Buzz November 2017

WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 2017

E I D N BLO UM & B L A W E N N O E K CLEM BUR F P L A Y IN G C A R D IF BEZ | JON RONSON | ENTER SHIKARI | SABA DOUGLAS-HAMILTON

ART | CULTURE | MUSIC | FILM | TRAVEL | SPORT | LIFESTYLE | BOOKS | LISTINGS

Express and Star

‘A

DYNAMITE REVIVAL’ The New Yorker

TACHWEDD 29 NOVEMBER 2017 IONAWR 6 JANUARY 2018 TM © 1988 CML

november2017 46reviews

buzz...

04roundup

“Fingerprints, blood splatters and all that other good stuff”

publisher EMMA CLARK editor FEDOR TOT listings/music editor NOEL GARDNER advertising EMMA CLARK Buzz TV JAYDON MARTIN accounts TERESA CLARK social media CONNIE MATTHEWS design LEMONDOGCREATIVE.UK

10upfront

contributors KRISTIAN DANDO (CLUBS), KEIRON SELF (FILM), LAURA BLACKWELL, LUKE OWAIN BOULT, SARAH BOWDIDGE, BETH CRUSE, JOHNPAUL DAVIES, SIOBHAN DENTON, BEN GALLIVAN, CHRIS HAMILTON-PEACH, MAX HARVEY, AMANDA HUNT, RHIANON HOLLEY, ADAM JONES, MARTHA LOTT, JASON MACHLAB, MONICA MARTIN, LUCY MENON, FFIONA MILLS, GARETH MOULE, LYNDA NASH, BEN NEWMAN, DAVID NOBAKHT, ALICE PATTILLO, LAUREN PHILLMORE, GARETH PIERCE, CHARLIE PIERCEY, JOE PRESCOTT, CAMPBELL PROSSER, FFION RIORDAN-JONES, RHONDA LEE REALI, NATHAN ROACH, HUGH RUSSELL, LORRIA SAHMET, CHRIS SEAL, WILL STEEN, JON SUTTON, ALEX SWIFT, BEN WOOLHEAD, GUNDIJA ZANDERZONA phone number 029 2022 6767 general enquiries info@buzzmag.co.uk editorial editorial@buzzmag.co.uk listings listings@buzzmag.co.uk accounts accounts@buzzmag.co.uk

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51lifestyle

You, whose lab rat brain only responds to bright primary coloured images, might think that a picture of a roll of brown sticky tape is not terribly thrilling visually.

However, this page is a guide to essential gear for musicians, and in that world, the more boring something looks the better it generally is

32film

52sport

34food&drink

55listings

A big month for fans of Wonder Woman, of which Keiron Self is clearly one, as she features not only as part of the Justice League but also in a based-on-a-true-story biopic about the unorthodox sex life of her creator

Reviews, a recipe for grilled cheese, long and short pieces puffier than the pastry which shares its name, and a guide to “the five cosiest restaurants to curl up in”. If you have to do this, try and decamp to a toilet cubicle or cover yourself with a tablecloth

38previews

BUZZ MAGAZINE 220C Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY published EAC PUBLISHING contents HAPPY MONDAYS - BEZ cover BLONDIE - VIDEO STILL

Last month I said that the November issue would have no list-based spreads in this section, but I lied. Or was lied to. There’s a roundup of wintry events stretching across the nation, a sober balm among the rock’n’roll platitudes found in interviews with (the drummer out of) Blondie, Bez (out of Happy Mondays), Enter Shikari(‘s vocalist) and Noel (once) of Hear’say

Despite it being my job to ensure clarity of meaning, I’m unsure that my review of the MDC album properly explains their anti-Trump lyric, for the uninitiated.

Basically, they released a song in 1982 with the refrain “no war, no KKK, no fascist USA,” which Green Day covered on TV last year, replacing “war” with “Trump”. Then it was adopted by protesters etc. OK?

I once saw a lengthy and irritable online argument about the title of the movie Legally Blonde, and whether it was supposed to be a pun on the term ‘legally blind’.

It’s stayed with me ever since and maybe, in light of the musical version heading up the Stage page this month, it’ll stay with you too

@Buzz_Magazine

BuzzMagUK

It’s the Welsh rugby autumn internationals, just like every November. I for one literally copied the text from 2016’s listings to save myself about 60 seconds’ worth of typing. Not sure if sports writer Campbell did the same

Worst band names in this issue: Chuggaboom, Pussycat & The Dirty Johnsons, Good Morning Vietnam, Wonk Unit, Tight Muff, JOANovARC

78competitions

Including your chance to win a jacket with a Blondie logo on, and a Supermarket Sweep-style dash round a Vintage Kilo Sale. Perhaps in months to come, the former prize will become part of the latter

buzzmagtv

Buzz Magazine

www.buzzmag.co.uk BUZZ 3

roundup

BRIEFLY

WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

Community Music Wales, Wales’ leading music charity, are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a concert at the Tramshed. The concert will show off work from community musical groups as well as named performers, whilst highlighting the important work Community Music Wales has done for the empowerment of disadvantaged groups in music. The night will include participatory music, as well as performances from groups such as 9Bach, Wonderbrass, Ghostbuskers, and local community groups like Cardiff Canton Singers, Cardiff Gamelan and Canton Drumming Circle. Everyone performing has strong links with Community Music Wales and exemplifies the positive contribution musical charities make. The night promises to be good fun for a good cause, as well as raising awareness for the power of music for the young and disadvantaged.

Tramshed, Cardiff, Thurs 9 Nov. Tickets: £12.50/£8.50 under-16s Info: 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshedcardiff.com

Pic: Les Haines

COMMUNITY MUSIC WALES 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Pic: Eleonora Albasi

BRECON BEACONS ULTRA MARATHON This intense 46-mile mixed trail/ mountain/canal/road run takes place in the heart of the Brecon Beacons this November. This will be the marathon’s ninth year and will attract competitors with a huge range of abilities – world record holders, professionals, amateurs and fun runners. The event is notorious for its unpredictable weather conditions, from sun to rain to frost – you won’t forget you’re in mid-Wales!

One thing you will be guaranteed is a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Talybont-on-Usk, Sat 18 Nov Info: www.breconsultra.com

Pic: Andy K

CARDIFF FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Cardiff University are returning this year with their Festival Of Social Sciences. In association with the Economic And Social Research Council, Cardiff University are hosting the festival across multiple venues in Cardiff. The aim is to raise awareness of the social research taking place in Cardiff through talks, workshops, film screenings and lectures. The festival will focus on research that influences the development of policies, services, innovation and addresses societal issues in the UK. The stand-out event is the collaboration between Common Wealth and Cardiff University School Of Social Sciences, entitled The Elephant In The Room, at Chapter Arts Centre on Mon 6 Nov. The talk asks what defines us and our ‘place’ and whether class has a major influence in people’s engagement with art. Using theatre and conversation, the event asks us what are the possibilities for change in an industry that undervalues and distances itself from working class people.

Various venues, Sat 4-Sat 11 Nov. Admission: varies Info: www.cardiff.ac.uk/festival-of-social-sciences

BUZZ 4

RICK AND MORTY’S HOUSE PARTY Everyone’s favourite alcoholic mad scientist and his grandson, who has a slightly lower IQ, return to our screens.

Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon’s sci-fi masterpiece, Rick And Morty, has secured a cult following and what better way to celebrate than a house party at Sin City in Swansea? On Sat Nov 11, expect a night full of your favourite episodes, themed drinks, and a generous £50 bar tab that is up for grabs for the best Rick And Morty themed costume.

Sin City, Swansea, Sat 11 Nov Tickets: £3-£5. Info: 01792 468892 www.sincityclub.co.uk

GENERATION GAMES Video game archiving still has a long way to go, but it seems like the National Waterfront Museum are making some progress with an exhibition, Generation Games, displaying one man’s comprehensive collection of video game consoles. Caerphilly resident Samuel Anstee has been smitten with video games since childhood, and he’s endeavoured to collect every single console from every generation since. Video game consoles first hit the UK in 1973, and Anstee’s collection spans every single generation of consoles up until the present – he’s even showing his rarest console, a 1972 US Odyssey, which predates the official date for the first UK console. There’ll be opportunity to play each of the consoles and reflect upon how far gaming has come as an art form. The collection will bridge the gap between the evolution of board games and paper gaming to video games, all through the lens of one man’s ever-youthful appreciation for the form.

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea Until Sun 18 Mar. Admission: free Info: 0300 1112333 / www.museum.wales/swansea

REAL ALE WOBBLE The ‘wobble’ is a routed cycling course for both fun riders and intermediate bikers, with marked checkpoints where participants can trade beer tokens for locally brewed ale. This non-competitive event marks the beginning of the 10-day Mid-Wales Beer Festival, celebrating excellent local real ales, ciders, food and live music. Located in the heart of Mid-Wales, riders will enjoy beautiful landscapes as well as a fully equipped, marked route. The event will continue into the evening festival-style with an opportunity to try some local ales offbike whilst dancing the evening away with local entertainment. Soft and hot drinks are also available, as well as a family BBQ. Choose your package for either both days, one day or just an evening.

The Neuadd Arms Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells Fri 18 + Sat 19 Nov. Tickets: from £23 Info: 01591 610666 / www.green-events.co.uk

Pic: Alan Cleaver

CRIME LIVE Forensic science has become muddied and romanticised by over-dramatic portrayals on television which leaves many of us with an inaccurate idea of what forensic scientists actually do. As part of Inside Justice, a UK charity dedicated to investigating miscarriages of justice, Cardiff University are providing an interactive murder mystery night, but instead of donning a Cluedo-style top hat, the players will be in full SOCO crime scene suits. Join forensic scientist Tracy and Jo as they guide you through an interactive crime scene, analysing fingerprints, blood splatters and all that other good stuff you’ve seen on CSI. Whilst it shows the scientific potential of forensic science, the event is also there to highlight the dangers of tunnel-vision policing and tampered evidence. Most importantly, the event is an opportunity to become informed about an essential part of public safety.

Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 24 Nov. Admission: £16.50 Info: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/home BUZZ 5

roundup WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

MARILYN MANSON Nothing screams festive better than some merry ol’ Marilyn Manson. Touring in promotion of his new album, Heaven Upside Down, Manson is taking his eccentric brand of shock rock to Newport. As well as blasting through some new tunes including SAY10 and KILL4ME, you can also expect to hear the ‘Antichrist Superstar’ break out Christmas crackers the likes of The Dope Show and Irresponsible Hate Anthem. At least, with the nearby winter solistice, the many swathes of goths shan’t be troubled by the sunlight.

Newport Centre, Fri 8 Dec. Tickets: £35.

Info: 01633 656757 / www.tickets.newportlive.co.uk

Pic: Jon Candy

CARDIFF WINTER WONDERLAND The annual Winter Wonderland is always sure to give Cardiff an enjoyable season. Featuring an array of festive attractions including an ice-skating rink and winter-themed funfair, this year will not disappoint. While you are there, why not grab some warming food from the many traditionally themed stalls at the Alpine Village or enjoy a drink at the Bierkeller bar? If you prefer your festive celebrations to be more relaxed, the Winter Wonderland also provides special accessibility sessions in which music will be played quietly and lighting kept relaxing. Something for all the family!

Civic Centre, Cardiff, Wed 8 Nov-Sun 7 Jan Info: 0333 6663366 / www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com

Pic: Huw Harding-Reyland

CHEPSTOW STEAMPUNK WINTER FESTIVAL The Drill Hall, in Wales’ historic town of Chepstow, will be hosting a weekend of steampunk-themed trading and entertainment. The festival will include a set of diverse stalls, ranging from jewellery to unique foods.

Saturday evening will feature performances from some of Chepstow’s fantastic local musicians and artists. Carrying through into Sunday, there will be two new additions to the festival in the form of a racing championship and a fashion show, both themed around the steampunk aesthetic. This could very well be the best Wales winter event that you may have overlooked.

Drill Hall, Chepstow, Sat 25 + Sun 26 November. Tickets: £15 Info: 01267 627122 / www.chepstowsteampunk.org

STEPS On their huge 2017 Arena Tour, reunited pop group Steps are stopping by Motorpoint Arena Cardiff to give their Welsh fans an early Christmas present. The group have scored 14 hit singles, three number one albums and have a sizable fanbase, so whilst this might not be the most highfalutin event of the winter, it will surely be one of the cheesiest.

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Wed 29 Nov + Sun 10 Dec Tickets: £40. Info: 029 2022 4488 www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk BUZZ 6

Pic: Ting W. Ching

CREATIVE CARDIGAN’S WINTER LANTERN PARADE Following the surprise success of last year’s Giant Lantern Parade in Cardigan, the organisers have decided to host another parade as part of Cardigan’s Festive Fortnight – a programme of festive events including shopping, concerts, fairs, pop-ups and parties.

The Lantern Parade will involve a lantern-making workshop, a parade with everyone’s personalised lanterns, then the release of the lanterns into the night sky. Last year, the sky was illuminated by 350 lanterns floating over the High Street and the river Telfi.

Now with the support of Cymdeithas Abertelfi Society and Cardigan’s Town Centre Partnership, it’s looking likely that it’ll be bigger and better than last year.

High Street, Cardigan, Fri 8 Dec. Admission: free, but donation encouraged. Info: 01239 615952

THE NUTCRACKER As is the tradition, St David’s Hall will be displaying a spectacular Christmas ballet. This year the venue will be proudly playing host to The Nutcracker. Performed by Russian State Ballet & Orchestra Of Siberia, watch this classic story bought to life in a flurry of fabulous costumes, dazzling dances and beautiful music. With the ballet’s place as a comforting seasonal custom, this could prove a truly spellbinding way to celebrate the holidays.

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Thurs 21-Sun 24 Dec. Tickets: £16.50-£39.50 Info: www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Pic: lotherington

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS: THE FAIREST PANTO IN ALL THE LAND You know the story, and you have probably seen the Disney classic.

It is a tale of a beautiful princess, seven friendly dwarfs and a wicked witch. This panto season, you can see Snow White colourfully bought to the stage by a profusion of song, laughs and audience participation.

The pantomime takes place in the spectacular New Theatre and includes a range of guest stars, including Chico and Samantha Womack.

You might just want to start practicing your “Oh no you didn’t” and “He’s behind you” chants, as this will be a performance not to miss.

New Theatre, Cardiff, Sat 9 Dec-Sun 14 Jan. Tickets: £13-£37 Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Developing from the Vision For Living project, the Cardiff Festival oO Wellbeing aims to bring together a community of likeminded folk whose mission in life is to find out how to live more healthily. There will be vegan and vegetarian food stalls, all manner of talks and classes from a number of experts, and for the most laid-back amongst us and number of massage workshops. Let out your inner hippy!

Pic: Jean Henrique Wichinoski

CARDIFF FESTIVAL OF WELLBEING

City Hall, Cardiff, Sat 18 Nov. Tickets: £5 Info: 01446 796065 / www.visionforliving.co.uk

BUZZ 7

Demons

roundup WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

ABERTOIR HORROR FESTIVAL

Once again, it's approaching that time of year when the Aberystwyth Arts Centre will become awash with screams of terror as it hosts the Abertoir Horror Festival. Showcasing big-budget, independent and classic horrors, the festival also features concerts, international shorts, and masterclasses. But hold onto your black gloves because the cherry on top of this year’s bloody cake will be a celebration of all things giallo! The 2017 guests of honour are none other than Sergio Martino and Lamberto Bava, two legendary giallo directors. The opening night begins with Your Vice Is A Locked Room And Only I Have The Key, plus a conversation with Martino following the film. As for Bava, there’s a screening of his hugely entertaining Demons, and a tribute to his father Mario, one of the genre’s founding fathers.

The full festival lineup is yet to be released but I've already worked up a thirst for blood!

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Tue 14-Sun 19 Nov. Tickets: £60 (full festival pass); individual screenings vary.

Info: 01970 623232 / www.abertoir.co.uk

Pic: PunkToad

CURATORS CABINET OF CURIOSITIES – WWI The National Waterfront Museum, in the same month as the 99th anniversary of the end of World War One, is showing off a collection of curated WWI artefacts in commemoration of the Great War’s remembrance. Pop in, meet the curator and take a look at an interesting and meticulous collection of wartime relics.

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Sun 12 Nov Admission: free. Info: 0300 1112333 / museum.wales/swansea

Pic: Ryan Wick

STARGAZE WITH CADW Cadw, the Welsh Government’s environmental service, is hosting a night of stargazing with astrology experts in the ruins of Raglan Castle. Nestled in the Monmouthshire hills, experts will help you get to know the night sky of the northern hemisphere from the well-known Orion Nebula to more unfamiliar stars. Using binoculars, star maps and telescopes, you’ll be taught how to find stars, the right conditions for stargazing, the process of astrology photography and even how to set up your own telescope. Stargazing is a waiting game, so get comfortable. Oh, and make sure you bring a coffee flask, a blanket, a flashlight and layer up – stargazing is patient work, but so is freezing to death, so come prepared.

Raglan Castle, Fri 24 Nov. Tickets: £10 Info: 01291 690228 / cadw.gov.wales/daysout/raglancastle

Pic: Oregon State University

HAY-ON-WYE WINTER FOOD FESTIVAL Hay-On-Wye is a lovely little place, isn’t it? It’s like being cwtched into the most tranquil place in the world, nestled between the River Wye and the crisp countryside air, but Hay-On-Wye is also hiding an absolutely banging food festival as part of the Hay Festival Winter Weekend.

Some 40 stalls offer a wide selection of food from local cheese to wholesome festive cakes. There’s a high focus on sustainable and local produce, so whilst you may feel guilty for your waistline, you can at least clear your environmental and ethical conscience.

Memorial Car Park, Hay-On-Wye, Sat 25 + Sun 26 Nov. Admission: free. Info: 07779 012019 / www.visitmidwales.co.uk

BUZZ 8

-------------------------artisan pizza-----------------------

@BRAVA

what we do: Gorgeous hand stretched pizza with a range of delicious toppings including one

by Steven Terry, of ‘The Hardwick’, with £1to Ty Hafan for each of these sold.

Pizza Peroni Pipes Prosecco & Plonk There’s a selection of small dishes for starters or sides and some great desserts including a nutella pizza!

We also have gluten free bases available along with GF lager and vegan cheese. how we do things: We took ourselves off to ‘The School of Artisan Food’, to learn how to make great stone baked pizza properly.

The Italian stone bottomed oven runs at up to 500c to lock in the all the delicious flavours of your toppings and ensure a crisp base.

Our ethos is to keep things simple, fresh and flavoursome so we work with some great local/welsh suppliers to achieve this, see our menu for details. when we do things: Fridays and Saturdays 6pm-10pm, more nights to follow

Call 02920371929 to book a table or order a takeaway Christmas party bookings now being taken for Tuesday-Saturday throughout December see www.bravacardiff.co.uk for the menu Brava – 71 Pontcanna Street, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9HS

Looking for something a little bit different ? spend a day on Kate Humble’s farm • Smallholding • Foraging • Build a pizza oven • Crafts • Butchery & curing

• Willow weaving • Wood fire cooking • Photography • Lambing • & much more...

Course & accommodation packages available

www.humblebynature.com 01600 714595

roundup

WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

C Y N A N

J O N E S

Welsh writer Cynan Jones came out on top at the Short Story Prize Awards in London, winning the competition with The Edge Of The Shoal, the story of a man lost at sea, and the difficulties he faces as a storm hits. Beth Cruse caught up with the author.

Is the character in this novel drawn from life? Is this a running theme in your writing?

It does ask: is an individual actually a range of people? Do we alter our character depending on circumstance and who we connect with? I don’t tend to base characters on actual people, as such. Mostly they are an amalgam, and more often than not a product of my assumptions about why people behave the way they do.

Is there meaning behind the title?

Cressida Leyshon of the New Yorker suggested it for the short story, which is a line from the early part of the narrative, but I had toyed with the title Shoal for the novel, using the double meaning of the word – “a hidden danger or difficulty”. The Edge Of The Shoal is a distillation of my short novel Cove – the New Yorker wasn’t able to publish that as a whole, so needed a short story that worked in its own right.

Did you find difficulty in condensing an eventful story into so few pages?

Long or short form, that’s the difficulty to master. The challenge with Cove / The Edge Of The Shoal was to BUZZ 10

take a story that was incredibly compressed, then cut it even further.

You’ve also been recognised for other works, such as The Long Dry published in 2006, and The Dig that won the 2014 Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize and the 2015 Wales Book Of The Year Fiction Prize. Would you say this novel follows similar themes to the other successful stories you’ve written?

A broken man, his memory shot, out on an unknown ocean: I deliberately set out to write a story without the more overt themes I was starting to get a name for. Relationship to the land; interaction with others; sense of place, for example. But the key theme remains: what is our relevance?

Could you have imagined your short story getting the success it did that night?

I'm kind of in the business of imagining! But that doesn’t help you guess how it actually feels to have such success. The main feeling is a sense of arriving at a place I’ve wanted very much to get to. It validates the choices I’ve made with writing since the start.

The reaction has been humbling. I've had a great response to my work over the last 10 years, but it still feels surreal that many people like the story. The incoming congratulations and comments have been amazing.

As a writer from a small place, far away from major cities where the big publishing houses often are, has the online world changed the potential outreach of your work and its potential accessibility?

From the outset, I’ve tried to focus on the words I put on the page. There are so many conversations, distractions, tactical discussions about how to ‘get your work out there’ and ‘be more accessible’. In the end, it comes down to your writing. That's your task.

Write. Everything else is a side effect.

The Edge Of The Shoal is the winner of the BBC’s National Short Story award Info: www.cynanjones.com

John Owen-Jones & Beau Dermott

Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra A Night at the Movies

Kate Rusby at Christmas

The Bootleg Beatles & The Pepperland Sinfonia

Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night

John Wilson & The John Wilson Orchestra

The Darkness Pinewood Smile

Christmas Ballets

Welsh National Opera Orchestra feat. Tara Erraught 23.11.17

14.12.17

05.12.17

13.12.17

08.12.17

16.11.17

Cinderella, The Nutcracker & Swan Lake

19.12.17 - 31.12.17

12.12.17

30.11.17

roundup

WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

Pic: rhedeg.co.uk

SECRET SPACES: LAUGHARNE

BOOK NOW KASABIAN

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Mon 4 Dec Tickets: £50.75 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk –

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES

St David’s Hall, Cardiff Tue 5 Dec Tickets: £29.50 Info: 029 2087 8444 http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Pic: Les Haines

–

Stephen Davies, chief executive at Wales’ premier whisky distillery Penderyn, had a chat with Buzz about their recent successes.

Can you tell us a bit about the Penderyn whisky bottle redesign?

This is our Madiera Finish single malt whisky which first launched back in 2004. The packaging has been unchanged since 2004, but we felt it was time to refresh the brand. It’s still based on the same theme of rare and precious Welsh gold; we like that analogy with our whisky, so there’s a gold theme on the front of the bottle which has been modernised.

We launched the new bottle design at Whisky Live in Paris, one of the premier showcases for whisky in Europe, and it was very well-received.

Penderyn has won a number of awards recently. What’s the secret behind the success?

Our aspiration is to produce world-class spirits, and people buy our products not just because we are proudly Welsh, but on the basis that they are well-produced. Every stage of the process is based on quality – buying the best barley and preparing it properly, using the best yeast, and the quality of the wood we use. It’s all about the attention to detail and the patience that is required to get every detail right.

Until Penderyn came along, there wasn’t a proper whisky distillery in Wales for a long time. Why? Whisky making, as a tradition, wasn’t as strong in Wales as it has been in Ireland and Scotland, though there have been notable exceptions in the past – for instance Evan Williams who was originally from Pembrokeshire and is known as one of the founding fathers of the Kentucky bourbon Industry. Because of the strong religious foundation in Wales in the past, that has been one barrier, but it is also a difficult thing bringing a distillery to life because you have to wait many years before the product has matured. As a business, whisky distilling is not always an attractive proposition. But if you can produce it and present it in the right way, you have something that can really stand up as a premium product and brand.

If you could recommend one place in Wales to someone who has never visited before, what would you pick and why?

I would choose Laugharne in West Wales. It’s a small estuary village, and one of the places where Dylan Thomas spent a large part of his time. It’s one of the most famous literary places in the UK, and the annual Laugharne Weekend arts and literary festival is held there.

Info: www.penderyn.wales

BUZZ 12

GOLDIE LOOKIN’ CHAIN A GOLDIE LOOKIN’ CHRISTMAS!

Tramshed, Cardiff Fri 8 Dec Tickets: £15.40 Info: 029 2023 5555 www.tramshedcardiff.com –

THE CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB

Tramshed, Cardiff Fri 15 Dec Tickets: £20.80 Info: 029 2023 5555 www.tramshedcardiff.com –

JOOLS HOLLAND AND HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Fri 15 Dec Tickets: £47.05 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk –

ULTIMATE BOWIE

The Globe, Cardiff Fri 29 Dec Tickets: £14.30 Info: 07590 471888 www.globecardiffmusic.com

Sain Ffagan Amgueddfa Werin Cymru St Fagans National Museum of History

Nadolig Cymreig traddodiadol i’w gofio. Tocynnau ymlaen llaw yn unig. £15 oedolion, £8 plant amgueddfa.cymru/sainffagan A traditional Welsh Christmas to remember. Advance tickets only. £15 adult, £8 child museum.wales/stfagans

Pic: Kim Stevens

upfront

BLONDIE

With a new album Pollinator and a date at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, New York rock legends Blondie are having something of a renaissance period.

Jon Sutton caught up with sticksman Clem Burke.

It’s been over a decade since the last Cardiff gig and four decades since the band formed. Do you think part of the long-term success has been the ability to play around with genre?

Yes. We still think of ourselves as a cult band. That might sound strange since we’ve had four number ones in the US, but we still think of ourselves that way, because each single was completely unique. We started with disco, but then had a hit with Call Me, a rock song we did with Giorgio Moroder for the movie American Gigolo. The Tide Is High was a reggae song and then of course there was Rapture, which was rap. At the time, rap music was essentially a beat with words over the top. But what we did was to add a melody – and that’s how rap music evolved, way back when.

Rap still hadn’t really arrived in the UK charts back then. Did you notice a difference in the UK and US music scenes?

Yeah, when we went to the UK we had a lot of pop hits with Sunday Girl, Picture This and Hanging On The Telephone, which weren’t hits in the US. We were unique, our influences were all over the place. We loved David Bowie, The Beatles and The Stones because you never knew what their next record was going to be like.

You found a much wider audience than most bands that originated on the punk scene.

The Ramones were a great band but they basically always stayed the same. When BUZZ 14

people think of punk rock, they think of that Ramones sound, but the attitude of punk rock was always in Blondie, because we came up in that New York scene too. Back then, no one ever called themselves punks – and in CBGBs, no one ever wore t-shirts saying CBGBs! It was more like a workshop, a spontaneous, artistic environment with an anything-goes attitude. That speaks to the aesthetic of Blondie, the music could go anywhere, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

There were no boundaries, there was always room to explore musically and to be creatively experimental.

On Pollinator, you’ve made a return to the studio after a few albums which were more heavily computer-generated. You can certainly hear that energy in the results.

Well, what we realized with those songs from the last [few] albums, was that it was only when we played them live that they really came to life. So, we wanted to recapture the spontaneity and chemistry of the band on Pollinator. The reception has been amazing. We went top five in the UK and the record company loves it too.

Everybody’s happy with the contribution.

What does that success mean for the future of Blondie?

It enables us as a band. It gives us a reason to go forward. Plus, some of the guys who’ve been in the band for a while, but haven’t had a chance to contribute so much, they got that chance on this record. It brought us all back together and

it rebranded us – but at the same time it gave the fans a reminder of the sounds they remember us for. It’s reminiscent of early Blondie, but with a new twist.

It was a true collaboration. We even got involved in different types of media – working with our friend [artist] Shepherd Fairey on the album cover, for example.

You seem to like those activities outside the studio. Tell us about the Clem Burke Drumming Project.

A few years back I got an honorary doctorate from the University Of Chichester – it’s a study of drumming, how the brain and the body comes together, all the attributes it takes to be a drummer and the lifestyle that goes with it. And the ageing process too. As you get older it gets harder to walk down the road, let alone all the travelling and energetic performances that go with that. It’s set up by an Olympic doctor and his aim is to make the link between sports and drumming.

Well he’s picked the right man. The first advert you ever answered was from a band who were looking for a “freak energy rock drummer” in the Village Voice…

Ah yes, ha ha, that sounds about right. The Village Voice was before the internet so bands used it to find gigs and auditions and bandmates.

Like an early Facebook?

More like an early Craigslist.

So, from that early audition, you went on to have a career with Blondie that’s lasted most of your adult life. But in Blondie’s downtime during the 90s, you had your own career drumming with many other musicians. Who stands out in your memory?

I had a great tour with Iggy, opening for The Rolling Stones – but the most rewarding was probably touring with Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart on their first album. That relationship went on for the next 10 years. And now it’s come full circle – I just played Dave Stewart’s birthday party. They’re still friends of mine.

As for Bob Dylan, becoming friends with a man with that level of genius, after being such a massive fan, was a pretty amazing thing to remember. Just being able to talk with him on that level. An evening with him and George Harrison in New York will always stand out for me. And so, will the two months I spent on tour with Iggy and David Bowie. I was a very impressionable young man!

And the tours nowadays… are they a little more tame?

Well, we all like a drink and a laugh but sleep is important too. Touring is easier now though, with technology. Back then, keeping in touch with loved ones was impossible, but now there’s nothing to it.

So, you’re a fan of technology?

Absolutely. We’re going to be the first generation of bands whose full history is on the internet. We got in when TV was massive and we got a lot of exposure. Well, the kids who want to check us out now can see all that online. And they do. We were innovative in music but also in fashion and style. The kids today recognise that. Our old videos look modern again. The fact we still exist and are making new music that resonates, I can attribute a lot of that success to our being on the internet.

I see your point. When I saw you in 2005, it was an older crowd, pre-social media, but now you see teenagers walking around in Debbie Harry t-shirts.

Well yes, Debbie’s a great role model and she’s fighting ageism now too. We’re all creative people and our style, similar to Lou Reed and David Bowie, has become ingrained in society. Pop culture has integrated with the art and fashion worlds now. Patti Smith, for example, was literate, intelligent and provocative and that resonates with young people to this day. We’ve been together longer now than we were back then, which is evidence of that new success.

Blondie, Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Fri 10 Nov. Tickets: £60/£50 Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk BUZZ 15

upfront

JON RONSON Cardiff’s very own Jon Ronson talks to Jaydon Martin about psychopaths, Trump, and why they’re not necessarily one and the same…

Jon Ronson, author of such best-selling books as Them: Adventures With Extremists, The Men Who Stare At Goats and So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed is in a sunny mood as he picks up from New York, reporting a pleasant day in contrast to the grey skies of Wales. Considering the often-dark subject matter of the conversation – including discussion of his currently touring show, Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Nights, drawing on his book The Psychopath Test – he remains upbeat throughout. Perhaps a reasonable defence for a man given to exploring extreme personalities.

Has he always been drawn to such people, the denizens existing at the fringes of society? “Yes, and I wonder why – I’m naturally curious about people who live at the fringes of society. There’s just something about the kind of mystery of those corners of society that really interests me. Caitlin Moran once said it was because I had a bad time at Cardiff High School and I wanted just to push to the margins and meet other people.”

He’s quite envious, he says, of authors like Nick Hornby who can write “really amazing stories about very ordinary things… just people getting on with their lives. For some reason I can’t do that, so go to this mysterious faraway place and I spend time with people there.”

The next question, logically, would be how does he find such people? “It’s not really about the people. It starts with a question. ‘Here’s something about the world that I don’t understand.’ One example would be when I started hearing all these psychologists and psychiatrists saying that psychopaths rule the world, that you’re much likely to find a psychopath at the top of the tree than at the bottom – I thought, ‘that’s an extraordinary thought, if it’s true,’ so I had a question that I wanted to know the answer to.

“I started looking around to try and find interesting people and interesting questions that might help me solve the mystery. I followed the breadcrumbs. I read a lot of academic papers and messageboards until I found something that covered that question. So again with The Psychopath Test I had that question, ‘is it true that psychopaths rule the world?’ because that’s such a huge thought. I wondered

Pic: Emli Bendixen

BUZZ 16

that if that’s what psychiatrists believe, maybe I should be critical of psychiatry. It’s about keeping your mind open and following the breadcrumbs of your thought process.”

Given the current political climate, it’s not surprising that a lot of people ask Jon Ronson if he thinks Donald Trump is a psychopath. “In all honesty I don’t necessarily think he is. I think he definitely has issues with narcissism. I don’t think his problem is that he doesn’t have enough emotion, I think his problem is he has too many emotions, and psychopaths tend not to have deep emotions, but I could be wrong.”

Although he warns against becoming too enthusiastic in accusing people of psychopathic tendencies.

“One of the best rules with the psychopath test is ‘don’t go crazy with the psychopathspotting power.’ It’s kind of psychopathic to start labelling people in society as psychopathic.

It’s about the dangers of getting too drunk with the psychopath-spotting powers.”

It is however, hard to argue with the fact that some of Ronson’s work has retained a contemporary relevance.

“I do think, to blow my own trumpet for a second, that three of my books – Them, The Psychopath Test and So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed – are all kind of harking towards the Trump presidency. Them is about the rise of extremism, and a lot of the people in there are now in power; The Psychopath Test there’s the obvious person and then So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed is about the way that social media turns the world into a black-and-white world of heroes and villains, extremes of each other – the milieu in which Donald Trump has emerged.”

Ronson’s interest in the way social media has given rise to a new era of public shaming leads him to wonder about the recent downfall of Harvey Weinstein. “The people I looked at in So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed are people who were disproportionally punished for having done very little wrong, quite often people

who were completely misinterpreted. What happened to Harvey Weinstein isn’t a miscarriage of justice.”

The liberating power of social media can cut in all directions, good or bad.

Considering the sleaze with which the Trump Presidency lurches from one crisis to another, it seems natural conversation should turn to Ronson’s recent audio series The Butterfly Effect, which looks at the porn industry and how its responded to the internet age. “It has been killed by tech like so much of the world: tech has killed music, journalism, all sorts of things. One of the things that’s so sad about [this shift towards technology] is that porn people are generally considered to be disreputable whereas tech people are generally considered to be admirable, and when you look at the tech takeover of the porn industry, the porn people are being victimised and nobody cares. For me it’s a story about who we consider reputable and who we consider disreputable.”

It’s not all doom and gloom. “One good thing that’s come out the Trump presidency is people have started subscribing more to the New York Times, so journalism is having a bit of a renaissance and tech is still trying to kill it, yet tech is still important.”

What can we expect from the show when it comes to St. David’s Hall in Cardiff?

“A lot of daftness. My favourite thing about the show is the special guests we’re going to have, and I strongly advise people not to Google them because if you don’t know their story then just the way that it unfolds is so extraordinary! My very happiest memories of doing the Psychopath Night before is hearing the audience gasp so loudly when it gets to certain twists that happen in [these] stories, it’s just such a great feeling. So, daftness is exactly what people can expect.”

“I’m naturally curious about people who live at the fringes of society.”

Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Thurs 19 Nov. Tickets: £17.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

“I don’t think Trump’s problem is that he doesn’t have enough emotion, I think his problem is he has too many emotions, and psychopaths tend not to have deep emotions.”

A selection of Jon Ronson's published books

BUZZ 17

upfront

T I G E R B AY Ahead of the premiere of the WMC’s grand premiere of Tiger Bay, Rhonda Lea Reali had a chat with one of its stars, local boy Noel Sullivan.

Like its more famous counterparts in Liverpool, San Francisco and Shanghai, Cardiff’s docks are full of history – good and bad. Though the neighbourhood is long-vanished, its legacy still endures, with Tiger Bay The Musical arriving this month. Co-produced by Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera, it is based on the book by Michael Williams (authoring the script and lyrics here), with music by Dafydd James and direction by Melly Still.

“It’s a brand new, original story,” says Noel Sullivan. “It’s set in Edwardian Cardiff, around 1908 when the immigrants were kind of running the docks and when the Marquess Of Bute was in charge of coal production in South Wales.

[Tiger Bay] is reminiscent of Les Miz and very much the show Cardiff deserves.”

Sullivan, who’s been singing all his life, last graced the WMC stage in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels two years ago. He was looking for a change when he was chosen for one of the starring parts in Tiger Bay. “I only wanted to do theatre that was new and exciting, as opposed to walking into productions that had existed previously,” he says. “The nice thing about Tiger Bay is that I’m the first person to play this role. I’m creating it from scratch. It’s exciting to be back in Wales doing the biggest ever production that the WMC have mounted, and it’s about my home, so it’s amazing.

“I’m playing Seamus O’Rourke, the harbourmaster of Cardiff. He was more of a featured role in South Africa, and they’ve re-written the show after the work I did on it. Now my part is a lot meatier. It was a compliment to what I had done in South Africa.

“The harbourmaster is the controller, the puppeteer to a lot of situations. He has a fiancée, and also a lover who’s hidden away. He’s trying to con the Marquess Of Bute out of a lot of money... he’s got a lot of fingers in a lot of pies, and he’s BUZZ 18

juggling all these different things.”

Sullivan’s ratio of singing to speaking is half and half. “I do have some belting music! It’s very high and very complex, really challenging, but it’s great because O’Rourke is such a mean guy. It’s nice to have music that reflects his personality and to be able to belt it out like that is really satisfying.”

The character is very different from Sullivan’s previous roles, and the actor is spreading his wings. “It’s nice to see and to feel that transition from boy to man.

I’m 37 now, and I’m starting to get those roles that are challenging me more. You’re not just resting on the easy go-to tricks. You have to dig a little deeper and build a character from scratch, which is not an easy task but is ultimately more rewarding.”

Sullivan has a history connected to the area as his grandfather worked on the docks. “We have some family connections to the docks, as I think everybody who’s from Cardiff has. Growing up, loads of my friends were of different heritage because their parents worked on the docks or passed through. The story that we’re telling now is about everybody in Cardiff’s ancestors. I think people will be surprised by the title of Tiger Bay. We’re telling a historical story of how people came to be in Wales, and the struggle of worker’s rights, women’s rights and all those things – very political, but it’s a very epic, exciting tale. It could be a brilliant piece of theatre that could represent Wales on the world stage.”

Might it be headed to the West End and beyond? “I don’t know where it’s going to go, but I know that Cardiff won’t be the last that the world sees of Tiger Bay.” Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Mon 13-Sat 25 Nov. Tickets: £7-£39. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

WHAT’S ON/AR FYND November / Tachwedd 2017– January / Ionawr 2018

FRIGG 21.11.17 – 8pm see website for details of accompanying workshop gweler ar y wefan fanylion y gweithdy sydd ynghyd

TOM RUSSELL 22.11.17 – 8pm

MARTYN JOSEPH 16.01.18 – 8pm

CAPITAL CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA 23.01.18 – 8pm Featuring / Gyda Tim Garland

AMY WADGE & LUKE JACKSON 30.01.18 – 8pm

upfront

ENTER SHIKARI Enter Shikari’s fifth album The Spark has been hailed as their most consistent work to date. Ffion Riordan-Jones speaks to frontman Rou Reynolds.

What made you take this direction with The Spark?

The last few years have been hectic, for me personally and overall. I wanted the music to perhaps be more lucid and for the vocals to take a much bigger forefront.

It’s only been the last few years that I’ve grown confident as a singer whereas before I always just saw myself as the punk kid that fell into being a frontman.

What have your influences been?

I definitely feel that David Bowie has been a huge influence on me, especially vocally. Me and my mates found ourselves doing a thing we dubbed ‘Bowie-oke’ that started as just celebrating his life. I found that really formative for the album in terms of increasing my range, baritone and falsetto.

You’ve talked openly about anxiety, loss and insomnia. How did it feel channelling it into your material?

Very difficult at first – coming out of a really intense period of insomnia and anxiety, then writing music which was coming out really upbeat and positive. I didn’t want to fake being positive when it wasn’t how I was feeling. With Live Outside, it’s one of the most upbeat tracks on the album, but the lyrics are mainly about mental health. It’s a very traditional British post-punk or alt-pop thing to do to have a fairly singable tune but then address subjects that more manufactured pop isn’t addressing. It was quite nice to try and fit into that lineage of bands as so many have influenced us going back to Joy Division and Depeche Mode.

How do you feel about the increased dialogue surrounding mental health in the industry?

It’s a really interesting subject as talking about your own experiences can be very BUZZ 20

close to narcissism. In pop and hip-hop there is a lot of bigging oneself up, and I think over time a lot of people get sick of that. People want reality and they want things that they have experienced; mental health is one. Speaking about it on Twitter, I have found it beneficial for myself. You know, when I would feel solitary, having loads of other people respond saying ‘I’ve been through this and that’ has really helped. It’s definitely a two-way thing.

Your previous work has always been unapologetic when tackling political issues. What, in the current political climate, has formed the album?

If we were discussing nationalism 10 years ago, we wouldn’t think of it as a dangerous idea and more dormant, whereas now it has exploded becoming powerful and destructive. There’s still a pervasive thing as a male of, “You’re not allowed to show your emotions. You have to man up.” That is why we have someone like Donald Trump. This is a man who went to military school and is 50% pride and 50% anger; that’s his emotional makeup. We are trying to do our bit to combat that.

You’re bringing Astroid Boys to an arena stage in their hometown – what made you pick them to bring on tour?

We try and make eclectic bills and there is no one really doing what Astroid Boys are doing at the moment. I think their music is really interesting and their live shows are super intense. They were a complete no-brainer, especially with [other tour support] Lower Than Atlantis, who are the opposite end of the spectrum.

Enter Shikari, Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Fri 17 Nov. Tickets: £27.50. Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

MONDAY - THURSDAY 12:00 - 14:00 19:00 - 21:00 FRIDAY & SATURDAY 12:30 - 14:30 18:30 - 21:30 CLOSED SUNDAY 12:30 - 14:30

27 HIGH ST, CARDIFF | (029) 2022 4817 | INFO@THEPOTTEDPIG.COM

The world’s most famous maracas player talks to Ben Newman about the values of nostalgia, life in a reunited Happy Mondays and raving it up.

“If anyone told me 30 years ago we’d still be out on the road, selling out shows, rock and rolling and still pulling off the same dance moves, I would have never believed it!” says Bez, the ever-youthful Happy Mondays percussionist and poster child of the Madchester movement, with a laugh. “Crazier things have happened, I suppose,” Bez concludes. Ever-humble, Bez’s surprise that the Happy Mondays can still pull huge crowds shouldn’t surprise him: the Mondays always have and always will have crowd-pulling potential.

Of course, the venues have gotten smaller over time, but that isn’t necessarily a negative thing. Bez has played venues of all sizes, but that doesn’t really matter: “I’ve always formed a relationship with the audience and made contact with everyone who is in the front. You can never really see past the first 10 rows anyway!” His passion for performing and for his fans is still strong; he’s tangibly excited about touring again.

Is touring still the same? In fact, the recent tours have been an improvement for Bez and the Mondays, away from the comedowns and bustups. “I’ve always enjoyed going out with the band. Since the old line-up reformed it’s been really good fun. If anything it’s better. There’s a little less drama.” Maturity has been kind to the Happy Mondays, able to balance their youthful appeal with years of acid-tinged wisdom. “I do miss the drama, sometimes...” he adds, again with a laugh, cheeky as ever.

The spirit of rave culture is still very alive in Britain, although much more under the radar than 30 years ago. In many ways, the Happy Mondays personified the spirit of the rave movement and borrowed a lot of the movement’s most endearing qualities.

Asking Bez what it was like to be a part of that movement, he lit up: “It was a great time to grow up in. I remember as a kid growing up, we wanted to be in the 60s and recreate that psychedelic time. To be involved in that whole movement and scene at the time was a dream come true for us.”

There’s something to be said about the cyclical nature of music movements. The Happy Mondays and Bez’s adoration for the 1960s mirrors the current youth’s cultural obsession with the 90s. The societal romanticism for a cultural movement of 20 years prior is common, and there’s a certain irony currently in replicating a movement that was – at its core – an attempt to recapture and replicate the psychedelic movement. Could something akin to the rave movement happen again from youth culture’s current nostalgia?

“Hopefully!”, Bez says – but it won’t be as easy. “What we had was the record industry supporting us. The support from the record industry ain’t there no more, so the bands aren’t breaking through via record labels. It’s not fair – the digital era has taken away from the old industry, in a way. Youth culture is always happening, though, it’s never going to go away. That’s the power of the young for ya, always recreating their own thing.”

A cursorily glance at the crowd at a Happy Mondays show will reveal an incredibly diverse crowd of young and old, and the band have noticed: “It’s amazing, actually. To see young and old together, all having it, but I suppose that’s the power of music – it can cross ages and borders”.

Bez’s appreciation of fans new and old loving the music he was a part of is refreshing. It’s further proof that beneath the narrative of drugs and partying, the Happy Mondays are all about the music; their passion for music has always been their foundation, a foundation that’s still solid 30-plus years after their formation.

Happy Mondays, Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union Fri 17 Nov. Tickets: £32.50/£29.50 (sold out – check for returns) Info: 029 2078 1400 / www.cardiffstudents.com BUZZ 22

Pic: Des Willie

upfront BEZ

THE CINEMA AT TRAMSHED - CLARE ROAD, CARDIFF, CF11 6QP ENQUIRIES: CHARLEY@TRAMSHEDCARDIFF.COM - WWW.TRAMSHEDCARDIFF.COM

Pic: Philippe Weissbrodt

upfront

CARDIFF DANCE FESTIVAL The biannual Cardiff Dance Festival is back again this November. Gundija Zandersona has the preview.

The biannual Cardiff Dance Festival returns this month. It has become an important part of the Welsh arts calendar, and the 2017 programme brings together artists from across Wales and the UK, as well as a great portion of international artists.

The festival targets a wide audience, from passionate dance lovers and professionals to dabblers willing to enrich their cultural knowledge. The 12-daylong programme includes ticketed performances as well as open studios and public spaces events and is spread over three venues – Chapter Arts Centre, the Wales Millennium Centre and Dance House, located within the latter venue.

Choose from choreographies based on text or live music, installations, solo works and works that bring people together and encourage debate, with performances suitable for all ages.

Perhaps the most exciting piece to arrive at Cardiff Dance Festival this year is the international artistic collaboration Interruption, with support from Wales Arts International and the British Council. The project is a major part of the UK/India Year of Culture, bringing together artists from Basement 21 in Chennai, India, and our own Welsh artists. Drawing on both cultural traditions as well as various disciplines – amongst the primary collaborators one can find choreographers, visual artists, a saxophonist and a percussionist – Interruption hopes to provoke reflection on our relationship to geographic spaces. A three-week residency at Chapter Arts Centre will eventually culminate in a public performance in Cardiff city centre on Fri 17 Nov, with the aim of achieving, to an extent, what the title intends: an Interruption of a public space, cracking through the yawning repetition of an average day in a city street, with the possibility of sudden entertainment, annoyance or distractions.

BUZZ 24

Also at the festival, Chapter will also play host to the fantastically-named Extremely Bad Dancing To Extremely French Music, which will presumably feature a great deal of extremely bad dancing to extremely French music; this collaboration between choreographer Karl Jay-Lewin and musician/composer Matteo Fargion has been earning plaudits since its inception in 2013.

