays. And the BBC did read them. And sent each and every one back for at least two years, but it was a dialogue at least. Then, one day, I got a phone call from a radio producer inside the BBC to tell me that one of the plays I’d sent in had been accepted and was going to be put on. “This wasn’t exactly what you’d call a groundbreaking commission in a global sense. The play in question was a 15-minute drama which went out a quarter to midnight on a Friday night. To this day I’ve never met anyone who actually heard it, apart from me. My old mum came over to listen to it with me and fell asleep before the end. It was only 15 minutes long for God’s sake! Though Rob was able to do the impossible – make a living out of writing – with screenwriting, he had always hoped to give novel writing a go. “Sometimes with screenwriting there are restrictions that are forced on you by budget, actor availability, etc, and you have to write scenes you wouldn’t normally want to write. The key point about novels is that no-one can stop you writing it, so it’s incredibly liberating. Most of my professional life is spent wrestling restrictions.” When it came to penning his first novel, Rob decided to launch himself in the deep end by kicking off his own crime thriller series with Gimme Shelter. This was a risky move, not only because he would now have to get people to buy all his books, instead of one stand-alone novel, but also because he was entering into the extremely crowded market of crime novels. Gimme Shelter, however, received rave reviews as Rob created a crime book that was less about the crime and more about the fallout. “In my mind at least, Gimme Shelter and Secret Shelter didn’t actually begin with a crime,” Rob states. “Let me paint a picture. We’re all living the lives we’re used to, amongst people we know and have known for years. But tonight, a totally ordinary night, something happens to one of us. We walk out onto the street and we see
something, we witness something, we get caught up in something, something that maybe nothing to do with us at all. “And a few hours later, by midnight tonight, we’re being told by people we’ve never met before that we can’t go back to our old life, to those people we know, have known all these years. We’re going to become a different person, with a different name, a different history, a different life story and a different past. “Those closest to us – a wife, a husband, children – may be taken into this new life with us, they may not, but everyone else we’ve ever known is history, everything we’ve ever done is part of a past that’s now closed. “It sounds like the stuff of Hollywood fantasies or nightmares, but each year, here in the UK, it happens to over 3,000 people who are taken into the protection programme. That’s the basis of these books, where their pasts are wiped in exactly that way and their lives completely reinvented. How on earth do you handle that?” Reading through the many glowing reviews of Gimme Shelter the only point that could be seen as negative is one shared by many reading the book: that there are scenes of true horror, described in great detail. Does Rob think that this gore is important to the books? “Yes, there’s crimes, and some quite gruesome and harrowing crimes at that, at the heart of Gimme Shelter and Secret Shelter – and yes, it is, at times, a dark read,” explains Rob, “but, to me, it has to be. “If what you’re being forced to do is extreme, then what’s forced you to do it also has to be pretty extreme. You’re not going to abandon one life and embrace another life altogether, all because of a parking ticket.” Secret Shelter by Rob Gittins, Y Lolfa. Price: £8.95 (paperback) / £17.95 (hardback). Info: www.ylolfa. com / www.robgittins.com
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EER UY B PREB ENS TO TRY TOK TEE EN RAN GUA
�NE MANSTER WEEKEND AF WELSH ALE & CIDER SIPPINÕ WITH TALKS, WARKSHAPS, THEATRE & MUSIC WATCH OUT FOR:
IBIBIA SAUND MACHINE � WAVE PICTURES HUW STEPHENS � BOXED IN � HAPPYNESS MEILYR JONES � GRASS HOUSE BENEDICT BENJAMIN � CRISTABAL & THE SEA SUNDAY CURATED BY M�SHI M�SHI
È C�URTYARD.GREENMAN.NET Ç KINGÕS CRASS. LEWIS CUBITT SQUARE, LANDAN, N1C 4AB
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film
by Keiron Self
ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING ***
FANTASTIC FOUR ***
Dir: Terry Jones (12A, 85 mins) In what sounds like a riff on Bruce Almighty, ex-Monty Python Terry Jones has written and directed a scenario where erstwhile normal bloke (Simon Pegg) is bequeathed the power to do absolutely anything… as the title suggests. The omnipotence distributors are a bunch of CGI aliens, voiced by the other exPythons, to see whether Earth is worthy of saving or annihilation. Of course, once Pegg finds he has such powers, he initially squanders them to see neighbour Kate Beckinsale in her undies and wishes the dead were back alive, thereby creating a mini zombie apocalypse – very Shaun Of The Dead meta – as well as becoming President and giving his dog Dennis the power of speech, voiced by Robin Williams in his final film. It’s all good natured fun, scattershot, silly and very British. It owes much to the Bruce Almighty/Twilight Zone concept and will be the last chance you’ll have to hear/see the remaining members of Monty Python together in the same film, as Cleese, Idle, Jones, Palin and Gilliam lend their voices to the godlike aliens. Pegg does his affable everyman thing and Rob Riggle, Joanna Lumley, Eddie Izzard and Sanjeev Bhaskar add comedy juice. Likeable silliness. Opens Aug 14
Dir: Josh Trank (12A, 120 mins) Was it only 10 years ago that former Pobol Y Cwm star Ioan Gruffudd was the stretchy-limbed Mr Fantastic in a dayglo imagining of Marvel Comics' family of superheroes? Um, yes. Unfortunately the cheesy Fantastic Four of 2005 hit just as Batman Begins turned superheroes all mean and moody. Now Josh Trank, director of kids with superpowers sci-fi Chronicle, has turned the foursome into, er, four kids with superpowers and a slightly older one played by Toby Kebbell, who will become Dr Doom. The origin story has been tweaked: it’s not cosmic rays but interdimensional travel that helps turn the younger quartet into long limbed Mr Fantastic, Miles Teller, Invisible Girl, Kate Mara, Human Torch, Michael B Jordan and lumpy orange Thing – played by a strangely-cast Jamie Bell. Squabbly family dynamics are intact, as is body horror with Teller’s guilt about the being the brainbox that turned his mates into mutants being at the forefront of the story. Rumours of a troubled shoot hint at tone problems, but this will be an edgier take on Marvel’s premiere family. Another superhero film in a crowded market this will have to deliver something different to rise above the other blockbuster bilge. Flame on, one hopes. Opens Aug 6
AMERICAN ULTRA ***
GEMMA BOVERY ***
MASTERMINDS ****
Dir: Nima Nourizadeh (15, 95 mins) Stoner comedy meets Bourne Identity as Jessie Eisenberg discovers he is a highly trained government agent, whilst consuming a lot of weed. Part of the proverbial secret government programme, Eisenberg’s supermarket worker/sleeper agent is deemed a risk and is to be neutralised, yet matters do not go as planned. Eisenberg unleashes merry hell with a spoon when attacked by would-be assassins and then, with the help of girlfriend Kristen Stewart, has to fight off waves of enemy agents led by the anal, suit-clad Topher Grace. It’s a highoctane reunion from Eisenberg and Stewart, last seen together in the ace Adventureland, and like Zombieland has charm amidst the carnage. The cast is rounded out by Bill Pullman, Connie Britton and a tattooed John Leguizamo. Good to see Stewart let her hair down and for Eisenberg to unleash his inner Statham. Bourne gone to pot, as t’were. Opens Aug 28
Dir: Anne Fontaine (15, 99 mins) Gemma Arterton sparkles in this reworking of Flaubert’s Madame Bovary via the pen of Posy Simmonds whose other comic strip creation, Tamara Drewe, Arterton winningly embodied back in 2010. The plot here has a downbeat Gallic edge as Arterton and hubby Jason Flemyng, the Boverys, move to Normandy where neighbour Martin Joubert, a teacher and Flaubert specialist, is struck by their distinctive surname. He becomes concerned that the Boverys are heading down the path of their characters from the Flaubert novel and does what he can to avert this, whilst obviously becoming infatuated with Arterton in the meantime. Events play out with tragicomic results, Joubert idealising Gemma whilst his own life, his wife and son, remain drab and unfulfilling. Arterton shines bilingually in a quiet drama suffused with melancholy and character. It may not completely grip but its picture of a man trying to attain something unreachable haunts. Opens Aug 14
Dir: Jared Hess (12A, 100 mins) A thoroughly enjoyable heist comedy peopled with eccentric characters and based on fact, Masterminds embraces the 1990s with aplomb under the quirky sense of Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess. A wonderfully coiffured Zach Galifianakis plays David Ghantt, an armoured car driver transporting money and stuck in a drab existence until the object of his lust, co-worker Kristen Wiig, along with lumpen brained criminal Owen Wilson gets him to steal $17 million. The heist actually works, then double crosses begin, Jason Sudeikis’ hitman is hired, money is spent ludicrously on ridiculous status symbols, portraits and outlandish cars and Galifianakis finds him-self on the FBI most wanted list. Galifianakis has to try and stay ahead of everyone else, and everyone, including himself, is an idiot. Very funny, with scene-stealing turns from the quirky cast, Masterminds is a rather refreshing hoot. Opens Aug 28
ALSO RELEASED: THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL (15) Bel Powley, Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgard star in this drama set in the 70s, when a young artist has an affair with her mother’s boyfriend. Solid and sensual. THE GIFT (15) Horror directed by and starring Joel Egerton as a couple are terrorised by a man from their past with secrets and unpleasant gifts. Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall are the fraught couple in a cut above thriller. MANGLEHORN (12A) Al Pacino gives a great, non-scenery-chewing performance as a locksmith lost in life who tries to start again. MAX (12A) An army dog returns home from Afghanistan and is adopted by his handler’s family after showing signs of stress. A war movie with a dog, and like a metaphor. PRECINCT SEVEN FIVE (15)
PIXELS ***
TRAINWRECK ****
Dir: Chris Columbus (12A, 120 mins) Classic video games Pacman, Centipede, Galaxia, Donkey Kong and more are lovingly brought back to life in this high-concept comedy. Aliens have misinterpreted video game feeds as a declaration of war and attack Earth in the form of those video games. The planet’s only hope are 40-something gamers, experts from decades ago, who are the only ones who can effectively deal with the pixellated threat. Led, unfortunately, by Adam Sandler, the film also stars Kevin James (Sandler’s best friend and now rather unbelievably President of the USA), Josh Gad as the young gun nerd and the superb Peter Dinklage as a bemulleted Donkey Kong demon who is also Sandler’s nemesis. Michelle Monaghan is the army lieutenant who has to keep the team together. Chris Columbus, who wrote classics Goonies and Gremlins as well as directing Home Alone, is trying to create the high concept big family comedy and this looks promising, despite Sandler’s presence. Nostalgia as well as some cutting-edge pixellated FX should offer plenty to the cinemagoer, let’s hope Sandler calms his shouting and Dinklage gets to do the most. Hopefully this will be a case of waka waka rather than kaka kaka. Opens Aug 12
Dir: Judd Apatow (15, 125 mins) Amy Schumer has made a name for herself with the excellent Inside Amy Schumer, full of acidic feminist insight and truth-telling comedy that abandons Hollywood and media concepts of what women should be and shows them what they are. This winning combination of wit and sheer funniness is given great scope by director Judd Apatow in Schumer’s first screen play. She plays a monogamy averse writer for a lad’s mag, run by Tilda Swinton’s gloriously over-the-top editor, who does what men usually do in movies; one night stands, never ringing a besotted date, having sex buddies in this case a hilarious cameo from wrestler John Cena, and generally not trying to find a Mr Right. Marriage sickens her, especially that of her sister Brie Larson, who is excellent as ever. Enter sports doctor Bill Hader, on whom she is commissioned to write a story, and with whom she starts to have feelings, and he with her. It’s something she really fights against and, amidst the rom-com, there are acute, uncomfortable insights about relationships – well handled by Apatow, who still unfortunately lets the film run on too long. Schumer is fantastic, however, as is Hader: the not-so-typical couple in a not-so-typical comedy. Funny. Opens Aug 28
PAPER TOWNS ***
VACATION ***
MAN FROM UNCLE ***
Dir: Jake Schreier (12A, 100 mins) John Green’s teen novel gets the big screen treatment following in the wake of The Fault In Our Stars last year. Paper Towns is more satisfying if more low key, its teen angst much more engaging and truthful and free from syrup and corn. Nat Wolff plays Quentin, a socially remonot interested in going to the prom, who goes on a wild night out with former crush and next door neighbour Margo, model Cara Delevingne. They tour the town exacting vengeance on Margo’s enemies, shaving eyebrows, wrapping cars in plastic and having a blast, Quentin falling more in love with her. The following day, however, Margo has disappeared and Quentin sets about finding her – with the help of best buddies, hormonal goofball Ben and smart, shy Radar played by Austin Abrams and Justice Smith. The movie becomes about friendship, idealised dreams not meeting reality and growing up. It’s not new cinematic territory but it’s well handled by the director and his cast. Opens Aug 17
Dir: John Francis Daley/Jonathan M. Goldstein (15, 99 mins) Another 80s reboot, this one continues the family saga that began with National Lampoon’s Vacation, European Vacation, Christmas Vacation and some other dreadful sequels. Those films followed the holiday travails of the Griswold family, led by Chevy Chase initially to theme park Walley World. Now his son Rusty is grown up and played by Ed Helms, who decides to take his family to Walley World too. A road movie ensues featuring Chase and original co-star Beverly D’Angelo in cameos, Leslie Mann as Helms’ sister Audrey and Christina Applegate as his wife. The John Hughes-scripted original is full of funny set pieces and Chase’s deadpan slapstickery; hopefully this will provide chuckles too. Helms is great at being the stressed optimist and with writer/directors determined to honour the source material this could be worth spending time in a car with. Are we there yet? Opens Aug 21
Dir: Chris Pritchard (PG13, 116 mins) Spies. Spies from the 60s based on the TV series, starring Robert Vaughan and David McCallum, where the American and Russian rival agents are forced to work together against a common enemy. The Man From UNCLE is the latest reboot for director Guy Ritchie after turning Sherlock Holmes into a kung-fu Robert Downey Jnr. Prepare for fast cuts then slo-mo, banter and swagger. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer step into Vaughan and McCallum’s shoes as the odd-couple team battling a global threat, led by villainess Elizabeth Debicki, and each other – with Alicia Vikander’s scientist thrown into the mix and Hugh Grant clearly enjoying himself as the gentleman spy boss. Set pieces abound, boat and car chases, the 60s vibe is effortlessly recreated and Cavill and Hammer have an easy charm. Whether Ritchie can breathe life into the Bond-esque shenanigans without things feeling too familiar is open to question, but the film promises franchise fun. Opens Aug 14
Engrossing documentary about the dirtiest cop in New York police history, Michael Dowd, dealing drugs and stealing money for profit on patrol. GOOD PEOPLE (15) James Franco and Kate Hudson star as a couple who find some cash in their dead tenant’s apartment. Naturally baddies come looking for it. Uh oh. Not many jokes or performance art from Franco in this one. HITMAN AGENT 47 (15) Film of video game adaptation, this time with Rupert Friend playing the rock hard bald assassin with a barcode on his neck. Lots of violence and Zachary Quinto not being Spock. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (15) Want to know how Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E, DJ Yella and MC Ren got together and formed rap group NWA? This will lay it down, homes. With much swearing at da police. WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS (15) Zac Efron wants to be an electro DJ. Yes he does. Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer may or may not be on the soundtrack.
food/drink
CARDIGAN RIVER AND FOOD FESTIVAL
THE GINSPIRATION OF CARDIFF Heather Arnold finds out how local spirit makers, Eccentric Gin, are using their gintuition to create Cardiff’s very own dry gin. You’ve heard of London Dry, maybe had a tipple of Plymouth Gin and enjoyed an Edinburgh Gin cocktail or two. How about having a taste of the first Cardiff Dry Gin? Llantrisant-based Eccentric Gin have decided that it’s about time that the Welsh capital gets it’s very own type of gin, and have set about trying to capture the taste of South Wales in a bottle. “We have received some great reviews for all of the gins we have so far produced, and they have gone down especially well in Cardiff,” explains Josh, Eccentric’s resident mixologist and BOLS’ Bartender Of The Year 2015. “We were asked by a number of bars if we could produce a special product for them, so we came up with the idea of a Cardiff gin. “We're hoping to create something completely new in flavour profile that is, in essence, a representation of who we are and where we come from. It would be wonderful if this could be recognised by the European spirits council and designated an appellation so that it can only be made right here in South Wales.” Most of us will mix up our post-work G&T without much thought to the type of gin we’re using but the spirit can come with many different flavours, and subtle differences in the distillation process can create very different drinks. So what exactly does a ‘dry gin’ taste like? “In essence dryness is a perceived lack of sweetness. The main focus of dry gins is juniper berries which, depending on the freshness of the berry, can either add a sweet and floral element to a gin or can add a richer, more tannic experience.” BUZZ 30
For Cardiff’s very own gin, however, Josh and the team are hoping to create something completely unique. To do this they enlisted the help of the people who would end up drinking it: “With a new gin like this one we have a blank canvas, so we wanted to take some input from our existing customers, especially those in South Wales,” says Josh. “We’ve now chosen three that we felt would work well but would also give the gin a distinctive style. “We are going to produce trial batches of the three recipes and then these will be tasted by us, and the public, at our event at the end of the month. We are combining the launch with an Open Doors at the distillery so that everyone can learn more about Eccentric Gin and the gin making process. We also have the Cardiff Gin Festival coming up in October and we will be having more opportunities to try Cardiff Gin in the run up to this event.” Eccentric will be opening its distillery doors at the end of the month, and hoping to have the new Cardiff Dry Gin out and in glasses across the city in September. The most important question, however, is what the best gin cocktail to make with it? “My favourite gin cocktail has to be a Tom Collins. It's a classic. It's refreshing and in 200 years of cocktail history it has never gone out of style.” Cardiff Dry Gin Tasting Trial, Eccentric Gin Distillery, The Wheatsheaf Rooms, Llantrisant, Sat 29 Aug. Admissions: free. Info: www.eccentricgin.com
This year marks many things: 2015 is the year that marks 60 years of the Guinness Book Of Records, 90 years since the television was invented and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Frank Sinatra. One anniversary worth noting is the 17th annual Cardigan River and Food Festival. Every year, thousands of people visit the town of Cardigan for the same thing that connects humanity: food. Not only will the festival applaud high quality and tasty produce provided to Wales by dedicated local independent food producers, it will also hosts cookery demonstrations, live music and much more. From delicious award-winning cheeses to rare breeds of meat, you are guaranteed a taste of Wales – literally and figuratively. Cardigan River And Food Festival, Quay Street, Cardigan, Sat 8 Aug. Admission: £2.50 / £1 under-16s / £6 family. Info: www.cardigan-food-festival.co.uk
BIERKELLER BEACONS Britain’s fourth Bierkeller is coming to Cardiff's Millennium Plaza, setting to open its doors on Sat 8 Aug. Complete with three themed bars, traditional German music will be playing live while you’re able to enjoy a wide range of traditional German cuisine and beer. If this doesn’t sound tempting, fear not as the menu will also contain a variety of dishes including burgers and wood-fired pizzas. Still not satisfied? Local live music will also be playing on some evenings if German oompah bands aren’t really your thing. Info: www.thebierkeller.com
pic: SUNNY MAMA?FLICKR
5 OF THE BEST... Different things to cook at a BBQ
EASY SUMMERTIME BAKE words RUTH JOSEPH www.ruthjoseph.co.uk www.veggischmooze.blogspot.com This wonderful tart evokes the flavours of soft summer days in small French cafes. It has a layer of grated cheese and truly celebrates the sweetness of the tomato. And, to make your job even easier, my daughter Sarah and I have invented a pastry that requires no rubbing in or blind baking. Try it and enjoy! SUMMER TOMATO TART (With a new, easy, no-blind-bake nigella seed olive oil pastry)
Bored of the bog-standard barbecue menu of burgers and sausages? Ellie Murray has a look at some alternatives to sizzle on the grill this summer.
INGREDIENTS:
WATERMELON
FOR THE TOMATO FILLING: 6 ripe tomatoes on the vine, skinned / 150g gruyere, cheddar or Edam cheese / freshly milled salt and pepper / a few sprigs fresh oregano and thyme / black olives (for decoration and extra flavour) / a few sprigs of parsley or basil, finely chopped (to add before serving)
If you want to make the most of the grill on a hot summer’s day but need a tasty vegetarian option, then why not cook some watermelon? Yes that’s right, watermelon. Grilling the melon it gives a refreshing yet unique flavour; try it with some Greek yoghurt for a luxurious summer treat.
MEATBALLS
FOR THE PASTRY: 260g plain flour / 60ml olive oil / 2 medium free range organic eggs /1 tbsp nigella seeds / ½ tsp salt / a pinch of dried thyme / a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Feel like you’re wasting the BBQ just because you want some meatballs? Well fear not, you can just grill them! Cooking meatballs on the grill ensures a slight smokiness without losing that delicious meatball taste. If you really want the full BBQ effect why not add some barbeque sauce? That should really get your tastebuds going.
PREPARATION
UNEXPECTED SANDWICH
• Whizz the pastry ingredients in a processor or make in the usual way (combine dry ingredients in a bowl, then mix in the wet ingredients slowly and knead) until a ball is formed.
So you’re probably thinking this will be reinventing the grilled cheese sandwich? Nope, wrong! Instead use some chocolate: it is summer after all so you must treat yourself. All you need to do is melt some chocolate, butter your bread, pour the liquidised chocolate mix onto the bread and place onto the grill. Quick and easy. It might be a bit messy, however, but BBQs aren’t about being neat and tidy.
LETTUCE You probably wouldn’t think to even cook lettuce so why on earth would you grill it? By grilling this leaf vegetable, however, you can give it a charred edge that adds a tasty texture. I would advise you start by washing the lettuce and brushing it with some olive oil – not forgetting to add some salt and lemon juice. Then go ahead and grill for a good five minutes. At least you can say you’re using the BBQ healthily!
• Set the oven on 180°C / gas mark 4. • Grease and line a tin. We used a fluted, non-stick rectangular tin, 36cm by 11cm, but a circular tin would work fine and a loose bottomed tin would work even better.
• Chill in the fridge for 30mins at least. In the meantime skin the tomatoes by placing in a bowl and pouring over boiling water. They should peel easily. • The pastry is very short so press into the tin, following the shape, then sprinkle over the grated cheese. • Slice and season the tomatoes with plenty of black pepper and sea salt. Then arrange them decoratively over the cheese layer. • Remove the tiny leaves from the thyme stalks and sprinkle over the tomatoes (arranging them in a decorative manner over the tart).
OCTOPUS
• Decorate with black olives.
Your local fishmonger will hopefully have these frozen – if not, ask them to get you one. Beat the tentacles and head for about 15 minutes (yes, this might gross you out a little, but it is worth it), then put the octopus into a bag with some vinegar, black pepper and olive oil. Leave this overnight to marinade then cook the octopus on the grill for about 15 minutes. This is one that is as yummy as it is unique.
• Bake for approximately 35-40 mins, or until the edges of the tart are golden and the tomatoes slightly wrinkled. • Decorate with chopped basil or parsley, and serve warm with a green salad.
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food/drink
GLOW IN THE DARK ICE-CREAM It may be a fact that ice-cream can make you scream, but did you know that it can also make you scratch your head, if you add a bit of science? Phoebe Davies takes a look at Science Cream’s latest venture.
Erm... what?! If like me, you’ve taken one look at Science Cream and thought 'what on earth is going on?', let me try and shed some light on this delicious concoction. Science Cream is ice-cream with a madscientist edge to it: weird and wonderful whilst remaining delicious. Hidden away in the Castle Arcade, this ice-cream parlour with a difference will be celebrating its first birthday this month and is definitely one to seek out before the summer is up. As well as the Arcade, Science Cream will be popping alongside other independent food traders this summer at the Depot on Dumballs Road, and at Cardiff’s Pride Cymru event on Sat 15 Aug. So where does the science bit come into it? The ice-cream is made out of liquid nitrogen which rapidly creates minuscule ice crystals after coming into contact with the ice cream base. There’s no need to worry about the liquid nitrogen either – with its boiling point being a cool -196°C, there won’t be a smidgen left to lick up. Just when you sweet treat nerds thought things couldn’t get any cooler than adding liquid nitrogen to an ice-cream, Science Cream have recently introduced glow-in-the-dark ice-cream for all night-time events. It’s not often that, instead of a flake, you’re given the option of phosphorescence. "Using a special recipe we excite electrons found in the vitamins of milk,” explains Science Cream’s owner Carly Karran. “All this adds to the aesthetic of the product, while maintaining Science Cream's unique texture and taste that we are so proud of.” All Science Cream offerings are made fresh to order, use all natural ingredients and are frozen in seconds – giving it a super-smooth texture. The flavours change regularly and just some of the options which have previously graced their menu include pina colada ice cream, apple pie ice cream and a lychee sorbet. Whether you want to play it safe with vanilla, or light the way home with a glow in the dark ice-cream, there’s something for everyone. If none of that tickles your tastebuds then you’ll be able to suggest your own creamy combination soon, as they are running a recipe competition on their Facebook page. Info: www.sciencecream.co.uk
VEG BOX ON A BIKE Penylan Pantry’s new Veg Box Bicycle Delivery showcases that you can save the planet, conveniently buy a range of vegetables, and help support local producers at the same time, all by simply filling in a no-contract form. With expert cyclists Gareth Kitchen and Chay Locker helping to deliver the weekly or fortnightly boxes of veg by pedal-powering their way through Cardiff, you can think of them as your own personal healthy eating heroes when they deliver the fresh produce straight to your door every Wednesdays, from 4-7.30pm. Alternatively, you can be your own superhero and pick up your box between 5-6pm on Wednesdays and all day on Thursdays. Penylan Pantry Veg Box Cycle Delivery, Kimberley Road, Cardiff, every Wednesday. Prices: £10 small box / £13-£18 medium / £30 large. Info: www. facebook.com/groups/penylanpantryvegbox BUZZ 32
ETHICAL EDIBLES
Nutritional Help with Alzheimer’s’ Disease words RUTH JOSEPH www.ruthjoseph.co.uk www.veggischmooze.blogspot.com The word Alzheimer’s strikes fear in the hearts of everyone. This chronic and progressively degenerative disease affects brain tissue so that, eventually, patients develop memory loss and depreciated brain function – which sadly leads to an inability to continue with normal lifemanagement. So any help is welcome in the fight against this terrible problem. Firstly what is Alzheimer’s and can we alter its effect on mind and body? According to the Alzheimer’s Society, it is the most common cause of dementia and affects 465,000 people in the UK. People with Alzheimer’s have a shortage of some vital chemicals in their brains, chemicals that are particularly involved with the transmission of messages. Why does it happen? So far, no single feature has been recognized as the main cause. It seems to be, on the whole, a combination of factors including age (dementia affects one in 14 over the age of 65 and one in six over the age of 80), environmental causes, genetic disposition (though, in the majority of cases, inherited causes seem to be small), general health (you can be more prone to developing Alzheimer if you have Down’s Syndrome, are a smoker, have suffered a brain injury, have blood pressure or high cholesterol or are diabetic) and diet. So how to avoid this dreadful disease, if possible? It is said that eating a Mediterranean diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables, good wholegrains, olive oil, fish and a little red wine can be beneficial. Exercise - both physical and mental - has also been documented as helping considerably. The outstanding news, however, comes from Oxford University and states that a daily B vitamin supplement can actually halve the rate of brain atrophy in elderly people who suffer from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The study looked at 270 volunteers with mild memory problems and one half were given high doses of vitamin B tablets for two years while the other group were given a placebo. After this MRI scans were used to measure the level of brain shrinkage over that two year time. It was discovered that, on average, the brains of those taking B complex (that is folic acid, B6 and B12) shrank by 0.76% a year while those on the placebo group had a brain shrinkage rate of 1.08%. Co-leader of this trial, Professor David Smith, said: “It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay development of Alzheimer’s’ Disease in many people who suffer from mild memory problems."
food/drink
IRIE SHACK
CAMEO CLUB
Wellfield Road, Roath, Cardiff. 029 2049 1520 / www.cameoclub.co.uk Food: *** Atmosphere: **** The new Cameo on Roath’s Wellfield Road is already extremely popular, the reputation of the Pontcanna club having preceded it, and most nights the place is jam-packed. We went on a Monday night and it was still reasonably busy. Luckily we had a table next to the front window reserved. After sitting down my partner and I eyed up the menu, and various specials, and chose our starters. I settled on the goat’s cheese and roasted red pepper crumpet, which came served with rocket and a balsamic dressing. They certainly weren’t stingy with the soft and tasty goat’s cheese, which matched the crumpet in size and thickness, and the sharp dressing cut through the sweetness perfectly. My partner started with moules mariniere, which were creamy, subtle and soft. He stuck with seafood for his main – pan-fried sea bream, which was served in a beautifully buttery samphire chowder with cockles and sweetcorn. The crispy-skinned fish was raised out of the sauce on a bed of samphire, which stopped it from drowning in the chowder, and the addition of a few cherry tomatoes gave a delightful piercing sweetness. I went for the Welsh lamb pappardelle which included enjoyably soft fresh pasta and deliciously large parmesan shavings. The hints of mint went well with the lamb and added an enjoyable bitter aftertaste. On to desserts and I had the perfectly gooey dark chocolate fondant, served with raspberries and a well matched and white chocolate sorbet, while my partner opted for the tasty thyme honey and roasted fig panna cotta, which had a lovely subtle vanilla hint to it. Both were perfectly sized so we left well fed, but not waddling out rubbing our bellies. Overall the new Cameo is a great place to sit back, have a drink and enjoy a well cooked meal. What made the place, however, were the attentive and genuinely friendly staff who were making sure everyone (not just us reviewers) were well looked after. HEATHER ARNOLD
Woodville Road, Cardiff. 029 2037 3272 / www.irieshack.com Food *** Atmosphere *** “A plastic palm tree always brightens the place up, doesn’t it?” Not my words, but those of one of the management team at Irie Shack, a Caribbean restaurant which has existed on this most student-saturated of Cardiff streets since April. It seems to sum up their general approach and demeanour quite well, which I don’t mean as a bad thing. Rather than pursuing an ideal of ‘authenticity’ which is likely unachievable, better to coax Cathays’ hungriest in with cheerfully gaudy imagery (wallpaper made up of classic reggae poster art; lavatory doors which says GYALS and BWOYS; the copious plastic trees) and sate them with decent food. The selection of main courses comprise three categories: fire pit-cooked dishes (chicken, beef or seafood, barbequed and flamegrilled); one-pot meals such as curry goat or ackee and saltfish; and burgers, which are called things like Jammin’ and Rasta. I go for jerk chicken, which feels like enough of a Jamaican staple to serve as a measure of Irie Shack’s ability: it delivers on char and flavour, as does the king prawn skewer my friend chooses. Both dishes come with nondescript jerk sauce, rice’n’peas and Caribbean coleslaw, which I think equates to it having pineapple in it somewhere. The, perhaps unlikely, stars of the show are the salt cod fritters I order as a side, which are respectively fluffy and crunchy in correct proportions. A key lime pie, which could do with being a bit more sturdy but ultimately satisfies, finishes me off. For an establishment which clearly thrives on the university population, and the calendar they adhere to, it’s pretty busy for a Thursday night in July; service is prompt and friendly, even if my two attempts to order a Jamaican beer which isn’t Red Stripe both fail. As regards comparable places in Cardiff, the River Tavern on Cathedral Road is streets ahead in the authenticity stakes, but if you’re over this side of town with a Caribbean-shaped gap in your dinner schedule, Irie Shack is recommended. NOEL GARDNER
CARLUCCIO’S
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff. 029 2046 0201 / www.carluccios.com Food *** Atmosphere *** The great man himself was in Cardiff recently at the opening of the latest in the Carluccio empire; not that Antonio really has a major input anymore, but he is the figurehead, and an internationally recognised one. He chatted amiably to the assorted gathering and graciously granted Buzz an interview; he is indeed one of the great chefs of his time. After the initial hullabaloo died down we popped down one summers evening and sat outside for drinks. Slightly away from the main drag of Mermaid Quay, it’s a pleasant haven and a perfect suntrap. The menu, huge both in size and content, is traditional Italian and the same whichever Carluccio’s you dine in. There is a weekly changing chef’s menu which is usually based around seasonal availability. Risotto zucchini, bresaola, thinly sliced cured beef with rocket and pan-roasted cod were on the week that we dined. However, we all went for the standard menu: sardine carpione to start (grilled sardines topped with pine nuts, carrots, onions, raisins and bay leaves in a sweet and sour marinade on rocket), and calamari, lightly fried served with pepolata mayonnaise and chargrilled lemon. For mains, pollo alla napoletana (roasted chicken thighs with cherry tomatoes, anchovy, garlic and olives served with rosemary potatoes) and spaghetti carbonara – simple but always good to try the standard dishes. Desserts followed: tiramisu, which was thoroughly enjoyed, and panna cotta: vanilla and rum-flavoured cream with candied orange. I wasn’t too keen on the panna cotta as the rum was a bit overpowering; I prefer the traditional with caramel, but it’s all down to personal taste. Carluccio’s in the bay has revitalised the corner it now resides in and provides a relaxed and jovial restaurant in the area. The food is bordering above average and can be expensive for a chain restaurant, but the staff are very polite and efficient, and the overall experience was good. Worth trying. ANTONIA LEVAY BUZZ 33
JOSEPHINE SOWDEN: A CHANGE OF WORLDS
art
Oriel Mwldan, Cardigan Sat 22 Aug-Sat 10 Oct “For those who have never seen my work, I would explain it as something which at first glance could perhaps look quite beautiful and serene, yet after spending more time with the work, the underlying sinister concept will start to emerge.” This is a feature that becomes obvious when looking at Sowden’s back catalogue: her piece The Lilies Of The Field, which won Gold Medal at the 2013 National Eisteddfod, starts off calmly with a Sowden herself walking on a murky beach. The tone of the piece quickly changes as she begins to cover herself in mud and manically chatter to herself. Another of Sowden’s video, As A Lotus Flower Is Born In Water, starts with is a split screen piece that starts quietly with a calm Sowden facing the camera on one side, and a waterfall on the other. The video gets increasing louder, however, as the different sides of the screen begin to shout at each other. Her new piece, A Change Of Worlds, explores ideas of femininity and how they have changed over time. “The piece has developed out of my ongoing interest in the adoration of the divine feminine within ancient civilisations and her subsequent subordination,” says Sowden. “This suppression of once revered feminine qualities was cunningly executed and shrewdly spread via storytelling, holy men, lawyers and teachers. “Women were forced to deny their true selves and, as generations passed, these beliefs became more firmly imbedded within society. A Change Of Worlds begins to explore the origins of this large scale repression and the effects it has had on the evolution of the Earth.” HEATHER ARNOLD Admission: free. Info: 01239 621200 / www.mwldan.co.uk
SUMMER EXHIBITION: FLOW
Boundary Art, Cardiff Bay Sat 1 Aug-Sun 30 Sept Flow can mean many things – perhaps the way an artist’s paintbrush moves on the canvas, or the way a dancer moves; but, for Boundary Art, Flow represents the sea and the ideology that comes with it. Hoping to converge different artists and different cultures, they hope that artists’ fascination with the many facets of the great blue (or brown, if you’re at Barry Island) waves can bring together the different cultures through their different depictions in different mediums. With artists from the UK, China and Germany, Flow achieves this diversity. From Chinese artist Ping Gang Cheng’s thought-inducing, intense art paintings; German artist Fintan Whelan’s abstract, often experimental, canvas oil paintings; and Surrey-born Joanne Last’s seascape paintings, this exhibition showcases to the Cardiff population an array of interpretations and ideology that ultimately show how it is the differences in our cultures that combine us. Boundary Art, a gallery placing emphasis on the 'trans-boundary of arts' and that which celebrates new thinking and infuses western and eastern arts to create an exhibition which connotes the diversity of humanity; the diversity of nature. Flow is the result, with the sea being represented, crafted, and re-created in painting, ceramics, calligraphy and many more, expressing the sea’s – and humanity’s – different features. Admission: free. Info: 02920489869 / www.boundaryart.com (SM)
BUZZ 34
JUDGEMENT IN CARDIFF
Third Floor Gallery, Cardiff Sun 2-Sun 16 Aug Do you have two movies, numerous action figures and video games dedicated to you? No? Well, Judge Dredd has, and now he can add a Cardiff-based art exhibition to the list. The event, which is fittingly titled Judgement In Cardiff, displays the original artistry from the very pages of Judge Dredd, with pieces by well-known artists including Mick McMahon and Glenn Fabry, as well as local artists Grant Richards, Dylan Teague and David Roach. A dedication to the extremely popular British character, published first in the weekly comic book anthology 2000AD, the exhibition details the stylistic, action-packed and sometimes claustrophobic world of Judge Dredd. The work showcased will allow fans and artists alike to be immersed in the world of Judge Dredd once again, and perhaps even get to know the phenomenon more. With the pages on display having been lent exclusively to Caped in Case for this exhibition, private commissions provided by Spanish artist Carlos Ezquerra (Dredd’s co-creator) and a Dave Taylor book signing approaching at The Comic Guru store, Judge Dredd is still as relevant as ever. After all, he is the law. Admission: free. Info: www. judgementincardiff.info (SM) Image by Grant Richards: Judge Dredd is a registered trademark © Rebellion A/S. All rights reserved. This event is not affiliated with 2000 Ad or Rebellion.
MEL BURGUM: ZIEGFELD & THE IT GIRLS
Penarth Pier Pavilion Wed 5-Thurs 27 Aug Beautiful, stylish, sexy and young. Four qualities often longed for by women of all eras and generations - unless you were already an infamous ‘it girl’, in which case you had it all already. Painter Mel Burgum takes inspiration from The Ziegfeld Follies (a succession of elaborate theatrical productions in New York during the 1930s) in his most recent solo exhibition at Penarth Pier Pavilion. His paintings of the Ziegfeld Girls, who were often labelled the ‘it girls’, encapsulates the dazzling style of women during the era. Just as the showgirls would triumphantly parade up and down the streets of Broadway, Burgum’s showcase of art celebrates the life of the famous faces, and less well known. Similar to Burgum’s previous collections of work, Here Come The Girls and The Thirties Revisited, his acrylic on canvas technique ensures all of his paintings are dominated with vibrant colours. The colourful and strikingly bold brushstrokes reinforce the strong sense of female empowerment he successfully manages to interject within his work. Despite reflecting upon the past, there remains a strong resemblance to the present day, uniting the then and now. So perhaps the contemporary version of an ‘it girl’, is a female who exudes ‘girl power’ – but one thing’s for sure, Mel Burgum’s exhibition demonstrates the power of the female entity triumphantly. Admission: free. Info: 029 2071 2100 / www.penarthpavillion.co.uk (PD)
ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE: ARTISTS ROOMS
Aberystwyth Arts Centre Fri 7 Aug-Sat 7 Nov Robert Mapplethorpe was nothing if not controversial. You don’t take a picture of yourself pushing a bullwhip up your rear end without angering a few folks. The Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s first Artist Rooms exhibition will showcase a number of portraits, self-portraits and still life images from Mapplethorpe’s catalogue of work to create an insightful look into his work. Mapplethorpe, who died at the age of just 42 from complications arising from AIDS, sparked a nationwide debate about the public funding for the arts and freedom of speech in the 1980s when he toured his solo exhibit The Perfect Moment – which explored both homosexuality and sadomasochism. The exhibition created an outcry at public funding for art that many called ‘obscene’. Some museums and galleries refused to host the exhibition, and those that did were even charged with obscenity (though a jury later found them not guilty). Though Mapplethorpe is known for his provocative and sexually charged images, they weren’t the only photographs he produced. He shot images of celebrities, children and flowers. Admission: free. Info: 01970 623232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk (HA) Photo Patti Smith (1979), Artist Rooms. Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by Artist Rooms Foundation 2014. All Mapplethorpe works © The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Boundary Art, a combined gallery and tea garden, intends to create a space that provides customers the opportunity to contemplate of art works whilst enjoying tea in a fresh, unique and friendly atmosphere. We tend to establish a sort of culture fusion of western and eastern arts. For us, there is no limited genres or forms, we appreciate every piece of artwork that expresses impressive aesthetics and emotion.
