Buzz April 2016 by Buzz Magazine

WHAT’S ON GUIDE. APRIL 2016

D R O P

D E A D

G O R G E O U S

S PA C E S

SHED HEAVEN PLUS SIÂN PHILLIPS RUFUS WAINWRIGHT RICHARD HERRING MATTHEW BOURNE'S SLEEPING BEAUTY ALI CAMPBELL | HOME BREWING | RICK ASTLEY | DIMSWN | OUTDOOR EATS

Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn cyflwyno \ Wales Millennium Centre presents

Ebrill 14 & 15 April ’16 Five Tangos | Piazzolla Infra | Richter In the Night | Chopin

Ebrill 16 & 17 April ’16 Arweinydd \ Conductor: Valery Gergiev Sacre (The Rite of Spring) | Stravinsky Concerto DSCH | Shostakovich

YR UNIG BERFFORMIADAU YN Y DU YN 2016 ONLY UK PERFORMANCES IN 2016

Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn cyflwyno \ Wales Millennium Centre presents

Cerddorfa Mariinsky Orchestra

Prokofiev Cyfres o \ Suite from

The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky

Ebrill 17 April 2016 12pm

Arweinir ac adroddir gan \ Conducted and narrated by

Valery Gergiev

april2016

buzz...

04roundup

“1200 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to melt aluminium!”

publisher EMMA CLARK editor LUKE OWAIN BOULT listings/music editor NOEL GARDNER advertising EMMA CLARK film technician (buzz tv) JAYDON MARTIN administration TERESA CLARK designer www.polar10.com contributors KEIRON SELF (FILMS), GWYN THOMAS DE CHROUSTCHOFF (CLUBS), LIZ AIKEN, MICHAEL BELL, ALEC EVANS, JUSTIN EVANS, BEN GALLIVAN, EMILY GARSIDE, DAVID GRIFFITHS, KARA GURR, ELOUISE HOBBS, MARCUS HUGHES, AMANDA HUNT, ADAM JONES, CONOR KNIGHT, BILL KNOWLES, MATT LEE, AMY LOU, ELEANOR MCKEON, LUCY MENON, GARETH MOULE, LYNDA NASH, DAVID NOBAKHT, ALICE PATTILLO, CHRIS PEACH, CHARLIE PIERCEY, FFION RIORDANJONES, HUGH RUSSELL, OWEN SCOURFIELD, CHRIS SEAL, WILL STEEN, RHYS TOMPKINS, CHARLOTTE WELLS, ANICA WHITMORE, CHRIS WILLIAMS 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 BUZZ MAGAZINE 220C Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY published EAC PUBLISHING contents UB40 cover POOL HOOSE, SHED OF THE YEAR, ©CUPRINOL

buzzmagwales

10upfront

A real gathering of the clans in this section: the Wainwrights (well, only Rufus, but he talks about his family a bit); the Richards (Astley and Herring) and the Campbells, Craig and Ali. Despite his name, Ali Campbell out of UB40 is not from Scotland, much like he isn’t from Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands

28film

[scanning Keiron Self’s reviews for something to say about another month of films I know next to nothing about] Hmm, Hardcore Henry sounds a bit peculiar. It’s like a throwaway joke from Charlie Brooker’s old TVgohome columns (“what about... Manic Miner The Movie! Imagine!”) brought to life at considerable cost

32food&drink

Herbalists, fromageries and pub landlords HATE this month’s guides to foraging for wild garlic, making your own cheese, and homebrewing. Why have we illustrated the last of those with a stock photo featuring dozens of bottles of infamously bad-tasting American beer Blatz? It is your Ghost Of Christmas Future

36previews

What’s the deal with people, whose names possibly rhyme with ‘Dimya Kawson’, who make a big whoop about being DIY and self-reliant, so do all their own press and booking themselves... and THEN don’t actually answer the emails you send them? Well? No snarky answers, thanks

@Buzz_Magazine

BuzzMagUK

44reviews

Big changes afoot in the popular Music News Extra section, with the introduction of a photo to the One Louder column! Surely not a byline photo of its writer? No such luck, thanks to the writer talking his colleagues out of this idea. Instead, a probably oneoff shot of a snooker star in action

49lifestyle

Uncle Wilco. Not, as you might imagine, an American ‘alternative country’ group whose CD seems inoffensive enough to play on an office stereo but actually gets on everyone’s tits by the fifth guitar solo – but the nickname of a Welshman whose passion for the humble garden shed has been hailed on this issue’s front cover