Elsewhere, The Dance House will showcase Black Out, a visually arresting piece from Swiss choreographer Philippe Saire. Using a specially constructed box which allows the audience to view the piece from above, Black Out places human bodies on a white background, with thousands of sand-like black granules dropping gradually around them, crafting patterns onto the canvas floor, telling a story of darkness overtaking the light. It’s certain to be a highlight, and one that will live long in the memory.

The Cardiff Dance Festival is programmed by Chris Ricketts and project-managed

by Fieldwork. Chris Ricketts said: “It’s great to be back with a second festival. We had a fantastic response in 2015 and, with the breadth of things taking place, this year’s programme feels even stronger and more international. It’s going to be a cracking 12 days discovering some wonderful dance from around the world.”

Cardiff Dance Festival 2017, with Chapter, National Dance Company Wales and Wales Millennium Centre as the main partners, is funded by the Arts Council Of Wales. This year’s festival works closely also with the City Of Cardiff Council, University Of South Wales, Groundwork Pro and Migrations.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff / Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Wed 8-Sun 19 Nov. Tickets: prices vary Info: www.dance.wales

INSOLE COURT

Saturday 2nd December 11am - 4pm Free Entry (£1 Car Parking Fee Applies)

Insole Court, Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2LN Tel: (029)21 167920 Web: insolecourt.org Social: @insolecourt

RAYMOND GUBBAY presents

New for 2017 - Sprinkled with magical special effects

The Nutcracker Swan Lake Cinderella The Russian State Ballet of Siberia Accompanied by The Orchestra of the Russian State Ballet Performed by

THREE MAGICAL BALLETS ONE EXCITING SEASON

19 - 31 DECEMBER Tickets

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(bkg fees apply)

upfront

ASTROID BOYS With the release of their debut album Broke after many years of gestation on the Cardiff scene and now an arena tour on the cards supporting Enter Shikari (see p.20), Astroid Boys have gone from strength to strength this year. Peeking up over the underground, Buzz wonders if that’s had an impact on their music, going from bedroom producers to signed artists.

“We’re still bedroom producers!” says co-frontman Benji Kendall. “We just set our equipment in a room and that’s literally how we do it. There are benefits to having a studio today but with a computer and some software, you can still just be as creative as anyone in a studio.”

Broke very much reflects what Kendall describes as ‘living in a broken society’.

Are these the kind of questions he was hoping to ask? “I don’t want it to ask questions, I want it to start a revolution! But just for people to be having conversations will be good enough for us. Sometimes music doesn’t have to necessarily be talked about. It can just be felt, observed and it can affect you in a way that it might not have [previously].”

The MC talks of how some of the best nights of his life have been the ones where he’s spent no money. Is being broke more of a concept than a restriction? “Being broke is a beautiful freedom because, when you have to accept you got no money and you are on your own, then you don’t have to worry about anything. What do you have to fear if you don’t have anything to fear? What I’m trying to say is when you have money and you’re living to acquire money, you forget what’s important to you because you are always chasing someone else’s gain.”

Though Astroid Boys are always full of youthful energy, Buzz wonders if they’ve matured since their last release, the 2016 EP CF10. “Being in a band and travelling and meeting a lot of people, you do tend to experience life a little bit quicker. Aside from music, it’s given me direction and focus in life.” Which sounds like a tentative yes, but not one that signifies a downturn away from their furious style anytime soon. LAURA BLACKWELL Astroid Boys’ new album Broke is out now Info: www.astroid-boys.com

2016 was a big year for Afro-Celt Sound System. Their 20th anniversary was marked by a first album in 10 years, The Source. Founder member Johnnie Kalsi explains what the title means for a band with such diverse influences.

“The Source was a new beginning to a new era, with a completely new approach to recording this album. We wanted to go back to where it all began – to reconnect with people from our debut and back to the creativity that brought so many musical heritages together, so The Source was a great title that said all this in one word. It means so much to us all as we all are from such diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of traditional music in our heritage that can transpire and interweave within a song.”

A split within the group, centred on co-founder Simon Emmerson, recently meant that for a time, two groups lay claim to the Afro-Celt name. Was it difficult passing the two-decade milestone amidst a tense moment in the band’s history?

“No is the short answer. It was a transitional period. The band’s existence was always because of Simon’s journey and the vision he had. He shared his idea with partners that became the band and gave that magic to the masses. The problems arise when members become distorted in opinions and belief – but celebrating the 20 years was not distorted.”

Many people think of ACSS as the perfect festival band. What’s the difference between a theatre tour and festival sets? “Ultimately, we are a festival band. This does not mean we can’t do theatre shows. Admittedly, it’s very strange when we’re in full flow and only a few people dancing in the aisles in silhouette form. Some more conservative theatres disallow dancing; if anyone tries, they are told to sit back down. I still remember at Womad when we had foam Frisbees to throw out to the crowd that then started throwing them back at us!”

Finally, Kalsi wonders if he’s let slip of an exclusive; when asked what the future holds for ACSS, he says: “We have already been recording since May. The tracks are being passed around like a baby and everyone involved is doing their bit and passing it back. Watch this space!” JOHN-PAUL DAVIES Afro-Celt Sound System, Tramshed, Cardiff, Wed 22 Nov. Tickets: £25. Info: 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshedcardiff.com BUZZ 26

Pic: Mark Bennett

AFRO-CELT SOUND SYSTEM

upfront

WALES BOOK OF THE YEAR

Pic: Rhys Llwyd

In setting this year’s Wales Book Of The Year Award in Cardiff’s Tramshed, Literature Wales have picked the perfect venue to remind us of the great tradition and continued relevance of writing in Wales. There are plenty of awards up for grabs for the best of today’s modern Welsh writers in English and in Welsh.

So, let’s have a look at just some of the categories and shortlisted authors.

Psalmody by Maria Apichella is up for The Roland Mathias Poetry Award against collections from John Freeman and Rhiannon Hooson. Apichella places an atheist and a believer as central characters in Psalmody, a collection of poems which updates the archaic psalm for today’s modern Wales. One to watch after winning the Melita Hume Poetry Prize, 2015.

In the Creative Non-Fiction category is Keiron Pim’s Jumpin’ Jack Flash. It has received rave reviews in its uncovering of David Litvinoff, an enigmatic, mercurial figure in Swinging 60s London. Featuring an interview with Eric Clapton and a Rolling Stones-referencing title, you would expect the usual rock‘n’roll journeys through Carnaby Street and Camden Town. The difference here is that Litvinoff deliberately left no road map and Pim has had to piece his subject’s past together.

A standout subject in a strong category.

Daniel Owen’s entry into the Welsh-language Fiction Award, Ymbelydredd is another work showing how healthily diverse the Awards continue to be. It tells the story of patient no. 24609-3740 on a course of radiotherapy over the border in Manchester. A unique perspective told through a strong Welsh voice.

There are a lot more entries for the judges to sift through and a full list of all awards and authors can be found on the Literature Wales website. There you can also find a link to vote on Wales Arts Review’s People’s Choice Award. This gives you the chance to have your own say on what’s great in modern Welsh writing and help award £1,000 to a deserving author. So if any of these have taken your fancy then get reading, get voting and get involved. JOHN-PAUL DAVIES Tramshed, Cardiff, Mon 13 Nov Tickets: £6. Info: 029 2047 2266 / www.literaturewales.org

LEROY BRITO: BUTETOWN’S FINEST Butetown-born and bred Leroy Brito has taken the Welsh comedy scene by storm ever since his debut performance at Chapter Arts Centre in 2011. His humour focuses on tackling Welsh stereotypes in an intelligent and slick style.

“Growing up in Butetown is pivotal to who I am as a comedian – the show is gonna have a lot of Butetown in there, but it’s also gonna be a lot of who I am today and where I’m living now. The show is pretty much about myself – not to blow my own trumpet but I’ve named it to get a bit of press and buzz going around. And I’m the best comedian in Butetown!”

After success at the So You Think You’re Funny stand-up comedy competition, then a runner-up position at the Welsh Unsigned Awards in 2014, the comedian’s career has continued to arc upwards. But he’s excited to be performing at the Wales Millennium Centre in front of the crowd he knows best.

“I used to play this venue before it was the Millennium Centre, then when it was built it was always my dream to play here. This show will be Cardiff-specific, it’s pretty much my standard material. I find I play best to a Welsh crowd, in Wales, but if I’m playing to a Welsh crowd outside of Wales they really want to bring me down!”

In 2016 Leroy performed a sell-out show at the Cardiff Glee. He also took part in #towerlives where he explores the Butetown dialect in a documentary led by BBC Wales. But Leroy has assured that his show will be different to what he’s performed before, with 90 percent completely new material.

“The material’s pretty much written itself. I tend to be a comedian who doesn’t sit down with a piece of paper and let the material happen, I work on the material on stage. The structure’s almost there, I’m looking forward to it. You must look at it like jazz, you have to know the song so well inside and out that then you can play around with it.”

BETH CRUSE Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 17 Nov Tickets: £15. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

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Pic: Sam Gracey

S A B A D O U G L A S - H A M I LT O N Beth Cruse speaks with BBC wildlife presenter Saba Douglas-Hamilton about her conservation work, love of the natural world, and upcoming tour of the UK. Having been introduced to wild animals from just six weeks old, and working with them ever since, do you still find it surreal to be surrounded by such beautiful animals?

Each morning when I wake up to the dawn chorus of woodland birds, vervet monkeys scrambling across the roof of my tent, or the low hubbub of owls chatting in the acacias close by, I feel like the luckiest person in the world. I watch my children play by the broad river on whose banks we live – heedful of crocodiles so keeping a careful eye on the water – and thank the universe that I still need to be wary of large predators in a world largely dominated by mankind. But at night when the calls of elephants rumble through my dreams or hyenas cackle in the distance, I am reminded of how vulnerable these creatures are, increasingly at our mercy. These thoughts spur me on each day to continue my work in conservation.

Your father, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founded the charity Save The Elephants. Did you know immediately you wanted to get involved?

Save The Elephants evolved out of my family’s long term commitment to understanding how elephants think and act in the wild, protecting them from the brutalities of the ivory trade. From the moment I was born, elephants were a huge part of my world and we saw them as an extension of the family.

I’ve always believed that you fight for what you love most. In hindsight it was entirely natural that I would join the conservation cause. I see the BUZZ 30

same passion now in my own children, whom I’m bringing up among elephants in much the same way that I was raised myself.

vote in favour of wildlife today, the better it will be for our children tomorrow. Being a mother, that’s key to everything.

Do you think your series, This Wild Life, allowed watchers to understand the Kenyan way of life?

What I loved most about This Wild Life was how it portrayed the many layers of life in the northern wilderness of Kenya. It’s not often that stories from Africa are told with such authenticity or in the indigenous languages, so to have English, Kiswahili and Maa all swirling about together was also absolutely authentic to real life!

What will you be discussing on your UK tour?

Anyone who’s interested in wildlife conservation will find the experiences we’re having in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa substantial food for thought. I’ll also be talking about some of the crazy stuff that happens in remote places filming wildlife, and how one patches together solutions to deal with it! But underlying it all is a deep love for wild creatures and a feeling of profound reverence for life on Earth.

What originally gave you the idea for A Life With Elephants?

I’ve watched my father over the years inspire people across the world with his battle to save Africa’s elephants. So mixing what it was like growing up wild with my little sister amongst Africa’s wildlife, with rather eccentric but passionate parents, with some of the amazing discoveries our team at Save The Elephants have made about the minds of these fascinating giants, seemed like a way to reach out to a younger generation who might also feel passionately about the natural world. Too often, we forget that we are totally dependent on a healthy planet for our survival. Nothing has brought this home to me more clearly than the increasing hostility we’re seeing towards the environment in the current political tide. The more people that can

Thinking towards the future, do you have any other projects planned?

At the moment, there’s nothing planned filmingwise beyond the odd project on elephants. But my greatest passion right now is working with the nomadic people in the Samburu National Reserve to catalyse a movement to protect wildlife, rehabilitate the integrity of the landscape, and empower the local people to become leaders in conservation and eco-tourism.

Saba Douglas-Hamilton: A Life With Elephants, The Riverfront, Newport. Sat 11 Nov; Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea.

Tue 14 Nov. Tickets: £18/£15.50 Info: 01633 656679 / 01792 602060 / www.sabadouglashamilton.com

film

by Keiron Self

BATTLE OF THE SEXES ****

Dir: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris (12A, 121 mins) A gender clash on the tennis court from 1973 proves remarkably timely and entertaining in 2017 with Steve Carell and Emma Stone effortlessly rallying against one another with crowd pleasing effect. Billie Jean King (Stone), tennis grand slam champion back in the seventies is challenged by retired Wimbledon champ Bobby Riggs (Carrell) to a boys vs girls exhibition match. Chauvinism was rife back then, and the contest boiled down to sexist pig against hairy-legged women’s libber, though it was far more than that. Riggs wanted to get back into the spotlight and played the clown, whilst Billie Jean King really wanted to make a difference to prevailing sexist attitudes; women earned a twelfth of their male counterparts in tennis at the time. King also had to come to terms with her sexuality and the possible impact it would have on her career and life, leaving her coach and husband after falling in love with hairdresser Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough). Baited into the play-off, the final confrontation is thrillingly and simply captured. Little Miss Sunshine directors Dayton and Faris create a deftly enjoyable history lesson and comment on modern day gender inequality whilst Carell and Stone both score acting match points. Opens Nov 24

A BAD MOM’S CHRISTMAS ***

Dir: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore (15, 100 mins) Another unlooked-for sequel to a so-so comedy as Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and the excellent Kathryn Hahn reunite for more stressed maternal hijinks. And like Daddy’s Home 2, the sequel ups its ante by diving another set of parents with their mothers arriving for the festive season, in the shape of Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon. Yup. Again like Daddy’s Home 2, there is power in the casting, and also the same kind of jokes, albeit this time from the less prevalent female perspective. The three leads struggle gamely through the festive chores they face, maintaining family peace, relationships, learning from each other alongside a slo-mo montages of binge drinking and sexy Santas. Hahn shines as the foul-mouthed mother with a heart well-hidden, whilst having all the best lines. Opens Nov 1

DADDY’S HOME 2 ***

JUSTICE LEAGUE ***

Dir: Zack Snyder/Josh Whedon (12A, 130 mins) It’s the DC Comics Avengers movie with some very similar traits and characters to its Marvel counterparts. A rag-tag team of disparate super personalities assembled by a billionaire? For Robert Downey Jnr’s Tony Stark exchange Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne. Some missing crystal-type things that have to be found before a baddie gets hold of them? For infinity stones swap mother boxes, and baddie Thanos for Steppenwolf. There’s the Spiderman-esque perky funster The Flash played

by Ezra Miller, a Thor-like Aquaman played by Jason Momoa and more CGI than you can shake a stick at. There is, however, DC’s secret weapon, Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot’s Amazonian was a runaway success in her heartfelt origin story this year and who earlier was frankly the only ray of light in the gloomy Batman Vs Superman. Whether she can buck the po-faced trend of other DC movies remains to be seen, but the tone of this epic crowded outing does seem to be lighter. Joss Whedon has finished the film following a family tragedy that took Zack Snyder away from its completion; whether this will have any artistic impact is open to question. Hopefully this won’t feel sluggish, overcrowded and too familiar: there will however be slow motion. DC superheroes assemble! Opens Nov 17

Dir: Sean Anders (12A, 117mins) Daddy’s Home was a middling success a few years back, pairing Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell after their successful comedy outing The Other Guys.

Whilst not exactly ground breaking, Daddy’s Home was a pleasant enough time-waster but hardly worthy of a follow-up. Here’s the sequel though with some brave and potentially rewarding casting. Wahlberg and Ferrell’s competing dads have reached a truce with regards to their shared children and plan to spend Christmas together; the only problem is their own dads are also coming. Classic sequel raising stakes. Ferrell’s dad is played by the ever-reliable John Lithgow with whom he shares comedy DNA and Wahlberg’s is Mel Gibson. Yep. Good casting. The scene is set for lots of riffing on personas, the rights and wrongs of different styles of parenting and how fathers cast long shadows on their sons. Like its predecessor it’s a pleasant enough time-waster. Opens Nov 22

FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL ****

Dir: Paul McGuigan (15, 105 mins) A bittersweet true-life romance that pulls at the heartstrings with two wonderful central performances, Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool is uplifting celluloid. Adapted from Peter Turner’s memoir, we follow Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening, excellent as ever), a former Oscar-winning Hollywood star, fading in the UK, who meets aspiring young actor Peter Turner (Jamie Bell), in the late 1970s. This is a May/ December romance full of charm and tenderness, but when things don’t work out, they remain friends.

Grahame also finally admits that she is ill and following a collapse on a stage tour, asks to come and live with Peter and his parents (Julie Walter and Kenneth Cranham) in Liverpool, convinced that it will aid her recovery. Frustrated dreams, the especially harsh acting world for women and a beautiful beguiling friendship are movingly captured by director McGuigan and his superb cast. Opens Nov 17

ALSO RELEASED NOVEMBER 2017: PADDINGTON 2 (PG) The marmalade-loving bear is back on winning form after his initial rather excellent adventure, this time with Hugh Grant on hilarious baddie duties. THE SON OF BIGFOOT (PG) Family Sasquatch CGI hokum. KALEIDOSCOPE (15) A mother-son relationship from hell with Toby Jones and Anne Reid. Toby as always delivers.

MARJORIE PRIME (12A) Jon Hamm is a hologram in this drama, playing a younger version of a recently-departed family member for the benefit of his grieving relatives. Geena Davis also stars in this BUZZ 32

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS ****

Dir: Kenneth Branagh (12A, 120 mins) Kenneth Branagh leads an all-star cast in this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit set on board the aforementioned choo-choo. Sporting an outrageous moustache and accent, Branagh, who also directs, is Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot, tasked with finding a murderer aboard the locomotive. Thirteen suspects in a snowed-in claustrophobic space with another murder on the cards at any time. And what a list of suspects, Johnny Depp is the gangster victim, but everyone has a motive for killing him; there’s Daisy Ridley’s governess, Willem Dafoe’s professor, Derek Jacobi’s butler, Judi Dench’s princess, Penelope Cruz’s missionary and Michelle Pfeiffer’s widow, alongside Josh Gadd, Leslie Odom Jr. and Olivia Colman. It’s a glossy, starry old-fashioned slice of hokum lent big-budget trappings that David Suchet could only dream of. The story has been tweaked so that there should be surprises along the way for anyone who may have seen a version of the Christie potboiler before, with many thesps clearly having a ball with the source material. Destined to be a Christmas Day film on TV, this is nevertheless entertaining well executed murder mystery fare. Now, you may be wondering why I ‘ave gathered you all ‘ere... Opens Nov 2

INGRID GOES WEST ****

Dir: Matt Spicer (15, 98 mins) Aubrey Plaza is on excellent form in this blackly comic tale of a social media stalker that has plenty to say about our Instagram obsessions. We are introduced to Ingrid (Plaza), a sociopath who stalks people online and turns up to a ‘friend’s’ wedding day with pepper spray for the bride. Following a spell in a mental hospital, Ingrid turns her attentions to ostensibly glamorous Instagrammer Taylor (Elisabeth Olsen), goes to LA determined to become her BFF and after a bit of dog-napping becomes exactly that. O’Shea Jackson plays the wannabe screenwriter who tries to dissuade Ingrid from her task, which ultimately leads to disaster. Not quite as dark as it could have been, this still highlights social media’s vacuity, exploitation of hope and addictiveness. Plaza’s tortured and layered performance adds weight to the glibness and while the film may not completely pay off, it mostly satisfies.

Hashtag smiley face. Opens Nov 17

SUBURBICON ****

Dir: George Clooney (15, 104 mins ) George Clooney gets a chance to direct an old Coen brothers script with this darkly comic 1950s-set thriller with a fantastic central turn from Matt Damon.

He's a resident of Suburbicon, a supposedly cookie-cutter model of American integration but with its own dark secrets and desperation. The film begins with a crime that plays oddly, the unravelling of the underlying reasons behind it, its twists and turns growing darker as Damon gets more scuzzily unhinged. Julianne Moore plays twins, the wheelchair bound saintly wife of Damon and her more sexually voracious sister, Oscar Isaac is the snazzy insurance claims investigator who starts to see what might be behind Damon’s actions, and Karimah Westbrook and Leith M. Burke play the first black people in the neighbourhood. Playing like a film noir with elements of social conscience, Suburbicon is a meticulously detailed slice of the 1950s with all its hypocrisies, from repressed sexuality to the apparent open arms of tolerance mixed with the white robes of the KKK. Holding all the elements together is Damon’s clumsy manipulator, way out of his depth and circling the plughole. A well-crafted genre piece intertwined with sly satire, Suburbicon is another success for Clooney the director. Opens Nov 24

PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN ***

Dir: Angela Robinson (15, 108 mins) Wonder Woman continues to dominate the year, not just in her own outing and the Justice League movie, but in this examination of her creator and the polyamorous relationship he had that helped form her. We follow psychologist William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans) who in 1940s America lived happily with both his wife (Rebecca Hall) and their student (Bella Heathcote). As their relationship triad blossoms and society judges them, the idea of Suprema the Wonder Woman is born, intertwined with the bondage and uniform kinks explored by her creator and his lovers.

The three of them were however genuinely in love and had children together, the women staying together after Marston’s death. Inevitably Martson’s comics are derided by society’s prudes but he maintains his feminist viewpoint: empowerment, submission and an appreciation of powerful women. Opens Nov 10

THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER ****

Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos (15, 121 mins) A disquieting thriller from the maker of the equally idiosyncratic The Lobster that lingers long in the memory with its wilful strangeness. Colin Farrell plays a surgeon with an apparently perfect family: trophy wife Nicole Kidman and two happy children, Sunny Suljic and Raffey Cassidy. However, he fosters another strange relationship with Barry Keoghan’s teenager, with whom he shares an elusive bond. When Keoghan starts threatening his family, events take an even darker turn. This is a slow burn nightmarish tale with a claustrophobic atmosphere. The robotic line-readings and the building surrealist disquiet are hallmarks of director Lanthimos, who creates a skewed world and immerses the audience in it with no apology or explanation. More successful than The Lobster and with a winning cameo from Alicia Silverstone, this is an absurdist horror/thriller with engaging pretension. Out Nov 3

affecting rumination on grief. ONLY THE BRAVE (12A) Real life fire-fighting action thriller with Miles Teller and Josh Brolin performing acts of derring-do as forests burn. THE FLORIDA PROJECT (15) Brilliant drama from Tangerine director Sean Baker. following a six-year-old one summer as she lives in the shadow of Disney world. The little girl, Brooklyn Prince, is amazing. GOOD TIME (15) Dour heist drama starring a grim-faced Robert Pattinson. THE STAR (PG) Uncomfortably Biblical CGI story about the three wise men following the star to Jesus in the manger. With comedy camels.

BUZZ 33

Pic: Royal Welsh Agricultural Society

food/drink

PORRO

More than ever our personal time is at a premium, and with work taking precedent, it’s often hard to find the time to socialise.

Pinning down a date is the first peril faced when arranging to meet friends, and then it’s the laborious task of picking a location – when a bar is too loud and dinner too formal, it appears we’re stuck for choice in the city centre. But on the outskirts of town sits a little place called Porro, warmly lit with candles and the murmur music in the background; it plays the perfect host for a catchup. With a beautiful array of Italian wines and assorted boards of antipasto to choose from, it’s the ideal place to relax with friends – and with two for one cocktails on Wednesdays, it’s also the perfect place for a midweek pick-me-up. With sites on Llandaff and Wellfield Road, there’s bound to be a Porro close to home.

ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR

High Street, Llandaff / Wellfield Road, Roath, Cardiff. Info: 029 2056 5502 (Llandaff) / 029 2040 2200 (Roath) / www.porrocardiff.com

The Royal Welsh Winter Fair arrives for its twoday annual festivities on Mon 27 and Tue 28 Nov this year. Joe Prescott takes a look ahead.

The Royal Welsh Showground is the venue for this year’s fair, the annual festive primestock market nearing an impressive 30-year tenure, and a surefire way to get your Christmas bells jingling. The British agricultural show will offer a huge display of livestock, showcasing the best in British farming along with farming demonstrations such as Equine and Farriery. Expect a farmer’s market mixed with Crufts and some winter spices thrown in.

Be sure to check out the market stalls as well, with over 300 trade stands offering a range of local and British produce over four pavilions as well as local services and societies showcasing their own products and display stands. For the foodies there will be a plethora of artisanal Welsh produce to try, no doubt Christmas-themed and winter-warming. Those with itchy fingers can wander the handicrafts and cookery demonstrations for inspiration to keep their hands warm during the colder months. There’s floral arts and antiques along with Christmas gifts so you might find last-minute gift ideas that you can't get elsewhere.

BUZZ 34

A family-based event at Christmas wouldn't be complete without a grotto, and sure enough jolly old Santa will be in attendance as well. Live music will be performed over the two-day event with the musicians signing copies of their work, along with charities and societies selling items and raising funds.

It’s all for the family and offers a comfortable setting in which to wander and feel relaxed in the build up to the Xmas madness, so it’ll be worth a trip if you fancy something a bit more grounded in your festive period. And for an extra bit of sparkle in the Yuletide doings, there’s a free fireworks display on Mon 27 to start the advent off with a bang. Gates open from 8am.

Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Mon 27 + Tue 28 Nov. Admission: £15/£5 ages 5-16/free under5s with a full paying adult Info: www.rwas.co.uk

THE POTTED PIG

Both inside the city centre and on the outskirts, Cardiff is home to a whole host of independent eateries – however, come Monday it seems that these restaurants shut up shop, meaning slim pickings for us foodies. Thankfully, by popular demand, The Potted Pig have decided to open their doors on Mondays as of this month. You can enjoy both their lunch, served from 12-2pm, as well as creations from their à la carte menu – and a generous selection of bespoke gins to boot!

Located in a former bank vault beneath the city, The Potted Pig’s journey began as a collective love of good food and local produce which remains true to this day.

St Mary Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2022 4817 / www.thepottedpig.com

Milgi

OF THE BEST COSY RESTAURANTS IN WALES With the nights getting longer and the thermometer getting lower, you might as well make your rare forays outside worthwhile, as Lorria Sahmet counts down the five cosiest restaurants to curl up in.

THE WALNUT TREE

Built in the 1960s, The Walnut Tree Inn has since refurbished their dining area into an intimate 20-seated space surrounded by the beautiful Welsh countryside. Headed

by Michelin-starred chef Shaun Hill, the menu is an eclectic mix of his own personal tastes combined with fresh ingredients that changes every day.

Old Ross Road, Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny Info: 01873 852729 / www.thewalnuttreeinn.com

SOSBAN RESTAURANT

Situated in Llanelli’s North Dock, Sosban is tucked away in a Grade 2 historic building that has been restored into the cosy corner it is today. The restaurant is decorated with exposed brick walls, wooden ceiling beams and leather seating creating a casual and relaxed dining experience, offering up simple meat and seafood dishes complete with an attractive dessert menu – just what you need for a full-hearted meal.

The Pump House, North Dock, Llanelli Info: 01554 270020 / www.sosban.wales

THE HARDWICK

A gem in the Welsh countryside, dining at The Hardwick comes with beautiful views of the Abergavenny hills. While its exterior is the shell of a former pub, the interior is made inviting by the dark wooden furniture, kaftan rugs and homely atmosphere.

Having won Best Restaurant In Wales in the 2013 National Restaurant Awards, it has flourished under the innovative wing of head chef Stephen Terry.

Old Raglan Road, Abergavenny Info: 01873 854220 / www.thehardwick.co.uk

THE SALT CELLAR

Scenically situated by the coast with Paragon beach right at its doorstep, The Salt Cellar is dedicated to serving the finest ingredients Pembrokeshire has to offer. The menu consists of light and fresh dishes inspired by the surrounding landscape, including dry-aged beef, braised pork belly and cod loin, The Salt Cellar is the ideal place to unwind and catch up with family and friends.

The Atlantic Hotel, Esplanade, Tenby Info: 01834 844005 / www.thesaltcellartenby.co.uk

ELGANO ITALIAN RESTAURANT

A traditional Italian bistro menu can be had at Pontcanna’s Elgano. With its combination of typical Italian diner décor, it reflects the authenticity of a local taverna. Choose from a delightful array of dishes that will transport you to the warm weather of Italy.

58 Cathedral Road, Cardiff Info: 029 2025 5853 / www.elgano.co.uk

WELSH GRILLED CHEESE Words Ffiona Mills

I recently learned that the distinguishing feature of an American grilled cheese, as opposed to a British cheese toastie, is that it must be fried in butter. Having no qualms with this (surely some time spent in a hot pan swimming in butter improves anything?), I decided to try a Welsh twist on an American classic. The filling contains all the essentials of a welsh rarebit, giving the oozing, cheesy centre a kick. This recipe serves one but can easily be doubled.

INGREDIENTS • 2 slices of bread (I prefer granary) • 50g extra mature cheddar, grated • ¼ tsp mustard powder • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce • ½ a spring onion, washed and finely chopped • 1 tbsp ale or beer • Salted butter, for frying

METHOD 1. Place the cheese, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, spring onion and ale in a mixing bowl and combine thoroughly with a fork.

2. Spread the mixture on one side of bread and top it with the other forming a sandwich.

3. Heat a small frying pan on a medium heat. Add a generous knob of butter and swill it around ensuring it coats the whole pan.

4. Carefully place the sandwich in the pan, pressing it firmly into the butter.

5. Leave for about 4-5 minutes to fry, or until it appears golden on the underside.

6. Take the sandwich out of the pan and place on a plate.

Meanwhile, pop another knob of butter in the pan and again swill it around.

7. Place the unfried side of the sandwich back into the pan, onto the butter. It will take a little less time to cook this side – around 2-3 minutes.

8. When it is ready, take it out of the pan and serve immediately. It is best eaten with mountains of chutney and the rest of that bottle of ale you opened.

www.thethinkingwomanscrumpet.com @ffionamills BUZZ 35

Pic: LID

STONEBAKED BRAVA

NOVEMBER FOODIE FOCUS

B

Words BEN NEWMAN

en Newman rounds up some of the yummiest food e v e n t s i n S o u t h Wa l e s i n t h e coming month.

Swansea Vegfest Market Takeover Swansea Market, Sat 4 Nov Bring out your inner herbivore and celebrate World Vegan Month at Swansea Vegfest’s takeover of Swansea market. Carefullycurated vegan traders have been selected to display the best in vegan food, clothing and makeup. The festival is all about celebrating veganism, so there’ll be plenty of free samples and even cooking sessions.

Admission: free. Info: 07891 619388 Autumn Secret Squirrel Supper Club Secret venue, Fri 3 Nov Lia’s Kitchen, in association with Green City Events, are putting on a supper club inspired by seasonal cooking, community ingredients and autumnal colours. The event is very hands-on as you’ll get the chance to prepare some of the dishes yourself and learn some of Lia’s culinary tips. The event is really community-driven; it’s all about celebrating your little patch of Cardiff. Location is secret until you buy a ticket, but we’ve been given a hint that it’ll be close to Pontcanna fields.

Tickets: £15.99. Info: www.greencityevents. co.uk Cegin Burlington milk&sugar, The Old Library, Thurs 30 Nov Cegin Burlington Fine Culinary Services is popping up again at milk&sugar on Nov 30 following their successful pop-up in October.

Cegin Burlington are following up their Michelin-starred menu with another night of

BUZZ 36

Pontcanna’s Café Brava have invested in a stonebaked pizza oven… ohhhh! Having taken themselves off to ‘The School of Artisan Food’ to learn how to make great stonebaked pizzas properly, they are now serving these on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10pm with more nights to follow. The ethos is to keep things simple, fresh and to work with local/Welsh suppliers; there’s a selection of small dishes for starters and some great desserts, including a Nutella pizza. Local chef Steven Terry, of widely acclaimed restaurant The Hardwick, has devised a delicious bespoke topping, with £1 going to Ty Hafan for each one sold.

Café Brava, Pontcanna, Cardiff Info: 029 2037 1929 www.bravacardiff.co.uk

fine dining, perfect cooking, quality wine and high-end service. The menu promises to have food of the highest quality.

Tickets: £55/£75 with wine flight. Info: 07507303711 Hard Lines Castle Emporium, Womanby Street The go-to Womanby Street coffee/record shop hybrid, Outpost, has gone through a bit of a re-brand. Now named Hard Lines, it’s tucked away inside the Castle Emporium in Womanby Street, so it’s easy to walk past and not realise it’s there. Taking advantage of this re-brand, Hard Lines have opened up a second store in Cardiff Market, near Milgi.

The new store focuses on cakes and coffee.

Info: www.outpostrecords.co.uk Mead Making Workshop Little Man Coffee Co, Wed 8 Nov You’ve probably only seen people downing mead on your latest Game Of Thrones or Skyrim binge, but this workshop will show you everything you need to make your own mead. There will be plenty of tasting and practical demos too! Tutor Dinah Sweet is a master beekeeper and makes award-winning products from honey and beeswax. Mead can make a nice change if you’re only used to tasting alcohol from the cider and lager dichotomy, so try this workshop out and you’ll be a seasoned brewmaster in no time.

Tickets: £12. Info: 07933 844234

CRAFT AT THE COURT: INSOLE COURT CHRISTMAS MARKET

Since its recent reopening, Insole Court mansion in Llandaff has become a popular destination for visitors from across Cardiff and hosts regular cultural and community events. Their Craft At The Court market days have been especially popular with visitors, and their upcoming Christmas event will offer unique products from local artists, craft and printmakers. Foodies are looked after too, with pop-up street food vendors, gourmet gifts and homemade cakes from their lovely Potting Shed Café. Plus if you haven’t had a chance to visit Insole yet, this would be a perfect chance to explore the beautiful house and gardens. It really is a hidden gem.

Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff, Sat 2 Dec. Admission: free (£1 car parking) Info: 029 2116 7920 / www.insolecourt.org / twitter.com/insolecourt

food/drink

MARCO’S CAFÉ

The Esplanade, Barry Island. twitter.com/marcos_cafe_ Food **** Atmosphere **** This isn’t technically a food review, more a review of a much-loved café-cum-meeting place. It has been and still is famous because of Gavin & Stacey, but Marco’s is more widely loved for its friendly, chatty staff and legendary coffees and bacon sarnies.

Marco has developed an institution, not just a café. The dog walkers (of which there are zillions), families and day trippers stop here in their droves, to enjoyed perfect lattes, homemade cakes and – to quote a fan on Tripadvisor – the best coffee ever, so there! Weekends, come gale force winds and occasional sunny days, are rammed with devotees: you cannot replace homegrown, owner-managed cafes with corporate, sanitised chains. Everyone knows each other at Marco’s and there is always a dog show of sorts or some bike race, charity event or volleyball

tournament happening along the prom.

Last month, Whitmore Bay held witness to the annual Schnauzerfest, with 300 of them strutting around showing their stuff; Marco’s was the socialising, bum-sniffing epicentre. The café has the occasional live music session of sorts, a keyboardist and singer out in the open with the sea and funfair as a back drop. What’s not to love – especially now, as the newly erected (and moved a few meters) Barry Eye is a spinning disc of delight with its epically sparkly new lightshow.

Take your dog or kids (preferably the dog) along to Marco’s Café and enjoy the fresh baguettes, cakes and coffee. The banter is thrown in for free. Doggy treats are of, course, also available! ANTONIA LEVAY

ARBENNIG

THE POTTING SHED CAFÉ

6-10 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 029 2034 1264 / www.arbennig.co.uk Food **** Atmosphere **** This is the third time I have visited Arbennig and once again it didn’t disappoint.

Four of us visited on this occasion for a celebratory dinner. The menu changes weekly and choosing between the delicious offerings is tough.

Bread, crusty, fresh and seeded, came with dipping oil and a choice of two butters – one, seaweed-infused, more interesting in concept than execution. For the mains, we all had a different dish and the uniformly clean plates at the end were proof of the excellence of each. I had lamb rump with sarladaise potato, feta, tomatoes and olives: the combination worked well, with the meat melting in your mouth.

My partner had the pig’s cheek, demolishing it in five minutes flat amidst appreciative noises; our friends had venison gnocchi (the perfect autumn evening comfort food) and halibut loin respectively. All the servings were really generous: you assuredly get your money’s worth at Arbennig, not always the case in the finer dining end of the restaurant world.

Desserts were also delicious: Bakewell tart, chocolate mousse and mango sorbet; and if you like your champagne with a kick, I would highly recommend the caipirinha and champagne cocktail:. Decor is simple but attractive; really, who needs flash when your food speaks for itself as well as it does here? I will definitely be visiting Arbennig again, with one caveat: the recommendation of an extra layer in the winter if you’re visiting, and something cool in the summer, as the temperature seems hit or miss. LAUREN PHILLMORE

Insole Court, Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. 029 2116 7920 / www.insolecourt.org Food **** Atmosphere *** Insole Court is now open to the public and in the safe hands of The Insole Court Trust. After years of campaigning and the local community pledging to save the historic mansion and gardens, the whole of the building has been invigorated and been given a new lease of life. The Potting Shed Café is one of these ventures, run independently on the estate by Celyn Baker. Priding itself on having cooked, made and baked all dishes on the premises in their teeny kitchen, it’s a quintessential local artisan café: no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

The menu is a varied assortment of brunch items served until 12pm: toast and butter, stacked bacon and chilli jam sandwich, free-range poached eggs on toast, avocado with roasted tomatoes on toast. Afternoon tea (if booked in advance) starts at £16 for a selection of sandwiches and, obviously, tea; a fabulous chocoholics’ afternoon tea (£18) includes hot chocolate, cream and mallows among many other choccy-based delights. I avoided that and went for roasted squash and red pepper tagine with cous cous, coriander, toasted almonds and pomegranate – a delicious, fresh, tangy and super-healthy perfect lunchtime meal.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with lots of families and children popping in before or after yoga sessions. In an enviable spot, in front of the manor house facing the gardens, and with upcoming events including the Ghost Stories & Supper Night on Sat 4 Nov, The Potting Shed will continue to please its customers and delight ones who have yet to find it. ANTONIA LEVAY

BUZZ 37

art

ANDREW COOPER: EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE

Elysium Gallery, Swansea Until Sat 18 Nov It could be argued that the aim of art is the manipulation of perception, and Andrew Cooper has established himself as an artist dedicated to the notions of perception and being.

“What I try to do with my work is to make it as if the participant is the only person it’s made for. It’s very much a personal engagement.”

Cooper is an alumnus of the Cardiff College Of Art & Design and the Royal College Of Art in London, the latter being the stage of his career in which he worked with pop art pioneer and renowned sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolazzi. On his return to Cardiff, he moved practice to tactileBOSCH studios – a key experimental collective in Wales’ art scene. Since then, Cooper’s work has continued to receive accolades and recognition at home and abroad, with invitations to exhibit at the University Of Berkeley in California and the Senedd.

Cooper’s exhibition at the Elysium will take from the many stages of his career as part of the celebration of Elysium’s own 10th anniversary, and will construct an installation squared firmly at the being of those who experience it.

Admission: free. Info: 07980 925449 www.elysiumgallery.com (JM) BUZZ 38

UNDER GLASS

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Wed 22-Sun 25 Nov For over two decades, Clod Ensemble has brought to the world ‘interdisciplinary performance’. In short, the theatre company seeks to work at the intersection of form and discipline; weaving and twisting the spheres of acting, dance, music, science, and medicine into something new. Their craft has featured across the world’s viewing platforms, from the Tate Modern to the Public Theater New York, to open public spaces and beyond.

Following an award-winning presentation at the Edinburgh Fringe, Clod Ensemble bring their newest piece Under Glass to Cardiff for a four-night residency. Arranged in jars are the specimens: human beings, characters plucked from the torrents of their everyday lives and laid bare in cold isolation for your examination.

Under the lights (microscope lights?), the glass walls of their prison, and the constant scrutiny of the observer, each character attempts, with the reality of their small, enclosed worlds beyond the jars around them, to live within their limits. A couple occupies a claustrophobic space, a man sits at his desk and ignores the glass around him, a woman stands there alone... part lab experiment, part museum exhibit, part dramatic performance, Clod Ensemble continue to defy category, blending original score and choreography with striking visual imagery.

Under Glass challenges our preconceptions regarding solitude, observation and loneliness. By presenting a visceral symbiosis of emotion and grotesque medicine, the production is a visual masterclass in translating feeling into creation. By presenting a collage of human bodies, we are forced to confront our own prejudices and beliefs. As a production that critics have already named a ‘haunting’ and ‘beautiful’ exhibition of the creative and unexpected, Under Glass may still be on your mind long after its run at the WMC this month.

Tickets: £14. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk JASON MACHLAB

JACQUELINE ALKEMA, MABLI RAT TRAP JÊN EUSTACE & LLINOS THOMAS Cathays Conservative Club, Cardiff BayArt, Cardiff Bay Sat 11 Nov-Fri 8 Dec A trio of contemporary artists bring their works to BayArt to seal off the end of the year. Jacqueline Alkema, Mabli Jên Eustace, and Llinos Thomas will be exhibiting their dextrous creativity by combining their mutual interests in exploring intimacy through various mediums.

Alkema is Dutch by birth and has been living in the Welsh Valleys since 1979.

Her works are inspired by Flemish and Northern European expressionist artists and are often dark and intimate.

Eustace studied at CSAD, achieving a first in Fine Art in 2016, and her works are a fusion of figure and abstraction; in her words, “I work from collaged photographs of myself to create drawings and paintings that suggest an ambiguity of gender and narrative.”

Thomas likes to include a sense of humour and delight in her works.

She explains: “The objects in my paintings are often ambiguous, inspired

by Cervantes’ Don Quixote where windmills are giants and inns are castles. My paintings are not still lifes – they are ‘nature vivante’, paintings of living objects.” The trio will be in conversation at BayArt on Sat 11 Nov to open the exhibition.

Admission: free. Info: 029 2065 0016 www.bayart.org.uk (JP)

Fri 17 Nov Rat Trap is an exhibition of some of the best work from both graduates and final year students studying fine art, graphic communication or illustration at Cardiff School Of Art And Design. Students are encouraged to enter a maximum of two pieces into the collective, and from there their work is judged. Having made it through this process, the work is finally displayed at the exhibition. There are a range of disciplines – sculpture, painting, video, sound, installation and performance – and the aim is to celebrate the spectacular work of artists and designers in the Cardiff area.

Artwork will be featured from the likes of Carlota Nobrega, Joel Hurst, Gweni Llwyd, Daniel Pritchard, Mark Hicken, Anna Rogers, James Green and more. The exhibition will also include live music from acts including Rainbow Maniac, Chroma, The CVC and Buzzard. The event will begin in art gallery style, continuing into the evening with a closing party.

Rat Trap have previously organised a number of events all over the city and are always encouraging local artists, illustrations, designers, producers and musicians to get involved with their project.

Admission: £5/£3 adv. Info: 029 2022 0902 / www.musicglue.com/rattrapcdf (BC)

THE SURREALIST MURMURATION

Aberystwyth Arts Centre Until Sat 25 Nov It’s necessary that ‘surrealist’ and ‘murmuration’ are depicted to understand the relevance behind this exhibition, curated by John Richardson and John Welson. Surrealism is an adventure and is not restricted to visuals, or reduced to a literary or artistic movement. A murmuration refers to Aberystwyth’s thousands of starlings who form patterns over the sea each night, visible from this gallery window.

Welson’s abstract paintings are inspired by Welsh landscapes, and have previously been exhibited alongside the likes of Lucian Freud and Damian Hirst.

Richardson is also an artist who enjoys discussing the ‘surrealist adventure’; he writes of the importance of imagination with regards to artistic meaning, constantly looking for new methods to corrupt visual and realistic meaning in the brain.

Richardson’s images use colour, style and technique to produce artistic opposition – his comic series is a brilliant example of this. This is complemented brilliantly by Welson’s more traditional bright landscape paintings. Both rely heavily on the concept of locality, yet both use surrealism to interfere with this concept.

Admission: free. Info: 01970 623232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk (BC)

buzz ad hurn.qxp_Layout 1 13/09/2017 14:30 Page 1

Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd National Museum Cardiff Ard

Llun am Lun

dang am dd osfa im Free exhib ition

Ffotograffau o Gasgliad David Hurn

Swaps

30. 09. 2017 – 11. 03. 2018

UDA/USA. Florida Keys, 1968 © Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos

Photographs from the David Hurn Collection

Parc Cathays, Caerdydd CF10 3NP www.amgueddfa.cymru/caerdydd

Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museum.wales/cardiff

1978 2018

Mike Perry Land/Sea Exhibition Preview,

with the launch of Ffotogallery’s

40:40 Vision Pizza + Prosecco

Fri 27 Oct · Gwe 27 Hyd, 6-9pm Exhibition continues · Bydd yr arddangosfa yn parhau

28 Oct - 9 Dec · 28 Hyd - 9 Rha

ffotogallery.org

ffotogallery celebrates 40 years in 2018

stage

LEGALLY BLONDE

New Theatre, Cardiff Mon 20-Sat 25 Nov The film Legally Blonde remains an enduring favourite. The story of Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods, the sorority queen who proves herself as an intellectual lawyer, engaged audiences of all ages; it spawned a Broadway and West End musical, which comes to the New Theatre this month.

Lucie Jones, perhaps best known for her time on X Factor, stars as Elle – who, after being dumped by her shallow boyfriend Warner when he departs to study at Harvard Law School, becomes determined to follow him and reunite, convinced that despite Warner’s treatment of her, he is the one. Warner takes the view that as a member of a prestigious family, he requires a serious girlfriend; the bubbly Elle is simply not a worthy partner for him. Elle, in an attempt to prove him wrong, studies hard and applies for Harvard Law School herself, successfully entering the course alongside Warner. Despite her achievement, Elle initially struggles and must find a way of succeeding both academically and socially, while simultaneously verifying her own ability. Finding a kindred spirit in Paulette (Rita Simons, best known as Roxy in EastEnders), Elle begins to settle, and slowly begins to find her way through the rigours of life as a trainee lawyer.

While the story itself may be simplistic, it is the narrative’s pure and enjoyable nature that has helped maintain its success since the film’s 2001 release.

The well known, now famous set-pieces, such as the always quotable bend and snap routine, effortlessly transition into memorable musical numbers guaranteed to stay with you long after the show ends. Such is the appeal and sincerity of Legally Blonde that regardless of your level of familiarity with the original movie, you are sure to have a wonderful evening. Consider this the perfect start to the winter season.

Tickets £17.50-£40.50. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk SIOBHAN DENTON

Pic: Robert Workman

Pic: Carl Ryan

Pic: Johan Persson

MISS SAIGON

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Sun 29 Nov-Sat 6 Jan Miss Saigon is an epic love story that will stir emotions for generations. In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-yearold Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as the Engineer. There, she meets and falls in love with an American G.I. named Chris, but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For three years, Kim goes on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he’s fathered a son.

With mystical music, written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, and songs such as I’d Give My Life For You and The Heat Is On In Saigon, this musical has won the hearts of thousands.