3 Sovereign Quay, Havannah Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff.CF10 5SF. E-mail: info@boundaryart.com Phone: +44 (0) 2920 489 869
Flow
Summer Exhibition at Boundary Art 1st August 2015 – 30th September 2015
Boundary Art is showcasing a selection of artworks by celebrated artists from UK, China and Germany: Ping Gang Cheng / Cherrill Everley / Gigi Jones / Joanne Last / Liz Lloyd Adrian Paul Metcalfe / Gary Rees / Geoff Swindell / Lisa-marie Tann / Fintan Whelan
www.boundaryart.com
09/05 - 22/11 santa maria ausiliatrice castello 450
ffotogallery
www.walesinvenice .org.uk
BUZZ 35
stage
IN THE LIGHT OF TOM MATHIAS Cilgerran Village Hall, nr Cardigan Fri 21-Sun 23 Aug The images of Tom Mathias, a self-taught photographer who lived in Cilgerran in the early 1900s, can tell us much about what life was like a century ago. After his death in 1940, Mathias’ glass negatives of villiage life were put in some cardboard boxes and left, neglected, in kitchen cupboards and outhouses. It was only when the professional photographer Maxi Davis went searching for these negatives that the images were brought to light. Now Cilgerran-born Angharad Evans (whose family now live in Mathias’s former home) has created a multi-disciplined arts performances inspired by the uncovered photos. The show will tells the tales of family, community, love and loss that the photographs captured. As a site specific production in Cilgerran the show will also take its audience right into the world of Mathias’ photography. In the process of developing the show Tom Mathias’ great-granddaughter, Andrea Sutcliffe, got in touch with Angharad. The stories Andrea told her, along with the tales Angharad discovered herself, form the background of the play. Andrea, and her husband Ed, weren’t the only ones to help Angharad build the project. She gained support as part of Wales Millennium Centres’ Incubator Project, and she found many people who shared her fascination: “I'd come across other stories of people with relatives in the pictures. Heather Thomas, the local historian, spoke of her mother. Emyr Phillips is a member of the Herritage Committee and is extremely passionate about honouring the local history. Dilwyn and Tamsin at Theatr Mwldan also have a passion and interest in the work of Tom Mathias and exhibit his work. “People seem to be mesmerised by Tom Mathias’ work and keen to remember the forever changing landscape and people of the village. It is an honour to have seen these beautiful images and been a part of such an amazing collaborative process.” Tickets: £10 / £8 conc. Info: 01239 621200 / www.mwldan.co.uk HEATHER ARNOLD
CAITLIN
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff Mon 3-Thurs 6 Aug Conceits are not uncommon in poetry, and this is what seems to take place in Deborah Light’s award-winning play Caitlin. Focusing on Caitlin Thomas, wife of Dylan, audiences become a part of the Alcoholics Anonymous group Caitlin attends 20 years after her husband’s death. This is where the conceit comes in; while this play is not a poem, it certainly can be watched, or even experienced, as one. The infamous Alcoholics Anonymous circle is the starting point for the poetic devices to enter, with the next being the connections between Caitlin’s ‘tempestuous’ past – it becomes clear her relationship with Dylan is fuelled by love, addiction, jealousy and infidelity, yet the juxtaposition of the claustrophobic world we’re transported to the unoccupied circle surrounding her serves to suggest that both world’s Caitlin has been brought into are equally as lonely. With an eerie and elusive soundtrack by experimental musician Thighpaulsandra – which was adapted for the live stage by Siôn Orgon – that goes hand-in-hand with the events taking place in the troubled pairs’ life, it’s apparent this early 70s-set play is something to get excited about. With only 20 seats per performance, in the production’s warm-up to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, you will want to get your tickets fast. Tickets: £12.50 / £10.50 conc. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org (SM) BUZZ 36
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Tues 18-Sat 22 Aug Yeeow! Aye-yip-aye-yo-ee-ay! Dirty Rotten Scoundrels makes its debut in Cardiff this August following its booming success in the West End. Based on the infamously funny 1988 film starring Sir Michael Caine and Steve Martin, this comedy musical relives the mischievous behaviour of two conmen fighting it out to swindle an American heiress out of her money. Set in the bustling French Rivieria, this fast paced, laugh-out-loud performance is bound to keep you on your toes and waiting for the next unexpected dance, song or act of trickery. Just as both men are sourly disappointed by their tragic attempts to gain their object of desire, we as an audience are continually amused. From the same award winning director and choreographer that bought you the musicals Hairspray and The Full Monty, Jerry Mitchell sets out to exceed expectations. The cast – including Michael Praed, Mark Benton and Wales’ own Noel Sullivan – slip into their roles and invite you along into the extravagant world of casinos, deception and romance. The production is for both avid fans and newcomers alike, with its presence continuing to rise in popularity, and bring laughter to people’s lives. Tickets: £17.50-£45.50 / £50.50-£55.50 premium seats. Info: 029 2063 6464 / wmc.org.uk (PD)
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE RIPPER MURDERS
Grand Theatre, Swansea Tues 11-Sat 15 Aug Jack The Ripper is back... but this time he’s got rivalry from the Good and the Bad. Will Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson triumph in their efforts to catch this monstrous serial killer? Set in Victorian London, a city tangled in lies, corruption and death – he’ll need more than just his magnifying glass to solve this case. Prostitutes and vulnerable women remain the objects of treacherous desire in Brian Clemens’ Sherlock Holmes And The Ripper Murders. This gruesome murder mystery, directed by Patric Kearns, unravels the unpleasant history of nineteenth century London at night. As another piercing shriek haunts the city, it is up to the expertise of trustworthy duo Holmes and Watson to restore order. The production begins with the gas lanterns flickering, clouds of smoke filling the stage, and the sound of vacant footsteps lingering in the distance. The Ripper may be who the media believe is behind a series of unspeakable murders, but how many more serial killers take to the streets after dark? Having passed away in January, the play marks a fitting tribute to Brian Clemens and his thrilling work. So move out the way Moriarty, Sherlock has a new arch enemy on his case. Tickets: £9.50-£16. Info: 01792 475715 / www.swanseagrand.co.uk (PD)
ALLO ALLO
Manorbier Castle, Tenby Mon 10-Fri 14 Aug “Listen very carefully, I will say this only once...” Sorry, it had to be done. The story of a man running a cafe in occupied France during the Second World War: doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a laugh-a-minute does it? It was, though – and reruns prove that it still is. The Red Herring Theatre Company are following on from last year’s successful production of The 39 Steps, with a special theatrical reimagining of the classic sitcom. All of your favourite characters from the TV show will be there; the main man Rene Artois, his tone-deaf wife Edith, scary Gestapo officer Herr Flick and of course Officer ‘Good moaning’ Crabtree. Expect an evening of fast-paced comedy brought to life with Red Herring's signature flare and wit. This isn’t your average night at the theatre. Set against the stunning backdrop of Manorbier Castle, the event will have more of a festival feel: bring along a picnic and a blanket, sit back and relax during an evening of nostalgic entertainment. The castle is no stranger to theatrics, however, as it was used for the Romola Garai film I Capture The Castle in 2003 – the nowempty moat had to be refilled with spring water... Tickets: £6-£10. Info: 01834 869323 (LR)
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clubs
TUNNEL CLUB
pic: HADYN PRICE
Metros, Cardiff Thurs 13 Aug The Tunnel Club is back. Joining in on the celebrations marking 30 years since the first LGBT march in Cardiff, this pioneering 1980s gay club is returning to Metros – the original Tunnel site – for a one-night-only event. Hosted by Tunnel Girl, Marcia and featuring two original Tunnel DJs, Andre and Dave, they’ll be playing 1985-vintage tracks – a mixture of well-known and underground artists, featured only in gay bars at the time and not the radio or charts. Francis Brown, one of the original members of the first march and co-ordinator of the event, recalls the original march fondly: “Thirty of us met at Kings Cross pub and marched down Queen Street shouting slogans. It was fantastic.” Brown has continued with his work keeping LGBT rights alive, having hosted a history event in Cardiff back in March revisiting what happened 30 years ago; Tim Foskett, another of the original organisers, spoke at the event. This year’s Mardi Gras (now Pride Cymru) march will take place on Sat 15 Aug, two days after the Tunnel Club event, and will be led by ‘veterans’ from the original march, honouring its heritage and paving the way for new reform. The Tunnel Club’s brief return, meanwhile, offers further nostalgia via its time-capsule playlist. What makes this event so different from any other LGBT event is that it is a reunion of people who have seen the world change so dramatically, as well as inviting younger members of society to come and be part of it. Brown describes it as a “celebration”. The time when gay men and women were repressed and forced to separate is very much in the living memory of many, 2015, a time where same-sex marriage is legalised and equality is further expanding, offers cause for cheer. This event is intended as an acknowledgement of that, and all money raised on the night will go to fund small charity groups and enable a presence for the Tunnel Club at next year’s Pride event. Tickets: £5. Info: 07960 820645 THOMAS STEWART
CASTLES NIGHTS – TECHNO CULTURE
Undertone, Cardiff Fri 4 Sept Techno has generally proved pretty popular in Cardiff over the years, but for one reason or another, its promoters fluctuate. Holodeck still pulls great nights out of its pocket intermittently, but chooses to hibernate for several months between them. Mood were making killer bookings on a monthly basis, but signed off earlier this year; others have come and gone. Although this is only their second event, having debuted in May, Castles Nights – Techno Culture could conceivably be the promoters who give Cardiff a regular, flagship techno night. There’s a concept behind their slightly curious name: it’s, er, a little hard to follow, as I don’t think English is their first language, but it seems to relate to their two favourite things being castles and techno. What with Undertone sitting almost in the shadow of Cardiff Castle, and plenty of people having used factories, tower blocks etc as a metaphor to describe techno, bring it on I say. Castles Nights’ marquee resident is DJ MendezisMZ [pictured], who’s from Toledo in Spain and plays regularly across Europe – Berlin’s iconic Tresor club being a standout on his CV. Plenty of his past sets are available to stream on his Soundcloud page, including his inaugural Castles Nights slot. Other confirmed names so far are The Organ Grinder and Blap. Tickets: £5. Info: 029 2022 8883 (NG) BUZZ 38
EN MASSE
Fat City @ Gwdihw, Cardiff Sat 8 Aug There are a fair few regular club nights at Gwdihw which could make a decent fist of the Official Cardiff Carnival Afterparty – given to blaring funk, globally-mined aural diamonds, percussive bombs and general good cheer. However, the Fat City night falls on the second Saturday of the month – like the Carnival – so it’s been given the job. Fat City is run by Gareth Ludkin (one of Buzz’s former editors) and Jonny Falkus, and takes an open-eared approach to the notion of funk, equally given to featuring live bands and guest DJs. This month, it’s going to get Brazilian with a live set from En Masse. This collective are very much something that needs to be experienced live, being as much about dance as music – combining vocals, live beats and choreography with ample soul, and what they describe as “powerful tunes from the ancestors,” but with little let-up in energy. En Masse are linked to Cardiff’s Samba Galez, a community samba band with several dozen members which is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. As with standard Fat City nights (to the extent there is such a thing), there’ll be crowdpleasing DJ sets as well. As well as teaming up with SWICA to serve as its designated post-carnival venue, this is also the afterparty for Cardiff’s first One Love Movement Yoga Gathering, which takes place at The Abacus. Admission: £3. Info: 029 2039 7933 (NG)
ROBERT JAMES
Capture @ Glam, Cardiff Sun 9 Aug The notion that Britain gets overly excited about a bit of hot weather is a cliché, but one rooted in truth. New promo team Capture are certainly taking advantage, inviting punters onto the roof of Glam for a Sunday rave. Having debuted in July with a headline set from Bontan, they return with Robert James – a Blackpool-born, Londonbased DJ from the Hot Creations stable. James’ induction into dance culture is not the stuff of everyone’s legend. Stationed in Iraq for the less legal of Britain’s two wars there, a fellow soldier put on a Tiësto live DVD during some downtime. The reaction of the crowd to the Dutch trance cheeseball’s selections piqued James’ interest, and once he returned to the UK, he became a dedicated raver, graduating from trance to techno. A trip to Ibiza in 2007 saw him strike up a friendship with Jamie Jones, who would later found Hot Creations Records; Sleep Moods, James’ 2010 debut single, was the second release on the label. He’s been one of HC’s main touring DJs since 2011, and fans of the Hot Creations aesthetic – straddling commercial and underground house, perhaps with an expensive haircut – will surely thrill to Robert James’ DJ style, deep but driving and dedicated to the wishes of the crowd. Scott Kerr, Haematoma , Drew Watkins, Elliot Mitchell and Capture boss Sinky complete the bill, which runs from 4-10.30pm. Tickets: £8-£12. Info: 029 2022 9311 (NG)
SERIOUS SOUNDS #16
Karma Club, Cardiff Fri 7 Aug Subtitled ‘Bring The Noise’, and not without reason, this month will usher in a massive-sounding 12-hour rave taking in hardcore, old skool, hardstyle, hard house, hard dance and hardtek. Having been absent from Cardiff’s nightlife for a while, the Serious Sounds promotional team – headed up by DJ Burn, one of the most esteemed DJs on the south Wales hardcore scene – aim to be making the 16th event in the series “harder, faster, louder and prouder”. From its inception in November 2008, Serious Sounds aimed to establish a foundation for Cardiff raves showcasing the finest underground sonics. Burn, Serious Sounds’ founder, says that it grew from its renewed strength after each event and that the music options sought to “mix it up – legends of the scene to local talent that deserves a shot.” This time around, the lineup features Hixxy & MC Charlie B, Rescue & MC Enemy, DJ Burn & MC Rainah, Narcotic Smugglers, DJ Drago and Vip, among others, and is hosted by Karma Club, one of several busy bars on the upper half of St. Mary Street . Having already been dubbed Wales’s Number 1 Hardcore Event, number 16 aims to be as outrageous and thrilling as its previous years. As DJ Burn says, “I always treat my events like my own personal parties – all fun.” Tickets: £15. Info: karmaclubcardiff@ gmail.com (TS)
live
KING CRIMSON
St David’s Hall, Cardiff Thurs 3 Sept Or, to give this its full title, An Evening With King Crimson, and rest assured that this is no idle boast. Forty-six years since releasing their debut LP, this extraordinary band – a foundation stone of British progressive rock, although a shifting lineup has been based around the globe since the 1980s – retain such a stellar reputation as a live unit that you might expect them to pick you up from your house and buy you chips afterwards, just to top off that enchanted Evening. They’re a calibre of live act who sell concert recordings in 27-CD box sets (Starless, released last year), aimed at fans who wish to microanalyse their various performances, and the differences therein. If the prospect of spending time sat with such devotees sounds unappealing, bear in mind that King Crimson can rock extremely hard, and offer little room for nerds to natter. Their best known song, 21st Century Schizoid Man, was very heavy for its time (1969), foretelling industrial and grunge in its paranoid crunch. It’s one of the few staples of live sets by the current seven-piece lineup: a kindly gesture by a band who have, at times, seemed bloodyminded in their efforts to confound fans’ expectations. Any given Crimson album will bear marked differences to another; praise or indeed blame is normally heaped on Robert Fripp, as the only founding member still present. However, the lengthy list of past and present players includes some famous prog names – Greg Lake, Bill Bruford – and impossibly well-drilled session musicians. The septet which will appear in Cardiff include flautist (there’s quite a bit of flute in King Crimson’s music) Mel Collins, who played with the band in the early 70s, and two drummers: Bill Rieflin, who’s worked with REM and every well known industrial rock band ever, and Porcupine Tree’s Gavin Harrison. Expect an energy-packed set with wild musical telepathy and lots of solos. Don’t, however, expect the chance to see King Crimson here again: their last UK tour was in 1982, and three years ago Fripp announced his retirement from music. A merciful change of heart shortly after set the wheels in motion for this swift run of UK dates, but the nest will surely be calling for Fripp, who’s been married to new wave star, actress and talk show staple Toyah Willcox for 29 years. Equally, without the Crimson man around to tinker with his homemade synthesisers – the infamous ‘Frippertronics’ – Willcox risks running short of material for the next edition of her hit stage show Hormonal Housewives. Tickets: £39.50-£65. Info: 029 2087 8444 NOEL GARDNER
THE 13TH DREAM OF DR SARDONICUS
Cellar Bar & Penny’s Gallery, Cardigan Fri 7-Sun 9 Aug Last August saw a fruitful assemblage of kaleidoscopic melody makers celebrating each other’s music in west Wales. Quizzically named Crabstock, the organisers have decided to replicate this mini-festival format for 2015. Cardigan natives and spacerock specialists Sendelica curate, together with Fruits De Mer Records – a small label rife with enthusiasm for offbeat sounds. Their aim is to expand on last year in every way possible promising a “bigger, better and longer” experience than before. You can expect to see many bands revered in their community, such as long-running hard-edged independents Bevis Frond, trippy trance gurus Astralasia, Cardiff’s own vibrant experimental rockers Soft Hearted Scientists, psych pop group Schnauser and of course Sendelica themselves. Extending this eclectic lineup are The Luck Of Eden Hall (from USA), Earthling Society, Magic Bus, Honey Pot, Spurious Transients, Steve Kelly, Sendelica Acoustica, Paradise 9, Jack Ellister (Holland) and DJ Wally Stagg. Prospective punters will be pleased to know that there are several giveaways thrown in with the ticket price, including a Fruits De Mer goodie bag, gig posters, a signed Astralasia poster and a Fruits De Mer Vinyl for the first 100 people to show up. Tickets: £60/£45. Info: 07818 056599 (CPI)
BUZZ 40
HUB FESTIVAL
Various venues, Womanby Street, Cardiff Fri 28-Mon 31 Aug Now in its third year, HUB Festival 2015 is a multi-venue festival, based on Womanby Street. It’s located across nine live music venues, including Dempsey’s, Four Bars, Fuel Rock Club, The Full Moon, The Moon Club, Urban Tap House and The City Arms, as well as Womanby Street’s flea market, The Castle Emporium and an outdoor stage on Jones Court. Womanby Street itself will also play host to live music, dancers, stalls and much more. The first wave of performers has been announced, and among the long list are Johnny Cave & The Voodoogroove, Hogslayer, Wonderbrass and We’re No Heroes. Following the success of previous years, in 2015 its organisers are working hard to ensure a jam packed weekend. Event organiser Steve Bines said: “The idea of HUB Festival is to act as a shop window for Cardiff’s live music scene. The aim is to be fully inclusive: anyone who is involved in music in Cardiff, be it bands, promoters, labels, DJs – everyone is welcome to come and get involved. We’ve got an incredible live music scene in this city, and the plan is to put it all together over one weekend, and really showcase what we’ve got!” Last year’s HUB Festival saw over 200 bands and artists perform, and this year promises even bigger and better things. Tickets: £10 per day/£15 for three days. Info: info@thefullmooncardiff.com (OS)
RYLEY WALKER
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Mon 31 Aug Chicago-based guitarist Ryley Walker has been garnering a lot of praise just recently. His latest album Primrose Green has been getting laudatory reviews from just about every publication going, and with good cause. It’s a beautiful psych-folk album that draws directly on the full spectrum of the 60s British folk revival. There are shades of Nick Drake, Davy Graham, Tim Buckley, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn scattered through the album, but the dominant influence is the gorgeous early70s, Solid Air-era work of John Martyn and Danny Thompson. For Primrose Green Walker has assembled a full cast of the great and the good of the Chicago folk and jazz/improv scenes to back him up, and together they’ve created an album that moves from jazz to folk to dreamy psychedelia with an ease that belies the technical skill of the musicians. Walker himself is a talented guitarist, and if any of the aforementioned influences are apparent that’s not to say he’s derivative, he’s created his own sonic universe and there’s a distinctive sound to his playing that’s all his own. Here, delicate fingerpicked guitar runs intertwine with a rumbling double bass as jazzy pianos and vibraphones move in and out of the mix. His last appearance at Clwb Ifor Bach was well-received, and it looks like this time is going to be just as good. Tickets: £8. Info: 029 2023 2199 (DG)
WALL2WALL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Various venues, Abergavenny Fri 4-Sun 6 Sept Think this market town’s only claims to fame are their food festival and ‘Gateway To Wales’ tagline? Think again, because Abergavenny and Wall2Wall are becoming known to cool cats far and wide. Enjoy spectacular views, feast on local cuisine and savour such diverse sounds of jazz (ragtime, latin, swing, gypsy, bebop, etc), blues and an a capella choir! There are 21 musical acts and even a dance troupe. The music festival (now in its third year) was founded by the area’s Black Mountain Jazz, who initially started booking bands at a local bar, The Kings Arms. Promoter Mike Skilton was instrumental in building up the gigs into a three-day event. It's spread out over a trio of locations, including the aforementioned inn. Here you can start things off with a Made In Wales supper on Fri 4 and music by Welshbased artists. Weekend headliners are returning hits Moscow Drug Club and Zoë Schwarz Blue Commotion. Over at The Cantreff Inn, Welsh duo Silurian is one of the acts up on the Blues Stage. In Jazz Alley at the Market Hall on the final day, there's an all-you-canhear buffet of free sounds, including Monmouthshire teens RedRug and Bristol's Mankala. So get your jazz high while breathing in fresh mountain air up at Wall2Wall. Just what Dr. Boogie ordered! Tickets: from £19. Blues Stage: £6 each afternoon Sat/Sun. Info: www. blackmountainjazz.co.uk (RLR)
HHHH “A singer/songwriter whose talent knows no boundaries” Mojo
cowbridgemusicfestival.co.uk
Melody Gardot
The Currency of Man Tour Tachwedd 18 November ’15
wmc.org.uk 029 2063 6464 Buzz ad .qxp_Laugharne card 23/04/2015 15:15 Page 1
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reviews albums ALBERT HAMMOND JR ***
Momentary Masters (Infectious) Drawing its title from a phrase in a Carl Sagan book, the uninitiated might expect profound existential lyrics on the nature of the universe. This isn’t a concept album but could easily pass as another Strokes record in all but name, with the ghost of Comedown Machine, the band’s subtle flirtation with new wave, rearing its influence. If anything, as a third solo outing, it’s a clear reminder of Hammond’s songwriting skill within the band and slightly less so without. CP
THE BOHICAS ***** The Making Of (Domino) The debut album from youthful English rock outfit The Bohicas displays their unique, vibrant sound: blues-tinged rock, but with an electro twist. The Making Of... is a highly accomplisheddebut album: you get the sense they’re very sure of their sound and where they want to take it, not always the case with debut releases. Combining 60s rock’n’roll and latterday Britpop to create something fresh, you can almost smell beer and fresh-cut grass as these guys are sure to be future festival favourites. DC
DON BROCO *** Automatic (Epic) Automatic is the followup to Don Broco’s 2012 debut album Priorities, since when the band have raised rapidly from cult heroes to a major force in British rock quarters. They return with a huge crossover release that sees the four-piece incorporating a huge range of influences into these 10 tracks. Pop, funk, dance, rock all take centre stage, with uptempo openers Superlove and Automatic setting an early precedent, closely followed by the slower Nerve and What You Do To Me. OS
DREADZONE **** Sound (Dubwiser) This is a reissue of one of Dreadzone’s most well-received albums from 2001, on which collaborations with Don Letts, Earl 16, Aswad’s Brinsley Forde and MC Det found all involved on finest form. It’s an uplifting affair even on its mellower moments, bouncing effortlessly between reggae, dub, breaks and house. Comparisons can be drawn with their more
mainstream counterparts, Leftfield, especially on opener Return Of The Dread, which is a good track to try before you buy. RH
DUCKTAILS ** St. Catherine (Domino) The fifth album from Los Angeles based musician Matt Mondanile (who’s also behind Real Estate) continues his exploration of woozy bedroom pop. Mondanile strives for the beauty, depth and mystery of someone like Broadcast but neither his voice or his melodies are strong enough to grab your attention. Nor is it weird enough to evoke Ariel Pink. There are some nice touches here – the strings on Heaven's Gate for example – but it’s too one-paced and simply drifts by. SE
FRANK TURNER *** Positive Songs For Negative People (Xtra Mile) Since 2013’s Tape Deck Heart, Frank Turner fans have been salivating at the thought of a new album. Positive Songs... marks a successful return for the festival favourite. First single The Next Storm is textbook folk-rock and includes Turner face-to-face with controversial profighter CM Punk in the recently released video. Mittens is a beauty, while Demons and Silent Key both standout in this very strong offering from the award winning singer-songwriter. An album that nicely highlights a triumphant rise from nothing to something. OS
THE FRATELLIS *** Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied (Cooking Vinyl) Straying somewhat from commerciality, and embracing Americana and country, the former Brit winners continue to pen the sort of fun, energetic anthems that helped them burst on to the scene a decade ago, something that will undoubtedly delight existing fans no end. That being said, if you weren’t a fan of the Glaswegian trio already it’s unlikely that this fourth album is going to sway you too much. Still, some decent tunes here, in particular ballads Slow and Impostors. GT
GEORGIA ****
aide Victor Griffin. Over 11 songs, they stay true to the soulful strain of proto-doom metal which they (and Sabbath) invented in the early 70s; plenty of riff magic results, even if it’s not inspired like their finest moments. NG
LAURENT GARNIER ***
QUANTIC PRESENTS THE WESTERN TRANSIENT ****
La Home Box (F Communications)
A New Constellation (Tru Thoughts)
Three decades’ worth of techno savantry and Laurent Garnier is as restless as ever. This compilation presents the highlights of a much larger box set already on the market and the results are... mixed. On the one hand we have sleek dancefloor tools such as Enchante primed for summer nights, but on the other weirdly retrogressive tracks like The Rise & Fall Of The Donkey Dog coming across like an ersatz take on Daft Punk’s Rock N’ Roll or a very safe version of Justice. AJ
The beginning of a long awaited road trip; a subdued stroll in the park; a simple bask in the sun; whatever you’re mood, Will ‘Quantic’ Holland’s latest infusion of soothing, soulful and (at times) upbeat jazz will likely rise to the occasion. In moving away from the electronic sounds of Magnetica, A New Constellation brings live jazz musicians into the fore whilst also maintaining Holland’s innovative composition of synths, samples and percussion. The end product is a clean and sophisticated sound worthy of any jazz enthusiast. DM
LIANNE LA HAVAS ***** Blood (Warner Bros) This sophomore album from genre-busting LLH features some electronic-leading tunes, lifting off with cosmos-soaring single {Unstoppable} and including languid oriental pearl {Tokyo}. Her lush vocals and lyrical guitar are always there, though, whether finding roots on {Green & Gold} or letting it rip with the jazzy and generous stunner {Midnight}. {Grow} builds powerfully and magically intense {Never Get Enough} morphs into something else with its punk chorus. Prepare to be amazed with this out-of-this-world collection of journeys, heritage and connecting/disconnecting. RLR
MARK MORRISS ** The Taste Of Mark Morriss (Acid Jazz) The frontman of The Bluetones has decided to cover a dozen ‘blast from the past’ songs from the last 50 or so years which have helped sculpt his own impressive back catalogue. The results, aside from a couple of inventive takes (namely Orchestral Manouvres In The Dark’s Souvenir and Laura Brannigan’s Self Control), are decidedly tepid. The song choices are eclectic for sure, but the arrangements somehow manage to negate this, with most of the songs losing a dimension or two compared to the original. BG
STIG OF THE DUMP *** Kubrick (Lewis) Titling and branding your album after one of cinema’s most celebrated directors takes balls – you’d just better make sure the music lives up to the promise. While there’s not much wrong with SOTD’s ode to the man behind The Shining and 2001: A Space Odyssey, there’s not much here that’s recognisably linked to either of those films, or any of Kubrick’s other epics for that matter. This is a case of trusting your narrator, which is the listener’s call. RH
THE SWORD **** High Country (Razor & Tie) The fifth and decidedly mellower album by The Sword keeps their lyrical preoccupations of the mystic, destiny and the elements intact, while slicing and dicing modern psychedelic metal with 70s versions of it, in the era when LOTR was still unfilmable. High Country is as funky as Black Mountain and segues nicely into Tears Like Diamonds. Empty Temples is a Thin Lizzyesque boogie, Dust echoes QOTSA in reflective mode, and an analog synth drives Unicorn Farm and Seriously Mysterious and goes full-on giallo soundtrack for Agartha. CS
TERMINAL CHEESECAKE ****
Georgia (Domino)
THE MINERALS ****
Kate Tempest's former bandmate carves her own limelight on this confident debut, which reeks of urban teen spirit set to some neat production across the gamut of electronic music. Kombine, with a Pakistani intro sampled from a tape gifted by a taxi driver, would grace a Major Lazer album,
The Minerals (Staylittle)
Cheese Brain Fondue: Live In Marseille (Artificial Head)
Valleys duo Colenso Jones (Climbing Trees) and Jodie Gibson (Drop Dead Darling) have only been together a year, but in their debut album (proudly ‘Made in Wales’) we find a trove of alt-country brilliance. Trading vocals serves them well, as does their range of instruments, including the mighty fiddle. Tracks like Stealing Shadows and Beasts Come Alive are moments of thought and melancholy, while more upbeat moments including Sewn Shut and Pieces are restrained rock classics in the making. RH
A live album by Terminal Cheesecake – a band who formed in London in the late 80s, made heavy and deeply damaged psychedelic rock until 1994, split and reformed a few years back – might not have a vast potential audience, but its existence is a beautiful thing. Now featuring Mancunian vocalist Neil Francis, they’re an incredible live band on their day, and this nine-song French set sounds like one of those days: rangy, immersive and soaked in acidic biker vibes. They have new stuff on the way, too. NG
PENTAGRAM ***
TOTEM TERRORS ****
Curious Volume (Peaceville)
Hard Science (Diet Pops)
When considering latter-day Pentagram, one can rate frontman Bobby Liebling’s voice objectively, or remember that he’s spent half his life destroying it with crack, by which standards it’s astonishing. As ever, Curious Volume finds him joined by a (cough) crack team of musicians, including longstanding
Allocated the somewhat restrictive label of ‘noise rock’ on iTunes, this group has so much more to offer than this narrow imputation implies. Humworthy tunes, full of character, are peppered with plenty of chaotic riffage and intelligent lyrics infused with deliberately blunt metaphors. Some may be turned
GAMES REVIEWS COPS AND ROBBERS! *** Boombit Games Arcade Simple one-touch controls, minimal art style and two difficulty modes, Boombit prove they are one of the leading entertainment-based minimalist game manufacturers in the apps business with this simple game – the only aim is to steal as many coins as possible. With online multiplayer, alternative controls and various disguises and characters to buy, Cops And Robbers! holds plenty of choice for users, making this an immersive gaming experience. SM
NOM CAT **** Lucky Kat Studios It’s a simple concept: all you have to do is feed a pair of cats fish by holding your finger to open the animals’ mouths, while making sure you don’t allow them to eat the flying bombs. Yet, in practice, this game proves quite difficult – having to focus on what is flying into your screen for both cats proves challenging, but for Nom Cat, its difficulty makes the game all the more addictive. SM
BUZZ 42
Georgia's drumming background powers muscular Gamalan rhythms in Move Systems, with the sweet chorus “systems always lie about who we are” breaking from her MIA-influenced rebellion rap, and Heart Wrecking Animals is touching and sweet. CS
off by the crass nature of certain songs but this unsympathetic raw energy is unquestionably their main appeal. CPI
V0ID ***** Keep Fighting (Futureproof) If you’re not aware of this Welsh quartet, picture some cruising-down-themotorway, wind-in-yourhair rock. At times during Keep Fighting, their third album, you might even think you’re listening to some unheard Bon Jovi tracks. Leading with the heavy, arena-sized title track, later highlights – In The End, Starting Again, Practise Run – indicate a few life lessons have been learned since the last release. This album is V0id’s way of declaring they’re still here, still standing and still playing. DC
WILLIS EARL BEAL **** Noctunes (Tender Loving Empire) “People had all these ideas about what I was supposed to be. I had only ever wanted to make lullabies.” Stripped back and delicate, a record full of lullabies is exactly what Willis Earl Beal delivers on the brilliant Noctunes. Album highlight Survive drifts along on a tappedout, barely-there beat, bass synths flooding the ambient soundscape behind Beal’s smooth, warm vocals. As the name suggests, this is a night-time record: mellow, simply produced and slowly paced, but lyrically potent (particularly the doleful Lust) and soulfully delivered. HR
singles CLEAN CUT KID *** Vitamin C (Babe Magnet) This is the most current example I can think of that validates this generation’s love for indie pop and catchy melodies. Jaunty, airy and full of energy, there’s not much that isn’t uplifting about this song, unless like me you find yourself averse to and weary of overly sprightly music… CPI
DEATH AND VANILLA *** California Owls EP (Fire) While many of Death And Vanilla’s evident influences were great because they combined a pop sensibility with an uneasy, eldritch undertone, this Swedish band telegraph them a bit too obviously for their own good. This EP has Ghost Box Records-like artwork, Radiophonic Workshop synths and a doe-eyed Broadcast homage (Follow The Light), but remains stuck at ‘pleasant’. NG
THE MOON BIRDS **** Frank 2 (Newsoundwales) The debut single from this quirky Merthyr bunch is a fresh funky track with elements of blues, jazz and pop. It’s no small feat making music which sounds so playful yet polished; Frank 2 is a perfect track to put on during your midday slump, four minutes and 33 seconds of pure joy. It won’t change your life but it will make you smile. DC
THE ONE HUNDRED **** Subculture EP (40 Deep) If British metalcore is your thing then The One Hundred are sure to impress you. As much as this genre of music needs to be heard live to be
appreciated, use your imagination and you’ll be transported to the centre of the moshpit, loving life. Their tracks carry a catchy melody too, something that distinguishes The One Hundred from other metalcore groups. DC
Y REU ** Hadyn EP (I Ka Ching) With this EP, Caernarfon quintet Y Reu have managed to channel a sound that was briefly popular thanks to the likes of Pendulum and The Qemists a decade ago. It’s difficult to place where this hard rock/electro hybrid fits in these days; maybe the mid-2000s revival has already started? BG
SAMUEL ** These Days (Big Dada) Samuel’s fractured vocal style and harsh upbringing coupled with Kwes’ skill behind the desk should make for something a lot more accomplished than what is delivered here. The song ends before it really begins, leaving the listener feeling shortchanged at something that showed real promise a couple of minutes in. BG
demos BAD VIBES
nouserrec.bandcamp.com/album/bad-vibesdemo-1 Assuming Bad Vibes come from Cardiff as is stated, I suspect some members are known to me, if only because the Welsh capital is really quite small. While they’ve neglected to reveal anything so trivial as their names, this three-song demo offers ample intrigue if lo-fi indie and shit-fi punk crank your hog. Vocals are blown out and hardcore-styled; music pits Slumberland Records-type jangle against Times New Viking devil distortion; a threatening letter, reproduced with the download, from the band to new tape label No User may be fictive. NG
PARADISE WALK www.facebook.com/paradisewalk
THIS MONTH’S
DVD PICK
LOVE IS STRANGE 15 (Altitude Film Distribution) John Lithgow and Alfred Molina star as a newly-married gay couple in this delightful and true-to-life drama. After years of companionship the happy couple hit financial hardship and are forced to live apart with family and friends, testing their own bond and the patience of their new hosts. Instead of focusing on gushing romance and sentimentality, this charming story centres on what it’s really like to exist alongside someone you love. ****RHA
THE FACE OF AN ANGEL 15 (Soda Pictures) Michael Winterbottom directs this drama about a young filmmaker who approaches the arduous task of making a film about the Amanda Knox murder trial. What should have been an interesting subject matter just doesn’t transform onto the screen in this confusing, muddled portrait of a complex case and the media storm that engulfed it. Worst of all, this film doesn’t say anything; it merely ambles along in a confused mess. *RHA
CINDERELLA U (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film is just wonderful. The colours, the costumes, the special effects and Cate Blanchett being her usual incredible self, make this quite the spectacle and definitely not just for children. The DVD also includes the short film Frozen Fever which is a lovely added extra. *****RW
FINAL GIRL 15 (Arrow Films) Well, Little Miss Sunshine grew up. Abigail Breslin is captivating in this mediocre meta-horror, with a fantastic performance of a young woman taking on a group of lads who hunt blondes for fun. Beautifully directed, the storyline has a lot of promise but the film just doesn’t quite live up to expectations. **RW
GOOD KILL 15 (Arrow Films) The ethics of drone warfare are put under scrutiny in this psychological thriller from The Truman Show director Andrew Niccol. After six years of Air Force Duty as a fighter pilot, Tom Egan (Ethan Hawke, whose unsentimental performance is a central part of the film) is tasked with fighting the Taliban from the safety of an air-conditioned box in the Las Vegas desert. The topic is powerful but the tense drama loses its mark when it looks at Egan‘s family life, something which seems carelessly thrown in. ***KD
The duo behind this synthpop project have a readymade explanation for why their music sounds so obsessed with the 1980s: it reminds of them of childhood, specifically the Pleasure Park in their home town of Barry Island. This is cute but superfluous – the decade’s wealth of fine pop music is reason enough, and Paradise Walk’s new song Summer Heat is a well-pitched tribute. Likely attuned to the synthwave revival, they also have an ear for gated-drums soft rock and ear-tearingly bad lyrics like “her body cries out just to be loved”. NG
WILD TALES
15 (Artificial Eye) This Swedish film has received critical acclaim everywhere. It's based around a ‘perfect’ family on holiday in the Alps, when an avalanche starts whilst they are enjoying breakfast. The film follows the husband’s selfish reaction to the impending doom and what unfolds is a cringe inducing spectacle of the breakdown and collapse of this damaged relationship. Brilliant. ****AL
TINY CUTS soundcloud.com/tiny_cuts Self-described in their email to me as “a post-punk darkwave duo,” on their Soundcloud page Cardiff/ Caerphilly’s Tiny Cuts more bet-hedgingly claim to “create original tunes across a range of genres, including rock, pop, folk and indie.” It’s their latest track, Again, that’s up for perusal though, and it indeed offers an electronic spin on goth-rock. Featuring slightly distracting Space Invaders synth noises amidst its vaguely Depeche Mode-like (g)rumble, it apparently precedes an album called Baby, You've Been Cut By Love's Thrashing Blade. NG
15 (Artificial Eye) This Spanish language dark comedy is a pick-and-mix of short stories that are unique, often funny and always violent. The film includes a tales of road rage gone awry, of a waitress considering deadly revenge on a customer and a bride’s fury when scorned. A bit like a good comedy sketch show, the film has hits and misses, but overall it is a mischievously funny film and, if nothing else, feels like something completely different. ****HA
FORCE MAJEURE
ACCIDENTAL LOVE 15 (Arrow Films) Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Biel and a good supporting cast should equate to a fine film, but hell no. Biel plays a small-town waitress who gets a nail stuck in her head, causing weird behaviour; she heads to Washington to meet the senator (Gyllenhaal) to take up her cause and inevitably sparks fly. Very strange. **AL
BUZZ 43
MUSIC NEWS EXTRA
The initial lineup, 57 acts strong, for 2015’s Swn Festival has been announced. A two-day affair (Fri 7 and Sat 8 Nov), a lot of the names on the bill are playing Cardiff for the first time. Abandoning any pretence to objectivity, this column hereby lists a few of what it considers the more interesting combos: Barberos (eccentric Liverpudlian synth/punk), Peaness (their name sounds a bit like ‘penis’) and Protomartyr (chewy Texan postpunk goodness). Tickets are on sale at the early bird price of £42, or £21 for 14-17-yearolds, and can be grabbed via dice.fm – a new ticketselling app, founded by radio DJ Jen Long, which boasts a curatorial aspect and NO BOOKING FEES Running almost parallel to Swn (Thurs 6 and Fri 7 Nov) as well is the AIF Festival Congress. Founded last year by the Association Of Independent Festivals, it seeks to address issues and provide a support network for people who book music festivals – the non-massive ones, at least – in the UK. Promising quickfire talks, roundtable events and discussions, the opening night will be in Cardiff University’s Great Hall and will feature a keynote speech from Swn founder Huw Stephens, a DJ set from Bestival’s Rob
Da Bank and a “street food banquet”. Tickets for this ‘un are also in the early bird stage – until the end of August – and cost £100 Some time back, while reviewing the early output of Swansea rockabilly/punk quintet Heavy Petting Zoo, this writer wondered aloud if their name – taken from a NOFX album – might entice fans of the latter band, then disappoint them with its dissimilarity. Well, it seems that HPZ have taken heed! Or came to the same conclusion independently, which is more likely. Either way, they are now known as Beach Fatigue, under which name they will debut at the aforementioned Swn Festival, and release an album later in 2015. They will, however, continue to feature a member who doesn’t sing or play anything, but dances Bez-style in front of the band and takes his shirt off The sonic connection between the traditional folksong of Wales and India is linked together, possibly for the first time, on the self-titled debut album by Ghazalaw. A duo featuring Gwyneth Glyn, a Welsh-language folk artist, and Tauseef Akhtar, who hails from Mumbai and