54sport

A report on the Cardiff Devils as they move into a permanent location, leaving behind their prefab arena of the last nine years. Just as I was about to use it to film my debut movie, a Welsh ice hockeythemed gay erotica opus entitled Bear In The Big Blue Tent

55listings

Worst band names in this issue: Nukchorris, xViciousx, Wishful Drinkin’, Silly Band, Fruit Of The Original Sin, Virgin Kids, Hipicat, The Alco Acoustics, Create To Inspire, The Fire Blisters, Wussy

78competitions

Q. Whose skeleton was found in an excavation in a Leicestershire car park? A. Nigel Pearson

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Buzz Magazine

www.buzzmag.co.uk BUZZ 3

roundup

WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

STAGE

BRIEFLY

pic istolethetv

The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Energetic, eclectic, and completely unpredictable, the sensationally glamorous Lady Boys Of Bangkok return to Cardiff with a diamond dazzling new production Forever Yours...X Tour. The Lady Boys Of Bangkok debuted their show in Edinburgh in 1998, quickly becoming the country’s favourite cabaret show, and have since been spreading glitz all over the country in their popular tours. Now it is Cardiff’s turn once again. Returning this April, the group are willing to lose a little dignity for the sake of a big audience laugh. From beautifully bad lip syncing of disco classics to hundreds of outrageously amazing costumes, this show does not disappoint. The real comedy comes from the Lady Boys’ willingness to get involved with the crowd, with cringingly funny results. The entertainment is eccentric and unforgettable, great for an unusual night in Cardiff. The Lady Boys Of Bangkok, Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, Fri 22-Sat 30 Apr. Tickets: £10. Info: www.ladyboysofbangkok.co.uk

EVENT

pic Visit Wales

pic Tore Saetre

Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show

The Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show is very much a celebration of the gardening season, showing off the beautiful spring colours. The flower show returns to Bute Park, complete with a stunning backdrop of the castle and city. Bursting with colour and creativity, this is a lovely outdoors event for all ages. This year will look to be especially colourful, with a Roald Dahl theme to celebrate his birth 100 years on, and to pay tribute to the great writer, gardeners involved in the flower show have taken inspiration from his books. There’s even a bubbling chocolate lake inspired by his famous novel, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. The Royal Horticultural Show is continuing their campaign in 2016 of Greening Grey Britain, which focuses on increasing health, wellbeing and happiness by encouraging outdoors activities in the UK’s greeneries. Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show, Bute Park, Cardiff, Fri 15-Sun 17 Apr. Tickets: £8-£12. Info: www.rhs.org.uk BUZZ 4

HOT STUFF! Fancy walking on hot coals for charity? Well the Stroke Association are holding Cardiff Fire Walk, a fundraising event outside the Wales Millennium Centre in the Oval Basin on Sat 16 Apr. The coal will be at a temperature of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to melt aluminium! No, you don’t have to be Dynamo or David Blaine to take part as there’s no trickery or magic involved. Just take your shoes and socks off and walk! This is definitely a fun and daring way to raise money for charity and for a great cause. Registration: £15 / minimum sponsorship pledge £50. Info: www. stroke.org.uk

BEWARE OF HECKLERS! Established in 2010, the Welsh Unsigned Standup Awards offers comedians in South Wales the chance to launch their careers. Participants have to manipulate their way through several heats and rounds in order to win the £1000 prize. Heat 2 and Heat 3 take place this month, on Mon 11 and Mon 25 Apr respectively, with the final being held in July. With the final six held at the Glee Club, it gives participants a taste of the professional circuit with many famous comedians having performed there in the past. Tickets: £5. Info: www. cardiffcomedy.co.uk

EVENT

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Running for its fourth festival, the Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival is a perfect mix of adventure, fun and education. With over 50 events taking place, there’s no shortage of different authors and illustrators in both the English and Welsh languages to discover. From toddlers to teens there’s something for all children, and there are even events for adults. The events are being held across numerous venues in Cardiff for nine days so there’s plenty to choose from. 2016 also marks the year of iconic Welsh author Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday, which will be celebrated at the festival. Tracy Beaker author Jacqueline Wilson will also be at the fest in its biggest and most diverse lineup yet. CBBC’s Sam and Mark will also be making an appearance. Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival, various venues, Cardiff, Sat 16-Sun 24 Apr. Tickets: £4. Info: www.literaryfestivals.co.uk