This brand-new tour is visiting the Wales Millennium Centre, along with seven other UK venues, until September 2018.

Since its inception in 1989, Miss Saigon has won over 30 major theatre awards, including a recordbreaking nine Whatsonstage Awards in 2015 including Best Show. It’s been performed in 25 countries and translated into 12 languages. As of September 2015, Miss Saigon is still the 13th longest-running, Broadway musical in musical theatre history.

Tickets: £25-£64. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk (SB) BUZZ 40

MOONFALL

Aberystwyth Arts Centre Sun 12 Nov You’ve all heard the one about the princess who goes to the moon, right?

The one with epic acrobatic skills?

Classic fairy tale from your childhood.

Alright, maybe not, but this new show called Moonfall, from fledgling circus theatre troupe Hikapee, does promise us a magical tale for the whole family.

There are no words in the show – the story is instead brought to life by just two aerial circus performers using only a rope and a hoop to weave together fantastical scenes and transport the audience to a faraway land. The two actors perform a host of different characters, from the comic to the dramatic.

Children and adults alike are always enthralled by a circus, and Moonfall promises to add an engaging storyline to the mix and offer up something pretty unique and definitely worth checking out if you’re in west Wales. If you do visit Aberystwyth Arts Centre, you may not get a traditional fairy tale that you know well, but you can expect comedy, circus thrills and a dollop of charming family adventure thrown in – and possibly a new favourite tale to take home.

Tickets: £8/£6. Info: 01970 623232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk (MH)

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. Thurs 9 Nov Paula Varjack is no multimillionaire artist, selling out stadiums around the world and diving into swimming pools of cash à la Scrooge McDuck. She is however, like many artists, skilled, committed and underpaid. A multitalented performer, she has worked backstage, on stage and on film, giving her an experience of a range of areas that fellow artists work in. She has come to the not wholly surprising conclusion that being an artist isn’t all glamour, yachts and drinking Cristal out of a shoe (why a shoe, I don’t know).

Paula’s new piece, Show Me The Money, is a funny and insightful offering that goes under the bonnet of the world inhabited by the vast majority of artists, one of financial uncertainty, where willpower and grit are required in bucketloads to survive.

Paula uses multimedia to bring to life her part-comic, part-confessional, all-honest portrayal of what being a 21st century artist really means, and the lengths they go to live out their vocation. You’ll see filmed interviews to complement her passionate piece that will inform, entertain and help you understand what it truly means to be an artist.

Tickets £10/£8. Info: 029 2039 1391 / www.rwcmd.ac.uk (MH)

UNDER MILK WOOD

Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea Wed 8-Sat 11 Nov First aired in 1954, Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood was originally a radio drama, but has made its way onto film and stage since then, as well as into Welsh hearts. It’s Thomas at his lyrical best and any of us who’ve seen it, read it or studied it will fondly recall the list of extraordinary folk that inhabit the fictional – but actually very recognisable – Welsh town of Llareggub.

Folk such as the improbably named Captain Cat, Organ Morgan and Mr and Mrs Willy Nilly, to name but a few.

Dylan Thomas’ legacy is ingrained in the cultural fabric of this nation and few places more so than south-west Wales, where you’ll find the Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea, complete with the tale of Thomas’ life writ large on the walls of the building itself.

It makes sense, then, for the Swansea Little Theatre production troupe to put on their version of Under Milk Wood in the venue. This theatre company is an amateur outfit, but you wouldn’t know it from their work – expect to see Llareggub’s residents come to life this month in all their weird and wonderful, melodic and poetic glory.

Tickets: £10/£9. Info: 01792 473238 / www.dylanthomastheatre.org.uk (MH)

CARIAD, DIAL, TORCALON, GOBAITH ROMANCE, REVENGE, HEARTBREAK, HOPE

TACH 13 – 25 NOV 2017 wmc.org.uk

029 2063 6464 Mae croeso i chi gysylltu â ni yn Gymraeg

TIGER BAY CEFNOGWYR \ SUPPORTERS

CASSY

clubs

DMX KREW

Rotary Club @ Undertone, Cardiff Sat 18 Nov Not content with putting on superb annual fireworks displays and the annual ‘Youth Speaks’ debating contest... oh, sorry, wrong Rotary Club. Rather, this is one of Cardiff’s flourishing tasteful 4/4 nights: while Rotary Club originally launched in Cornwall, the past two years has seen the crew decamp to the Welsh capital, forming something of a triumvirate with Blue Honey and Groove Theory, with whom they put on a ‘triple threat’ party in Kongs last month.

To celebrate four years, they welcome a true legend of acid: DMX Krew, aka Ed Upton. A contemporary of Aphex Twin (he’s released work on Richard D James’ Rephlex label) and a mainstay of festivals like Bloc and Bang Face, the analoguegear obsessed crate digger has had a recent stellar run of releases on labels like Hypercolor and Super Rhythm Trax.

His latest album, Strange Directions, is his 21st and might just be one of his best.

More fire comes from gritty Australian house peddler Warrenraww.

“A reoccurring highlight is when a ‘tops off’ moment occurs, and it’s even more memorable when the DJ is involved too,” Sam Jones, one of the club’s founders and residents told us, as we mulled whether William Hill would give us odds on lankhaired acid veteran Upton whipping off his t-shirt in a sweaty Cardiff basement club.

Tickets: £8. Info: 029 2022 888 (KD) BUZZ 42

The Lighthouse Project @ Sin City, Swansea Sat 2 Dec The denizens of Swansea have long had to cast covetous, wistful glances up the M4 at Cardiff’s bounty of nightlife. While there’s by no means a drought of options, there was often little choice than to face a mission 40 miles or so east for a really hefty night out. The days of Escape, the west’s cavernous church of trance and its annual gurnathon in Singleton Park, where coachloads from Cardiff would snake through the city’s congested one-way system in the July heat, seed very long ago indeed.

But this autumn, change is in the air. Swansea is getting its club act together, and the epicentre of activity seems to be Sin City. Plenty of eyebrow-raising bookings seem to be going on at the club, and the biggest so far is German house doyenne Cassy. She’s a resident for Panorama Bar (the much housier sister club to notorious Berlin techno cavern Berghain, which you’ve probably had at least one pal drone on about being let in to at great length) and her presence in Wales’ second city is a real statement of intent.

Once a fixture of Sven Vath’s globe-straddling Cocoon brand, hers was always an altogether more slinky, nuanced proposition than some of her sturm und drang stablemates, and her new collaboration-focused label Kwench is bringing some serious heat.

It’s been quite the progression for the Lighthouse Project crew: from running a tiny party in the Mumbles, they’ve gone to hosting the likes of Jackmaster (who they welcomed in October) in just a few years. In fact, this party is the denouement of a sort of miniature WHP/Bristol In Motion setup.

Support comes from the LHP’s able selection of residents, yet to be confirmed.

It’ll be interesting to see what the spring and summer holds for this increasingly impressive promotion.

Tickets: £12. Info: 01792 468892 KRISTIAN DANDO

KHAN AND NEEK

Submerge & Shelter @ Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Fri 10 Nov There’s a real rumble of subsonic sounds in Cardiff at the moment, with a proliferation of low-end focused promotions causing swathes of punters to pull hearty bass faces at venues across the city. Maybe they’re just beginning to catch up – Submerge has been doing it since the dawn of dubstep.

Here, the veteran promotion is teaming up with relative newcomers for an evening of ostentatious basslines at Ifor Bach – no stranger to plaster-crumbling sounds itself.

Big-hitters Kahn & Neek are fitting headliners for this double-header. If you’ve checked out their FabricLive mix or their Radio 1 essential selection from earlier this year, you’ll know that the Bristol-based duo are masters of hopping across the entire spectrum of the 140bpm spectrum – from grime and dubstep to beyond. With releases on Idle Hands and Peverelist’s Punch Drunk, they’re a heavyweight pairing that’ll push the able Clwb soundsystem to its limits, and will doubtless bring a big bag of enviable dubplates.

Elsewhere on the card, Blokeye and Effigy return fresh from a dungeon-rumbling appearance at Croatia’s outlook festival for a b2b rinseout, while strength in depth is bolstered by Ollie G, Kloc and Bandit.

Tickets: £6-£10. Info: 029 2023 2199 (KD)

SATURDAY SOCIAL FUNDRAVER

Mackintosh Sports & Social Club, Cardiff Sat 18 Nov It’s often late at night in Cardiff, when you’re on your way from the pub to the club, when the city’s escalating number of people who are sleeping rough comes into sharp, uncomfortable focus.

Homelessness charity the Wallich is doing fine work in helping these people, and the causes of homelessness, but like most charities its operating on the very limits of its capacity, its in dire need of more funding. So, for the very agreeable price of just £5 you can have both a great early-doors rave-up (with plenty more on offer in town once you’re done) and do some good too.

Heading up proceedings is Jean Jacques Smoothie [pictured], something of a cult hero. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember his Minnie Ripperton-sampling Two People gatecrashing the charts back in 2001.

It still sounds remarkably fresh today.

The Gloucester-via-Cardiff producer is known to make select appearances at intermittent dates in the city, and here’s a prime opportunity to catch him.

The rest of the lineup promises “beats, bleeps and beats” aplenty, featuring Shaun Llewellyn, Phil Dread and Gareth J, as well as The Wallich’s very own Disko and Seneca. One to make the early trip out for.

Admission: £5. Info 029 2049 4697 (KD)

KOFI TARRIS

Perc @ Neon Lounge, Newport Sat 18 Nov Newport, musically speaking, has always punched above its weight. Radiohead on the Kid A tent tour in 2000, Metallica’s visit 1988, a 1996 nu-metal travelling circus comprising of a pre-megafame Limp Bizkit and Korn... everyone in south Wales has at least one Newport yarn in them. Yeah, there was something about Kurt Cobain proposing to Courtney Love in TJ’s as well?

Banging electronic music, however, hasn’t always been synonymous with Newport. But big props must go to Perc mainstay Paul Blandford, formerly of long-running Cardiff breaks crew Sumo, for not only taking a punt on a prospect which many less optimistic souls would have balked at, but also making a massive success of it. (He’s also found time to co-run the prolific Death Proof record label, which recently celebrated its 50th release.)

After some large-scale events at the Neon, a former Odeon cinema east of the city centre, Perc is going back to its basement roots, with Cardiff’s Kofi Tarris – a new alias for former Backroom man Dave Little – taking over the first room with Perc residents including Blandford in support. Elsewhere, the club’s second room is being curated by Newport future bass whippersnapper Krupa. Safe!

Tickets: £6.

Info: facebook.com/percclub (KD)

k

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live

THE GREAT WHITE MALES: CUNCRETE

Aberystwyth Arts Centre Fri 10 Nov Equal parts gig and theatre, Cuncrete depicts alpha masculinity through the unlikely – and yet also not – prism of architecture. Built around self-described “anti-virtuoso house band” The Great White Males, comprised of four drag kings, the performance promises noisy, lo-fi punk and archly satirical lyrics. Aberystwyth, says Cuncrete creator Rachael Clerke, will be their penultimate show: “The 48th of 49 performances – we’ve decided to put it out of its misery before the big 5-0.”

Clerke is a performance artist who runs ‘punk band workshops’ for teenage girls in her home town of Bristol. The Great White Males recently released a very entertaining four-song debut EP via Bandcamp, as well. “Being the frontperson in a band always seemed unattainable, but it turns out you can just do it. Now I’m thinking about other things teenage boys do that seem unattainable. I’m going to learn how to do wheelies on my bike next.”

Cuncrete’s central protagonist, and TGWM vocalist, is Archibald Tactful (Clerke).

Billed as a “washed-up architect”, his career, and those of his bandmates, explain why many of TGWM’s songs are about housing. “Each Great White Male represents a different echelon of ultra-privilege,” Clerke explains. “Property developer Little Keith; politician Johnnie Jove; landowner Jonty, Earl Of Titworth; and Archibald.”

Clerke’s relationship with both drag king culture and architecture is one of fascination, rather than professional or hobbyist per se. “In 2014 I made a show where I dressed up as Alex Salmond, Donald Trump and Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, all in an hour. I didn’t think about it as drag until long afterwards, but it feels like a pretty natural thing to do. I wouldn’t be doing this without Cindy Sherman and Oreet Ashery and Christeene and Diane Torr.

“The show and the songs are about men, and brutalism, for sure. But it’s all really about idealism and power and greed. I think architecture is a good way of talking about that. Also, tower blocks look like cocks.”

Tickets: £7.50. Info: 01970 623232 NOEL GARDNER

Pic: Douglas Robertson

CHRIS WOOD

Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan / Wyeside, Builth Wells Thurs 9 / Fri 10 Nov Stalwart of the British folk scene, Chris Wood makes two welcome stops in Wales on his current tour of Britain and Ireland. If you’re into folk music then you may well have come across this well-respected figure somewhere on tour or on record before. Wood has made a name for himself as a solo artist but he is also a pivotal collaborator in a host of ensembles – his duo Wood & Cutting, trio Wood Wilson Carthy and double duo the Two Duos Quartet.

All his ensembles have pushed the development of folk and roots music, not least The Imagined Village project that successfully found a voice for multiculturalism in traditional song.

Wood has won BBC Folk Singer Of The Year twice, and many of his own songs and albums have been recognized in awards and nominations over the years. His individual voice and writing style translates well to the stage and the inspirations he finds in everyday life resonate well with local audiences.

His 2017 release, So Much To Defend, should feature heavily in this set. Expect songs that query the meanings of truth and reality in our modern world, the validity of the monarchy and the trials of supporting your local football team.

Tickets: £13.50. Info: 01239 621200 / 01982 552555 (JPD) BUZZ 44

CHUCK PROPHET & THE MISSION LANDING MANE Cardiff University Concert Hall EXPRESS

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Mon 20 Nov Chuck Prophet first rose to notoriety in the mid-1980s when he joined LA country rockers Green On Red for their second album, Gas Food Lodging.

Having struck out on his own as a solo artist from 1990 onwards, Prophet has continued a successful career as a solo artist, and is touring the UK this month with his band The Mission Express – Stephanie Finch, Kevin White, Vicente Rodriguez and James DePrato.

February of this year saw the release of his latest album, Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins. Awarded glowing reviews from the likes of The Guardian, Uncut, The Daily Country and PopMatters, it’s a boisterous, punky LP that shows no sign of middle-aged spread, and has whip-smart lyrics. Even comparisons to The Kinks’ Ray Davies don’t feel overly fanciful. Coming Out In Code, Jesus Was A Social Drinker and Bad Year For Rock And Roll are amongst its highlights; the latter of these tackles the glut of high-profile musician deaths during 2016, but the spirit of the album seems to echo his youthful, 80s-era dalliances with Green On Red. Chuck is set to bring his tuneful, rootsy sound to Clwb Ifor Bach for the first time this month; a cult artist with a loyal fanbase, expect that to be in evidence here, but it’s not too late to get on board too.

Tickets: £18.50. Info: 029 2023 2199 (BC)

Tue 14 Nov Cardiff University, in collaboration with Jamo Jamo Arts founder and director of the School Of Music’s African Ensemble, Landing Mané, have put together a three-concert series of African music from two contrasting African musical traditions: Senegal and Nigeria. Mané will present his percussion-based folkloric ensemble, Jamo Jamo Arts, in the School of Music’s Concert Hall for a night of good vibes and reflection upon post-colonial African music.

Since arriving in the UK in 1998, Landing Mané has become one of the nation’s leaders of Senegalese dance and music.

He is also versed in traditions from In collaboration with Jamo Jamo Arts, his own performing and educational company, Mané has spread the culture and history of West African music across the UK. He’ll lead some of the UK’s leading West African musicians as they perform a musical timeline, starting from the nationalist beginnings of Senegalese secularized folkloric performance into the spiritual performances of Mané’s own Jola people.

This is the first part of a three-part concert series, with the second part – Dele Sosimi and his Afrobeat Orchestra – coming on Fri 24 Nov at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach.

Tickets: £10/£8/free NUS and under-18s.

Info: 029 2087 4816 (BN)

SHOPPING

Gwdihw, Cardiff Thurs 9 Nov Are you like a zombie, wandering aimlessly up and down store aisles searching for the latest beat? Tried that sound and didn’t like it? Tired of that? Craving something fresh that will pump you up? Look no more because Shopping, the post-punk indie band is the green-light special today. Rachel Aggs (guitar), Billy Easter (bass) and Andrew Milk (drums) have all the necessary ingredients on your list for a fun party!

All of them were in the previous groups, also from the DIY scene – As Ondas, Cover Girl, Golden Grrrls, Sacred Paws, Trash Kit, Vertical Slump and Wet Dog. Shopping formed in 2012 and pressed about 1,000 copies of debut album Consumer Complaints on the drummer’s own Milk Records in 2013. They got so popular that they couldn’t do it on their own again, so their second offering in 2015, Why Choose was put out by FatCat. With songs like For Your Money, Long Way Home, Straight Lines and Take It Outside, they’ve built their reputation as an up-and-coming band on the scene.

They’ve been compared to others that got you moving like ESG, Delta 5 and one of the best bands that made you both think and dance, Gang Of Four. The B-52’s also come to mind. Shopping have a new single, The Hype, out, with album three due in January – make sure to put them in your basket.

Tickets: £7. Info: 029 2039 7933 (RLR)

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reviews albums ANJA SCHNEIDER *** SoMe (Sous Music) It's Anja Schneider's regeneration and no genre is safe from a forced merge. The opening two tracks seem to be straight from Detroit with elements of Chicago house; following this, two more tracks clearly rooted in jungle – All I See even has a ragga vocal. Sanctuary is spellbinding, with a somewhat outrageous feature in the Stereo MCs. Defining lines have been subtly erased throughout: eventually, Schneider appeases the traditionalist of Berlin techno with Night Out and tech-house banger Look Of Love.

Exhale. CP

BOB DELYN A’R EBILLION ****

DARKHOUSE FAMILY ****

GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN **

MARTIN CARR ****

The Offering (First Word)

Fear Of A Welsh Planet (Goldie Lookin)

New Shapes Of Life (Tapete)

With their seamless fusion of cool basslines, great drum sounds, and retro-futuristic synths, comparisons can be made between Darkhouse Family’s debut album and Thundercat or J Dilla.

There are other clear influences on the album, like George Duke and Herbie Hancock, but the Cardiff duo never come across as anything but unique. There’s a spacey and jazzy quality to the majority of the songs that would make me happy to pay more than £5 a pint to any bar that had them playing through the speakers. GM

Thirty seconds in to opener Chicken Soup and GLC have already referenced curry-induced diarrhoea and Beyonce’s “fishy thighs” so it’s safe to say that they’re continuing to cash in on their puerile, comedic rap well into their second decade on this, their 20th album. It’s a tired and dated concept now and the belly laughs of old have been replaced by cringeworthy rhymes whilst the recording sounds like a group of men fiddling around with Garageband for the first time. BG

Soul-searching and retrospective, this is the third solo album for ex-Boo Radleys songwriter/guitarist Carr. Deeply affected by the death of Bowie, Carr was also depressed by working unsuccessfully on projects for other artists. Lovely songs such as The Main Man, Future Reflections, A Mess Of Everything and The Last Song, some with touches of jazz and soul along with electro, tell of a man in isolation and distress, baring all, only to reach out and come back to wellbeing. RLR

HANNE HUKKELBERG ****

MDC **

Trust (Propeller)

Mein Trumpf (Primordial)

Blending the familiar with the jarringly unfamiliar, Norwegian born Hukkelberg is renowned for her leftfield pop songs. This, her first release in five years, cleanly balances her more accessible pop tones with the eccentricities that make her unique. You’ll hear timbres not unlike those heard in mainstream r’n’b but thankfully, what she seems to enjoy doing is agitating these sounds to create something entirely more off the wall. If you like your pop a little bit edgy, this one is definitely for you. CPI

Curious to think that a few months after I’d witnessed Dave Dictor of pioneering US hardcore band MDC conclude a (highly entertaining) gig by begging the audience for class As, one of his couplets became one of the most recognisable anti-Trump chants. Originally released during Reagan’s first term, MDC have seized the moment with a comeback album featuring the updated lyric, “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!” Respect due, but Mein Trumpf’s schlocky skate thrash with hard rock bits is pretty unmemorable to be honest. NG

DJ PIERRE ** Wild Pitch: The Story (Get Physical) I've fond memories of DJ Pierre’s Atom Bomb tune, which sadly doesn't feature in this compendium. Across four decades, there are glimpses of why his squelchy 303 wild pitch tweakery can be traced to LCD Soundsystem and Madonna. House Music is handclapping chi-house, I Love the Way is a frisky piano number, Thousand Finger Acid is an acid blot of Candido, while Strobe Light Laser is Daft Punk vs 808 State, but others may not tempt a cold caller. CS

Dal i ‘Redig Dipyn Bach (Sain)

FARM HAND ****

Poet and musician Twm Morys and his band return for their fifth album of beautifully meditative songs. The album opens somberly by tracing the life of miller John Williams who, in 1939, was one of only five Welsh speakers left in his valley, but the wry dedication of the song to Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni speaks of optimism.

Absence and presence are recurring motifs in this collection, particularly that of the late, visionary poet Iwan Llwyd. An album to savour the beauty and power of words. AJ

International Dreams (Shape)

CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG *** Rest (Because) Since releasing her 1986 debut Lemon Incest (or Charlotte For Ever in more conservative countries), Charlotte ‘daughter of Serge’ Gainsbourg has been more prolific on-screen than off it. This solid, yet uninspiring set contains many a cameo (McCartney, Daft Punk, Owen Pallett) and has echoes of recent work

by Lana Del Rey and Christine & The Queens, whilst sadly not being as interesting as either. BG

DANIELE LUPPI & PARQUET COURTS **** MILANO (30th Century) MILANO sees composer and Danger Mouse collaborator Luppi pair up with Brooklynite quartet Parquet Courts to venerate the hedonistic excess of 80s Italian fashion house culture. Karen O’s vocals in tow on Talisa bring familiarity to an otherwise ineffable concept album, whilst standout Mount Napoleon prompts a sense of warped chaos with its kooky combination of saxophony and frenzied twangy guitar rhythms. At its core, this is an offering that juxtaposes indie and avant-garde to baffling but sophisticated effect. CHP

It's Mark from Shape Records, professional audience botherer in Islet, and International Dreams is his solo album recorded postrelocation to rural mid-Wales, man in shed style. It's bucolic, kinda – the countryside of dark lanes and faces at barn windows finds its analogue in the waterdamaged keyboard, scrap beats and monkish vocals here. These sketches roll together well, contemplative, claustrophobic and chugging like haphazard machinery, with at least two moments of sudden cloud-parting, sun-dappled pop wonkiness. It's good for you. WS

GOLDEN TEACHER **** No Luscious Life (Golden Teacher) Glasgow’s Green Door studio, nobly and enterprisingly, runs courses for unemployed musicians, and recently released a great compilation of one-shot cover versions, N.E.E.T. Had any notable bands formed there, I wondered – yes, and here’s their fine debut album. Golden Teacher are Scottish punks and noiserockers embracing the funky workout over seven songs of bugged-out rhythm and mutant electronics, No Luscious Life throwing Green Velvet, Liquid Liquid, space disco, 90s IDM and African arcana into the air like acid-dipped confetti. NG

JOHN CARPENTER **** Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998 (Sacred Bones) Following the highly anticipated release of Stranger Things season two back in October, you can continue to rekindle your romance with retro science fiction in musical form with John Carpenter’s Anthology. His synth-heavy soundtracks have become synonymous with late 70s/early 80s genre flicks; you only have to listen to the first 30 seconds of Christine’s main titles to hear its influence on the formerly mentioned Netflix drama series – and who can forget Halloween’s now iconic, alarming piano riff? AP

JOHN MAUS **** Screen Memories (Domino) John Maus returns with his fourth album of 8-bit, echo drenched TV nightmares. Six years is quite the wait between records, but as soon as you hit play on Screen Memories you realise Maus is picking up right where we left him: somewhere between Guy Debord and Streets Of Rage 2. Maus’ smuggling of critical theory into three-minute pop songs isn’t a particularly new strategy (Scritti Politti, John Foxx), but it is refreshing in an age of neutered music with nothing to say. AJ

NATHAN HALL AND THE SINISTER LOCALS ***** Effigies (self-released) Burning Effigies, a song about suicidal Ice Road Truckers, begins what is an interesting 12-song journey through the darker side of psychedelia, taking in deluded flowers, fish, ghosts and galaxies.

The twinkly music and bizarre lyrics are heavily reminiscent of Caravan and Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd, yet have a uniqueness of their own. When Nathan Hall and his shadowy band of ever-changing locals say “I’m going to fly to the sun” it sounds perfectly possible. Go along for the ride. LN

NOVO AMOR & ED TULLETT ***** Heiress (Rough Trade) Dreamlike isn’t the only word to describe the full-length collaboration from Novo Amor and Ed Tullett, but it’s a good one. Unexpected would be another. The tone of the vocals, combined with music that rises and falls, is deeply haunting.

This is not easy listening, though: each track demands full attention and sometimes the clash of sounds – as in Pteryla – jar a little on the ear.

But it’s worth it. That I couldn’t always make out the words mattered not at all. LN

PETER BRODERICK **** All Together Again (Erased Tapes ) A treasure trove of obscure works by American composer Peter Broderick, which features songs commissioned for weddings, as gifts, even for a fashion show. Moments such as the appropriately romantic Emily – a first anniversary gift – are as strong as anything that had previously graced one of his ‘proper’ albums. The songs don’t necessarily hang together as a single, fluid work, but taken as intended, as a collection of individual works, All Together Again will delight any fan of Broderick’s graceful, delicate sound. HR

GAMES REVIEWS MORROWIND *****

Bethesda, PC Games like Morrowind are rare, and since its release 15 years ago, it’s captivated the hearts of RPG fans with its otherworldly surreal universe. The many overhauls, fanmade remakes and mods are testament to this, and with a major new overhaul having recently been released, it’s worth taking a look back. It has a magic to it that its successor Skyrim never quite captured, and instead of referencing real-world cultures for inspiration, it feels like playing in a dream. At a bargain price, Morrowind is a timeless classic. LOB

BUZZ 46

TOTAL WAR: WARHAMMER 2 ****

Sega, PC The sequel to the award-winning Total War: Warhammer, a change in direction for the normally historically based strategy series, Total War: Warhammer 2 is a bigger and better insight into the Warhammer universe. You choose from four unique factions to wage war in a truly epic fantasy world, with new units and gaming elements that make it feel fresh. However, it feels harder to relate to than the historical series and a small (read big) part of me wishes they’d apply some of this magic into what made the games so enjoyable in the first place. LOB

PHILIP SELWAY ****

HELENA HAUFF ****

Let Me Go OST (Bella Union)

Have You Been There, Have You Seen It (Ninja Tune)

Much of Radiohead’s music has a filmic quality, so it’s unsurprising that Jonny Greenwood has slipped easily into soundtrack composition.

Now it’s drummer Phil Selway’s turn. Let Me Go is a cheery-sounding true-life tale of a young girl whose mother abandons her to train as a concentration camp guard and, when they reunite years later, remains proud of it. Selway’s score – constructed largely using piano, saw and alternately mournful and scratchy strings – is wonderfully evocative, suitably unsettling and a bonus treat for any Radiohead fan. BW

QUICKSAND **** Interiors (Epitaph) Quicksand are the latest trailblazers for what became post-hardcore to reform two decades on, and while good old nostalgia can sustain a reunion tour and a smattering of festival appearances, the reunion album provides the acid test. Creeping opener Illuminant has the sinister back alley menace of Helmet, but Walter Schreifels’ ear for melody always set the New Yorkers apart, and allied with Will Yip’s masterful production, it ensures Interiors has both the authenticity and relevance required of a successful comeback. GP

STEREOPHONICS **** Scream Above The Sounds (Parlophone) Stereophonics’ 10th full-length album to date, Scream Above The Sounds is ram-packed with their traditional rock plus a musical sample swatch of soul, jazz, rockabilly and Motown influences, Kelly Jones’s iconic earthy vocals and, as always, an array of standalone tracks that were written to be hits. Although not very daring in terms of shaking up their trademark anthology, tracks such as Geronimo and Chances Are successfully compliment the group’s adeptness in perfecting their identity. NR

VARIOUS *** The Ultimate Guide To Welsh Folk (ARC) This album is probably aimed at holidaymakers in gift shops and Plaid councillors with CD changers in their Volvos but I like a lot of the music on it. The latest (last, in fact/of course) in a series of similar double-discs from the British Isles, Cerys Matthews compiled its 48 songs and represents every decade from the 1940s on. There are the obligatory male voice choirs, more harps than a Christian heaven, various indie/countryinfluenced newjacks and traditional ballads recorded in the field, the latter being gravely underdocumented as regards Welsh folk. NG

singles AMOR **** Higher Moment / Amnesia (Night School) No real comedown from Amor, the Glasgow collection of heads whose last 12" located its skewed piano disco halfway between the art school and Studio 54. Another two 13-minute workouts here, more fractured and distant for sure, but still blazing their excellent halfBuckfast, half-champagne path to glory. WS

BARRY ADAMSON **** Love Sick Dick Remixed (Central Control) Barry Adamson’s recent songs of unrequited lust and devotion have been remixed, the standout track being A Certain Ratio’s electrofunk transformation of I’ve Got Clothes. To get an insight into Adamson’s music, take a look at the visually stunning Mute: A Visual Document book that Adamson has recently contributed to. DN

Helena Hauff releases this dispatch from her Hamburg techno bunker.

Much like the title of the EP, I can’t quite tell if the music is a statement or a question, but its elliptical nature leaves me wanting more. Moaning intonations, lines of acidic melody and undulating bass make this a handsome primer. AJ

JACK MAC **** Feel It EP (self-released) Jazz funk. What can I say? It’s funky. Lots of trumpets and bells and whistles. Lots of rhythm and a catchy refrain: “Just feel it, just feel it, just feel it all night,” and, even though this isn’t really my thang, I did. A great one for the dancefloor. LN

THE LOVELY EGGS *** I Shouldn’t Have Said That (Egg) As unexpected as the revelation that Lancashire DIY duo The Lovely Eggs have engaged the services of US producer Dave Fridmann are the fruits of that collaboration. I Shouldn’t Have Said That and bigot-baiting B-side Melody For Meathead are amped up and bilious. Not ineffective, but whither the wit and whimsy of yore? BW

demos CANTON SYNTHS facebook.com/cantonsynths Every time I listen to this three-track EP of appealingly quavering gothic synthpop, I keep thinking that Anthony James is singing, with his Ian Curtis-like dolefulness, “Ebbw Vale”.

Then I remember that the song in question actually is called Ebbw Vale. Whether this project’s heart lies in that town, or near this magazine’s offices, its synths seem to have been beamed from about 1982, or a recent revivalist scene like NYC’s Wierd Records. Might be a period piece but I dig it. NG

HEAD NOISE facebook.com/givemeheadnoise Aberdare three-piece Head Noise are also synth-based, although often more ‘rocky’ in their arrangements, and their lyrics are also funny, while aiming more for ha-ha than peculiar. This side of the band errs on the side of zaniness, for my taste, although a song titled The Man With The Rubber Head can still remind me of the B-52s as it jaunts along. Perhaps less credibly, the manner in which Head Noise surge towards a chorus sometimes recalls The Automatic. NG

O FEMI

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING...

BIG MOUTH

Netflix (available on Netflix)

ANetflix continue their tradition of taking risks with left-field shows with Big Mouth, a frank animated comedy about the perils, hilarity and unbearable awkwardness of puberty. The show is masterminded by comedian Nick Kroll, Family Guy writer Andrew Goldberg and director and screenplay writers Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett. Highlights from the show include Fred Armisen’s side-splitting performance as the father and the excellent back-and-forth between the main characters – Nick, Andrew and Jessi- and their “hormone monster”, Maurice. Yes, you heard that right, a “hormone monster” called Maurice – that about sums it up. ****BN

DOCTOR FOSTER

BBC (available on iPlayer)

After headstrong GP Gemma Foster (Susanne Jones) suspects her husband (Bertie Carvel) of having an affair, their lives begin to unravel and their relationship comes to blows. The BBC drama, written by Mark Bartlett, reveals that Gemma’s paranoia is in fact true, yet the superb narrative leaves us wondering how Gemma will confront her dreadful situation. After some kind of resolution in series one, series two documents the return of Simon with some big news. He continues to destruct Gemma’s life with no consideration of their son. ****BC

NARCOS

Netflix Originals (available on Netflix)

Set in the 1980s-90s, Narcos presents a gritty portrayal of the chaos that engulfed Colombia as it rapidly became the epicentre of the global cocaine trade. While the first two series followed the arc of the infamous Pablo Escobar and his Medellin Cartel, the third series progresses on to the Cali Cartel – an equally ruthless and ambitious organisation.

As in the earlier series, Narcos ranges from visually gorgeous to horrifically violent, informative to fantastical, and from muddy ambiguity to clichéd heavy-handedness – perhaps not a far cry from the dark days it seeks to represent. ****DH

THE DEUCE

HBO (available on Sky Atlantic

Written by David Simon, best known for the critically lauded The Wire, The Deuce details the legalisation of the porn industry in 1970s New York. Interweaving numerous narratives, the series depicts the grime and grit of New York with wonderful realism. James Franco stars as Vinnie, a bar worker struggling with family life and the increasingly illegal means that he finds necessary to survive. The series belongs to Maggie Gyllenhaal as Candy, a sex worker who struggles with balancing independence alongside motherhood. An engaging and enthralling series, The Deuce is wonderfully written and expertly rendered. ****SD

facebook.com/therealofemi

1922

Agreeable sub-three-minute chunk of diasporic pop-inflected hip-hop by Femi Ashiru, a Londoner living in Cardiff. Hadn’t caught wind of him before, really, but I knew of his previous rap group Spitting Feathers, and he’s collabed with Kizzy Crawford too. Like This features guest vocals from Zoila Garman, a Dominican singer whose Spanish chorus ramps up the reggaeton vibe of the perky production. Ashiru himself is a thoughtful lyricist, something enhanced by a very precise manner of enunciation when he raps. NG

1922 follows Wilfred James (an excellent Thomas Jane) who murders his wife and is dealing with the psychological effects. Though slow-moving at first, the unsettling atmosphere and growing tension forces you to keep watching. With some gory scenes and a couple of jump scares, this is a creepy watch and if you weren’t afraid of rats before, you will be now. It’s been a good year for Stephen King fans, what with an updated IT film adaptation and two Netflix Original films, the terrifying {Gerald’s Game} and now this. Let’s keep them coming. **** CM

Netflix (available on Netflix)

BUZZ 47

music news EXTRA

Efforts to maintain the viability of Womanby Street as Cardiff’s prime spot for music venues have been given two major boosts in recent weeks. Late September saw DLP Architecture, a firm planning to build flats beside Clwb Ifor Bach, withdraw those plans for reasons undisclosed.

A fortnight later, it was reported that Cardiff Council intended to purchase the land earmarked for development and lease it to Clwb Ifor themselves, allowing them to expand the premises. It’s early days in that regard, and Wetherspoons still intend to open a hotel uncomfortably nearby, but a positive result without doubt Recently seen supporting Gary Numan on tour, Bridgend industrial rocker Jayce Lewis [pictured] has just released a mini-album, Million Part 1. The first half of a double album, it finds Lewis honing the crunch and bombast that’s made him popular in goth circles. It also boasts two impressive teamups: the video for album track Shields features one-time Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse, who at 82 has said this’ll be his last appearance in front of a camera. Additionally, closing song We Are One features guitar from Queen’s Brian May New Welsh film-making collective Anywhere But Here have recently released their first documentary, available to view on Vimeo. Dave Datblygu: Death To Welsh Culture, Its Meat And Tradition pays a visit to David R Edwards, vocalist of Welsh postpunk band Datblygu, in his home

town of Carmarthen. The 10-minute short is a wistful, unflinching jumble of wine-coloured lips, nicotine-stained fingers and the subject’s denunciations of guitars, nationalism and Welsh-language culture. Anywhere But Here have more productions on the way, too, though by no means exclusively music-themed Gulp, the Cardiff-based duo of Guto Pryce and Lindsey Leven, release a new single on Fri 1 Dec. Morning Velvet Sky, a 12” on their own E.L.K. label, was mixed by Luke Abbott and remixed by Richard Norris, and finds Super Furry Animal Pryce and partner usurping the Broadcast/ Silver Apples leanings of previous Gulp releases with bubbling quasi-techno machine music that could have easily have graced a Super Furries release, once upon a time. Gulp’s second album is due out early next year Tom Pinder is a musician whom you may not have heard of, but have more likely heard: his two current major gigs are as Paolo Nutini’s trombonist, and sousaphone player in Welsh football supporters’ brass band The Barry Horns. However, he’s following in the footsteps of Alex James, and hopefully some more likeable examples too, by swapping music for cheese. The Welsh Cheese Company, founded by Pinder, sells an impressive range of curdled dairy produce, and is careful to emphasise the origins of each. You can also buy gift boxes and hampers with beer, chutney, crackers etc

ONES TO WATCH...

SEAFOAL

The latest act shoehorned into this column on the basis of ‘well they’re not actually from here, but they just moved here, and if it’s good enough for them...’ is Zander ‘Seafoal’ Sweeney, a solo artist in their early 20s who decamped to Cardiff this summer. Previously, Sweeney lived in Blackpool and first garnered blog attention about three years ago with Lucid Living, an EP of acoustic folk missives with millennial-pop studio touches. Since then, changes both artistic and personal have made the Seafoal of 2017 a very different proposition.

The digital side of Sweeney’s sound palette was brought to the fore first on 2016 single Van Gogh, where guitars were looped and vocals autotuned, and more so on spring ‘17’s five-song EP Xeraclius. Equal parts EDM maximalism, rattling trap beats and the ultramodern cool-gal pop of, say, Charli XCX, it shows a skill for production that was scarcely obvious before. Additionally, Sweeney came out as non-binary transgender in late 2015, and a flick through Seafoal’s social media pages reveals an artist who discusses this topic in sage, funny and acerbic fashion.

“The amount of young trans people who have told me that I help to give them confidence in themselves pushes me to keep going,” Sweeney has said, and even – perhaps especially – while awareness of trans issues is increasing, the importance of figures such as Seafoal can’t be underestimated. A new EP has been written and will presumably be aired during Seafoal’s November tour, which includes a date at The Moon, Cardiff on Sun 12 Nov. facebook.com/seafoal

BUZZ 48

one louder

WE all, it goes without saying, remember the late-00s golden era of the Hipster Hate Blog: broadsides against skinny jeans and moustaches and Animal Collective and drinking out of jars and other things which it definitely never became dull and hacky to reference.

In fact, the only reason Hipster Hate Blogs withered on the vine was because their creators all discovered the original HHB – the Bible – and realised that, in not praising the Lord, their efforts were for naught.

Nevertheless, the spirit of the HHB lives on. Recently, this took the form of a Cardiff-themed dogpile, specifically a press campaign by new housing development Brickworks which did the derisory rounds. It sketches out, figuratively and literally, the sort of person who might purchase an apartment in Brickworks: a man called Atticus, drawn wearing a beard, woolly hat and trousers rolled above the ankles.

The real fun comes with the additional press copy which, let’s be clear, is howlingly bad, as in ‘someone presumably got paid for writing this’ bad. Atticus, it continues, “is unconventional [and] a pioneer of style”, while in addition to his already listed getup, he’s drawn wearing a Spillers Records t-shirt. This is a perfectly respectable thing to wear – I have one myself – but as regards its ubiquity in the locale, it’s a bit like claiming that Fat Willy’s Surf Shack is Cornwall’s fashionconscious outlet of choice. Actually, scratch that, it might be true.

It continues with a brief list of what enters his gullet: craft beer, boutique spirits, coldpress coffee and street food. That and “a quiet distaste for the regular, ironically rejecting the mainstream.” What is “ironically” doing in that sentence? He rejects it for the purpose of irony, but actually likes it? Or his efforts at rejection, while sincere, are rendered ironic by his inherently mainstream nature? Which of those is supposed to sound good?

Brickworks properties, one of which it’s then revealed Atticus intends to purchase, are “epic apartments for the critically self-aware”. That’s their actual slogan.

Again, “critically self-aware” either means nothing or something negative – a convoluted way of saying ‘overly self-critical’, a trait I fully empathise with but wouldn’t put on a pedestal when trying to usher hundreds of people into a giant converted warehouse.

Brickworks have also issued a brochure, which doesn’t feature Atticus but is just as clunky, in which they attempt some anti-marketing: “It really isn’t for you!”

This is meant to shoo away casual observers, people who for whatever reason wouldn’t fit the Brickworks demographic, seeing as – cue the copywriter showing their hand big time – “the less known about the apartments/development/area, the more valuable it is.” How valuable? £255,000 for two currently unbuilt bedrooms on Rightmove, apparently.

Even with the airy artist’s impressions of the place and knowledge of its location (Trade Street in “South Central Cardiff”, an area they made up and don’t admit it), any talk about gentrification in this specific case is going to be mostly speculative at present. There is, though, a sense that the idle sport of Hipster Hate Blogging might be a preamble to discussions around structural inequality where Atticus and his neighbours are again the target.

Pay no more than £2.55 for a front row seat at SAZ’ISO (RWCMD, Cardiff, Wed 1 Nov), SPINNING COIN (Clwb Ifor Bach, same day), MUTATION (The Globe, Thurs 2), QUODEGA and FARM HAND (Printhaus, Sat 4), RAKTA, HARAM, ASID and PERIL (Transport Club, Tue 7), LEFT LANE CRUISER (Le Pub, Newport, Wed 8), EFIALTIS and THE SNIVELLERS (Undertone, Sun 19), THE TELESCOPES (The Moon, Wed 22), PARTISAN and ROPE (The Moon, Fri 24) and HARK (Sin City, Swansea, Sat 25). NOEL GARDNER

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Emma Clark or Jaydon Martin 02920226767 / info@buzzmag.co.uk www.buzzmag.co.uk

books THE CHICKEN SOUP MURDER Maria Donovan (Seren Books)

BOOK OF THE MONTH

When a book opens with, “The day before the murder, George Bull tried to poison me with a cheese sandwich,” you know you're onto a winner. Maria Donovan’s novel is definitely one you won’t want to put down. Told from the perspective of Michael, an adolescent, the story charts the disruption of his life – from his best friend's father dying, to his school bully moving in next door and culminating in the demise of neighbour Irma. Michael is suspicious of George the bully and his father (who now lives with Irma) and believes she has been murdered whilst making him chicken soup.

Michael lives with his grandmother and there is a mystery surrounding the absence of his parents.

However, after Irma’s death, secrets from the past threaten to surface and Michael’s grandmother must decide what is the best course of action. The story is a moving depiction of loss and grief and the extraordinary ways people deal with the aftermath.

After Irma dies, Michael continues to have visions of her lurking under his bed.

Despite its sombre subject matter, the book is incredibly humorous and the childnarrator is a refreshing voice.

Donovan’s novel has keen observations of human motivation, carefully drawn characters and well-executed moments of bathos. With other surprising subplots and set against real events from 2012, this story has great depth and is a great one for curling up with now the nights are drawing in, but not necessarily with a mug of soup... LUCY MENON Price: £9.99. Info: www.serenbooks.com

BLACK DAHLIA RED ROSE Piu Eatwell (Liveright)

In this informative and insightful account of a true life American unsolved murder, the author conveys a detailed and succinct account of the infamously-titled Black Dahlia case and her findings.

The murder in question occurred on Jan 15 1947, when the dismembered body of Elizabeth Short was discovered in Los Angeles. The subsequent investigation led to many different leads and questionable police tactics, conveyed methodically in different sections.

Piu Eatwell relays the different stages of the enquiry from the perspective of journalists, police and suspects in the case with the right mix of evidence and emotion. Not having previously read about the case and as a predominant fiction reader, I found this to be an intriguing account with the unfolding events reading much like a novel at times, thoroughly researched and expertly told. RH Price: £8.99. Info: books.wwnorton.com

THE GURUGU PLEDGE

Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel, trans: Jethro Soutar (And Other Stories) This award-winning book details the journey of desperate migrants from North Africa to Europe. Composed of multiple stories, the novel shares some of the histories behind their migration. The dialogue is sometimes over-explained, but their stories show us the personal character of people who have fallen on hard times, many of whom are respectable but just unlucky or made bad decisions. Laurel’s novel shows in great detail the ways in which these unfortunate souls survive – the difficulty in begging for simple necessities, like tampons.

The most important idea here is football. The idea that one sport could give hope and purpose is shown throughout.

The migrants use the game to connect, to avoid depression, and to keep from freezing on the mountain top. Through humour and football, we see how the characters interact and live in such a state of disconnect. MM Price: £10 print/£5 ebook. Info: www.andotherstories.org

TRANSLATION AS TRANSHUMANCE

Mireille Gansel trans. Ros Schwartz (Les Fugitives) This English PEN award-winning memoir/treatise is a journey around Europe, to Vietnam and Israel and through the hows and whys of translation. Gansel’s Jewish family suffered under the Nazis and she later grew up in postwar France, with an early curiosity about the world of words. She talks of Brecht and his wife, the East German poet Reiner Kunze, the Stasi, the Wall, Czechoslovakia and of years spent during the war in 1970s Hanoi working on an anthology of classical Vietnamese poetry – the first to be published in French since independence. If ethnology and poetry don’t speak to you, this will be lost in translation, but it‘s worth it just to learn about Nelly Sachs and her poetry on the Shoah and Eugenie Goldstern’s documentation of language in the Alps. RLR Price: £10. Info: www.lesfugitives.com

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@mabjones

Perhaps the biggest literary event in Wales this month is #WBOTY17, a.k.a. The Wales Book Of The Year Award, an annual event run by Literature Wales which showcases some of the best of Welsh literature from the past 12 months. Find out more in the feature earlier on in this magazine. And, of course, pen the award date in your diary – Mon 13 Nov, from 7pm, at the Tramshed, Cardiff – as this is bound to be a brilliant, inspiring evening.

Literature Wales continue their stellar work with a series of lively, family-friendly events at various venues around Wales. Beginning in October, and continuing this month and into December, Weird And Wonderful Wales features illustrator Pete Fowler and other special guests in an evening of local legends which includes storytelling, music, wood-fired pizzas, and craft drinks. There are four more chances to catch the event; Swansea, Kidwelly, Conwy, and Caernarfon. See www. literaturewales.org for further details.

On Sat 11, depending on your age (or how youthful you look!) you can attend a creative writing workshop with the talented Sion Tomos Owen at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea from 10am.

You must be aged between nine and 11, or look to be. The event is free: contact the Dylan Thomas Centre for details of the Young Writers Squad.

There will be an evening of poetry featuring Simon Armitage and Daljit Nagra in the Great Hall at Swansea University on Thurs 23. The event is, remarkably, free, but booking is required. This is a great opportunity to catch two of the UK’s premier poets in action. Check out the Taliesin Arts Centre website for further information and booking.

We round the month off with a couple of poetry readings, from Mark Blayney at The Cellar Bar in Cardigan on Fri 24, and Menna Elfyn at the Queen’s Hotel in Carmarthen on Mon 27. Both regular poetry series, Cellar Bards and Poets & Pints at the Queens, are well worth a look if you live or happen to be in either area. Have fun, whichever you choose!