performs in the ghazal style, Ghazalaw is released on Fri 25 Sept by Cerys Matthews’ Marvels Of The Universe label, with additional input by Cardigan venue Theatr Mwldan. Guests on the 10-track album include Welsh harpist Georgia Ruth, plus selected Indian musicians; it’s a delicate, romantic-sounding disc which nonetheless avoids overt smoothness or cultural compromise. The project began in 2011 when Glyn and Akhtar met; Ghazalaw played live in India the following year, and at the WOMEX conference in 2013 UK charity Music In Hospitals, whose logical mission is to seek out volunteer musicians to perform in places of medical care for sick/disabled/terminally ill patients, has put the call out to Welsh performers. The Cardiff branch of the organisation, which currently sets up around 400 concerts per year, emphasises that they’re keen to attract a wide range of styles, and acts who sing in either English or Welsh. An element of audience engagement is also expected, so if you’re both chatty and charitable, and fancy performing at MIH’s community outreach events or at Cardiff’s Heath Hospital, contact rose@musicinhospitals.org.uk to find out more
ONE TO WATCH... SWNAMI
Around now is a busy few weeks for I Ka Ching Records – a Carmarthen-based and predominantly Welsh language imprint who might be relatively small, but are probably doing more than any other label at present to push music in Wales’ mother tongue. As well as the five-song indie-dance crossover of Y Reu’s Hadyn EP and the debut by teenage outfit Y Cledrau, please welcome the self-titled debut album by Swnami, a six-piece from Dolgellau. Understandably, a lot of Swnami’s promotional and gigging efforts to date have concentrated on the Welsh language circuit, with appearances at events such as July’s Tafwyl festival in Cardiff Castle. Sonically speaking, though, Swnami doesn’t suggest a band with a vast amount in common with much of the guitar music on that scene. These songs are heavy on the synths and produced to a fine gleam, and a sea change from the more orthodox Brit-indie of their earlier efforts (they formed in 2010). One of the 12 bands selected for the BBC’s Horizons scheme last year, they’re described on the website as being “cut from similar cloth to Arctic Monkeys, Bombay Bicycle Club and Catfish & The Bottlemen”; possibly excepting the second of those, Swnami’s jittery postpunk/funk rhythm guitar and widescreen, 80s-tinged pop frameworks bear little resemblance. Previous single Trwmgwsg has echoes of Foals, and when they reach back three decades via synths and funk-pop you might think of either Jungle or La Roux. A sole – we won’t say ‘token’ – English language song, Magnet, has enough hook and bombast to suggest a future pathway to hitsville. www.swnami.com BUZZ 44
one louder “WHATEVER you do, don’t read the comments.” That’s the advice they give to, well, everyone who reads articles online, but especially to the people who have written the articles which generate the comments. It’s often wise advice, too, or at least justifiably cautious. Not everyone has rhino hide and unflappable self-belief, and if an article which is contentious or simply bad appears on a high-traffic website read by cynical blowhards, then some poor blighter might be faced with hundreds of people calling him or her shit, talentless, misinformed etc. Factor in everyone who read it and didn’t say anything, but are also now of similar opinion: in a matter of hours, the amount of people who thought you suck has risen from ‘hardly anyone’ to ‘literally thousands’. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but the thought of this chills the blood. Personally, I have never experienced it, perhaps because of the objective truth and sparkling prose inherent to everything I write. I am more attuned to the inverse malaise, though: hundreds of thousands of words, maybe millions, written over the years with very little idea of how they were received. Ignorance may well be bliss, yes; writing shouldn’t need the validation of strangers to feel legitimate and what exactly do you think people in your position did before the internet? All good points, mysterious voice. The discrepancies, though, are stark and hard to ignore in the age of the proverbial ‘clicks’: the stats are right there, starescreaming at you about how much they care about HIS crappy column and how little they care about YOURS. Since the year 2000 (although not for the entire time), I’ve written (mostly) reviews for sexagenarian UK music publication NME, reviews (mostly) of marginal interest to its target audience. Nonetheless, and despite a certain feeling of distance caused by now being about twice as old as said target audience, I enjoy it and am grateful for the opportunity. This month, it’s going to publish its last ever paid-for issue, a move prompted by a year-on-year sales plummet to untenable figures. When it relaunches in September, it’ll be available to pick up for nothing – at train stations next to Metro, and in various brand-friendly shops next to Buzz. Possibly. It’s with a clammy hand and a warm can of Fosters that I welcome NME into the realm of the free magazines! NME editor Mike Williams, who has overseen this alteration, lived in Cardiff for several years, where he co-edited a free miniature mag called Kruger. It was printed on heavy paper which smelled funny, and you could definitely find it stacked next to Buzz. I can’t profess to know what Kruger’s print run was, but the 300,000 copies which nu-NME plans to launch with is, I’m pretty sure, a substantial increase. It’s certainly more than the 15,000 or so paying readers who’ve stayed loyal to NME in the last couple of years. Here, then, is a conundrum to gnaw at the insecurities I aired two paragraphs back. Is it preferable to be read by a limited audience who, in paying actual money for the privilege, have an implied interest in the content? Or an audience who are several times bigger but, by definition, more passive consumers, ones who may have only picked it up because it was there and they need something to distract from the guy next to them drinking a breakfast Relentless? Perhaps both of these are quaint, creaky anachronisms which anyone fretting over is missing the march of progress. Whatever. I hope NME’s relaunch is very successful and allows them the freedom to put unexpected acts, women and minorities on the cover more often. Y'mean like VIOLENT ARREST (Le Pub, Newport, Sat 1), YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS and HEADFALL (The Globe, Cardiff, Thurs 6), TOUCHE AMORE (The Globe, Sun 9), TWO WHITE CRANES (The Abacus, Wed 12), PEGA MONSTRO (Undertone, Tue 18), TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET (Sin City, Swansea, Wed 19), NOMAD (Moon Club, Fri 21) and YOUNGBLOOD BRASS BAND (Clwb Ifor Bach, Wed 26)? Er, sure. NOEL GARDNER
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CAPITAL CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA
COURTNEY PINE PRESENTS ‘SONG (THE BALLAD BOOK)’ FEATURING ZOE RAHMAN DIGBY FAIRWEATHER’S HALF DOZEN JULIAN ARGÜELLES TETRA
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PARTISANS
PHRONESIS
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SCOTT HAMILTON QUARTET
TIMO LASSY BAND
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books
BOOK OF THE MONTH
I SAW A MAN Owen Sheers (Faber & Faber)
Owen Sheers’ fourth novel is a journey into male bereavement, grief and guilt. This thought-provoking and compelling novel charts the story of Michael Turner, an ambitious writer who is coming to terms with the death of his wife – a documentary maker killed in a drone strike while reporting on Pakistani jihadists. While he is struggling to cope he strikes up a friendship with his neighbours, in particular Josh the husband, and ingratiates himself into their perfect family set-up. The novel opens with Michael finding the neighbour’s house apparently empty and open. He ventures inside and a brutal reality hits him: it’s from here the story moves into a whodunit and why. Michael and Josh develop a complicit relationship from this point, each hiding their own secrets and demons and unfolding events throw them together in an uneasy alliance. The novel explores empathy and how men deal with grief and the hidden depths and secrets that we as humans experience. From the perspective of each of the main characters, the repercussions of death are explored and the coping mechanisms that are used to deal with the loss of a loved one are investigated; from complete denial to the urgent and unending quest for reasons and explanations of why. Sheers has written a deeply moving and tension filled novel where the reader actually cares for the characters and their survival. ANTONIA LEVAY Price: £14.99. Info: www.faber.co.uk
CLOWN’S SHOES Rebecca F John (Parthian) Clown’s Shoes is the captivating collection of short stories brought to us from the mind of Swansea writer Rebecca F. John. She showcases seemingly ordinary people living out extraordinary situations, with each story taking the form of a snapshot in the timeline of each character's life. We see snippets of lives that are full of disappointments, tragedy, love, loss and disguised blessings. In this collection we walk with characters that - despite all of life’s hardships - are full of hope. The author’s descriptions are powerful and the omission of a name for some characters made it easier for me as a reader to stand in their place, to walk in their shoes. The stories are tantalisingly dark yet optimistic, an incredible combination to achieve, and I was definitely left wanting more. DO Price: £8.99. Info: www.parthianbooks.com
REMBRANDT’S MIRROR Kim Devereux (Atlantic Books)
THE NEW WOMAN Charity Norman (Allen & Unwin) I shouted at this novel. I cast it away, abandoned, only to return to its beguiling pages. This is very, very frustrating – but absolutely one of a kind wonderful, too. The book is centred on the coming out of Lucia as a transwoman and how it affects her life and family. Lucia is sympathetic and heart-breaking but she, wisely, isn’t made into a martyr and her little flaws make her an enjoyable character. The smaller, supporting characters are just as complex; with even the less-likable ones redeeming themselves at some point.There is, however, one glaring exception. Norman’s redemption of her characters feel sincere, and often offset the frequent tragedy of the book, but one character is so revulsive that his change of heart seems out of the blue and unbelievable. This is an exasperating, wrenching read but one that, despite minor faults, is worth then anger it provokes. LA Price: £7.99 / £3.20 eBook. Info: www.facebook.com/ CharityNormanAuthor
This debut novel by Kim Devereux charts the life of the 17th century painter in the years following the deaths of his wife and three children, when he produced some of his most famous works. This imagined tale unfolds mainly through the eyes of Rembrandt’s housemaid who, shocked though she is with the antics in the workshop, finds herself drawn into a world of art, love and sex in dark corners – and the reader is drawn in with her. Characters are fully drawn and empathetic and Devereux uses words like watercolours – her descriptions are vital and give the book an authenticity that transports the reader back to the 1600s. Devereux has an MA in art history, she’s done her research and it shows. The novel is a slow burn to start but soon becomes a page turner. LN Price: £8.99-£12.99 / £8.99 ebook. Info: www. atlantic-books.co.uk BUZZ 46
@mabjones The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea is offering up a selection of delightful summer workshops this month (Info: www.dylanthomas.com), so we strongly recommend writers of all abilities get to these to give their literary appetites a little whetting. Sat 1 sees Paul Henry give a lovely-sounding workshop with a theme of apples; then it’s the talented Carly Holmes on the Sat 12 and multi-award winning Rhian Edwards on the Thurs 27. From Fri 7 to Sun 9 the Kaya Festival (Info: www. kayafestival.com) in Newport adds a selection of sumptuous spoken word to its bill of world music, so you can chillax to the lyrical stylings of poets Will Ford (our feature for this issue), Glyn Roberts, Jacks Lydon, and many more. Further festivals then! From Fri 21 to Mon 24 there is the Edge Festival (Info: www.edgefestival.co.uk), set in picturesque Pembrokeshire. This features poets such as Peter Finch, Boyd Clack and Kirsten Jones. I’ll leave you with a poem extract from the mighty Will Ford, whose work is about to go up on display in Llandough Mental Health Unit, and who runs Cardiff events Rhyme And Real Ale and Megaverse. EXTRACT FROM DICKENSIAN TWIST It was a dark, dark night Dark, dark things were happening Gas lamps sending out their light Diffused and deadened by the widening Lengthening, accusing, grasping Fingers of the mist That seemed to have a purpose And did not simply drift Down every street and alley The miasma sought the folk That dwelled in goode olde London Town To save souls or to choke To reveal to human beings Their light or their despair The good that might just set them free Or the guilt that kept them there Behind the walls and bars of jails Built by hands or round the heart Beat, beat, beat-beat-faster Now the story truly starts... Info: www.willdeanford.com
CRIME CORNER
I'm ashamed to say that I've never read anything by Michael Harvey before, and The Governor's Wife (Bloomsbury, P/B £12.99) almost went on to the discard pile itself. But a good book is hard to find, especially in the summer publishing doldrums, so I read the first chapter and just couldn't stop. Ray Perry, the disgraced governor of Illinois who had dug too deep into the public purse and got caught literally with his fingers in the till, then vanished like a puff of smoke from the Chicago courthouse where he'd been sentenced after being sent to jail for thirty-eight years. Two years later private detective Michael Kelly gets offered a mouth-watering lump of cash by an anonymous figure to find him. Thus begins a trawl through the top and bottom levels of the city’s society, a stew of power, corruption and lies that all lead back to the governor's wife. Great stuff! OK, I know, Paradise Sky by Joe R. Lansdale (Mulholland, P/B £14.99) is a western, but Lansdale is one of the greatest living American crime writers who can cross genres with ease, and besides, there's enough crime between these covers to satisfy the most jaded palate. It all starts at the end of the American civil war when a young ex-slave is railroaded into a lynching, but manages to escape. He meets an old soldier who teaches him to ride and shoot, and when the old man dies, the boy sets out across the Texas plains pursued by the lynch mob. He joins the Buffalo soldiers (Black U.S. Cavalry), deserts, and in short order becomes a bouncer, a rat catcher, a sharpshooter, a dime novel hero, and a U.S Marshall - plus befriending Wild Bill Hitchcock and Calamity Jane on the way. This is a real rough ride through the west as wild as it comes, and if you've never read a western before, this is a great place to start. MARK TIMLIN
fashion
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SUMMER STYLE The arrival of summer means one thing in particular: holiday season. Whether this means hitting a UK festival, touring Europe or just sitting back in your own garden with a glass of Pimms, you are going to want to look stylish wherever you go and we are here to help you kickstart your summer wardrobe. ZM
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1. MANS PURPLE ORANGE STRIPE T-SHIRT, Superdry, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Bridgend, £16.19 (RRP £26.99) / 2. RED DENIM LONG SHORTS, New Look, £19.99 / 3. BLUE AND PURPLE SUNGLASSES, North Coast, M&S, St David’s Centre, Cardiff, £19.50 / 4.BLUE HARBOUR DIP DIE SWIMMING SHORTS, M&S, St David’s Centre, Cardiff, £17.50 / 5. FLOPPY STRAW HAT, Phase 8, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Bridgend, £24.50 (RRP £35) / 6. COBALT BLUE SEA GLASS STERLING SILVER BRACELET, The Strandline, www.thestrandline.co.uk / 7. DENIM PLAYSUIT, Gap, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Bridgend, £42.99 (exclusive price) / 8. BLUE STRIPE LEATHER, Osprey London, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Bridgend, £145 (RRP £245) / 9. GOLD AND YELLOW TWO TONE SANDALS, Stylistpick, www.stylistpick.com, £29.99 / 10. SECRET SLIMMING TWISTED FRONG RUCHED PLUNGE SWIMSUIT, M&S, St David’s Centre, Cardiff, £29.50 BUZZ 47
pics: SAM WHITFIELD
travel
If you look at a map of the Bristol Channel, you might find the green spot that represents Flat Holm Island floating off the shore of Cardiff, if you squint. Heather Arnold tells of her journey to the tiny, wild and wonderful island. Though it’s a small, scenic place that feels very cut off from the world Flat Holm isn’t exactly the kind of place you would see on Castaway or the sort of island you would imagine while listening to Desert Island Discs. First of all, there isn’t a grain of sand in sight, as charming pebble beaches feed into bright green grass; it’s only five miles away from civilisation (aka the Welsh coast) and it’s even got its own pub. When I told people I was heading to Flat Holm Island for a day trip I was often met with the question ‘where?’, even from people who have lived in Wales their whole life. So, as my partner and I set off towards Cardiff Barrage where the ferry to the island would pick us up, we were expecting to be accompanied by a few Flat Holm volunteers and maybe a bird watcher or two. Instead we found ourselves among many others waiting to board the ferry across the channel. We managed to find a seat on the fully booked ‘Westward Ho’ (we may, or may not, have had a giggle at the boat name) and set off through the barrage lock and into the Bristol Channel. Just over half an hour later and we had arrived. From the ferry you could see just how small the island was, both sides perfectly visible as we landed on the rocky beach. As our group made its way uphill it struck me that, from a distance, our hobbling over the pebbles must look like a hoard of drunks attempting to race each other to the top. Despite the wobbly walk everyone (age and inappropriate footwear aside) made it to the top without much difficulty. Once up the hill we were led through a field of easily spooked Soay sheep, past a huge flock of nesting seagulls (there are over BUZZ 48
4,000 pairs of lesser black-backed gulls on the island) and into a building that houses the islands museum, gift shop and the pub. After a quick health and safety talk we were all set free to enjoy a free tour of the island, or to explore as we wished. After a quick packed lunch we decided to buy a brochure and to hatch our plan of exploration over a pint in the most southerly pub in Wales. At first glance the pub looks more like a tuck shop than an alehouse but, rest assured, there is a fridge full of booze behind the bar. It may consist of one small room but the pub has been given all the right touches. It has a proper pub name (The Gull And Leek), an official landlady and the walls are covered in pictures and paraphernalia. It also had what all the best pubs have: regulars willing to share their stories with you. In this particular bar the regulars were volunteers that had decided, for one reason or another, to escape from the busy life of the mainland and live, for three weeks at a time, on Flat Holm. Getting tips from these locals about what to see, and flicking through the brochure, it soon became apparent that there was plenty to do on the island. This tiny piece of land, less than a half a mile wide, is covered in history. There are caves that were used by smugglers in the 18th century, a now eerily derelict cholera hospital where sufferers were isolated from the mainland and treated, and barracks that were built in the 1860s (and used again in the 1940s when the island was re-fortified). And all of that is just some of the history you can still see. After our drink in the pub we decided to venture out and enjoy all the nature the island, which has been a Site Of Special Scientific interest since 1972, had to offer. We went on a unsuccessful hunt to spot a slow worm (which, despite the name, are actually legless lizards, not worms), attempted to get close to the tiny rabbits we saw jumping in and out of cover, got paranoid that the seagulls could turn on us at any moment and admired the wild leeks that, at first, look more like pink pompoms than a member of the onion family. I will admit that, before arriving, I was worried about being stranded on this small patch of green where there was little to do and little chance of leaving before the tide came back in. It was amazing, however, how much there was to see and learn about on Flat Holm. In a simple day trip we managed to enjoy a little adventure. An adventure that was, admittedly, more discovering The Shire then scaling mountains to battle dragons, but it was an adventure worth having nonetheless. Boat trips to Flat Holm Island leave from Cardiff Barrage. Tickets: £24/£12 children (plus an additional landing fee of £5pp). Info: www.mwmarine.org / www.flatholmisland.com
pic: ROBERT POWEL
FLAT HOLM ISLAND
listings CAUGHT BY THE RIVER TEIFI Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan, Mon 10-Mon 17 Aug}Tickets: £80 (full week)/£45 (midweek)/£30 (Fri + Sat)/£15 (Fri only)/£20 (Sat only). Child and family tickets also available. Info: 01239 623633 / www.teififestival.co.uk
Inclusion in Buzz Listings is free. Send via post or email by 17th of the previous month. Buzz takes no responsibility for material sent or any errors made after time of going to press. * – recommended
Supposedly born ‘over a few pints’ in Y Bwthynm, the Caught By The River Teifi Festival was brought into the world in the atmosphere it aims to provide. A collaboration between Fforest Farm and Caught By The River, this festival provides a full week of live music – with the likes of Stealing Sheep [pictured] performing, readings hosted by Wales Arts Review and the effervescent campsites the farm is known for. One of the most unspoilt and reticent outdoor locations in the UK, you are guaranteed a relaxing and reflective time. The weekday site offers four days of creative workshops, baking and canoeing, while each night will be filled with warm campfires, music and special guests including Justin Robertson, Nina Lyon and many more. The weekend at Caught By The River Teifi Festival ups the ante – fancy listening to live music for the day? Let your ears transcend the sounds of monotonous Cardiff and listen to bands such as Zefur Wolves and Colorama play. Food more your thing? Prepare your taste buds for the delicious local food and drink available on the scenic riverside in the centre of Cardigan. At night you can wind down in your own tent, or sleep in the camp’s wide range of converted farm building accommodation. With 17 years’ worth of experience between them, it’s pretty apparent your trust can be placed with Fforest farm and Caught By The River when they say they aim to provide you with a relaxing and fun break at this unique festival.
CONTENTS pg 50 pg 52 pg 54 pg 63 pg 68
art clubs events live stage BUZZ 49
art
art The Abacus 18-20 Wood Street, Cardiff. Free. modernalchemists@ gmail.com / www. theabacusroom.wordpress. com An Overheard Map Of Now Various artists will be given three-day mini-residencies in the gallery, and produce live performances, film and visual work based on what came before. This will culminate in a closing event on Sat 15 Aug, starting at 7pm. (From Mon 5 until Sun 16 Aug) Aberystwyth Arts Centre University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Free. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. 01970 621903 / www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre First Contact Work from members of the Black & White Photography courses and Open Access sessions. (Until Thurs 10 Sept) Amanda Jackson ‘To Build A Home’ photographs show the diversity of community life at Lammas Tir Y Gafel Eco Village in Pembrokeshire, where minimal ecological impact is a priority. (Until Sat 19 Sept) *Robert Mapplethorpe The first collaborative exhibition between this gallery and Artist Rooms features a selection of pho-
tography from one of the key artists of the latter part of the 20th century. See Art. (From Fri 7 Aug until Sat 7 Nov) We Are All Born Free A collection of pictures, intended to be easy to understand for anyone aged six or older, that illustrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and featuring contributions from artists from all over the world. (From Sat 8 Aug until Sat 3 Oct) Albany Gallery 74b Albany Road, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2048 7158 / www.albanygallery. com Summer Exhibition A changing exhibition of work by more than 50 artists. Also features ceramics by South Wales Potters. (Until Sat 5 Sept) Andrew Lamont Gallery (Theatr Brycheiniog) Canal Wharf, Brecon. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free. 01874 611622 / enquiries@ brycheiniog.co.uk / www. brycheiniog.co.uk Gustavius Payne Large scale oil paintings exploring the power and control dynamic of contemporary society. (Until Sun 3 Aug) Arcadecardiff Queens Arcade, off Queen Street, Cardiff. Usually open Wed-Sat 12.30-5.30pm. www. arcadecardiff.co.uk Paul Emmanuel ‘Cow
Punk’ New work by an artist whose practice considers the nature of painting and how meaning is conveyed through form, texture and the interactions between materials. This tension between matter whether natural or fabricated manifests as a direct response to living in rural Wales. (Until Sat 8 Aug) Aron Jones Handdrawn and written installation from a recent Cardiff School Of Art & Design graduate. (From Wed 12 until Sat 22 Aug) Elys John A recreation streets in the Cardiff district of, featuring tiny 3D printed houses each made up of recycled rubbish from those particular houses. (From Wed 26 Aug until Sat 12 Sept) Art Central Barry Town Hall, King Square, Barry. Tue-Sat 11am-4pm. Free. 01446 709805. Barry Camera Club Display of photographs taken by group members over the last year; individually created images covering a wide range of subject matters. (From Sat 8 Aug until Sat 5 Sept) ArTeas Cafe & Art Hub 591 Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2115 3927 Exhibition Of Art An eclectic mix encompassing pencilpastel-water colour and ink.
(Until Sat 22 Aug) Attic Gallery 37 Pocketts Wharf, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am4.30pm. Free. 01792 653387 / www.atticgallery.co.uk Summer Group Show This gallery’s opportunity (and indeed most others during the summer) to showcase new work from the artists that they represent. Features over 50 artists working across a variety of mediums: paintings, sculpture, glasswork, pottery and prints. (Until Sat 12 Sept) Barnabas Artshouse New Ruperra Street, Newport. Open Mon-Sat. Free. 01633 673739 / www. barnabasartshouse.co.uk Alex Arnell ‘Caged’ Londonbased artist, resident here as part of the venue’s August Fringe Festival, with work on a theme of – says Alex – “the various ‘cages’ prevalent in the world today, encompassing animal and human life whilst acknowledging the existence of metaphorical imprisonment.” (From Sat 8 Aug until Sat 19 Sept or later – closing date TBC) Barker Gallery / Torfaen Gallery Pontypool Museum, Park Buildings, Pontypool. MonSat 11am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm. Free Wed/Sun 2-5pm. 01495 752036. Figure Four Long-term show of works by four local artists: Mary James, Louella Gwillim, Kay Lawrence and Tony Tribe. Works on show include life studies, landscapes, sketches and sketchbooks, water colours, interior views and portraits. (Until Mon 26 Oct) Boundary Art 3 Sovereign Quay, Havannah Street, Cardiff. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 029 2048 9869 / www.boundaryart.com Flow Summer exhibition of art using ‘the sea’ as the main theme. (Throughout August and September)
PORTAL Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran, Sat 8 Aug-Sat 17 Oct Admission: free. Info: 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk Occupying a 19th century Victorian manor house, Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre’s aesthetically pleasing exterior follows through with the complex artistry it holds in its interior. The centre, situated in South East Wales, presents up-and-coming applied arts graduates’ work to an array of locals and tourists. The LGAC (Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre) scour the UK for the best of the year’s applied arts graduates, and Portal 2015 is this year’s outcome. Featuring work by artists who push the artistic boundaries, dedicate time to their craft, and develop and maintain the standard set by their predecessors, this year’s top UK graduates in the applied arts prove they are worthy of being declared the leaders of “the next generation of applied artists”.
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Bute Park Opposite West Lodge, Bute Park, Cardiff. 8am-8pm. Free. 029 2087 2730 / butepark@cardiff.gov.uk / www.bute-park.com TAPE A network of tunnels stretched between trees, which purports to bring you a spider or moth-like experience. Thrown in for no extra charge are family naturethemed activities from bug hunting to seed bomb making. (Throughout August) Butetown History & Arts Centre 4/5 Dock Chambers, Bute St, Cardiff Bay. Tue-Fri 10am5pm, Sat & Sun 11am4.30pm. Free. 029 2025 6757 / www.bhac.org Andrew McNeill ‘Under The Bridge’ Images relating to a new book – Andrew’s second – documenting the plight of Cardiff’s homeless community. (Until Sun 9 Aug) Cardiff Story The Hayes, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2078 8334 / museum@cardiff.gov.uk
Friends Of Cathays Cemetery (Explore what makes Cathays Cemetery unique – its history, the people laid to rest there and their contributions to Cardiff and the world. (Throughout August) Ceredigion Art Trail Various locations, Ceredigion. Free. 01239 654387 / www.ceredigionarttrail.org.uk Ceredigion Art Trail 2015 See Upfront for a bit of background on this annual event. You’d be even better off going to the website above, because there are a great many things happening, but here’s a list of the locations to visit on the trail (all in Aberystwyth unless stated): Cardigan Bay Gallery; Coach House Gallery, St Dogmaels; Diane Mathias Fine Art, Llandysul, Fforest, Newcastle Emlyn; Glannant; Gwersyll Yr Urdd, Llangrannog; Maes Y Lli, Llanon; Memorial Hall, Tregaron; Moriath Glass, Llandysul; Nant Y Felin, Lampeter; Oriel Tir A Mor, Borth; Riverside Mill, Lampeter; Tremallt Studios, Llandysul; Ultracomida; Ynys and Ystwyth Books. (From Sat 22 until Mon 31 Aug) Chapter Gallery Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff. Tue, Wed, Sat + Sun 12-6pm; Thurs + Fri 12-8pm. Free. 029 2030 4400 / www. chapter.org Thirteen Blackbirds Look At A Man The artists in this exhibition – Fiona MacDonald, Cathie Pilkington, Annie Whiles and Sean Ashton – seek out resonance and allegiance through myth. Sources of inspiration include real life, Bible stories, Greek myths and German fairy tales. (Until Sun 6 Sept) Fiona MacDonald ‘Wild Word’ Part of the above exhibition but shown in the bar area, it features depictions of letters of the alphabet created from various found objects. (Until Sun 6 Sept) Craft In The Bay The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Mon-Sun 10.30am-5.30pm. Free. 029 2048 4611. Mary Jones Colourful ceramic heads presented as part of the Guest Maker Showcase. (Throughout August) Cadman Furniture: Members Showcase Furniture makers Arthur and Rachel Cadman are launching a new range of smaller items for the home, using techniques such as gilding, screenprinting, and scorching; here’s a preview of some of it. (Throughout August) Student Showcase: Foundation End of year artwork – from the Fine Art, Graphics & Illustration, 3D and Fashion & Textiles courses – by students who have just completed their one year Foundation course at Cardiff Arts Academy. (Until Tue 1 Sept) Summer Show: Focus On Glass Summer showcase exploring the striking creations from over 20 artists around the UK. (Until Sun 6 Sept) Dylan Thomas Centre Somerset Place, Swansea. Daily 10am-4pm. Free.
01792 463980 / dylanthomas.lit@swansea. gov.uk / www.dylanthomas. com Love The Words Ongoing, permanent exhibition dedicated to Dylan Thomas, with lots of interactive features and voiceovers from people including Prince Charles and Richard Burton. Elysium Gallery 16 College Street, Swansea. Wed-Sat 12-5pm. Free. www. elysiumgallery.com Jason & Becky / Gareth Southwell ‘Collider’ Jason Cartwright and Becky Williams have previously completed successful residencies with noted Welsh organisations; Gareth Southwell is an illustrator who works primarily in pen-and-ink, mainly in the fields of publishing and editorial illustration. They’ll be working alongside students from Gower College, Swansea this month. (From Fri 7 until Sun 30 Aug) Ffotogallery At Turner House Plymouth Road, Penarth, nr Cardiff. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. Free. 029 2034 1667 / www. ffotogallery.org Jon Tonks ‘Empire’ A journey across the South Atlantic by Tonks, a photographer, exploring life on four remote islands – the British Overseas Territories of Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, the Falkland Islands and St. Helena. (Until Sat 15 Aug) Fountain Fine Art 6-8 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www.fountainfineart.com Summer Group Show A changing exhibition of new work from gallery artists. (Throughout August) Fountain Fine Art Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www. fountainfineart.com Summer Group Show A changing exhibition of new work from gallery artists. (Throughout August) Futures Gallery Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay. Daily 10.30am-4pm. Free. 0845 010 5500 / www. pierhead.org Our Cultural Lives People with a learning disability have selected and designed a multicultural heritage trail across Newport and Cardiff. They have researched facts, shared their stories and visited cultural places and communities on their way. (Until Wed 5 Aug) Cardiff Camera Club Annual Exhibition A wide range of prints taken locally, nationally and internationally, many of which have been successful in competitions, salons and exhibitions. (From Sat 29 Aug until Sat 26 Sept) G39 Oxford Street, Roath, Cardiff. Saturdays 11am5.30pm. Free. 029 2047 3633 / post@g39.org Island Adaptations I & II An evolving programme of exhibitions, commissions, film, food, performance, music and community led events in three parts, the first two running
art simultaneously. Adaptations I & II explore the disparate notions of isolation and community. (Until Sat 12 Sept) Y Galeri, Caerffili Lower Ground Floor, The Visit Caerphilly Centre, The Twyn, Caerphilly. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2086 1433 / www.ygaleri.co.uk Louise Collis ‘365 Project’ This artist created a landscape painting outdoors every day for a year. You won’t believe the results! Actually, hopefully you will, as they’re all displayed here chronologically. (Until Sat 5 Sept) Gallery/Ten 23 Windsor Place, Cardiff. Free. www.gallery-ten.co.uk Summer Group Show Mixed work from some or all of the gallery’s 20-plus array of regular artists. (Until Sat 22 Aug) Gas Gallery Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. Mon-Sat 11am-5pm. Free. 01974 261279. Knowing Place The geographical environment within us is explored by six artists: Veronica Calarco and Sue Kneebone (Australia), Kim Waale and Mary Geihl (USA) and Iwan Bala and Lee Williams (Wales). (Until Fri 7 Aug) Open Photography Exhibition 2015 Local photographers show work based on the subject of ‘people’. Selected by Christopher Webster from the Aberystwyth School Of Art. (From Tue 11 Aug until Sat 5 Sept) Chain Reaction Patti Keane, Suzanne Lanchbury and Beate Shallcross invite you to follow the themes and links between their 52 vibrant paintings and sculptures. (From Tue 11 Aug until Sat 5 Sept) The Gate Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-9pm. Free. 029 2048 3344 / info@ thegate.org.uk Open Exhibition 2015 Featuring up to 100 pieces of submitted artwork, size permitting. I think the date for submissions has gone now though sorry. (Until Wed 5 Aug) Excaliber Exhibition based around the sword given, so the tale has it, to King Arthur and used to defend Wales (as was). Three artists from Orbis 3 Studio feature, each using the sword as a metaphor for life’s journey. I’m pretty sure it’s actually spelled Excalibur by the way, guys. (From Wed 5 until Fri 28 Aug) Grand Pavilion The Esplanade, Porthcawl. Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01656 815995 / www. grandpavilion.co.uk Porthcawl Arts Society: RNLI An exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the RNLI in Porthcawl. All the paintings on display are for sale, with the proceeds going to the RNLI. (Until Sun 9 Aug) Summer Exhibition Local artistic talent plus work from Porthcawl And Pyle Photographic Society. (From Mon 10 until Sun 16 Aug) Porthcawl Town Council: Photography Competition Check www.promotingporth-
cawl.com for further details. (From Mon 10 Aug until Sun 27 Sept) King Street Gallery 33 King Street, Carmarthen. Free. 01267 220121 / gallery@kingstreetgallery. co.uk Zara Kuchi Drawing inspiration from her Slovakian heritage and folklore, Kuchi produces colourful interpretations of lovebirds and dancing cockerels as well as the female form. (Until Thurs 20 Aug) Kooywood Gallery 8 Museum Place, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 10.30am-6pm. Free. 029 2023 5093 / www. kooywoodgallery.com New Blood Watercolours and ceramics from Moya Davern, Hilery Coole, Aidan Myers and Sarah Evans. (From Thurs 6 until Sat 29 Aug) Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre St. David’s Rd, Cwmbran, Torfaen. Mon-Sat 10am5pm. Free. 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk Portal 2015 Featuring the work of this year’s top UK graduates in the applied arts; those deemed by this gallery to be pushing the boundaries of applied art whilst maintaining and developing the traditions of their craft. (From Sat 8 Aug until Sat 17 Oct) M.A.D.E. Gallery 41 Lochaber St, Cardiff. Free. 029 2047 3373. MADE At The Museum Six local artists make paintings in response to works found in the National Museum Of Wales. (Until Sat 22 Aug) Martin Tinney Gallery 18 St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2064 1411 / mtg@artwales. com Summer Exhibition Changing exhibition by Wales’ leading artists, including John Piper, Meirion Ginsberg, Harry Holland, Sally Moore, Gwilym Prichard, Shani Rhys James, Ceri Richards, Kevin Sinnott, Claudia Williams, Sir Kyffin Williams and many more. (Throughout August) Mission Gallery Gloucester Place, Swansea. Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. Free. 01792 652016 / www. missiongallery.co.uk Graduate Showcase 2015 Following the success of last year’s Graduate Showcase, Mission Gallery has now developed this opportunity to include art, craft, design, still and moving image, encompassing both Maker in Focus and the [...] space. Work will be selected from various degree shows around the UK and New Designers. (From Tue 4 Aug until Sun 6 Sept) National Botanic Garden Of Wales Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. Daily 10am-6pm. £8.50/£7 OAP/£4.50 kids/free under5s. 01558 668768. Barcode Sculpture Located outdoors here, new work from nine artists from Sculpture Cymru. Each has made a response to the DNA barcode
research by the Garden’s Head of Science & Research Dr. Natasha De Vere. (Until September) National Museum & Gallery Cathays Park, Cardiff. TueSun 10am-5pm. Free except where noted. 029 2057 3500 / www.museumwales.ac.uk/ cardiff Chalkie Davies: The NME Years Welshman who came to prominence in the 70s as one of the UK’s top rock photographers, as the artform was developing. (Until Sun 6 Sept) Wales’ Newest Dinosaur The very same one which was recently unveiled having been found in the Vale Of Glamorgan a while back. I don’t normally bother listing exhibitions which are, like, science displays, but I shall make an exception for this one. (Until Sun 6 Sept) Fragile? Exploring the artistic and expressive possibilities of ceramic as a material, including the contradiction between two of its inherent qualities – durability and fragility. Includes various keys works from this museum, plus installations commissioned from Phoebe Cummings, Clare Twomey and Keith Harrison. (Until Sun 4 Oct) National Waterfront Museum Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Daily 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 638950. From Pithead To Sick Bed And Beyond Exhibition exploring how disabled people were treated and viewed in the mining industry and the south Wales communities that relied on it. (Until Sun 4 Oct) Raising The Bar The results of student workshops devised by Mission Gallery and Ruthin Craft Centre in north Wales. (From Sat 8 until Sun 30 Aug) Newport Museum & Art Gallery John Frost Square, Newport. Tue-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm. Free. 01633 656656 / museum@ newport.gov.uk Newport And The First World War An exhibition commemorating the hard work, commitment and sacrifice made by the people of Newport during WWI, both at home and fighting abroad. (Until Sat 5 Sept) Norwegian Church Arts Centre Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay. Daily 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2087 7959 / www. norwegianchurchcardiff.com F22 Photograp[hy work from a collaborative duo, Mike and Dave, based in this region. Not sure if this is new work or a reprise of their exhibition which has shown here a few times before. (From Mon 3 until Mon 31 Aug) Off The Wall The Old Probate Registry, Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. Tue-Fri 9.30am5.30pm, Sat 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2055 4469 / art@ galleryoffthewall.com Summer Shimmer Summer show of new work from Corrie Chiswell, Millie Gleeson, Bert Evans, Gary Crowder,
James Starr, Dhyana Fritshce, Jacqueline Alkema and many more. (Throughout August) Oriel Davies The Park, Newtown, Powys. Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm. Free. 01686 625041 / enquiries@ orieldavies.org Flora This exhibition is debuting here and will visit various other Welsh galleries over the next 12 months. Emma Bennett, Michael Boffey, Anya Gallaccio, Ori Gersht, Owen Griffiths, AnneMie Melis, Jacques Nimki, Yoshihiro Suda and Clare Twomey explore the significance of flowers in contemporary art. (Until Wed 9 Sept) Gwyn Williams ‘The Scent of Dic Aberdaron’ “A copy of a missing bust, presumed lost but very possibly held somewhere in secret,” of a 18th/19th century Welshman who is apparently the most sculpted Welsh figure apart from Lloyd George. (Until Wed 9 Sept) Oriel Joanna Field Torch Theatre, St. Peter’s Road, Milford Haven. Free. 01646 695267 / www. torchtheatre.co.uk Lori O’Neill ‘From Solva To Under Milk Wood And Back’ Photographs taken during the making of the Welsh Dan Y Wenallt and English Under Milk Wood. See Art for more. (Until Sat 29 Aug) Milford Haven In 100 Years Perhaps a little disappointingly, not an imagining of what this town might look like in 2115, but a pictorial exploration of the town by local young people. Faces of members of the community aged 0-100 are used to create mosiacs. (From Mon 31 Aug until Sat 26 Sept) Oriel Lliw Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, Pontardawe. Free. 01792 863722 / www. npt.gov.uk/theatres Artsquad End of year exhibition displaying the artwork of Neath Port Talbot’s most talented young artists. (Until Mon 17 Aug) Oriel Mwldan Bath House Rd, Cardigan. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. Free. 01239 621200 / siobhan@ mwldan.co.uk Cardigan Art Society Summer Show Popular fixture in the Oriel Mwldan gallery programme, showcasing a range of art works by local artists. (Until Sat 15 Aug) Josephine Sowden ‘A Change Of Worlds’ Awarded the Gold Medal at the 2013 National Eisteddfod for her video The Lilies Of The Field, Sowden has continued to make work which investigates the inherent underlying madness of modern humanity. (From Sat 22 Aug until Sat 10 Oct) Oriel Myrddin Church Lane, Carmarthen. 01267 222775 / www. orielmyrddingallery.co.uk Richard Slee ‘Work And Play’ Attempts to challenge every conventional notion in ceramic art and transcend the utilitarian roots of the form, by this internationally renowned artist. (Until Sat 12 Sept)
Oriel Q The Queens Hall, High Street, Narberth. Wed-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01834 869454 / www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk Ceramics Show Curated by Ingrid Murphy. Oriel Fach and Stairs: details to come for both; 3D Gallery: assorted ceramics and jewellery by students and well-known artists. (Until Sat 5 Sept) Oriel Y Bont University Of South Wales, Pontypridd. Mon-Thurs 8.30am-5.30pm, Fri 8.30am5pm. Free. 01443 480480 / www.gallery.southwales.