Cardiff Ukulele Festival

EVENT

The UK’s finest ukulele players will be descending on Wales’ capital this month. Players of the small, four stringed instruments will be performing popular songs of the last hundred years at St. David’s Hall. This is the third year that the Cardiff Ukulele Festival is running, and encourages all members of the public to attend. Both ukulele bands and soloists will be on stage performing, and with the festival being free, you can enjoy an array of talented musicians without it hitting you in the pocket. If you become inspired by what’s on show and decide you want to give it a go yourself then there’ll be a stall selling ukuleles at the festival. You can even then attend jam sessions held by Cardiff Ukulele Nights which are held on Mondays between 8.30pm and 10.30pm at the Butchers Arms in Canton, and at the Wolf's Castle in Llanishen. Cardiff Ukulele Festival, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Sat 16 Apr. Admission: free. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www. stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

FILM

pic Ian Ransley

Cardiff Independent Film Festival The Cardiff Independent Film Festival is a festival that celebrates independent filmmakers and gives them the platform to showcase both their features and shorts. The CIFF is recognised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, equipped a judging panel including three industry professionals, with Peter Lord from Aardman Animations, The Amazing World Of Gumball creator Ben Bocquelet and Oscar-nominated director Joanna Quinn selected. It’s not often that you are able to have your work critiqued and judged by people of this stature, so whoever does well at the CIFF can be sure that their work is of the highest standard, which can mean that their careers as filmmakers could be taken to the next level. The festival not only includes screenings of short films, but also Q&As with the three main judges at the festival.

pic Stephan

Cardiff Independent Film Festival, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 22-Mon 25 Apr. Ticket price varies. Info: www.cardifffilmfest.org.uk BUZZ 5

roundup

WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

MIKE PETERS Jaydon Martin speaks with Mike Peters, lead singer of legendary rock band The Alarm.

What’s the difference between touring now and touring years ago? Touring in the modern era is different from when we first started out. Now you have social media everywhere, so a lot of your day is spent communicating on the website, Facebook and Twitter. You’ve got a lot of people coming to the shows and that takes up a lot of time during the day. My role has changed a little bit; I’ve had cancer for 20 years so that does change the dynamic slightly, but not too much. I just warm up a little bit before I go on stage. An Alarm gig is quite demanding from the audience’s point of view and the band's. We tend to drive each other hard and the audience tends to push more and more.

Thinking back to your career, did you have a particular moment where after a show you thought that you’d made it? Yeah! When we started the band in the early part of the 80s we moved to London because it was the only way to get gigs in the capital, they wouldn’t give gigs to Welsh bands. We got seen early on by U2’s agent, who invited us to play at the Lyceum Ballroom with U2 to 3000 people. I remember thinking ‘Wow, this is the beginning!’ BUZZ 6

What do you want to be remembered for?

For me, I do want to be respected as a musician and respected as a songwriter. People will see that we have left a mark on the world through the music of The Alarm. But, I also want to be loved by my kids when I’m gone. I want them to look up at the sky now and again and think, ‘Yeah, I had a great Dad and we did a lot together’. So it’s combining all that, which is my ambition in life as Mike Peters. Mike Peters presents The Alarm, Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare, Thu 28 Apr. Tickets: £17.95. Info: 08000 147111 / www.coliseum. rct-arts.org

Soul Legends

Rick Astley

Julian Clary

Dane Baptiste

Richard Herring

Music of the Knights

Jason Donovan

Graeme of Thrones

Craig Campbell

Friday 8 April Dydd Gwener 8 Ebrill

Sunday 24 April Dydd Sul 24 Ebrill

Friday 6 May Dydd Gwener 6 Mai

Wednesday 13 April Dydd Mercher 13 Ebrill

Tuesday 12 April Dydd Mawrth 12 Ebrill

Sunday 8 May Dydd Sul 8 Mai

Saturday 16 April Dydd Sadwrn 16 Ebrill

Thursday 21 April Dydd Iau 21 Ebrill

Tuesday 3 May Dydd Mawrth 3 Mai

BUZZ 7

roundup

WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.

BOOK NOW

pic Andrew Rees

Bryan Adams: The Get Up Tour Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Sun 1 May Tickets: £41.30 + £49.35 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.com – Of Mice And Men New Theatre, Cardiff Tue 3-Sat 7 May Tickets: £9-£132 Info: 029 2087 8889 www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk – UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Wed 4 May Tickets: £40.30 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.com –