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PreSonus USB Audio Interface Guitar Toolkit App £2.99 Available at the App Store

£74 www.gear4music.com

BUZZ 51

Pic: Simon Williams

sport

AUSTRALIA - FIRST TEST (Sat 11 Nov) The Aussies always bring their A-game against the home nations, which is a troubling prospect for the Welsh. Conversely, it could be the perfect opening fixture for Wales, with the excitement of being up against a top ranked team at home. Hopefully this will raise intensity levels for the Welsh.

The Wallabies are a side with a lot of flair, but as we saw in last year's match against Wales, they often struggle to finish. The real threat comes in the ruck: Australia have a fantastic ability to steal the ball, which will need to be stopped with force and technique. This is likely to be the most even fixture from a Welsh perspective.

RUGBY AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS Campbell Prosser looks ahead to some of the big challenges facing the Welsh rugby squad this autumn.

The twilight zone of the rugby season, and the old adage of there being “no such thing as a friendly” looms overhead. Each outcome goes towards an intangible tally that represents the non-geographical gap between Northern and Southern Hemisphere rugby. In a time where the most pressing question seems to be: can anyone put a halt to the reign of the mighty All Blacks (or maybe try stopping the Barretts as a start)?

The Lions tour, though somewhat jarring in its result, did prove that the Kiwis are in fact mortal beings after all. Nevertheless, Gatland surely finds little satisfaction in this and will strive for the Welsh to make progress in conquering the south.

There were some outstanding performances from Welsh players during the Lions tour, especially from Man Of The Series Jonathan Davies. Liam Williams shocked with his performance, outshining Wales’ poster boy George North. Whilst the likes of Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Rhys Webb and Taulupe Faletau were stalwart performers, some were limited by the amount of game time.

Wales clearly have no shortage of talent or experience. Nevertheless, it's time for Welsh rugby to adapt to its surroundings. They have been granted a fantastic set of fixtures this year that will show where they take their place in world rugby.

BUZZ 52

GEORGIA - SECOND TEST (Sat 18 Nov) One of the most inspiring elements of world rugby at the moment is the progression of its fringe teams. Globalisation is taking its effect on the rugby world; first Argentina join SANZAAR, then Japan are included in the autumn internationals, and now two South African teams entering the newly-named Pro 14. There are currently whispers of two Georgian teams joining Pro Rugby, with the hopes that it will spark some life into Georgian rugby and prevent it plateauing as the Italians did. Similarly for Wales, it’s a chance to involve some of their fringe players and test other options.

NEW ZEALAND - THIRD TEST (Sat 25 Nov) Undoubtedly the most anticipated and paradoxically feared event for Welsh rugby fans. Wales haven't beaten the All Blacks since 1953, which is unbelievable when you consider the quality of some the Welsh sides over those decades. The All Blacks success relies on fundamentals, each black shirt on the park being a ball player and getting the little things right. In the past, the Welsh tactics have been about forcing the All Blacks into playing northern hemisphere rugby, slow and structured with lots of set pieces. Is it time for the Welsh to try to play fast-paced, open rugby, with plenty of off-loads or would it be a futile effort to beat them at their own game? It's much more likely that the game plan will revert to an attempt to bombard New Zealand with Gatlandball.

SOUTH AFRICA - FOURTH TEST (Sat 2 Dec) The wounded Springboks seemed to take a step in the right direction with their last fixture against New Zealand. They had little choice but to rectify the historic thrashing they received in the previous match when they lost 57-0. If South Africa can get back to their brutal ways, they could prove troublesome for Wales, but the level of experience on the Welsh side (with multiple Lions on the squad) should allow them to dominate this unfamiliar South African team.

BONFIRE NIGHT ROUND UP

Pic: Daniel R Jones

Ben Newman takes a peek at some of the best places to spend Bonfire Night, whether you want to gaze up at the skies or hide away in the cosy dark.

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY FIREWORKS

CAERPHILLY CASTLE FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Add a twist to your normal Bonfire Night routine with a firework display/train-ride hybrid. The scenic train ride will take you through the Denbighshire countryside from Llangollen to Carrog before getting off at a station for a raucous firework display in the countryside.

Castles and fireworks curiously work well together, which is why the Caerphilly Castle firework display has been running for years. Do something a little different and check out the always vibrant firework display against the backdrop of a castle.

The event is donation only, with proceeds going towards the Urdd Eisteddfod and Caerffili Lions.

Llangollen, Denbighshire, Sat 4 Nov. Tickets: £16.50/£10/free (infants) Info: 01978 860979 / www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

ABERGAVENNY DISNEY FIREWORKS If you want your Bonfire Night to have a bit more Disney-sponsored magic, then head down to Abergavenny’s Disney fireworks show. The event will have a ‘Princess Sing Along’ with royalty mainstays Moana, Belle, Rapunzel and Elsa. The event comes with food, drinks and a funfair. If you’ve ever fancied singing your heart out to Mulan whilst a firework goes off, then this is the perfect opportunity (plus, you can always use the excuse that it’s “for the kids” to hide your Disney fanaticism).

Belgrave Park, Abergavenny, Sun 5 Nov. Tickets: £5/£3 Info: www.visitmonmouthshire.com

BARRY ISLAND FIREWORK FIESTA BY BOAT Cardiff Sea Safaris are offering their annual trip to Barry Island this Bonfire Night, so you can enjoy the best sea view of the firework display available. Cardiff Sea Safaris will be offering a trip from Cardiff Bay across the water to Barry Island to see the annual Barry Firework Fiesta. A selection of drinks and food is available on the trip. You are advised to wrap up really warm as it gets cold on the water, but I suppose that makes a nice change from being freezing in a field somewhere. Go on, embrace your sea legs.

Cardiff Bay, Sat 4 Nov. Tickets: £40/£35. Info: www.visitthevale.com BUZZ 54

Caerphilly Castle, Sat 4 Nov. Tickets: free (donations preferred) Info: www.caerphilly.gov.uk

GET FUNKY If you fancy kicking off your Bonfire weekend early with some funky tunes, head down to Buffalo to catch disco music connoisseur Fingerman with guests Daryl Finn, Eben Rees and Andrew Lamber for a night of funky house, disco mixes and nostalgic beats.

Buffalo, Cardiff, Thurs 2 Nov. Tickets: £10 Info: 029 2031 0312 / www.buffalocardiff.co.uk

TIGER BAY PRESENTS: SONGS AND STORIES Mike Johnson and Keith Murrell have orchestrated an evening that traces the stories and music of Tiger Bay. Referencing Mike’s songbook Cardiff Songs – Tales From Tiger Bay And Far Beyond, as well as Keith’s own experiences, they thread together an honest recreation of the characters, places, events and history of Tiger Bay. Pop down to the Wales Millennium Centre and get a taste of Cardiff Bay’s pre-gentrification days.

Octavo’s Book Cafe & Wine Bar, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Fri 3 Nov. Tickets: free (requires booking).

Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

listings

Inclusion in Buzz listings is free. Send via email (listings@buzzmag.co.uk) or post (220c Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY) by the 17th of the previous month. Buzz takes no responsibility for material sent or any errors made after this date.

recommended *–u – repeated

Maria per Roma

ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL CARDIFF (IFFC) Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Wed 22-Sun 26 Nov Tickets: 10 early bird tickets available at Chapter on a first-come first-served basis, with full pricings out later.

Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org / www.iffc.wales The Italian Film Festival Cardiff (IFFC) returns this year boasting 12 feature films, including seven UK premieres, curated by artistic directors Luisa Pèrcopo and Luca Paci.

The festival takes place between Wed 22 and Sun 26 Nov at Chapter Arts Centre. This year the festival will present a catalogue of films that provide “a thought-provoking and entertaining glimpse of life into contemporary Italy”. The festival kicks off with a retrospective look at Italian cinema with Together, the 1956 experimental film by Lorenza Mazzetti. Highlights from the festival include the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Michelangelo Antonioni’s death, on 23 Nov, with a Cardiff University-sponsored event for Antonioni’s masterpiece Red Desert, and a showing of the Italian submission for the 2018 Oscars Best Foreign Language film, A Ciambra by Jonas Carpignana, on 24 Nov. A Ciambra tells the story of a boy’s journey to manhood in the Roma community of Calabria; the film has been executive-produced by Martin Scorcese who describes the film as “compelling and accomplished”.

There is also an opportunity for post-screening Q&As with Gianfranco Cabiddu, director of the Globo d’Oro winner The Stuff Of Dreams; Karen Di Porto, director of Maria Per Roma; and Pierfrancesco ‘Pif’ Dilberto, director of the critically-acclaimed At War For Love, screening as the IFFC 2017’s final film on 26 Nov. The films on show create a vibrant cross-section of contemporary Italian life and the richness of its cinema, so pop down to Chapter and get a slice of the Italian zeitgeist. BEN NEWMAN

CONTENTS pg 56 pg 58 pg 60 pg 67 pg 74

art clubs events live stage BUZZ 55

* – recommended

art

art ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Free. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. 01970 621903 / www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre The Surrealist Murmuration Contemporary surrealist art curated here by John Richardson and John Welson. (Until Sat 25 Nov) Rhi Moxon ‘Food & Folklore’ Illustration and printmaking work exploring the wealth of flavours and food traditions that surround us.

(Until Sat 23 Dec) Hanes: Tales/Stories/Legends/ Myths Exhibition which runs across two of the gallery spaces here, exploring the themes of Wales & Legends, Folk & Fairy Tales and Mythology. Includes works by David Hockney and Bedwyr Williams. (Until Tue 16 Jan)

ALBANY GALLERY 74b Albany Road, Cardiff.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free.

029 2048 7158 / www. albanygallery.com Royal Institute Of Painters In Watercolour Exhibition of paintings from selected members.

(Until Sat 4 Nov) Winter Exhibition A changing exhibition of paintings, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery from established and emerging artists.

(From Thurs 9 Nov until Mon 8 Jan)

ANDREW LAMONT GALLERY (THEATR BRYCHEINIOG) Canal Wharf, Brecon. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free.

01874 611622 / enquiries@ brycheiniog.co.uk / www. brycheiniog.co.uk Diamond People Photographic portrait exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Brecon Beacons National Park. (From Fri 3 until Mon 20 Nov) Haymakers’ Christmas Collection Local designer makers the Haymakers, celebrate the 30th anniversary of their gallery in Hay-on-Wye with an exhibition of varied work. (From Wed 22 Nov until Mon 15 Jan)

ARDENT GALLERY 46 High Street, Brecon.

01874 610710 / www. ardentgallery.co.uk David Pritchard ‘Blossoms & Valleys’ Exhibition of around 40 pieces from this Cardiff-based artist, occupying a whole floor of the gallery. (From Sat 4 nov until Fri 15 Dec)

ART CENTRAL Barry Town Hall, King Square, Barry. Tue-Sat 11am-4pm. Free. 01446 709805.

Picture The Vale: Past Times Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Barry Library and Art Central Gallery, a collection of digitised images created from library archives and pictures contributed by people from the five Vale towns.

(Until Sat 6 Jan)

ATTIC GALLERY 37 Pocketts Wharf, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am4.30pm. Free. 01792 653387 / www.atticgallery.co.uk George Little 1927-2017 Originally planned to celebrate Little’s 90th birthday, this show will include some paintings he completed for this solo show, plus previous work selected from his studio. (Until Sat 4 Nov) Winter Group Exhibition Changing exhibition featuring new and varied work from all thge artists currently represented by the gallery. (From Sat 11 Nov until Sat 23 Dec)

BARKER GALLERY / TORFAEN GALLERY Pontypool Museum, Park Buildings, Pontypool. MonSat 11am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm.

Free Wed/Sun 2-5pm. 01495 752036.

Winter 50/50 Fundraising Art Sale Show Sale of donated art works, exhibited in Cafe Celf, to raise funds for the museum. (Until Sun 31 Dec)

BAY ART 54 B/C Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2065 0016 / www.bayart.org.uk Jacqueline Alkema, Mabli Jen Eustace & Llinos Thomas Three artists who share an interest in exploring intimacy, both through the choice of image and through the constructed surface. (From Sat 11 Nov until Fri 8 Dec)

BIG PIT NATIONAL COAL MUSEUM Blaenafon, Torfaen. Daily 9.30am-5pm. Free. 0300

1112333 / bigpit@museumwales.ac.uk Walter Waygood ‘Family Of Blaenafon’ A series of photographs by Waygood documenting the landscape, home life, society, work, religion and youth in Blaenafon from the 1970s onwards. (Until Thurs 1 Feb)

CARDIFF STORY The Hayes, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am4pm. Free. 029 2034 6214 / museum@cardiff.gov.uk Cardiff Naturalists’ Society: The First 150 Years!

Exhibition showing the rich history of this society and the many things its members have contributed to Cardiff and beyond. (Until Sun 26 Nov) Charles Byrd Selected works by this local artist. (Until Sun 18 Mar)

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 Megan Cope & Helen Johnson Via video work and painting respectively, Cope and Johnson interrogate notions of identity, power and social history to explore the colonial relationship between Australia and Britain. (Until Fri 24 Nov) Larissa Sansour ‘In The Future They Ate From The Finest Porcelain’ Sansour, from Palestine, presents an exhibition centred round a film in which porcelain artefacts are buried underground with the intention of being discovered in the future and influencing historical narratives. (Until Sun 14 Jan) Minyoung Choi Art In The Bar exhibition of paintings that depict dreamlike sequences and pleasurable objects in landscapes that take on fresh symbolism.

(From Fri 17 Nov until Sun 4 Mar)

CINEMA & CO.

JOHN UZZELL EDWARDS Tower Gallery, Crickhowell, Wed 8 Nov-Sat 6 Jan Admission: free. Info: 01873 812495 / www. towergallery.co.uk Retrospective exhibition by a prodigiously skilled Welsh painter, who died in 2014 aged 79, John Uzzell Edwards’ work was inspired by his various areas of residence around Wales. So much so that when he upped sticks to Rome in the late 1960s, the inspiration one might assume to spring from a city of such immense artistic history never came. He returned shortly afterwards, developing a style he dubbed ‘pure painting’ – to set it apart from picture-making, and influenced by Celtic and religious carvings and crosses. Perhaps the most noteworthy part of this show is its largest painting, Exploding Quilt – a work influenced by collage, 19th century Welsh textiles and his own childhood bedding.

BUZZ 56

West Glamorgan House, 17 Castle St, Swansea. Free.

07982 624959 / www.cinemaco.co.uk Fran Williams ‘It’s About Time’ Brand new collection of unseen work, primarily featuring images of Swansea, Cardiff city and landscapes. (From Thurs 2 Nov until Sat 2 Dec)

CRAFT IN THE BAY The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Mon-Sun 10.30am-5.30pm. Free. 029 2048 4611 / www.makersguildinwales.org.uk Micki Schloessingk ‘The Language Of Clay’ One of the UK’s most highly regarded makers of woodfired pottery shows some of her work as part of a touring exhibition. (Until Sun 5 Nov) Inc. Work by eight

graduates of Cardiff School Of Art & Design: Charlotte Burke, Harriet McCormick, Ian Cooke Tapia, Jade Simms, Jennifer Finnigan, Molly May Lewis, Rhian Kate Morris and The Wonky Chair. (Until Sun 5 Nov)

CWTSH COMMUNITY & ARTS CENTRE 226 Stow Hill, Newport.

Thurs + Sat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm. Free. 01633 664498 / www.cwtsh.org Bill Coughlan ‘Newport’s Maritime Masterpieces’ Twenty paintings by Coughlan, an artist from Pillgwenlly, inspired by the maritime history of south Wales with particular emphasis on Newport.

(Until Sun 12 Nov)

DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE Somerset Place, Swansea.

Daily 10am-4pm. Free.

01792 463980 / dylanthomas.lit@swansea. gov.uk / www.dylanthomas. com I Might Want To Smile Dylan Thomas’ work is full of humour, from his early Swansea Grammar School poems to later prose writing, such as A Story. This exhibition of such work brings together loan material from the National Library Of Wales alongside items from our own collection. (Until Fri 22 Dec)

ELYSIUM GALLERY 16 College Street, Swansea.

Wed-Sat 12-5pm. Free. www.elysiumgallery.com Andrew Cooper ‘Everybody Knows This Is nowhere’ Immersive installation exhibition which pulls strands from different stages of Cooper’s long career – including work with sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi – and is a part of Elysium’s 10th anniversary celebrations. (Until Sat 18 Nov)

FFOTOGALLERY Turner House, Plymouth Road, Penarth. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. Free. 029 2070 8870 / turnerhouse@ffotogallery.org Mike Perry ‘Land/Sea (Tir/Môr)’ Welsh artist with new solo show: minimalism-influenced photography looking at environmental issues, in particular the tension between human activity and interventions in the natural environment, and the fragility of the planet’s ecosystems. (Until Sat 9 Dec)

FOUNTAIN FINE ART Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www. fountainfineart.com Gareth Thomas & Dewi Tudur Two landscape painters who studied together at Carmarthen Art

u – repeated

College in the 1970s, now having a joint exhibition for the first time. (Until Sat 4 Nov) Winter Group Exhibition Mixed and changing exhibition of new work from the gallery artists that continues through the winter months. (From Sat 11 Nov until Wed 31 Jan)

G39 Oxford Street, Roath, Cardiff. Saturdays 11am5.30pm. Free. 029 2047 3633 / post@g39.org Holly Davey ‘The Conversation’ Exhibition whose focal point is an A4 folder, displayed under glass at the gallery’s entrance. The loose collection of objects explores our relationship with archive and how our lives can be interpreted through these markers. (From Sat 11 Nov until Sat 3 Feb) Lydia Meehan ‘A Template For Application’ This exhibition’s central object is a utilarian structure designed to meet, talk and drink tea at (Meeham also made the teacups here for this purpose). It muddles the boundaries between artwork, work, leisure and labour to question how we value ourselves and other people. (From Sat 11 Nov until Sat 3 Feb)

Y GALERI, CAERFFILI Lower Ground Floor, The Visit Caerphilly Centre, The Twyn, Caerphilly. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2132 2570 / www.ygalericaerffili. co.uk Tomos Sparnon & Mark Youd Portrait work from Sparnon, who won this gallery’s Open Art competition earlier this year, and Youd who was also selected. (Until Sat 18 Nov) Christmas Showcase A mixed exhibition of competitively priced artworks plus an extensive range of jewellery, glass and ceramics from Welsh makers. (From Tue 21 Nov until Sun 24 Dec)

THE GATE Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am9pm. Free. 029 2048 3344 / info@thegate.org.uk Claire Sadlier & Jude Harrington Smith ‘The Leap’ Portraits and landscapes in oils from Cardiff-based fine artists.

(Until Sun 31 Dec)

GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY Alexandra Rd, Swansea.

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Free.

01792 516900 / www. swansea.gov.uk/glynnvivian Bob Gelsthorpe ‘As It Waits, Until It Lasts’ The Cardiff-based Gelsthorpe works through a range of media including performance, photography and sculpture.He’s also the recipient of this year’s Sir Leslie Joseph Young Artist

art Award 2017. (Until Sun 19 Nov) Helen Sear ‘...The Rest Is Smoke’ The first UK presentation of the work commissioned for Cymru Yn Fenis/Wales In Venice 2015. Rooted in Sear’s local environment of rural Wales, photographic and video works explore the image as sculptural form whereby the artist integrates different speeds of looking. (Until Sun 19 Nov) Journeys & Visions: Twentieth Century Artists Series 2 – Surrealism and Swansea Work by Giorgio De Chirico, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Paul Nash, Alfred Janes, Ben Nicholson, Tristram Hiller, Ceri Richards and Felicity Charlton. (Until Sun 21 Jan)

GRAND PAVILION The Esplanade, Porthcawl.

Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01656 815995 / www.grandpavilion.co.uk Francine Davies ‘Bringing The Coastline Inside’ Davies, it says here, is fascinated with intense impressionistic details so that you can touch the scene and almost feel the spray or the abrasive texture of the rocks. (Until Sun 5 Nov) Richard Bowdridge ‘Animalistic’ An award winning artist who works in oil paints and pastels and is inspired by the beauty of nature. (From Tue 7 Nov until Sun 14 Jan)

THE HOURS GALLERY & BOOKSHOP 15 Ship St, Brecon. Free.

01874 622800 / www.thehours.co.uk Bridget Stevens / Meg Stevens Paintings and prints respectively. (From Thurs 2 until Wed 29 Nov)

IAP FINE ART 15 Church Street, Monmouth. Thurs + Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 11am-4pm or by appointment. Free.

01600 772005 / www.iapfineart.com Small Works Selected smaller paintings, drawings and prints by Chris Gollon, Maggi Hambling, Peter Howson; prints by Hockney, Matisse, Picasso and Sutherland; stone sculptures by Mel Fraser; fine jewellery by Paul Hatton.

(From Fri 3 Nov until Thurs 21 Dec)

KING STREET GALLERY 33 King Street, Carmarthen. Free. 01267 220121 / gallery@kingstreetgallery.co.uk Maria Pierides ‘Ekphrasis: Between Image And Word’ New paintings by Pierides, plus a response to each of those paintings by Stella Pierides in the form of haikus. (Until Wed 16 Nov) Donna Gray New portraits

and figurative paintings, (Until December) Winter Show New and diverse work by the Gallery’s members.

(Until January) Diana Heeks ‘Halfway There: Approaching The Black Mountains’ New paintings inspired by said mountains (From Fri 17 until Thurs 30 Nov)

LLANTARNAM GRANGE ARTS CENTRE St. David’s Rd, Cwmbran, Torfaen. Mon-Sat 10am5pm. Free. 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk Anne Gibbs ‘Still’ A Mission Gallery National Touring Exhibition featuring ceramic work by Gibbs, who attempts to convey both hidden beauty and unexpected pain in her pieces. (Until Sat 18 Nov) Geoff Bradford ‘Building Works: Traces’ Photographic work that treats the photo as a physical object as well as a visual image. (Until Sat 18 Nov) Rachel Larkins Showcase of craft work influenced by folklore and superstition. (until Sat 18 Nov) Emma Ware Jewellery showcase featuring pieces working with leather and precious metals. (until Sat 18 Nov) Rebecca Lewis Mixed media paintings displayed in the Oriel Cafe Gallery. (until Sat 18 Nov)

M.A.D.E. GALLERY 41 Lochaber St, Cardiff.

Wed-Sat 10am-6pm. Free.

029 2047 3373.

Harriet McCormick ‘Creature’ This debut solo exhibition is an ongoing investigation through different mediums, such as collage, clay and screenprinting, of the symbolic connotations of animal forms and their various textures of their bodies. (Until Sat 4 Nov) Winter Affordable Art Wall Exhibition & Craft Market Showcasing over 40 local artists and handmade goods, from jewellery to textiles and unusual gifts. (From Thurs 23 Nov until Sun 14 Jan)

MARTIN TINNEY GALLERY 18 St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff. Mon-Fri 10am6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free.

029 2064 1411 / mtg@ artwales.com Peter Prendergast A selection of approximately 30 paintings and drawings by this important Welsh artist; they date from 1971 to 2005 and have mostly not been exhibited before. The show marks 10 years since Prendergast’s death in 2007 at the age of 60. (Until Sat 4 Nov) Mary Lloyd Jones A Welsh artist born in 1934 and still painting – and exhibiting – regularly, Jones here presents about 30 new paintings which explore the traces left by our ancestors, and the lead-miners who

left behind the scars of their industry. (From Wed 8 until Sat 25 Nov) Winter Show New work from all the gallery artists, available to purchase at an exteinsive range of prices. This will also run alongside a new solo exhibition by artist Kevin Sinnott. (From Thurs 30 Nov until Fri 22 Dec)

MISSION GALLERY Gloucester Place, Swansea.

Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. Free.

01792 652016 / www.missiongallery.co.uk Doug Ashford ‘Bunker 2’ Brooklyn-based artist Ashford’s first solo exhibition in Wales, in partnership with Swansea International Festival. (Until Sat 11 Nov) AJ Stockwell Work in the [...] space featuring a video on the reconstruction of the Fadic Rock, reversing the process of geologic decomposition to reform the rock as a solid artefact.

(Until Sun 12 Nov) Living// Byw An exhibition of “textiles that tell a story” featuring Sian O’Doherty, Katie Victoria Davies, Llio James, Swag & Tassel and more. (From Sat 18 Nov until Sun 31 Dec) Surface Pattern Design Maker In Focus show featuring functional and non-functional design objects, stationery, printmaking, fashion and interior related products to display and sell at this gallery. (From Sat 18 Nov until Sun 7 Jan)

NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF Cathays Park, Cardiff. TueSun 10am-5pm. Free except where noted. 029 2057 3500 / www.museumwales.ac.uk/ cardiff Dinosaur Babies Familyfriendly exhibition bringing together some of the world’s most amazing finds of dinosaur eggs and embryos.

(Until Sun 5 Nov) Bacon To Doig: Modern Masterpieces From A Private Collection The collection in question belonging to Ian and Mercedes Stoutzker. and featuring two Francis Bacon paintings as well as works by Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Grayson Perry among others. It’s on loan here for nearly a year, as well.

(Until Wed 31 Jan) Swaps: Photographs From The David Hurn Collection The first exhibition in a new photography-focused gallery here in the Museum features some highlights from the career of esteemed Welsh documentary snapper Hurn. See Upfront for more.

(Until Sun 11 Mar) Who Decides? Long-term exhibition from the collections of the Museum and the Derek Williams Trust, curated by service users from The Wallich homelessness charity. This detail seeks to highlight issues around curation and

the narrow demographic of those usually involved in it.

(Until Sun 2 Sept)

NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Daily 10am-5pm.

Free. 01792 638950.

Ignacio Acosta ‘Chile And Swansea – A Journey Of Copper’ An artistic exploration of links between Chile and Swansea through the circulation of copper ore in the 19th century. (Until Sun 5 Nov) Generation Games Play your way through the history of home computer games consoles, following developments in the technology, the programming industry and entertainment in the home. (Throughout November) Our Abertawe Exhibition exploring 250 years of diverse communities that have settled in Swansea. (From Sat 4 Nov until Sun 31 Dec)

NEWPORT MUSEUM & ART GALLERY John Frost Square, Newport.Tue-Fri 9.30am5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm.

Free. 01633 656656 / museum@newport.gov.uk The Newport College Of Art Paintings and sculptures from the collections of this allery which were created by artists associated with the Art College. (Until Sat 23 Dec)

NORWEGIAN CHURCH ARTS CENTRE Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay. Daily 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2087 7959 / www.norwegianchurchcardiff.com Kevin Strong Mixed media work by a Cardiff-based artist. (Until Sun 5 Nov) The Cardiff Print & Art Fair Original prints and artworks for sale, including Joseph Herman, Barry Flanagan, Henry Moore, Rebecca Horn and many more contemporary Welsh and international artists. (From Mon 6 until Sun 12 Nov)

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 Sarah Jane Brown ‘The Momentum Of Colour’ Contemporary landscape artist who lives in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and specialised in Fine Art Painting at the West Wales School Of The Arts. (From Sat 11 Nov until Tue 5 Dec)

Since February, National Museum Cardiff has been working closely with service users of the homeless charity The Wallich to stage a major exhibition of modern and contemporary art at the Museum.

The group has selected and interpreted their own unique selection of work from Wales’ national collection. On Saturday 28 October the results of all of their hard work – Who Decides: Making Connections With Contemporary Art – opens to the public across the Museum’s six contemporary galleries.

The group had freedom to make their selection from the large collection of paintings, sculptures, films, prints and drawings that the Museum and the Derek Williams Trust have acquired over the last 10 years. Featured artists include Anthony Caro, Olga Chernysheva, Richard Deacon, Laura Ford, Richard Long, Paula Rego, Clare Woods and Bedwyr Williams.

A number of these works will be seen for the very first time.

The exhibition also features an installation of over 70 ceramic works from the private collection of the gallery owner Anita Besson (1933-2015). This outstanding collection, bequeathed to the Derek Williams Trust in 2016, features work by 13 makers including Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Ryoji Koie and Claudi Casanovas.

Who Decides? celebrates the Museum’s outstanding art collections, but also underlines the importance and value of making cultural institutions accessible to all parts of the community.

National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museum.wales/cardiff

ORIEL CANFAS Glamorgan Street, Canton, Cardiff. Tue-Fri 1-4.30pm, Sat 10.30am-4.30pm. 029 2066 6455 / www.orielcanfas.co.uk BUZZ 57

* – recommended

clubs Chris Griffin Welsh painter working on his latest project in the gallery. All his source material and a comprehensive display of paintings that have led up to his current work will be on display.

(Until Sat 11 Nov)

ORIEL CRIC Beaufort Street, Crickhowell. Mon-Sat 10am5pm, Sun 10am-1pm. Free.

01873 813669.

The Picturemakers Work by a mid-Wales-based artists’ collective. (Until Mon 13 Nov)

ORIEL DAVIES The Park, Newtown, Powys.

Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm.

Free. 01686 625041 / enquiries@orieldavies.org Louise Bristow ‘ReEnactment’ Brighton-based artist, joint prizewinner at the Oriel Davies Open 2016, presents a major body of new and recent work in her first exhibition in Wales.

(Until Sat 2 Dec) Neasa Terry Resident here as part of the Litmus development programme, Terry will explore ideas relating to recorded sound, the human body, mechanical reproduction and technology through a series of live performances. I like the sound of this (no pun intended folks!!).

(Until Sat 2 Dec) The Kitchen A creative pop-up space where art, performance, craft and film will be made, shared and inspired.

(Until Sun 27 Jan)

ORIEL MWLDAN Bath House Rd, Cardigan.

Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. Free.

01239 621200 / helena@ mwldan.co.uk Jonathan Anderson ‘Pylon Totems’ Inspired by the hundreds of electricity pylons across Wales, Anderson covers these sculptural works in rags and bitumen, alluding to crucifixes, Asian Buddhist statues and South American and African voodoo dolls.They look gnarly! I like. (Until Sun 26 Nov)

ORIEL MYRDDIN Church Lane, Carmarthen.

01267 222775 / www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk Makers Market 2017 Featuring carefully selected ceramics, textiles, clothing, wood and leather as well as small local food producers.

(Until Sat 30 Dec)

ORIEL Q The Queens Hall, High Street, Narberth. Wed-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01834 869454 / www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk Ainsley Hillard ‘Textures Of Light’ Tapestries, jacquard weavings and embroidery exploring ‘light’s texture’ through the transfiguring of twodimensional images into three-dimensional woven structures. Oricl Fach: Sian BUZZ 58

Lewis’ Threshold (drawing, painting, sculpture and video). (Until Sat 18 Nov) Winter Open Annual show allowing new and emerging artists a chance to exhibit, plus the opportunity to buy more accessible works.

(From Sat 25 Nov until Sat 23 Dec)

PENARTH PIER PAVILION The Esplanade, Penarth.

Tues-Sat 10am-5pm. Free.

029 2071 2100 / info@ penarthpavilion.co.uk Sam Johnson & Sheridan Ward New paintings. (From Fri 10 until Sun 12 Nov)

PONTYPRIDD MUSEUM Bridge Street, Pontypridd.

Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm.

Free. 01443 490748 / www. pontypriddmuseum.cymru Pontypridd Rugby Club Objects and photos from another Pontypridd institution, tracing the highs and lows of the club. (Until Fri 22 Dec)

REDHOUSE Old Town Hall, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. 01685 384111 / info@ redhousecymru.com Jo Headington Abstract painting and collage work.

(Until Tue 21 Nov) Jason Williams Exhibition of figurative paintings. (From Sat 25 Nov until Sat 6 Jan)

THE SHO GALLERY Upstairs, The Castle Emporium, Womanby Street, Cardiff. Free. www. thesho.co.uk The F Word Local artists pay homage to 100 years of fashion history via photography, illustration and original garments. Curated

by Tailor Green. (Until Sat 11 Nov)

SPIT AND SAWDUST Unit B, Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff. Free.

029 2049 4741 / www. spitandsawdust.co.uk/ Gweni Llwyd & Carlota Nóbrega ‘Fuzzy Bunny’ Llwyd’s work revolves around experiences of the everyday, the sensory and the absurd, using physical and digital encounters as starting points. Nóbrega explores concepts such as abjection, beauty and grotesque in relation to the body. (Until Sun 26 Nov)

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE Singleton St, Swansea.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. Free.

01792 475715 / www.swanseagrand.co.uk Tina Francis ‘The Changing Face Of Mining’ Paintings inspired by workers at an open cast mine in Tairgwaith. (Until Sat 11 Nov) Inception Show of work from the Minitopian Art Gallery.

(From Tue 4 Nov until Mon 4 Dec) Lifelong Learning Exhibition Held in the

White Room, details TBC. (From Tue 13 until Sat 18 Nov)

TENBY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Castle Hill, Tenby. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, £4/£3/£2 kids.

01834 842809 / www. tenbymuseum.org.uk Lee Phillips This is the second phase of his Shed Project, which this Narberth-based artist launched in 2014 and saw him aiming to sketch each of the thousands of objects left in his late grandfather’s shed. (Until sat 11 Nov)

THEATR HAFREN Llanidloes Road, Newtown, Powys. Mon-Sat 10am5.30pm. Free. 01686 625007 / boxoffice@theatrhafren. co.uk David Bannister MidWales-based artist who graduated from Camberwell School Of Art in 1989 and is now an occupational therapist as well as a painter. His recent work in acrylic and mixed media is inspired by the Kerry Ridgeway, a track crossing the Wales-England border. (Until Sun 26 Nov)

TOWER GALLERY 49 High Street, Crickhowell.

Wed-Sat 10am-5pm. Free.

01873 812495 / www. towergallery.co.uk Robert Macdonald Paintings inspired by the life and legends of the Usk Valley, where Macdonald has lived for almost 30 years; he is also a chronicler of local events, and former artist in residence at the Brecon Jazz Festival . Also showing work by the Usk Valley Artists Co-operative. (Until Sat 4 Nov) John Uzzell Edwards Retrospective exhibition. Also showing work by the Usk Valley Artists Co-operative. (From Wed 8 Nov until Sat 6 Jan)

TOWER GALLERY Oriel Y Parc Landscape Gallery & Visitor Centre, The Grove, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Free. 01437 720392 / info@orielyparc. co.uk Sidney Nolan & Graham Sutherland ‘A Sense Of Place’ Joint show from two late artists, both important painters in their respective nations of Australia (Nolan, 1917-92) and England (Sutherland, 1903-80).

(Until Sun 28 Jan)

VICTORIA FEARN GALLERY 6B Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm, Sun 10am-3pm.

Free. 029 2052 0884.

Christmas Exhibition Selected gifts handmade by some of Britain’s finest designers. (Until Sun 31 Dec)

THE WELSH QUILT CENTRE Town Hall, Lampeter.

Tue-Sat 11am-4.30pm.

Free. 01570422088 / www. welshquilts.com As Good As It Gets A celebration of Welsh quilts made by quilters from the south Wales valleys especially for a luxury market, including aristocracy and distinguished hotels, from 1921 to 1939 during a time of economic hardship. (Until Sat 4 Nov)

WORKERS GALLERY 99 Ynyshir Road, Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm or by appointment. Free. 01443 682024 / wood4tt@gmail. com Local Exposure Photography by local artists and/or inspired by the local area.

Guest curator Dale Poole of HuwDale Photography.

(Until Sat 4 Nov) Winter Woodland Group exhibition of art and design set within a ‘woodland installation’.

(From Thurs 9 Nov until Sat 23 Dec)

clubs BAR COCOA Broad Street, Barry. facebook.com/cocoabarry Fri 3 Regal Nights 10pm3.30am, £6.50 adv. Old skool garage from DJ Luck & MC Neat, Paz, James Bourne, Katty and host MC Gummi.

THE BIG TOP / 10 FEET TALL 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / thisis10feettall@yahoo. co.uk Thursdays Rock hits from DJ Andy Rhys Lewis.

Fridays + Saturdays Resident DJs playing soul and funk. Fri 3 Hey Mary 10.30pm, £5. Cardiff’s top gay/queer/drag/etc night.

Hosted by Lucy Fur with Sissy Boy Tears DJs dropping the tunes. Normally on the first Friday of every month. Fri 24 That Good Night 10pm. Leftfield electronic tackle with Beauty Parlour, Christobel (Hey Mary) and It’s Dando, plus more TBC. Saturdays Under A Groove 9pm-3am, £3 after 10. Funk and neo-soul.

BLIND TIGER 49 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 243500.

Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Cocktails, drink deals and tunes as part of a cross-city midweek session. Fridays Koncept & Friends 11pm, £3-£5.

House, techno and bass music with guest DJs, breaking

producers and residents from Wales’ freshest nights.

Saturdays Re:work 11pm, £5. Underground and cutting edge club music promised.

BLISTERS 63-65 Hanbury Rd, Bargoed. 01443 821500 / blistersbargoed@outlook. com

u – repeated

Shannyshan, Bomber b2b Frenzee, Skamma / Jay Dee / Slim-Teng, Low b2b Mowgli b2b Hoodfellaz, T-Bone b2b Pabz and Kallista. Fri 3 Canopy 10.30pm-4am, £6 adv. Drum’n’bass from Bladerunner, Run Tingz Cru, Kursiva and residents.

Saturdays The Shake Up 10pm-4am, £3. Pop, chart, house, r’n’b funk and soul from residents over two

Dirtbox, a crew of hard dance promoters round Swansea way, have an unalluring name as it is, but for their night at Gorseinon's Rainbow Rooms on Sat 4 they've upped the ante by dubbing themselves Dirtbox Zombies. It's a hardcore special and UK veteran Gammer headlines a stuffed bill.

Thurs 30 Darren Styles 10pm-4am, £18 adv. Big man of happy hardcore drives a long way into the valleys on a Thursday to headline. Also playing: Martin Dibble and more TBC.

BLUE HONEY NIGHT CAFE Quay Street, Cardiff. 07512 247712 / facebook.com/ bluehoneynightcafe Thurs 2 All-Girl DJ Night Hosted by Jessie from techno promoters Doppler and featuring a lineup TBC.

BUFFALO 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff.

Open Mon-Thurs 11am3am, Fri + Sat 11am-4am, Sun until 4am. 029 2031 0312 / www.buffalocardiff. com Mondays Gin & Juice 10pm-4am, from £2. R’n’b/ hip-hop night, replacing the recently departed Bump & Grind in none too subtle fashion. Lots of drinks deals on offer, although not for the drink of the evening’s name. Tue 21 Haws 10pm4am, £10/£8. Groovy house with respected headline DJ Damiano Von Erckert. Wed 1 Switch Up 10pm-3am, £5 adv. Garage, grime, bassline, jungle and drum’n’bass.

Lineup: Nu Elementz with MC Chew, JE3, Styx, Wonky Tree and Fonz. Thurs 2 Get Funky 10pm-3am, £6/£5.

Disco, house and funk from Daryl Finn, Eben Rees, Andrew Lambert and headliner Fingerman, from Brighton.

Fri 10 Breathe 10pm-4am, £4 adv. Techno and deep house with local DJ Tom Ware headlining. Fri 17 Stickylemons 9.30pm-4am, £8-£15 A night of grime and bassline v drum’n’bass, headlined by Mr Traumatik, a Cardiff MC who has got quite popular elsewhere of late. Also features Blackley, Klip & Outlaw, Garry K, Chunky Bizzle, DJ

floors. Plus, when you order a drink from the bar you roll a dice and, if you roll a double, it’s half price.

My commiserations to this venue’s bar staff for having to put up with this.

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION Park Place, Cardiff. All listings apply to term time only. 029 2078 1458 / studentsunion@cardiff. ac.uk Wednesdays YOLO 9pm2am, £4/£3 adv/free before 11. New midweek club night promising both your favourite tunes and great offers. Good name, really on trend. Saturdays Juice 10pm-3am, £5/£4 NUS. Chart, dance and pop.

CLUB ICE Broadway, Pontypridd.

07771 920726 / www. clubiceponty.com Fri 3 Core Collision – Pirates Of Rave 7pm-3am, £10 adv. Hardcore night headlined by Sy and supported by Ray Raw, D-Grove, Bass Brothers, Andy Demize and Chesh.

Fri 17 Core Collision – UV Spectacular 8pm-3am, £5 adv. Another hardcore night where they chuck a load of UV paint and foam around while this lot DJ: Fallon, Blocaldini, Ray Raw, Andy Demize, Lozzie, Webbe, Gee And Atom, Xsiv, Hyde and Stylezzy. Hosted By MCs Energy, Venom and Andy Demize.

CLUB OXYGEN 1 Northampton Lane, Swansea. 0844 8849171 / www.globaloxygen.co.uk Fridays Dance Anthems 11pm-6am, free. House and commercial music all night from Big Al, Nicky G, 3 Bird, Jordan Steins, LJ Isaac and

clubs Tom Chizzy. Saturdays 10pm-6am, £5/free before 1.

CLWB IFOR BACH Womanby St, Cardiff. 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net Mondays Bump & Grind 10.30pm, £3-£5. Hip-hop and r’n’b night which has recently moved from Buffalo. Tue 21 Dazed 11pm, £8-£12. Second edition of new drum’n’bass club night featuring Serum Dnb b2b Turno, Clique, Woo & Comfort and Dazed residents.

Tue 28 Good Life 11pm, £6 Underwater-themed club night of some kind.

Thurs 9 Carnival 11pm, £3-£5. Bashment, dancehall and reggae. Thurs 16 DJ Format & Abdominal 7pm, £12.50. Funky hip-hop sorts, play here about once a year. Thurs 23 Brooklyn Zoo 10.30pm-4am, £3-£5.

Current and classic hip-hop alike. Fridays (bottom) Seventy Times 7 11pm3am, £3-£5. New weekly clubnight offering alt-rock and pop-punk by the looks of things. It’s named after a Brand New song if that’s any indicator. Fri 3 Journey 10pm-4am, £15 adv.

This is an Enter The Dragon reunion night, that being Cardiff’s top trance promo team around 1999/2000 when the genre was making mad paper. Room 1: John 00 Fleming, Jimpy, Richie Knight, Joe Byrne and Arran Roberts; Room 2: Cool House V Funkydory presents Dave Mills, Tyrone Rose, Gari Worner and Matt Joy. Fri 10 Submerge & Shelter 11pm-4am, £6-£10.

Bristol dubstep/grime DJ duo Kahn & Neek debut in Cardiff tonight (I think).

See Clubs. Kloc, Blokeye & Effigy, Bandit and Ollie G also feature. Fri 17 Disco Motel 11pm, £3-£5. Disco and classic pop club night.

Saturdays Dirty Pop 10pm-4am, £5. 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.

Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Upfront dance anthems and “Urban Vibes”. Fridays Spotlight Sessions / The Kickstart 5pm, £3/free before 9.

Urban and club anthems and drinks deals. Part of the NPCLUBHOP price deal which also includes entry to Blind Tiger, Meze Lounge and Lambaba. Saturdays Mischief Beat-driven anthems is the ambiguous description for tonight’s music policy. Sundays Good Time Social Club 8pm, free. DJs til late and the weekend’s sports highlights.

FICTION & VINYL The City Gates, Little Wind Street, Swansea. 01792 828777 / www.fictionclub. co.uk/swansea Wednesdays Underground 11pm-3.30am, £3.50/£2 before 1. House, chart, r’n’b and cheese across two rooms. Fridays 11pm-3am, £5/£3 adv. Drinks offers and, uh, music I guess. Fri 29 has a guest appearance from Love Island’s Chris Hughes. Saturdays Agenda 10.30pm-3am, £3.50/£2 before 1. Fiction:

house, r’n’b, EDM. Vinyl: pop and party.

FUEL 5 Womanby Street, Cardiff.

07970 063107 / facebook. com/fuelcardiff Thursdays FUBAR 10pm-2am. Rock, metal and alternative clubnight.

Fridays + Saturdays Rock and metal anthems each weekend, plus special guests when such types are in town. Fri 10 Killing Moon / Blondie Afterparty 11pm-3am. 80s alternative night returns to coincide with Blondie being in town.

DJs: Zer0star, Yvonne Evie McCracken and Phil White (Dead Of Night).

GLAM Greyfriars Road, Cardiff.

029 2022 9311 / info@ glamnightclub.co.uk Mondays The Fest 10pm3am, £2/free before 11. A mashup of chart, r’n’b, cheese and dance across two floors. Mon 6 has a guesat appearance from Kem off Love Island. Saturdays Vanity 9pm-3am, £5-£10.

Two rooms of quality music, everyone catered for it is claimed.

GWDIHW 6 Guildford Crescent, Cardiff. 029 2039 7933 / www.gwdihw.co.uk Tue 14 Cardiff Electronic Producers 7.30pm. With acts TBC. Fri 24 Pleasuredome 9pm, £4/£3 before 11. Electro, synthpop, italo disco, new wave, funk and more. Sat 4 Sure Shot 9pm. Featuring Pascal Rioux of Favorite Recordings. Sat 11 The Mix-

tape 9pm. Disco, house and funk. Sat 25 Hully Gully 9pm. Dancefloor-friendly funk etc. Sat 2 Dec Sure Shot 9pm. Featuring Late Night Tales DJs plus Groove Theory’s Tom Bateman.

JACOB’S MARKET West Canal Wharf, Cardiff.

029 2039 0939.

Fri 10 Teak 10pm-5am.

House and disco from Orpheu The Wizard, Seka and Ellie Stokes.

KARMA 75 St Mary Street, Cardiff.

Fri + Sat 8pm-6am. karmaclubcardiff@gmail. com Sat 4 Circle 8 9pm-6am, £12 adv. Drum’n’bass headlined by 90s vet Jumping Jack Frost and Bellyman, with MOD, Apollo, Mowgli, Low, Hoodfellaz, Bason, Kallista, Pabz, Tbone, Joe Blow, Chew, CZA, Slim teng, 4dee, Mascot, Plethora and Missy G also in the area.

Sat 2 Dec MC Magika’s Earthstrong Celebration 9pm-6am. No real info on this yet but it’s presented in conjunction with Circle 8 and is partly or entirely drum’n’bass.

LASER STATION Bridge Wharf, Carmarthen.

01267 235648 / www. laserstationwales.com Sat 17 Sesh On 9pm-3am, £7 before 11. Drum’n’bass from Rezaloot, Dylan ‘Bassline’ James, SelectriX & Sub-Conscious, Synapse and Doc P.

MACKINTOSH SPORTS CLUB 38 Keppoch Street, Cardiff.

029 2049 4697 / www.mackintoshsportsclub.org Sat 18 Saturday Social Fundraver 7.30pm12.30am, £5. See Clubs for more on this night, in aid of The Wallich. DJs: Jean Jacques Smoothie, Shaun Llewelyn (Freebass), Phil Dread, DJ Rascal (Vinyl Cruisers), Disko Stu & Alex (The Wallich) and Gareth J (Sacred Grooves).

MARY’S

CHAMPION Selecta @ Undertone, Cardiff, Fri 17 Nov Tickets: £8. Info: 029 2022 8883 / facebook.com/wherethecrowdsaybo Selecta is most often a cheap and cheerful night where local DJs span UK garage, grime, bassline and the like, but they sometimes rope a special guest in too. This month it’s an especially tasty one – Reiss Hanson, or Champion to you and anyone who throws down to his innovative, yet ridiculously fun, style of production. On the scene since the early part of this decade, his most iconic tracks are kinda like UK funky with a V12 engine – huge basslines, more bounce to the ounce.