The Riverfront Bristol Packet Wharf, Newport. Mon-Sat 10am8pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Free. 01633 656757. Mark Parkin ‘Arrow Of Time’ An exploration into experimenting with different methods and processes within the genres of drawing, painting and sculpture, or so the story goes. (From Mon 3 until Sat 22 Aug) Newport Photographic Club Members’ annual exhibition, bringing together examples of their work. (From Mon 3 until Sat 29 Aug) Swansea Grand Theatre
The small but consistently inventive Arcadecardiff gallery – named in reference to its location in what was previously a shop unit in Queens Arcade, Cardiff – has three exhibitions starting or finishing in August. Elys John's runs from Wed 26 Aug until Sat 12 Sept, and features miniature 3D prints of specific Cardiff houses, constructed from recycled rubbish from the very same houses. Clever! ac.uk Engaging With The Past An exhibition, drawn primarily from the University Of South Wales Art Collection Museum, of modern and contemporary artworks by nine south Walesbased artists who engage with various pasts. (Until Mon 23 Nov) Ronald Lawrence & Anthony Stokes ‘From Coast To Valleys’ Contemporary photographs depicting Rest Bay, Porthcawl, and various locations in the Valleys. Stokes’ images feature in his book The Valleys (Seren, 2007). (Until Mon 23 Nov) Penarth Pier Pavilion The Esplanade, Penarth. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2071 2100 / info@ penarthpavilion.co.uk Mel Burgum ‘Ziegfeld & The It Girls’ Large-scale solo exhibition of paintings depicting the Ziegfeld Follies, a group of women who were big on Broadway in the 1920s/30s. (From Wed 5 until Thurs 27 Aug) Redhouse Old Town Hall, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. 01685 384111 / info@ redhousecymru.com Andrew McNeill ‘Under The Bridge’ Images relating to a new book – Andrew’s second – documenting the plight of Cardiff’s homeless community. Previously shown in Cardiff Bay, and featured in last month’s issue of Buzz. (From Sat 15 Aug until Fri 2 Oct)
Singleton St, Swansea. MonSat 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 475715 / www. swanseagrand.co.uk A Stitch In Time The Stitches Coven collective offer an array of artwork exploring memory, remembrance and reminiscence. (From Tue 4 until Fri 21 Aug) Llwchwr Art Group Mixed exhibition showing the results of this group’s weekly meetings at Gorseinon Institute. (From Tue 18 Aug until Sat 5 Sept) Kathleen Anderson Oil paintings which, the artist says, “convey the unique qualities that exist in the different species of wildlife, equines and domestic animals”. (From Tue 25 Aug until Fri 4 Sept) The Wakelin Award 2015 Given annually to a Welsh artist whose work is purchased for the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s permanent collection. (From Tue 25 Aug until Fri 2 Oct) Swansea Museum Victoria Road, The Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 653763 / www. swanseamuseum.co.uk Great War Posters A display of World War One propaganda posters, in partnership with SWM (South West Wales Museums). (Until Sun 27 Sept) Taliesin Arts Centre Singleton Park, Swansea. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 12pm-6pm and performance evenings 6pm-8.15pm. Free. 01792 295526 / www. taliesinartscentre.co.uk Four From The West Jeweller Sara Lloyd Morris, BUZZ 51
clubs potter Neil Richardson, weaver Ritta Sinkkonen-Davies and painter/printmaker Susan Sands present a show full of colour, invention and imagination. (Until Sun 16 Aug) People And Place The 15 Hundred Lives Contemporary Art Collective – collagist Sylvie Evans, printmaker Rose Davies and painter Graham Parker – present new bodies of work themed on people’s sense of being in the landscapes they experience, inhabit and shape. (From Fri 21 Aug until Sat 26 Sept) Tenby Museum & Art Gallery Castle Hill, Tenby. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, £4/£3/£2 kids. 01834 842809 / www. tenbymuseum.org.uk Mick Morgan, Peter Rossiter & Paul Roche Ceramic sales exhibition. (Until Sun 16 Aug) Third Floor Gallery 102 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. Wed-Sun 1-7pm. Free. 029 2115 9151 / cardiff. thirdfloorgallery@gmail. com Judgement In Cardiff Original comic book art of or relating to Judge Dredd, from his eponymous magazine and the 2000 AD comic. It includes private commissions and colour cover art both painted and digital. (From Sun 2 until Sun 16 Aug) Tower Gallery Oriel Y Parc Landscape Gallery & Visitor Centre, The Grove, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Free. 01437 720392 / info@orielyparc. co.uk Evi Antonio ‘Cimychiaid Jono (Jono’s Lobsters)’ Antonio has been visiting Pembrokeshire since 1989, developing an affinity with the area. Latterly, her and her family have accompanies Jono, a fisherman, on his trips to sea. This exhibition documents and celebrates some of his catch. (Throughout August Velindre Hospital Whitchurch, Cardiff. Open 24/7. Free. 029 2075 2251. South Wales Art Society – Permanent Rolling Exhibition Members’ works are available to view in the corridors and restaurant of the hospital at any given time. 20% of all sales go to the hospital. Victoria Fearn Gallery 6B Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Free. 029 2052 0884. Summer Exhibition A mixed exhibition of paintings, ceramics, glass, sculpture, jewellery and textiles. (Until Sat 5 Sept) Wales Millennium Centre Bute Place, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2063 6464 / www. wmc.org.uk Matt Wright ‘Relics’ Largescale multimedia exhibition from Wales-based Wright. In partnership with Cadw, he presents a study of historical sites from around Wales, captured in 360° using the latest digital technology . (Until Sun 23 Aug) Wendrich Art House Temple Gallery, 1 Brickyard Cottages, Llanelli. 12-5pm. Free. 01792 295526 / www. BUZZ 52
wendricharthouse.com Open Studio Artists Harry and Nicola Wendrich display work in their tranquil garden studio, including a display of Temple Crafts including meditation aids, incenses, astrological birth charts and calendars. The opportunity to hear “the Music of the Plants” is also offered. (Every Sunday until Sun 30 Aug) The Winding House Cross Street, New Tredegar, Caerphilly. Tue-Sun 10am5pm. Free. 01443 822666 / windinghouse@caerphilly. gov.uk Our Duty To Bear: The First World War And Caerphilly County Borough Exhibition exploring how WWI affected men, women and children in this area. It will explore the impact of the war on the local area through objects, images, film and sound. (Until autumn TBC) Workers Gallery 99 Ynyshir Road, Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taff. FriSun 10am-5pm. Free. 01443 682024 / wood4tt@gmail. com BigsmallART Wales Original drawings, paintings, photographs, prints and textile art; all artwork is for sale from £15 to £65. This is an ACEO (Art Card Edition and Originals) exhibition, with all pieces about the size of trading cards. (Until Sat 8 Aug) Wyndcliffe Court Sculpture Gardens Off Penterry Lane, St. Arvans, Chepstow. Wed, Sat + Sun 11am-6pm. Free (charity donations welcomed). 01291 621242 / www.wyndcliffecourt.co.uk Spring Sculpture Show Talented local sculptors including Philippa MacArthur, Miranda Michels and Martin Duffy; new artists’ work including Joe Szabo, Andrew Findlay and MissFire. (Until Sun 27 Sept)
clubs 10 Feet Tall 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / thisis10feettall@yahoo.co.uk Sun 30 Blue Honey & Hully Gully Bank Holiday Takeover 9pm-3am. Two DJ/promoter crews, most normally found in Gwdihw (and their eponymous shop, in Blue Honey’s case), tip up here for the bank holiday. Disco, electro, funk and more will come courtesy of residents and guests. Buffalo 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff. Open Mon-Thurs 11am-3am, Fri + Sat 11am-4am, Sun until 4am. 029 2031 0312 / www.buffalocardiff.com Mondays Bump & Grind 10pm-3am, £4/£3 before 11.30. 90s r’n’b/hip-hop night, which recently relocated to here from Undertone. Fri 7 Aperture 10pm-4am, £3-£7. Nu-skool drum'n'bass head Krakatoa, on Hospital Records, is tonight's headliner. Locals: RichTea b2b James Hamilton, Screwy b2b Walbeoff, G>Coin b2b
Nomad and Ohms b2b Rewire. Fri 21 Aperture 9pm-3am. Post-boat party (see listing for HMS69) night with acts TBC. Saturdays Shake Shake 9pm-4am, £4/free before 12. “Cocktail makin’ bassline quakin’ booty shakin’ best credible Saturday night party!” Their words. The Canadian 143 Pearl Street, Splott, Cardiff. 029 2045 3141. Fridays DJ 45 Free. Rock, blues, metal, Americana and alt-rock spanning the decades, all played from the original vinyl.
The Newport Venues Bank Holiday Jam Newports biggest bank holiday party across the city: one wristband gets you access to Courtyard, Warehouse54, Blind Tiger and Labamba til late. Cube Greyfriars Place, Cardiff. 07595 728841 / stuartgrady@hotmail. com (contact for below club night)
selection too – from a DJ collective who started last year to a rousing reception. Fuel 5 Womanby Street, Cardiff. 0845 6430032 / www. givemefuel.co.uk Thursdays FUBAR 10pm2am. Rock, metal and alternative clubnight. Fridays + Saturdays Rock and metal anthems each weekend, plus special guests when such types
Glam Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. 029 2022 9311 / info@ glamnightclub.co.uk Mondays The Fest 10pm3am, £3.50. Two floors of charts, dance and student anthems (room one) and r’n’b, hip-hop, urban and funky (room two). Wednesdays HUMP 10pm-3am, £3.50. This is billed as the most outrageous night ever to come to
Cellar Door Cardiff city centre venue TBC. 07977 131320 / cellardoorcardiff@hotmail. co.uk Sun 30 Cellar Door 10pm4am, £10 adv. Local house and techno favourites back for Bank Holiday in a 400-capacity venue to be announced on the day. Undercover DJs will take control of your bank holiday. Club Oxygen 1 Northampton Lane, Swansea. 0844 8849171 / www.globaloxygen.co.uk Fridays Dance Anthems 11pm-6am, from £5. House and commercial music all night from Big Al, Nicky G, 3 Bird, Jordan Steins, LJ Isaac and Tom Chizzy. Saturdays 10pm-6am. Room 1: ED, progressive, big room, electro, deep and house. Room 2: r’n’b, bassline, garage and hip-hop. Plus big name guests TBC. Clwb Ifor Bach Womanby St, Cardiff. 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net Fridays (bottom) Xerox 10.30pm-3am, £4/£3 NUS. A “party jukebox” night. With DJs, though, not an actual jukebox. Fri 28 Brooklyn Zoo 10.30pm-4am, £3-£5. Current and classic hip-hop alike, selected by Patrick Nazemi. Saturdays 10pm4am, £5/£4 NUS. Three floors of fun: The Vinyl Vendettas’ top floor resident indie shindig; Dirty Pop and Mr Potter's proper disco. Courtyard 48 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161. Mon 31 The Official Pill Carnival Afterparty Showcasing some of the carnival’s finest soundsystems, serving up reggae, bashment, Afrobeats and eclectic street sounds. “Oh no! It’s that kind of ‘pill carnival’ – I wonder if this is a popular joke amongst attendees. Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Upfront dance anthems and “Urban Vibes”. Fridays The Kickstart / Terrace Session Classic anthems, downstairs, Mr Ifsta plus allstar residents up on the roof terrace. Fri 28 The Carnival Kickstart First event of a four-day weekend, featuring a BBQ on the roof terrace and Newport venue residents from afternoon until late. Saturdays Mischief Beat-driven anthems is the ambiguous description for tonight’s music policy. Sat 29 has a guest set from Logan Sama, him off the radio. Sundays Shisha Sundays DJs til late, Shisha served on the roof terrace and the weekend’s sports highlights.Sun 30
CYBERFUNK LAUNCH PARTY Bullion @ Cube, Cardiff, Sat 8 Aug Tickets: £14.50. Info: 07595 728841 / stuartgrady@hotmail.com Pretty large night in the offing here for drum’n’bass devotees, especially ones into the modern iteration of slippery subgenre ‘neurofunk’. Xtrah, a London DJ/producer who last played Cardiff in 2013, is launching a new label called Cyberfunk, and – with the help of tonight’s hosts Bullion – is bringing himself plus two of Cyberfunk’s signings along for an evening of intelligent tearout action. Headlining, and debuting in Wales, is Mefjus [pictured]: an Austrian whose productions range from twisted techstep-influenced ragers to soulful (potential) singalongs. London duo Simple Technique, whose friendship with Xtrah apparently started when one member gave him a lift to the airport, will also be in town, as will Cyberfunk’s resident MC Visionobi. Oh, and if the venue is mysterious to you, it’s off Greyfriars Road behind Tiger Tiger. Sat 8 Bullion 9pm-4am, £14.50 adv. Drum’n’bass geezers present a Cyberfunk launch party, with guest DJs including Mefjus, Xtrah, Simple Technique and Visionobi, plus local support: Kooley b2b Stu Grady, Ransom b2b Erb and Screwy b2b Tribeone. Hosted by MCs Visionobi, XL & P-Dubz. Dempseys Castle Street, Cardiff. 029 2023 9253. Thursdays (downstairs) Twisted By Design 9.30pm2am, free. Weekly night along the lines of the Saturday lineups. Fridays (downstairs) Blah Blah Blah 10pm-3am, free. Gary Twisted offers up Motown, indie, rock’n’roll, reggae and “no cheesy pop”. Saturdays 9pm-3am, free. Rock’n’roll, funk, soul, party tunes yadda yadda, selected by Chris PJ Martin. Sat 8 Penarth Soul Club 8pm2am, £3. A mix of Northern Soul, Motown and other 60s and 70s soul – an all-vinyl
are in town. The Full Moon / The Moon Club Womanby Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3022 / info@ thefullmooncardiff.com Thursdays Hullabalooza 10pm-4am, free. Alternative party tunes. n would say) of residents. Saturdays Five Dollar Shake Free. DJ Puddlefunk with bebop, funk, soul, Motown, hip-hop, reggae, ska and everything in between. Sat 8 Before Diana Died 11pm, £3. Nineties nostalgia night which avoids the obvious/canonical stuff and aims to highlight/re-praise lost classics etc. *Sat 15 Hells Bent 10.30pm-3am, £5. Alwayswelcome return of Cardiff’s top queer/alt/disco night, on the day of Pride Cymru no less. Sat 22 Criminal Hype Takeover 10.30pm, £8 adv. House and techno over two rooms from Apollo 84, Conflicted Soul, Simon & DMC B2B Mike Reed, Haematoma, Blake Parker and Sean Morris.
Cardiff, which they will achieve via drinking games and celeb DJ sets. Thursdays Trend 9pm-3am, £4/£3.50. DJs Giggsy, Jordan Valleys, Sole and Willow play chart, indie and student anthems; r’n’b, house and old skool. Fridays Antisocial 9pm-3am. Level 1: r’n’b, hip-hop and mashups from DJ Sole and DJ Pro. Level 2: house, electro, dubstep and drum’n’bass from Ian Davies and DJ Rewire. Saturdays Vanity 9pm-3am, £5-£10. Two rooms of quality music, everyone catered for it is claimed. Sat 1 has sets from DJ Russke and Max Denham. Sun 9 Capture 4-10.30pm, £8-£12. Glam now has a roof terrace, apparently, and is taking advantage of that by having a Sunday raveup. Robert James (Hot Creations, Paradise) headlines; Sinky, Scott Kerr, Haematoma, Drew Watkins and Elliot Mitchell provide housey backup. Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent,
clubs Cardiff. 029 2039 7933 / www.gwdihw.co.uk Fri 7 Darkhouse Family: Feets Don’t Fail Me Now 9pm-2.30am, £3. Earl Jeffers and Don Leisure from this local beats squad play some music they like, in the first of a new series. They seem to have good taste and big collections, which is a useful starting point. Fri 14 Signor Funk 9pm-2.30am, £3. Featuring a guest set from Ben Potter. Fri 21 Tuxedo Junction 9pm-2.30am, £5/£3 before 11. Conroy, Deemo and Teoman play the electronic music of the 80s. Fri 28 Péchés Mignons 9pm-2.30am, £3. Funk, reggae, afrofunk, house, hip-hop, you name it. Try not to name anything dumb though. Sat 1 Blue Honey x Regular Rotation 9pm, £3. “Spangly numbers, sharp summer grooves and timeless floorfillers,” promised here, along with a live stream of the night for, er, some reason. Sat 8 Fat City 9pm, £4. Featuring a live set from En Masse. See Clubs. Sat 15 Pleasuredome 9pm-2.30am, £5/£3 before 11. Conroy, Deemo and Teoman play the electronic music of the 80s. Sat 22 Superchamngo Takeover 9pm-2.30am, £3. A special set of funk instrumentals. Sat 29 Hully Gully 9pm, £7/£5 adv. With a guest set from Illum Sphere of Ninja Tune Records. Decent booking. *Sun 30 Delete 1pm, £17/£15. Carl Craig makes his first Cardiff appearance since (I think, without looking it up) 2008, in a much smaller venue than before. Matt Owen, Marc Parsons, Lee Graves and Dave Little will do the biz earlier in the daytime. HMS69 Techniquest, Cardiff Bay (meeting point). Boat sailing round the Welsh coast and Bristol Channel. 0845 489 6969 / www.hms69.com Fri 21 Aperture 7-10.30pm. Another evening of drum’n’bass on a boat, from Aperture residents and perhaps a special guest or two. Afterwards they’ll be going to Buffalo to skank the night away there. It’s sold out though, so seek out Aperture on Facebook and see if someone is selling tickets. I probably don’t need to tell you how to do this, thinking about it. Jacob’s Market West Canal Wharf, Cardiff. 029 2039 0939. Sat 1 Babylon Rooftop Party 4pm, from £15. Studenty/young people type daytime/evening affair with DJ sets from Nic Saunders, Josh Thomas b2b Andrew Watkins, Sinky & Haematoma and High For This. Plus face-painting and cocktails and suchlike. Kapu 50 St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2064 4744 / www.kapu. co.uk Fridays Tiki Island 5pm, free before 10. Take in the Hawaiian themed venue whilst sipping a cocktail or throwing shapes to the latest chart, dance, r'n'b music and classic anthems. Saturdays Free. A great atmosphere, the latest tunes and a fun crowd is what awaits you here.
Karma 75 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Fri + Sat 8pm-6am. karmaclubcardiff@gmail. com Fri 7 Serious Sounds 10pm6am, £15 adv. Hardcore specialists return, here’s what’s in store: Hixxy & MC Charlie B, Vinylgroover & MC Freestyle, Vibes & Livelee, Rescue & MC Enemy, Ed ET & DTR feat. MC K-Ner, DJ Burn & MC Rainah, Narcotic Smugglers feat. Minimal MC & Ode, Leif Boii B2B Boyle & MC Rainah, Rich EB feat MC Twisted, Skindogg vs D!PZ & MC Vibe, DJ Drago, Jo9t b2b Snips and Yip. See Clubs. Sat 1 Circle 8 9pm-6am, £10 adv. Nicky Blackmarket is here to play for the promoters with the logo that is the hardest to read. Bason, T.Bone, Apollo, Tribe b2b Coop, Kookie Krumble, Ransom and Pabz b2b B-Lion are the other DJs; the MCs are Joe Blow, Jaydee, Cesto, Soba b2b 4Dee, Slim Teng B2B Endo and Ras Robbie. Kuku Club Park Plaza Hotel, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. Members’ club. 029 2011 1177 / www. kukuclub.co.uk Fridays Kuku is available for private hire on Friday evenings. Get in touch with them via the website if you want to take advantage of this. Saturdays 10pm-4am, £5/ free members (10pm-1am); £10/£5 members (after 1am). With DJs TBC. Ladybird 41 St Mary St, Cardiff. 029 2066 5500 / info@ ladybirdcardiff.com / www. ladybirdcardiff.com Saturdays Solution 10pm4am. A night whose flyer has a big photo of a model in her bra and pants. Sundays Sunday Project 7pm-3am, free with guestlist. Free industry night offers floor fillers and house classics. Lava Lounge The Old Brewery Quarter, Caroline Street, Cardiff. 029 2038 2313 / www. lavaloungecardiff.co.uk Fridays Circus Circus 9pm3am. “The best music from the best DJs in town” and, perhaps more importantly, cheap drinks. Saturdays 9pm-3am. Commercial chart music and the best of the 80s and 90s is promised, as are various two for £6/three for £5 drinks offers. Sundays Industry Sundays 9pm-4am. Folks in the bar, club and hotel industry can come here after work and party to the selections of DJs Rhys Lewis and DJ George. The Lemon Factory 37 St Helens Road, Swansea. 07969 671379 / www. lemonfactorybar.co.uk/ Sat 1 Dogruff 11pm-5am. Swansea’s most discerning pickers of house and techno have a daytime garden party somewhere today, that seems to be in a secret venue. This, at a more traditional time, features sets from Rhys Sampson, Luke Tainton, Hess and Dogruff residents. Metros Baker’s Row, Cardiff. 029 2039 9942 / www. metroscardiff.com
Wednesdays Cheapskates 9pm-4am, £5. Hywel plays ‘alternative mayhem’ and old skool cheese. *Thurs 13 Tunnel Club Reunion 9pm, £5 adv. See Clubs for more on this one-off Pride weekend comeback for Cardiff’s top gay club of the mid-80s. Fridays Subversion 9.30pm-3.30am, £3 with flyer before 10.30pm. Drinks promos, no dress code. Rock, punk, metal and alternative beats. Saturdays Slacker 9.30pm-3.30am. Wherein Hywel plays alternative and new music. Minskys Show Bar Cathedral Walk, St David’s Centre, Cardiff. 029 2023 3128 / www.minskysshowbar.com Fridays & Saturdays 8pm1am. Dancing and cabaret with regular drag acts including Tina Sparkle, Miss Babs and Jolene Dover. Missoula 84-86 St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 1315 / www. missoulabars.co.uk/ missoulacardiff/ Sun 30 My Playhouse Animal Party 4pm-3am, £3 adv or before 10pm. Facepainters, dancers, animal performers, firebreathers, an amazing balloon artist, 50% off all drinks from 5-10pm, 2-4-1 cocktails and these people DJing: Haremoor, Taylor Jones b2b Liam Simons, Ryan Chichester, Rikardo and more TBC. Mocka Lounge Mill Lane, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 11am-late. 029 2022 1295 / www.mockalounge.com Thursdays The Social Affair 9pm-3am. Over-25s night with chart hits through the ages. Fridays Timeless DJ Dan Nicholas plays r’n’b, funk, disco and old skool. Just old skool. Saturdays Decorum Soulful and upfront house, plus funk, disco etc, from Sinky and Styles. Sundays VIP Chris Evans (My Playhouse) plays club classics, funky house and r’n’b. Monkey Bar 13 Castle Street, Swansea. 01792 480822 / www. monkeycafe.co.uk Fridays Reggae, dub, hiphop, grime and all things heavy.Saturdays Get Busy £3 with a Kon Tiki stamp. Funk, soul, hip-hop, Motown, boogie and party is what is promised for the soft relaunch of this stalwart Swansea club. Perc 108 Lower Dock Street, Newport. www.facebook. com/perc.newport Sat 29 Perc 2pm-4am, £5-£10. Fourth birthday alldayer (and much of the nighter too) for Newport techno and house enthusiasts. As well as residents and pals there'll be a slot available for a new DJ. Send a link to a mix of yours on the above Facebook address if you're interested. Pitcher & Piano 59-60 Wind Street, Swansea. 01792 461312. Sat 15 The Lighthouse Project 4-10pm, £5. The first part of this house night’s second birthday (see Sin City listing for part two), six DJs TBC will bring you fine house
and techno on the outdoor terrace. Capacity is pretty limited for this one. Popworld Wind Street, Swansea. MonFri + Sun 8pm-3am; Sat 3pm-3am. 01792 470676. Tuesdays Popstar Karaoke 9pm-3am. Karaoke night with a £50 prize. Wednesdays W.H.I.P. 9pm, free before 11. That’s short for What Happens In Popworld. Thursdays T.N.T. 9pm-3am. That’s short for Thirsty Night Thursday. All drinks are £1.50 before 12am, apart from wines, cocktails, champagnes and – oh, Swansea – Rekorderlig. Fridays + Saturdays Ain’t No Party Like A Popworld Party 8pm-3am, £2-£4 (Fri)/£3-£5 (Sat). Pryzm (formerly Oceana) Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. 029 2023 3854 / www. pryzm.co.uk/cardiff Thurs 13 A-Level Results Night 9.30pm-3am, £15 adv. “Featuring: Red cups – Huge CO2 jets – Explosive confetti cannons – Project X Dwarf.” So now you know. Fridays + Saturdays 10pm-3am. Three music arenas, VIP booths, other stuff. Saturday is in conjunction with Jongleurs comedy club, which also takes place here. Pulse 3 Churchill Way, Cardiff. 029 2064 1010 / www. pulsecardiff.com. Gay venue. Wednesdays Warped 10pm4am. Join DJ Craig W on a journey through time with the best hits from the last two decades. Fridays Pulsetastic 10pm-5am, £4/£3. With live PAs once a month. Saturdays Pop Til You Drop 10pm-5am, £5/£4 b4 11. The very best chart remixes and classic hits all night long. Sat 15 Pulse Street Party 6pm-6am, £15 adv. Afterparty event – the main one, I guess – for this year’s Pride Cymru. Revolution Castle Street, Cardiff. Open from 11am. 029 2023 6689 / www.revolution-bars.co.uk Tuesdays Sync 9pm-3am. Student night featuring hazers, lasers and drink deals. Wednesdays Shotgun Rules 9pm-3am. Exclusive midweek student party. You don’t need NUS to get in though. Fridays + Saturdays 9pm-3am. DJs, drinks offers, free area hire. Room 112 3-6 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Open Thurs 9pm-3am, Fri + Sat 10pm-4am. 029 2066 7996 / www.room112.net Fridays Bedrock 9pm4am, £10/£5 before 12. R’n’b, hip-hop and dancehall. Saturdays Pillow Talk 9pm-4am, £10. Old skool r’n’b, hip-hop, house and decadent partying is this night’s deal. The Scene Plymouth Street, Swansea. 07730 432166 / www. thesceneclub.co.uk Fri 7 + Fri 4 Sept Night Train 10pm-3am, £3. Swansea Scooter Society DJs play R&B, mod, soul, jazz etc on the first Friday of every month. Sat 1 + Sat 5 Sept Dead Of Night 10pm-3am, £3. Goth/alternative club night, on the first Saturday of every month. Used to be in
The Sunday afternoon parties thrown by Delete, in the carpark of Cardiff bar Gwdihw a few times each summer, always sell out in a trice, and it's a safe bet that August's will be no exception. Not only is it on Sun 30 – Mon 31 being a bank holiday – they've got venerable lord of Detroit techno Carl Craig down to play! Normally found at venues substantially bigger than this, tickets go on sale on Tue 4 Aug, so look alive. Sin City, is now in here. Sun 30 Delusion 10pm-5am, £10 adv/£8 early bird. A techtrance and techno bank holiday special with sets from Ben Joseph, Rhys Thomas, Callan Christie and more TBC. Sin City Dilwyn Street, Swansea. 01792 468892 / bookings@ alternativeswansea.com Thursdays Sin Savers 10pm-3am, £3. Student night, back for the new term. Fridays Monsters Of Rock 10pm-3.30am, £4/£2 before 12.30. Indie in room 1, metal in room 2. Saturdays Sink 10pm-3am. Hip-hop, drum’n’bass, dubstep etc, with special guests plus resident DJs Dubman, Swiss Elf and South. Sat 15 The Lighthouse Project 10pm4am, £7. The second part of this house night’s second birthday (see Pitcher & Piano listing for part one), six DJs TBC will bring you fine house and techno. Soda Lounge St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3363 / www.sodalounge.co.uk Tuesdays Cartel £4/£3.50. UK-wide student night. Mr. Mozafari will be playing vocal house and electro upstairs; DJ Wallace will supply r’n’b and chart in the Soda Lounge. Thursdays Clique 10pm, £4. New night promising the hottest r’n’b and dancefloor fillers. Thurs 13 A Level Results Party 10pm, £2-£6. Featuring a guest appearance form Jamie Laing off Made In Chelsea and absolutely no underage drinking. Saturdays Soiree 9pm-4am. Three rooms including the Attic which is “the social playground for the high flyers and social elite, really the only place to be seen.” Imagine catching your reflection in the mirror just after writing that. Tiger Tiger Friary House, Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-12.30am. 029 2039 1944 / www.tigertigercardiff.co.uk Every Day Lucky Voice Karaoke From £2.50 per session. The UK's leading private karaoke experience each day of the week. Fridays Koosday 10pm-3am, £7/£5. Something that has lots of decor, smoke machines etc and describes itself as an “Arrogantly Premium Clubbing
Experience”. How depressing. Saturdays Kanaloa Polynesian style area with cocktails, VIP booths, dancers etc. Undertone (basement of 10 Feet Tall) 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / www.undertonecardiff.com Fri 7 Yagga 10pm-4am, £3. New jungle night continues with a residents party: Lubi J, Ul Tra, Jimanoli, Ben Britton, Cod & Zippy, Effigy and Blokeye are on the decks. Fri 14 Simple 11pm-4am, £3. Techno special feature representatives from local promo teams Springnacht, Sub:Culture and Castle Nights. Fri 21 Keep In Key 10pm-4am, £3/free before 11. House, techno, garage and bass. Fri 28 Temple 10pm-4am. Drum’n’bass specalists whose lineup this month is TBC, as it is most months when we go to print. Fri 4 Sept Castles Nights – Techno Culture 10pm4am. Featuring sets from DJ MéndezisMz, Organ Grinder and Blap. See Clubs. Sat 1 Cardiff Beatbox Showcase 1pm-2am, £7. Featuring local/ Welsh/European beatbox talent, this 13-hour extravaganza includes full solo showcases, loop station sets, tag teams and beatbox battles. Sat 8 The Boogie Cartel 10pm4am, £7/£5 adv. London-based good-time DJ crew are brought here by Trip City, having previously visited Cardiff in March, and joined by likeminded locals the Blue Honey DJs. Sat 15 Resurrection Pride Afterparty 10pm-4am, £10/£5 early bird. House and minimal tech is mooted from DJs Mandi Mashup, Smudge, Andre, Madame Twisted and Ben Chambers. Sat 22 Jungle Bassment 10pm-4am, £4. Launch night with Badman Disco. These guys seem to specialise in ragga jungle so are alright by me. Sat 29 Sub:merge 10pm-4am. Techno. *Sun 30 Memorex 9pm-4am, £10/£8. Mark Henning, a British maker of house and techno based in Berlin, has elected to spend his bank holiday here. The Organ Grinder, Scott Kerr, Sinky and JV will do the same, in residential capacity. Warehouse 54 Cambrian Rd, Newport. 01633 259144 / www.wh54. com Wednesdays Wild BUZZ 53
events Anyone who’s been reading the listings pages trying to find some top quality folk and roots gigs will have realised that the choice is a bit limited this month. It’s not just this year; for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, gigs always do seem to be a bit thin on the ground in August. It could be that artists are concentrating on festival appearances or, more likely, that they’re resting up preparing for tours to promote the many new albums that tend to be released in the autumn. The listings aren’t entirely devoid of decent music and a few hardy souls are to be found plying their trade in venues across the land but by and large, it seems that we’ll have to wait until the barbeques have been mothballed and the deckchairs have been folded up for the last time until normal service is resumed. Looking into the near future, things do pick up with the arrival of September and a visit to Cardiff by two of British folk music’s elder statesmen, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick. Since the 1960s, Martin Carthy has been one of British folk music’s most influential figures. Singer, guitarist, collector and innovator, he has been an inspiration for generations of musicians and is regularly quoted as being an influence on luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Richard Thompson. Over the years Martin has collaborated with the cream of the British folk scene, most notably with other members of his family in The Watersons and Waterson:Carthy and most enduringly with the extraordinary fiddler Dave Swarbrick. These two exceptional musicians have worked together since 1965 when Swarb played (uncredited) on Martin’s debut album. Since then they have released several critically acclaimed albums, including 1968’s classic Byker Hill; apart from a period when Swarb’s ill health prevented it, they’ve also toured regularly, delighting audiences with their onstage presence and musical brilliance. Something you can experience yourself when these iconic musicians kick off the latest series of Roots Unearthed gigs at St David’s Hall on Tue 1 Sept. Buzz also recommends Artisan. Second reunion tour for the acclaimed a capella trio. Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Rd. Pontyclun (Wed 3) Gren Bartley Band & Honeyfungus / Sarah Smout / Lucy Jones. Respected songwriter plus supports. Cuffern Manor, Roche, Haverfordwest (Fri 5) Dana & Susan Robinson. Traditional and contemporary Americana. Lyceum Folk Club, Lyceum Tavern, Newport (Thurs 18) Please send your folk and roots listings to listings@buzzmag.co.uk or phone them in to 029 2022 7677
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Wednesdays Matt Kirke mixes up club-influenced beats from reggae to rock, d’n’b to dancefloor-led house. Friday Warehouse54 Live! A free festival-inspired mix of bass and live bands every week. Saturdays VHS Vandals An audiovisual mix of indie anthems, old school hip-hop, mashups and funkinfused beats. Saturdays (on the roof terrace) Koncept & Friends House, techno and bass music from these DJs: Saturnas Gergelis (Sat 1); Kieran Kloc (Creeper) (Sat 8) Illa B (Hotsteppa) (Sat 15) Blokeye and Ben Britton (Submerge) (Sat 22) and Kovert Music Group (Sat 29). Sun 30 Bank Holiday Bassline Carnival With Koncept and friends. Wow Bar 4 Churchill Way, Cardiff. Gay venue. Free all day SunThurs; before 11pm Fri + Sat. 029 2066 6247 / www. wowbarcardiff.com Wednesdays Wish You Were Here Free. Student night with “inflight entertainment” from Lambrini Rampage and Mary Golds, plus music from DJ Krys. Thursdays The Night With No Name Free. DJ Craig and Mary Golds offer “mad games and crazy entertainment.” Fridays The Greatest Show In The City Free b4 11. With WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty and Marcia, plus special guests every week. Saturdays The VKend Free b4 11. With DJs Craig and Krys. You can get cheap deals in VK. £6.50 for a fishbowl. £6 for a jug of WKD. Settle down now, kids. Sundays The Cuckoo Club Free. DJ Krys plays the tunes until late.
events EVERY MONDAY Bharata Natyam Dance Classes For Adult Beginners Bayview House, Cardiff Bay. 8.15-9.15pm. Info 029 2075 1158. Bingo Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Hosted by Jack Cooper. Cardiff Inter Varsity Club Meeting The Plum Tree, Canton, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £5 (three-month trial membership). Info 07526 141392. A friendly social group offering the chance to “liven up your social life and meet new friends” through a varied events programme including theatre, live music, walks, badminton, table tennis and pub nights. More info at www. cardiffivc.org.uk. Ceroc The Gate, Cardiff. 7.45-10.45pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info 029 2048 3344. Sessions for a dance style billed as a combo of salsa, ballroom, hip-hop, tango and jive. Children’s Ballroom Dancing Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7-9pm. Info 01495 243252. Community Choir Sessions Cornwall Street Church Hall, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, free. Info 07952 752823. Led by Pauline Down and taking place most Mondays; ring ahead to check. Freestyle Fitness Yoga Kings Road Studios,
Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7.308.30pm, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / sarasclasses4@ gmail.com. Every Monday and Friday. India Dance Wales Classes Highmead House, Lisvane, Cardiff. Info 029 2075 1158. For Grade 2 to vocational level. These classes are by special application only at various points in the month – not on specific days, hence listing them here. To apply write to admin@indiadancewales.com with previous dance experience and reason for wanting to join India Dance Wales. Newport Badminton Club Pill Millennium Centre, Newport. 7.30-9.30pm. Info 07789 965285. One of the largest badminton clubs in South East Wales. Monday club nights have coaching with Carissa Turner, the current Ladies Welsh number one, for juniors and then senior club members. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today features Youth Circus Ewoks (4-5 + 5.15-6.15pm, £6 per session); Youth Circus Wookies (4.306pm, £7 per session); Flying Trapeze (6-8pm, £12/£10 per session); Aerial Yoga (6.30-7.30pm, £11/£9) and Flexibility (7.45-9.15pm, £9/£7 per session). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Tours of the centre running daily for one hour. Advance booking recommended. Quizzical The North Star, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 4050. Salsa Classes Mischiefs, Cardiff Bay. 7.30-9.30pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651. Beginners for the first hour, then improvers/intermediate. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Golden Gower National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Day tours from Cardiff, every Monday, Thursday and Sunday. This one visits the Gower, Swansea Bay, Parc-Le-Breos, the Dylan Thomas Centre and more. St Donats Atlantic Chorale St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm. Info 01446 799100. Choir rehearsals. Tai Chi: Health Qigong Glyndwr Community Hall, Penarth. 10.30-11.30am. Info 029 2020 6042. Tango Dancing Argentine Barocco, Cardiff. 8-10.45pm, £3/£1. Info 029 2023 7332. Tang Soo Do Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. 7-9pm. Info 07734 557767. Learn traditional Korean karate; beginners welcome. Welsh Lessons The Gate, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info 029 2048 3344. Every Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening. Email info@learnwelsh. co.uk for more deets. Yoga Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 12.301.15pm. Info 029 2087 7959. On tomorrow also. Yoga With Valerie Price St Mary’s Church Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 6.30-9.30pm. Info admin@yoga-works.co.uk.