SOUTH WALES SECRET #64 Victoria Park

Cofounder of Cardiff Beach Volleyball, Mike Constantinou, reveals his South Wales Secret. Having played beach volleyball since 1997, Mike Constantinou has climbed the rankings in Welsh and British tournaments. Inspired by visiting Germany’s many park and lakeside beach volleyball courts, Mike and a team of dedicated volleyball enthusiasts set up Cardiff Beach Volleyball. “Cardiff Beach Volleyball was set up to create a home base for beach volleyball, making it more accessible to existing players and new. The general idea is to promote the game and develop new players of all ages.” Located in Canton’s Victoria Park, two sand beach volleyball courts have been created. “The sand was donated from Cardiff Council and Sayer Amusements. Originally from Severn Sands off the Severn Estuary. At present we have two courts with the space to create five or six courts. We plan on developing the area with more courts and grow in membership and participation. Some BUZZ 8

of our players are using the beach centre in preparation for the Small Countries Division Tournaments 2016, and the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022.” So what drew Mike, and many others, to a sport that many would consider fringe? “The enjoyment of the game and the environment in which it’s played,” he says. “Community, friendships and generally it’s a lot of fun to play, and to compete in.” Mike then reveals his South Wales Secret: “Mine is Victoria Park. It’s a beautiful outdoor space within the city, and I’ve got fond childhood memories of the park. Now, of course, it’s our new home for beach volleyball.” Cardiff Beach Volleyball, Victoria Park. Info: www.cardiffbeachvolleyball.com

Harlem Globetrotters Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Fri 6 May Tickets: £17.65-£51.10 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.com – Il Divo Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Tue 10 May Tickets: £41.30-£137 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.com – Busted Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Tues 24 May Tickets: £48.30 Info: 029 2023 4500 www.motorpointarenacardiff.com – A Midsummer Night’s Dream New Theatre, Cardiff Tues 24-Sat 28 May Tickets: £9-£120 Info: 029 2087 8889 www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk –

MARCH WINNER BY CLAIRE BEACH

are you a photographer? want to showcase your work? go to: www.buzzmag.co.uk

buzz online photography competition

Buzzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography section is an initiative to showcase Welsh photographers and their work. Photographers are invited to submit galleries by emailing (or sending via Dropbox) 5-15 pictures, numbering in the order they would like them to be displayed, along with a title of the gallery, and a subtitle. If you want more direction, please take a look at previous galleries on our site. Selected photographers will win exhibition space at a renowned gallery, a feature in Buzz and be featured as our Facebook and Twitter cover pictures. This month's theme was 'Wales'. Next month's is 'Music'. If you have any queries, please email editorial@buzzmag.co.uk

upfront

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT pic Matthew Welch

One of the greatest vocalists of his generation and a legendary songwriter, Rufus Wainwright speaks with Chris Williams about Shakespeare, the Festival Of Voice and creativity.

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“I think my mother took me to see Richard II when I was four, of course I don’t remember any of it.” Rufus Wainwright is something of a musical renaissance man. As well as his own pop music, he has recreated Judy Garland’s Carnegie Hall concert, written an opera and now he has taken on Shakespeare. His latest album, Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets, is released on Fri 22 Apr, one day prior to the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The seeds of this album were sown back in 2009 when Robert Wilson asked him to compose music for his Shakespeare’s Sonnets production. The production used 24 of the sonnets, meaning Wainwright didn’t have the huge task of narrowing down the sonnets to just nine for this album. “I had to only pick from 24. I picked the ones I like and so it wasn’t that difficult actually... the truth is you could take any nine sonnets and put them in any order and they’d be great, so there’s really actually no narrowing down.” As you might expect with someone as erudite as Wainwright, his relationship with Shakespeare didn’t falter at school like many people. “I think when I really got it was when my father took me to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Regent’s Park in London when I was about eight, and I remember that’s when it clicked.” However, his idea of getting people to like Shakespeare’s works could be described as unconventional: “I think it is worth kind of stuffing it down people’s throats,” he laughs. “I think you have to be really exposed to it, and it has to be kind of forced upon you, but it works eventually. Shakespeare is just for everybody.” With his parents being the folk musicians Loudon Wainwright III and the late Kate McGarrigle, Shakespeare wasn’t all he was exposed to from the beginning. “Songs are a kind of language that I learnt very early, especially since my relatives are and were songwriters, so it was a way of communicating. When I got to other projects, like the sonnets or writing my opera, it suddenly became about writing music for other people and that was a little outside myself. That’s why with this album it’s great that there are so many guests – it’s really about sharing, when you get out of the songwriting thing, seeing what would suit other voices and other personalities.”