Last year he did a mildly unlikely collaborative 12” with Four Tet, and his debut album Snapshot is out at the start of November.

89 St Mary Street, Cardiff.

Mon-Thurs 4pm-2am, Fri 4pm-3am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-1am. 029 2066 8647 / www.maryscardiff. co.uk Wednesdays Wednesday Club 8pm-2am. Dance and chart toppers with DJ Chris.

Thursdays Mixxet 8pm2am. Fun, games, and cabaret with Amber Dextrous and Alphaa Heart. Fridays Non Stop Party 8pm-2am.

DJ Lee plays tunes from the 90s onwards. Saturdays 8pm-2am. Dance, pop and chart with DJ Billy Joe. Sundays Service 5pm-2am, free. Bingo with Aunty Ade and Aunty Betty from 5pm, with cash prizes; DJ Mary Golds until 9pm; guest cabaret at 9pm and DJ Billy

Joe on the tapes (this is an odd turn of phrase but I like it) until 1am.

METROS Baker’s Row, Cardiff. 029 2039 9942 / www. metroscardiff.com Wednesdays Cheapskates 9pm-4am, £4/free early bird.

Hywel plays ‘alternative mayhem’ and old skool cheese. Fridays Havoc 10.30pm-4am, free before 11. Mismatched alternative tunes from Hywel.

Saturdays Lose Yourself 10.30pm-4am, free before 11. Stereo Brain playing indie, beats, treats and pop-punk.

MEZE LOUNGE 6 Market Street, Newport.

01633 259144 / facebook. com/mezeloungenewport Fridays Panic! Alternative anthems, pop-punk, hardcore and guilty pleasures.

Saturdays Rock You! 10pm, £3-£5. A selection of anthems across the decades plus party/covers bands each week. Sat 25 Got Bass 10pm-5am. Bassline, garage and house from Cardiff promoters.

MINSKYS SHOW BAR Cathedral Walk, St David’s Centre, Cardiff. 029 2023 3128 / www.minskysshowbar.com Fridays & Saturdays 8pm-1am. 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 Mondays Mojito Mondays 5pm-12am. Motown classics and mojitos 2-4-1 all night.

Thursdays T4 5pm-12am.

Funk, disco, house, soul and tribal from DJ So Sash. Fridays #Friday 5pm-2am. funky house and half price drinks from 5-10pm.

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.

THE MOON Womanby Street, Cardiff.

029 2037 3022 / info@ themooncardiff.com Fridays Gigantic Free.

Funk, punk, rock’n’roll, hip-hop, indie, reggae, soul until 3am. Saturdays Five

Dollar Shake Free. DJ Puddlefunk with bebop, funk, soul, Motown, hip-hop, reggae, ska and everything in between.

NEON LOUNGE Market Street, Newport.

01633 533666 / theneon. co.uk/neon-bar-lounge Fri 10 Soul, Funk & Motown Night 8pm, £3.

DJs from Penarth Soul Club and A Basement Full Of Soul with an all-vinyl set on the second Friday of each month. Sat 18 Perc 8pm3am, £6 adv. See Clubs for more on this. Room 1 has Kofi Tarris, Paul Blandford, Owen Kilby, Richard Anthony Moulton, Chris Cain and Billy Jordan. Room 2: is hosted by Krupa.

THE PARROT 32 King Street, Carmarthen. 01267 231012 / facebook.com/ theparrotmusicbar Sat 18 Souled On Vinyl 8pm-1am, £4. DJs Uncle Funk, Scooter Paul, Jess Wrecker and Vinyl Richie play northern soul, funk etc.

PENARTH EX-SERIVCEMEN’S CLUB 69 Windsor Road, Penarth.

029 2070 7530 / www. penarthexservicemensclub. co.uk Sat 25 Penarth Soul Club 7.30pm-12.30am, £3 adv.

A night of classic soul, northern soul etc. Last PSC event scheduled here for this year.

THE PINK GERANIUM 31-33 Herbert Street, Pontardawe. 01792 862255.

Sat 18 Exposure & Remapped 6pm, free.

House and techno from Taz Meah and Lloyd Haines (Con7rol) plus Exposure and Remapped residents and guests.

THE PIT The Strand, off Wind Street, Swansea. facebook.com/pg/ thepitswansea Sat 4 + Sat 2 Dec Dead Of Night 10pm-3am, £3.

Goth/alternative club night, on the first Saturday of every month.

PLATFORM 11 High Street, Pontypridd.

Fri-Sun 7.30pm-2am. www. platform11.co.uk Sat 7 008 6pm-3am, £8 adv.

Tech house DJ Latmun, real name Joe Bradley, is tonight’s headliner.

POPWORLD 96 St Mary Street, Cardiff.

Mon, Tue + Thurs 9pm3am; Wed 8pm-3am; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat 1pm-3am.

029 2023 5825.

Mondays Pop Rocks 9pm.

A night of what they call alternative pop but their examples (Green Day, BUZZ 59

* – recommended

events Blink, Linkin Park) seem to suggest will be pop-punk and nu-metal. Ah, it’s all just names at the end of the day. Fridays + Saturdays Popworld Party Until 3am.

Drinks deals from 5-11pm (Fri) and 3-8pm (Sat).

POPWORLD Wind Street, Swansea. MonFri + Sun 8pm-3am; Sat 3pm-3am. 01792 470676.

Tuesdays Timewarp Music from the 1980s and dance competitions.

Wednesdays Quids In 8pm-3am. Student night where drinks are £1.

Thursdays Destination Popworld Lots of cocktails, 2-4-1 offers and, naturally, pop music. Fridays + Saturdays Ain’t No Party Like A Popworld Party 8pm-3am, £2-£4 (Fri)/£3-£5 (Sat).

PRYZM Greyfriars Road, Cardiff.

029 2023 3854 / www. pryzm.co.uk/cardiff Mondays Quids In 10pm-4am. New student night starting this month.

Fridays + Saturdays 10pm-3am, £4. Three music arenas, VIP booths, other stuff. Saturday is in conjunction with Jongleurs comedy club, which also takes place here. Fridays Smack. 9pm-3am. Weekly student event described by one enthusiast as “lit Friday nights with chilled fam bams and regular bants”.

PULSE 3 Churchill Way, Cardiff.

029 2064 1010 / www. pulsecardiff.com. Gay venue.

Wednesdays Kapow!

10pm-4am. Student night with Jolene Dover and DJ Warren. Fridays Full On 10pm-5am, £4/£3. DJ Craig downstairs, Opal upstairs.

Saturdays Pop Til You Drop 10pm-5am, £5/£4 b4 11. The very best chart remixes and classic hits all night long.

THE QUEENS HALL 44 High Street, Narberth.

01834 861212 / www. thequeenshall.org.uk Sat 4 Bass Re-Fusion 7.30pm, £10/£8 adv. Headlined by DJ Indian Man’s blend of bhangra, garage and hip-hop, the bill also includes Rob Why? b2b DJ One_Z, DJ Shanna and DJ Prem.

THE RAINBOW ROOMS 12 High Street, Gorseinon, Swansea. 07563 111225 / www.the-rainbowrooms. com Sat 4 Dirtbox Zombies 7pm-6am, £12 adv.

Hardcore slammers in your face from Gammer, Ed ET & DTR, D-Grove, Rob Davies, MCP, Dr Loch, Leg3ndz, Angel Eyes, Patchy &

BUZZ 60

Vandellio, Disturbed DJs Vs Sub Stoperz, Misteve, Rhod Morgan and hosts K-Ner and Venom. Sat 18 WeAreOne 8pm-6am, £10 adv. Hard trance, hardstyle and UK hardcore from The Wikidz, Littlejack b2b Ryan Rees, N-Zyme & TJ v Legendz, Jaba, Reflux v Racy, Rob Rees and Rusty Nuttz b2b Tranz-Linquants b2b D-Grove. MCs: Shocker, K-Ner (who is promoting this event and raising money so his mum can have an operation) and Jay-P.

REVOLUTION Castle Street, Cardiff. Open from 11am. 029 2023 6689 / www.revolution-bars.co.uk Tuesdays Mode 9pm-3am, £4 adv. Popular student night returns. Fridays + Saturdays 9pm-3am. DJs, drinks offers, free area hire.

ROOM 112 3-6 St Mary Street, Cardiff.

Thurs 9pm-3am, Fri + Sat 10pm-4am. 029 2066 7996 / www.room112.net Fridays Gawjus 9pm-4am, £10/£5 before 12. R’n’b, hip-hop and dancehall. Saturdays Fusion 9pm-4am, £10/£5. Afrobeats, r’n’b and dancehall.

SIN CITY Dilwyn Street, Swansea.

01792 468892 / www. sincityclub.co.uk Tuesdays Hustle 10pm3am, £3/£2 before 12.

Motown, r’n’b and hip-hop.

Thursdays Sin Savers 10pm-3am, £3. Student night. Fridays Monsters Of Rock 10pm-3.30am, £4/£2 before 12.30. Indie in room 1, metal in room 2.

Fri 10 Amuzon 10pm-4am, £5 adv. Good looking lineup from new promo heads: Big Miz (Glasgow), Doc Daneeka (Swansea) and William (Noods Radio, Bristol). Saturdays Sink 10pm3am. Hip-hop, drum’n’bass, dubstep etc, with special guests plus resident DJs Dubman, Swiss Elf and South. Sat 28 features grime faves Royal T and P Money.

Sat 4 Strange Things Swansea 10pm. This appears to be a Stranger Things-themed student night, except they’ve taken a letter out of the name for ironclad protection against getting sued Sat 11 Rick And Morty’s House Party 10pm, £3. “£50 bar tab for the best costume. Episodes playing all night. House Party anthems accompanied by Rick and Morty favourites. Themed drinks”.

Sat 18 Bassline 10pm-4am, £15/£13. Bassline, garage and grime from headliner Holy Goof. *Sat 2 Dec The Lighthouse Project 10pm, £12 adv. First time in Swansea, I think, for classy techno merchant Cassy.

‘Twas seven years ago I

saw her play. Eeh, doesn’t time fly.

SODA St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3363 / www.sodacardiff.com Wednesdays Replay 9pm4am, £4. Chart, cheese and r’n’b for students. Fridays Fade 10pm-3am, £4/£6 VIP. R’n’b, hip-hop, house and UK garage from Vijay, Jigga, Monique B and Dan Willow.

Saturdays Soiree 9pm4am. Three rooms including the Attic which is “the social playground for the high flyers and social elite, the only place to be seen.” Imagine catching your reflection in the mirror just after writing that. Sundays Soda Sundays 9pm-3am, £4/£8 VIP. Three floors of music for students and industry workers.

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.

Wednesdays Shotgun Rules 10pm-3am, £5/£3.50.

Exclusive midweek student party. You don’t need NUS to get in though. Fridays Tic Toc 10pm-3am, £4.

Saturdays Kanaloa Polynesian style area with cocktails, VIP booths, dancers etc.

TRAMSHED Clare Road, Grangetown, Cardiff. 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshedcardiff.com Sun 26 Big Fish Little Fish 2-4.30pm, £7.50. Popular rave event for babies and toddlers (and their parents) with DJ Faydz (Fantazia) and Huw Bunford (Super Furry Animals) this month.

UNDERTONE (BASEMENT OF 10 FEET TALL) 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / www.undertonecardiff.com Tue 7 Wile Out – Strictly Bassline 10pm, £4.

Single-genre night from DJs Bandit, Mango, Styx and Vaxine. Wed 8 Society Basement Series 10pm3am, £4. Headlined by techno/minimal DJ Argy Kay. This is a night that takes place around the UK, but always in clubs situated below ground level, for some reason. Thurs 30 XL Invites 10pm. New and rising drum’n’bass artists as well as those established in the industry already, they claim.

Fri 3 Groove Theory 10pm.

House, disco, funk, normally a good headliner or two. Fri 10 La Fiesta 10pm-4am,

£5/£4. Salsa, reggaeton, some bachata and Spanish rock. Fri 17 Selecta 11pm, £8/£6 adv. Bass house, bassline, garage, grime, dubstep, drum’n’bass and jungle. UK funky hotshot Champion is tonight’s headliner, with Onslaught and Bandit also featuring. Fri 24 Temple 10pm.

Monthly drum’n’bass night, lineup TBC. Sat 4 Flatline 10pm. Drum’n’bass, 140 and bassline from local DJs. Sat 11 Paranoize 10pm-4am.

Grime, garage, drum’n’bass, bass music, some or all of. *Sat 18 Rotary Club 11pm-4am, £8 adv. See Clubs for more on this fourth birthday party, which is headlined by DMX Krew.

First time in Cardiff as far as I know? Warrenraww is the other special guest.

WAREHOUSE 54 54 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161.

Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Cocktails, drink deals and tunes as part of a cross-city midweek session. Fridays The Good Time Social Club 11pm, £3. Laid back beats and live sessions to kick off the weekend. Entry fee also grants you entry to Courtyard, Blind Tiger, Meze Lounge and Labamba.

Saturdays Viva R’n’b and club classics. entry fee, again, gets you into all the clubs listed above. Sat 18 Su Casa & Re:work 9pm-5am, £5 adv. Techno and house from Toolroom Records’ Kydus plus Koncept, Lassandro, Beekay and more TBC.

WOW BAR 4 Churchill Way, Cardiff.

Gay venue. Free all day Sun-Thurs; 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 before 11.

With WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty and Marcia, plus special guests every week.

Saturdays The VKend Free before 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 Beat It: Drumming For Dementia Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 10.30am-12.30pm, free. Info beatitpercussion@ gmail.com. Hosted by Lynn – contact her on the above email.

Bharatanatyam Dance Classes For Adult Beginners Bayview House, Cardiff Bay. 8.15-9.15pm. Info 029 2075 1158.

Brecon Town Band Rehearsals Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623650.

Hosted by Dave Jones – contact him on the above number.

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.

Cardio Climb Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.

6.30-7.15pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880. High intensity workout combining cardio and climbing.

Ceroc The Gate, Cardiff. 7.4510.45pm, £8/£6 NUS. Info 029 2048 3344. A fusion of salsa, ballroom, tango, hip-hop and jive. Classes are easy and relaxed.

Children’s Ballroom Dancing Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7-9pm. Info 01495 243252.

Community Choir Rehearsals Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd.

7-9pm, free. Info 01443 491424.

Community Choir Sessions Cornwall Street Church Hall, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, free.

Info 07952 752823. Led by Pauline Down and taking place every Monday during term time.

Drop-in Meditation And Mindfulness Classes The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7-8.30pm, £5/£3 unwaged. Info 01792 458245.

New weekly class led by Mike Garside, Resident Teacher of Dharmavajra Kadampa Buddhist Centre in Swansea.

Freestyle Fitness Yoga Pontcanna Dojo, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £7/£6. Info sarasclasses4@gmail.com.

Funkypump Fitness Various venues across south Wales.

6am-8pm. Info www. funkypumpfitness.co.uk.

Boxing-based high-intensity workout with a house soundtrack. Today’s lineup looks like this. Ware-house, Swansea: Bootcamp 6-7 + 10-11am; Funkypump 5-6 + 6-7pm; Warehouse ABC 5-7pm.Ware-house, Port Talbot: HIIT 5-5.45pm.

Rainbow Rooms, Gorseinon: Funkypump 6-7pm. First Choice Fitness, Llantrisant:

u – repeated

Funkypump 6-7 + 7-8pm.

Funkypump Fitness, Ammanford: Funkypump 6-7pm. Elympia Fitness, Ely, Cardiff: 6.15-7.15pm. Funkypump Fitness, Carmarthen: Funkypump 6.15-7.15pm.

Musical Theatre The Riverfront, Newport. 5.45-8pm, £6/£5. Info 01633 656757.

7-11 years old: 5.45-6.45pm; 12 and up: 6.45-8pm.

Newport Badminton Club Bettws Active Centre, Newport. 7-8.30pm. Info 07789 965285. One of the largest badminton clubs in south-east Wales. Also on Thursdays.

NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate. org. Today’s schedule looks like this. 4.30-6pm:Youth: Wookies (7-9 years); Youth: Padawans (9-11 years).

6-8pm: Aerial Hoop Level 4, Static Trapeze Level 3. 7.459.45pm: Aerial Hoop Level 2, Aerial Hoop Level 3, Static Trapeze Level 4.

Qigong Class The Sunhouse, Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff. 6-7.15pm, £5. Info 07779 151916. More at www. bringingbalance.co.uk.

Ruff Folk Dance Club St Andrew’s Methodist Church Hall, Birchgrove, Cardiff.

8pm. Info 029 2051 3440.

With Ian Lewis.

Salsa Classes Horse & Groom, Cowbridge. 8-10pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651. Beginners for the first hour, then improvers/ intermediate.

St Donats Atlantic Chorale St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm.

Info 01446 799100. Choir rehearsals.

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.

Yoga Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 12.30-1.15pm. 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; 8.10-9.30pm: beginners.

EVERY TUESDAY A Ballroom Dance Memorial Hall, Newbridge.

7-11pm. Info 01495 243252.

Adult Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.

7-8.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Tuesday to Thursday.

Aikido Village Hall, Heol Syr Lewis, Morganstown.

8-10pm. Info 07790 167560.

Every Tuesday and Friday.

Beginners Ballet Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.157.30pm, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. Covering key ballet principles including developing core strength, improving posture, basic steps,

events flexibility and coordination.

Hosted by National Dance Company Wales.

Beginners Contemporary Dance Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30-8.45pm, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. Exploring the basic principles of contemporary dance through a set of exercises. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales.

Bellydance Class Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff.

7.15-8.45pm, £7. Info 07824 784436.

Funkypump Fitness Various venues across south Wales. 6am-8.15pm. Info www. funkypumpfitness.co.uk.

Ware-house, Swansea: TRX & Kettlebell 6-7am; Buggy Blast 10.30-11.30am; HIIT 1.15-1.45pm; Funkypump 5.15-6 + 6-7pm; Funkypump Kidz 5.15-6pm; White Collar Boxing Training 6-7pm; Funky Pump Lite 7-8pm. Ware-house, Port Talbot: HIIT 6.30-7.15pm.

Rainbow Rooms, Gorseinon: Bootcamp 6-7am. Funkypump Fitness, Ammanford: Bootcamp 6.15-7.15pm; Bags 7.15-8.15pm. Ufit, Cardiff: Funkypump 6-7pm.

Daleon Fitness, Merthyr: Funkypump 6-7pm.

Gitananda Yoga St David's Uniting Church, Pontypridd.

7-8.30pm, free. Info 01443 408065.

Glam Dram St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan.

7pm. Info 01446 799100.

Amateur theatre company for adults.

India Dance Wales Classes Rubicon Dance, Adamsdown, Cardiff. 6.308pm. Info 029 2075 1158.

From beginners to grade 2 and for all ages and abilities.

Jazz Workshops For Beginners Atradius Offices (4th floor), Cardiff Bay. 6.20-8pm, £10. Info 07806 625717. All instruments and ages welcome.

Karate Classes Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.15-8.15pm. Info 029 2087 7959. With Emma Robins.

Knap Art Group All Saints Church Hall, The Knap, Barry. 2-4pm. Info glyn@ glynpooley.com. Hosted by Glyn Pooley. Get in touch if you are interested in developing your creativity through learning to draw or paint.

Laughter Yoga Llandaff North Community Centre, Cardiff. 7.15-8.15pm, £5 (suggested donation). Info www.sparklylaughter.co.uk.

“No experience required, no stretching and no mats needed,” promise the organisers.

Learn To Rock’n’Roll 50s Style Kenfig Hill Rugby Club, Bridgend. 8-10.30pm, £5. Info 07400 080101.

Hosted by Frank. Lessons are from 8.15-9pm; there’s a disco from 9-10.30. First dance lesson free.

Life Drawing Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6-8pm, £7.50. Info 07830 381930.

Hosted by Cardiff Life

Model.

Lindy Hop Dance Classes & Social Swing Dancing The Garage, Swansea.

6-10pm. Info 01792 475147.

Morning Yoga Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8-9am, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. A Vinyasa flow class, aimed to develop functional, athletic abilities and maximise strength. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales.

Music Tots The Riverfront, Newport. 9.45am-1.45pm, £3 per session. Info 01633 656757. Music and movement class for babies aged eight weeks to five years.

NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate. org. Today’s schedule: 5-6pm: Youth: Ewoks (5-7 years). 6-7pm: Hula Hoop.

6-8pm: Supervised Training, Creative Circus. 7.459.45pm: Mixed Aerial.

Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Pregnancy Yoga Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 6-7.15pm, £35/£30 (five-week blocks). Info kalavathi@omstudio.co.uk.

Qigong & 24 Step Form St Mary’s Church Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 6.30-7.45pm. Info 07772 657692.

Qigong Class Bute Park, Cardiff. 6-7pm, pay by donation. Info 07779 151916.

More at www.bringingbalance.co.uk.

Salsa Classes Kapu, Cardiff. 7.30-10.30pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651.

Beginners’ class starts 7.30pm; improvers 8.30; bachata 9.30.

SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Mines & Mountains National Museum 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).

Student Night Cardiff City Table Tennis Club, Maindy Road Cardiff. 7-9pm, £2. Info 01446 412352.

Featuring 16 table tennis tables; players of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Check in advance on the sessions as the hall is occasionally booked by someone else.

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.

7-8.30pm, £9. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio. co.uk. With 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.

7-8pm, £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.

Zhan Zhuang Qigong Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 12.30-1.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. New weekly class, ZZQ being an ancient Chinese health system based on a series of static postures.

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 Adult Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.

7-8.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4880.

A Tea Dance Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 2-4pm. Info 01495 243252.

Ceramics For Adults The Riverfront, Newport. 6-8pm.

Info 01633 656757.

Ceroc Dance Class Dockers Club, Swansea. 7.45pm12am, £6/£8 freestyles. Info cerocsouthwales@gmail. com.

Cheer Tots The Riverfront, Newport. 9.30-10.15am, £3.

Info 01633 656757. Movement session for babies.

City Of Cardiff Rotaract Meeting Refectory Cafe, Windsor Place, Cardiff.

6.30pm. Info 07768 108394.

An 18-30s community group that integrates young professionals, students and refugees through community projects and social events.

Drop-in Exploring Drawing Workshop Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, Rhondda.

7-9pm, £10. Info 01443 682034. With tutor Chris Williams.

FAN Group Meeting Temple Of Peace, Cardiff.

3pm, free. Info 07512 638792. FAN (Friends And Neighbours) groups offer the chance to meet people, speak about a chosen topic for one hour, and have a chat and a cuppa. More FAN meetings are elsewhere in Cardiff every Thursday and Saturday.

Funkypump Fitness Various venues across south Wales. 6am-8pm. Info www. funkypumpfitness.co.uk.

Ware-house, Swansea: Bootcamp 6-7 + 10-11am; Bag Circuit 5-6 + 6-7pm; Warehouse ABC 5-7pm; Abs 7-8pm. Ware-house, Port Talbot: HIIT 6.30-7.15pm.

Rainbow Rooms, Gorseinon: Bootcamp 6-7pm. First Choice Fitness, Llantrisant: Funkypump 6-7 + 7-8pm. Funkypump Fitness, Ammanford: Funkypump 6-7pm. Funkypump Fitness, Carmarthen: Funkypump 6.15-7.15pm.

Newport Youth Dance The Riverfront, Newport. 4.15-

STEVE LAMACQ: GOING DEAF FOR A LIVING Glee Club, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 16 Nov Tickets: £15. Info: 0871 4720400 / www.glee.co.uk BBC 6 Music presenter Steve Lamacq is celebrating 30 years in the music industry with a new one-man show detailing his musical experiences and stories: a career from the days of hand-folded fanzines, to NME journalist, to radio veteran. The night will no doubt include frontline stories such as his infamous run-in with Manic Street Preachers’ Richey Edwards, interviewing Nirvana at a B&B in Shepherd’s Bush, his friendship with John Peel and his interviews with the Gallagher Brothers. Going Deaf For A Living is not a mere re-telling of Steve’s story, though – the show is an earnest exploration with the audience of what it means to be a music fan.

6.15pm, £3 per session. Info 01633 656757. 7-10 years old: 4.15-5.15pm; 14-18: 5.15-6.15pm.

NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class.

Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today’s schedule: 4.15-6pm: Youth: Jedi Acrobatics (11+); 6-8pm: Adult Acrobatics; 8-9.30pm: Handstands.

Pub Quiz The Pilot, Penarth. 8pm. Info 029 2071 0615. With Hayley.

Qigong Class The Hub Community Centre, Llandaff North, Cardiff. 2-3pm. Info 07772 657692.

Salsa Classes Rhiwbina Recreational Club, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

8-10pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651.

SeeWales Sightseeing Tour: Romans And Ruins National Museum 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.

Toddler Time Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 10-11am.

Info 01685 384111. Preschool stories, rhymes and crafts for toddlers.

Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff.

9.30-11am, 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.

7-8pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880.

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournaments The Freaks Geeks and Autographs Store, Swansea.

5.30pm, £3.50. Info 07914 683534.

EVERY THURSDAY Adult Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.

7-8.30pm, £10. Info 029 2048 4880.

Alexander Technique & Yoga M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11.30am-1pm, £16/£80 for six sessions.

Info 029 2047 3373.

Art Club Penarth Pier Pavilion. 4.15-5.15pm, £5.

Info 0844 8700887. Creative fun for 5-11-year-olds with tutor Becky.

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.

Breakdance The Riverfront, Newport. 6.30-7.30pm, £3.50 per session. Info 01633 656757. Learn break dancing styles, uprock, freezes and power moves.

For ages 8-18.

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.

FAN Group Meeting Car-

diff Central Library. 5pm, free. Info 07512 638792.

Make friends and practise English. More info at www. thefancharity.org.

Fitsteps FAB The Riverfront, Newport. 10-11am, £4. Info 01633 656757. Low intensity dance fitness workout.

Funkypump Fitness Various venues across south Wales. 6am-8.15pm. Info www. funkypumpfitness.co.uk.

Ware-house, Swansea: TRX & Kettlebells 6-7am; Buggy Blast 10-11.30am; HIIT 1.151.45pm; Funkypump 5-6 + 6-7pm; White Collar Boxing Training 6-7pm; Funkypump Lite 7-8pm. Ware-house, Port Talbot: HIIT 6.307.15pm. Rainbow Rooms, Gorseinon: Bootcamp 6-7am. Ufit, Cardiff: Funkypump 6-7 + 7.15-8.15pm.

Elympia Fitness, Ely: Funkypump 7.15-8.15pm.

First Choice Fitness, Llantrisant: Funkypump Lite 6-7pm. Funkypump Fitness, Ammanford: Funkypump 6-7pm. Funkypump Fitness, Carmarthen: Funkypump 6.15-7.15pm.

Hand Drumming Group Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £25 (five weeks). Info 07980 742328.

Hosted by Ronald Macauley.

Hatch Youth Theatre The Riverfront, Newport. 4.306.30pm. Info 01633 656757.

Hosted by Tin Shed Theatre.

Learn To Roller Skate Cardiff Central Youth Club, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, £3. Info www.brawlers.co.uk. With Cardiff roller derby team Tiger Bay Brawlers. Also on every Sunday.

Newport Badminton Club Pill Millennium Centre, Newport. 8-10pm. Info 07789 965285. Coached by Rhys Pritchard who represented BUZZ 61

* – recommended

events ROOTS ROUND UP NOVEMBER 2017 The variety of music that shelters under the ‘roots music’ umbrella is brought into sharp focus this month with two Roots Unearthed gigs at Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall that promise to be among the highlights of the year.

First up on Tue 21 Nov is a visit from the renowned fiddle-driven Finnish-Norwegian septet Frigg.

Since releasing their debut album in 2002, this extraordinary collection of musicians has become one of the hottest properties on the world roots music stage, regularly touring in Europe, North America and beyond. Fusing western folk music styles centred largely on the traditions of Scandinavia with elements of American bluegrass, into a high energy sound they call Nordgrass, Frigg are a force of nature. The interplay between their four violins, double bass and other stringed instruments has been fine tuned to perfection and, spiced with a sparkling and humorous live-energy has made an impact on listeners all over the world.

Prior to their gig the band will be running a Finnish fiddle tunes workshop for all string players – not just fiddlers – details of which can be found on the venue’s website.

The following day, Weds 22, St. David’s Hall is host to one of America’s finest songwriters and performers, Tom Russell. A true American renaissance man (he’s also a painter, author, essayist and qualified criminologist), Tom Russell has produced some of the finest Americana albums of recent years with his 52-track folk opera The Rose Of Roscrae (2015) being hailed as “maybe the most important Americana record of all time,” by Folk Radio UK Folk, and voted as the top folk album of 2105 by Mojo magazine.

Tom’s songs have been recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Doug Sahm, Nanci Griffith, K.D. Lang, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Ian Tyson, Iris Dement and Joe Ely, and he’s a regular fixture on US television with five appearances on David Letterman’s Late Night programme. Folk Hotel, his most recent album released earlier this year, is yet another songwriting master class and has already garnered rave reviews for its beautifully observed tales from the American west and beyond.

Buzz also recommends: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita Latin America meets West Africa. Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea (Sat 11) Steve Tilston Guitarist’s guitarist and ace songwriter. Newport Folk Club, Newport Fugitives Athletic Club, Highcross Rd, Rogerstone (Thurs 16) Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings Ex-Bellowhead frontman promoting latest album.

The Globe, Cardiff (Fri 24) Please send your folk and roots listings to listings@buzzmag.co.uk or phone them in to 029 2022 6767

BUZZ 62

Wales at the Junior Commonwealth Games.

Newport Junior Badminton Club Pill Millennium Centre, Newport. 7-8.30pm.

Info 07789 965285.

Coached by Rhys Pritchard.

NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate. org. Today’s schedule: 6-8pm: Ropes & Silks Level 2, Static Trapeze Level 2. 7.45-9.45pm: Static Trapeze Level 2, Ropes & Silks Level 3, Ropes & Silks Level 4.

Pilates Pontcanna Dojo, Cardiff. 6.15-7.15pm, £7/£6.

Info sarasclasses4@gmail. com.

Pilates Tramshed Studio, Cardiff. 12.30-1.30pm, £10/£8. Info www. tramshedstudio.com.

Qigong Albert Rd Methodist Church Hall, Penarth.

6.30-7.30pm. Info 07772 657692.

Quiz Night NosDa, Cardiff.

8pm, £1. Info 029 2037 8866. With money, beers and pizza to be won.

Salsa & Bachata Classes Kapu, Cardiff. 7pm-2am, £4-£7. Info 07800 565651.

Beginners 7.30pm; improvers/intermediates 8.30.

Free bachata dancing from 9.45pm.

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 Cardiff (pickup point).

9am-5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine.

Info 029 2022 7227 / www. seewales.com. Thursday and Sunday. This one visits the Gower, Swansea Bay, Parc-Le-Breos, the Dylan Thomas Centre and more.

Story And Rhyme Time In Welsh For Babies Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 10-11.30am, free. Info 029 2057 3650.

Every Thursday during term time; aimed at 0-4 years.

The Alexander Technique M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11am-12pm, £16. Info info@yogaskies. co.uk. Small group class hosted by Mike Young.

University Of The 3rd Age Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info richard-walker@live.co.uk. Hosted by Richard Walker – contact him on the above email.

Yoga Classes Cardiff Steiner School, Llandaff North, Cardiff. 6-7 + 7-8pm, £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 + 7.30-8.45pm, £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.

Bingo Lingo The Depot, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info www. depotcardiff.co.uk. This is now on every Friday and features street food, a wheel of fortune and “rubbish prizes”.

Cardiff Aikikai The Dojo, Roath, Cardiff. 6.30-10pm.

Info mcaluan@cardiffaikikai.co.uk.

Cardiff Table Tennis Community Club Upper Hall, Sport Wales, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. 7-9pm.

Info 01446 412352. Featuring 16 table tennis tables; players of all ages and abilities are welcome. Check in advance on the sessions as the hall is occasionally booked by someone else.

Children’s Tap/Ballet Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 10.30-11.30am.

Info 01495 243252.

Community Choir Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

9.45-11.45am, £72/£48 (12 weeks). Info 01446 401209.

Dance Tots The Riverfront, Newport. 9.3010.05am + 10.15-10.50am, £3 per session. Info 01633 656757. Parent/toddler dance and exercise session.

Funkypump Fitness Various venues across south Wales. 6am-7pm. Info www. funkypumpfitness.co.uk.

Ware-house, Swansea: Bootcamp 6-7 + 10-11am; ABC 5-7pm; Kettlebell 5.156pm; Bag Circuit 6.15-7pm.

Ware-house, Port Talbot: HIIT 6-6.45pm. Funkypump Fitness, Ammanford: Funkypump 6-7pm. Rainbow Rooms, Gorseinon: Bag Circuit 6-7pm.

India Dance Wales – Bharatanatyam Classes Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5-6pm. Info 07410 977427. Beginners’ class with Megan Lloyd.

Movement And Music For A Fuller Life Bishop Of Llandaff High School, Cardiff. 7.45-9.30pm, £5. Info 07726 360584. Biodanza session, on most weeks (ring ahead to check) aiming to help you “discover the joy of living, feel better and happier, benefit from more energy, and be more flexible”.

Newport Photographic Club Skip Jennings Hall, Maindee, Newport. 7.30pm.

Info 01633 400685.

NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class.

Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today’s schedule: 4.15-6pm: Youth: Jedi Aerial Skills (11+) Older Adult Dance/ Exercise The Riverfront, Newport. 11am-12pm, £3.

Info 01633 656757. Low impact dance and exercise class aimed at the over 50s.

Rhiwbina Farmers Market The Butchers Arms, Rhiwbina. 10am-1pm, free.

Info 029 2022 7982.

SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Mines

& Mountains National Museum Cardiff (pickup point). 9am-5.30pm, £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.

Ballroom Dancing Class Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil.

10am kids / 11am adults, £4 per class. Info 01685 384111. 10am: kids; 11am: adults; 12pm: private tuition.

Children’s Climbing Classes Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.

10-11.30am, £15. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Saturday and Sunday.

Family Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 12, 2 + 4pm, £15.

Info 029 2048 4880. Every Saturday and Sunday.

Family Saturdays Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Craft workshops for kids and parents.

FAN Group Meeting United Reformed Church Cafe, Windsor Place, Cardiff. 11am, free. Info 07512 638792. Make friends and practise English. More info at www. thefancharity.org.

Funkypump Fitness Various venues across south Wales. 6am-7pm. Info www. funkypumpfitness.co.uk.

Ware-house, Swansea: Abs 8-9am; TRX & Kettlebells 9.15-10.15am; Funkypump Kidz 10.30-11.30am; Bag Circuit 10.30-11.30am.

Ware-house, Port Talbot: Bag Circuit 10.30-11.30am.

Ufit, Cardiff: Bag Circuit 9.30-10.30am. Funkypump Fitness, Ammanford: Bag Circuit 10.30-11.30am.

Funkypump Fitness, Carmarthen: Boot Camp 8-9pm.

Hard Côr Sony Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am, free.

Info 029 2063 6464.

India Dance Wales Classes Lewis Street Methodist Church, Ystrad Mynach. Info ym.natyam@ gmail.com. New classes from beginner to Grade 3 level, every Saturday morning – email to confirm specific times.

Movement For Children Volcano, Swansea. 10am12pm, £4. Info www. volcanotheatre.co.uk. Energetic classes with a focus on creativity, supporting physical development and building confidence. Ages 4-7: 10am; 8-12: 11am.

NoFit State Circus

u – repeated

Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class.

Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today’s schedule: 10-11.30am: Youth: Wookies (7-9 years); 11.30am-12.30pm: Youth: Ewoks (5-7 years); Youth: Padawans (9-11 years); 12-1.45pm: Youth: Jedi Balance & Manipulation (11+ years); 2-4pm: Youth: Jedi Performance Skills (11+); 4-6pm: Youth: Jedi General Skills (11+).

Performance Academy Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil.

10am-1pm, £10. Info 01685 384111. Offering professional theatre and performance coaching in dance, acting, musical theatre and singing.

Roath Real Food Market Mackintosh Sports Club Car Park, Roath, Cardiff.

9.30am-1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982.

SeeWales Sightseeing Tour: Romans And Ruins National Museum Cardiff (pickup point).

9am-5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine.

Info 029 2022 7227 / www. seewales.com.

Sewing Workshops Barnabas Arts House, Newport.

10am-1pm. Info 01633 673739. Hosted by Ellery Design – see www. ellerydesign.com for details of how to book and/or contact them.

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.

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.

Children’s Climbing Classes Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff.

10-11.30am, £15. Info 029 2048 4880.

Cooper’s Quiz Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, £1 to play.

Info info@porterscardiff. com. Hosted by Ben Cooper.

Draw Somebody’s Sunday Body Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 1.303.30pm, £7.50. Info 07830 381930. Hosted by Cardiff Life Model.

Family Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 12, 2 + 4pm, £15.

Info 029 2048 4880.

Learn To Roller Skate Cardiff Central Youth Club, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, £3. Info

events www.brawlers.co.uk.

Lindy Hop Dance Classes & Social Swing Dancing Pontardawe Arts Centre.

6-10pm. Info 01792 863722.

NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class.

Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today’s schedule: 3-4.30pm: Handstands; 3-5pm: Flying Trapeze Level 1; 5-7pm: Flying Trapeze Level 2 + 3. *Riverside Farmers’ Market Fitzhammon Embankment, Cardiff.

10am-2pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. Always worth a trip.

Relaxing Sunday Yoga Class Parkminster United Reform Church, Roath, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, £8.50.

Info facebook.com/cardiffyoga.

SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Golden Gower National Museum Cardiff (pickup point).

9am-5.30pm, £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.

WEDNESDAY 1 uArt Trolley Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

10am-12pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Drop-in activities in the gallery, for ages 4-13. On tomorrow also, plus Sat 4. uBeginners Burlesque Course Talent Shack, Penarth Road, Cardiff.

6.30-7.45pm, £7/£60 for 10week course. Info www. cardiffcabaretclub.com.

With Stephanie. Every Wednesday until 1 Nov. uChair Dance Talent Shack, Penarth Road, Cardiff. 8-9.15pm, £7/£60 for 10-week course. Info www. cardiffcabaretclub.com.

With Stephanie. Every Wednesday until 1 Nov (ie finishing today) and then starting again from 15 Nov until 13 Dec. Creative Writing Workshop For 11-16 Year Olds Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1.30-3.30pm, free.

Info 01792 463980. With Sophioe McKeand. Book in advance please.

Creepy Crawlies Cardiff Castle. 10.15am-3.30pm, £3. Info 029 2087 8100.

Look at/handle snakes, lizards and spiders. It’s my view that only the latter of those qualify as ‘creepy crawlies’. uExplore Acting Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7-9pm, £185 full course. Info 029 2030 4400. Actors Workshop course, running every Wednesday until 29 Nov. Gardens Walk And Talk: Autumn National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am12pm, £2. Info 029 2057 3500. With members of the

St Fagans gardening team. uGlynn Vivian Young People Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am12pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Anyone aged 16-24 can participate in discussing plans and organising events for other young people in Swansea. Also on Wed 15 and Wed 29. uGraham The Ghost Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. £1.50 after admission fee.

Info 029 2047 5475. Use science to help Graham get back his glow. Suitable for under-7s. (Until Sun 5) Half Term Activities National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, Llandysul. 11am-4pm, free Info 029 2057 3070. uElliecoptor Hoops Hoop Jam / Skill Share Cardiff & Vale College, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £5. Info 07934 011061. Also on Wed 8, Wed 15 and Wed 22.

Kev F’s Comic Art Masterclass Maesteg Town Hall. 10am + 1.30pm, £6.50. Info 01656 733269.

Beano and Marvel comic artist tells of his craft

National History Museum, St Fagans. 7.15pm, £15.

Info 029 2057 3500. Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Also on Fri 10 and Fri 24 uOctober Half Term National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 11am4pm, £2. Info 029 2057 3550. Make an antefixa, a Roman tile with a scary face on it, out of clay. (Until Fri 3) Open Art Crit The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 7-9.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.

This event is hosted by Ffangai and you are invited to bring along something creative you’ve been working on to be assessed/ talked about by fellow artists.

Open Space: Rev Lionel Fanthorpe Central Library Hub, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £4 adv. Info 029 2038 2116.

Author, paranormal investigator and priest discusses his latest books and varied career. uPilates The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £5.50-£7.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Advanced

Fri 3 and Sat 4 sees the return of the Dylan Thomas-inspired Do Not Go Gentle Festival to Swansea. It takes place in four venues (three of them fairly new) and its cultural highlights include Iain Sinclair, Tony Law, Francesca Martinez, Phil Kay and Attilla The Stockbroker. A weekend pass costs £30. uLearn To Swing Dance Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth. 7.30pm, £4 adv. Info donnie@donniejoemusic. com. Entry level Lindy Hop class with Ollie Parham, before a live band (see Live Music listings). Also on Wed 15.

Magical Machines Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, free.

Info 029 2034 6214. Halfterm drop-in event aimed at 4-7-year-olds. uMakers’ Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-5pm, free.

Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Sat 4) uMe And My Pet Portrait National Museum Cardiff. 11.30am, 1.30am + 3.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Come and see the portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet with her pet parakeet and draw your own portrait with favourite pet (real or imaginary). (Until Fri 3) Mollie’s Vintage Fair Rhiwbina Baptist Church, Cardiff. 10am-3pm. Info info@cityhospice.org. uk. A City Hospice (name recently changed from George Thomas Hospice Care) event. uMuseum Ghost Walk

session. Runs until Wed 20 Dec. uProject: Oggbots Blackwood Library (starting point). 10am-4pm, £6.50.

Info 01495 227206. This is an event for kids that combines street theatre, gaming and electronic engineering, and takes place on the mean streets of Blackwood in 15-minute sessions. On tomorrow also.

Reminiscence Monthly Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 11am-1pm, free.

Info 029 2034 6214. Come to the museum and share your memories of Cardiff, on the first Wednesday of every month. uScriveners Writers’ Group The Badminton Club, Beaufort, Ebbw Vale.

8pm. Info 01495 753629.

Also on Wed 15 and Wed 29 this month. uSpooky Science Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. £1.50 after admission fee. Info 029 2047 5475. Halloween ushers in a half-term week of scary applications of science. Come in fancy dress if you like. (Until Sun 5) uStar Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. £1.50 after admission fee. Info

029 2047 5475. Find out more about some familiar constellations, the planets, how stars are born and how they die, in the Digital Planetarium. Suitable for over-7s. (Until Sun 5) Superstars Of Welsh Wrestling The Riverfront, Newport. 7pm, £13/£10 kids. Info 01633 656757. uTales And Limericks With Blandaff The Baard Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650.

Family activities based on traditional Wales. Also on Fri 3. uWeird Science National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm.

Info 029 2057 3600. Drop in to watch weird demos, take part in mystifying experiments and make some gross slime to take home.

(Until Sat 4) Wildlife Explorers: Spying On Spiders! Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 11am, free. Info 01639 881635.

Half-term event.

Youth Get Scary Halloween Screening Riverside Warehouse, Cardiff. 6-9pm, free. Info 07539 076680.

WOW Film Club and Gentle/ Radical present a night of food, short films and discussion about spaces for young people and related topics!

THURSDAY 2 Activist Print Making Mission Gallery, Swansea.

11am-2pm, £6. Info 01792 652016. For ages 7+.

After Dark In The Museum National Museum Cardiff. 6-9pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Fun activities, mysteries, experiments and torch-lit tours. uAmerican Line Dance The Gate, Cardiff. 1.153pm, £3.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Runs until Thurs 19 Dec. An Evening With Monty Don St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18. Info 029 2087 8444. Gardening pontificator. This might be sold out but it’s worth checking.

Arty Parky: Creative Half Term Activities Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil. 10.30am-3pm, free.

Info www.head4arts.org. uk. Participants will work alongside environmental artist Kate Raggett to create spectacular land drawings made entirely from natural materials foraged in the parks, such as fallen leaves, twigs, conkers and seeds. In Caerphilly tomorrow.

Automata Workshop Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-12pm + 1-2pm, free. Info 029 2034 6214. Half-term drop-in event aimed at 7-11-yearolds. Create an automata inspired by Charles Byrd’s magical machines.

Clothes Swap Castle Emporium, Cardiff. 5pm, £2. Info www. thecastleemporium.co.uk.

Bring as many items as you like, swap them for tokens then buy other clothes with those tokens.

Doug Scott Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £13.50/£12. Info 01239 621200. British mountaineer talks about his hair-raising experience climbing the Baintha Brakk mountain, aka The Ogre, in 1977. In Builth Wells tomorrow; Swansea Sat 4; Aberystwyth Thurs 9. uDrawing Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 2.30-4.30pm, £65 (10 weeks). Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@gmail. co.uk. With Julie Ann Sheridan. Every Thursday until 30 Nov. First Thursday Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £2.50. Info 029 2030 4400. New poetry and fiction, this month with Mike Jenkins and Robert Walton.

Hans Rey Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot.

7.30pm, £17. Info 01639 763214. World champion mountain biker talks about himself and the sport. In Newtown on Sat 25. uHappy Birthday Dylan Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free.

Info 01792 463980. Self-led family activities including creative writing, making a mini comic, puppets, games, reading corner, crafts and dressing-up costumes, all inspired by Dylan Thomas. Also on Sun 5.

Introbiz Expo 2017 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

9am, free. Info 029 2022 4488. This is one of the largest business expos in the UK and you know what that means – dozens of poor quality complimentary pens. Book your ticket in advance ifg you want in.

Kemi’s Storytelling Suppers Kemi’s, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7pm, £14. Info 029 2037 2055. Monthly gathering, this edition featuring guest storyteller David Ambrose from Beyond The Border. Price includes food. uLecture: Early Painted Views Of Cardiff Cardiff Castle. 6pm, £8. Info 029 2087 8100. By Matthew Williams. Also on Tue 7.

Make A Bonfire Night Tea Light Holder Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 10am, free. Info 01639 881635. uPavilion Kids Art Club Penarth Pier Pavilion. 4.155.15pm, £5 per session.

Info 0844 8700887. Weekly events for ages 5-11, every Thursday until 14 Dec. This month: Wire Craft (today), Create Your Own Logo (Thurs 12), Party Masks (Thurs 19) and Natural Wall Hanging (Thurs 26).

Scrappy Sheep Club: Pinecone Pals National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, Llandysul. 12-3pm, free Info 029 2057 3070.

Craft activities.

Sleepout Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 7pm7am, £25 to register. Info sleepout@llamau.org.uk.

This isa a charity event organised by homelessness organisation Llamau, where participants raise £250 or more and then kip under the stars that sit perpetually above Cardiff City’s ground.

The Museum In Focus National Museum Cardiff.

10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Photographythemed day highlighting the work of the people behind the scenes here uWatercolours Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 12-2pm, £65 (10 weeks). Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@gmail. co.uk. With Julie Ann Sheridan. Every Thursday until 30 Nov. Young Art Force Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free. Info 01792 516900.

FRIDAY 3 AiR In Progress Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

12.30-2.30pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Meet artist in residence Andreas Rüthi.