6.30-8pm: intermediate; 8.109.30pm: beginners. Zumba Dance Classes Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5.306.30pm, £5/£4. Info 029 2087 7959. EVERY TUESDAY A Ballroom Dance Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7-11pm. Info 01495 243252. Aikido Village Hall, Heol Syr Lewis, Morganstown. 8-10pm. Info 07790 167560. Every Tuesday and Friday. Art Classes Penarth Pier Pavilion. 2-4.30pm, £105 (10 weeks). Info 0844 8700887. A course focusing on the human form, led by Pauline Williams. Starts on Tue 22 Aug. Belly Dance Classes Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff. 6.307.45pm, £6/£25 for five sessions. Info 07872 306745. Mixed ability class with Steph. Beth’s Buns Pilates Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 7.15-8.15pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880. New class here every Tuesday. Bring It Pong 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. New weekly session of table tennis, with two tables in the main bar (little known fact: table tennis is one of the best games to play while drinking). Drawing And Painting Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10am12.30pm, £105 (10 weeks). Info 0844 8700887. Create seascapes outdoors with Pauline Williams. Starts on Tue 22 Aug. Frances Aitken Pilates The Abacus, Cardiff. 6.30-7.30pm, £5. Info 07934 011061. Dropin session hosted by Aitken, who’s been teaching pilates for eight years and comes from a professional circus and dance background. Funkypump Fitness Universal Gym, Cardiff. 6pm. Info www.funkypumpfitness. co.uk. Boxing-based highintensity workout with a house soundtrack. First session free. In this gym every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Gitananda Yoga St David's Uniting Church, Pontypridd. 7-8.30pm, free. Info 01443 408065. Give It A Go Climbing Class For Adults Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 7-8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Tuesday to Thursday. Glam Dram St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7pm. Info 01446 799100. Amateur theatre company for adults. India Dance Wales – Bharatanatyam Classes Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5-6pm. Info 07410 977427. Beginners’ class. India Dance Wales Classes Rubicon Dance, Adamsdown, Cardiff. 6.30pm. Info 029 2075 1158. From beginners to next level and for all ages and abilities. Jamaican Bum Flex Channel View Leisure Centre, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £5. Info 07950 256969. Dancehall/reggae style dance moves, “turned into a tough bum workout for the ladies” by Latone Holder. Also on Wednesday and Thursday. Jazz Workshops For Beginners Atradius Offices (4th floor), Cardiff Bay. 6.208pm, £10. Info 07806 625717.
All instruments and ages welcome. Kizomba Tango Classes 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. Learn African samba here. Laughter Yoga Llandaff North Community Centre, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £5 (suggested donation). Info www.sparklylaughter.co.uk. “No experience required, no stretching and no mats needed,” promise the organisers. Life Drawing Sketching Session 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. Hosted by Cardiff Life Model. Lindy Hop Dance Classes & Social Swing Dancing The Garage, Swansea. 6-10pm. Info 01792 475147. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Circus Jedis (ground based skills, 4-6pm, £7 per session); Youth Circus Padawans (4.306pm, £7 per session); Hula Hoop (6-7pm, £7); Circus Mish Mash (6-8pm, £5) and Beginners Aerial (8-10pm, £11/£9). Off Centre Silver Dragon, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Adult drama group meeting weekly to develop performance skills. Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Pilates And Stretch Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff. 8-9pm, £6/£25 for five sessions. Info 07872 306745. With Steph; bring your own mat please. Pregnancy Yoga Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 6-7.15pm, £35/£30 (five-week blocks). Info kalavathi@ omstudio.co.uk. Salsa Classes Bar 44, Cowbridge. 7.30-9.30pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651. Salsa Classes La Tasca, Cardiff. 7-10.30pm, £5/£4.50 NUS. Info 07949 270618. Every Tuesday. Beginners 7.158pm; Improvers 8.30-9.30pm; Intermediate 9.45-10.30pm. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Mines & Mountains National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales. com. Every Tuesday and Friday. This one visits Big Pit Mining Museum of Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park (including BBNP visitors centre). Tai Chi / Qigong Shibashi Continuation St Mary’s Church Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 6.30-7.30pm. Info 029 2020 6042. Vassia’s Pilates M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 4-5.30pm, £5/£6.50 taster session. Info 029 2047 3373. Welsh Lessons The Gate, Cardiff. 7-9pm. Info 029 2048 3344. Yoga Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5.30-6.30 + 6.45-8pm. Info 029 2087 7959. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 7.309pm, £9. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk. With
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Kalavathi Devi. Yoga Share M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 5-7pm, £4 (suggested donation). Info 029 2047 3373. Led by Ashtanga practitioner Sarah Cleary. Yoga With Tori Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Tuesday and Wednesday. Yoga With Valerie Price Llandough Institute, Penarth. 8.30-9.30pm. Info admin@ yoga-works.co.uk . Mixed level class. Zumba: Dance Exercise Classes Fairwater Social & Athletic Club, Cardiff. 6-7pm. Info 07891 712344. Led by Irene Davies, as is... Zumba: Dance Exercise Classes St Faith Church Hall, Llanishen, Cardiff. 8-9pm. Info 07891 712344. EVERY WEDNESDAY A Tea Dance Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 2-4pm. Info 01495 243252. Cabaret And Showgirl Dancing For All Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff. 6.15-9pm. Info 07872 306745. With Steph. Beginners 6.15-7.45pm; advanced 7.459pm. More info at www. cardiffcabaretclub.com Ceroc Dance Class Dockers Club, Swansea. 7.45pm-12am, £6/£8 freestyles. Info cerocsouthwales@gmail.com. Freestyle Fitness Yoga Wake Up Kings Road Studios, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7.15-8am, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / serenhealth@hotmail.co.uk. Give It A Go Climbing Class For Adults Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.
7-8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Jamaican Bum Flex Canton Community Centre, Cardiff. 8-9pm, £5. Info 07950 256969. Life Drawing Sketching Session The Project Space, Commercial Street, Newport. 6.30-8.30pm, £5. Info 07830 381930. Hosted by Cardiff Life Model. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Circus Jedis (acrobatics, 4.156pm, £7); Acrobatics (6-8pm, £9/£7) and Handstands (8-9.30pm, £10/£8). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Pub Quiz The Pilot, Penarth. 8pm. Info 029 2071 0615. With Hayley. Salsa Classes Rhiwbina Recreational Club, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651. SeeWales Sightseeing Tour: Romans And Ruins National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am-5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Day tours from Cardiff, every Wednesday and Saturday. This one visits Caerleon, Caerwent, Tintern Abbey, the Wye Valley, Abbey Mill Craft Centre and Raglan Castle. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 9.3011am, 1-2.15pm + 7-9pm, £9/£8. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk..
Yoga Trwy Gyfrwng Y Gymraeg Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 7-8.30pm. Info admin@yoga-works.co.uk. Yoga With Tori Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880. Yu-Gi-Oh Tournaments The Freaks Geeks and Autographs Store, Swansea. 5.30pm, £3.50. Info 07914 683534. Zumba Classes La Tasca, Cardiff. 6pm, £4. Info 07949 270618. EVERY THURSDAY Actors Experience Japan Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6-9pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. A series of diverse workshops for professional and experienced actors. Ballet Academy Wales Classes – Children 6-11 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4-5pm, £4.95. Info 07837 937351. Bingo Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Biodanza Bishop of Llandaff High School, Cardiff. 7-9pm, £6/£5. Info antoinette@ biodanza4all.com. “A fusion of music, movement and feeling” taught here by Antoinette Lorraine. Ceroc Dance Class Lysaght Institute, Newport. 7.3010.45pm, £8/£6 NUS. Info cerocsouthwales@gmail.com. Children’s Latin/Ballroom Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 4.30-8pm. Info 01495 243252. Circuits Class Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 6.45-7.45pm, £5. Info 029
2048 4880. Funkypump Fitness Universal Gym, Cardiff. 6pm. Info www.funkypumpfitness. co.uk. Give It A Go Climbing Class For Adults Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 7-8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Hand Drumming Group Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff. 6-6.50pm, £15 (five weeks). Info 01446 401209. Hosted by Laura Bradshaw. Hard Côr Japan Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Join the Centre’s urban choir who blend choral singing with hip hop. Contact takepart@wmc.org.uk for further details. Jamaican Bum Flex Trinity Church Centre, Newport road Cardiff. 6.30-7.30pm, £5. Info 07950 256969. Newport Badminton Club Newport Active Living Centre. 7.30-9.30pm. Info 07789 965285. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. Today: Handstands (6-7.30pm, £10/£8) and Performance (7.30-9.30pm, £10/£8). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Pilates Kings Road Studios, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 6.157.15pm, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / serenhealth@hotmail.co.uk . Every Thursday. Salsa Buena Class Eclipse, Penarth. 7.30-9.30pm, free. Info 07800 565651. Also features a Latin disco after the class. Salsa Classes La Tasca, Cardiff. 7-11pm, £5/£4.50 NUS. Info 07949 270618. Beginners 7.15-8pm; improvers 8.309.30pm; Rueda 9.45-10.30pm; dancing until 11pm. Salsa Dancing Classes Revolucion De Cuba, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £6/£5 NUS. Info 029 2023 6689. Salsa, bachata, zouk and kizomba. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Golden Gower National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Tai Chi / Qigong Shibashi Albert Road Church & Community Centre, Penarth. 6.30-9.15pm. Info 029 2020 6042. 6.30-7.30: Tai Chi/ Qigong; 7.45-9.15: Tai Chi Short Form. Tai Chi / Qigong St Albans Church Hall, Splott, Cardiff. 10.30-11.30am. Info 029 2020 6042. Yoga Classes Cardiff Steiner School, Llandaff North, Cardiff. 6-7.15 + 7.30-8.45pm, £8/£6.50. Info info@yogaskies. co.uk. Hosted by Mike Young. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 7-8am + 1-2.30, 6-7.15 + 7.308.45pm, £9/£8. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk. 11am: Mums & Baby yoga; 7.30pm: Pregnancy yoga. EVERY FRIDAY Aikido Village Hall, Heol Syr Lewis, Morganstown. 8-10pm. Info 07790 167560. Cardiff Aikikai The Dojo, Roath, Cardiff. 6.30-10pm. Info mcaluan@cardiffaikikai.co.uk. Children’s Tap/Ballet
Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 10.30-11.30am. Info 01495 243252. Community Choir Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.4511.45am, £72/£48 (12 weeks). Info 01446 401209. Freestyle Fitness Yoga Kings Road Studios, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7.308.30pm, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / sarasclasses4@ gmail.com. Newport Photographic Club Skip Jennings Hall, Maindee, Newport. 7.30pm. Info 01633 400685. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Circus Jedis (aerial, 4.156pm, £7); Aerial Conditioning (6-7.30pm, £10/£8); Flying Trapeze Taster class (fortnightly, 6-8pm, £15). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Rhiwbina Farmers Market The Butchers Arms, Rhiwbina. 10am-1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Mines & Mountains National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Tango Argentine Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. 7.30-8.45pm, £7/£4. Info 029 2023 7332. No experience or partner required. Zumba: Dance Exercise Classes Sbectrwm Community Centre, Fairwater, Cardiff. 1-2pm. Info 07891 712344. With Irene Davies. EVERY SATURDAY African Drumming Sessions Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10.30-11.30am, £5. Info 0844 8700887. With Dan Phelps. Children’s Climbing Classes Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 10-11.30am, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Saturday and Sunday. Family ‘Give It A Go’ Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 12, 2 + 4pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Saturday and Sunday. Funkypump Fitness Universal Gym, Cardiff. 9.30am. Info www.funkypumpfitness.co.uk. Hard Côr Sony Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Come-one-come-all sessions for the Centre’s urban choir who blend choral singing with hip-hop. NoFit State Circus: Youth Circus Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. 10.30am-12pm, £7/£6 per session. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. 10.3011.30am: Ewoks; 11.30am1pm: Padawans; 10-11.30am: Wookies. Roath Real Food Market Mackintosh Sports Club Car Park, Roath, Cardiff. 9.30am1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. SeeWales Sightseeing Tour: Romans And Ruins National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am-5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. St Mary Street Cardiff
Market St Mary Street, Cardiff. 11am-5pm, free. Info 029 2019 0036. Selling artisan foods, vintage clothing, antique furniture and bric-a-brac. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 8-9.30am, £8. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk. With Kalavathi Devi. EVERY SUNDAY Ballet Academy Wales Classes – Adults Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 12-1pm, £6.50. Info 07837 937351. Ballet For Beginners Dance Studio, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2-3.30pm, £6/£15 for three classes. Info info@ burlesquecardiff.co.uk. Hosted by Stephanie of Burlesque Cardiff. Bridgend Undercover Car Boot Sale Multistorey Car Park, Bridgend Town Centre. 7am-12pm, free (selling cars £6; selling cars with trailers £10). Info 01656 661338. Cabaret And Showgirl Dancing For All Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am12.30pm. Info 07872 306745. With Steph. Beginners and mixed ability class. More info at www. cardiffcabaretclub.com Children’s Climbing Classes Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 10-11.30am, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Family ‘Give It A Go’ Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 12, 2 + 4pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4880. Farmers’ Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Welsh producers sell their wares every week at this brand new market. Lindy Hop Dance Classes & Social Swing Dancing Pontardawe Arts Centre. 6-10pm. Info 01792 863722. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Prince Of Wales Building, John Street, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Circus Jedis (mixed circus skills, 12-2pm, £7) and Youth Circus Jedis (performance, 2-4pm, £7). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. *Riverside Farmers’ Market Fitzhammon Embankment, Cardiff. 10am2pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. Always worth a trip. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Golden Gower National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Sunday Board Games Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Weekly session featuring a mixture of competitive and co-operative games. SATURDAY 1 Agincourt 600 Jousting Tournament Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 11am-5pm, £10/£5 kids. Info 01291 420241. On tomorrow also. Art At Sea National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Join Argentinean artist Carlos Pinatti to use the Museum’s Main Hall to map out the Atlantic voyage BUZZ 55
events undertaken by Patagonia’s first Welsh settlers 150 years ago. On tomorrow also. Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Every Saturday and Sunday until Sun 23. Blackwood Carnival High Street, Blackwood (starting point). 12pm, free. Info 01495 272001. Family fun and entertainment including a funfair, animal exhibits, live music, dance groups, craft and charitable stalls and food outlets. Blysh Free Family Shows Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Including, say the Blysh promo team, “a dance and acrobatics routine involving shopping trolleys, storytelling inside a beautiful transformed caravan, a dark comedy exploring our addiction to technology and a highly comic attempt to make The Most Dangerous Cup of Tea involving The Whirling Hatstand of Death.” Plus Kitsch And Sync and Dan The Hat. On tomorrow also. Brecon County Show The Showground, Watton Villa, Brecon. 7.30am-6pm, £9/£5 OAP/£3 kids. Info 01874 611881. Featuring a shearing competition, a poultry show, classes for goats, a novelty and exemption dog show and a dog agility competition, plus all the livestock you can eat. Bushcraft & Survival Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £90. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Also on
Mon 31. Car Boot Sale Whitchurch Hospital Grounds, Cardiff. 9.30am-1pm, free/£7 per car. Info info@gthc.org.uk. A George Thomas Hospice Care fundraising event. Craft Fair Coffee Cove Cafe Bar, Barry Island. 10am3.30pm, free/£10 to set up a stall. Info 07948 399111. Every first Saturday of the month. Craft Fair Community Hall, Neath. 10.30am-4.30pm, free. Info ariancrafts@hotmail. co.uk. Dewch Y Ganu National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 01792 463980. Sessions for Welsh learners. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. Meet the Museum’s Roman cook, doctor and soldier to find out more about life in Roman times, for three weeks during the school holidays. (Until Thurs 20) Fair Play Record Fair 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 12-5pm, free/£5 to set up a stall. Info 029 2022 8883. Vintage/ independent retailers will sell their wares every first Saturday of the month. Handmade Craft & Gift Market Tabernach Chapel, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am4pm. Info uniquefairs@gmx. co.uk. Hawk Walk Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £45. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day
Out event. Heroes & Legends Margam Castle, Port Talbot. 10am, £3. Info 07914 683534. Run by the people behind the Freaks, Geeks & Autographs store, this is a memorabilia events for fans of sci-fi and TV, or at least bits of it. On tomorrow also. Living History Weekend Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. Meet some of the characters from the history of mining and listen to music from Blaenavon Town Band. On tomorrow also. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. A walk through woodlands, ruins and graveyards. Every Saturday this month, plus Thurs 6 and Thurs 13. Lughasadh Pop-Up Feasts Craftbowl, Caerphilly. 4pm. Info 029 2086 7707. In which an ancient Celtic feast is celebrated by eating gourmet hotdogs and drinking craft beer at a bowling alley. Shades of the Stonecutters Simpsons episode there. Making Music From Junk National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Find out how to turn household junk into unique instruments and make your own to take home. In partnership with NME, who some might suggest are experts in passing off rubbish as something of
CRICKET: IT20 – ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, Mon 31 Aug Tickets: £45/£35/£10 under-16s. Info: 029 2041 9311 / www. glamorgancricket.co.uk Cardiff begins with a ‘C’, cricket begins with a ‘C’, and SWALEC ends with a... ‘C’. Therefore, I think it’s obvious to conclude it’s most definitely fate that brings the Women’s IT20 and men’s fixture to Cardiff. Hosted by Glamorgan Cricket, the end of August will see the England versus Australia NatWest International T20 Double Header (that was a mouthful) at the SWALEC Stadium. First up is the women’s IT20, in a match between the English vs. the Aussies, with the same two worlds un-romantically colliding again following the women’s game in the men’s fixture. With cricket being Wales’ oldest team game, and the sport holding almost 500 years of history here, it’s apparent this will be a momentous day in ball-hitting sport.
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lasting value. Those folks are what the Scientologists call ‘suppressive people’. Alsl on Sat 8. Roller Derby: Tiger Bay Brawlers vs. Leeds Rebel Roses Talybont Sports Village, Cardiff. 6.30-8.30pm. Info tigerbaybrawlers@gmail.com. Sheep Trekking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Also on Sun 2, Sun 9, Sat 22, Sun 23, Wed 26, Sat 29 and Sun 30. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. Find out more about some familiar constellations, the Planets, how stars are born and how they die. On every day this month. (Until Mon 31) Summer Craft Fair National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. On tomorrow also. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. Techniquest’s new interactive show explores how visible light, as well as light we cannot see, plays a part in all our lives. Every day this month. (Until Mon 31) Talk At 2 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Richard Higlett and Thomas Williams talk about the exhibition currently showing here (see Art listings). Also on Sat 15 and Sat 29. Three Cool Paper Planes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Make paper planes. Three of them. Cool ones. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. Take part in our prize trail around the Museum and garden. (Until Thurs 20) Under The Apple Boughs Poetry Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10.30am-12.30pm, £3-£10. Info 01792 463980. Hosted by Paul Henry. Volkesfest Wales, VAG & Classic Porsche Show Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. Info 01639 881635. Huh huh, they said VAG. I guess this is some sort of vintage car doohickey though. Try looking at www.volksfestwales.org.uk, I reckon. On tomorrow also. Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales.org. uk. Adult bikes on sale from £60; kids’ bikes from £10. Also on every Friday this month SUNDAY 2 Agincourt 600 Jousting Tournament Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 11am-5pm, £10/£5 kids. Info 01291 420241. Art At Sea National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Blysh Free Family Shows Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464.
Cardiff Geek Party 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7pm, £1 per 20 minutes of console play/£2 to enter a tournament. Info 029 2022 8883. Retro videogames night, previously in Gwdihw and now here. Cardiff Storytelling Circle Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £4. Info 029 2030 4400. Cricket: RLC-B – Glamorgan v Hampshire SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 10.30am. Info 029 2040 9380. Cwmbran Craft Fayre Our Lady’s School Hall, Cwmbran. 1-4pm. Info cwmbran_ crafts@hotmail.co.uk. Every first Sunday of the month. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Heroes & Legends Margam Castle, Port Talbot. 10am, £3. Info 07914 683534. Life Drawing Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-5pm, £5. Info 01656 815995. Also on Sun 16 and Sun 30. Living History Weekend Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. Sheep Trekking – Day Walk Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Street Dance Competition Welsh Institute Of Sport, Cardiff. 9am-8.30pm. Info 01443 691978. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Toy & Train Sale Barry Island Station. 10.30am-3pm. Info www.chrisdyerfairs.co.uk. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Volkesfest Wales, VAG & Classic Porsche Show Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. Info 01639 881635. MONDAY 3 6th Annual Fringe Festival Barnabus Arts House, Newport. Info 01633 673739. Six days of art, education and entertainment including the following: an art workshop, a cabaret evening, a mindfulness workshop, a table tennis tournament, Indian head massage, the chance to design and make your own cushion, giant crochet and Taiji Qigong (chi gon) class. Check out www. barnabusartshouse.co.uk for the full timetable. (Until Sat 8) Animation Extra! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am, 12.30pm + 2.30pm, £12 (£40 for four sessions). Info 029 2030 4400. Summer animation workshops for young people on the autistic spectrum. Also on Mon 10, 17 and 24. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Facepainting Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Drop-in workshop for under-8s. Every Monday this month. Graffiti Mosaic Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029
2063 6464. Kids’ activity day, preceding Breakin’ The Bay here this weekend. Introduction To Canine Scent Training Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Japanware Flowers Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Holiday workshops for kids, running all this month. Medieval Monday Mystery Cosmeston Medieval Village , Barry Island. 9.45-11am. Info 029 2070 1678. Kids aged 7-11 can solve a fictive murder every Monday this month (apart from Mon 31). Northern Lingo Bingo Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. This is a night which seems to feature people playing bingo and speaking in Yorkshire dialect. Postcards & Propaganda National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. During WWI, postcards offered an important opportunity for soldier’s to keep in touch with their family; come and learn more here. (Until Wed 5) Shakespeare Summer School Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £100 (£180 for two children). Info 029 2030 4400. Kids aged 7-11 can be introduced to Shakespeare, and drama in general, over this week. (Until Fri 7) Sherman Sherberts Summer School Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £80/£130 two kids/£180 three kids. Info 029 2064 6900. A week of workshops for kids aged 4-6 and 7-9, aiming to develop them creatively and boost confidence. (Until Fri 7) Shine Summer Theatre School: Hairspray St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Birchgrove, Cardiff. 2-6pm, £90 (five days). Info www. shinecreativearts.co.uk. Shine’s Summer Theatre School invites you to be a part of this famous Broadway musical. (Until Fri 7) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Write On Writers Morganstown Village Hall. 6.30-8.30pm. Info 07512 235758. An open group of writers who encourage others to write and also critique work. Here every first and third Monday of the month. Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. Week-long course for ages 7-11 with professional tuition and support, finishing with a performance of the production you’ve come up with. (Until Fri 7) TUESDAY 4 6th Annual Fringe Festival Barnabus Arts House, Newport. Info 01633
events 673739. (Until Sat 8) Booklaunch & Artist Talk: Thirteen Blackbirds Look At A Man Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Related to the art exhibition currently showing here. Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Make a work in clay to contribute to our giant sculpture. Part of the Fragile? exhibition. (Until Fri 7) Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Go Wild At Porthkerry Porthkerry Country Park, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01446 733589. Activities on a different theme every Tuesday this month. Hedgehog Helper Morning Venue TBC, nr Builth Wells. £20. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Also on Fri 14 and Sat 22. Make Bake Take: Family Cookery Class National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-12.30 + 2-3.30pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Aimed at kids aged 8-16; also on Thurs 6 and Fri 7. Things baked will be savoury in the morning, sweet in the afternoon. Meet The Curator: Natural Sciences Gallery Talk National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. An introduction to leafhoppers, planthoppers and spittlebugs. Postcards & Propaganda National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Wed 5) Shakespeare Summer School Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £100 (£180 for two children). Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Fri 7) Shell Collage Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Sherman Sherberts Summer School Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £80/£130 two kids/£180 three kids. Info 029 2064 6900. (Until Fri 7) Shine Summer Theatre School: Hairspray St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Birchgrove, Cardiff. 2-6pm, £90 (five days). Info www. shinecreativearts.co.uk. (Until Fri 7) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Film Activity Days: Song Of The Sea Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £22. Info 029 2030 4400. Activity days taking ideas from a different kids’ film each time – further events are on Tue 11 and Tue 18. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Tea Dance Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-4pm, £4. Info 01656 815995. Also on Tue 18. Tuesday Film Club The Riverfront, Newport. 9.30am2.30pm, £12. Info 01633 656757. Every Tuesday this month, this will feature a movie in the morning, followed by lunch and a differ-
ent activity in the afternoon. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Until Fri 7) WEDNESDAY 5 3D Sculptures Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 1-3pm, £5. Info 01267 222775. With Julie Ann Sheridan. For ages 8 and up. 6th Annual Fringe Festival Barnabus Arts House, Newport. Info 01633 673739. (Until Sat 8) Abergavenny Festival Of Cycling: Chepstow Grand Prix Castle Car Park, Chepstow (start/finish point). 8pm. Info 01873 840530. One of a number of events under this banner until Sun 9. More at www. abergavennyfestivalofcycling. co.uk. August Fun For Children: Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4611. With Charlotte Kingston. Also on Wed 12 and Wed 26. Birds Of Prey St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £5 adv. Info 01446 799100. Falconry UK present an afternoon of owls and – maybe? – falcons. Also on Tue 11. Bushcraft: Den Building Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am, £20. Info 01600 714595. Activities for kids aged 7 and older. Also on Tue 18. Bushcraft: Tracking Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 2pm, £18. Info 01600 714595. Activities, again for kids aged 7 and older. Also on Tue 11. Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 7) Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Family Fun Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am3pm, £1 per child. Info 029 2078 8334. Craft activities, every Wednesday this month. Film Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-4pm, £30 (five sessions). Info 01633 656757. Over five weeks (every Wednesday until Sept 2), learn camera skills, how to edit, scriptwriting, producing and directing, and then premiere your masterpiece in front of friends and family. Go Wild At The Heritage Coast Heritage Coast Centre, Southerndown. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01656 880157. Activities on a different theme every Wednesday this month. ‘In The Pit’ Paintings Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Pop-Up Produce Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3-8pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Monthly market featuring local producers. Postcards & Propaganda National History Museum, St
Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Finishes today) Reminiscence Monthly Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 11am-1pm, free. Info 029 2078 8334. Come to the museum and share your memories of Cardiff, on the first Wednesday of every month. Shakespeare Summer School Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £100 (£180 for two children). Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Fri 7) Sherman Sherberts Summer School Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £80/£130 two kids/£180 three kids. Info 029 2064 6900. (Until Fri 7) Shine Summer Theatre School: Hairspray St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Birchgrove, Cardiff. 2-6pm, £90 (five days). Info www. shinecreativearts.co.uk. (Until Fri 7) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Big Fat Summer Quiz National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 2pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Every thursday this month. Aimed at ages 7-11. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Until Fri 7) THURSDAY 6 6th Annual Fringe Festival Barnabus Arts House, Newport. Info 01633 673739. (Until Sat 8) Abergavenny Festival Of Cycling: Mountain Bikes On The Tumble Mountain Tumble Mountain, Blorenge. Info 01873 840530. Love that I get to list something in Blorenge. Archery St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £8.50 adv. Info 01446 799100. Art History Lectures With Stella Lyons Penarth Pier Pavilion. 2-4pm, £8. Info 0844 8700887. August Fun For Children: Tie & Dye Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am12.30pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4611. Also on Thurs 20. CD Sun Catchers National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Make one of these to hang in your window. Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 7) Dark Skies Evening With An Astronomer Dark Skies Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £20. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out Event. Also on Sat 8, Sat 15 and Sat 22. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Go Wild At Cosmeston Rangers Office, Costmeston, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.4511.30am, £3. Info 029 2070
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1678. Activities on a different theme every Thursday this month. I Spy... Nature Workshops For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Learn to recognise seaweeds and animals at the beach. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Make Bake Take: Family Cookery Class National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-12.30pm + 2-3.30pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Also on Thurs 20 and Thurs 27. Shakespeare Summer School Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £100 (£180 for two children). Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Fri 7) Sherman Sherberts Summer School Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £80/£130 two kids/£180 three kids. Info 029 2064 6900. (Until Fri 7) Shine Summer Theatre School: Hairspray St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Birchgrove, Cardiff. 2-6pm, £90 (five days). Info www. shinecreativearts.co.uk. (Until Fri 7) Shoebox Railway Station Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Star Tours Techniquest,
Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Full Moon Against Humanity The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, £2. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. A session playing the wilfully offensive card game Cards Against Humanity. Also on Thurs 20. The Wernham Hogg Pub Quiz – An Interactive UK Office Quiz 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £2. Info 029 2022 8883. Quiz based exclusively on the two series of The Office (UK version). There’s only going to be one of these, presumably on account of there being limited material to draw on. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Until Fri 7) FRIDAY 7 6th Annual Fringe Festival Barnabus Arts House, Newport. Info 01633 673739. (Until Sat 8) 7th Annual Summer Welsh Cider & Perry & Music Festival The Lion Inn, Monmouth. 9pm. Info 01600 860322. Three-day fest featuring 16 different ciders and perries plus live music from Wylde Bird Seed. (Until Sun 9)
Abergavenny Festival Of Cycling: The Wales Open Criterium Nevill Street, Abergavenny (start/finish point). 5.30pm. Info 01873 840530. The final of the Televised British Cycling Elite Town Centre series. Cardiff Inter Varsity Club Meeting Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £5 (threemonth trial membership). Info 07526 141392 / www. cardiffivc.org.uk. Meeting here on the first Friday of each month. Ceramic Rugby Players Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Also on from Tue 11-Fri 14 next week. (Finishes today) Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Farmers Market High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. Info 01685 725106. Quality produce from no more than 50 miles away, on the first Friday of each month. Holiday Memory Family Drop-In Sessions Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Every Friday this month. Let’s Get Quizzical The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £2 to enter. Info 01497 821762. Pub quiz on the first Friday of every month. BUZZ 57
events Make Bake Take: Family Cookery Class National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-12.30pm + 2-3.30pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 9pm, £12.50. Info 029 2057 3500. Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Also on Fri 14, Fri 21 and Sat 29. Museum Late Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 6-9pm,
Cider & Perry & Music Festival The Lion Inn, Monmouth. 2pm. Info 01600 860322. Featuring live music from Steve & Pete, Meg Cox and V12. (Until Sun 9) Abergavenny Festival Of Cycling: Iron Mountain Sportif & Biking In The Bailey Bailey Park, Abergavenny (starting point). Info 01873 840530. Various routes of 100, 50 or 20 miles, with male and female cat-
How much overlap is there on the Venn diagram of 'people who like buses' and 'people who like trad jazz'? Good Day Out reckon there might be some, and are taking a Routemaster bus to Brecon on Sun 9, while Brecon Jazz is on. Ride the Jazz Bus around town while trad jazz bands play. If you want. free. Info 029 2078 8334. For the first Friday of every month the museum will be opening its doors until late, with dance, culture, art, music and a pop-up bar. Red Kite Bash & Cider Cycle Various locations, Llanwrtyd Wells. Info 01591 610270. A fun bike ride through the hills and forests of the region, with cider to drink at intermittent checkpoints – either Strongbow or Ralph’s. If you choose to take the Bow train I hope it crashes quite frankly. (Until Sun 9) Shakespeare Summer School Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £100 (£180 for two children). Info 029 2030 4400. (Finishes today) Sherman Sherberts Summer School Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £80/£130 two kids/£180 three kids. Info 029 2064 6900. (Finishes today) Shine Summer Theatre School: Hairspray St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Birchgrove, Cardiff. 2-6pm, £90 (five days). Info www. shinecreativearts.co.uk. (Finishes today) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. Including a performance at 5pm. (Finishes today) SATURDAY 8 6th Annual Fringe Festival Barnabus Arts House, Newport. Info 01633 673739. (Finishes today) 7th Annual Summer Welsh BUZZ 58
egories. Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Breakin’ The Bay Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Annual celebration of hip-hop culture, with special emphasis on breakdancing. There’ll be battles between crews of four and solo faceoffs; judges will include Maurizio, Dolby D and Freeze. Plus graffiti demos and beatbox performances from winners of January’s Cardiff Beatbox Championship. On tomrorow also. Caerwent Craft Fayre Caerwent Village Hall, Monmouthshire. 2.30-4.30pm. Info cwmbran_crafts@ hotmail.co.uk. Every second Saturday of the month. Cardiff Carnival The Atrium, Cardiff (starting point). 3-5pm, free. Info 029 2087 2087. Annual event of flamboyance, parades, samba etc. See Roundup. Cardigan River & Food Festival Quay Street carpark, Cardigan. 10am-5pm, £2.50/£1 kids. Info 01239 615554. See the Food & Drink section. Chepstow Farmers’ Market Cormeilles Square, Chepstow. 8.30am-1pm, free. Info 01291 626370. Every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Chepstow Show Chepstow Racecourse. 8.30am, £8/£6 OAP/£4 kids/free under-5s. Info chepstowshow@hotmail. co.uk. Rural trades, talent and tastes are celebrated in one of many agriculturallybased shows in the region this month. Might find me an elderly woman and obsessively visit them all together, Harold & Maude-style. Classic Car Rally Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay. 10am6pm, free. Info 029 2087 2087. Amusingly, the photo illustrating this on the Cardiff Events website is of a 50s-looking vehicle with headlamps, but souped up boyracer style. So not very classic at all. Classic Motorboat Rally Cardiff Yacht Club + Cardiff
Bay. 10am-4.20pm, free. Info 029 2087 2087. Like the event above, but in the water. Crafty Devil Brewing & Dusty Knuckle Pizza’s Wales v Ireland Rugby World Cup Warm Up The Printhaus, Canton, Cardiff. 10am. Info 029 2022 0349. Comprehensive, or at least long, event title. Dark Skies Evening With An Astronomer Dark Skies Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £20. Info 01874 749092. Drop-In Knotwork & Beadwork Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. £5 per session. Info 029 2048 4611. With Suzen Millodot every month. Essential Bike Maintenance Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £65. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Farmers’ Market Twyn Community Centre, Caerphilly. 9.30am, free. Info 01656 658963. Every second Saturday of the month. Football: Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City v Fulham Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 12pm. Info 0845 3451400. The football season is back and Cardiff, no doubt clad in their irreplaceable blue shirts, have the honour of kicking it off at midday. I will be getting drunk in Oxfordshire so will miss the heartwarming spectacle of their loyal fanbase sauntering past my kitchen window towards the irreplaceable Cardiff City stadium. Geekedfest Newport Centre. 11am-6pm, £10 adv/£18 both days/kids £4.50 per day/under5s free. Info info@geekedfest. com. Comics, sci-fi and memorabilia convention with special guests, interactive displays, Q&As etc. On tomorrow also. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Making Music From Junk National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Marina Market National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Meet The Muzzleloaders National History Museum, St Fagans. Free. Info 029 2057 3500. A demonstration of clay pigeon shooting. On tomorrow also. Mumbles Produce Market Seafront Car Park, Mumbles. 9am-1pm, free. Info 01792 361012. Every second Saturday of the month. Natural Living Expo National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. “Unblock your chakra, discover your birthstone, tally up your Tarot. It’s time to get holistically crystal mystical. And learn about alternative therapies etc.” If I didn’t know better I’d suggest the person writing the listings on the Garden’s website is a bit dubious about all this stuff. On tomorrow also. Newport Craft Fayre The Gallery, Newport Indoor Market. 9am-4.30pm, free. Info 01633 656656. Every second Saturday of the month.
*Owl Sanctuary Fundraiser Gwdihw, Cardiff. 1pm, free (donations welcomed). Info 029 2039 7933. Raisin funds for the sanctuary in Ebbw Vale, kids and adults alike are invited to meet some of the owls. I went to this last year, it was commendable. Pig Street Craft Fair The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10am4pm, free. Info enquiries@ pigstreetcrafts.co.uk. Selling original arts and crafts. Also on Sat 29. Red Kite Bash & Cider Cycle Various locations, Llanwrtyd Wells. Info 01591 610270. (Until Sun 9) Rugby Union: Dove Men Tests – Wales v Ireland Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. 2.30pm, £10-£50 adv. Info 0844 8471881. Spoken Word Saturday Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3pm. Info 0845 2263510. New event featuring everyone from rappers to traditional storytellers, on every second Saturday of the month this summer. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The One Love Movement – UK Gathering The Abacus, Cardiff. 10.30am-2pm, £12 adv. Info www.theabacusroom. wordpress.com. Three yoga classes form a day which is also a charity event in aid of homeless people in Cardiff, and youth in Nepal, Kenya, Uganda, and India. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) SUNDAY 9 7th Annual Summer Welsh Cider & Perry & Music Festival The Lion Inn, Monmouth. Info 01600 860322. Featuring an all-day open mic session. (Finishes today) Abergavenny Festival Of Cycling: The Grand Prix Of Wales Bailey Park, Abergavenny (starting point). Info 01873 840530. A 113-mile road race for Elite Riders, part of the British Cycling National Grand Prix series; includes two circuits of North Gwent and 10 laps of an Abergavenny town centre circuit. Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Breakin’ The Bay Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Geekedfest Newport Centre. 11am-6pm, £10 adv/£18 both days/kids £4.50 per day/under5s free. Info info@geekedfest. com. Meet The Muzzleloaders National History Museum, St Fagans. Free. Info 029 2057 3500. Natural Living Expo National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Red Kite Bash & Cider Cycle Various locations, Llanwrtyd Wells. Info 01591 610270. (Finishes today) Sheep Trekking Venue TBC,
Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Spirits Masterclass 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 6pm. Info 029 2022 8883. Giving you the chance to experience the breadth of one spirit, taking tasting notes, enjoy paired foods and learn the history of the drink with resident experts. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) MONDAY 10 Animation Extra! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am, 12.30pm + 2.30pm, £12 (£40 for four sessions). Info 029 2030 4400. Arts Award Workshops Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 10.30am-12.30pm, £40 (five days). Info 01267 222775. A week of summer art workshops led by artist Daniel Trivedy, at the end of which participants qualify for the Explore Award. (Until Fri 14) Bat Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.45pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3500. An after-dark journey around the Museum to find bats, also taking place on Wed 12, Mon 17, Wed 29 and Wed 26. Cardiff Rum Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2022 8883. A monthly get together of rum enthusiasts, connoisseurs and pirates is promised here. There’ll also be live music from Jamiee Summers and Junior Bill. Caught By The River: Fforest Midweek Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. £45/£22.50 kids. Info 01239 623633. Five days of literary niceness promising creative workshops in the day; talks, readings and musical adventures in the evening. Guests include Jeb Loy Nichols, Matt Sewell, Rob St John, Nina Lyon, Pete Fowler, Richard King, Kieran Evans, Emma Warren, Justin Robertson, James Endeacot, James Lynch, Jeff Barrett, Wales Arts Review, Will Burns, Robin Turner, Richard Hector-Jones, Bruno Vincent, The Heavenly Jukebox and Neil Thomson. (Until Fri 14) Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Facepainting Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Fun Fabric Jewellery Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Jazz Bus Various locations, Brecon Beacons National Park. £10/£5 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Brecon Jazz-related event where you can travel on a Routemaster double-decker and listen to some trad jazz. Joy Of Living Mindfulness Group Meeting Gaia Yoga Studio, Roath, Cardiff. 7.309pm, free (donations welcome). Info 07412 346054. On the second and fourth Monday of every month.