The album could be viewed as the meeting of Wainwright’s musical genres, his pop albums and his classical work; Take All My Loves features both poplike performances of the sonnets, as well as operatic vocals provided by the Austrian soprano Anna Prohaska. It also marks the first time Wainwright and producer Marius de Vries have collaborated since they co-produced the highly successful albums Want One and Want Two, as well as de Vries also mixing Release The Stars. Wainwright himself only sings a couple of songs on Take All My Loves, and musical guests include his sister Martha Wainwright, Florence Welch and Prohaska. Also featured are guest actors giving recitations, including Helena Bonham Carter, Carrie Fisher and William Shatner, and none other than Rufus’s good friend Dame Siân Phillips. “The great Welsh actress,” he ruminated. “Siân has been a dear friend since Release The Stars,“ referring to when Phillips provided a spoken word section for the end of the track Between My Legs on Wainwright’s 2007 album, “and we’ve even done a couple of shows in the meantime together, she’s kindly gotten up onstage and recited this and that. But to have her opening the album so beautifully and in such good form is a great honour.” The affection for, and friendship he has with Phillips is reciprocated and reflected in her affections for him, and he is also impressed by her “wonderful vitality”. “I hate to say it, but there’s a couple of older actors on the album later on, the German ones – one of them has just had a heart attack and the other is on her death bed – and the last time I saw Siân she was going to a 10-day retreat, so she’s doing just fine, which is great. You Welsh people live a long time,” he adds, happily. This summer sees Wainwright being invited to perform at a new international arts festival, the Festival Of Voice, taking place in Cardiff and organised and produced by the Wales Millennium Centre. How does he feel being asked to take part in the beginnings of a brand new festival, especially one centred on the voice?

“It feels great. I’m just honoured that the Welsh think I can actually sing. I know how tricky that can be, if they think I can sing then I really know I can sing,” he jokingly replies. “I’m very excited. This’ll be my third big concert in Wales recently. I did a choir festival at one point, in Llangollen,” which he pronounces almost perfectly, “and another show, the WMC in 2007. So Wales seems to be turning out as sort of a centre-point for my career in general. "In fact I mixed my opera, Prima Donna, in Wales as well and worked with a great Welsh producer [Andrew Keener, from Barry], so whenever I come to Wales now, even though I don’t have much Welsh blood, it feels like I’m coming home, in a sense. It’s possible I have some Welsh ancestry. I think I’m more Irish and English and maybe some Scottish... but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some Welsh in there.” Wainwright plays the Wales Millennium Centre again, as part of the Festival Of Voice, in June, and you might be lucky enough to see him in Cardiff afterwards. “If I do have a day off there’s a good chance you’ll see me out and about, hanging out, because it is a crazy town and I love to be inspired.” You’d think someone as versatile as Wainwright would be thinking about taking a break next, but it seems like he’s always thinking ahead. “I’m doing the Judy shows again in New York, some Broadway stuff. I’d love to make a French record, as I’m learning French. I would also love to do an album of my mother’s songs with my sister Martha. Yeah, I’m full of ideas, sadly, I wish I could just focus on writing a pop hit so I could actually make some money, unfortunately I have to write operas and do French albums,” he jokes.

“I think it is worth kind of stuffing it down people’s throats”

Rufus Wainwright, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Sun 5 June. Tickets: £19£44. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org. uk; Festival of Voice, Cardiff, Fri 4-Sun 12 Jun. Tickets: vary per event. Info: www. festivalofvoice.wales; Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets, released on Fri 22 Apr. Info: www.rufuswainwright.com BUZZ BUZZ11 11

upfront

SIÂN PHILLIPS The acting queen of Wales Siân Phillips speaks with Chris Williams about the Welsh language, Rufus Wainwright and damehood.

“No, in a word,” laughs Dame Siân Phillips when asked if she feels any different now that she’s a Dame. “I’ve been very busy ever since, so nothing has changed, no. It certainly hasn’t made any difference in my life. People said ‘Ooh, it’ll be lovely, you’ll find a lot of nice things will happen’, but nothing’s happened so far. I’m perfectly fine about that, I don’t want anything to happen but nothing has happened.” If Dame Shirley Bassey is the singing queen of Wales, then Siân Phillips – after being named a Dame in the recent New Year’s honours list – is the acting queen of Wales. Phillips grew up in a Carmarthenshire, in a Welshspeaking household, and she thinks the language is in a better position than it was. “I grew up in a naturally Welsh-speaking spot in Wales. They didn’t have to make us do anything special about the language because everyone spoke it anyway. But I think there have been great strides since I was a child to preserve and promote the language. “I go back to Wales a lot; my home is in London but my family is still in Wales.” We talked, too, about working with Rufus Wainwright. “I met Rufus in New York some years ago. We met accidentally at a party, and he asked me to do something small on his new album he was writing at the time [Release The Stars], it was just pure luck that we met. “It was a rainy night and I didn’t want to go to this party after the show, but I made myself because I had BUZZ 12