Angela Cooks The Book: A Special Book Launch Pop Up Restaurant Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 6.30pm, £65. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray.co.uk.

Arty Parky: Creative Half Term Activities Morgan Jones Park, Caerphilly.

10.30am-3pm, free. Info www.head4arts.org.uk.

Banner And Sign Design Mission Gallery, Swansea.

11am-2pm, free. Info 01792 652016. Aimed at kids but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Cardiff Inter Varsity Club Meeting Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £5 (three-month trial membership). Info 07526 141392 / www.cardiffivc.org.uk.

Meeting here on the first Friday of each month. uDo Not Go Gentle Festival Various venues, Swansea. £30 weekend (£15 Fri 3 only/£20 Sat 4 only).

Info 01792 655264. Annual art and culture weekender, named after Dylan Thomas’ most famous line (maybe?).

Lineup today: Attila The Stockbroker, Luke Wright, Iain Sinclair, Vernon Watkins 50 with Jeff Towns, Iain Sinclair and Richard Ramsbotham, Oliver James Lomax and Poets On The Hill (Cinema & Co, from 6pm); Adwaith, Soundwire, The Balkaneers, King Goon and DJ Eugene (The Last Resort, from 6pm). Sat 4: Tony Law, Raoul Martinez, Brian Bilston and Peter Finch (Cinema & Co, from 2pm); Francesca Martinez and Helen Griffin (Unit Nineteen, from 7pm); Phil Kay, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, Captain Cat & The Sailors, Mudskippers, Rufus Mufasa & Karl Beer, Little Folk, Uplands Poetry Collective and Scrabble Saturday (The Last Resort, BUZZ 63

* – recommended

events BAFTA CYMRU NOVEMBER 2017 By the time you read this the winners of the British Academy Cymru Awards will have been announced in a glittering ceremony attended by over 1000 industry professionals and members of the public.

It was a great night and you can check out the photography from the event, including backstage coverage as well as watching the ceremony again on our website and social media platforms.

The Siân Phillips Award was presented

by Peter Capaldi to friend Abi Morgan, the Cardiff-born writer of The Iron Lady and Suffragette, whilst Raiders Of The Lost Ark and Lord Of The Rings star John Rhys Davies collected the Outstanding Contribution Award.

November will be a busy month for our ongoing events programme – many of which are open to the public. We continue with the theme of celebrating Welsh talent and content made in Wales and highlighting the breadth of production taking place.

On Wed 8 Nov at Chapter Arts Centre, we will be celebrating 30 years since the release of the iconic Richard Attenborough film, Cry Freedom, and will host a Q&A with the producer and others from the production. The film was screened at the first BAFTA Cymru event in January 1998, so there remains a special relationship for us with the film.

On Thurs 16 Nov we are co-hosting an event with Creative Cardiff, looking at the opportunities for creatives in VR and AR. The event will include show and tell sessions and a marketplace for local companies to exhibit their current projects.

If you are working in film, television or games in Wales or a student interested in joining the industry you can take a look at the benefits of joining BAFTA Cymru via our website below. Our various membership fees cost less than £15 a month and offer free cinema amongst a range of other benefits.

Info: www.bafta.org/wales

BUZZ 64

from 12pm); Susie Wild & Emily Blewitt, Natalie Ann Holborow and a poetry workshop with Glyn Roberts (No Sign Bar, from 1pm).

Doug Scott Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells.

7.30pm, £15/£12. Info 01982 552555.

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.

Fireworks Skyshow 2017 Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil. 5.45-9pm, £3/£2.50 kids. Info 01685 727371.

Guy Fawkes Fun Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 11am.

Info 01639 881635. Make a card firework, try out a Guy Fawkes mask, find out about wildlife safety for bonfire night and more.

Little Mice Club: Fireworks National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

10.30am-12pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Bilingual playtime for babies/toddlers. uMade By Hand City Hall, Cardiff. £13/£11. Info www. madebyhand-wales.co.uk.

Annual weekend of Welsh craft showcasing approx 135 artists and creators spanning jewellery, pottery, textiles and ceramics. (Until Sun 5) TEDXSwanseaWomen: Inspiring Women To Be Inspiring Women National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 6-9pm, £10. Info 01792 463980.

The Lute In Art National Museum Cardiff. 1.05pm, £5. Info 029 2039 7951. Talk

by Simon Rees, with Luke Starkey playing the lute.

Tiger Bay Presents: Songs And Stories Octavo’s Wine Bar, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, free. Info 029 2049 1220.

Mike Johnson and Keith Murrell, present an evening inspired by the music and hearsays of Tiger Bay. Book in advance please (via www. wmc.org.uk). uWorkshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 1-5pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales. org.uk. Adult bikes on sale from £60; kids’ bikes from £10. Also on tomorrow, from 10am-12pm, and every Friday this month.

SATURDAY 4 Adult Workshop: Objects And Heirlooms Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am4pm, £25. Info 01792 652016. With Shellie Holden. uBotanical Art Workshop Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, £35. Info 07549 526527. With Debbie Devauden. Also on Sat 25.

Cardiff Mini Con 2017 NosDa, Cardiff. 2-11pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.

Comic con type event showcasing independent artists, writers and musicians from South Wales.

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 Fayre St Hillary’s Church, Swansea. 11am3pm. Info pearl.heenan4@ hotmail.co.uk.

Cwmbran Craft Fayre Our Lady’s School Hall, Cwmbran. 1-4pm. Info cwmbran_crafts@hotmail. co.uk. Every first Sunday of the month.

Cyffiniau’r Bargod National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre, Llandysul.

11am-4pm, free Info 029 2057 3070. Print workshop – make a giant map of the neighbourhood.

Dewch i Ganu National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Join musician Delyth Jenkins and learn Welsh through song.

Dylan Thomas Walking Tour: Uplands National Waterfront Museum, Swansea (starting point). 11am, free. Info 01792 463980.

Literary tour led by Peter Thabit Jones.

Eclectic Crafters Centenary Hall, Maryport Street, Usk. Info eclectic.crafters@ gmail.com. Craft fair held on the first Saturday of each month.

Enfys Craft Fair St. Francis Millennium Centre, Barry. 10am-4pm. Info 01446 792149. Every first Saturday of the month.

Football: Barclays Premier League – Swansea City v Brighton & Hove Albion Liberty Stadium, Swansea. 3pm. Info 0870 400004.

Ice Hockey: League – Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers Ice Arena, Cardiff Bay. 7pm. Info 029 2038 2001.

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 01792 602060. In Abertillery tomorrow. uJunior Actors Workshop Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10am-1pm, £115/£70 full course. Info 029 2030 4400. Actors Workshop course, every Saturday until 2 Dec. Michael Portillo The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £18. Info 01633 656757. I guess this is one of those ‘an evening with’ chats. It’s called Life, A Game Of Two Halves. As in the half where everyone hates you and then the half where you become mildly liked somehow.

Life Drawing Classes Oriel Davies, Newtown.

10.15am-1.30pm, £20. Info 01686 625041. With Caroline Ali, every first Saturday of the month.

Painting With Water Mixable Oils Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 1-4pm, £25. Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@gmail. co.uk. With Julie Ann Sheridan.

Paint Like Turner Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 9.30am12.30pm, £25. Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@gmail. co.uk. With Julie Ann

Sheridan.

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.

Open Haus The Printhaus / The Boneyard, Canton, Cardiff. 10am-2pm, free.

Info 029 2022 0349. Monthly open studios here, an opportunity to meet the artists and makers in this creative community. On the first Saturday of every month. uPig Street Craft Fair The Queens Hall, Narberth.

10am-4pm, free. Info enquiries@pigstreetcrafts. co.uk. Selling original arts and crafts. Also on Sat 18 this month.

Poem On His Birthday Blackout Poetry Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Drop-in poetry-creating session for families.

Saturday Adult Art Classes Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 516900.

Saturday Craft Workshop For Adults Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10.30am1pm, free. Info 01792 463980.

Sparks In The Park Coopers Field, Cardiff. 4-7pm, £10/£5 kids. Info cardiff.roundtable.co.uk. Annual fireworks display in the capital, featuring a bonfire, funfair, food stalls etc.

Swansea Vegfest Market Takeover Swansea Indoor Market. 11am-4pm, free.

Info 07891 619388. A celebration of World Vegan Month. Strictly speaking they’re just taking over the middle of the market, not all of it, but they say: “The event aims to offer shoppers vegan versions of their market must-haves and will feature a dozen local, independent vendors.” uTalks At 4 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free.

Info 029 2030 4400. With Larissa Sansour, currently exhibiting in the main gallery here. Also on Sat 18. uVintage Kilo Sale Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 10am-6pm, free. Info 029 2037 3144.

Designer labels at £15 a kilo they’re saying! On tomorrow also.

SUNDAY 5 Artist Film Club Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

3-5pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Guest artists are invited to share a special film selection of their choice.

Cardiff Storytelling Circle Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £4. Info 029 2030 4400.

Cheeki Monkeys BIG Baby & Children’s Christmas Market Cowbridge Leisure Centre. 11am-1pm, £10 to set up a stall. Info www. cheekimonkeys.co.uk.

Buy and sell babies’ and children’s toys, clothes and equipment.

u – repeated

Dylan Thomas Walking Tour: Marina National Waterfront Museum, Swansea (starting point). 2pm, free.

Info 01792 463980. Literary tour led by Peter Thabit Jones.

Family Film Club Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

10.30am-12.30pm, free. Info 01792 516900.

Fireworks Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 4.308.30pm. Info 01291 420241.

Also featuring a funfair, fire dancers, a bar and Capital FM DJs. Game Of Thrones Quiz The Pit, Swansea. 5pm, £1 to enter. Info facebook.com/ thepitswansea.

Guided Tour; Dylan’s Swansea Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea (starting point). 10.30am-1.20pm, £4-£10. Info 01792 463980.

Hosted by Fluellen.

ICW: The Road To Fear & Loathing Tramshed, Cardiff. 1-5pm, £20/£18.50. Info 029 2023 5555. Afternoon show of wild indy wrestling before WWE later. uPiggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Take a pair of friendly Kune Kune pigs (from New Zealand, look a bit like Ewoks) for a walk, then return to the smallholding for refreshments.

Also on Sun 12 and Sun 19.

Weber Winter Warmer Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am2pm, £99. Info 01443 222716.

WWE Live Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 3.30pm, from £25. Info 029 2022 4488.

Top billed match in this one is Roman Reigns v Braun Strowman but there are several others.

MONDAY 6 u6 Week Art Course The Gate, Cardiff. 7-9pm, £65 (six weeks). Info 029 2048 3344. Learn about different art styles and how to develop your own unique style.

The focus for this course is landscapes, seascapes and mixed media. Every Monday until 6 Nov (ie finishes today). uAdvanced Cabaret Choreography Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff. 8-9.15pm, £7/£60 for 10-week course. Info info@ burlesquecardiff.co.uk. With Stephanie. Every Monday until 11 Dec. Suitable for dancers who have been in three or more of Stephanie’s shows before. uBallet The Gate, Cardiff.

4-6.45pm, £6.50/£5.50/£3 taster. Info 029 2048 3344.

Pre-primary (4-6 year olds) 4pm; primary (6-8 year olds) 4.45pm; grade 1 5.45pm.

Tutor: Miriam Riseborough.

Runs until Mon 18 Dec. BA Music Business Course Lecture: Estelle Wilkinson Atrium, Cardiff. 2-4pm, free. Info 0345 5760101.

First of three lectures this month which are open to all, not just students (book

events in advance via Eventbrite please). Wilkinson managed Coldplay from 2000-06 and will talk about that and The Biz in general. Other lectures are on Thurs 16 and Thurs 30 this month. uBeginners Belly Dance Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff.

6.30-7.4pm, £7/£30 for 5-week course. Info info@ burlesquecardiff.co.uk. With Stephanie. Every Monday until 11 Dec. Chapter Moviemaker Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

Info 029 2030 4400. Regular showcase for short films by independent filmmakers.

Class: The Elephant In The Room Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400.

First of five talks, on each day until Fri 10, as part of the Cardiff Festival Of Social Science: a programme of public-facing events aimed at better engaging communities with social science research.

Gwd Mondays: Musical Bingo Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. uJoy Of Living Mindfulness Group Meeting Gaia Yoga Studio, Roath, Cardiff.

7.30-9pm, free (donations welcome). Info 07412 346054. On the second and fourth Monday of every month (also on Mon 20 in November). uPilates The Gate, Cardiff.

10.30am-1.30pm, £5.50£7.50. Info 029 2048 3344.

Gentle fitness for the first hour, general for the second two. Every Monday until Mon 18 Dec. uWrite 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. Also on Mon 20 (it takes place here every first and third Monday of the month).

TUESDAY 7 uExplore Books National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am, free. Info 01792 463980. Discuss books and authors in a casual setting (no obligation to have read the books in advance). Every Tuesday this month. uLittle Monkey Club Old Church Rooms, Radyr, Cardiff. 9.45am. Info 01656 649190. Children’s music classes, which have been going in Bridgend and the Vale for 10 years and are now launching in Cardiff. 9.45 + 11.05am: Rock’n’Roll; 10.25am: Jiggety-Jig. Every Tuesday until 12 Dec. uPainting For Pleasure Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 10am12pm + 1-3pm, £65 (10 weeks). Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@gmail. co.uk. With Julie Ann Sheridan. Every Tuesday until 28 Nov. uPilates The Gate, Cardiff.

6.30pm, £5.50-£7.50. Info

029 2048 3344. Beginners session. Runs until Tues 19 Dec. uRoath Writers The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3. Info 029 2048 3344. A space for writers of all levels to write, develop and share their work in an informal workshop environment..

Every first two Tuesdays of the month.

Tea Dance Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 2.30pm, £5 adv.

Info 0845 2263510.

The Arts Society Brecknock: Children’s Book Illustration Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2pm, £8. Info 01874 611622.. Talk

by John Ericson.

Uncomfortable Conversations: Confronting Northern Ireland’s Troubled Past Council Chamber, Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University. 6-7.30pm, free.

Info 029 2087 4616. Cardiff Festival Of Social Science talk. uWatercolour Art Class Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10am12.30pm, £105 (10 weeks).

Info 0844 8700887. A range of techniques, taught by Pauline Williams every week until Tue 21 Nov.

WEDNESDAY 8 Adam Henson Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7pm, £9. Info 01600 772467. Bloke off Countryfile plugs his new book. Apparently you have to get tickets from Rossiter Books whose number is 01600 775572. Isn’t it great how this shop, which I have never heard of before, autocompletes in my search bar due to me reading a page that mentioned it in another tab.

Ask The Expert Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

2-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900. uAutumn Afternoon Racing Chepstow Racecourse.

11.55am, £18/£15 adv. Info 01291 622260. Also on Wed 22.

Bwydiful Kitchen Takeover Brewdog, Cardiff.

5-8pm, free. Info 029 2023 1684. Burger specialists pop in to grill for you.

Craft Swap Mission Gallery, Swansea. 6-8pm, £5. Info 01792 652016.

Bring five or more pieces of unwanted craft supplies with you.

Imagining The Future – Balancing Hope And Anxiety The Gate, Cardiff.

8-10pm, free. Info 029 2038 3344. Cardiff Festival Of Social Science talk. uMead Making Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6.30-9pm, £12. Info hannah@ greencityevents.co.uk.

Hosted by Green City Events.

The Art Of Conservation Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free.

Info 01792 516900.

THURSDAY 9 Doug Scott Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01970 623232. uHowl Mozarts, Swansea.

8pm, free. Info 01792 649984. Poetry open mic, every second and third Thursday of the month (also on Thurs 16 in November).

Magic Rock & DEYA Brewing Co. Beer Dinner Small Bar, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £27.50. Info 029 2023 2199.

This features a four-course dinner with two beers from one of these two breweries paired with each course.

Actually sounds like good value for what I’d expect you to get.

Open Mic Night Imperial Hotel, Merthyr. 7.30pm. Info mjenkins1927@gmail.com.

With special guest John Williams, reading from his new book Another Empty Chair.

Magu Plant Amlieithog / Raising Multilingual Children Committee Room 1, Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University. 8-10pm,

Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Also on Wed 15, Thurs 16, Fri 17 and Fri 24.

Dinky Dragons Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff.

10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2034 6214. Family fun day for 0-5-year-olds on the second Friday of every month.

Folli Fest Castell Coch, Tongwynlais. 5.30-9.30pm, free. Info 029 2081 0101.

Cardiff Youth Council present an evening of hip-hop, ska, rock, spoken word, installations, art, theatre, film and more.

Friday Talk: Fossils Fuel The Future National Museum Cardiff. 1.05pm, free.

Info 029 2039 7951. With Dr Chris Cleal. uLittle Monkey Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.30am. Info 01656 649190. 9.30am: Heigh-

Cardiff's Moon venue welcomes something titled The Bad Ideas/Chemicals Cosmic Re-Launch Variety Night on Thurs 30. It squishes together literature and music in boisterous fashion, with five authors (Crystal Jeans and Sara Annwyl notable amongst them) and three sets of live music (Bridgend trio Deep Hum being the pick of those). free. Info 029 2087 4616.

Cardiff Festival Of Social Science talk.

Takeover Day Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff.

10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2034 6214. Young people take over various roles in the museum for a day.

The Arts Society Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm, £6. Info 029 2030 4400. Lecture titled Angels: Glad Tidings, Doom, Gloom or Perdition? by Caroline Holmes. uWinter Wonderland Civic Centre, Cardiff. 5pm, £8.50/£7 under-16s. Info 0333 6663366. Multipletimes-per-day ice skating sessions. After today’s opening sessions, they’re every Monday to Saturday (before and after Christmas) at 9.45am (from Mon 27 Nov), 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30, 2.45, 4, 5.15, 6.30, 7.45 and 9pm.

Sun 12: 1.30-7.45pm. All Sundays after that: 11am7.45pm. Sat 25: 9.45am10.15pm. (Until Sun 7 Jan) uYoung Actors Workshop Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7-9pm, £200 full course.

Info 029 2030 4400. Every Thursday until 7 Dec.

FRIDAY 10 uCastle Ghost Tour St Fagans Castle. 7.30pm, £11.25. Info 07538 878609.

Ho; 10.25am: Rock’n’Roll; 11.05am: Jiggety-Jig. Every Friday until 15 Dec. Lunch Club Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10.30am2.30pm, £37. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray. co.uk.

Mi Casa Exchange Hotel, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £10.

Info 029 2063 6464. Night celebrating the old Tiger Bay nightclub the Casablanca, via stories, photos, a DJ set and live music. uPremium Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 7.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609.

Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Also on Fri 17, Sat 18, Thurs 23 and Thurs 30.

Significantus: A Keyboard Conversation About Climate Change St David’s Church, Cardiff. 8-9.30pm, free. Info 029 2056 3834.

Cardiff Festival Of Social Science talk.

Tea Dance St Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan.

2pm, £5. Info 01446 799100.

With Alan Taylor.

Toddler Days Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. Monthly term-time events for toddlers and their parents, this month’s theme being ‘toybox trouble’.

SATURDAY 11 u10 Minute Musicals The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 10am-5pm, £80. Info 029 2128 0189. Third (the first having been in January, the second in July) in a series of workshops aiming to “encourage and nurture new and existing creatives to write for musical theatre in Wales”. This one will be conducted in both English and Welsh. On tomorrow also, then Sun 26 (from 10am-6pm, at which time there’ll be a general sharing of work).

Artists In Conversation: Jacqueline Alkema, Mabli Jen Eustace, Llinos Thomas BayArt, Cardiff Bay. 5-6pm. Info 0239 2065 0016. A talk from/with the three artists currently exhibiting at this gallery (see Art listings).

Caerwent Craft Fayre Caerwent Village Hall, Monmouthshire. 2.30-4.30pm.

Info cwmbran_crafts@ hotmail.co.uk. Every second Saturday of the month. uChepstow Farmers’ Market Cormeilles Square, Chepstow. 8.30am-1pm, free. Info 01291 626370.

Every second and fourth Saturday of the month (also on Sat 25 in November).

Christmas Gift Fayre Trallwn Community Centre, Pontypridd. 11am-3pm, £10 to set up a table. Info leahmariee@outlook.com.

Christmas Wreath The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 2-5pm, £15. Info twinmadethings@gmail. com. Create cool things under the tutelage of Twin Made, who have more classes here on Sun 12, Sat 18, Sun 19, Sat 25 and Sun 26. uColourful Chemistry Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. £1.50 after admission fee.

Info 029 2047 5475. Take part in some colourful chemical reactions on stage in Techniquest’s Science Theatre. Suitable for over-7s. (At weekends until Sun 26) Craft Fayre St. Marys Catholic Church Hall, Bridgend. £10 to set up a table.

Info 07791 507823.

Drop-In Knotwork & Beadwork Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am4pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4611.

Monthly class, normally on the second Saturday of the month.

Farmers’ Market Twyn Community Centre, Caerphilly. 9.30am, free. Info 01656 658963. Every second Saturday of the month.

Funky Craft Fayre Ostreme Centre, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm. Info nigel.mason@ntlworld. com. Taking place here on the second Saturday of each month all year.

Italian Tasting Evening

By Angelina Wines The Tabernacle, Talgarth. 7pm, £15. Info info@thetabernacle.co.uk. Featuring a three-course meal, an 80s disco and the chance to buy wine and olive oil direct

from the vineyard.

Level 1 Bike Maintainance Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am4pm. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk.

Lia’s Kitchen: Get Your Greek On Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7-11pm, £35 adv.

Info www.liaskitchen.com.

Supper club type night with three courses of food made from Greek and Welsh produce. uLights In The Sky Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. £1.50 after admission fee.

Info 029 2047 5475. Look up into the night sky to explore the many lights that have fascinated humans for centuries. Suitable for over-7s. (At weekends until Sun 26) Mumbles Produce Market Seafront Car Park, Mumbles. 9am-1pm, free. Info 01792 361012. Every second Saturday of the month.

Newport Craft Fayre The Gallery, Newport Indoor Market. 9am-4.30pm, free.

Info 01633 656656. Every second Saturday of the month.

Nimble Fingers Craft Fayre Victoria Hall, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07790 298913.

On the second Saturday of every month until the end of the year. uPawprints In The Winter Sky Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. £1.50 after admission fee. Info 029 2047 5475. Learn about the animals that you can find amongst the stars. Suitable for under-7s. (At weekends until Sun 26) Preloved Kilo Vintage Fair National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

10am-5am, free. Info 01792 463980.

Quilting Workshop National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre, Llandysul.

10am-4pm, £30. Info 029 2057 3070.

Remembrance Service National History Museum, St Fagans. 10.50am-1pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500.

Rugby Union: Under Armour Series – Wales v Australia Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 5.15pm, £15-£70. Info 08442 777888.

The first of four matches in this series, the others being on Sat 18, Sat 25 and Sat 2 Dec. Saba Douglas-Hamilton The Riverfront, Newport.

7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01633 656757. TV-featured elephant conservationist talks about her work. In Swansea on Tue 14.

Saturday Kitchen Book Launch Extravaganza Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan.

10.30am-1pm, £27. Info 01443 222716 / www. angelagray.co.uk.

Spoken Word Saturday Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3pm, £3.

Info 0845 2263510. uViking Weekend Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea.

10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. A Viking battle and BUZZ 65

* – recommended

events lots more is promised here.

On tomorrow also.

SUNDAY 12 Africa Day Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm.

Info 029 2030 4400. This all-day event will feature a market selling clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery etc; African food laid on especially and screenings of the following films: Liyana (12pm), Nawara (2pm), Shores (6pm) and Félicitê (7.45pm).

Angela’s Freezable Festive Showstoppers Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am3.30pm, £185. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray. co.uk.

Barry Island Handmade Market Barry Island train station. 11am-3pm, free.

Info facebook.com/ barryislandhandmademarket. Every second Sunday of the month.

Curator’s Cabinet Of Curiosities – WW1 National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

12.30-2.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Death Of Distance: A People’s Symposium SKLP Samaj Community Centre, Grangetown, Cardiff 2-6pm, £5-£15. Info 07539 076680. Gentle/Radical and WOW Film Club present a ‘people’s symposium’, bringing together archival films, invited speakers and panel discussion around two key footnotes in British colonial history: the Partition of India in 1947, and the Palestinian ‘Nakba’ (‘Catastrophe’) of 1948.

Ice Hockey: League – Cardiff Devils v Edinburgh Capitals Ice Arena, Cardiff Bay. 6pm. Info 029 2038 2001.

Marina Market National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Mindfulness For Communities Retreat Day Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff.

10.15am-4pm, £25. Info 07905 055437. With Clare McRobbie.

Pinwheel Poppies National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Remembrance Sunday-related craft event.

Remembrance Sunday National Museum Cardiff.

10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951.

Sparkly Bumbag The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 2-5pm, £25. Info twinmadethings@gmail. com. uTuneless Choir Cardiff Aspire Fitness, Canton, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, £10 first session/£7 drop-in/£40 for eight weeks. Info 07745 683723. Choir, led by Mei Gwynedd, for people who want to sing but can’t carry a tune. Also on Sun 26, plus Sun 10 Dec and Sun 17 Dec. MONDAY 13 uBeginners Saxophone BUZZ 66

Class Upstairs at The Park Hotel, Barry. 7-9pm, £15.

Info 07806 625717. With Beverley from Sax For Fun. Every other Monday; also on Mon 27 this month.

Wales Book Of The Year Awards 2017 Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £6. Info 029 2023 5555.

TUESDAY 14 uAbertoir Aberystwyth Arts Centre. £60 (six days).

Info 01970 623232. Annual horror film festival. Full details TBC at the mo but the marquee names are Italian directors Lamberto Bava and Sergio Martino. (Until Sun 19) uArt Babas Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

10.30-11.30am, free. Info 01792 516900. A guided play session for ages 0-3. Also on Tue 28.

Football: Friendly – Wales v Panama Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.

7.45pm. Info 0845 3451400.

Saba Douglas-Hamilton Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £17.50/£15.50.

Info 01792 602060.

Spirituality Cafe The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2048 3344. Second Tuesday of every month.

West Wales Decorative And Fine Arts Society Lecture Queens Hall, Narberth. 11am, £10. Info 01834 869323. Anna Hallett, Have You Seen My Hobby Horse?

WEDNESDAY 15 Christmas With A WOW! Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £10. Info 01633 868239. Floral display

by Pontypool And District Floral Art Society.

Oasis Cardiff Quiz Night The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2048 3344.

Fundraiser night for Oasis Cardiff, a centre aiming to help refugees and asylum seekers integrate.

The Clod Ensemble Music Workshops The Moon, Cardiff. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Organised by Wales Millennium Centre.

THURSDAY 16 BA Music Business Course Lecture: Adam Biddle Atrium, Cardiff. 2-4pm, free. Info 0345 5760101.

A guide to understanding the ‘content revolution’ with Biddle, CEO of brand/ celebrity production agency GH05T. Open to all but book in advance please.

Beaujolais At The Brangwyn Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 12pm, £39.95 adv.

Info 01792 475715. Featuring a three-course Frenchinspired lunch, cabaret with X-Factor and Dancing On Ice star Chico.

Elusive v Siren Tap Takeover Brewdog, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info 029 2023 1684.

Both these brewers are from Wokingham and I only know Siren really but they do some good stuff. Had a

16.3% one of theirs the other day, it was pretty hairy.

Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. Popular author discusses his book The Psychopath Test and its background.

Open Space: Rhiannon Hooson, Emily Blewit & Fran Murphy Central Library Hub, Cardiff. 5.457pm, free. Info 029 2038 2116. Poetry evening.

Pontypridd Film Forum Screenings Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, free. Info 01443 491424. WOW Film Festival apresent a free screening of the awardwinning sustainability documentary Tomorrow.

Steve Lamacq: Going Deaf For A Living Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.

Info 0871 4720400. Indieplaying radio staple talks about his career.

FRIDAY 17 Artist In Residence: Andreas Rüthi Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 12.301.30pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Rüthi discusses his practise and work created during his residency. Book in advance please.

Bikeology The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01633 656757. A talk about the recent history of professional cycling, especially the myriad dramas related to it, hosted by former Tour de France winner Ned Boulting.

In Brecon tomorrow.

Off-Centre Film Screenings Caerphilly Castle.

2.30pm, £8/£6 day / £10/£8 evening. Info 029 2030 4400.

Presented in conjunction with Chapter, whose phone number that is there (should you wish to book tickets), today features Despicable Me 3 (2.30pm), Beauty And The Beast (5pm) and Young Frankenstein (8pm). On tomorrow also.

So You Think You’re Smart? Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7pm, free. Info 01495 243252. Quiz night, every third Friday of the month.

Talk: Bacon To Doig National Museum Cardiff.

1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. An introduction to this exhibition by Nick Thornton.

Wine Tasting Talk – Italian Wines For The Festive Season National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7pm, £15/£12.50. Info 029 2057 3600.

SATURDAY 18 Bay Of Plenty: Stories Of The City, Campus And Culture National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1.303.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. As Swansea University approaches its centenary in 2020, explore 100 years of Swansea’s human stories.

Bikeology Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £20.

Info 01874 611622.

Bob Gelsthorpe And

Andrew Cooper: Talk And Tour Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 4.30-5pm, free. Info 01792 516900.

Book in advance please.

Botanical Painting Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 9.30am12.30pm, £25. Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@ gmail.co.uk. With Julie Ann Sheridan. uBoutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959.

On tomorrow also.

Brecon Craft Fair Market Hall, Brecon. 9am-4.30pm.

Info 01495 753782. Every third Saturday of the month.

Brecon With Bells On! Brecon town centre.

12-7pm, free. Info 01874 749092. Featuring a Christmas market, live entertainment and Joanna Lumley switching the Christmas lights on at 6pm. Didn’t really think of her as someone who does gigs like this.

Cardiff Festival Of Wellbeing City Hall, Cardiff.

10.30am-5pm, £5. Info www. visionforliving.co.uk. “A dynamic mix of lectures, workshops, music and demonstrations bringing together a community of amazing teachers, authors, therapist and retailers,” is what they’re calling this.

Chilli Experience Day Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am-4pm, £75. Info 01600 714595.

Cook From Angela’s Festive Collection Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am3.30pm, £185. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray. co.uk.

Curators Walk And Talk G39, Cardiff. 2pm. Info 029 2047 3633.

Darkened Rooms: King Kong Caerphilly Castle.

5.30pm, £15/£12. Info 029 2030 4400.

Dungarees Dress The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 10am-1pm, £25. Info twinmadethings@gmail. com.

Fill-A-Frame Gallery Fundraiser M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 6pm.

Info 029 2047 3373. Live art auction event with bidding starting at 7pm.

Football: Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City v Brentford Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 3pm. Info 0845 3451400. uGreen Fayre National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-5pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Organic, fair trade, recycled and locally produced goods. On tomorrow also.

Ice Hockey: League – Cardiff Devils v Fife Flyers Ice Arena, Cardiff Bay. 7pm.

Info 029 2038 2001.

Kidsmarkets Family Sale Cowbridge Leisure Centre.

11am-12.30pm, £1.50/kids free. Info 07760 802088.

Featuring 40 stalls of great quality new and pre-loved baby and children’s items.

Learning From Sabrina:

The Great Severn Flood Of 1607 National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Talk by Dr Mark Lewis.

LouLou’s Vintage Fair Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.

11am-5pm, £2.50/free under-12s. Info 01792 475715.

Made It Market St David’s Church, Neath. 10am-3pm, from £15 to set up a stall.

Info 07971 242730. Quarterly craft and produce fair.

Mixed Media Carmarthen Community Education Centre. 1-4pm, £25. Info 01550 777933 / sheridanjulieann@ gmail.co.uk. With Julie Ann Sheridan.

Off-Centre Film Screenings Caerphilly Castle.

12pm, £8/£6 day / £10/£8 evening. Info 029 2030 4400.

Today features Despicable Me 3 (12pm), Beauty And The Beast (2.30pm), King Kong (5.30pm) and The Song Remains The Same (8pm).

Pedal Power Craft and Vintage Fair Scout Hall, Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff.

11am-4pm, £10 first session/£7 drop-in/£40 for eight weeks. Info director@ cardiffpedalpower.org.uk.

Pennant Flag & Pin Holder The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 2-5pm, £15. Info twinmadethings@ gmail.com.

Real Ale Wobble Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys.

8am, £18 adv. Info 01591 610270. Non-competitive cycling’n’drinking event, hosted by Green Events and marking the beginning of a 10 day Mid-Wales Beer Festival. 8am is the check-in time, not when they expect you to start knocking them back.

Rugby Union: Under Armour Series – Wales v Georgia Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 2.30pm, £10-£35. Info 08442 777888.

Trefest Winter Festival Fluidity Freerun Academy, Cardiff. 12pm-3am, £5 adv. Info 07747 888931.

Featuring live music, DJs, circus and cabaret style performances , parkour and circus workshops, clothes stalls and food and drink. Family-friendly from 12-7pm; later in the evening there’ll be a live set from dub-rock festival faves Dr Meaker.

Young Makers Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 2-4pm, free. Info 01792 516900.

SUNDAY 19 Brecon Artisan Christmas Crafts Market Market Hall, Brecon. 10.30am-4.30pm.

Info 01495 753782. Twiceyearly event featuring a wide range of handmade work from independent craftsfolk and artists.

Christmas Market Paget Rooms, Penarth. 11am-5pm, £1/free kids. Info 029 2070 0721. Featuring home interiors, jewellery, ceramics, kids’ stuff, coffee and craft beer.

Poetry Writing Workshop

u – repeated

Octavo’s Wine Bar, Cardiff Bay. 11am-1pm, £15. Info 029 2049 1220. With performance poet Glyn Roberts, who is also the guest poet at the later event here today.

The Sunday Sessions: Poetry Readings Octavo’s Wine Bar, Cardiff Bay. 2-4.30pm, free. Info 029 2049 1220.

Roast! Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-3.30pm, £185. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray.co.uk.

Simple Skirt The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff.

2-5pm, £25. Info twinmadethings@gmail. com.

MONDAY 20 Gwd Mondays Music Quiz Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933.

Science Cafe Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, free.

Info 01970 623232. With Liam Thomas.

TUESDAY 21 Philosophy Cafe The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2048 3344. Third Tuesday of every month.

WEDNESDAY 22 uItalian Film Festival Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6pm. Info 029 2030 4400. Five days of screenings which you can read more about on the front page of this listings section. Today features a showing of 1955’s Together at 6pm. Thurs 23: Red Desert (2pm). Fri 24: A Ciambra (5.45pm); Emma (8.15pm, includes poistscreening Q&A). Sat 25: The Bear’s Tale (3.30pm); The Gospel According To Mattei (5.30pm, includes postscreening Q&A); The Stuff Of Dreams (8pm, includes post-screening Q&A). Sun 26: Maria Per Roma (2pm); Easy (5.15pm); At War For Love (8pm, includes post-screening Q&A). (Until Sun 26) Skill Builder: Five Festive Treats To Freeze Ahead Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 6-9pm, £90.

Info 01443 222716 / www. angelagray.co.uk.

Spice Preview Night Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

Info 07376 604291. Monthly evening offering a chance for you to go along and see what you might get out of this adventure, activity, sports and social group.

Upcycled Christmas Crafts Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6.30-9pm, £12. Info hannah@greencityevents. co.uk. Hosted by Green City Events.

THURSDAY 23 Alun Havard Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01633 868239.

Spirit medium.

An Audience with Kev

live music Johns Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 6.45pm, £25.50. Info 01792 475715.

Royal Institution Of South Wales Lecture Swansea Museum. 7.30pm, free. Info 01792 653763.

‘Revealing the archaeology of Swansea and south Wales from the air’ by Toby Driver.

FRIDAY 24 Arcade Cafe The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £3.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Hosted by the Arcade Vaults and featuring lots of retro consoles, computers and games.

Artist’s Film Screening G39, Cardiff. 6.30pm. Info 029 2047 3633. Showing of Claire Hooper’s Aoide.

Celebrity Coffee Morning Mansion House, Cardiff.

10am-12pm, £10 adv. Info info@cityhospice.org.uk. A City Hospice charity event.

An Evening With Eddie Hall Vale Sports Arena, Cardiff. 8-10.30pm, £30-£75.

Info 07955 270870. Eddie is the world’s strongest man and for your ticket price (the top end of which is VIP) he’ll be demonstrating his strength, taking questions and not being a part of the other live entertainment.

Football: Women's FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Wales v Kazakhstan Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 7pm, £5/£2. Info 0845 3451400.

French Christmas Kitchen Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-3.30pm, £175. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray.co.uk.

Incandescent Hibiscus Lounge, Waterloo Tea, Wyndham Arcade, Cardiff.

5.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 6249. Poetry/literature meetup. No specific theme this month. uMidnight Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609.

Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. uStreet Food Warehouse / Carmarthen Christmas Lights Switch On St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen.

12-10pm, free. Info info@ streetfoodwarehouse.co.uk.

Featuring 12 street food vendors including Fritti Italian, Ele’s Little Kitchen, Brewstone and The Thirsty Elephant. This evening the lights will be switched on at 5.30pm and tomorrow there’ll be a reindeer parade through the town centre from 11am-3pm.

The Cellar Bards Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3.

Info 07818 056599. Monthly poetry session.

Valleys Folk Ceilidh Bethlehem Chapel, Blaenavon. 7.3010pm, £3. Info 01495 790446.

With caller Rod. Moved from its previous venue of Blaenavon Rugby Club.

Volunteer Quiz Night Ty

Hobsis, Park Road, Cardiff.

7-10pm. Info info@ cityhospice.org.uk. A City Hospice charity event.

Weave A Willow Christmas Tree Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth.

10am-1pm, £50. Info 01600 714595.

SATURDAY 25 A Child’s Christmas In Wales Drop In Family Art Session Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free.

Info 01792 463980. Create a snow globe. uChepstow Steampunk Winter Festival The Drill Hall, Chepstow. £15 adv (two days). Info 01291 627122. Steampunk weekend with markets, teapot racing, contraptions, a fashion parade and an evening event (on Sat 25) with The Sweetchunks Band and The Curious Sounds.

More info at www. chepstowsteampunk.org.

Christmas Around The World Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Christmas Craft Fair National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre, Llandysul.

10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3070. uChristmas Craft Fayre Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. Local produce and crafts. On tomorrow also. This weekend also marks the first appearance of Father Christmas here this year, who will be here every weekend until Sun 24 Dec. Christmas Fayre Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 11am, free.

Info 01495 243252.

Christmas Papercraft Course National History Museum, St Fagans.

10.30am-4pm, £60/£45. Info 029 2057 3500. One-day course in which Becky Adams teaches you to make exquisite paper decorations in time for Christmas.

Code Your Own Computer Game! National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am + 1.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. For ages 8+ and hosted by Technocamps.

Cowbridge Christmas Market Cowbridge Leisure Centre. 11am-3pm, £15-£20 to set up a stall. Info www. cheekimonkeys.co.uk.

Craft Fair Community Hall, Neath. 10.30am-3.30pm, free. Info ariancrafts@ hotmail.co.uk.

Craft Fair Garth Olwg Community Campus, Church Village, nr Pontypridd.

10am-2pm, £15 to set up a table. Info jaynecollier@ campwsgartholwg.org.uk.

Curing For Christmas: Ham & Bacon Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 9.30am-1pm, £75.

Info 01600 714595. FYI you get to #BringHomeTheBa-

con as part of the price.

Explore Your Archive – Folklore, Myths And Stories National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Look through the folklore items in the museum in this family-friendly event.

Festive Make Ahead And Freeze Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-3.30pm, £185. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray.co.uk.

Food & Craft Show Trallwn Community Centre, Pontypridd. 12-3pm. Info brownowlkerri23@gmail. com.

Football: Barclays Premier League – Swansea City v AFC Bournemouth Liberty Stadium, Swansea.

3pm. Info 0870 400004.

Hans Rey Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £18/£17.

Info 01686 614555.

Kidsmarkets Family Sale Howells School Sports Hall, Llandaff Road, Cardiff.

11am-12.30pm, £1.50/kids free. Info 07760 802088.

Featuring 45 stalls of great quality new and pre-loved baby and children’s items.

Lazy Crafternoons: Scandi Style Leather Tree Decorations National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1.30pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3600.

Llansannor Christmas Fair Llansannor Village Hall, nr Cowbridge. 10am1pm, £10 to set up a table.

Info karen.thomas17@ tesco.net.

Pet Bandana The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff.

11am-1pm, £15. Info twinmadethings@gmail. com. uReal Ale Ramble Town Square, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys (starting point). £18 (two days)/£11 (one day). Info 01591 610270.

Part of the Mid-Wales Beer Festival, this is a more or less informal walking event offering distances of 10, 15 or 25 miles, with free ale at various checkpoints.

Rugby Union: Under Armour Series – Wales v New Zealand Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 5.15pm, £40-£95. Info 08442 777888.

Thrifty Kids: Pinecone Decorations National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

10.30am-12.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Totally Awesome Tote Bag The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 2-5pm, £25. Info twinmadethings@ gmail.com.

SUNDAY 26 Cardiff Fairy Awards 2017 Minsky’s Showbar, Cardiff. 6.45pm. Info 029 2023 3128. Not sure exactly what the awards will be for but it’s a collaboration between all the gay venues in Cardiff and it’s hosted by

Dr Bev with DJ Sugar.

Felt Bags Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-4pm, £90. Info 029 2048 4611.

With Claire Cawte.

How To Have A Vicxtorian Christmas National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

2.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. With Ruth Goodman Ice Hockey: League – Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants Ice Arena, Cardiff Bay. 6pm. Info 029 2038 2001.

Just Sing! Sessions Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 6pm, £4.

Info 01443 491424. Monthly event offering “a fun, friendly environment where you can sing your heart out alongside likeminded people”.

Scandinavian Christmas Market The Old Church Rooms, Radyr, Cardiff.

11am-3pm, free. Info www. radyr.org.uk. Gifts, art and craft stalls and nice food.

Transform Your Jeans The Boneyard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 2-5pm, £20. Info twinmadethings@gmail. com.

Weber Essential Course Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am2pm, £99. Info 01443 222716.

Wenvoe Christmas Craft Fair Wenvoe Community Centre. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07922 109721. Work by local crafters. Purchaise unique gifts and decorations for Christmas and beyond.

Xiaolu Guo: Once Upon A Time In The East Great Hall, Swansea University Bay Campus. 7.30pm, £8/£5 NUS. Info 01792 475715.

Award-winning author and filmmaker Guo reads from her memoir.

MONDAY 27 Air Lab: Above The Radar Arts Alive Wales Studio, Crickhowell. 10am-4pm, £60. Info 01873 811579.

Arts Alive Wales present a day-long workshop exploring how drones can be used to expand the possibilities of the creative process, from storyboard development to capturing dynamic aerial footage and unusual perspectives.

Newport & Gwent Literary Club Holiday Inn, The Coldra, Newport. 6.30pm, £25/£20 members. Info 01633 841467. Literary dinner, featuring special guest Valerie Bloom.

Poems & Pints Queens Hotel, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £3.

Info 01633 841467. Monthly spoken word open mic event, this time with special guest Menna Elfyn.

The Gay Men’s Book Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. This month discussing Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai.

TUESDAY 28 Script Slam Heat 3 Pontardawe Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £5/£3.50. Info 01792 863722. Third and final heat before the, er, final, which is on Tue 30 Jan. WEDNESDAY 29 Aidan Sheehan’s Harmonica Workshop Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

Elliecoptor Hoops Hoop Class Cardiff & Vale College, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £5. Info 07934 011061.

Poetry & Place Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £5. Info 01970 623232.

Poetry night with guests Caroline Clark and Ann Matthews. Not familiar with Ann’s poetry but she was in the bands Ectogram and Fflaps and is generally great.

Reading Between The Wines Book Club The White Hart, Llangybi.

7.30pm, free. Info www. readingbetweenthewinesclub.com. Monthly book club of an informal nature. This month’s book is Brooklyn by Colm Toibin.

Science Cafe National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

7.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Skill Builder: Festive Gifts To Treat Friends Angela Gray’s Cookery School At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan.

6-9pm, £90. Info 01443 222716 / www.angelagray. co.uk.

THURSDAY 30 BA Music Business Course Lecture: Jesse Grushack Atrium, Cardiff. 5-7pm, free. Info 0345 5760101.

Lecture will explore the use of blockchains as a platform for releasing music. Open to all but book in advance please.

BlackOnBlack Book Club Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 5-6pm, free. Info blackonblackpublishing@ gmail.com. First of a planned monthly event aiming to highlight and discuss literary works by people of colour. Book in advance (on Eventbrite) please.

Taith Iaith National Museum Cardiff. 1.05pm, free.

Info 029 2039 7951. Welsh learners session.

The Bad Ideas/Chemicals Cosmic Re-Launch Variety Night The Moon, Cardiff. 6pm, £4. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Readings by Crystal Jeans, Sion Tomos Owen, Sara Annwyl, Susie Wild and Lloyd Markham; music by Deep Hum, Tom Emlyn, and Obey Cobra.

The Origins Of A Modern Christmas Cardiff Castle.

6pm, £12.50. Info 029 2087

8100. Interactive session with The History Chefs.

Wordcatcher Publishing Book Fair Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-3pm. Info 029 2087 7959.

live WEDNESDAY 1 Acoustic Open Mic Night Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil.

7-11pm, free. Info 01685 384111. uBandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.”

Also on Fri 17. uBella & Gareth Blues Duo Café Jazz, Cardiff.

8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.

Also on Wed 15 and Wed 29.

Chris Reardon + Rosey Cale + Emmet McGonagle Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £4 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. A Folk In The Owl’s Nest night.

Chuggaboom The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Ensemble Cymru Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £3-£10. Info 029 2030 4400.

James Keelaghan & Hugh McMillan Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

Jazz Club Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm. Info 01443 491424. Featuring a workshop at 7.30pm and a residents’ gig at 8.30.

John Foley’s All That Jazz Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. South Wales Big Band Society gig.

Laurence Cottle Quartet Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30pm, £12. Info 07802 912789. uMike Peters Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £27.50 adv.

Info 029 2087 7959. Singer out of The Alarm plays five consecutive dates in a small/cute venue, up close and personal etc. Fri 3 and Sat 4 are sold out but as I write the other dates are not. (Until Sun 5) uOpen Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Wednesday.

Expect to hear jazz, blues, rock or ska here. uOpen Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Wednesday.

Royal Welsh College Wind Orchestra: From Russia To Rome Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv.

J U S T A N N O U N C E D F O R D E C E M B E R : S T O N E S O U R + T H E P R E T T Y R E C K L E S S ( M o t o r p o i n t A r e n a C a r d i f f , Tu e 5 ) HELEN LOVE ( T h e M o o n , C a r d i f f , S u n 1 0 ) J U S T A N N O U N C E D F O R 2 0 1 7 : J A K E M I T C H E L L ( T r a m s h e d , C a r d i f f , F r i 1 9 J a n ) BUZZ 67

live music live review

IRIS FILM FESTIVAL 2017

Various venues, Cardiff. Tues 10 - Sun 15 Oct It was another wonderful year at the Iris Prize, with Cardiff once again playing host to the forefront of LBGT+ cinema. The annual Iris Prize award for Best Short Film this year went to Mother Knows Best from Sweden, directed by Mikael Bundsen, whilst the award for Best Feature Film was handed out by Buzz’s Emma Clark and Chris Williams, eventually going to Prom King, 2010, directed by Christopher Schaap. Check out Buzz online for more photos: www.buzzmag.co.uk

BUZZ 68

* – recommended

u – repeated

* – recommended Info 029 2039 1391. *Saz’iso Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

Folk ensemble from southern Albania. Did an album on the Glitterbeat label recently.