Jungle Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Create giraffes, elephants, snakes and birds with a range of colourful craft materials. (Until Sat 15) Medieval Monday Mystery Cosmeston Medieval Village , Barry Island. 9.45-11am. Info 029 2070 1678. Nature Activities National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3500. On tomorrow also, and Mon 17. Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Have a go on a replica 19th century rope making machine that twists long threads into twine. (Until Sun 16) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £45. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 13) Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. This week is for ages 12 and up, and will again feature a performance on the final day. (Until Fri 14) TUESDAY 11 A Dragon’s Tale – Puppet Show And Workshop St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £8.50. Info 01446 799100. On tomorrow also. Arts Award Workshops Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 10.30am-12.30pm, £40 (five days). Info 01267 222775. (Until Fri 14) Batik Pictures – Wax Resist & Fabric Dyes Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Birds Of Prey St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £5 adv. Info 01446 799100. Bushcraft: Making Cord Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am, £20. Info 01600 714595. Bushcraft: Tracking Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 2pm, £18. Info 01600 714595. Caught By The River: Fforest Midweek Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. £45/£22.50 kids. Info 01239 623633. (Until Fri 14) Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 14) Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Football: Capital One Cup – Cardiff City v Wimbledon Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 7.45pm. Info 0845 3451400. Go Wild At Porthkerry Porthkerry Country Park, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01446 733589.
events Jungle Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15) Music & War National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Drop-in craft session looking at music during WWI, also featuring a chance to make home-made instruments. I know you won’t be at home, ‘home-made’ is just a phrase now, it’s too late to save it. (Until Fri 14) Music Matters Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £1 entry. Info 029 2039 7933. Pop quiz, held every month. Nature Activities National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 16) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Film Activity Days: Dr Proctor’s Fart Powder Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am-3.30pm, £22. Info 029 2030 4400. Kids shouldn’t be allowed carte blanche to say the word fart. I wasn’t. Sunset Cinema: Back To The Future Milford Haven Marina. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre venue present a bunch of movie screenings in special locations, most days until Sat 22. The films themselves start at 9.30pm. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Tuesday Film Club The Riverfront, Newport. 9.30am2.30pm, £12. Info 01633 656757. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £45. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 13) Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Until Fri 14) WEDNESDAY 12 A Dragon’s Tale – Puppet Show And Workshop St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £8.50. Info 01446 799100. Arts Award Workshops Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 10.30am-12.30pm, £40 (five days). Info 01267 222775. (Until Fri 14) August Fun For Children: Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4611. Basic Weaving Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Bat Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.45pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3500. Casting With Clay Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 1-3pm, £5. Info 01267 222775. With Judith Rees. For ages 8 and up. Caught By The River: Fforest Midweek Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. £45/£22.50 kids. Info 01239 623633. (Until Fri 14)
Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 14) Cookstart Academy: Summer Desserts Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am-1pm, £50. Info 01443 222716. Part of Angela Gray’s Cookery School. For ages 10 and up. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Family Fun Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £1 per child. Info 029 2078 8334. Film Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-4pm, £30 (five sessions). Info 01633 656757. Friends Quiz Henry’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2022 4672. As in, a quiz about Friends, the 90s sitcom. There are a lot of these kind of things about suddenly. This one is raising money for the British Heart Foundation. Go Wild At The Heritage Coast Heritage Coast Centre, Southerndown. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01656 880157. Jungle Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15) Music & War National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Fri 14) Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 16) Scriveners Writers’ Group Royal Exchange, Brynmawr. 8pm. Info 01495 753629. Established group aiming to provide constructive criticism, help, advice and guidance to its members. Also on Wed 26. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Big Fat Summer Quiz National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 2pm, free. Info 01792 463980. The Magic Workshop St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £8.50. Info 01446 799100. With the Simon Sparkles Magic School. The Vale Of Glamorgan Agricultural Show Fonmon Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan. 8.30am-8pm, £3. Info vale. show@outlook.com. Featuring over 200 trade stands, a doug show, a poultry show and displays of cattle, sheep, horses, unicorns etc. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £45. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 13) What Ya Got? 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. New open mic night incorporating music, poetry, storytelling, comedy, cabaret etc. Also on Wed 26. Workshop: Fiction And The Imagination – A Sense Of Place And Space Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-1pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Hosted by Carly Holmes. Book in advance please.
Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Until Fri 14) THURSDAY 13 Arts Award Workshops Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 10.30am-12.30pm, £40 (five days). Info 01267 222775. (Until Fri 14) August Fun For Children: Printmaking Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4611. With Charlotte Kingston; suitable for ages 7-12. Also on Wed 19 and Thurs 27. Behind The Scenes Tour Cardiff Castle. 6pm, £12.50. Info 029 2087 8100. A closer look at some of the nooks, crannies and remarkable rooms in the house not normally open to the public. Caught By The River: Fforest Midweek Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. £45/£22.50 kids. Info 01239 623633. (Until Fri 14) Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 14) Cookstart Academy: Baking Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am-1pm, £50. Info 01443 222716. Part of Angela Gray’s Cookery School. For ages 10 and up. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Fabric Collages Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Go Wild At Cosmeston Rangers Office, Costmeston, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.4511.30am, £3. Info 029 2070 1678. Jungle Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15) Littl’ns Craft The Riverfront, Newport. 11am-1pm, £2.50. Info 01633 656757. Activity day for under-5s. Also on Thurs 27. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Medieval Banners And Flags St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 2pm, £8.50. Info 01446 799100. Workshop for ages 5+. Medieval Knights And Princesses St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am, £8.50. Info 01446 799100. Workshop for ages 5+. Music & War National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Fri 14) Quiz In My Pants The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, £2. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Pub quiz, also on Thurs 27. Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 16) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Sunset Cinema: Ghostbusters Picton Castle, Haverfordwest. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047
5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £45. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Finishes today) Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Until Fri 14) FRIDAY 14 Art Club Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10am-12pm, £5. Info 0844 8700887. Join tutor Becky for creative fun aimed at ages 5-11. Also on Fri 21 and Thurs 27. Arts Award Workshops Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 10.30am-12.30pm, £40 (five days). Info 01267 222775. (Finishes today) Basket Weaving Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am2pm, £6. Info 01792 652016. Workshop led by Louise Tucker. Caught By The River: Fforest Midweek Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. £45/£22.50 kids. Info 01239 623633. (Finishes today) Collaborations In Clay National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Finishes today) Customised Clothing Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321.
Dinky Dragons Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2078 8334. Family fun day for 0-5-yearolds. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Hedgehog Helper Morning Venue TBC, nr Builth Wells. £20. Info 01874 749092. Holiday Memory Family Drop-In Sessions Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Jungle Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15) Matilda: Musical Theatre Workshop Radyr Scout Hut, Cardiff. 1.30-3.30pm, £15. Info www.shinecreativearts. co.uk. Featuring a member of the professional cast of said musical. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 9pm, £12.50. Info 029 2057 3500. Music & War National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Finishes today) Pursestrings & Points National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Meet Tudor braid-makers and see the items they’re working on. On tomorrow also. Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 16)
Sessions The Riverfront, Newport. 7-11pm, free. Info 01633 656757. Monthly event featuring live performances and boutique stalls. Slip N Slide Aberdare Park. 10am-6pm, £6 per hour/£20 all day. Info 01970 210078. One of three confirmed Welsh dates (other towns are angling for some at the time of writing) for a company that carts 500 feet of plastic around the country and gets area men, women and children to slide down it. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Sunset Cinema: Malificent Carew Castle. 2pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. Youth Theatre Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-5pm, £45 (five days). Info 01633 656757. (Finishes today) Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £45. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 13) SATURDAY 15 Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029
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BUZZ 59
events
CASTLEFEST Weobley Castle, Swansea, Fri 21-Sun 23 Aug Tickets: £40-£50 adult weekend ticket / £30 under 16 weekend ticket / £20 day ticket / £30 day ticket (with camping) / £100 family weekend ticket / under-12s free. Info: www.castlefestuk.com Who needs an oversized muddy field when you can throw a festival in a castle that not only dates back to the 13th century, but also boasts picturesque views over the Gower marshlands? This appropriately named three-day festival returns to Weobley Castle with a lineup of local musicians such as pop-rock-meets-funk band Life In Cold Climates, Swansea rockers V0iD and folk trio The Raspberry Jam. The festival will have three different stages, all with their own unique selling points: the main stage will give you unrivalled views of south Wales’ Salt Marches, the Castle stage will be providing music from within the stunning castle’s walls, while the Secret stage gives you the excuse to explore because its location is, well, a secret!
2057 3500. Brecon Craft Fair Market Hall, Brecon. 9am-4.30pm. Info 01495 753782. Every third Saturday of the month. Craft Fair The 12 Knights, Margam, Port Talbot. 11am3pm. Info 01639 882381. Dark Skies Evening With An Astronomer Dark Skies Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £20. Info 01874 749092. Dr Joseph Parry: A Welshman Of Note National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 01792 463980. Talk by Colin Wheldon James. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Family Workshops: Light! National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Join the curators to discover amazing ways that plants and minerals interact with light. Football: Barclays Premier League – Swansea City v Newcastle United Liberty Stadium, Swansea. 3pm. Info 0870 400004. Grand Medieval Melee Cardiff Castle. 10am-5pm, £2-£6. Info 029 2087 8100. Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age as the knights gather for a magnificent medieval tournament – as indeed they do around this time each year. Introduction To Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-12.30pm, £30. Info 029 2048 4611. With Margo Schmidt. Jolly Totz Summer 2015 BUZZ 60
Pontardawe Arts Centre. 11am, £5/adults free. Info 01792 863722. family session of craft, storytelling, music and the chance to take part in the Pontardawe Festival Parade. Aimed at ages 3-8. Jungle Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) Kundalini Yoga & Gong Class New Hedges Village Hall, nr Tenby. 10am-1pm, £20. Info 07974 061674. Energise and relieve stress with kundalini yoga, meditation and mantra; then relax and heal with the sounds of the gong. Hosted by Bridget Cumming. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Meet The Postmistress National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. On tomorrow also. Mountain Biking: Epic Cymru Margam Country Park, Port Talbot (starting point). 12pm, free to spectate. Info 01639 881635. One of the largest mountain bike competitions in Wales, centred round Margam and the Afan Forest/ Afan Valley. Today is the Prologue, where the rider will be riding 8-10km; on the following four days it’ll be more like 50-80km. (Until Wed 19) Nantgarw Craft Fair Nantgarw China Works. 11am3pm, free. Info deb_0001@ hotmail.co.uk. Every third Saturday of the month.
Pirate Weekend National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Crafts and activities for kids. On tomorrow also. Pride Cymru 2015 Churchill Way + Coopers Field, Cardiff. 11.30am. Info 029 2087 2087. Featuring a parade from Churchill Way to Coopers Field, then the traditional jamboree in the park (having unwisely moved into the Millennium Stadium last year) featuring performances from Andrew Haydn-Smith, Alesha Dixon, Snap!, Lucy Spraggan, Katrina (minus her Waves), Lloyd Daniels, Charlie Healy, Hazell Dean, Jolene DoverMary Golds, HeatherMarie, Amanda Kelli, Kinetic and Cwtch. Pursestrings & Points National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Roller Derby: Neath Port Talbot v North Wales / Blackpool v Evolution Roller Girls Neath Sports Centre. 11am, £5 adv/£8 for three games. Info nptrollerderby@live.co.uk. Also features, in the morning, a coed game between Team Laser Shark and Team Dragon, comprised of players from all over the UK. Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 16) Rugby 7s: Singha Premiership Series Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff. 3.30pm, £10. Info 029 2030 2000. Slip N Slide Singleton Park, Swansea. 10am-7pm, £6 per
hour/£20 all day. Info 01970 210078. On tomorrow also. Spoon Carving & Campfire Cookout Day Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Talk At 2 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Textile Pattern Designing Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, £6. Info 01792 652016. Workshop led by Louise Tucker. The Enchanted Beach Victoria Park, Cadoxton, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 704737. The new Eastern Promenade will be transformed by huge illuminated digital pictures of Barry Island past and present. On tomorrow also. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Wales Tree Festival National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Tree rubbing, carving, turning, whittling, tre bug hunt, tree art and loads of family fun activities. On tomorrow also. Weber Grill Academy Essential Course Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am-2pm, £100. Info 01443 222716. Presented as part of Angela Gray’s Cookery School, this takes you through grilling, roasting, smoking and baking techniques. On tomorrow also. SUNDAY 16 Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Capoeira Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Monthly demos in the community garden over summer. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Life Drawing Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-5pm, £5. Info 01656 815995. Meet The Postmistress National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Mountain Biking: Epic Cymru Margam Country Park, Port Talbot (starting point). Free to spectate. Info 01639 881635. (Until Wed 19) Pirate Weekend National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Porthcawl Rock Club Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10am-12pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Different bands of children aged 7-16 years old will perform rock, blues, and pop songs by renowned bands and artists along with songs composed by themselves. Rope Machine National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Finishes today) Slip N Slide Singleton Park, Swansea. 10am-7pm, £6 per hour/£20 all day. Info 01970 210078. On tomorrow also. Star Tours Techniquest,
Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Enchanted Beach Victoria Park, Cadoxton, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 704737. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 2-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Wales Tree Festival National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Weber Grill Academy Essential Course Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am-2pm, £100. Info 01443 222716. MONDAY 17 Animation Extra! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am, 12.30pm + 2.30pm, £12 (£40 for four sessions). Info 029 2030 4400. Bat Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.45pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3500. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Facepainting Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Fun Fabric Fish Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Gwd Mondays Quiz Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Medieval Monday Mystery Cosmeston Medieval Village , Barry Island. 9.45-11am. Info 029 2070 1678. Mountain Biking: Epic Cymru Margam Country Park, Port Talbot (starting point). Free to spectate. Info 01639 881635. (Until Wed 19) Nature Activities National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Space World Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Create Martians, UFO’s, planets and stars from various materials. Holiday activity for kids. (Until Sat 22) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Write On Writers Morganstown Village Hall. 6.30-8.30pm. Info 07512 235758. TUESDAY 18 Bushcraft: Den Building Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 2pm, £20. Info 01600 714595. Bushcraft: Fire Making Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am, £20. Info 01600 714595. Go Wild At Porthkerry Porthkerry Country Park, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01446 733589. Mountain Biking: Epic Cymru Margam Country Park, Port Talbot (starting point). Free to spectate. Info 01639 881635. (Until Wed 19)
Ocean Collage Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show County Showground, Haverfordwest. 7.30am, £7-£17. Info 01437 764331. Wales’ largest agricultural county show features multiple arenas showcasing livestock, farming equipment etc, plus activities for all ages. (Until Thurs 20) Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Find out more about photography and have a go yourself. (Until Fri 21) Smallholding For Beginners Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 9.45am, £120. Info 01600 714595. Learn how to keep livestock etc. Space World Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 22) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Film Activity Days: Minions Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am3.30pm, £22. Info 029 2030 4400. Sunset Cinema: Grease Noble Court, Narberth. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Tea Dance Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-4pm, £4. Info 01656 815995. Tuesday Film Club The Riverfront, Newport. 9.30am2.30pm, £12. Info 01633 656757. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) WEDNESDAY 19 3D Turtle Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. August Fun For Children: Printmaking Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4611. Bat Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.45pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3500. Clay Sculptures Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 1-3pm, £5. Info 01267 222775. With Judith Rees. For ages 8 and up. Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) Family Fun Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £1 per child. Info 029 2078 8334. Film Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-4pm, £30 (five sessions). Info 01633 656757. Go Wild At The Heritage Coast Heritage Coast Centre, Southerndown. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01656 880157. Mountain Biking: Epic Cymru Margam Country Park, Port Talbot (starting point). Free to spectate. Info 01639 881635. (Finishes today) Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show County Showground, Haverfordwest.
events 7.30am, £7-£17. Info 01437 764331. (Until Thurs 20) Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 21) Sketching Outside To Make Art Inside Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free. Info 01792 652016. Take paper and pencils outside to record your observations of the Maritime Quarter. Learn how to handle basic materials to get high impact sketches. Space World Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 22) Spice Preview Night Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Info 07429 598414. A chance for you to go along and see what you might get out of this adventure, activity, sports and social group. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Storytelling: Creative Workshop For Children Parc Cwm Darren Amphitheatre, Blackwood. 2pm, £3. Info 01495 227206. Presented by Blackwood Miners Institute. Sunset Cinema: Moulin Rouge Stackpole Walled Gardens. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest,
Caerleon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3550. (Finishes today) Go Wild At Cosmeston Rangers Office, Costmeston, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.4511.30am, £3. Info 029 2070 1678. Herbivore 009: Picnic Kemi’s, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7pm, £23. Info simon@ theherbivore.co.uk. Four courses of the finest Welsh sumner fruit and vegetables. Book in advance please. Horrible History Stories: Perilous Pits National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 2.30, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 22) Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Midnight Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £14. Info 07538 878609. Also on Thurs 27 this month. Painting Techniques Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free. Info 01792 652016. Learn how to mix colours and control your brush to make a range of marks and get different effects with a variety of techniques. Painting Water & Waves Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633
Sat 22 and Sun 23 sees an Anime & Gaming Con come to Future Inn Cardiff. It's £8 to get in on day one, £7 on day two, and that brings you various tournaments, guests, performers and a cosplay contest. Not sure what participants will actually be contesting, that said. Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Big Fat Summer Quiz National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 2pm, free. Info 01792 463980. The Troll Quiz 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3. Info 029 2022 8883. Hosted by Jordan Brookes, this is a new quiz with no winners or losers. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Thurs 20) THURSDAY 20 August Fun For Children: Tie & Dye Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-12.30pm, £12. Info 029 2048 4611. Cardiff Balloon Fiesta Pontcana Fields, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info www.facebook.com/ balloonfiestacardiff. Not much info about this yet but if you like balloons, big ones with baskets to ride in that is, and being in Pontcanna Fields, then keep watching the skies. Carpenters Fellowship National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Traditional carpenty techniques from hewing to green oak framing, demonstrated at Cilewent Field. (Until Sun 23) Everyday Romans National Roman Legion Museum,
483321. Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show County Showground, Haverfordwest. 7.30am, £7-£17. Info 01437 764331. (Finishes today) Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 21) Pump Up The Volume Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £15/£12 members. Info 029 2048 4880. A techno-themed (as in, there'll be dance music playing while the competitions take place) series of events focusing on climbing volumes. You get a t-shirt and a bowl of chilli thrown in with the price. Rhyme & Reason Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Regular monthly event in which a range of people come together to exchange ideas, words and their favourite poems. Settle Into The Landscape – An Intimate Tour Of The Beacons Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Sunset Cinema: Notting Hill Stackpole Walled Gardens. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv.
Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Full Moon Against Humanity The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, £2. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Trailing The Romans National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Finishes todsy) FRIDAY 21 A Day Out With The RSPB Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01639 881635. Art Club Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10am-12pm, £5. Info 0844 8700887. Badminton: Para Championships Welsh Institute Of Sport, Cardiff. 12-10pm. Info 0300 3003124. (Until Sun 23) Carpenters Fellowship National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Sun 23) Ceramic Sharks Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Edge Festival Various venues, Solva, Pembrokeshire. 3pm, prices vary. Info www. edgefestival.co.uk. Literary/ art/music festival out west. Today features two walks with National Parks and the Darwin Trust; an address from Jon Gower; poetry from Peter Finch; comedy from Boyd Clack; live music from Solva’s most famous son (I think) Meic Stevens and a film show. (Until Mon 24) Elementary Didgeridoo Festival Baskerville Hall, Hay-On-Wye. £65 weekend/£25 kids 10-15/free under-10s. Info www.elementarydidgefest. co.uk. Three days of didgeridoo-themed music, workshops, performance and jamming. I was sarky about this when I listed it last year but my shining wit didn’t stop it happening again, so I’ll just list the performers. Main stage: Didge Tall Paul, Dead Eyes, Duncan McCorkindale, Yogev Haruvi and Daneal. (Until Sun 23) Holiday Memory Family Drop-In Sessions Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Horrible History Stories: Perilous Pits National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 2.30, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 22) Lecture: Nina Hamnett – Queen Of Bohemia Tenby Museum. 7pm, £5/£4. 01834 842809. By David Dando. Let’s Go Make A Kite Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, £6. Info 01792 652016. Workshop with Lucy Read. Merthyr Tydfil Craft Markets Castle St, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. Info 01685 725106. On tomorrow also. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 9pm, £12.50. Info 029 2057 3500. Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Alsol on from Tue 25-Fri 28. (Finishes today) Space World Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 22)
Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) So You Think You’re Smart? Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7pm, free. Info 01495 243252. Quiz night, every third Friday of the month. Summertime Ceilidh The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 7pm, £8/£4 early bird. Info 01497 821762. Sunset Cinema: The Blues Brothers Hilton Court, Roch, Haverfordwest. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. SATURDAY 22 Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Artisan Summer Market High Street, Barry. 10am-4pm, free. Info beautifullily@ outlook.com. Featuring a live band and owls among all the crafts. Attack! Pro Wrestling – Press Start 3 Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 029 2037 3144. Latest instalment for conceptual indy wrestling series. This one is themed around computer games somehow. Badminton: Para Championships Welsh Institute Of Sport, Cardiff. 12-10pm. Info 0300 3003124. (Until Sun 23) Cafe Collisions Wriuting Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 4.30-7pm, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Open writing workshop of exercises based around experiences of life, with MA creative writers. Spaces limited – email c2writers@gmail.com to reserve your place. Cardiff Anime & Gaming Con Future Inn, Cardiff, Cardiff. £8. Info www. cardiffanimecon.com. Featuring a cosplay contest, roleplay and board games, stalls, tournaments and lots of guests and performers. On tomorrow also. Carpenters Fellowship National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Sun 23) Chepstow Farmers’ Market Cormeilles Square, Chepstow. 8.30am-1pm, free. Info 01291 626370. Dark Skies Evening With An Astronomer Dark Skies Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £20. Info 01874 749092. Edge Festival Various venues, Solva, Pembrokeshire. 9am, prices vary. Info www. edgefestival.co.uk. Today features food stalls; an open water swim around Greenscar; cooking demos; boat trips; a Bob Dylan lecture by Anne Garside; a six-a-side tournament; a battle of the bands and more. (Until Mon 24) Elementary Didgeridoo Festival Baskerville Hall, Hay-On-Wye. £65 weekend/£25 kids 10-15/free under-10s. Info www.elementarydidgefest.co.uk. Main stage: Harry West, Karrsen & Jefferson, Olive Tree Dance and Soma. Outdoor Stage: Didgebeat George, Guimbal, Jonny Cope/ Steve Frost, Didge-beat with Turtle & Quinto, an African drumming troupe and a ska
band (both of those last two are TBC). (Until Sun 23) Football: Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 5.15pm. Info 0845 3451400. Hedgehog Helper Morning Venue TBC, nr Builth Wells. £20. Info 01874 749092. Horrible History Stories: Perilous Pits National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 2.30, free. Info 01792 463980. (Finishes today) Chris Needs Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01656 815995. Cuddly Welsh variety entertainer/radio personality. I haven’t done the thing for a while where I pretend to confuse him with punk hanger-on turned techno DJ Kris Needs, and thinking about it, I don’t feel like doing so now. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Llandrindod Wells 1940s Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. Today includes a VE and VJ Day Parade, Military Vehicle Display, Vintage Market, Best Dressed Competitions, U3A Singing Group and a 1940s Big Band Dance with the Hereford Big Band (£12 adv). On tomorrow also; precedes the Victorian Festival which runs from Mon 24-Fri 28, and a Steampunk Festival on Sat 29 and Sun 30. Llantwit Major Annual Flower And Vegetable Show Llantwit Major Leisure Centre. 8.30am-5pm. Info 01446 796551. Merthyr Tydfil Craft Markets Castle St, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. Info 01685 725106. National Vegetable Show: Welsh Championships National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. On tomorrow also. Romans v Celts National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £3/free under-3s. Info 029 2057 3550. Visit the respective camnps of these two warring factions and decide which one you like best, via doing activities at each. On tomorrow also. Sheep Trekking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Space World Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) Sport, Art And Play Weekender Various locations, Barry Island. 11am-4pm, free. Info 01446 704737. On tomorrow also. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Sunset Cinema: Dracula Pembroke Castle. 7pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info 01646 695267. Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Big Swansea Food & Drink Festival Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 10am. Info 01792 475715. On tomorrow also. SUNDAY 23 Absolutely Fabulous Vegetarian / Vegan / Health
& Fitness Fayre Paget Rooms, Penarth. 11am-2pm, £25 to set up a stall. Info 029 2070 0721. Art Cart National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Badminton: Para Championships Welsh Institute Of Sport, Cardiff. 12-10pm. Info 0300 3003124. (Finishes today) Cardiff Anime & Gaming Con Future Inn, Cardiff, Cardiff. £7. Info www. cardiffanimecon.com. Cardiff Geek Party Gwdihw, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Monthly gaming night focusing on retro consoles. Carpenters Fellowship National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Finishes today) Edge Festival Various venues, Solva, Pembrokeshire. 9am, prices vary. Info www. edgefestival.co.uk. Today features a treasure hunt; something called ‘literary surfing’; a talk about writing by Tom Allen; an open mic slot and a screening of Under Milk Wood introduced by Keith Allen. (Until Mon 24) Elementary Didgeridoo Festival Baskerville Hall, Hay-On-Wye. £65 weekend/£25 kids 10-15/free under-10s. Info www.elementarydidgefest.co.uk. Main stage: Mel Wright, Didgebeat George & Snowy, Steve Frost, Alchemist Wardrobe and a headliner TBC. Outdoor Stage: Blessem, Hand Karssen, Greenheart and some open mic slots. (Finishes today) Llandrindod Wells 1940s Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. Today includes a Community Street Party in Middleton Street, Sing Your Heart Out, Howey Hedgehog Rescue, Best Dressed Competitions, Pete Wayre, a 1940s Dance Party with GI Jive (£10 adv) and Fiona Harrison. M.A.D.E. From The Museum Art Trail National Museum & Gallery / M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 2-5pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. 2pm: join the Museum's Andrew Renton on a guided tour of works. The trail then goes from the Museum to assemble at M.A.D.E. at 4pm. National Vegetable Show: Welsh Championships National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Romans v Celts National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £3/free under-3s. Info 029 2057 3550. Sheep Trekking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Sport, Art And Play Weekender Various locations, Barry Island. 11am-4pm, free. Info 01446 704737. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) The Big Swansea Food & Drink Festival Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 10am. Info 01792 475715. Traditional Afternoon Tea Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2pm, £12 per person. Info 029 2087 7959. Taking place on various BUZZ 61
events dates all through the year. A minimum of two people need to book. Ultimate Bar Brawl Cocktail Competition 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. An industry-focused bartender competition aimed at bringing together the UK’s best bartenders and showcasing unique cocktail creations. MONDAY 24 Animation Extra! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am, 12.30pm + 2.30pm, £12 (£40 for four sessions). Info 029 2030 4400. Edge Festival Various venues, Solva, Pembrokeshire. 9am, prices vary. Info www. edgefestival.co.uk. Today features a Caws Crawl, in which you go to various pubs and identify different types of cheese; a National Parks walk featuring bushcraft; beach games and a food and folk night with the Quarto Folk Band. (Finishes today) Facepainting Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Female Directors Lab Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. Info 01446 738622. Five days of workshops aimed at aspiring female film directors. tracy@ffilmcymrywales.com has more info on this if yer curious. (Until Fri 28) Instructor Training Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £350 (four days). Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 27) Joy Of Living Mindfulness Group Meeting Gaia Yoga Studio, Roath, Cardiff. 7.309pm, free (donations welcome). Info 07412 346054. Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. (Until Fri 28) Medieval Monday Mystery Cosmeston Medieval Village , Barry Island. 9.45-11am. Info 029 2070 1678. Mini Beasts Card Game Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Dance Days Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 10am-4pm, £45 for three days. Info 01656 815995. Dance workshops for kids aged 7-14. (Until Wed 26) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Underwater Wonderland Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Final week of kids’ activities before school stops being out. Use your imagination to decorate mermaids, fishes, huge whales and sea creatures. (Until Sat 29) TUESDAY 25 Female Directors Lab Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. Info 01446 738622. (Until Fri 28) Giant Sunflowers Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Go Wild At Porthkerry BUZZ 62
Porthkerry Country Park, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01446 733589. Instructor Training Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £350 (four days). Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 27) Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. (Until Fri 28) Pembrokeshire Falconry National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Flying displays by birds of prey. On tomorrow also. Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 28) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Dance Days Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 10am4pm, £45 for three days. Info 01656 815995. (Until Wed 26) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Tuesday Film Club The Riverfront, Newport. 9.30am2.30pm, £12. Info 01633 656757. Underwater Wonderland Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) WEDNESDAY 26 August Fun For Children: Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4611. Bat Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.45pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3500. Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. Summer market special. (Until Mon 31) Card & Collage Bird House Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Elliecoptor Hoops Hula Hoop Class The Abacus, Cardiff. 7.30-8.30 + 8.309.30pm, £5. Info 07934 011061. Last Wednesday of every month. Family Fun Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £1 per child. Info 029 2078 8334. Female Directors Lab Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. Info 01446 738622. (Until Fri 28) Film Summer School The Riverfront, Newport. 1-4pm, £30 (five sessions). Info 01633 656757. Go Wild At The Heritage Coast Heritage Coast Centre, Southerndown. 9.45-11.30am, £3. Info 01656 880157. Instructor Training Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £350 (four days). Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 27) Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. (Until Fri 28) Natural History Family Lunchtime Talk National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. “Insects In Arabia”
by Dr Mike Wilson, Head of Entomology Section. Pembrokeshire Falconry National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 28) Scriveners Writers’ Group Royal Exchange, Brynmawr. 8pm. Info 01495 753629. Sheep Trekking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Silly Trophies Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen. 1-3pm, £5. Info 01267 222775. With Toby Downing. For ages 8 and up. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Dance Days Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 10am-4pm, £45 for three days. Info 01656 815995. (Finishes today) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Tea Dance Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 2pm, £5. Info 0845 2263510. The Big Fat Summer Quiz National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 2pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Underwater Wonderland Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) What Ya Got? 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. THURSDAY 27 Art Club Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10am-12pm, £5. Info 0844 8700887. August Fun For Children: Printmaking Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4611. Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Until Mon 31) Design Stuff 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Monthly talks about design by all types of creatives from the UK. Book tickets in advance please. Female Directors Lab Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. Info 01446 738622. (Until Fri 28) Go Wild At Cosmeston Rangers Office, Costmeston, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.4511.30am, £3. Info 029 2070 1678. Instructor Training Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £350 (four days). Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Finishes today) Landscape Drawing Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Littl’ns Craft The Riverfront, Newport. 11am-1pm, £2.50. Info 01633 656757. Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. (Until Fri 28) Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Midnight Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £14. Info
07538 878609. Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 28) Publishing And Performing Your Poetry Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Workshop hosted by Rhian Edwards. Book in advance please. Quiz In My Pants The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, £2. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Swansea Bay Beer & Cider Festival Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 5-11pm, £3/£3 CAMRA members. Info 01792 475715. Featuring 100 or so real ales and some 60 ciders and perries, plus live music and food. (Until Sat 29) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Taith Iaith National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Monthly session for Welsh learners. Underwater Wonderland Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) FRIDAY 28 Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Until Mon 31) *Cardiff Brewfest The Depot, Cardiff. 3-11pm, £5. Info www.cardiffbrewfest.co.uk. The beer festival that normally happens in the Motorpoint Arena didn’t go ahead this year, so Tiny Rebel have sort-of stepped in with this three-day special, featuring representation from over 25 UK craft brewers. (Until Sun 30) Ceramic Snails Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-3pm, £10.50/£8.50. Info 01633 483321. Female Directors Lab Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. Info 01446 738622. (Finishes today) Hedgerow Forage Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £15/£10. Info 01874 749092. With Adele Nozedar. A Good Day Out event. Holiday Memory Family Drop-In Sessions Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. (Finishes today) Pebble Pals National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Transform a plain pebble into a cute character. (Until Mon 31) Photography For Families National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Finishes today) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Beer Festival Old White Hart, Llantwit Major. 12-11pm. Info 01446 796809. Guest ales and ciders, live music and children’s entertainment. (Until Mon 31) Swansea Bay Beer & Cider Festival Brangwyn Hall,
Swansea. 12-11pm, £3/£3 CAMRA members. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 29) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Underwater Wonderland Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. SATURDAY 29 August Bank Holiday Weekend National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Multi-faceted events over three days. Today features the Quack Pack, Tenovus Choir and the Waterwheel Choir. (Until Mon 31) B G39, Cardiff. 12-6pm, free. Info 029 2047 3633. An active and social artist book and self publishing fair, in collaboration with Landfill Editions. Yes, it is just called ‘B’. Bogsnorkelling Triathlon Waen Rhyd bog, Llanwrtyd Wells. 11am. Info 01591 610270. Featuring an eightmile run followed by two lengths of the 60-yard peat bog trench and then a 12-mile mountain bike ride. Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Until Mon 31) Brecon Beacons Summer Fayre National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, nr Brecon. 5pm, free. Info 01874 623366. A celebration of Welsh food, drink, arts and crafts with over 70 stands. Cardiff Brewfest The Depot, Cardiff. 12-11pm, £5. Info www.cardiffbrewfest.co.uk. (Until Sun 30) Craft Fair St Mary’s Church, Swansea. 10.30am-4pm, free. Info ariancrafts@hotmail. co.uk. Foraging: A Wild Taste Of The Hedgerow Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am, £95. Info 01600 714595. With top forager Liz Knight. Grand Summer Ball Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01656 815995. Black tie affair with live music from the Ross Mitchell Band. Harp Summer School Taster Sessions Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 10am5pm, free. Info 01874 611622. Hour-long sessions presented by Glasbury Arts and preceding a concert here in the evening. International Bat Night Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01639 881635. Come and look for/ at bats; meet at the Orangery car park. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 8.30pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Llandrindod Wells Steampunk Weekend Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. Today includes entertainers on Temple Gardens including Topaz Tribal Bellydance; a Time Travelling Tea Tent; a Mardi Gras Competition and Parade; an Historic Vehicle Display at County Hall and a Steampunk Cabaret and Ball including Professor Elemental,
Oh! Carolina, Lauren Charlotte and The Hurricanes (£12 adv). On tomorrow also. Meet The Woodcarvers National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Mountain Bike Bogsnorkelling Waen Rhyd bog, Llanwrtyd Wells. 1pm. Info 01591 610270. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 9pm, £12.50. Info 029 2057 3500. Pebble Pals National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Mon 31) Pig Street Craft Fair The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10am4pm, free. Info enquiries@ pigstreetcrafts.co.uk. Sheep Trekking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Beer Festival Old White Hart, Llantwit Major. 12-11pm. Info 01446 796809. (Until Mon 31) Swansea Bay Beer & Cider Festival Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 12-11pm, £3/£3 CAMRA members. Info 01792 475715. (Finishes today) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Table Tennis: Top 10 Championships Welsh Institute Of Sport, Cardiff. 9am-6pm. Info 07754 525754. Talgarth Festival Various venues, Talgarth, Brecon. 12pm, free. Info www. talgarthfestival.org.uk. Twoday event in this small town, opened at midday by Welsh champion flyfishermen Paul and Patrick Sharman. This will be followed by a performance from Taiko Mynydd Du, with music and entertainment continuing all day. On tomorrow also. Talk At 2 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Underwater Wonderland Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) SUNDAY 30 August Bank Holiday Weekend National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Today features Jugglestruck, Quack Pack and Cor Caerfyrddin. (Until Mon 31) Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Until Mon 31) Butetown Carnival Family Fun Day Various locations, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info www. butetowncarnival.co.uk. Precursor to the Carnival itself, on tomorrow, this will feature The Butetown Mile Run, a costume procession, kids’ entertainments, live music, DJs and stalls. Cardiff Brewfest The Depot, Cardiff. 12-5pm, £5. Info www.cardiffbrewfest.co.uk. (Finishes today) Cardiff Harbour Festival / P1 Welsh Grand Prix Of The Sea Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2087 2087. Two days of aquatic motorsport plus, on dry land, it’s anchors aweigh
live music as a cornucopia of comedic characters bring maritime mayhem to the bay. I copied and pasted some of that text. On tomorrow also. Face Of The Globe – Welsh Final Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 10am. Info 0845 2263510. Showcase the talents of inspiring young women and girls from across Wales, they say. If you win, you get a trip to the UK final in London, and to Euro Disney. Food & Craft Market Llanyrafon Manor Cwmbran. 11am-3pm. Info 01633 648562. Football: Barclays Premier League – Swansea City v Manchester United Liberty Stadium, Swansea. 4pm. Info 0870 400004. Life Drawing Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-5pm, £5. Info 01656 815995. Llandrindod Wells Steampunk Weekend Various locations, Llandrindod Wells. Info 01597 823441. Today includes entertainers on Temple Gardens; the Time Travelling Tea Tent; Best Dressed Competitions; a Steampunk Market; Victorian Scruffs Dog Show; Suffragettes March; The Copperfield Ensemble; Torchlight Procession and Finale Fireworks. Pebble Pals National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Mon 31) Sheep Trekking – Day Walk Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Beer Festival Old White Hart, Llantwit Major. 12-11pm. Info 01446 796809. (Until Mon 31) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Talgarth Festival Various venues, Talgarth, Brecon. 12pm, free. Info www.talgarthfestival.org.uk. Today features The Village Quire at 7pm, a duck race, a dog show and fireworks at 9.15pm to close. Walk To Remember Cardiff Castle (starting point). 6.30pm. Info www.mariecurie. org.uk/walkcardiff. A 10k evening walk raising money to help people living with a terminal illness. World Bogsnorkelling Championships Waen Rhyd bog, Llanwrtyd Wells. 10am. Info 01591 610270. Annual event here in mid-Wales which attracts hundreds of participants. Interestingly, all the fastest competitors seem to be women. Might be an angle for an article in that, if yer inclined. MONDAY 31 August Bank Holiday Weekend National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire. Info 01558 667149. Today features Jugglestruck and Pembrokeshire Falconry. (Finishes today) Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Finishes today) Bushcraft & Survival Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £90. Info 01874 749092. Butetown Carnival 2015 Various locations, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info www.
butetowncarnival.co.uk. Featuring two stages of live music and community performers, plus soundsystems and DJs are planned. Cardiff Harbour Festival / P1 Welsh Grand Prix Of The Sea Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2087 2087. Cricket: IT20 – England v Australia Double Header SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. £10-£45. Info 029 2040 9380. Featuring a women's and men's match, in that order. See the boxout. Facepainting Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Gift & Craft Fair Margam Park Orangery. Port Talbot. £40 for a 12-foot table/£25 for a 6-foot table. Info 01639 881635. Hawk Walk Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £45. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out event. Pebble Pals National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Finishes today) Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31) Summer Beer Festival Old White Hart, Llantwit Major. 12-11pm. Info 01446 796809. (Finishes today) Switched On Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Mon 31)
live SATURDAY 1 ACAB + James Kennedy The Yard, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. Band Pres Llareggub Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 1.15pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Blacktop Deluxe New Panteg Rugby Club, New Inn, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £7/£5 members. Info 01633 483238. A Borough Blues Club gig. Chaos Trigger + Piss Viper + The Dweller + Scarsun + SimthGrind The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. China Crisis + RedRacer Blestium Carpark, Monmouth. 8pm, free. Info info@ monmouthfestival.co.uk. Final event of the Monmouth Festival, headlined by 80s pop survivors. There’ll be a fireworks display after them, too. Hamptons 10th Birthday Party Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £36. Info 029 2070 5391. Featuring a fivecourse meal and music from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a female duo who perform songs from the 1940s onwards. Island Rocks Eastern Shelter, Barry Island. 12pm, free. Info 01446 704737. Featuring (over two days) Whisky Lies, The Strip Lights, The Underdogs, Outback and more. On tomorrow also. Midnight Hour The Patriot, Crumlin. 7.30pm, free. Info 01495 247178. Mostly Autumn The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info theglobevenue@gmail.com. British prog rock band. Musicfest: Evening Concert Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £13-£15. Info 01970 623232. Featuring the Orion Orchestra.