promised to. I got wet, couldn’t get a taxi and I was tired, then Rufus came over and introduced himself and said, would I like to do something in the studio? So that was how we met. We’ve been friends ever since, and I see his show whenever I possibly can, and he returns the compliment, and he comes to see me. I’m very flattered that he wanted me to read the sonnet on his new album.” In fact, Phillips reads the Shakespeare sonnet that opens Wainwright’s new album, Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets. “I love the sonnets. Believe it or not, four years ago I did Romeo And Juliet. I played Juliet for the first time and I did love doing that.” In 2010 the then 76-year-old Phillips played Juliet in Rupert Goold’s production of the play at the Bristol Old Vic. “It was set in a care home,” she laughs. “But we did the whole text. Except for the obvious lines about virginity, we left those out. But we did the whole love story and tragedy, and it was terribly successful. It was really amazing. “Otherwise, I’ve played Cleopatra and I liked that very much. I just adore Shakespeare.” She has no plans of stopping, saying “one doesn’t know what one’s life will bring,” in response to the subject of retiring. “At the moment I’m fairly energetic and able to do my job and work all the time – I rarely take any time off – but I could break a leg tomorrow, in which case I’d be retired. “But you run out of women’s parts when you get

“I go back to Wales a lot. My home is in London but my family is still in Wales.” middle-aged. There aren’t any parts for women after a bit. I was just beginning to work on King Lear this year. I was going to have a go at that – playing it as a queen not a king – but I opened the paper and Glenda Jackson was doing it. The minute you start thinking about something and working on it, somebody else picks it up. “I won’t do the Lear, obviously that’s Glenda’s at the Old Vic. She’s doing it in October and I would’ve planned to have done it this winter. I’m planning to do a Noel Coward play, Blithe Spirit. So King Lear and Blithe Spirit. “Mustn’t get those two mixed up!” she laughs. Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets is released on Fri 22 Apr. Info: www.rufuswainwright.com

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upfront

CRAIG CAMPBELL

Self-described ‘Devon-based Canadian clown’ Craig Campbell speaks with Marcus Hughes about death, Wales, and maple syrup.

spoke to Craig over the phone whilst he was stuck in unmoving traffic along the A11 on his way to his next show in the Midlands. Does Craig usually see to his press commitments whilst driving to gigs? “Yeah well, you know, I have a hands-free system and everything so don’t worry, in case you’re one of those Swedish health and safety nuts. But know that if the line goes quiet I am probably dead.” I point out that whilst it would be horrible to hear the sound of another man dying in a violent tangle of wreckage, it would make an undeniably compelling article. “It would make a great exclusive, you’re the one taping it! So just brace yourself. I think it could be just perfect.” Having gotten the death wishes out of the way early, I move swiftly on to Craig’s new touring show Don’t Look Down. “I completed the show for the Edinburgh festival last August and I’ve worked on most of the stories that are included over the course of Edinburgh and during the Snowed In comedy tour in Canada. It appeals to all those connoisseurs of comedy in the way that it deals with awkward stories from my horrible life.” Originally hailing from Canada, Craig has been living in Devon for the majority of his stand up career. In a very British fashion, I begin to worry that we’re responsible for his “horrible life”. “Oh no! I think my horrible life is extraneous from the British influence really. I find my life amongst the Brits to be one of the few settling and soothing elements of my life.

BUZZ 14

Mostly because their humour is such a necessary grease for the wheels of human tragedy that we all share, you know?” Much of Craig’s stand up material centres on the cultural differences he observes, living in a country he didn’t grow up in. I wonder what he thinks of the Welsh? “You’re so different! I love the generally surreal behaviour and attitude of the Welsh. Your oddities. Your strangeness. Your literary works, like Dylan Thomas, are very abstract in a way that’s very similar to the Irish. You’re mentally dextrous and prone to wander.” I mention at this point that the Welsh seem to hold a similar affection for Canada, based on a quote I found from Prince Charles after a visit in 1996: “Every time I come to Canada a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and, from there, straight into my heart.” Does Craig agree that this is seems like quite a creepy way of expressing affection for a culture? “Well yeah, I was going to say, I hope for his sake maple syrup doesn’t give you AIDS. Canada is a country that will grow on you, but I imagine his duty, among other things, is as a PR agent for the Commonwealth. And as Canada is a massive part of that, it doesn’t surprise me that that’s his position. I’m not a big fan of the Royal Family. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the privilege of flying anywhere in the world and arriving first class, but everything seems far more rose tinted let me tell you. I always used to wonder why politicians would get off the plane and look quite so wide-eyed and bushy-tailed...”