Spinning Coin + Buzzard + Los Blancos + Perfect Body Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199. Scottish indie sorts headline. Enjoyed them when they played Cardiff at the start of the year.

Swing Time Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth.

8.30pm, £5/£4.40 adv. Info donnie@donniejoemusic. com. Swing and lindy hop night with live band Donnie Joe’s American Swing plus The Medicine Man DJing.

Also on Wed 15, with a different live band.

The Hallé St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£41.

Info 029 2087 8444. Mark Elder conducts a programme of Ravel, Debussy and Mussorgsky.

The World’s Wife Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01970 623232. Modern opera (solo soprano, string quartet and loop pedals) based on Carol Ann Duffy’s poems written from the POV of famous historical men’s wives. In Milford Haven on Sat 3.

THURSDAY 2 Afternoon Concert Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2pm, £13/£11. Info 029 2063 6464. Otto Tausk conducts a programme of music inspired by European rivers.

Black Aces + Skam Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £6 adv.

Info 07970 063107. Australian hard rock band. Got an email about them half an hour ago as it happens.

“Raw unadulterated Aussie pub rock” it said. I sure hope so!

Emerson Quartet Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £22/£20. Info 029 2039 1391.

Performing works by Purcell, Britten and Beethoven.

From The Jam Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20 adv.

Info 029 2023 5555. Bruce Foxton’s Jam covers band.

Sorry but that’s what it is as far as I’m concerned. Not that I’m protective of The Jam’s legacy or anything.

Georgia Paterson The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

Harp Recital National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, Llandysul. 11am-3pm, free Info 029 2057 3070.

Jo Harman Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £15.50.

Info 01656 815995. Singersongwriter. *Mutation + Deadcuts The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 07590

u – repeated

471888. Mutation is a gnarly noise/punk/metal band formed by Ginger Wildheart and also featuring Scott from Exit_International etc in its lineup. Support feature two of early 90s indie punks Senseless Things, would you believe.

Peter Harris & Hamish Brown Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £3-£12. Info 01970 623232. Tenor and

striking Tube drivers. Suffice to say he isn’t fit to lace Tom Lehrer’s boots, much less perform his music.

Akon & Konvict Kartel Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £26 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. US rapper, played the Motorpoint a while back I believe. Downscaling notwithstanding, this gig is sold out.

The Dictators were a great band of New York toughs who anticipated punk with their 1975 debut album, Go Girl Crazy. I say were, but they still exist – however, due to legal guff they now have to go by Manitoba NYC, after founder member Handsome Dick Manitoba. It's under this name you'll find them at Fuel, Cardiff, on Wed 8. pianist.

Pilgrims’ Way Crindau Constitutional Club, Newport. 8pm, £8/£5. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night.

Pop Divas – Live! Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry.

6.30pm, £15/£12.50 adv. Info 01446 738622. Tributes to Little Mix, Adele, Meghan Trainor, Arianna Grande, Taylor Swift and Rihanna.

Stereophonics Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7.30pm, £34.50 adv.

Info 029 2078 1458. Charity gig for Global Make Some Noise, which is run by Radio X and is a sort of loudspeaker for other smaller charities. Gig already sold out as you’d imagine.

Trampolene + Dead! + Local Enemy + Parish The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£6 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Swansea-birthed indie band headline.

We Are Scientists Ebbw Vale Institute. 7-10pm, £16.50 adv. Info 01495 708022. Swn present a gig headlined by quirky American indie band.

Wildwood Kin Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £11. Info 0871 4720400. Folky vocal harmony trio.

FRIDAY 3 Adam Kay: The Remains Of Tom Lehrer Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, £15.

Info 029 2063 6464. Tom Lehrer is a comedy genius who wrote some incredibly funny songs in the 50s and 60s. Adam Kay was in the Amateur Transplants and wrote a moronic uber-Tory song about wanting to shoot

uAmser Jazz Time Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 5.30-7pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391.

Every Friday in the foyer until Fri 8 Dec. Anthony Moulton Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

Aubrey Parsons Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Bernard Kane Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01834 869323.

Classical composer and violinist.

Bigfoot + Theia + Those Damn Crows + Florence Black Fuel Bar, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 07970 063107. This gig is sold out. Looks like hard rock all the way FWIW. Chris Kelly The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge.

9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Darts The Globe, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 07590 471888. Not the pub sport, but the 70s UK pop band.

Dead Memory + Ortario The Duke, Neath. 8pm. Info 01639 643892.

Elaine Paige + John G Smith Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £20-£75. Info 01970 623232. Diva scenes.

Support act is headed by Paige’s musical director, who is also in her band.

Forever Amy Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50 adv.

Info 029 2023 5555. Amy Winehouse tribute show.

Gary Stewart’s Graceland Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff.

8pm, £17.50. Info 029 2089 0862. Covering Paul Simon’s Graceland album in full.

Halloween Party Cathays

live music Community Centre, Cardiff.

5-10.45pm, £4/£2 in fancy dress. Info 029 2037 3144.

Fundraising gig (I assume for the centre itself) featuring live bands from 8.30-10.30pm.

John Illsley Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £21.50.

Info 01792 863722. AKA Dire Straits’ bass player. In Porthcawl on Wed 8.

Letz Zep Sin City, Swansea.

7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 01792 468892. Led Zeppelin tribute band. In Ebbw Vale tomorrow.

Live Acoustic Night The Pilot, Penarth. Free. Info 029 2071 0615. On the first Friday of each month.

Malija Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.15pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. Jazz trio with a new album on the Edition label.

Modifi Slipping Jimmy’s, Newport. 9.30pm, free. Info 07745 059936.

Mr Tea & The Minions Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £6/£4 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.

Also featuring DJ F-Block.

Omaloma + Cpt. Smith + OSHH Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199.

Open Night Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £3. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night.

Owen Money & The Travelling Wrinklies Memorial Hall, Newbridge.

7pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 01495 243252.

Paige Kenzie Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Psychic Lemon + Flowers For Freaks The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Ragsy Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.

The Bonfire Blowout Warehouse54 Roof Terrace, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161. With OxbowLake and The Amigos plus more TBC. The Fugitives Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues.

The Soul Strutters Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

The World Famous Elvis Show St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25.50-£37.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. With Chris Connor as Elvis plus a 12-piece band.

The World’s Wife Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01646 695267. uTremor Fest The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

Charity two-dayer in aid of Parkinsons UK. Today: Chapel Row, Vespertine, JACDO and Hippodrone (main stage); Rob Pennington and Ash Loakes (acoustic

corner). Sat 4: Rhys Davis Band, False Flags, The Caged Bird Sings and Fuck Yeah (main stage); Brightr (acoustic corner).

Triskellion St Fagans Village Hall. 7.30pm, £8/£6/£4 kids/free under-12s. Info 029 2023 2970. A Pentreffest Noz folk night.

Young Americans The Office, Swansea. 10pm, free.

Info 07535 256195.

SATURDAY 4 A Night With The Stars Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm. Info 0845 2263510. Gala concert showcasing up and coming vocalists and musicians from the Loud Applause Rising Stars stable.

Asomvel + Stiletto Farm Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 07970 063107.

NWOBHM revival band plus glammier support act with a slightly unsettling bio.

Celtic Pride The Office, Swansea. 10pm, free. Info 07535 256195.

Chains Of Fleetwood Mac The Dolls House, Abertillery.

8pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 01495 213300. Tribute band.

Chris Stone The Mariners, Laugharne. 8.30pm, free.

Info 01994 427688. Playing in sibling venue Browns tomorrow.

Dame Shirley Bassey: This Is Me The Neon, Newport. 7pm, £22 adv. Info 01633 533666. Tribute show with Rachel Roberts.

Dodgy Sin City, Swansea.

7.30pm, £13.50 adv. Info 01792 468892. Chirpy psych-gone-Britpop band play an acoustic set.

El Goodo Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. South Wales indie-psych heads. Their new album is good if you like that kinda Love/Zombies thing. In Carmarthen on Fri 17.

Emily Barker + Pete Roe Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £13. Info 029 2023 2199.

Farm Hand Spillers Records, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info 029 2022 4905.

Album launch instore gig for the new solo project of Mark Thomas, also of Islet and who also plays in the Printhaus later today.

Father John Misty + Weyes Blood Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £22.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Previewed in the October issue. Looks to be sold out though.

Fireworks And Fanfares Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

5pm, £13/£8 kids. Info 029 2039 1391. With the Royal Welsh College Brass Band, and some fireworks. There’s a special viewing terrace to watch them from, but tickets for it are sold out.

Glas Cockett Inn, Swansea.

9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Grant Sharkey The Moon, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Hullaballoo Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv.

Info 01443 682388. Muse tribute.

Huw Warren & Friends Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9.15pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816.

Welsh jazz fave.

Ivan Ilic Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £12.50.

Info 01239 841387. Pianist performing works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff.

In Cardiff on Mon 6.

Jackson Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £17.50£21.50. Info 01792 475715.

Michael Jackson tribute concert. uJon Crespo Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £2 after 11. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Sat 18, accompanied by saxophonist Carlo Fraccalvieri (tonight) and vocalist Sarah Meek (Sat 18).

Larger Than Life! The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Letz Zep Ebbw Vale Institute. 8.30pm, £13.50 adv.

Info 01495 708022.

Pop Divas – Live! Grand Theatre, Swansea. 1pm, £14.

Info 01792 475715. Tribute show.

Quodega + Farm Hand + Yo No Se The Printhaus, Canton, Cardiff. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 029 2022 0349. Album launch gig for headliners, who feature Tom Raybould aka Zwolf and Kliph Scurlock aka the ex-drummer of The Flaming Lips.

Secret Affair The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv.

Info 07590 471888. Mod revival band.

Session Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Sons Of Liberty The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm. Info 01495 247178.

Speak, Brother The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.

Talking Bird Music Warehouse54 Roof Terrace, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

The Giles Robson Band Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £10/£8.

Info 01633 483238. Borough Blues Club gig.

The Police Academy Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16. Info 029 2089 0862.

Police tribute band.

The Royal British Legion Wales Festival Of Remembrance 2017 St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £12-£22.

Info 029 2087 8444.

The Shakes Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Voodoo Room Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £15.50. Info 01495 227206.

Cream tribute band.

Wild Ponies Small World

PA U L CA R R A C K ( S t D a v i d ’ s H a l l , F r i 2 Fe b ) T H E OV E R T O N E S ( S t D a v i d ’ s H a l l , F r i 9 Fe b ) T H E S H E R L O C K S ( Tr a m s h e d , S u n 1 1 Fe b ) E R A S U R E ( S t D a v i d ’ s H a l l , F r i 1 6 Fe b ) S C O T T B R A D L E E ’ S P O S T M O D E R N J U K E B O X ( Tr a m s h e d , S a t 1 7 Fe b ) BUZZ 69

* – recommended

live music Theatre, Cardigan. 8pm, £10. Info 01239 615952.

Old timey music duo from Nashville.

SUNDAY 5 Chris Stone Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

Conflict & Creativity: Commemorating World War I Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 3pm, £5 adv. Info 01792 475715. Live orchestral accompaniment to the 1917 silent film The Battle Of The Ancre And Advance Of The Tanks.

Cory Band Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 3pm, £14. Info 029 2039 1391.

Ensemble Cymru Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 3pm, £3-£8. Info 01970 623232.

Festival Of Remembrance Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £6. Info 0300 0040444. Presented by Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC in association with The Royal British Legion.

Forfeits The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free.

Info 01600 712767.

Jake Bugg St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £24.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Remember this guy?

Junior Hacksaw Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

6pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

Pangolin Octavo’s Wine Bar, Cardiff Bay. 2-4.30pm, free. Info 029 2049 1220.

Acoustic duo.

Robyn Hitchcock The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 07590 471888.

Whimsical UK psych-popper Sarah Brown Fontygary Leisure Park, Rhoose. 9pm, free. Info 01446 710386. Presented by Nailed It Events. uSteve Tarner Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny.

9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events. Every Sunday this month.

The Cann Twins The Riverfront, Newport. 3pm, £6.

Info 01633 656757. Classical piano duo. uThe Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675.

Open mic night presented

by Nailed It Events. Every Sunday this month.

The Hold Up Sunday Cypher Sessions Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7pm, £3. Info 029 2039 7933. Monthly open mic hip-hop night with a live house band.

MONDAY 6 Concert & Cakes The Riverfront, Newport. 2pm, £6. Info 01633 656757.

Recitals of works by Mozart and Krommer.

Eureka California + Guide Dog + Pink Grapefruit + Multitap The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Headliners are from Athens, GA and play indiepop.

Hawklords Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 01792 468892. Hawkwind spinoff who initially formed because that band had taken a break. These days Hawkwind are somehow still active and this lineup’s connection to them is fairly tenuous.

Legends Of American Country Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £19.50.

Info 01600 772467. Tribute show.

Band – Practise Dates Llanfrynach Village Hall, Brecon. 7-9pm, £4/£2 under16s. Info sambabrecon@ yahoo.co.uk. Every Tuesday.

Lunchtime Concert Cornerstone, Cardiff. 1.10pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391.

New monthly concerts in this Charles Street venue, presented by the Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama. On once or twice a month until March.

Ivan Ilic St David’s Hall,

Talisk are a hot to trot trad folk trio from Scotland whose tour this month includes three Welsh dates: The Welfare, Ystradgynlais (Wed 22), Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan (Wed 29) and The Wyeside, Builth Wells (Thurs 30). uLive Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Here every Monday.

Mark Eitzel + Mull Historical Society Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199.

Lugubrious American songwriter headlines over a band who I saw play this venue in 2001 – opening for The Strokes! – and are somehow still pressing on.

The Sound Monkeys + Louise And The Feathers The Angel Inn, Aberystwyth.

8pm, £4.50. Info 01970 617878. German garage punk band headline. Both these bands are in Cardiff tomorrow.

The Summer Of Love Grand Theatre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £22.50/£20.50. Info 01792 475715. A tribute to the music of 1967. uUkulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Monday, with The Plucking Fourstrings.

TUESDAY 7 Acoustic Tuesday South Riverside Community Development Centre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers.

Blank Atlas + The Charmers + Cult Of Hands Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2039 7933.

Brass & Voices Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7.15pm, £12/£10. Info 0300 0040444.

Gala concert in aid of Rhondda Tunnel Society. uChamber Tuesdays Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

6-7pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. Every Tuesday in the foyer until Tue 28 Nov. uCommunity Samba

Cardiff. 1pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2087 8444.

Lenore Raphael Wayne Wilkinson, Chris Hodgkins & Alison Rayner Neuadd Theatr Christ College, Brecon. 7.30pm, £10/£8 members. Info 07791 654799. Presented by Brecon Jazz.

Nordic Giants The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv.

Info 07590 471888. Slightly windy postrock/prog type band whose album we reviewed in the last issue. uOpen Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free.

Info 01497 821762. Every Tuesday. uOpen Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Every Tuesday. *Rakta + Haram + Asid + Peril Cardiff Bus Transport Club. 7.30pm, £7.

Info 029 2023 3658. This is an excellent lineup of weird punk and hardcore featuring Brazilians, Americans with Arabic lyrics, and two new Welsh bands.

The Prince Regent’s Band: Russian Revolutions Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

1.15pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2039 1391.

The Starling Radicals + The Sound Monkeys + Garin Fitter + Louise And The Feathers The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Trombones For Two Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

WEDNESDAY 8 Bury Tomorrow Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £16 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com.

Metalcore band play slightly smaller venue than usual.

Cardboard Fox Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01646 651725.

Chepstow Community Big Band Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. South Wales Big Band Society gig.

Cymbals + Fine Creatures Porter’s, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. A Swn New Friends gig, with three bands (two more TBC) for free.

Doug MacLeod The Angel, Llandeilo. 9pm. Info 01558 822765. A Llandeilo Acoustic Club night.

Emmure + Deez Nuts + Chelsea Grin + Sworn In + Kublai Khan + Polaris + Lorna Shore Tramshed, Cardiff. 5pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. This is called the Never Say Die! Tour and features a load of metalcore bands. I can’t claim much knowledge of most of them but Emmure are very definitely a bunch of thick misogynistic edgelords.

Gary Potter with Dave Cottle Trio Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.

John Illsley Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 01656 815995.

Left Lane Cruiser + Bottlekids + Cruel Prank Le Public Space, Newport.

7.30pm, £10 adv. Info sam@ lepub.co.uk. Headliners are a punk blues kinda band from Indiana. *Manitoba NYC Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £17 adv. Info 07970 063107. This band feature two members of The Dictators, Handsome Dick Manitoba and Ross The Boss. Indeed they were previously trading as The Dictators but now aren’t for some silly legal reason. They feature the two main guys though.

Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £20. Info 01970 623232. Cuban pianist and Senegalese kora player team up, as on their album from this year Transparent Water. Or as one reviewer puts it, “where world music meets world jazz”. In Swansea on Sat 11; Cardiff on Tue 14.

Royal Welsh College Brass Band Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2039 1391.

Rum Puppets + The Head + The Brwmys Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7pm, £4. Info 029 2039 7933. uThe Bay Rum Hounds Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. Also on Wed 22.

Tyhai Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 0845 2263510. Indo-Celtic folk trio featuring Rajesh David, Pete Stacey and

u – repeated

Dylan Fowler.

Vesta Trio Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1pm, £5.50. Info 01656 815995.

Wire The Globe, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £14.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Seminal eggheads, as it were, of early UK punk.

THURSDAY 9 25 And Live Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £12.50 adv/£8.50 under-16s. Info 029 2023 5555. Gig celebrating 25 years of Community Music Wales.

Backroads UK + Mate’s Fate The Moon, Cardiff.

9pm. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Chris Wood + Twelfth Day Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £13.50/£13.50/£3 under-18s.

Info 01239 621200. UK folk favourite. See Music. In Builth Wells tomorrow.

Fern Brady Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199.

Hashtag Acoustic The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

Jazzland House Trio Hyst, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 07802 912789. A Pop-Up Jazzland open mic gig.

Lenore Raphael, Wayne Wilkinson, Chris Hodgkins & Alison Rayner Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £8/£6.

Info 029 2038 7026.

Llyr Williams Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £20-£24. Info 029 2039 1391.

Esteemed concert pianist performs works by Schubert and Liszt.

Nasty + Cold Hard Truth + Realm Of Torment + Full Contact Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 07970 063107. Down For Life present some burly hardcore from Europe and the UK. Parallaxis + Defeatist + I Fight Bears + Into The Depths The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £5.

Info 01267 231012.

Platform 1 The Unicorn, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 751304. Upstairs At The Unicorn folk night. *Shopping + Gauche + Lawndale High Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. See Music for more on the headliners, who have an album out in January and are generally great.

Showaddywaddy Maesteg Town Hall. 7.30pm, £21.50.

Info 01656 733269.

FRIDAY 10 Acoustic Sinners The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge.

9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Alex Davies Warehouse54 Roof Terrace, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

Back 2 The 80s Margam Park, nr Port Talbot.

6.30pm, £28. Info 01639 881635. Live entertainment celebrating the 1980s, apparently.

BBC NOW: Verdi & Respighi St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15-£40.

Info 029 2087 8444. Xian Zhang conducts a programme of the two named composrers.

Blondie Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £60/£50.

Info 029 2022 4488. See Upfront.

Caerphilly Ladies Choir Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly.

7pm, £5. Info 07512 237983.

Fundraising concert for the renovation of this hall.

Children Of The Gravy District Club, Pontypridd.

8pm. Info 01443 402550.

Black Sabbath tribute band.

In Abertillery on Sat 18.

Chris Wood + Twelfth Day Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £13.50/£12.50. Info 01982 552555.

Chroma + Salt Bath + Penny Rich Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm,. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. *Cuncrete Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £7.50.

Info 01970 623232. See Music for more on this theatrical gig which could as easily go in Stage, but I’ve put it in this section so THERE. Eden Roots Reggae Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026.

ELO Again Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £17/£16. Info 01633 868239.

Everyone Sang Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. Songs by WWI-era composers/lyricists about the impact of that era.

Festival Of Remembrance Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £16. Info 01970 623232.

George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £24. Info 01686 614555. These guys used to just be called the Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain so either there’s been a split in the ranks o George has got a big head.

Heg & The Wolf Chorus The Globe At Hay, Hay-OnWye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762. Folk band from Bristol.

Henry Marten’s Ghost Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny.

9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Jay Johnson The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm, £3. Info 01495 247178.

John Adams + Emi McDade Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. Sold out.

Maniac Street Preachers + Stereophonish The

T H E S C R I P T ( M o t o r p o i n t A r e n a , T u e 2 0 F e b ) B E L L E & S E B A S T I A N ( W a l e s M i l l e n i u m C e n t r e , C a r d i f f B a y, T h u r s 8 M a r ) PA L O M A FA I T H ( M o t o r p o i n t A r e n a , S a t 1 7 + S u n 1 8 M a r ) T H I R T Y S E C O N D S T O M A R S ( M o t o r p o i n t A r e n a , F r i 2 3 M a r ) BUZZ 70

live music Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Two Welsh tribute bands.

Max De Bernardi And Veronica Sbergia West End Club, Barry. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01446 735739. Old timey music duo. A Roots N All gig.

Monkeysee Monkeydo Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free.

Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Multi Story Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Hard rockers.

Panic Station The Office, Swansea. 10pm, free. Info 07535 256195.

Peter Jagger Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 8pm, free.

Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Pussycat & The Dirty Johnsons The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm.

Info 01685 387925.

Rusty Shackle Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14.

Info 029 2089 0862.

Sham 69 The Pit, Swansea.

7pm, £12/£10. Info facebook. com/thepitswansea. This version has someone called Tim V on vocals rather than Jimmy Pursey. Ain’t nobody got time for that, as they say.

Stonehouse Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

Syd Arthur + Ffug Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8.

Info 029 2023 2199.

The Featherz + The D Teez The Moon, Cardiff.

8pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

The Magic Of The Beatles Parc & Dare, Treorchy.

7.30pm, £18/£15. Info 0300 0040444. Tribute show.

The Quo Experience Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare.

7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 0300 0040444. Status Quo tribute band.

The Skiptones Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

The Soap Girls + Trigger McPoopshute + One Mark And A Frank The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £5. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

The Undertones Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £20. Info 029 2023 5555. Punk-pop pioneers from Belfast. Feargal Sharkey isn’t in them now though.

Thingumijigs St Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £2.50-£8.50.

Info 01446 799100. Caelidh band.

Tits Up The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm, £5. Info 01267 231012.

Wonderbrass Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Playing as part of the Gwdihw Brass Takeover night.

SATURDAY 11 Barrabus + Wolfbastard + Kong Lives + Made Of Teeth Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, £5 adv. Info

sam@lepub.co.uk. Doom, sludge etc. Headline band are fronted by Paul Catten who’s been in lots of heavy bands.

Buddy Holly & The Cricketers Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 01495 227206.

Tribute act.

Children Of The Gravy Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, free.

Info www.hobosmusicvenue. com. Black Sabbath tribute.

Chris Kelly Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free.

Info 029 2069 4630. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Ellen Peres And Community Choir St John’s Church, Canton, Cardiff.

Info 029 2056 2022. In aid of the Care and Repair Cymru Charity.

Festival Of Remembrance Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.

7pm. Info 01792 475715.

Final Demand The Office, Swansea. 10pm, free.

Info 07535 256195. Final Demand is a classic Area Band name.

Georgia Paterson Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

Gordon Giltrap Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16.50. Info 029 2089 0862.

UK folk-rocker. All I really know about him is he has an album that I keep noticing in second-hand racks because his name is written a bit like the Iron Maiden logo.

Holy Diver UK Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £7 adv. Info 01495 708022. Dio tribute band.

James Kennedy The Heath, Cardiff. 9pm, free.

Info 029 2039 4207. Presented by Nailed It Events.

John Paul The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Li Harding Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Cardiff Bay jazz singer.

Message In A Bottle Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7.30pm, £20.50. Info 01874 611622. Police tribute band.

Motorheadache UK The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £7/£6 adv. Info 01685 387925.

Noble Jacks The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £7.

Info 01497 821762.

Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £17/£15.

Info 01792 602060.

Out Of The Black The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm. Info 01495 247178.

Pete Mathison Band The Mariners, Laugharne.

8.30pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

Punchline Hen Dderwen, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Sachiko Furuhata-Kersting Royal Welsh College

Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £18.50/£15.50. Info 029 2039 1391. Popular Japanese pianist.

St Louis Express The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free.

Info 029 2070 8675. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Strawberry Blondes + Funke + The Two Tone Baby + 8.4% + The Setbacks The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6.30pm, £5. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

Super Sonic 70s Show Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £18. Info 0845 2263510. Tribute show.

The Blockheads The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Ian Dury & The, but without Ian. The DB Big Band Armistice Day Poppy Dance District Club, Pontypridd.

8pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 402550.

The Hindenbergs Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

9pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015. Led Zep tribute band The Hotsteppers Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Tomorrow Calling Today Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 0845 2263510.

Acoustic singer-songwriter showcase.

Welsh Floyd Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 01685 384111.

Tribute band.

X-SLF + Poetic Justice + Tenplusone + Not The Sex Pistols The Duke, Neath. 4pm, £12/£10 adv.

Info 01639 643892. Punk gig headlined by a band with Stiff Little Fingers members.

SUNDAY 12 Amigos Café Jazz, Cardiff.

6.30-9pm, £5. Info 029 2038 7026. Playing the monthly Hot Club Swing night.

Brooke Bentham Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7pm, £7.50 adv.

Info 029 2039 7933. Geordie singer-songwriter now based in London.

Counterparts + Polar + Napoleon Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £16/£14. Info 029 2023 2199. uFolk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm.

Info 07477 627267. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month (also on Sun 26 in June), with an extra acoustic session now on the third Sunday (Sun 19) too.

Hashtag Acoustic Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

John Joseph Brill Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6. Info 029 2023 2199. uOld Strafford The Brunswick, Swansea.

8.30pm, free. Info 01792 465676. Also here on Sun 19.

Seafoal + Apollo + Parcs The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £8/£6 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. See One To Watch for a bit more

on Seafoal.

Sepulchre + Incursion + Voluntas + Black Of Night + Second Sons + Two Lane Black Top The Office, Swansea. 7pm, free.

Info 07535 256195.

Steve Payne/Miskiman/ Hobday The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free.

Info 01600 712767.

Stratus Fear Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

Tailor Rai The Newbridge, Cardiff. 3-5pm, free. Info 029 2030 8031. Presented by Nailed It Events.

The Cadillac Three Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £18.50 adv.

Info 029 2078 1458. Newish Southern rock band.

The Undercover Hippy Sin City, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 468892.

The quotes from reviews etc that appear in the venue’s website re: this band are an absolute state. There are some seriously untalented people writing about music out there. In Cardiff on Thurs 16.

029 2038 7026.

Scouting For Girls Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50/£59 VIP. Info 029 2023 5555. Sold out. Even the VIP package. Wonder who the VIP you get to meet is, and why it’s taking place at a Scouting For Girls gig.

Sleeptalking Buffalo, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2031 0312. Indie.

The LaFontaines Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.

Info 029 2023 2199.

The Lost Will And Testament Of Jake Thackray + Rudolf Rocker Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18. Info 029 2064 6900.

This is a tribute show dedicated to English folk singer Jake Thackray, who apparently played the Sherman’s opening night in 1973.

The Stray Birds St Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01446 799100. Pennsylvanian folk band.

The Temperance Movement Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199. Retro hard rockers.

MONDAY 13 Royal Blood + At The Drive-In + Black Honey Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

6.30pm, from £20. Info 029 2022 4488. Sold out.

The Burning Hell + Quiet Marauder Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £9.

Info 029 2023 2199. Wordy singer-songwriter bloke from Canada.

Will Black The Big Top, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £20. Info 029 2022 8883. This guy is Canadian and will be a playing a two-and-a-half-hour set tonight. From a brief look at his Facebook page, he seems to (a) mainly do classic rock covers and (b) have a fanbase consisting of middle-aged women.

WEDNESDAY 15 Dave O’Higgins Quartet Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.

Mark Porter & Capital City Jazz Orchestra Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport.

8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus.com. South Wales Big Band Society gig.

Martin Simpson Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 01873 850805. UK folkie.

Moirai Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5.

Info 01443 226892. Folk trio who have been in groups including Blowzabella, Token Women and, er, All Blacked Up. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

Royal Welsh College Pianists: Bel Canto Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

Sally Barker + Vicki Genfan Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2087 7959.

Suggested Friends + Wolf Girl + Sock + Shiny Tiger Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. UK indiepop jamz presented by All My Friends.

Swing Time Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth.

8.30pm, £5/£4.40 adv. Info donnie@donniejoemusic. com. Swing and lindy hop night with live band Paper Moon plus The Medicine Man DJing.

The Flatmates + Lonely Tourist Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm. Info sam@ lepub.co.uk. Bristolian indiepop band who formed in the mid-80s.

TUESDAY 14 Chris Holmes Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 07970 063107. Lead guitarist from W.A.S.P. Probably best known for shouting at his mum while pissed up in a metal documentary, something which the venue blurb for this gig is swift to acknowledge.

Collabro + Carly Paoli St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £19.50-£99. Info 029 2087 8444. Pop classical stuff.

Top price is for VIP stuff. *Landing Mané Cardiff University Concert Hall.

7-9pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Mané is a Senegalese musician and dancer who performs here with a West African band.

See Music.

Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £17/£15. Info 029 2039 1391.

Preservation Rhythm Kings Café Jazz, Cardiff.

8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info

THURSDAY 16 Acoustic Sinners Bar 44, Cardiff. 4.30pm, free. Info 0333 3444049. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Aubrey Parsons Asador 44, Cardiff. 4.30pm, free. Info 029 2002 0039. Presented by Nailed It Events.

BBC NOW Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£20. Info 01970 623232. Xian Zhang conducts Beethoven’s seventh symphony.

Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. This guy used to be guitarist in Catfish & The Bottlemen but has eschewed that world of jangly laddism and grudging three-star album reviews in favour of fronting a band “with their signature style of rock”.

Coltrane Dedication Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5.

Info 029 2038 7026.

Euros Childs Cardiff Bus Transport Club. 7.30pm, £12. Info 029 2023 3658.

Euros has a new album out tomorrow and today starts a tour which runs until Sat 9 Dec. Indeed he actually plays this venue twice on it, the later date being Wed 6 Dec. Fahran Fuel Bar, Cardiff.

7pm. Info 07970 063107.

Gwenllian Llyr Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. Harpist.

Jazz Jam Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Lau Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £16/£15. Info 01982 552555.

UK folk faves. In Cardigan tomorrow; Cardiff on Tue 21.

Lavinia Meijer Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £16/£14. Info 029 2039 1391.

Harpist performs works by Glass, Debussy, Satie and Hirose.

NC Sessions Nolton Corner, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info 01656 655015. Live acoustic acts, every third Thursday of the month.

Oysterband Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £20. Info 029 2023 5555. UK folk faves.

Pi & Hash Showcase The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free.

Info info@themooncardiff. com.

Ragsy The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Steve Tilston Newport Fugitives Athletic Club, Rogerstone, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 897923. A Newport Folk Club night.

The Fused + The Johnstown Flood + The Irascibles NosDa, Cardiff.

7pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Presented by Bywyd Records.

The Undercover Hippy The Globe, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888.

NIALL HORAN (Motorpoint Arena, Sat 24 Mar) RUSSELL WATSON (Grand Hotel, Swansea, Sat 24 Mar) ANDREW WK (Cardiff University, Fri 13 Apr) THE VAMPS (Motorpoint Arena, Tue 17 Apr) BUZZ 71

* – recommended

live music FRIDAY 17 Alden, Patterson & Dashwood The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762. Americana band from Norwich. In Cardigan on Sat 25.

Armed For Apocalypse + Tides Of Sulfur + Knæk Cardiff Speaker Hire, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 029 2009 5590. American sludge metal band headline.

Calypso Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Dire Streets Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16.50.

Info 029 2089 0862.

El Goodo The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm. Info 01267 231012.

Enter Shikari + Lower Than Atlantis + Astroid Boys Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £27.50.

Info 029 2022 4488. See Upfront.

Fidelio Trio Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2039 1391. Chamber group.

Gilad Hekselman Quartet Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. Jazz guitarist.

Guto Dafis & Danny Kilbride Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £7. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night.

Happy Mondays Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7.30pm, £29.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. This is billed as a greatest hits tour, which I assume to mean ‘we don’t have a new album but need some money’.

Hunter & The Bear Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199.

Jack Perrett + Pastel + Bute Meze Lounge, Newport. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01633 259144.

Junction 47 The Office, Swansea. 10pm, free. Info 07535 256195.

Kantref Rhys Pritchard Hall, Llandovery. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info huwpudner@ ntlworld.com. Playing the monthly Llandovery Folk Dancing night.

Lau Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£12. Info 01239 621200.

Local Enemy + Al Moses + The Carolines Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil.

7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 01685 384111. Single launch for the headliners.

Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £20/£18.

Info 0845 2263510.

Purple Rain Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50. Info 029 2023 5555. Eight-piece Prince tribute band.

Rat Trap Cathays Conservative Club, Cardiff.

6pm-12am, £5/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 0902. Multimedia

event featuring live music from Rainbow Maniac, Chroma, Sock, Buzzard, Nicey, Jemma Roper, Bad Dancers and The CVC; art, in forms unspecified, from Carlota Nóbrega, Joel Hurst, Gweni Llwyd, Daniel Pritchard, Mark Hicken, Anna Rogers, James Green, Ronnie Cook, George Manson, Rebecca Davies, Danielle Adair, Georgina Peach, Felicity Lockyear, Natasha Mitchell, Janet Blackman and Jon Wall.

Sœur + Kiss Me, Killer + The Dole Age + The Pitchforks + Blood Slugs Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 01685 879491. Blowout present five indie/rock bands.

Soul In Motion Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01600 772467. Soul covers band.

SoulJam Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

Surreal Panther Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £6 adv.

Info 01443 682388. Steel Panther tribute.

The Adam Winslet Band Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.

The Bella Collins Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026.

Blues.

The Magic Of Motown St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £26.50. Info 029 2087 8444.

Think Floyd Maesteg Town Hall. 7.30pm, £21.50/£20.50.

Info 01656 733269. Pink Floyd tribute.

Tobias Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Toriah Fontaine Band Warehouse54 Roof Terrace, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

UK Subs + Knock Off + Tenplusone Ebbw Vale Institute. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 01495 708022.

Upbeat Sneakers The Moon, Cardiff. 6.3010.30pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Whiskey Lies + Death

By Disco Hobo’s, Bridgend.

7.30-10.30pm, free. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com.

Whole Lotta Led The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Led Zeppelin tribute band. In Narberth tomorrow.

Wright Hear Wright Now The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free.

Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.

SATURDAY 18 Alison Moyet + Hannah Peel St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £26.50-£51.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. Essex siren sires on. Based on what I’ve heard of Hannah Peel’s new music – like Tangerine Dream with a brass band – she should sound mint in this venue.

Sold out though.

A Night Of Hendrix & Cream Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £18. Info 0845 2263510. Tribute show.

As Lions + Greyhaven Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7-10pm, £10/£8. Info www. hobosmusicvenue.com.

Beyond The Barricade The Riverfront, Newport.

7.30pm, £24/£22.50. Info 01633 656757. Songs from the musicals.

Cardiff Sinfonietta: American Night Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50-£18.50. Info 029 2039 1391.

Celtic Mosh Festival 2017 Ebbw Vale Institute. 12pm, £8 adv. Info 01495 708022.

Alldayer featuring Fractions, Shadows Into Light, Calling Apollo. Drifted, Giving Into Ghosts, Teacher, Democratus, Good Morning Vietnam and Black Of Night.

Children Of The Gravy The Dolls House, Abertillery.

8pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 01495 213300.

Dicky Heart & The Murmurs Hen Dderwen, Sketty,

a member of Sha Na Na, would you believe.

Larger Than Life Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free.

Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Louise Halliday The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Lucy Rose Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv.

Info 029 2023 5555.

Making A Song And Dance Of It Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £12.

Info 01239 841387. Amnesty International benefit featuring Calan, Jean Paul Louis And His Gypsy Jazz Band, The JukeBox Collective and Adam Gilbert.

Nelly + Sir The Baptist Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £27.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. St Louis rapper who was arrested in October, which has not seemingly affected this tour at the time of writing. Gig’s sold out either way.

No Direction The Office, Swansea. 10pm, free. Info

Gigs promoted under the Swine Language name don't come round too often, but are usually worth waiting for. Wed 29 is such an occasion, and will see Buffalo in Cardiff host Boy Harsher, a euphorically noisy synth/industrial act from Georgia (as in the US state).

Support comes from Chain Of Flowers and Night Thoughts.

Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Explosive Light Orchestra The Neon, Newport. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01633 533666.

ELO tribute.

Folk Club Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm. Info 01443 491424. Informal acoustic session.

Go Primitive + Esuna + Cobalt Sons Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, free.

Info sam@lepub.co.uk.

Hackney Colliery Band Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

8pm, £17. Info 029 2023 2199. Brass band who do rock/hip-hop covers.

I Am Drug + Penny Rich The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Jigfoot The Heath, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £10/£8 adv/£5 kids.

Info 029 2039 4207. A RUFF Ceilidh night, also featuring Ian Nichols calling.

Joe Brown + Henry Gross Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £29. Info 01639 763214. UK bluesrock veteran supported by

07535 256195.

Panic Station Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

9pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015. Peggy Seeger Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232. Folk legend. In Pembrokeshire tomorrow.

Rocky Road The Kinsale, Mumbles, Swansea. 7.30pm, £22 adv. Info terrygriff187@ gmail.com.

Second Sons + The Nexus Divide + Polka Dot Socks The Dragonffli, Pontypool.

7pm, £2. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com.

Sounds Of Harlowe + Turquoise Llama The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.

Sounds Of Simon St Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £12.

Info 01446 799100. Simon & Garfunkel tribute.

Taffy Was A Thief Warehouse54 Roof Terrace, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

The Atlantics The Globe, Cardiff. 8pm, £6-£10. Info 07590 471888. Covering the

u – repeated

songs from the movie Quadrophenia. The night also features DJ Drew Stansall.

The Big What?! Band Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com.

The Bluesters Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

The Chicago Blues Brothers Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £22 adv. Info 01446 738622. Tribute show.

The Cruzers The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm. Info 01495 247178.

The Inexplicables + Ramnastax Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm-4am, £3-£5.

Info 029 2039 7933. Playing as part of the ninth (ninth!) birthday celebrations for this venue.

The Jukes – Down At The Diner Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £19/£18.

Info 01633 868239. Musicalmeets-gig claiming to offer a “King Sized Portion of American Music from the 50’s & 60’s the Boo Wop days”. That’s right sir, they’re saying ‘boo wop’. It’s what they call this music.

Think Floyd Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01873 850805. Pink Floyd tribute.

Violent Hearts Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 8pm. Info 01443 491424.

Whole Lotta Led Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £15.

Info 01834 869323.

Yolanda Brown Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17.50. Info 029 2089 0862.

Jazz-soul sax player. She seems cool.

SUNDAY 19 Acoustic Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells.

4pm. Info 07477 627267.

Albino Frogs Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

Billy Bragg + Seán Mcgowan Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22 adv.

Info 029 2023 5555. This tour is called Bridges Not Walls. If I was a tedious dullard posting underneath a Guardian music article I would now attempt to make a joke about the moat that Billy Bragg has round his house, except he probably doesn’t really.

Chapter Four Jazz Quartet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Jazz in the bar. *Efialtis + The Snivellers Undertone, Cardiff.

7.30pm. Info 029 2022 8883.

Two rad UK punk bands.

Efialtis are from London but primarily Greek and The Snivellers are from Brighton and include Joanna Gruesome personnel.

Elfair Grug Dyer Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £7-£10. Info 01970 623232.

Welsh harpist.

Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, Barry. 6.30pm, £12

adv. Info www. hangfiresouthernkitchen. com. Blues duo. A Roots N All gig.

Jack Lukeman Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12.

Info 029 2089 0862. Irish singer-songwriter with silly Guy Fawkes facial hair.

Peggy Seeger & Family Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £12.50.

Info 01239 841387.

Royal Welsh College Symphony Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £14/£6 under-25s. Info 029 2087 8444.

Skylark The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free.

Info 01600 712767.

The Infernal Sea + Aklash + Agrona + Absinthropy + Crimson Throne Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 07970 063107. UK black metal bands galore.

Three Fat Cyclists Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

MONDAY 20 *Chuck Prophet Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18.50. Info 029 2023 2199.

See Music. I like this guy!

Deep Purple + Europe + Cats In Space Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £49.50. Info 029 2022 4488.

Last ever tour for the headliners, or so they claim.

Newton Faulkner Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £22 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Newton Faulkner dreadlocks update: press photo on the venue website shows them tied up into a kind of topknot, a move likely to be called “worse than when he just wore them down around his shoulders”.

Van Morrison St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £46.50£76.50. Info 029 2087 8444.

Sold out.

Yungen Tramshed, Cardiff.

7pm, £12.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.

TUESDAY 21 Emma & The Professor Theatr Hafren, Newtown.

7.30pm, £2.50. Info 01686 614555. Acoustic pop.

Frigg St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £16/£15/£5 kids.

Info 029 2087 8444. A Roots Unearthed concert.

Glen Crooks Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 12.45pm, free. Info 01792 475715.

Lunchtime organ recital.

Indigo Brass Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1pm, £5/£7.50 with tea and cake.

Info 01874 611622.. Lunchtime recital.

Jaws + Nelson Can + Trash The Globe, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888.

Jose Zalba Smith & Jan Willem Nelleke St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2087 8444. Flautist and pianist.

Lau Tramshed, Cardiff.

7pm, £18.50 adv. Info 029

D U A L I PA ( M o t o r p o i n t A r e n a , We d 1 8 A p r ) T H E WAT E R B O Y S ( S t D a v i d ’ s H a l l , Tu e 1 M a y ) M A C H I N E H E A D ( C a r d i f f U n i v e r s i t y, M o n 1 4 M a y ) G A RY B A R L O W ( M o t o r p o i n t A r e n a , Tu e 1 5 M a y ) BUZZ 72

live music

WEDNESDAY 22 Afro-Celt Sound System + The Dhol Foundation + Fun^Da^Mental Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. See Upfront.

Band Of The Welsh Guards Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391.

Blackhawk Big Band & Mark Nightingale Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8.

Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. South Wales Big Band Society gig, paying tribute to the late Mark Tilley.

Blind Boy Paxton The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 7pm, £17 adv. Info 01873 736430. Blues/Americana man. He makes a cameo appearance in a book I just finished reading about the headers who collect rare 78rpm records. Do Not Sell At Any Price it’s called, good read actually.

Dave Jones Quartet Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.

Her’s Porter’s, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. A Swn New Friends gig. Hate this band’s name.

Mike Dennis Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £5/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.

Open Mic Night Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7.30pm.

Info 01443 491424.

Royal Welsh College Brass Ensemble Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

Talisk The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 8pm, £11/£9.

Info 01639 843163. Rising British folk trio. In Cardigan on Wed 29 and Builth Wells on Thurs 30. Everything in the Mwldan in Cardigan this month also goes to Builth Wells. If they love each other so much why don’t they marry?

The Telescopes + Clay Statues + Aaronson The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£5.50 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Headliners are psych/shoegaze oldies from the late 80s, who reformed about 15 years ago and have gone proper noisy since then. Also features DJing by Trev from Odd Box Records.

Tom Russell St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £21.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. Venerable US singer-songwriter.

Never listened to him,

should I? I like a bunch of stuff in what I think is his ballpark.

William The Conqueror Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199.

THURSDAY 23 Amanda Whiting Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot.

7.30pm, £21.50. Info 01639 763214.

Betsy National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 8pm, £8. Info 029 2057 3600. Pembrokeshire pop hope.

Christopher Rees Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £9.50. Info 01656 815995.

Courtesans + Bulleet Height + Digital Criminals The Moon, Cardiff.

7-10pm, £11/£9 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com. *Dele Sosimi Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30-10pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2023 2199.

UK-based Nigerian Afrobeat dude. Played here at the start of this year and sold it out I believe.

Ffi Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £10. Info 029 2089 0862. Welsh singer-songwriter. In Pembrokeshire tomorrow.

James Arthur Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £29.50. Info 029 2022 4488.

Don’t know a single thing about this dude.

James Kirby Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. UK singersongwriter.

Pete Oxley & Niccolas Meier Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 7.30pm, £10/£9.

Info 01834 869323. Spanjazz night.

Single Mothers + Cassels + Lady Bird Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8.50. Info 029 2023 2199.

Presented by Fuelled By Jealous Lovers.

The Courtesans The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Tobias The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Presented by Nailed It Events.

WNO Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10£41. Info 029 2087 8444.

Tomáš Hanus conducts a programme of Mahler and Shostakovich.

Yossarian + Young Black Americans + Perfect Body + Lull Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£3. Info 029 2039 7933. It will have been deemed unlikely that Lull are any relation to the ambient solo project of that name by Mick Harris of Napalm Death.

FRIDAY 24 Alvor Ensemble Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. Harp/flute/viola trio.

Ben Evans & The Valli Boys Workmen’s Hall, Caer-

philly. 7pm, £10/£7 adv. Info 07512 237983. Frankie Valli tribute.

Billy Liar Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Some sort of solo punk guy from Scotland.

Bowie Starman Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01495 227206.

Tribute act. uBrain Freeze Festival Ebbw Vale Institute. £20 weekend/£12.50 per day.

Info 01495 708022. The third year of this two-day hard rock/stoner/psych type festival. Today has sets from Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind, Louise Distras, Nicotine Pretty, The Bastard Joe Kelly, Aled Clifford, The Black Triangle and Tight Muff. Tomorrow features Church Of The Cosmic Skull, Ulysses, Dead Shed Jokers, Stay Voiceless, When Worlds Collide, Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters, Dysphoria and Clay Statues. Plus record stalls and decent ale.

Caradog Jones & Geraint Roberts + Andy TamlynJones Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea.

8pm, £5. Info 01792 425231.

A Valley Folk Club night.

Conners & The Conmen + Paul Divers Warehouse54 Roof Terrace, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161.

Cotton Wolf + Carcharorion Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £6. Info 029 2023 2199.

Dansette Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Sixties style soul.

Deaf Havana + Black Foxxes + Decade Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £16.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Trio of UK rock bands.

Dizzy Lizzy Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £6 adv.

Info 01443 682388. Thin Lizzy tribute.

Ffi Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10.

Info 01239 841387.

Gareth Bonello Ty Tawe, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 456856.

Henry Marten’s Ghost Beaufort Arms, Swansea.

8pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Higher South Wales Launch St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50/£6 adv. Info 029 2087 8444.

This features bands including Amongst Wolves, SoulBox and Vital Signs, and has some sort of Jesusy element also.

Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20 adv.

Info 07590 471888. Top rated UK folkie.

Kat Jones The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge.

9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Kissing Pink Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Michael Roberts Grand

Pic: David Arnoff

2023 5555.

Students Of Atlantic College St Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 3pm, £6.50. Info 01446 799100.

Cafe concert.

The Keith Little Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

Tomos Power The Big Top, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. EP launch gig.