The final event of 2015’s Musicfest, which began in late July. Musicfest: Foyer Fringe Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.15pm. Info 01970 623232. Musicfest: Showcase Concert Round Studio, Aberystwyth. 9am, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm + 6pm. Info 01970 623232. National Youth Orchestra Of Wales St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14. Info 029 2087 8444. Conducted by Paul Daniel CBE. National Youth Orchestra Of Wales Young Composers St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5. Info 029 2087 8444. Lunchtime concert in which the young composers will be performing their own music. Not covers. [you get angry and start shouting that I called classical recitals ‘covers’] Not Since The Accident + This System Kills + Pipedream + Cosmo The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Headliners are launching an album. Raul Speek Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 07818 056599. Cuban music. Rhondda Rocks Morgans Bar, Tonypandy. 7pm, £3 adv. Info sadye-baker@hotmail. co.uk. Featuring three stages of live music: Soviets, Lost At Sea, My Name Is Ian, Denim Snakes, Olivia & The Saint and Love Bazaar (main stage); Geraint Rhys And The Lost Generation, Kinky Boots Band, Local Enemy, The Adventures of Bert & Henry, HOMES and Hierarchy (Lounge Bar Stage) Michael Bush, Evan Gardner plus a number of open mic slots (get in touch, free entry to the festival for a 10 minute slot) (outdoor acoustic terrace). Superchango Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Thank You For The Music Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £21.50/£20.50. Info 01656 815995. A tribute to both Abba and the Bee Gees. “Probably cheaper than going to see two separate tribute bands” – Martin Lewis, moneysavingexpert.com The Gillettes Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. *Violent Arrest + Rash Decision + Grand Collapse + Pizzatramp Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £5. Info 01633 221477. Punk and hardcore bands, presented by Artcore. Violent Arrest are seasoned HC professionals (not literally) and have released some fine fare. We//Are//Animal + Estrons + Scary Shoes Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£6 adv. Info 029 2023 9253. SUNDAY 2 Electric Soul Duo The Yard, Cardiff. 1-4pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. A Lazy Jazz Sunday afternoon gig, of which one takes place here each week (apart from Sun 30). Glitter Trash + Hobgoblin + Trigger McPoopshute The Dolls House, Abertillery. 4pm, free. Info 01495 213300. First in a planned series of gigs here in conjunction with Uber Rock. Headliners are a Stoogian garage rock affair from Detroit. Island Rocks Eastern Shelter, Barry Island. 12pm,
free. Info 01446 704737. Mayfield The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Red Tongue Dogs + Them Dead Beats Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4. Info 029 2039 7933. EP launch gig for headliners. The Stick Figures + Kría Undertone, Cardiff. 8pm, £5/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Welsh Chamber Orchestra Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30-10pm, £10/£5 kids. Info 01239 841387. MONDAY 3 Creeper + Giants + Weatherstate Undertone, Cardiff. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Southampton punk band headline. They appear to be signed to Roadrunner Records. De Temps Antan Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £15/£13. Info 01873 850805. Quebecois folk band. Donnie Joe’s American Swing Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £3/£2.50. Info 029 2038 7026. Grown Up Music The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Jam session presented by Pi & Hash. Husky Tones + Toriah Fontaine & Ric Rython + Bella Collins & Gareth Evans 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Playing this month’s edition of the Monday Blues night. Jazz Nights Noah’s Yard,
Orchestra Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Every Tuesday. Covet + Halfsleep + Amy Grindhouse Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £3. Info 01633 221477. Bands from what is referred to here as “the math scene”. Mordred Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £12 adv. Info mail@ givemefuel.co.uk. A band who were around in the late 80s/ early 90s and preempted rapmetal, for which we are all truly thankful. Two’s Company Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Vocal Master Class with Erin Dickens + Monthly Jazz Jam Session Jazzland, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 07802 912789. Class first, then jam. WEDNESDAY 5 Acoustic Open Mic Night Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, free. Info 01685 384111. Aled Rheon + Ofelia + 4Brothers + Jindalee Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2039 7933. A Folk In The Owl’s Nest night. Bandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.”
It was afforded a paragraph in last month's Music News Extra, but its charitable nature bears repeating: influential early 80s postpunkers Young Marble Giants, who reformed in the late 00s, play a rare hometown show in Cardiff's Globe venue on Thurs 6. Proceeds go to Grassroots on Charles Street, as it's having its funding slashed. Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Here every Monday with acts currently TBC. Live Original Broadcasts The Brewhouse, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 9913. Presented by Big Scott Radio, here every Monday. Phil Campbell’s All Starr Band + Fireroad + The Mojo Sinners Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Hard rock a go go with Mötorhead guitarist’s sideproject in the headline slot. Ukulele Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Monday. TUESDAY 4 Acoustic Tuesday South Riverside Community Development Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers. Capital City Jazz
Brightr + Veto The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Erin Dickens with The Dave Cottle Trio Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10/£7 members. Info 07802 912789. For The Record 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. A new monthly evening aimed at local musicians who want to have their set professionally recorded. Newport City Jazz & Swing Band with Ian Phillips Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. South Wales Big Band Society gig. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Wednesday. Open Mic Night The North Star, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2062 4050. Hosted by Sion Rees. THURSDAY 6 All To Ruin + The NX The
Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Interstellar Emily Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07818 056599. Tribute to early Pink Floyd, also a precursor to the 13th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus weekender which is here this... weekend. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Outback. Long Limbs + Tree Of Wolves + Pjaro Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2039 7933. Presented by Juxtaposed and Xpress Radio. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. Every Thursday except when there’s a guest on. The Broadcasts + Carl Finlay Missoula, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2037 1315. Tibet The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. *Young Marble Giants + The Irascibles + Headfall The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15/£12 adv. Info theglobevenue@gmail. com. This is a benefit gig for Grassroots, which crowdfunded the target it was going for to keep it ticking over in the face of likely layoffs. More money is always useful though, and this lineup – featuring three bands with historical ties to Grassroots – is very useful too. Guto Pruce (Super Furries and Gulp) DJs. FRIDAY 7 ACAB Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Aidan Thorne & Paul Jones Duo Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Albatross Archive Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. First of two Chapter Live gigs this month (the other being on Fri 21), presented by Jealous Lovers Club. Aubrey Parsons Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Bella Collins Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Acoustic set on the roof terrace, one of which takes place every Friday this month. Cakehole Presley The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Catching Kate The Yard, Cardiff. 10.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. Chris Summerill Band Old Cross Inn, Llanrumney, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2065 0021. Forrest + Pipedream Le Pub, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 221477. Album release show for Forrest. Joseph & Maya + Remembering August + Gildas Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Junior Jazz Brecon Guildhall. 7pm, £12.50. Info 01874 611622. One of several Brecon Jazz events this evening, and indeed the numbers will only increase on Sat 8 and Sun 9. See Upfront for more, and www.breconjazz.com for full descriptions etc. Kaya Festival Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. BUZZ 63
live music 11am, £40/£120 weekend/ under-16s free. Info www. kayafestival.com. World music type affair over three days. Today we have sets from The Turbans, Kibir La Amlak, The Bleedin’ Noses, Disco Panther, DJ Toots, Whiskey Lies, Fire Fences, Inc.A, Stop Drop Robot, 27 Cobalt, Blue Horizon, Easter Before Christmas, Evil Turkeys, The Beerers, Mumbleman, Calling All Heroes, Fingertrap, Cafe Society Jazz, Moonshine, Shelter, Jack Ellis, Tom Fitton, Harri Davies, Worried For Willis, Minnesota Module, Dave Berry Big Band, Nick Ward and Dan Williams. (Until Sun 9) Kenny Barron Dave Holland Duo Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 5.30pm, £25. Info 01874 611622. Left Side Neutral + The Money Shot The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Charity covers night in aid of St David’s Foundation Hospice Care. Live Acoustic Night The Pilot, Penarth. Free. Info 029 2071 0615. On the first Friday of each month. Manalishi Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. Nia Lynn’s Bannau Trio Brecon Cathedral. 5.45pm, £15. Info 01874 611622. Nineteen Fifty Eight + Young Calypso + Matthew Wilson Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info www. hobosmusicvenue.com. Queen II Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 07512 237983. Queen tribute band. Ray Davies Market Hall, Brecon. 8.30pm, £37.50. Info 01874 611622. Roy Forbes The Open Hearth, Sebastopol, Pontypool.
8.30pm, free. Info 01495 763752. August’s edition of the monthly jazz nights here. Vocalist Forbes is backed by Graham Dent, Dick Hamer, Ashley John Long and Martin Fisher. Tenovus Choir Concert Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 1pm, £6. Info 01633 868239. Taking place in the Theatre Lounge. The 13th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus Cellar Bar & Art Gallery, Cardigan. £60/£45 adv. Info 07818 056599. Three days of far-out psychedelic rock rambling and rumblings, with these acts (running order TBC): The Bevis Frond, Astralasia, Sendelica, Soft Hearted Scientists, Schnauser, The Luck Of Eden Hall, Earthling Society, Superfjord, Honey Pot, Spurious Transients, Legendary Flower Punk, Steve Kelly, Sendelica Acoustica, Paradise 9, Jack Ellister, DJ Wally Stagg and probably more TBC. See Music. (Until Sun 9) The Brotherhood feat. Taylor Henry’s, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 4672. First of the weekly Friday gigs at this bar during August. The Scribes Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Rap collective. The Sneak Eazies The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. V0id The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 7.30pm. Info 07969 671379. South Wales hard rock band who have an album out this month. Winstone / Gesing / Venier Brecon Cathedral. 8.30pm, £37.50. Info 01874 611622. World Wide Wales: Wales Meets Brazil Christ College, Brecon. 8.45pm, £15. Info 01874 611622. Yak + Houdini Dax + Zefur Wolves + Winter
live review FLOSSY AND BOO’S CURIOSITY SHOP Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tue 21 July
Villains + Lux Aeterna Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. SATURDAY 8 27 Cobalt + The Frights + Idiotbox + Sling-Shot The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01267 231012. Cameron Comey memorial and benefit gig. Adreano Adewale Elim Church, Brecon. 1 + 4pm, free. Info 01874 611622. Show aimed at kids subtitled Catapluf’s Musical Journey. Book in advance please. Arcade: Past & Present Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Brecon Jam Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 10.30pm, £5. Info 01874 611622. Courtney Pine & Zoe Rahman Brecon Cathedral. 9pm, £22.50. Info 01874 611622. Denim Snakes + Jack Ellis Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Dr John: Spirit Of Satch Market Hall, Brecon. 8.30pm, £37.50. Info 01874 611622. Performing his special Louis Armstrong set. En Masse Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2039 7933. Playing as part of the Fat City night. GoGo Penguin Christ College, Brecon. 7.45pm, £17.50. Info 01874 611622. HON Christ College, Brecon. 7.45pm, £12.50. Info 01874 611622. Hot Club Celtic Swing Coffee Cove, Friars Road, Barry Island. 3-5pm, free (donations welcomed). Info 01446 677071. Jazz. Huw Warren Brecon Cathedral. 5pm, £12.50. Info 01874 611622. Jon Langford And His Men Of Gwent The Dragonffli,
Pontypool. 6pm, £5. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Ex-Mekons member and longstanding ambassador for the county in question. Julian Argüelles Tetra Brecon Cathedral. 1.30pm, £16.50. Info 01874 611622. Kaya Festival Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. 11am, £50/£120 weekend/ under-16s free. Info www. kayafestival.com. Today features Norman Jay, The Brand New Heavies, South African All Stars, Siyaya Band, Viramundo Brazil, Guajiro Calentano, The Scribes, Afro Cluster, Arhai, Jon Sterckx, Samba Tawe, Lucan Mills, Benj And Benji, Roughion, Big Chief Yella Teeth, Dani Jones, Retro Skeptix, Urband Soul, Juju Nations, Dub Marta, Millie Manders, Far North, Celloman String Trio, Josh Savage, Jamie Willetts, Comino, The Cogs, Paul Edwards, Evan Graham, Kizomba African Party, DJ Sean Drew, The Stirs, Devout Sceptics, Scott Morgan, Emlyn Hinton, Alero, Bollywood Band and Explosive Nzakomba. (Until Sun 9) Leighton Jones Band + Tim Cronin The Yard, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. Neil Cowley Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1pm, £18.50. Info 01874 611622. Presenting his The Other Side Of Dudley Moore set. Partisans Brecon Guildhall. 7.15pm, £15. Info 01874 611622. Not to be confused with the Garry Bushellendorsed punk band from the Welsh valleys. Pigfoot Brecon Guildhall. 4.50pm, £15. Info 01874 611622. Quitesnake + No Glory The Patriot, Crumlin. 7.30pm. Info 01495 247178. Whitesnake
tribute band headline. They’re also in Porth on Fri 28. RWCMD Presents Brecon Guildhall. 12.30pm, £10. Info 01874 611622. Scott Hamilton Quartet Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 5pm, £20. Info 01874 611622. Ska Nerfs The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Soul Lotta Funk Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. *Taraf De Haidouks Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 9pm, £22.50. Info 01874 611622. In this reporter’s opinion these guys are the best thing at Brecon Jazz this year. The 13th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus Cellar Bar & Art Gallery, Cardigan. £60/£45 adv. Info 07818 056599. (Until Sun 9) Timo Lassy Band Christ College, Brecon. 4.45pm, £15. Info 01874 611622. *Wasted + Broken Cogs + Square Peg Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, free. Info 01633 221477. Artcore's second gig of August is a delightfully fee-less punk show headlined by Finland's Wasted. SUNDAY 9 Andrea Motis & Joan Chamorro Brecon Cathedral. 1pm, £16. Info 01874 611622. Bangers + Deadlines + Honey Pot Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01633 221477. Melodic punk jollity. Capital City Jazz Orchestra Christ College, Brecon. 12pm, £12.50. Info 01874 611622. Deirdre Cartwright Band & Friends Brecon Guildhall. 5.45pm, £12. Info 01874 611622. Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1pm, £20. Info 01874 611622.
Jazz Festival Service Brecon Cathedral. 10am, free. Info 01874 611622. Julia Biel Brecon Cathedral. 8.30pm, £17.50. Info 01874 611622. Kaya Festival Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. 11am, £50/£120 weekend/ under-16s free. Info www. kayafestival.com. Today features Mykal Rose, The Skints, Hollie Cook, Lionstar, Jeremiah Ferrari, Captain Accident & The Disasters, Legend, Arhai, Future Dub Orchestra, Bare Jams, Mutant Vinyl, Rave Against Racism, Canute Funk, Kaya Street, Junior Bill And The Scallies, Cultural Dub Orchestra, A Band Apart, Albatross Archive, Malika Roots, In By Ones, The Ollie West Band, DJ Field Marshall, Smitha, Sian Richards, The Guitarist And The Girl, Billy Bottle & Martine, Scott Howells, Hounds Of Justice, Paperboy, Barefoot Bandit, Alero, With Best Intentions, Frack, Johnny Trashed and a Debate Session (I assume this isn’t the name of a band). (Finishes today) Kill The Ideal + We Are Carnivores The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Lockerhouse + The Subjunctive Mood + The Cradles Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £5/£4. Info 029 2039 7933. Gig to support one Kate Hilliard’s forthcoming charity work in India. Major Swing with Remi Harris Brecon Guildhall. 12pm, £14. Info 01874 611622. Martin Taylor Brecon Guildhall. 3pm, £18. Info 01874 611622. Phronesis Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 6pm, £17.50. Info 01874 611622. Robert Glasper Trio Market Hall, Brecon. 8.30pm, £25.
The audience at Chapter was treated to a charming performance by the eponymous Flossy and Boo, who took us on a whimsical journey into the bizarre and wonderful world of their curiosity shop. Mixing and chatting with the audience beforehand created a relaxed atmosphere for the show to come, directly addressing the audience through skits, songs and interaction. There was a jovial ambiance throughout the show, as Flossy and Boo introduced us to a range of characters both grotesque and comic. Their ‘curiosity shop’ was an Aladdin’s cave of props, each with their own particular story, which was chosen by an audience member pulling it out of a hat. Flossy and Boo ingeniously bring to life the story of the chosen prop, often through songs played on ukuleles, whilst playing a host of characters with great comic timing and imagination. Despite the apparent simplicity of the format, this is a cleverly put together piece of theatre, knowingly drawing on popular story telling traditions like cabaret and music hall with a touch of the Goon Show’s menagerie of weird, with characters like Kevin the worm and Aunt Theodora with her assistant Bertrand. There is a sense that Flossy and Boo are still fine tuning some of the material, but the interaction with the audience was very nicely done, judged perfectly to cause the least embarrassment and picking their chosen targets very carefully. How they get on with a less receptive audience will be a challenge, and my guess is that they will end up being particularly popular with families and kids. Beautifully played by Anja Conti as Flossy and Laura Jeffs as Boo, the couple are delightful additions to the south Wales entertainment scene. They are taking the show to Edinburgh this summer, and here’s hoping they get the support they thoroughly deserve. words ALEX WREN
JUST ANNOUNCED FOR SEPTEMBER: JESSE MALIN (Clwb Ifor Bach, Sun 13) OMAR (The Globe, Fri 25) NO JOY (Clwb Ifor Bach, Tue 29) JUST ANNOUNCED FOR OCTOBER: LEFTFIELD (Cardiff University Students Union, Thurs 1) MALLORY KNOX (Cardiff University, Sun 4) BOYCE AVENUE (Cardiff University, Sun 11) BRUCE COCKBURN (The Gate, BUZZ 64
live music Info 01874 611622. Scott Morgan The Yard, Cardiff. 1-4pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. Songs For Quintet Brecon Cathedral. 4.30pm, £17.50. Info 01874 611622. Featuring Stan Sulzmann, John Parricelli, Chris Laurence, Martin France and Gwilym Simcock. Sons Of Kemet Christ College, Brecon. 3.15pm, £18. Info 01874 611622. The 13th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus Cellar Bar & Art Gallery, Cardigan. £60/£45 adv. Info 07818 056599. (Finishes today) The Gareth Williamsd Power Trio Elim Church, Brecon. 5pm, £12.50. Info 01874 611622. Touche Amore + Loma Prieta + Dangers + New Moon The Globe, Cardiff. 1.30-7pm, £15/£12.50 adv. Info theglobevenue@gmail. com. Presented by GB Live; American post-hardcore band headline. We’re No Heroes + Tree Of Wolves + Nanook Of The North + Hehfu Dempseys, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info 029 2023 9253. August’s edition of the monthly Fizzi Sundays here. MONDAY 10 Jazz Nights Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live Original Broadcasts The Brewhouse, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 9913. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus + Bet Me I’m Lying + The Effect + Static Fires The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm., £10 adv. Info 07730 432166. Toriah Fontaine Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £3/£2.50. Info 029 2038 7026. Ukulele Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. TUESDAY 11 Bear Bones The Vic, Mumbles, Swansea. Info 07704 373787. The Memphis Six Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Wonderbrass Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. WEDNESDAY 12 Constellation Big Band Jazzland, Swansea. 8.3011pm, £10/£7 members. Info 07802 912789. Easy Street LookOut Cafe, Cardiff Bay. 8.30pm. Info 07974 363211. Jazz. Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. Gwd Jams Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3. Info 029 2039 7933. New monthly jam session. John Foley’s All That Jaz Band Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. South Wales Big Band Society gig. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446
733863. Sax For Fun! Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 1.15pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. *Two White Cranes + Squeakeasy The Abacus, Cardiff. 7pm. Info www. theabacusroom.wordpress. com. The Joy Collective present a gig in the upstaits bit of this venue. Two White Cranes is a solo project by one of the two new vocalists in Joanna Gruesome. THURSDAY 13 Beth Goudie + Chloe Cooke Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4. Info 029 2039 7933. Cardiff Folk Club Dempseys, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2023 9253. Henry Marten’s Ghost The City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2022 5258. Izzy Pinder Missoula, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2037 1315. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Low Profile. Mass Collective Porter’s, Cardiff. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. Open Mic Night The Open Hearth, Sebastopol, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 763752. This month’s edition of the Open Hearth Acoustic night, on the second Thursday of every month. The Green Gathering Piercefield Park, Chepstow. £100/£54 kids/under-11s free (four days). Info www. greengathering.org.uk. Music, speakers, poetry and films with an ethical, organic and holistic bent, over four days. Lineup to include (running order TBC): Martha Tilston, The Undercover Hippy, Seize The Day, Radical Dance Faction, AOS3, Kangaroo Moon, Roving Crows, The Don Bradmans, Krankschaft, Formidable Vegetable Sound System, Tallulah Rendall, Ma Polaine’s Great Decline, King Driscolls, Jabba Cartel, Will Tun & the Wasters, Suzy Condrad, Jon Sterckx, Heg And The Wolf Chorus, Smiley & The Underclass, Lounge Cat Ideals, Jenova Collective, Mango Factory, Jake And The Jellyfish, Arhai, Swampgrass, The High Breed, Dubtone, Regime, Tattsyrup, Harbottle And Jonas, Nigel Shaw & Carolyn Hillyer, Emma Black, Forleigh, Dapper Cadavers, Adam Scriven, Catrin O’Neill, Darbukabeat, Fuzzy Nautilus, Bob Hilary And The Massive Mellow, October, Perkelt, The Wierdstring Band, Jack Ellis Music, Tori Reed, Bob Gallie, Tracey Curtis, Echotown, Sika, Lee McCrory, Ula Blocksage, Little Sparrow, Holly Ebony, The Face, Joe Yorke, John Preston Tribute Band, Juliette Bell, Paddy Garrigan, Apple Rabbits, Jade Hamzelou, Satori Vibes, Sentient, Iza Moon, Jazz Gnome Assassins, Marginalia, Vamanos, Ukejam and more TBC. (Until Sun 16) *The Green Man Festival
Glanusk Park Estate, Brecon Beacons. £165 weekend/£140 NUS/£100 13-17-year-olds/£15 5-12-year-olds/under-5s free with a ticket. Info info@ thegreenmanfestival.co.uk. Fun at this very much sold out festival for those who turned up early, with sets from Leftfield, Palace, Bill Ryder Jones, Boxed In, Stealing Sheep, Sweet Baboo, Hunck and a special guest TBC. (Until Sun 16) FRIDAY 14 Blackheart Merthyr Cynog Community Hall, Brecon. 7.30pm. Info 01874 690277. Folk singers. Calan + Pretend Poets Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 01792 863722. Part of the Pontardawe Festival. Caught By The River: River’s Edge Weekend Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. 2pm, £15/£7.50 kids. Info 01239 623633. Featuring live sets over two days from Carw, Castles, Colorama, Cpt Smith, Eaves, Folklore Tapes, Gwenno, H. Hawkline, Jeb Loy Nichols, Meilyr Jones, Stealing Sheep, Trwbador, Ysgol Sul and Zefur Wolves. Plus talks, readings and conversation, presented by Wales Arts Review and Caught By The River: Carly Holmes, Craig Austin, Cynan Jones, Gary Raymond, Gavin Goodwin, Jo Mazelis, John Lavin, Katharine Norbury, Ros Hudis, Miriam Darlington, Niall Griffiths, Nina Lyon, Richard King and Steph Power. On tomorrow also. Goldbringer + Between Waves Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info www. hobosmusicvenue.com. Half Deaf Clatch Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 07818 056599. Homes + Parcs + Fur Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 029 2023 9253. Nice short names here, saving wear and tear on my precious keyboard keys. Jack Perrett Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Acoustic set on the roof terrace. Jenny Walker & Rhiannon Pritchard Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Jocelyn Freeman Piano Trio Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8-10.45pm, £10/£5 kids. Info 01239 841387. Klaviola Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1-2pm, free. Info 01656 815995. Violin and piano duo. Limehouse Lizzy Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 01446 738622. One For The Road Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Retrospect Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Rule The World Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. Take That tribute band. Sir Paul – The Tribute Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 029 2070 0721. Tribute to McCartney, which some would suggest is
PETER BRODERICK Dempseys, Cardiff, Sat 15 Aug Tickets: £12. Info: 029 2023 9253 A young-looking 28-year-old who, appearance-wise, also resembles Gareth Bale if he was a David Lynch character, Peter Broderick has been performing and releasing music since his late teens. The Oregonian has established a prodigious workrate, too: a multi-instrumentalist, he’s done session work for all manner of rustic indie sorts, and was a member of Danish group Efterklang for a while. His own releases vary in accessibility, sometimes low-key and experimental in their approach but, on other occasions, essentially classic pop. Latest album Colours Of The Night, which came out a few months ago, tends towards the latter mode, but is a sombre listen comparable to, say, Smog. Booked for the Green Man festival, he’ll be making the short journey to Cardiff for one evening at the invitation of promoters Fizzi.
presumptuously named when he is actually the third Sir Paul to come up in Google autocomplete. Solarsphere Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells. 12pm, £45 adv/£20 age 14-16/free under14s. Info office@solarsphere. events. A brave attempt to combine live music and astronomy over three days. Today features sets from Alien Stash Tin, Electric Cake Salad, The Noses and Justin Sullivan from New Model Army. Plus a Tour Of The Universe from Neil Phillipson, dusk-to-dawn astronomical observing and a planetarium. (Until Sun 16) The 4th Kind Salt, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, free. Info 029 2049 4375. The Dweller + Oceans Apart + Arlington Heights + Jaws Of The Guillotine + Disrupt The Continuum Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £4/£6 both days. Info 01495 708022. First of two five-band bills this weekend (on tomorrow also), self-described as “metal as f**k”. The Eggmen Old Cross Inn, Llanrumney, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2065 0021. The Fugitives Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. The Green Gathering Piercefield Park, Chepstow. £100/£54 kids/under-11s free (four days). Info www.
greengathering.org.uk. (Until Sun 16) The Green Man Festival Glanusk Park Estate, Brecon Beacons. £165 weekend/£140 NUS/£100 13-17-year-olds/£15 5-12-year-olds/under-5s free with a ticket. Info info@ thegreenmanfestival.co.uk. Annoyingly, I’ve not had the full stage-by-stage breakdowns yet, but here’s as many people playing as I can find. Main stage, second stage and Casey & Ewan’s Cinema Tent: The 2 Bears, Alex Burey, Alisdair Roberts, All We Are, Anna B Savage, Antlers, Atomic Bomb! Who Is William Onyeabor? (this is on tonight), Aurora, BC Camplight, Beyond The Wizards Sleeve, Birth Of Joy, Black Yaya, Bombs, Briana Marela, Duncan, Calexico, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Cocos Lovers, Colorama, Courtney Barnett, Dan Deacon, Darren Hanlon, Declan McKenna, Dizraeli And The Small Gods, The Drink, Emily Davies, Emmy The Great, The Fall, Father John Misty, Feeling Gloomy, Fight The Bear, Fingathing, Georgia Ruth, Gindrinker, Goat, Gringo Ska, Gulp, Gwenno, Gypsies Of Bohemia, H.Hawkline, Hannah Lou Clark, Heavenly Jukebox, Hookworms, Hooton Tennis Club, Hot Chip (tonight’s main stage headliners), Huw Stephens,
Jamie XX, Jane Weaver, Joe Pug, Jungle By Night, Kiran Leonard, LandShapes, The Left Outsides, The Leisure Society, The Lovely Eggs, Low Leaf, Loyle Carner, Marika Hackman, Martin Carr, Matthew E. White, Meic Stevens, Meilyr Jones, Mew, Midland, Moneyshot & Cheeba, Moulettes, Mowbird, Natalie Prass, Nothing Is, Owen Pallett, Patrick Watson, Peter Broderick, The Pictish Trail, Public Service Broadcasting, Richard Dawson, Rozi Plain, Ryley Walker, Sam Brookes, Shovels & Rope, Slowdive, Slug, Sola Rosa, Son Lux, Songhoy Blues, The Staves, Steve Gunn, Strand Of Oaks, Stuff, Sturgill Simpson, Sun Ra Arkestra, Syd Arthur, Sylvan Esso, Teleman, Television, Temples, This Is The Kit, Tom Ravenscroft, Tom Robinson, Towel, Trust Fund, Ultimate Painting, Viet Cong, Villagers, Vok, The Wave Pictures, Waxahatchee, White Fence, Wide Skies, Will Varley, Yak and Zefur Wolves. Rising Stage: (C) Alice Barlow, Art Bandini, Benedict Benjamin, BitBin, The Boy I Used To Be, Cameron A G, Carcharorion, The Carraways, Chelou, Chris Jones, Corey Bowen, Deep Throat Choir, Ellie Fountain, Emily Davies, Eugene Capper, Girl Ray, JJ Hodari, Kidsmoke, Matthew
Sun 17) SHOW OF HANDS (Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry, Wed 21) DONOVAN (New Theatre, Cardiff, Mon 26) HOTHOUSE FLOWERS (Tramshed, Thurs 29) JUST ANNOUNCED FOR NOVEMBER: THE STAVES (Cardiff University, Tue 3) JOE SATRIANI (St David’s Hall, Thurs 5) THE ORDINARY BOYS (The Globe, Thurs 5) 808 STATE (The Globe, Cardiff, Fri 6) BUZZ 65
live music Pastkewicz, Palenco, Seazoo, Seren The Heron, Toby Hay and Trecco Beis. Chai Wallahs Stage: AK/DK, Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, Diplomats Of Sound DJs, Don Hendicutz, Golden Era Boom Bap!, Gringo Ska, Hot Border Special, Jack Cheshire, King Kong Company, Low Leaf, Loyle Carner, Me & My Friends, The Mouse Outfit, Mr Benn, Rachael Dadd, Sam Brookes, Tantz and Tezeta. Comedy Tent: Adam Buxton, Beat This, Charlie Webster, Dan Atkinson, Clint Edwards, Dan Nightingale, David Kay, Elis James, Frank Foucault, Gareth Brand, Gareth Richards, Gavin Osborn, Grainne Maguire, Harriet Dyer, Henry Paker, Holly Walsh, Jay Cowle, Josh Howie, Knightmare Live: The Festival Expansion Pack, Marcel Lucont, Mark Olver, Matt Rees, Mike Bubbins, Nell Frizzell, Patrick Turpin, Rob Deering, Rob Newman, Sara Pascoe, Sally-Anne Hayward, Stuart Laws, Suzi Ruffell, Ted Shiress and Tom Craine. (Until Sun 16) The Jazz Boys Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. The Spokes Band The Yard, Cardiff. 10.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. Trigger’s Broom Henry’s, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 4672. Viking Fest III The Welfare, Ebbw Vale. £10/£25 for three days. Info 01495 302995. Weekend of metal and hard rock. Today features Kill 66, Crowsaw, Sons Of Icarus, Defy All Reason, The Johnstown Flood, Mr Richard Gardner, Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters and Kid Crimson. (Until Sun 16) Yaz Alexander The Moon Club, Cardiff. 9pm, £5 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Love & Harmony Sounds presents this Birminghambased reggae/soul vocalist. Part of DJ Reno HDs’ Reggae & Soul Revue, which debuted last month. SATURDAY 15 Artillery The Patriot, Crumlin. 7.30pm, free. Info 01495 247178. Rock covers. Aubrey Parsons The Sycamore Tree, Colwinston, nr Cowbridge. 8pm. Info 01656 652827. Also on Sat 29. Caught By The River: River’s Edge Weekend Fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Cardigan. 2pm, £20/£10 kids. Info 01239 623633. Clarity As Arson + All To Ruin + We The Deceiver + Ferinus + Amongst The Ruins Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £4/£6 both days. Info 01495 708022. Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Finn Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 07818 056599. Australian band. Gecko The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Grean Day The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm, £5. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Green Day tribute band. London Calling +
Tenplusone West End Club, Barry. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 07561 143114. Clash tribute band headline. Megadeth UK + Helldown Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30pm, £5. Info www.hobosmusicvenue. com. Thrash metal tribute band headline. Oas-is Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2070 0721. Tribute band. Pardon Madame Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. *Peter Broderick + Pwrhaus Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2023 9253. American singer-songwriter fella hops down to the capital while he’s in this area for Green Man. Pontardawe Music Festival 2015 Pontardawe Arts Centre. Info: search ‘Gwyl Pontardawe Festival’ on Facebook. This is on today and tomorrow and features over 70 bands in nine venues of the town including four outdoor stages. Highlights today include live bands and parade from 12pm; Wonderbrass (2.30pm on the Bandstand); Gimme Some Loving (5pm, outdoor Dome stage); Little Rhumba (Festival Field, 6.30pm); Jack Perry Cockins Big Band (7pm, Arts Centre); Combo Yanze (8.30pm, Arts Centre). Solarsphere Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells. 12pm, £45 adv/£20 age 14-16/free under14s. Info office@solarsphere. events. Featuring live music from The Lucid Mirrors, Roz Bruce Infusion, Devonbird, Quercus Burlesque, Misty’s Big Adventure and 3 Daft Monkeys; comedy from Owen Niblock and talks from Paul Money, Damian Peach, Will Gater and John Zarnecki. (Until Sun 16) Texas Flood The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £3.50 adv. Info 07730 432166. The Green Gathering Piercefield Park, Chepstow. £100/£54 kids/under-11s free (four days). Info www. greengathering.org.uk. (Until Sun 16) The Green Man Festival Glanusk Park Estate, Brecon Beacons. £165 weekend/£140 NUS/£100 13-17-year-olds/£15 5-12-year-olds/under-5s free with a ticket. Info info@ thegreenmanfestival.co.uk. Super Furry Animals are tonight’s main stage headliners. (Until Sun 16) The Naomi Rae Band + Two Piece Sweet The Yard, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. Viking Fest III The Welfare, Ebbw Vale. £10/£25 for three days. Info 01495 302995. Today features Blaze Bayley, Bernie Tormé, Florence Black, Bad Touch, Black Whiskey, Beautiful Strangers, Spiral Dive, No Glory and Deathbullet. (Until Sun 16)
Sailors (5pm, Festival Field) and Trenchfoot (6pm, Festival Field). Proms: From Russia With Love Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30-10.15pm, £12/£5 kids. Info 01239 841387. Tim Hugh and fellow musicians from the LSO perform an evening of Russian repertoire. Solarsphere Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells. 12pm, £45 adv/£20 age 14-16/free under14s. Info office@solarsphere.
SUNDAY 16 Pontardawe Music Festival 2015 Pontardawe Arts Centre. Info: search ‘Gwyl Pontardawe Festival’ on Facebook. Highlights today include The Two Tones (12pm, Outdoor Dome Stage); Good Times (2pm, Outdoor Dome Stage) Valley Folk (2pm, Festival Field); Captain Cat & The
MONDAY 17 Easy Street Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £3/£2.50. Info 029 2038 7026. Fathoms + An Elegy Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm. Info mail@ givemefuel.co.uk. Jazz Nights Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live Original Broadcasts
The Brewhouse, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 9913. Lost Tuesday Society + Astrakan Project + Jim Ghedi 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2022 8883. Attic Folk Sessions gig. Ukulele Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. TUESDAY 18 Community Samba Band –
From Fri 7-Sun 9, Margam County Park in Port Talbot hosts the Kaya Festival, which debuted last year and leans towards world music and general bohemian vibes. The lineup across the three days includes Norman Jay, Brand New Heavies, The Skints, Hollie Cook, Captain Accident, The Bleedin' Noses and various other acts built for easy skanking. events. Featuring live music from Civilian Zen (who feature Ralf from Gogglebox), Plastic Barricades, Captain Roswell, The Higher Planes and Simon Lee’s Rock Show; talks from Dr Megan Argo, Nigel Ball, Dr Lucie Green and an A/V show called The Evolution Project. (Finishes today) Sundae Sessions Gwdihw, Cardiff. 4-8pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Acoustic sets from Barrow Dog, Megan Mays, Scott Morgan and more. Tamsin Reardon Duo The Yard, Cardiff. 1-4pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. The Green Gathering Piercefield Park, Chepstow. £100/£54 kids/under-11s free (four days). Info www. greengathering.org.uk. (Finishes today) The Green Man Festival Glanusk Park Estate, Brecon Beacons. £165 weekend/£140 NUS/£100 13-17-year-olds/£15 5-12-year-olds/under-5s free with a ticket. Info info@ thegreenmanfestival.co.uk. St Vincent is tonight’s main stage headliner. (Finishes today) Viking Fest III The Welfare, Ebbw Vale. £10/£25 for three days. Info 01495 302995. Today features Sons Of Icarus, Fireroad, Kyshera, Texas Flood, Whiskey Lies, 100 Suns, Peacemaker, Die! and The Breeze. (Finishes today)
Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Gwyn Lewis & Friends Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Jack Barnett + Nic Thomas Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Lionheart + Pay No Respect + Strikeout +Backdown Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8.50 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. I assume these are all hardcore bands. *Pega Monstro Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. A brace of Portugese sisters who play ramshackle garage pop and have an album on the Upset The Rhythm label. WEDNESDAY 19 Albatross Archive + Shiny Tiger + Instructions Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2039 7933. *Daniel Voigt + Phantom Chips + Form Constants + Ian Watson Buffalo, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2031 0312. Celestial Communications present a varied and good-sounding evening of experimental music. Gwyneth Herbert Cuffern Manor, Roch, Pembrokeshire. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01437 710071. UK jazz vocalist plays a set in the Walled Garden at this fancypants guest house. Junior + As The Sun Sleeps Undertone, Cardiff. 7pm, £4. Info 029 2022 8883. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Teenage Bottlerocket + Wonk Unit Sin City, Swansea.