It’s because they haven’t had to sit in traffic for three hours whilst speaking to a queue of journalists on the phone. “Exactly!” Craig Campbell: Don’t Look Down, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tue 3 May. Tickets: £16.80. Info: 029 2087 8444 / stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

“Belonging takes us inside the everyday experiences of people living with dementia. It enlightens, challenges and entertains all at the same time. Prepare for some myth busting!” – Mark Jones, Dementia Care Advisor, The Younger Onset Dementia Service, Cardiff

Facebook: facebook.com/ReLiveTheatre Twitter: twitter.com/Re_Live_Org Website: re-live.org.uk

Written by Karin Diamond | Directed by Peter Doran Inspiring and moving, Belonging is a powerful new play that follows the lives of two families as they discover that love and laughter don’t have to stop because of dementia. This production is based on Re-Live’s in-depth interviews with people living with dementia, family members and professional carers. Belonging dispels the myths of dementia and shines a light on how a dementia-friendly Wales can be created just by being yourself, being in the moment... belonging. A brand new play written by Karin Diamond and directed by Peter Doran (Grav, Oh Hello!, Who’s Afraid of Rachel Roberts?), Belonging will tour nation-wide during May and June 2016.

NATIONAL TOUR:

Tickets £10 | £8 Concessions CARDIFF - CHAPTER May 2nd - 7.30pm *May 3rd to 7th - 2pm & 7.30pm chapter.org | 029 2030 4400 SWANSEA - TALIESIN May 12th & 13th - 10am & 7.30pm taliesinartscentre.co.uk | 01792 602060 CARMARTHEN - LYRIC THEATRE May 17th 2.30pm & 7.30pm theatrausirgar.co.uk | 0845 226 3510 MILFORD HAVEN - TORCH THEATRE May 19th & 20th - 2.30pm & 7.30pm torchtheatre.co.uk | 01646 695267 PWLLHELI - NEUADD DWYFOR May 24th - 2.30pm & 7.30pm gwynedd.gov.uk/neuadd-dwyfor | 01758 704088

Untitled-5 1

BANGOR - PONTIO May 26th - 2.30pm & 7.30pm May 27th - 2.30pm pontio.co.uk | 01248 382828 HOLYHEAD - NEUADD UCHELDRE May 31st - 2.30pm & 7.30pm ucheldre.org | 01407 763361 CAERNARFON – GALERI June 2nd - 2.30pm & 7.30pm galericaernarfon.com | 01286 685222 BRECON - THEATR BRYCHEINIOG June 8th - 2pm & 7.30pm brycheiniog.co.uk | 01874 611622 *BSL Interpreted Performances May 6th 2pm & 7.30pm

22/03/2016 12:53

upfront

RICK A STL E Y NEVER GOING TO RUN AROUND AND DESERT US 80s pop icon and multi-million record selling artist Rick Astley speaks with Alec Evans about his new show, rickrolling and life as a meme. Your musical life started out with quite Welsh beginnings, singing in a church choir. Was this a good way of getting into music? I’ve always said that it’s a fantastic thing, just making music with human beings. Whether it’s a gospel choir or a Church Of England, it’s a group of people making a noise together in harmony and in tune. When you hear a choir in a church, I defy anybody not to be moved by it. It’s spiritual, whatever you believe in God or not. For fans who haven’t been up to date with your career recently, what is it about the 2016 Rick Astley concert experience that makes it a good night out? I think the thing is, I really enjoy myself. I’m 50 years old and never get onstage without having that feeling of, ‘This is my time to really enjoy myself’. Of course there’s a retro thing going on, older songs mean something to people. People had their first date and walked down the aisle to them, and because I’ve lived a bit, I’ve got songs that mean that to me. I think that gets distilled when I go onstage, I make an effort and try and enjoy it and I want people to enjoy it. Your latest single Keep Singing premiered back in February. Can we BUZZ 16