BRAIN FREEZE FESTIVAL Ebbw Vale Institute, Fri 24 + Sat 25 Nov Tickets: £20/£12.50 per day Info: 01495 708022 / pitymybrain.bigcartel.com This two-day indoor festival launched last year with a hard rock’n’more lineup policy, including sets from Crobot and The Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovell. Pity My Brain, the folks behind it, were compelled to continue the format for 2017, and with 15 bands over the Friday and Saturday, Brain Freeze represents good value. Fri 24’s headliners, Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind [pictured], combine punked-up blues with their eponymous frontman’s deranged preacher stylings. On Sat 25, the bill’s topped off by Church Of The Cosmic Skull, a Nottingham combo whose schtick is basically 70s prog/pop riffs with a Polyphonic Spree-like pseudo-cult aesthetic. Louise Distras, Nicotine Pretty and Ulysses are among the best of the rest.

Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea.

8pm, £12. Info 01792 475715.

Octave Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. Annual Christmas concert.

Organ Recital National Museum Cardiff. 3pm, free.

Info 029 2039 7951. *Partisan + Rope The Moon, Cardiff. 10pm-12am, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. This, presented by Lesson No.1, is a free gig that starts after another gig. Partisan are gothic postpunk from Belgium and are top. Rope are from Bridgend and also top!

Risca Male Choir Christmas Concert Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £8/£7. Info 01633 868239.

Rumney Folk Club St Augustine’s Church, Rumney, Cardiff. 7pm, £3.50/£1.50 for performers. Info derek@ rumneyfolkclub.co.uk.

Monthly night.

Shalamar Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £27.50 adv.

Info 029 2023 5555. A 35th anniversary tour would you believe.

Soul Stripper The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm. Info 01495 247178. AC/DC tribute.

The Royal Valentines Slipping Jimmy’s, Newport.

9pm, free. Info 07745 059936.

Toby Hay + Harri Davies Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £10. Info 029 2030 4400. Two Welsh folk soloists play a show for promoters Newsoundwales.

Volosi Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10 adv.

Info 01792 863722. Polish mountain folkies. We pre-

viewed them a while back.

Wake Up Scott The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

This isn’t a band name but a charity gig for someone called Scott who is currently in a coma with life-changing injuries.

Warrior Soul + The Black Bullets + Reece Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07970 063107.

Is this Kory Clarke’s dude ranch?

White Lies Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm, £3-£5. Info 01633 213161. Presumably not the very well known and currently active glossy indie/pop band White Lies.

Wynne Evans & Friends Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.

7.30pm, £20. Info 0845 2263510.

SATURDAY 25 Alden, Patterson & Dashwood Cellar Bar, Cardigan.

8pm. Info 07818 056599.

Big Country The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20 adv.

Info 07590 471888.

Capra Mamei The Moon, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Cash Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 01685 384111. Johnny Cash tribute.

Dave O’Higgins Quartet with Iain McKenzie Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire.

8pm, £15. Info 01239 841387. Jazz.

Excellent Skeleton The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. *Hark + Prosperina + Hot Mass + Last Balloon Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 01792 468892.

Hometown gig for sterling hard rock/metallers Hark, as part of a UK tour.

Henry Marten’s Ghost Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

The Hold Up: Inner City Cypher Oner Signs, Cardiff.

1-5pm, free. Info 029 2037 1231. Monthly hip-hop session inviting MCs, beatboxers, DJs etc down to jam.

In Place The Tabernacle, Talgarth. 7.30pm, £5. Info info@thetabernacle.co.uk.

A song cycle for voice and ensemble, written by Colin Riley. Owen Sheers also guests on this date of the tour.

Insuna + Scarsun + Prophecy The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

Johnny Trashed The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 01685 387925. Johnny Cash tribute.

Jumpin’ Jimmy & The Nice Guys Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Magenta Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17.50.

Info 029 2089 0862. Welsh trad prog band.

Mammut + Broen Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8.

Info 029 2023 2199.

Motown’s Greatest Hits The Riverfront, Newport.

7.30pm, £23/£21. Info 01633 656757. Tribute show.

Pontarddulais Male Choir Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7pm, £15/£10 adv.

Info 01792 475715.

Secrets + Shields Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £10 adv.

Info www.hobosmusicvenue. com. Headliners are a BUZZ 73

* – recommended

stage ‘post-hardcore’ band from the States.

Showaddywaddy Ebbw Vale Sports Centre. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01495 357777.

Showaddywaddy have their own category, ‘Rock & Roll Music’, in the venue’s listings, and fair play to them both.

The Divine Comedy Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £30 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Neil Hannon and whoever is in his band now. Played the Tramshed just over a year ago so are presumably on the up slightly.

Sonic Boom Six The Pit, Swansea. 7pm, £7 adv. Info facebook.com/thepitswansea. Ska-punk, frankly.

The Baghdaddies Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01834 869323.

Upbeat klezmer/jazz band.

The Marc Davies Band Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2062 6015.

The Roy Orbison Story Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01633 868239. Tribute show.

The Sarah Meek & Guy Shotton Duo The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5.

Info 01497 821762. Jazz vocalist/pianist.

Tobias Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Wannabe: The Spice Girls Show The Neon, Newport.

7pm, £18 adv. Info 01633 533666. Tribute band.

Wonk Unit + Aerial Salad + Trigger McPoopshute + Drunken Markman + Social Ex The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm Info 01495 213300. Punk bands.

SUNDAY 26 Ben Thomas / Jim Bloomfield Quartet Melville Theatre, Abergavenny. 8pm, £10/£8/£3 NUS. Info 01873 853167. Black Mountain Jazz gig.

Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £8. Info 029 2087 8444.

Emily Sun & Luka Okros Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 3pm, £7.50-£15.

Info 01873 850805. Violin/ piano duo.

Floacist + Natalie Stewart The Globe, Cardiff.

7pm, £15 adv/£30 VIP. Info 07590 471888. Headliner is in the jazzy soul ensemble Floetry.

Lilit Grigoriyan Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 11am, £16-£20. Info 029 2039 1391.

Pre-Sunday lunch (available in the venue) piano recital.

Lisa Kwei Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

Michael Leslie The Newbridge, Cardiff. 3-5pm, free. Info 029 2030 8031.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

Seren Wind Quintet Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 3pm, £3-£12. Info 01970 623232.

Seven Sins Festival – BUZZ 74

Winter Wrath 2 Sin City, Swansea. 2pm, £8 adv.

Info 01792 468892. Metal alldayer with sets from Fury, Pythia, Chasing Dragons, Scarsun, JOANovARC, Häxan, StarStorm, Jenovese, Prophecy and Paraskenia.

Steeleye Span Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Sold out. In Aberystwyth on Thurs 30.

The Andrews Sisters Show Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

2.30pm, £14. Info 01656 815995. Tribute show.

The Chamber Orchestra Of Wales: Christmas By Candlelight Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £12.50. Info 01239 841387.

The Harrisons The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767.

The Kooks + DMAs Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £27.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Landfill indie, they called The Kooks. Well it looks like... they had a lot of trash to take out.

Whitchurch Jam Session Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 5.30-8.30pm, free.

Info 029 2062 6015.

MONDAY 27 Aubray Parsons The Woodman, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 402700. Presented by Nailed It Events.

Bananarama St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £41£71.50. Info 029 2087 8444.

Everyone loves Bananarama don’t they, which is why this gig is sold out. Although they just released a few more tickets today (as I type), but they’ll probably be gone (as you read).

Donnie Joe’s American Swing Café Jazz, Cardiff.

8pm, £3/£2.50 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

Gwd Mondays Open Mic Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933.

Jacob Collier Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18. Info 029 2039 1391. New young jazz hotshot.

Kerri Wat + Naomi Rae The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £8/£6.50 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

TUESDAY 28 Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7.

Info 029 2087 8444.

Caves Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7pm. Info 029 2039 7933.

Punky indie band presented

by DIY Cardiff.

Jazz Jam Session Jazzland, Swansea. 8pm, free.

Info 07802 912789.

Roger Wells Hot Shots Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

Steeleye Span Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7.30pm, £21.50. Info 01873 850805. Sold out.

WEDNESDAY 29 Alaw + Gwilym Bowen Rhys Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay.

7pm. Info 029 2087 7959.

Album launch gig for headliners. In Abergavenny tomorrow. *Boy Harsher + Chain Of Flowers + Night Thoughts Buffalo, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2031 0312. Swine Language presents a noisy synth/ beats-based American duo in the headline slot.

Blues Night Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, free. Info 01443 491424. Informal acoustic session.

Cardiff University Symphony Chorus & Chamber Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2087 8444.

Gethin Liddington Quintet Jazzland, Swansea.

8.30pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.

Howard Jones + Men Without Hats Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £27.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.

Two acts indelibly associated with the 1980s tour together.

Mutant Monster The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £6/£5 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Natty The Globe, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Reggae geezer.

Pat Smith + Think Pretty + Sydney Fate The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil.

8.30-10.30pm. Info 01685 387925. A U&I Radio gig.

Pretty Addicted Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 6.30pm, free. Info 07970 063107. “There are currently no support acts for this event, however there will be hoop dancing by Geo.” Fairly warned be thee.

Royal Welsh College Big Band Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Info 01970 623232.

Performing Duke Ellington.

Royal Welsh College Harp Ensemble Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv.

Info 029 2039 1391.

Shop Girls + Flowers For Freaks Gwdihw, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2039 7933.

Skyliners Big Band Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8.

Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. South Wales Big Band Society gig.

Status Quo St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £56.50/£46.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. I really can’t keep up with Quo’s changing plans and the rationale for doing so but can confirm that (a) this is a full electric show; (b) Rick Parfitt is still dead and (c) I own a Status Quo t-shirt now, ask me about it.

Steps + Vengaboys Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6pm, from £40. Info 029 2022 4488. It’s the headliners’ 20th anniversary, and probably for the Vengaboys as well, I’m not looking it up.

They’re also playing here on Sun 10 Dec. Talisk Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£12.

Info 01239 621200.

Tenors Unlimited Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm,

£15.50-£20. Info 01792 475715.

THURSDAY 30 Alaw + Gwilym Bowen Rhys The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 7.30pm.

Info 01873 736430.

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 01495 227206.

Fabio Lepore Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.

Hazel O’Connor Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.

Ian Poole Quartet The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Presented by Nailed It Events.

John Wilson & The John Wilson Orchestra And Chorus St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50-£44.

Info 029 2087 8444.

Lionheart + Airrace Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, £14 adv.

Info 07970 063107. Two UK hard rock/NWOBHM bands who formed in the 80s.

Michael Ball & Alfie Boe Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

7.30pm, from £35. Info 029 2022 4488. Classical pop double dose which looks to be sold out.

Rews + We’re No Heroes + Saccharyn +Telgate Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.

Presented by All My Friends and Minty’s Gig Guide.

Someone Like You Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01792 475715.

Adele tribute.

Steeleye Span Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £20. Info 01970 623232.

Talisk Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01982 552555.

Tobias Robertson’s Jam Night Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

stage WEDNESDAY 1 uBeautiful – The Carole King Musical Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £15-£45.

Info 029 2063 6464. It’s a musical. About Carole King.

This is its first time touring the UK and it’s previously won an Olivier award. On at 7.30pm only on Fri 3. (Until Sat 4) uCilla The Musical New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £17.50-£46.50. Info 029 2087 8889. The story of Cilla Black, specifically her early years of 1960s Scouse pop fame rather than her later ones of being horrible to air hostesses. On at 7.30pm only on Fri 3. (Until Sat 4) uDeath And The Maiden The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 029 2128 0189. Fio presents Ariel Dorfman’s play, directed by Abdul Shayek. Also on at 3pm on Sat 4. No performance on Sun 5. (Until Fri 10) uDracula: The Bloody Truth Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Dracula-themed slapstick comedy theatre show.

On tomorrow also. uEmpire Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £10.50/£9.50. Info 01633 868239. Variety show performed by pupils from Charlotte May Academy. On at 2pm and 7pm on Sat 4.

(Until Sat 4) Evolution Of Dance Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510.

Show featuring dancers from the Dance Kingdom and A Time to Dance schools. uHairspray Jr & Showcase Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £10. Info 01873 850805. Amateur production from Junior AAODS, who will perform the cult musical plus a selection of other things. On at 6.30pm on Sat 4. (Until Sat 4) uHow To Win Against History Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £8-£10. Info 01970 623232. A new musical about Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquis Of Anglesey. uLittle Shop Of Horrors Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. Amateur musical production. Also on at 2.30pm on Sat 4. (Until Sat 4) One Man, Two Guvnors Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 01874 611622.

Romeo & Juliet Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £24.50-£31.50. Info 01792 475715. Presented by The Russian State Ballet and Opera House.

Singin’ In The Rain Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 01639 763214. Black RAT’s production of this seminal British play, set in 1960s Brighton. In Cardiff from Thurs 2-Sat 4.

The Nutcracker Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01239 621200.

Presented by Ballet Theatre UK. In Builth Wells tomorrow; Porthcawl on Thurs 16.

THURSDAY 2 A Strange New Space Queens Hall, Narberth.

2pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 01834 869323. Kids’ theatre.

Crafty’s Creepy Castle Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 2pm, £9/£8. Info 01646 695267. Kids’ show.

In Aberdare tomorrow. uDiary Of A Madman Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 029 2030 4400. Robert Bowman takes the lead in this production of Gogol’s comedy, presented by Living Pictures. In Brecon on Wed 8. (Until Sat 4)

u – repeated

Forbidden Nights Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £22.50/£18. Info 01600 772467. Male strippers. Described as ‘classy’, because words can mean whatever you want them to.

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 01792 602060. In Abertillery tomorrow. uLittle Shop Of Horrors St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7pm, £7-£9.

Info 01446 799100. Musical presented by Stage Door 1.

(Until Sat 4) uLloyd Griffith Exit 7, Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

7.30pm, £9. Info 029 2022 4488. Standup show titled In:Undated. This show is sold out but another has been added for Sat 4. uOne Man, Two Guvnors Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 029 2039 1391. At 7.45pm on Sat 4. (Until Sat 4) The Bear + Tatyana’s Party Pieces Llandinam Village Hall. 7.30pm, £10/£8.

Info 01686 614555. Theatr Hafren and Mid Wales Opera present two mini-operas. In some dinky places too far north for me to list (Llandinam, Llanfair Caereinon, Abermule, Aberdaron, Denbigh), then Pembrokeshire on Friu 10; Ystradgynlais on Thurs 16; Ammanford on Thurs 30.

The Nutcracker Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells.

7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01982 552555.

FRIDAY 3 5 More Minutes Pontardawe Arts Centre.

11.30am + 2pm, £7/£5 kids. Info 01792 863722.

Children’s theatre.

Cardiff Cabaret Club Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2078 1458.

Featuring performances from John Celestus, Pretty Boy Rock, Dis Charge and Cardiff Cabaret Club’s Whiskey Rea, Looby Loo, Dixie Allure, Vixie Rouge and FooFooLabelle.

Crafty’s Creepy Castle Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare.

2pm, £8.50. Info 0300 0040444. uDisney’s The Little Mermaid Jr Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 2 + 7pm, £11.50/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. Presented

by Stage 8 Theatre School Gowerton and Sketty. On tomorrow also. uDrones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Also on Fri 17.

Eleanor Conway Exit 7, Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

7.30pm, £10. Info 029 2022 4488. Standup show titled Walk Of Shame, which deals with Conway’s past life as a music presenter and wreckhead, and her latterday retreat into sobriety.

She played Swansea last month and was asking on

stage Twitter for a sofa to crash on, so walks of shame may not be entirely out of the picture yet.

Flossy & Boo’s Curiosity Shop Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 2pm, £5. Info 0300 0040444. Family show.

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography The Met, Abertillery.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01600 772467. uJoe Sutherland + Jim Smallman + Luke Toulson Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£17.95/£10 NUS). uMwgsi Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10/£8.

Info 029 2030 4400. Welsh language drama based on the real life account of a teenager with cancer. On tomorrow also; in Llanelli on Wed 22.

Nick Doody + Julian Deane + Caimh McDonnell Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli.

7.30pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510. Comedy Club night.

Oh! Carol Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15.50£21.50. Info 01792 475715.

The musical story of Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield.

Oskar’s Amazing Adventure Maesteg Town Hall.

2pm, £6.50. Info 01656 733269. Kids’ theatre about an inquisitive dog. In Bridgend tomorrow. uRobeson Remembered Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

2.30 + 7.30pm, £7. Info 01656 815995. Bridgend Youth Theatre presents a combo of film, dance and live music to commemorate 60 years since Paul Robeson spoke over the wire to Valleys miners. On tomorrow also; in Treorchy Sat 11 and Maesteg Sat 18. uShadow Aspect The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £14.50/£12.50. Info 01633 656757. Presented by Ballet Cymru. On tomorrow also.

Stute Comedy Nights Miners Institute, Blackwood.

8pm, £12.50/£11.50 adv.

Info 01495 227206. Monthly night with acts TBC. uThe Magic Porridge Pot Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.

1.30pm, £9/£6.50. Info 029 2064 6900. Kids’ theatre based on a Brothers Grimm story, and the Sherman’s Christmas 2017 show for the younguns. Tonight and tomorrow (on at 11am) are preview shows; it then tours to Ystradgynlais (Wed 8), Newport (Sat 11), Maesteg (Wed 22), Porthcawl (Thurs 23) and St Donats (Fri 25) and returns here from Sat 25-Tue 28, then throughout December.

SATURDAY 4 Danny Ward + Dan Evans Jongleurs, Cardiff.

6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960.

Dave Thompson + Matt Stellingwert + Col Howarth + Angie Butcher + Mike Reed + Phil Cooper The Muni, Pontypridd.

7.30pm, £11.50/£8 adv. Info

01443 490390. Clwb Comedy night. Thompson used be the guy in the Tinky Winky suit in Teletubbies and is keen to let this be known.

Golden Thread Playback Theatre Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 1pm, £3-£7/ free under-5s. Info 029 2030 4400.

How To Win Against History Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01792 863722. A musical about the 5th Marquis Of Anglesey, which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe last year. In Cardiff from Wed 15-Sat 18.

Oskar’s Amazing Adventure Carnegie House, Bridgend. 11am-12pm, £6.

Info 01656 815757.

Theatre-In-Focus: Samuel Beckett Grand Theatre, Swansea. 12.30pm, £6/£4.50.

Info 01792 475715. An hourlong talk in the Circle Bar by Fluellen Theatre Company’s Director, Peter Richards, followed by a script-in-hand performance of their work.

Vevo The Met, Abertillery.

1 + 5pm, £7/£5. Info 01600 772467. Dance showcase.

SUNDAY 5 Dane Baptiste + Ben Van Der Velde + Alice Campion + Calum Stewart Buffalo, Cardiff.

7pm, £6-£10. Info 029 2031 0312. Presented by Buffalo Comedy.

Desi Central Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6pm, £15. Info 0871 4720400. Featuring sets by Patrick Monahan, Eshaan Akbar, That Indian Guy and Prince Abdi. uLive Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm.

Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday.

MONDAY 6 Youth Theatre: 1 Acts Festival Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232.

TUESDAY 7 uEye Of The Storm Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 01792 602060. This is a new play by Geinor Styles and Amy Wadge, who wrote the music; it concerns a girl who hasd to decide between going to America to be a scientist and caring for her mother. On at 11am and 4.30pm on Wed 8; 1pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 9 and Fri 10. (Until Fri 10) uShakespeare Schools Festival Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £9.50/£7.

Info 0300 0040444. On tomorrow also. uShakespeare Schools Festival Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £9.50.

Info 029 2064 6900. (Until Thurs 9) Shakespeare Schools Festival Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7pm, £6.50-£9.50.

Info 01239 621200. uShakespeare Schools Festival Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7pm, £9.50/£7. Info 01646 695267.

(Until Thurs 9) uSister Act Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £14 adv.

Info 0300 3656677. Musical presented here by Neath AOS. Also on at 1pm on Sat 11. (Until Sat 11) uThe Burton Taylor Affair Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £12.50. Info 029 2064 6900. The return of this venue’s A Play, A Pie & A Pint nights, which offer all those things for the ticket price, and on this occasion is about the relationship of Richard and Liz. Also on at 2pm on Sat 11. (Until Sat 11) uWest Side Story New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£24. Info 029 2087 8889.

Shakespearean gangland musical, presented by Orbit Theatre. Also on at 2.30pm on Wed 8, Thurs 9 and Sat 11. (Until Sat 11)

WEDNESDAY 8 Diary Of A Madman Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01874 611622.

James Acaster Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £16. Info 029 2023 2199. Comedian.

Sold out.

King Lear Retold Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £8/£6. Info 01970 623232.

One-woman performance by storyteller Debs Newbould.

In Newtown tomorrow. uMindgame Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10-£16.50. Info 01792 475715. Anthony Horowitz’s theatrical thriller. Also on at 2.30pm on Thurs 9 and Sat 11. (Until Sat 11) Roy Chubby Brown Congress Theatre, Cwmbran.

7.30pm, £20. Info 01633 868239. uShakespeare Schools Festival Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7pm, £6.50£9.50. Info 01495 227206.

On tomorrow also.

Stephen Fry St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £31.50. Info 029 2087 8444.

One-man show relating to his new book, Mythos, his retelling of the Greek myths.

The Magic Porridge Pot The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.

6pm, £5. Info 01639 843163. uUnder Milk Wood Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £10/£9. Info 01792 473238. Dylan Thomas’ radio play, presented here

by Swansea Little Theatre.

(Until Sat 11) Wrongheaded Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. Opening event of the Cardiff Dance Festival, a performance incorporating film and text presented by the Liz Roche Company. On tomorrow also, as part of a double bill.

THURSDAY 9 uBread AJ’s Coffee House, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 029 2045 1588. New play presented by Clock Tower Theatre about, in their words, “two women and the apocalypse”. (Until Sat 11)

EYE OF THE STORM Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea, Tue 7-Fri 10 Nov Tickets: £12/£10. Info: 01792 602060 / www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk Eye Of The Storm marks the first foray into musical theatre for Amy Wadge, Welsh songwriter to the stars, and also carries messages of hope, positivity and righteousness for the young audience at which it’s aimed.

Produced by the esteemed Theatr na nÓg, with Wadge penning the songs that are performed by a live eight-piece band, we follow the travails of Emmie, a Valleys teen with a determination to study tornados – but also a duty of care for her mother. An opportunity to move to the USA and pursue her meteorological education comes up, and Emmie has some tough choices to make. Having premiered at Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Theatre in September, as a schools audience-only production, this month it’s opening to the general public.

Hard Times Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 863722.

Dickens, adapted for the stage by Lighthouse. In Merthyr tomorrow; Newbridge on Sat 11; Aberystwyth on Wed 15; Cwmbran on Thurs 16; Pembrokeshire on Fri 17; Newtown on Fri 24; Swansea on Sat 25 and Sun 26; Porthcawl on Wed 29; Ystradgynlais on Sat 2 Dec. Jethro Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £20.

Info 01600 772467.

King Lear Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £11/£9.

Info 01686 614555.

Nolton Comedy Nolton Corner, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info 01656 655015.

With standups TBC, every second Thursday of the month.

Paula Varjack Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2039 1391. Multimedia artist with a show titled Show Me The Money, about how artists manage to support their creative dreams.

I’m not familiar with Paula’s work but am going to assume that she has anticipated most of the snarky responses people might muster to that question.

Scott Bennett + Josh Pugh + Will Duggan Queens Hall, Narberth.

7.30pm, £8-£12. Info 01834 869323. Comedy Club night.

Shakespeare Schools Festival Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £9.50/£7.

Info 0300 0040444.

Sofie Hagen The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £12/£9. Info 01633 656757.

Danish comedian with a show titled Dead Baby Frog.

In Aberystwyth on Thurs 16.

Wrongheaded + In This Moment Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14.

Info 029 2030 4400. Cardiff Dance Festival double bill.

FRIDAY 10 Andy Parsons Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01874 611622. In Porthcawl on Thurs 30. uBlack Out Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6 + 8pm, £14. Info 029 2063 6464. Cardiff Dance Festival event., presented by Compagnie Philippe Saire .

On tomorrow also.

Hard Times Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01685 384111. uImran Yusuf + Sean McLoughlin + Micky P Kerr + Mike Bubbins Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£17.95/£10 NUS).

Opera’r Ddraig Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464.

Phill Jupitus Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01600 772467.

Enduring UK comedian with a show titled Juplicity. In Llanelli on Fri 17; Pontardawe on Sat 25. uPoggle Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am + 2pm, £7. Info 029 2063 6464. Cardiff Dance Festival event., for ages 6 months-4.

On tomorrow also.

Rich Hall’s Hoedown The Riverfront, Newport. 8pm,

£18. Info 01633 656757.

Stolen Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01873 850805.

Storytelling theatre presented by The Devil’s Violin.

In Pontardawe on Wed 15; Cardiff on Wed 22 and Thurs 23.

The Bear + Tatyana’s Party Pieces Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £10. Info 01239 841387.

SATURDAY 11 5 A Day The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £12/£6.

Info 01633 656757. A show about “our search for a good death”. Not sure if it’s supposed to be funny, sad, education or any combo of that.

Countless Yellow Chairs Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. Cardiff Dance Festival performance.

Erich McElroy + Stephen Bailey Jongleurs, Cardiff.

6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960.

Hard Times Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 6.30pm, £8/£6.

Info 01495 243252.

National Dance Company Wales: Roots Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 0845 2263510. Four new dance pieces. In Cardigan on Thurs 16; Abergavenny Fri 17; Blackwood on Sat 18.

Robeson Remembered Parc & Dare, Treorchy.

7.30pm, £7. Info 0300 0040444.

The Magic Porridge Pot The Riverfront, Newport.

11.30am + 2.30pm, £12/£9.

BUZZ 75

* – recommended

stage Info 01633 656757. In Welsh first, then English.

SUNDAY 12 Dance Design Events: South Wales Heats Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 10am + 4.30pm. Info 01656 815995. Some sort of dance competition.

Justin Moorhouse Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £15/£5 unwaged. Info 0871 4720400.

Moonfall Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £8/£6. Info 01970 623232. Kids’ theatre about a princess who goes to the moon.

Stepping Out 2017 St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £13.50. Info 029 2087 8444.

Presented by the LJC Academy Of Dance And Drama.

MONDAY 13 Caterpillar Comedy Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, free.

Info 029 2039 7933. Open mic standup night hosted by James Dunn. uLights, Camera, Action Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 0845 2263510.

Dance routines from musicals, by the Rachael Smith School Of Dance. On tomorrow also. uThe Snow Dragon Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 1 + 5pm. Info 01874 611622..

Musical theatre for ages 3+. On tomorrow also, at 10.30am and 1pm. uTiger Bay The Musical Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £7-£30.

Info 029 2063 6464. See Upfront. Also on at 2.30pm on Sat 18, Thurs 23 and Sat 25. £12-£39 on Sat 18, Fri 24 and Sat 25. (Until Sat 25) TUESDAY 14 Extremely Bad Dancing To Extremely Bad French Music Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. Cardiff Dance Festival performance

by Karl Jay-Lewin and Matteo Fargion.

Fat Lotta Good Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £5. Info 01970 623232. Play about a woman “abandoned by her unfaithful Guardianreading husband”. That’s you, that is.

Hard Times Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 0845 2263510. uJohn Bishop Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 8pm, from £25. Info 029 2022 4488. Comedians, more popular than musicians since... I can’t even remember. As well as these three dates there’s also one on Fri 1 Dec. (Until Thurs 16) uJoseph And The Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18.50£34.50. Info 01792 475715.

With Joe McElderry as Joseph. Love that registered trademark, baby. Also on at 2.30pm on Wed 15 and Thurs 16. Fri 17: 5pm and 8pm. Sat 18: 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. (Until Sat 18)

BUZZ 76

Rhondda Road Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 4pm, free.

Info 0300 0040444. This is a new venture taking place here on the second Tuesday of each month (actually it’s on Tue 5 Dec next month) and is a continual theatrical drama. Kinda like a live action soap opera, yep. Book in advance please. uThe Gingerbread Lady Dolman Theatre, Newport.

7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50. Info 01633 263670. Dark drama with comic overtones. Also on at 2.30pm on Sat 18 (tickets £11 for that one).

(Until Sat 18) uWait Until Dark New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14.50-£32. Info 029 2087 8889. Thriller set in the 1960s, revived here with people off Corrie and Prime Suspect in the lead roles.

Also on at 2.30pm on Wed 15, Thurs 16 and Sat 18.

(Until Sat 18)

WEDNESDAY 15 Hard Times Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232. uHow To Win Against History Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16. Info 029 2064 6900. Also on at 2pm on Sat 18. (Until Sat 18) Jason Byrne Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £19.50 adv.

Info 029 2023 5555. Comedian with a show titled The Man With Three Brains. uNye & Jennie The Met, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 01600 772467. Did you know that Aneurin Bevan would be 120 years old today, if he had lived? In his place we have something loosely resembling the NHS and this brand new play about him and his wife, herself a Socialist MP. Also on at 1pm on Thurs 16 and Fri 17; 2pm on Sat 18. (Until Sat 18) Other Fires Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £8/£6.

Info 01970 623232. An evening of scenes from major modern European playwrights including George Tabori, Dario Fo, Bernard-Marie-Koltès and Henrik Von Kleist.

Paul Sinha + Paul James The Duke, Neath. 8pm, £10.

Info 01639 643892. Comedy, presented by The Clown’s Pocket.

Rory Bremner Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £20. Info 029 2064 6900.

Just throwing this out there, Rory Bremner looks extremely good for, apparently, 56. Middle-aged people! Stop having the horn for George Clooney like all the other sheep and focus on Rory instead.

Shakespeare For Schools Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £9/£7. Info 0300 3656677.

Stolen Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10 adv.

Info 01792 863722. uThe Happy Elf Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea.

7pm, £10/£8. Info 01792 473238. The Performance

Factory Stage School presents a musical written

by Harry Connick Jr. (Until Sat 18) The Nutcracker Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7.30pm, £15-£19.50. Info 01874 611622. A Russian National Ballet presentation. In Llanelli tomorrow.

The Nutcracker Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £16/£15. Info 01239 621200. uThe Prince Of Wales Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 0845 2263510.

Comic farce about a descendant of the last great Welsh king, Llywellyn Ap Gruffudd.

On at 4pm and 8pm on Sat 18. (Until Sat 18)

THURSDAY 16 Dreaming The Night Field: A Legend Of Wales Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 029 2039 1391. Adverse Camber present a multimedia storytelling/music/theatre production based in some way on the Mabinogion.

Hard Times Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01633 868239. uLittle Wolf Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £7-£12. Info 01874 611622..

Remake of the Ibsen play Little Eyolf. On tomorrow also at 2pm.

Mr Darcy Loses The Plot Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01495 227206. Parodic take on Jane Austen by LipService Theatre.

National Dance Company Wales: Roots Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£14. Info 01239 621200.

Not About Everything Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £14. Info 029 2063 6464.

Cardiff Dance Festival solo performance, from Daniel Linehan.

Sofie Hagen Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £10.

Info 01970 623232.

The Bear + Tatyana’s Party Pieces The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7.30pm, £10/£7.50. Info 01639 843163.

The Nutcracker Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £13.50-£17.50. Info 01656 815995. I think this production is unrelated to the one below.

The Nutcracker Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £17-£22.50.

Info 0845 2263510.

The Unknown Soldier Queens Hall, Narberth.

7.30pm, £6-£8. Info 01834 869323. Pop-up theatre presented by Span Arts.

The Vaudevillians Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.

7.45pm, £16.50. Info 029 2064 6900. Musical comedy starring Jinkx Monsoon off of Drag Race and song composer Major Scales.

Wythnos Yng Nghymru Fydd Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £15/£6 kids.

Info 01686 614555. Welsh language opera penned by Gareth Glyn and Meredid

Hopwood. In Aberystwyth tomorrow, Barry on Tue 21 and Swansea on Thurs 23 (who are calling theirs the world premiere in their listings, not sure how that works).

FRIDAY 17 uAndre Vincent + Josh Howie + John Gordillo Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£17.95/£10 NUS).

Between The Crosses The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.

7.30pm, free. Info 01639 843163. New theatre production by William Huggins, based on stories told by WWI veteran Edgar Huggins to his descendant (I assume).

Cabbaration Bach Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232.

A night of radical queer cabaret featuring comedian Jonathan Mayor, Pi the Mime, singer CN Lester and a charity raffle.

Hard Times Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01239 841387. uHardy Animal Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2030 4400.

Cardiff Dance Festival performance by Laura Dannequin, on the theme of chronic pain. On tomorrow also.

Jethro Gwyn Hall, Neath.

7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 0300 3656677.

Joe Longthorne Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £23.50/£22. Info 01656 815995.

Leroy Brito + Ignacio Lopez + Clint Edwards Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464.

Three Welsh standups.

Lost And Found Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea.

4.30pm, £10. Info 01792 602060. Little Blue Monster presents a kids’ show based on a book by Oliver Jeffers.

Luv Esther Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 6.30pm, £10.50.

Info 01495 243252. Musical presented by The Fuse Network of South Wales.

National Dance Company Wales: Roots Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7.30pm, £7.50-£14. Info 01873 850805.

Phill Jupitus Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £15. Info 0845 2263510.

The Nutcracker Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £20/£18. Info 01633 868239.

This one’s presented by Vienna Festival Ballet.

Wythnos Yng Nghymru Fydd Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £14/£12.

Info 01970 623232.

SATURDAY 18 Ellie Taylor The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £14/£12. Info 01633 656757.

Comedian with a show titled This Guy which “discusses whether or not she should breed”. Not my words, Lynn.

Hello Cabaret Ffresh,

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464.

Ian Smith + Jon Pearson + Keith Carter As Nige Jongleurs, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960.

Iolanthe Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01656 815995. Gilbert & Sullivan, as presented by Mid Glamorgan Savoyards.

National Dance Company Wales: Roots Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 01495 227206. On tomorrow also.

Robeson Remembered Maesteg Town Hall. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01656 733269.

The Light Princess Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 6.30pm, £12/£7 kids. Info 01686 614555. Presented by Ballet Cymru.

SUNDAY 19 Ways Of Being Together Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. Cardiff Dance Festival performance by Jo Fong.

MONDAY 20 uLegally Blonde New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17.50-£40.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Hit musical based on the movie about the unintelligent young women. On at 5pm and 8.30pm on Fri 24; 4pm and 8pm on Sat 25.

(Until Sat 25) Shakespeare Schools Festival Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7pm, £6.50-£9. Info 01874 611622.

TUESDAY 21 uAround The World In 80 Days Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7pm, £10-£22. Info 01970 623232. Renowned family comedy presented

by Kenny Wax Productions.

That can’t be his real name.

Also on at 2pm on Sat 25.

(Until Sat 25) Wythnos Yng Nghymru Fydd Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £5-£18.

Info 01446 738622.

WEDNESDAY 22 uA Christmas Carol Grand Theatre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £11.50-£15.50. Info 01792 475715. Dickens, presented yb Abbey Players.

On at 11.30am, 3.30pm and 7.30pm on Sat 25. (Until Sat 25) The Magic Porridge Pot Maesteg Town Hall. 11am, £7. Info 01656 733269.

Little Wolf The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £10/£8.

Info 01633 656757. A present-day retelling of Ibsen’s classic Little Eyolf from writer and director Simon Harris.

Mwgsi Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli.

7.30pm. Info 0845 2263510.

Sleight Of Mind Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

1pm, £6.50. Info 01656 815995. Lunchtime theatre presented by Fluellen. In Maesteg tomorrow. uSpring Awakening

u – repeated

Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12. Info 01792 473238. Rock musical presented here by Blue Bee. (Until Fri 24) uStolen Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400.

On tomorrow also. uUnder Glass Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30 + 8pm, £14. Info 029 2063 6464. Individual performance pieces that take place within a collection of jars and containers (the photos look pretty wild), presented by Clod Ensemble. Also on at 3pm on Sat 25. (Until Sat 25)

THURSDAY 23 u‘Allo ‘Allo Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Saucy bygone sitcom adapted for the stage

by Llanelli Little Theatre.

(Until Sat 25) uAre You Being Served?

Savoy Theatre, Monmouth.

7.30pm, £10. Info 01600 772467. Saucy bygone sitcom adapted for the stage

by Off Centre Theatre. (Until Sat 25) Bricks & Mortar Butetown Community Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. A new drama in progress exploring friendship between two men from the Caribbean as they adapt to life whilst working on the redevelopment of Tiger Bay during the early 1960s.

Everybody Loses Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £5-£7. Info 01970 623232.

Doppelgangster present a one-man show about death by snake bite.

Luke Wright Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Standup/ poetry combo with a show which “tours the flat-roofed pubs and half-bought couches of Brexit Britain”.

Not literally in this case, this is a theatre.

Sleight Of Mind Maesteg Town Hall. 1pm, £6.50. Info 01656 733269.

The Magic Porridge Pot Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

11am + 1.30pm, £7.50. Info 01656 815995. uThe Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £10. Info 01633 263670.

Christmas concert presented by Newport Operatic Society. Also on at 5.30pm on Sat 25. (Until Sat 25) Wythnos Yng Nghymru Fydd Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15/£5 kids or NUS. Info 01792 602060.

FRIDAY 24 uA Christmas Crisis Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7.30pm, £9/£8. Info 01873 850805. Breakthrough Productions with a comedy drama set in a holiday cottage. On tomorrow also. uCircus Of Horrors Memorial Hall, Newbridge.

6.30pm, £20-£23. Info 01495 243252. On tomorrow also.

Comedy Shed The River-

front, Newport. 7.45pm, £13.

Info 01633 656757.

Daniel Sloss + Kai Humphries Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £13.50/£11 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Scottish comedian headlines. uGreg Davies Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 8pm, from £32. Info 029 2022 4488.

Kind of boggling at Greg Davies being an arena comedian, but not only is this the case, he’s on tomorrow here also. His current show is called You Magnificent Beast.

Hard Times Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £11/£9.

Info 01686 614555. uHeart & Soul Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Cardiffian storytelling by Kyle Lima set to soul, jazz and r’n’b.

Ian Smith + Amy Gledhill + Tony Law Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 8pm, £10. Info 01874 611622..

Comedy Club night presented by Little Wander.

Ignacio Lopez Pryzm, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £15-£20.

Info 029 2023 3854. Standup night presented by The Magic Porridge Pot St Donats Art Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 11am + 1.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01446 799100. In Welsh first, then English. uThe Wizard Of Oz Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2070 0721.

On tomorrow also, at 2pm and 7pm.

This Evil Thing Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, pay by donation. Info 01970 623232. Play about WWI-era conscientious objectors, set in 1916

SATURDAY 25 Cafficadabra Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8-10pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400.

Magician Joseff Badman performs in the bar. uHard Times Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £10/£9. Info 01792 473238. On tomorrow also, at 2.30pm. uJohn Lynn + Dave Fulton + Michael Legge + Jake Lambert Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£17.95/£10 NUS).

Michael Bennett’s Xmas Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £9 adv. Info 029 2087 7959.

Musical theatre revue. Sold out.

Noel James + Gareth Thomas + Dai Davies The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.

7pm, £7. Info 01639 843163.

Triple bill of Welsh comedy.

Over The Rainbow Paget Rooms, Penarth. 12pm, £6. Info 029 2070 0721.

Presented by Mini Musical Theatre.

Phill Jupitus Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01792 863722.

Spotted Dick Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea.

12.30pm, £6/£4.50. Info

01792 475715. Lunchtime theatre presented by Fluellen.

The Happy Elf Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 6.30pm, £10/£8. Info 0845 2263510.

Kids’ show presented by The Performance Factory. uThe Magic Porridge Pot Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.

11am + 1.30pm, £9/£6.50.

Info 029 2064 6900. Also on Mon 27 and Tue 28 (1.30pm) before running through December at various times.

Winter Opera Gala Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 029 2039 1391.

Carlo Rizzi conducts an evening of operatic scenes and arias.

SUNDAY 26 Decades Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £10/£9.50.

Info 0845 2263510. Dance showcase by the Raie Copp Academy.

Youth Dance Night Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 4 + 7pm, £10. Info 029 2063 6464. Presented by National Dance Company Wales.

MONDAY 27 Boxfull Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Variety show.

Jason Manford Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea.

7.30pm, £15.50. Info 01792 475715.

TUESDAY 28 Culhwch Ac Olwen Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 10am + 1pm, £8. Info 01970 623232.

Welsh language panto presented by Mega.

The Boulet Brothers Mary’s, Cardiff. 8pm, £15 adv/£25 VIP. Info 029 2066 8647. LA-based drag duo, also creators of Dragula.

Chyna White, Dis Charge and Drag Punk are among the other acts on the bill. uThérèse Raquin Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Émile Zola’s drama, adapted here by Nicholas Wright and presented by Everyman Theatre. On at 2.30pm on Sun 3 Dec. (Until Sun 3 Dec) WEDNESDAY 29 uAwful Auntie Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 6.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01686 614555.

Theatre adaption of a David Walliams kids book. On tomorrow also, at 10am and 1pm. uCloser St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8.

Info 029 2087 8444. The Unknown Theatre Company present Patrick Marber’s play on Level 1. On tomorrow also.

Comedy Club Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea.

8pm, £11. Info 01792 475715.

Dr John Cooper Clarke Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £22.50. Info 0871 4720400.

Rake-thin Manc punk poet, plays here quite often or so

it seems.

Gary Delaney Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 8pm, £16. Info 01982 552555. Comedian of the ‘panel show regular’ class. In Cardigan tomorrow.

Hard Times Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £11.50. Info 01656 815995. uIntimate Apparel Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

7pm, £6-£13. Info 029 2039 1391. Lynn Nottage’s play about the travails of a black woman in early 20th century New York. Also on at 2pm on Sat 2 and Wed 6 Dec. No performances on Sun 3 or Mon 4 Dec. (Until Sat 9 Dec) Marion’s Christmas Cracker Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2pm, £6. Info 01633 868239. uMiss Saigon Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £25-£64. Info 029 2063 6464. Famous musical.

See Stage. Runs into the new year, I’ll list the dates in full next month OK. (Until Sat 6 Jan) Xmas Factor Final Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7pm, £10/£8. Info 01873 850805. Community talent show.

THURSDAY 30 Andy Parsons Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £15.50.

Info 01656 815995.

Brian Gittins Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10.

Info 029 2023 2199. Anticomedy shenanegans.

Christmas Gothic Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510.

Three scary stories told in Victorian style by Dyad Productions. uCinderella The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £8. Info 01600 772467. Presented

by Abertillery Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society.

On at 2.30pm and 6pm on Sat 2 Dec. (Until Sat 2 Dec) David Trent + Mark Smith + Nicola Mantalios-Lovett Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £10. Info 01970 623232. Little Wander comedy night.

Flannel! The Big Top, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. Musical comedy from Jeff Japers, Josh Elton, Sheep & Mash and Gaudy Orde.

Gary Delaney Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 8pm, £17. Info 01239 621200.

Rising Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £14/£12.

Info 01792 602060. Four dance productions choreogreaphed by Aakash Odedra, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan and Russell Maliphant. uSecond Star To The Right Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £9. Info 029 2063 6464. Odyssey, Hijinx’s community theatre group, present a family-friendly riff on Peter Pan. Also at 3pm on Sat 2 Dec. (Until Sat 2 Dec) The Bear Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 0845 2263510.

Lampeter, in Ceredigion, is the smallest university town in the UK. It has a population of just over 2000, of which the university contributes 1000.

Merthyr Tydfil was once the largest town in Wales.

There is a hard drive somewhere in Newport landfill with about 15,000 bitcoins on it, thrown away unsuspectingly by its owner, who bought the bitcoins when they were close to worthless. This hard-drive is now worth £65 million.

Phillip Kaufman was initially slated to direct the Clint Eastwood film The Outlaw Josey Wales, but the actor decided to replace him and direct it himself, leading the Director’s Guild to install the Eastwood law. Some of these factoids are intended to have a Welsh twist. This counts.

A number of Flemish colonists settled in Wales in the 12th century, partly because Flanders was very overpopulated at the time.

Gérard Depardieu (often dubbed the French Marlon Brando) and Cannes-winning Serbian director Emir Kusturica once had a fight over which one of them was more devoted and loyal to Vladimir Putin. Nobody won.

The leading cause of death is being born.

In the 1980s, David Bowie was replaced for a number of years by an alien doppleganger attempting to mimic human creativity as part of an ongoing effort to enact world domination. This explains albums like Tonight and Never Let Me Down.

There are currently 13 potentially habitable planets (at a conservative estimate) that we are currently aware of.

There is more water in Loch Ness than there is in all the freshwater lakes in England and Wales put together

(Disclaimer: some of these may not in fact be true)

Are you the friend everyone wants on their pub quiz team? If you’re a general knowledge general and want to be in with a chance of winning a book, film, or CD, then tweet us (@Buzz_Magazine) with your fact and #DidYouKnow.

If your tweet is used in the magazine you win a prize!

BUZZ 77

COMPETITIONS HOW TO WIN: Unless otherwise stated, our competitions are generally shared on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

To enter a competition, keep an eye on our social media channels and click ‘like’ and ‘share’ when published.

Alternatively, email competitions@buzzmag.co.uk with the name of the competition in the subject line and up to two sentences on why you think you should win the competition. The more original you are, the better your chances.

BLONDIE JACKET AND CD In support of their 11th studio album Pollinator, Blondie are touring the UK, including a gig at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. Even at 72, frontwoman Debbie Harry can still put on a bombastic performance. There are prizes on offer for winners and runner-ups: the winner will get an embroidered black Levi denim Blondie jacket and a CD copy of Pollinator, while runner-ups will receive a copy of Pollinator.

VINTAGE KILO SALE: 2KG ALLOWANCE Kilo sales are becoming more and more popular, which comes as little surprise: it’s an affordable method to stock up on good quality clothes for cheap. There’ll be bargains galore at the Last Resort in Swansea (Fri 24 and Sat 25 Nov) and Cathays Community Centre in Cardiff (Sat 2 and Sun 3 Dec), especially since we’re offering a free 2kg allowance at the event of the winner’s choice.

TWO TICKETS TO LEGALLY BLONDE AT THE NEW THEATRE Chick-flick perfection Legally Blonde is coming to the stage at Cardiff’s New Theatre. OMG, right? Pink-obsessed sorority sister Elle Woods won the hearts of many viewers on screen, but Legally Blonde’s heroine will now be able to transcribe her sugary charms on stage.

We’re offering two tickets at the New Theatre – legally (not blonde) – for its run from Mon 20-Sat 25 Nov.

TWO TICKETS TO HAPPY MONDAYS IN CARDIFF AND LLANDUDNO Get your maracas out! Happy Mondays still offer a show that is packed full of banter, bangers and Bez; the years have done nothing to take the shine off their youthful glow. They’re at Cardiff University Students Union on Fri 17 Nov, and later Venue Cymru, Llandudno on Thurs 14 Dec, so be sure to enter our competition for the 24-hour party people. Sadly, no maracas come with the prize.

TWO TICKETS TO MINDGAME AT THE GRAND THEATRE Anthony Horowitz’s remarkably clever and entertaining true crime play Mindgame is sneaking into Swansea’s Grand Theatre this month from Wed 8-Sat 11 Nov. The play has been keeping audiences tense since its debut in 1999, so be sure not to miss this mindbender and enter to win our killer prize for two free tickets.

TWO TICKETS TO HOWARD JONES AT THE TRAMSHED Howard Jones will be gracing Cardiff with his smooth synthpop lines and nostalgic hooks this month, in what promises to be a gig harking back to his early 80s heyday. Even at 62, Jones still puts on bombastic renditions of songs from his entire catalogue; if bleached hair and Roland synth overload sounds like your thing, then enter to win two free tickets to his show at Tramshed on Wed 29 Nov.

T & C s : W E D O N O T G I V E P E R M I S S I O N F O R T H E S E C O M P E T I T I O N S T O B E R E P L I C AT E D A N Y W H E R E E L S E

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