7.30pm, £9 adv. Info 01792 468892. Melodic punk from the US and UK respectively. I saw Teenage Bottlerocket in London a few years ago. They were alright. I think. The Saxalettes Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. An all-female saxophone quartet with a name suitable for, say, the house band on a mid-80s ITV chat show. The Session Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10/£7 members. Info 07802 912789. Wonderbrass Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. South Wales Big Band Society gig. THURSDAY 20 48 Hours + Circle Of Reason The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Flesh + Third Party + Vinegar The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. The headline band are from Manchester and have a really weird image. It’s proper-music salt-of-the-earth-mate laddy Britrock stuff, but with a bit of an ironic wink. HORSES + Carw + 5th Spear + Cities Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2039 7933. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Blues Central. Marty Wilde Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £21.50. Info 01656 815995. Early rock’n’roll bloke. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. The Big C Charity Bash Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, free. Info 01291 627122. Opening event of Castell Roc, a succession of big gigs in the castle running until the end of the month. This is in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, features a bunch of bands TBC and incorporates a hog roast and cider night. The Session Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026. New Orleans jazzmen. FRIDAY 21 Andre & The J Tones Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. CastlefestUK Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, nr Swansea. £50 adv/£30 age 13-16/£20 per day. Info 01792 390012. Three days of varies musical jollies over a Main Stage, Castle Stage and Secret Stage. Here’s who’s confirmed so far (more TBC): The Raspberry Jam, John Adams, Tom Auton, Whiskey Lies, Other Guys (Whiskey Lies And Other Guys would be an amazing title for a country album), JayCee, Forever Vendetta, Moosehead, Captain Cat And The Sailors, Life In Cold Climates, MollyAnne Chinner Trio, Georgia Paterson, Bryony Jayne, The Mantells, V0id and Gareth Price. (Until Sun 23) Cut Ribbons Y Ffwrnes,
Llanelli. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 0845 2263510. Album launch gig for Llanelli indie band. You can also pay £15 and get a copy of said album on vinyl. Dansette Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@porterscardiff. com. Jack Ellis Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Acoustic set on the roof terrace. Jazz Soul Patrol Henry’s, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 4672. *Nomad + Wort The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Doom and sludge metal fare. Headliners are good. Polar Bears Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Ragsy Pitch, Mill Lane, Cardiff. 8.45pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2022 8882. Singer-songwriter plays Oxjam-related set at a Welshthemed restaurant. Screamin’ Miss Jackson Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Sonic Highways Old Cross Inn, Llanrumney, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2065 0021. If I find out this band named themselves after a Foo Fighters album which came out last year then I’ll... I’ll... The Bon Jovi Experience The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info theglobevenue@ gmail.com. The Sweet Dandies The Yard, Cardiff. 10.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. The Sweet Potato String Band Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. The Swinging Sixties Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £36. Info 029 2070 5391. A tribute to UK/US female vocalists from the 1960s. The ZZ Tops + Hells Bells + Letz Zep Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01291 627122. Tributes to ZZ Top, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Tim Cronin Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. SATURDAY 22 Alesana + Loveless + Breathe In The Silence Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 01792 468892. Alun Elliott-Williams The Royal Exchange, Llandaff, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2056 4068. A Night At The Oscars Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £36. Info 029 2070 5391. Julia Martin will pretend to be both Shirley Bassey and Celine Dion for your delight. BiggTopp + Henry Marten’s Ghost The Yard, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. CastlefestUK Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, nr Swansea. £50 adv/£30 age 13-16/£20 per day. Info 01792 390012. (Until Sun 23) Dressed To Kill The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info theglobevenue@gmail.com. Everyday Sidekicks + Ocean House The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £6 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Fire Fences Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING (Cardiff University, Sat 7) NICK HARPER (Little Theatre, Neath, Sat 7) BLACKALICIOUS (The Globe, Sun 8) BEARDYMAN (The Glee Club, Cardiff Bay, Wed 11) IMAGINE DRAGONS (Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wed 11) SOUL II SOUL (Tramshed, Sat 14) SLAVES (Cardiff University, Sun 15) WILL YOUNG (St David’s Hall, Wed 18) SLAYER BUZZ 66
live music www.hobosmusicvenue.com. From The Jam + Bad Manners Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £20 adv. Info 01291 627122. Mod/ska gold, they call it. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Heavyball The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Orangefall + S.E.X. The Scene Club, Swansea. 7.30pm, £3/£2.50 adv. Info 07730 432166. Rock Factor Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Sacrilege The Patriot, Crumlin. 9.30pm. Info 01495 247178. This band played NWOBHM in the early 80s but split up after doing a few demo tapes. Gotta say I’ve never heard of them but still, obscure metal, bring it on I reckon. The Heist Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 01443 682388. The Trio Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@porterscardiff. com. Yossarian + Broken Fires + Aaronson Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2023 9253. SUNDAY 23 Anoxide + Sodomized Cadaver + Repulsive + Christgrinder + Annunciation The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, free. Info 01495 213300. Death metal and grindcore. CastlefestUK Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, nr Swansea. £50 adv/£30 age 13-16/£20 per day. Info 01792 390012. (Finishes today) Eric Martin The Scene Club, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07730 432166. Very much the ‘Mr Big’ in the band Mr Big, in that he was the vocalist. Glen Manby Quartet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Jazz in the bar. Pete Komor & Teddy Smith The Yard, Cardiff. 1-4pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. The Simon & Garfunkel Story Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £16 adv. Info 01291 627122. Tribute act. MONDAY 24 Gwd Mondays Open Mic Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Jazz Nights Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live Original Broadcasts The Brewhouse, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 9913. Ukulele Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. TUESDAY 25 Ad-Lib Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Jazz. Celebration Of John Denver Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12.50£16.50. Info 01792 475715. Tribute act. There’s a big run of ‘em at this venue right at
the end of the month. Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Pick ‘n’ Mix Open Mic Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Featuring live sets from Cwtch and Amo Rex, plus standup from John Imm and Drew Taylor. Spike’s Five & Dime Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. WEDNESDAY 26 AC/DC UK Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18.50. Info 01792 475715. Tribute act. Adelphia The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Berry Ray’s Bank Holiday Guest Night Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10/£7 members. Info 07802 912789. Big Scott Radio Originals The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £3. Info 01685 387925. With bands TBC. Bronwen Lewis Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Garth Mountain Boys Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2039 7933. Playing the A Taste Of Americana night. Goldie Lookin Chain Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £12 adv. Info 01291 627122. Here Comes Summer Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 2pm, £8.60. Info 01639 763214. “Rock‘n’roll, Showtunes, Fabulous 40s, Swinging 60s, Singalong favourites plus a large dose of good old-fashioned fun!” Michael Moyse Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Free drink for performers. Last Wednesday of every month. The Disconnects + The Sick Livers + Forgery Lit Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £5 adv. Info mail@givemefuel.co.uk. Garage punk presented bt Rockpie. Headliners are from New Jersey. Youngblood Brass Band Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. These guys are always popular. THURSDAY 27 Bellowhead + Kim Churchill Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £25 adv. Info 01291 627122. Many-membered folk band who are going to split up next year. Ian Michael Thomas Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Junior Hacksaw. Martin Callingham + Laurence Made Me Cry Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm,
£4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. Pete Oxley And Nicolas Meier The Dingle Hotel, Narberth. 8pm, £8/£7. Info 01834 869323. A SpanJazz night. Steve Finn The City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2022 5258. The Menzingers + Great Cynics + The Cut Ups Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Warm-up show for the headlining band, who are playing Reading and Leeds this weekend. The Searchers Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01792 475715. The Three Beats Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £9. Info 01656 815995. An entertaining mix of happy jazz and songs not to be missed, it says. This Is Wreckage Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. FRIDAY 28 12 Bore Old Cross Inn, Llanrumney, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2065 0021. Aled Rheon Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Aubrey Parsons Blanco’s Hotel, Port Talbot. 9pm, free. Info 01639 864500. Crownload The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £6/£20 weekend. Info 01685 387925. Four-day festival of rock music in a pub. Its logo is a commendable imitation of the Download one. This evening features Backstreet Symphony, Philo Beddoe and the Luke Doherty Band. (Until Mon 31) Crug Mawr Festival Caeau Oernant Fields, Crug Mawr, nr Cardigan. £17.50-£25 (two days). Info 01239 621200. Two-day festival on a Welsh language rock tip. Schedule TBC, but these lot will be playing: Candelas, Gwenno, Mr Phormula, Y Ffug, Ail Symudiad, Anelog, Bromas, Calfari, Carcharorion, Carw, Castles, Castro, Cpt Smith, Effin, Estrons, Fleur De Lys, Geraint Lovgreen A’r Band, HMS Morris, Neil Rosser, Nofa, Omaloma, Palenco, Plu, Raffdam, Rogue Jones, Swnami, Terfysg, Tymbal, Uumar – Welsh Whisperer, Y Bandana, Ysgol Sul, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Y Cledrau, Dan Amor and Roughion. On tomorrow also. Elvis Desley with Rick Berry & The Retrospexs Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30-11.30pm, £8/£5 kids. Info 01239 841387. An Elvis tribute act, real name of Desmond (do you see) with a backing band. Heil Zilla + Godbomber + Grey Mondeo The Full Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £5/free with HUB Festival wristband. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Opening event of this year’s HUB Festival, which starts in earnest tomorrow. Joe Kelly And The Mighty Reign Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Acoustic set on the roof terrace. Johnny Cage And The
Voodoogroove + The Lash + The Johnstown Flood The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm, £5. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Leighton Jones Salt, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, free. Info 029 2049 4375. Omaha + Leopards The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Organ Recital National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Party In The Pub 2015 The Patriot, Crumlin. 12pm, free. Info 01495 247178. Featuring live sets from these acts and more over three days: Twisted State Of Mind, Setoria, Sons Of Liberty, Philo Beddoe, Mr Hate, Jelly Season and Wildside. (Until Sun 30) Quitesnake Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Sodomized Cadaver + Dread Bolt + Annunciation + Agrona + Dermoid The Duke, Neath. 7pm, free. Info 01639 643892. Songs Of Philadelphia And Motown Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £18.50£21.50. Info 01656 815995. With Roy G Hemmings, one of The Drifters’ many ex-members, upfront beltin’ ‘em out. The Big Tribute Festival Lovesgrove, Aberystwyth. £55/£50 adv weekend (£27/£24 adv 14-17-year-olds; £12/£10 adv under-14s). Info steve. tribute@gmail.com. First day of a three-day festival dedicated to tribute bands. Main stage lineup today: Whole Lotta Led, Who’s Next, Whole Lotta DC and Absolute Bowie. The Other Stage lineup is still TBC, plus there’s the Little Rockers stage and Crafty Kids tent. (Until Sun 30) The Bohemians Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01291 627122. Queen tribute. The Brotherhood feat. Jon Lilygreen Henry’s, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 4672. The Eggmen The Yard, Cardiff. 10.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. The Fortunate Few Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. The Replicas Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. T. Rextacy Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £19/£17. Info 01792 475715. Tribute act. Z.O.G. & The Zongo Brigade Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. SATURDAY 29 Alzhacker Weekend The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 2pm, £2 donation (more welcomed). Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. Alzheimer’s Society benefit gig, on tomorrow also. Today there’s sets from The Red Tears, Hark! A Shark!, Everyday Heroes, The Bakestones, Beth Blade And The Beautiful Disasters and Asylem. Aubrey Parsons The Sycamore Tree, Colwinston, nr Cowbridge. 8pm. Info 01656 652827. Big Scott Radio Live By The River NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, £3. Info 029 2037 8866. Featuring bands TBC.
Blind River Scare + The Black Feathers + Bob Collum & The Welfare Mothers Barnabus Arts House, Newport. 7.30pm, £6 adv Info 01633 673739. A night called Down By The River, headlined by alt.country sorts from Newport. Cantare At The Musicials All Saints Church, Porthcawl. 1pm, £8. Info 01656 786446. Angharad Morgan and David Fortey perform songs from the musicials. Crownload The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 3pm, £7.50/£20 weekend. Info 01685 387925. Today features Quarantine, The Dole Age, Plasterscene, Grean Day, The Bleedin’ Noses, The Stokers, Dizzy Lizzy and Agent 13. (Until Mon 31) Crug Mawr Festival Caeau Oernant Fields, Crug Mawr, nr Cardigan. £17.50-£25 (two days). Info 01239 621200. Dan Evans Annie’s Garden Marquee, Bronllys Road, Talgarth. 3pm, £3.50 adv. Info dan@english-dulcimer. com. Afternoon concert of folk music played on guitar and dulcimer – Evans is a leading player of the latter instrument in the UK. ELO Again Chepstow Castle. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 01291 627122. ELO tribute band. Harp Summer School Concert 2015 Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £5-£12. Info 01874 611622. Featuring some 30 harpists onstage. Hashtags Kiwis, Cardiff. 9.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. HUB Festival Various venues, Womaby Street, Cardiff. £15 weekend/£10 day. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. See
Luke Bennett, The Brwmys, Lacertilia, Orbits, Maddie Jones, Ten Cent Toy, Mike Dennis, Wonderbrass, Tarsiers, Harri Davies, Tides Of Sulfur, Tradish, Vails, Gung Ho, Glass Giants, Fingertrap, Jugganote, The Johnstown Flood, Paint Happy, Your Protected, Mind Factory, Delyth Mclean, Dot N Bang, Morass Of Molasses, Them Dead Beats, The D Teez, Fur, Baby Brave, Rainbow Maniac, Applied Science, The Hellionz, Grand Tradition, Soap, Attercopus, Love Bazaar, Wall, Tendons, Milpool, Oakhaart, Calling All Heroes, Joe Kelly, Arfur Bone, Kirk Morgan, Rhodri Brooks, Eugene Capper, Ben Mcmanus, Dead In The Water, Eleri Angharad, Jack Cookson, 100:Smiles, A Girl Called Ruth, Mwstard, Water, Bismuth, DJ Jaffa, F-Block, DJ JB, DJ Bason, DJ Alkemy and many more still TBC. (Until Mon 31) Miss May & The Magic Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Party In The Pub 2015 The Patriot, Crumlin. 12pm, free. Info 01495 247178. (Until Sun 30) The Big Tribute Festival Lovesgrove, Aberystwyth. £55/£50 adv weekend (£27/£24 adv 14-17-year-olds; £12/£10 adv under-14s). Info steve. tribute@gmail.com. Main stage lineup today: Crowded Scouse, Stereosonics, Bran Mazz & The MBs (apparently this is a Bruno Mars tribute), Four Fighters, Vogue, Kazabian and U2UK. (Until Sun 30) The Glam Gala Concert St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£22. Info 029 2087 8444. Conducted by Karl Jenkins. The Pop Tarts + Tim Cronin The Yard, Cardiff.
Solarsphere is a festival at Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells, running from Fri 14-Sun 16. It combines live music (from Misty's Big Adventure, Justin Sullivan and Ralf off Gogglebox's spacerock band, plus many more) with astronomy – experts talk about it, while by night keen stargazers observe it. Music for a bit more on this multi-venue festival, including a full list of venues in use. Here, meanwhile, is where I shall put the confirmed bands: Johnny Cage & The Voodoogroove, Josephine & The Artizans, Tree House Fire, Railroad Bill, Chaos Trigger, Intensive Square, Hogslayer, Quiet Marauder, Howl, Junior Bill & The Scallies, Third Party, Phili & Dotz, Mixalydia, Sion Russell Jones, Screaming Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya Mama Big Band, We’re No Heroes, Kookamunga, Thorun, Hipicat, Featherjaw, Francobollo, Lionface,
9.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 7577. The Sir Harry Secombe Trust Presents Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8-£12. Info 01792 475715. Musical theatre. Whole Lotta Led Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £16/£14 adv. Info 01834 869323. SUNDAY 30 Alzhacker Weekend The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 12pm, £2 donation (more welcomed). Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Today features sets from Black Emerald, Cario Son, Mordrake,
+ ANTHRAX + KVERLATAK (Newport Centre, Sat 21) PAUL WELLER (Motorpoint Arena, Sun 22) THE WATERBOYS (St David’s Hall, Wed 25) PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING (Cardiff University, Thurs 26) COCKNEY REJECTS (Clwb Ifor Bach, Fri 27) MARINA & THE DIAMONDS (Cardiff University, Sat 28) HAPPY MONDAYS (Cardiff University, Sun 29) BUZZ 67
stage Two Marks And A Frank, Scarsun, Democratus, Outright Resistance and Helldown. Aubrey Parsons Atlantic Hotel, Porthcawl. 7pm. Info 01656 785011. Blue Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £25 adv. Info 01291 627122. Crownload The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 3pm, £7.50/£20 weekend. Info 01685 387925. Today features Mixalydia, Too Toned, Minnie’s Chuff, Dobermann, Slide Away Siss, Stonehouse, Flew Fighters and Red Room Therapy. (Until Mon 31) Da Iawn Fest Undertone, Cardiff. 1pm-12am, £8 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Punk, pop-punk, indierock and emo, all the live long day. Solid lineup: Bangers, Above Them, Personal Best, Doe, Twisted, Dividers, Bear Trade, No Weather Talks, Masts, Deadlines, Hot Mass and Life Under Bombs. HUB Festival Various venues, Womaby Street, Cardiff. £15 weekend/£10 day. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. (Until Mon 31) Party In The Pub 2015 The Patriot, Crumlin. 12pm, free. Info 01495 247178. (Finishes today) Rock At The Top XII Dowlais RFC, Merthyr Tydfil. Info 01685 382322. All I know about this is that The Dole Age are playing it, because one of them emailed to tell me. Son Of Man The Garage, Swansea. 8pm, £10/£7.50 adv. Info 01792 475147. Ex-members of Man and Sassafras wring the last drips out of the former’s name. The Big Tribute Festival Lovesgrove, Aberystwyth. £55/£50 adv weekend (£27/£24 adv 14-17-year-olds; £12/£10 adv under-14s). Info steve.tribute@gmail.com. Main stage lineup today: Quo-incidence, The Kounterfeit Kinks, Bon Jovi UK, Coldplace, Abba Revival, Legend and The Fillers. (Finishes today) Y Reu + HMS Morris + Breichiau Hir + Tymbal + Hyll + Sgliti Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 4pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Several Welshlanguage acts perform for an event called Twrw Trwy’r Dydd. Twrw’s Elan and Mari DJ as well. MONDAY 31 Crownload The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 3pm, £6/£20 weekend. Info 01685 387925. Today features the Dowlaid Male Voice Choir, Reverend Groove, Fingertrap, Mini Me and Celtic Pride. (Finishes today) Debbie Bond Green Valley Arts, Upper Cwmtwrch. Info 0333 9000919. Alabama blues guitarist, joined here by her partner ‘Radiator’ Rick. Why do they call him that? Give him a radiator and he’ll show you. Gwd Mondays: Cardiff Folk Music Session Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. HUB Festival Various venues, Womaby Street, Cardiff. £15 weekend/£10 day. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. (Finishes today) Legend + Empires Fade + In Archives Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £8 adv. Info mail@givemefuel.co.uk. “The Metalcore community is based BUZZ 68
on integrity and passion, so it’s no surprise that Michigan’s Legend has built a very loyal fanbase that feels more like a family.” Oh please. Levellers Chepstow Castle. 6.30pm, £22.50 adv. Info 01291 627122. Final gig of the Castell Roc run of concerts is headlined by Brightonian raggle-tagglers. Live Original Broadcasts The Brewhouse, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 9913. Love Bazaar Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. *Ryley Walker Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. See Music. This guy is great. He’ll also be playing with his band which, if they’re the same band as play on his album or are equally adept, should make it twice as good again.
stage SATURDAY 1 As You Like It Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. 3 + 8pm, £14/£12. Info 0333 6663366. In which Everyman Theatre perform Shakespeare for an outdoors audience. This started on July 23 and is finishing today. Avenue Q Grand Theatre, Swansea. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £14.50-£25. Info 01792 475715. Final day of a production which started its brief run here late last month. Beauty & The Beast Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. 11am + 1pm, £8. Info 0333 6663366. Also an Everyman Theatre production, and also finishing today having started last month. Brendan Riley + Phil Dinsdale + Topping & Butch Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £15. Info 08700 111960. Jersey Boys Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £21.50£57.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Final day here for a musical which began in July. Jesus Christ Superstar Paget Rooms, Penarth. 6.30pm, £16.50. Info 029 2070 0721. Presented here by Pukka Productions. La Ballade De Bergerac Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Blysh and Lost In Translation Circus presents a circus theatre show charts the story of poet and inventor, Monsieur de La Luna, and his crew as they attempt to reach the moon. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s summer production. (Until Sat 29) Maff Brown + Chris McCausland + Joe Bor Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £16.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Oh Hello! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. One-man show, performed by Jamie
Rees, about the life and times of Charles Hawtrey off of Carry On. It ‘carries on’ tomorrow also. Practice To Deceive Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard. 7.30pm. Info 01348 873237. Best Foot Forward presents a thriller by Norman Robbins. Service St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2087 8444. Fast-paced, theatre-style, episodic sitcom about two waiters at war, presented by Infini Productions. It’s also the last event of 2015’s Cardiff Comedy Fest, which snaked, snakelike, though all of July. The 24hr Musical Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 01633 868239. New’n’original production with a #concept. With just 24 hours until curtain up, a cast and crew assemble at the theatre, the name of a musical is revealed and then the clock is ticking to learn and fully stage the production. Will they succeed? Prepare to be astounded! The Reluctant Dragon Cardigan Castle. 12 + 2pm. Info 01239 615952. Kidfriendly theatre presented by Blackout and based on Kenneth Grahame’s story. SUNDAY 2 Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday. Oh Hello! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Cardigan Castle. 5.30pm, £9-£13. Info 01239 621200. Illyria present the tale of a lazy wizard and an errant broom. Says here there’s lots of water gets chucked around. MONDAY 3 Caitlin Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6 + 8pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Light, Ladd & Emberton present this acclaimed staging of Dylan Thomas’ wife’s life story. On Wed 5 and Thurs 6 also, and later going to Edinburgh. Lady Augusta Leads A Field Trip In Time Cardigan Castle. 12 + 2pm. Info 01239 615952. Interactive puppetry show whose centrepiece, Lady Augusta herself, stands 12 feet tall and is described as “beautiful” by the good folks of Small World Theatre. Also on Sun 23. TUESDAY 4 Diary Of A Madman Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Living Pictures present Gogol’s dark comedy; on tomorrow also, and going to Edinburgh thereafter. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Stone Cold Murder Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. Talking Scarlet presents an adaption of James Cawood’s thriller. (Until Sat 8) The Musicians Of Bremen Queens Hall, Narberth. 1.45pm, £7/£6 adv. Info 01834 869323. Family play which wonders, by way of a central theme, what happens to old toys when nobody loves them anymore.
WEDNESDAY 5 Caitlin Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6 + 8pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Diary Of A Madman Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Stone Cold Murder Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 8) The Reluctant Dragon Chepstow Castle. From 11am, free with site admission. Info 029 2076 4100. Kids’ theatre, presented by Cadw and Castle Theatre. In Abergavenny tomorrow. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Abergavenny Castle. 3pm, £7.50. Info 01873 850805. Outdoor theatre production presented by Illyria, who also have shows here later today,
Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Mellin Theatre Arts Grand Theatre, Swansea. 5.30pm, £5.50. Info 01792 475715. Performance showcase. Stone Cold Murder Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 8) The Three Musketeers Abergavenny Castle. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 01873 850805. Aimed at ages 8 and up. The Wonderful World Of Mr E Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232. Show for kids aged five and up featuring the eponymous character and his “converted steampunk caravan”. God help us if five-yearolds know what steampunk is now. SATURDAY 8 Benny Boot + Junior Simpson + Paul James + Andrew Stanley Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £16.25/£5
Cardigan venue Small World Theatre are predominantly taking it outside this month, with a selection of familyfriendly shows in the grounds of Cardigan Castle. Among these is Lady Augusta Leads A Field Trip In Time, on Mon 3 and Sun 23. The titular Lady is a strapping 12 feet tall, made of fabric and strings, and with the help of two assistants, will take you around the castle grounds for a history lesson. tomorrow and Fri 7. The Taming Of The Shrew Abergavenny Castle. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 01873 850805. THURSDAY 6 Caitlin Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6 + 8pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Iolanthe Abergavenny Castle. 7pm, £14/£12. Info 01873 850805. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Stone Cold Murder Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 8) The Reluctant Dragon White Castle, Abergavenny. From 11am, free with site admission. Info 029 2076 4100. FRIDAY 7 Benny Boot + Junior Simpson + Paul James + Andrew Stanley Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £14.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Drones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Also on Fri 21. Legally Blonde The
NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Ladder New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2087 8889. An evening of dance, drama, music and skills, showcasing some of Cardiff’s young emerging artists. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Mimosa Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2030 4400. Welshlanguage play about the ship which sailed from Liverpool to Patagonia 150 years ago. Stone Cold Murder Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Finishes today) Street Theatre Weekender Barry Island promenade. 12pm, free. Info 01446 704737. Featuring various outdoor street shows. On tomorrow also. Windsor + Paul Tylak + Simon Bligh Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £15. Info 08700 111960. SUNDAY 9 Beyond The Footlights Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Musical revue from a medley of classic Broadway shows. Live Cabaret Market Street
Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Lord Rhys Puppet Show: Princess Nest Cardigan Castle. 12 + 2pm. Info 01239 615952. Small World Theatre with a family-friendly “bawdy romp” through the story of Nest, the infamous princess who was famed for her beauty and many suitors. Just looking at her Wikipedia page and, er, they’re gonna have to be pretty selective with her life events to make this suitable for kids. Also on Thurs 20. Street Theatre Weekender Barry Island promenade. 12pm, free. Info 01446 704737. Todays features a performance of Taming Of The Shrew by Illyria. MONDAY 10 ‘Allo ‘Allo Manobier Castle, Tenby. 6.30pm, £6-£10. Info 01834 869323. Span Arts and Red Herring Theatre present some outdoor comedy theatre based on the Francelampooning sitcom. (Until Fri 14) Caterpillar Comedy Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Open mic standup night hosted by James Dunn. TUESDAY 11 ‘Allo ‘Allo Manobier Castle, Tenby. 6.30pm, £6-£10. Info 01834 869323. (Until Fri 14) Barnum Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £17.50-£52.50. Info 029 2063 6464. A musical about PT Barnum, starring Brian Conley, who is interviewed in Roundup. Features a song called There Is A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute. Kudos to the producers for acknowledging Barnum’s low, low opinion of the people he entertained. (Until Sat 15) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Sherlock Holmes & The Ripper Murders Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. Presented by Talking Scarlet and devised by Brian Clemens. Pretty much does what it says on the tin this one, I think. (Until Sat 15) WEDNESDAY 12 ‘Allo ‘Allo Manobier Castle, Tenby. 6.30pm, £6-£10. Info 01834 869323. (Until Fri 14) Barnum Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £17.50-£52.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Sherlock Holmes & The Ripper Murders Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 15) THURSDAY 13 ‘Allo ‘Allo Manobier Castle, Tenby. 2.30 + 6.30pm, £6-£10. Info 01834 869323. (Until Fri 14) Animal Alphabet Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 2pm, £8.50. Info 01792 475715. Kids’ show featuring Richard Digance. On tomrorow also. Barnum Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 +
stage pic: PALLASCA PHOTOGRAPHY
BLUE SKY SEASON The Other Room, Porter’s, Cardiff, Tue 1 Sept-Sat 19 Dec Tickets: TBC. Info: www.otherroomtheatre.com The Other Room brings its second season to The Other Room, aka the theatre area of Cardiff bar Porter’s, and this time they have two new, young and exciting featured companies: otherMother and difficult|stage. For six weeks, The Other Room will focus around the theme of Blue Sky, allowing local artists new opportunities through a programme of activity called Your Room. This is a big step for the pub theatre, as it’s emphasising their mission to be an innovative voice; a company that can become “home to the artists of the future”, according to co-founder Kate Wasserberg. The season opens with the heart-wrenching Blud, an otherMother production exploring the dichotomy of war versus football in a town that is defined by the latter, and then culminates with a new production from difficult|stage, the satirical Alix In Wundergarten.
7.30pm, £17.50-£52.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15) Comedy Carousel Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Hosted by Clint Edwards and featuring further comics TBC. Daliso Chaponda + Harriet Dyer + Kevin Dewsbury Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.15pm, £8-£12. Info 01834 869323. Comedy Club night. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) No Known Grave Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1pm, £5 adv. Info 01656 815995. Lunchtime theatre presented by Fluellen and written by Jaye Swift. Sherlock Holmes & The Ripper Murders Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 15) FRIDAY 14 ‘Allo ‘Allo Manobier Castle, Tenby. 6.30pm, £6-£10. Info 01834 869323. (Finishes today) Animal Alphabet Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 2pm, £8.50. Info 01792 475715. Barnum Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20.50-£54.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 15)
Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Richard Morton + Rudi Lickwood + Johnny Candon + Jonnie Price Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £14.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Sherlock Holmes & The Ripper Murders Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 15) SATURDAY 15 Barnum Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20.50-£54.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) Bluestocking Lounge Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £12.50. Info 01792 475715. Burlesque show by south Wales’ most enduring burlesque production company (I think so anyway). This month features someone called Dave The Bear. Karen Bailey + Ste Porter + Wayne Deakin Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £15. Info 08700 111960. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Richard Morton + Rudi Lickwood + Johnny
Candon + Jonnie Price Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £16.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Sherlock Holmes & The Ripper Murders Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £16/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. (Finishes today) The Basil Brush Show Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 2.30pm, £14/£12. Info 0845 2263510. The Crow And The Canary Parc Cwm Darran Amphitheatre, Blackwood. 6pm, £5/£3 kids. Info 01495 227206. A musical/fairytale encounter between Myra, the storyteller from west Wales, and Dylan Thomas, the poet from No Man’s Land. Presented by Blackwood Miners Institute. SUNDAY 16 Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. The Taming Of The Shrew Cardigan Castle. 5.30pm, £9-£13. Info 01239 621200. Outdoor Shakespeare, presented by Illyria. West Glam Youth Theatre Co 40th Anniversary Show Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 6pm, £15. Info 01639 763214. TUESDAY 18 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £17.50-
£50.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Musical based on the film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin. (Until Sat 22) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Piste Off Comedy Club Face 11, Cathays, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8221. On the third Tuesday of every month. WEDNESDAY 19 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £17.50-£50.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 22) Flying The Nest Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232. Family show teaching kids about ornithology. Legally Blonde Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.50-£18.50. Info 01792 475715. A Mark Jermin Stage School production which is unrelated to the below. (Until Sat 22) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) THURSDAY 20 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £17.50-£50.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 22) Legally Blonde Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.50-£18.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 22) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Lord Rhys Puppet Show: Princess Nest Cardigan Castle. 12 + 2pm. Info 01239 615952. West Side Story Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01446 738622. Presented by Superstars In The Making and featuring a full orchestra. (Until Sat 22) FRIDAY 21 As You Like It Lampeter House, nr Narberth. 6pm, £10-£14. Info 01834 869323. Presented by Span Arts and performed by the Festival Players. Dan Evans + Noel James + Wayne Deakin + Trevor Crook Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £14.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20.50£55.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 22) Drones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. In Light Of Tom Mathias Cillgerran Village Hall, nr Cardigan. 5pm, £10/£8. Info 01239 621200. Cilgerran-born Angharad Evans and her collaborators will integrate multi–disciplined arts and performance to share the reallife stories of Tom Mathias’ early 1900s photographs of village life. The 5pm start time refers to the meeting point at Dolbadau Road; the performance starts at 6.30pm. (Until Sun 23) Legally Blonde Grand
Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.50-£18.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 22) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) West Side Story Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01446 738622. Presented by Superstars In The Making and featuring a full orchestra. (Until Sat 22) SATURDAY 22 Angie McEvoy + Wayne Johns + Pete Heat Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £15. Info 08700 111960. Dan Evans + Noel James + Wayne Deakin + Trevor Crook Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £16.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £20.50-£55.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) In Light Of Tom Mathias Cillgerran Village Hall, nr Cardigan. 5pm, £10/£8. Info 01239 621200. (Until Sun 23) Legally Blonde Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.50-£18.50. Info 01792 475715. (Finishes today) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) West Side Story Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01446 738622. (Finishes today) SUNDAY 23 In Light Of Tom Mathias Cillgerran Village Hall, nr Cardigan. 5pm, £10/£8. Info 01239 621200. (Finishes today) Lady Augusta Leads A Field Trip In Time Cardigan Castle. 12 + 2pm. Info 01239 615952. MONDAY 24 Annie Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £18-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. You probably know Annie, or think you do. Can you imagine it with Craig Revel Horwood off Strictly as Miss Hannigan? Well I can, because I’m looking at the promo image, in which he looks like a cartoon zombie. (Until Sat 29) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) TUESDAY 25 Annie Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £18-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) WEDNESDAY 26 Annie Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £18-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Tree Fu Tom St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £12.50/£10.50 kids. Info 029 2087 8444. Kids’ show starring a character from
Cbeebies. Twelfth Night Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232. Outdoor Shakespeare performance. On tomorrow also. THURSDAY 27 Annie Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £18-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) Gareth Richards + Gary Tro + Frank Honeybone +Chris Chopping Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 8pm, £12. Info 01639 763214. Comedy Club night. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) National Youth Dance Wales 2015 Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£14. Info 029 2064 6900. Alongside the premiere of a brand new work by Kerry Nicholls and the dancers with a commissioned original sound score by David Walters, the evening includes H3RE (choreographed by Odette Hughes of Random|Dance for NYDW 2014), and (In Between) by Jasmin Vardimon, performed by National Youth Dance Company (England). Twelfth Night Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232. FRIDAY 28 Annie Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20-£51. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 29) Brendan Dempsey + Andy Robinson + Wes Zaharuk + Steve Williams Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £14.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Until Sat 29) Tony Cowards + Sarah Bridgeman Cafe Nisse, Swansea. 7pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 01792 686914. Monthly comedy night hosted by Bridgeman. SATURDAY 29 Annie Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £20-£51. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) Brendan Dempsey + Andy Robinson + Wes Zaharuk + Steve Williams Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £16.25/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Legally Blonde The Musical Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £26/£22 kids. Info 01970 623232. (Finishes today) Windsor + Allyson Smith + Kane Brown Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £15. Info 08700 111960. SUNDAY 30 Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. MONDAY 31 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice St Donats Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan. 3pm, £12/£7.50. Info 01446 799100. Illyria with an all-ages outdoor performance.
BUZZ 69
competitions WIN A BOTTLE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST CARDIFF DRY GIN The extremely gin-capable people at Eccentric Gin are working on creating a dry gin for the city of Cardiff. The Llantrisant based distillery have taken suggestions from the people of South Wales, with the aim of creating a new and uniquely flavoured gin that reflect the city it will be named after. Due to come out in September the gin will give you an excuse to make yourself a marvellous martini, tasty tom collins or classic gin and tonic. To win a bottle of Cardiff Dry Gin you need you answer the question below, be over 18 years old and be able to pick up your prize at Buzz’s office in Cardiff (where you will be asked to provide ID): Q: International Gin And Tonic Day was founded in 2012, but in what month is it celebrated?
ACCIDENTAL LOVE ON DVD
Based on the novel Sammy’s Hill by Kristin Gore, this David O. Russell directed romantic comedy follows small town waitress Alice (Jessica Biel), who accidentally gets a nail stuck in her head. Chaos ensues as her fiancée breaks off their engagement and Alice travels to Washington, where she meets and falls in love with Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, senator Howard Birdwell. To win one of three DVD copies of Accidental Love, answer the question below. Q: Which David O. Russell film won Jennifer Lawrence her first Academy Award?
DAY TICKETS TO SLIP N SLIDE IN SWANSEA
Like water and slides? Then you’ll enjoy the Slip N Slide – a 500ft slide that’s coming to Wales at Singleton Park on Sat 15 and Sun 16 Aug. The slide, which is longer than a football pitch, will run from 10am to 8pm. If you’re interested in sliding as a new form of transportation then you’re in luck as we have a pair of day tickets (which means you can slide as many times as you want) to the event in Singleton Park on Sat 15 Aug. To win just answer the question below before Fri 7 Aug. Q: When was the first Slip N Slide introduced?
GOOD KILL ON DVD
Ethan Hawke plays Major Thomas Egan, a U.S. drone pilot, in this hybrid war/drama/psychological film. When taking commands directly from the CIA, Hawke’s character begins to question the morality and ethics of his job, creating a thought-provoking film for audiences. To win one of two DVD copies of Good Kill, simply answer this question: Q: What is the name of Ethan Hawke’s character in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society?
A COPY OF ROB GITTIN’S SHELTER SERIES BOOKS
Robert Gittins, the man who won this years’ Outstanding Achievement award at the British Soap Awards, also has a series of crime novels under his belt. With a focus on the psychological impact of witness protection Rob’s book Gimme Shelter received rave reviews. Now that Secret Shelter, the next book in the series, is out we are giving away a free copy of both books. Just answer the following question. Q: What soap opera is Rob Gittins the longest serving writer of? BUZZ 70
LARGE ICE CREAMS AT SCIENCE CREAM
Science and food comes together at Science Cream, located at Castle Arcade. With a range of flavours from the classics such as chocolate and vanilla, or the more extravagant salted caramel and coffee flavours, you can have the chance of experiencing one of two large liquid nitrogen ice-creams for free by answering the following question. Q: What temperature does liquid nitrogen boil at?
TICKETS TO BIG TRIBUTE FESTIVAL
Created to counter-balance the crowded and expensive festivals, The Big Tribute festival in Aberystwyth creates a fun festival with some of the biggest tribute bands around. Set on a beautiful farm with three stages comprising of various genres from rock to reggae and indie to pop, don’t miss your chance to win a pair of tickets to the festival by answering the question below before Thurs 20 Aug. Q: What is the name of the Status Quo tribute act performing at The Big Tribute this year?
FREE ENTRY TO SWANSEA BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL
If you’re looking for something to do on the bank holiday weekend then the people at The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) are happy to provide, with their Swansea Beer And Cider Festival at Brangwyn Hall from Thurs 27 until Sat 29 Aug. There will be over 100 real ales and 60 different craft-brewed ciders and perries to try and, if you want to win free entry for two, just answer the question below before Thurs 13 Aug. Q: What year was the Campaign For Real Ale formed?
Please email your answers, name, address, Twitter username (if you have one) and contact number to competitions@buzzmag.co.uk by Tue 1 Sept unless otherwise stated. T&Cs: WE DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR THESE COMPETITIONS TO BE REPLICATED OR SHARED ANYWHERE ONLINE.
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6 ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
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FIRLSSTH WE OW SH
GLEN MATLOCK
GWENNO TICKET: £12.00
DJ.SET TICKET: £16.50 LIMITED CARLING STAGE WEEKEND TICKET: £40
TICKET: £16.50
VELVET FILM FESTIVAL Curated by ★NICKY WIRE★ & Kieran Evans
★ THE ★ FRINGE ★ 50 Bands on 10 Stages★Music Industry Panels★Classical Music★Theatre Comedy★Literature★Children’s Literature Festival★Photography★Art Poetry★Welsh Language Events★30th Anniversary of the Miners' Strike ★
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