expect a similar sound on your upcoming album? They’re not all like that, but there are quite a few. It’s music that people can really sing on; going for that choral effect and gospel thing is something that I’ve always really enjoyed anyway. There’s a few tracks on the record that are, I’m not going to call them ‘dance songs’, because I’m far too middle-aged for that, but they are songs that a certain person could shuffle to. There’re still certain things about dance music that get me going, even at my age, whether it’s the latest Calvin Harris thing or whatever. You’ve been covering Uptown Funk recently at your live shows. Yeah, my taste in music is wider than it’s ever been. I really love Ed Sheeran, for instance, I love the fact that not every record he makes is just him and the guitar, but how he can stand there with his guitar and say, these are my songs, this is me, and it really works. It’s not just old guys who when I was a kid I appreciated, it’s everything, I find. Rickrolling is what a lot of younger readers may know you for. “You know what, most people would say ‘Thank God!’” Is there anything you would have done differently with the video for Never Gonna Give You Up if you knew it was going

to pop up in the strangest of places on YouTube? No, I’m not one of those people who looks back and either regrets or wishes they could change stuff. I just look at what I’ve got and where I am and I don’t really want to change any of it. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a pretty cheesy video, I thought it was pretty cheesy when we made it, but I wouldn’t want to change it, and I don’t regret any of it at all, no. Rickrolling seems to be a success story in the digital age. Is the use of social media something you see as important to keeping the Rick Astley brand alive? Yeah, it’s massively important. Towards the end of last year, we got a digital team and they are amazing in terms of keeping it going. I still obviously put stuff on Facebook, but it’s not my thing. The rickrolling thing was pretty good for me, a whole generation of people know who I am, a vague idea of ‘that’s that guy with a red quiff’. You couldn’t sit in a boardroom at Sony or wherever and analyse it. That’s the beauty of the internet. Rick Astley, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 14 Apr. Tickets: £19.50-£29.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

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ALI CAMPBELL

Founding member of UB40 and passionate reggae musician Ali Campbell speaks with Luke Owain Boult about the rift with former bandmates, touring the world and the international language of reggae.

hat do you think it is about UB40’s music that speaks to people and has spoken to people for such a long time? Well it’s reggae. Reggae music is universally loved and has always been, that’s what’s been the secret to our success and the longevity of the band. And we’ve proved that by going all around the world. We’ve just come back from Hawaii, we did four islands in Hawaii, before that we were in New Zealand. We were in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and we were met by naked savages with bones through their noses, and they whipped out their pan pipes and started playing UB40 tunes. It never ceases to amaze me how much reggae is loved. Everywhere we go there’s also homegrown reggae. There’s homegrown reggae in all those places I mentioned. You’ve travelled all over the world with UB40. What’s your favourite place to tour if you have one? UB40 are the most toured band in UK pop history, you know? Might even be the most toured band in world history. So we literally have been all round the world many, many times. We’ve been to mainland China once; we want to do a bit more stuff there in China, because that’s like the frontier. So there’s no favourite place really, I mean every gig is my favourite place because we always get great reactions, you know. I’ve never had a bad gig; it doesn’t matter where we are in the world. In South Africa we upheld the cultural boycott for many years until Mr. Mandela got in, and then we finally did go to Johannesburg where we played to 80,000 people. We’ve also done the Live Aid shows, and played to a billion people at the live Bollywood awards. They’re all amazing things to do, and every country has got its own beautiful parts and its down parts. What made you want to come back to working as UB40? I started UB40 in 1979 to promote reggae and I was very successful, UB40 was very successful, and I was the founding member. I had to leave my own band because because there was complicity with band members and management, there was a lot of skulduggery going on, but it’s kind of old news now. Astro came back to me; I was going out as Ali Campbell, the Legendary Voice Of UB40. Mickey was always with me, he left when I did. And then when Astro came back into the fold, there was me, Mickey and Astro the original members. I thought what the old UB40 would do was make a country and western album; that was the reason for Astro’s departure. Watching them destroy the UB40 legacy basically prompted me to go, ‘oh ok, what we’ll do is call ourselves UB40 again, but we’ll always let people know which UB40 it is, because we’ll never go out without saying UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey’. We’ve never done a gig without that. We don’t confuse anybody, and also we don’t want to be confused with the old band. So you’re taking the music back to UB40’s roots. I’m promoting reggae music, that’s what I started UB40 to do, and I think the old guys doing a country album called Getting Over The Storm was a disaster, it didn’t even sell 5000 copies. That was a slap in the face to me and it was a slap in the face to our fans who over the years have bought about 100 million CDs off of us. I think it’s a slap in the face to them as well, so for the biggest reggae band in the world to start doing country music, I thought that was pretty tragic, and that’s why I took back the UB40 mantle. UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wed 4 May. Tickets: £35. Info: 029 2023 4500 / www.livenation.co.uk

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‘THRILLS FROM START TO FINISH.

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upfront R I C H A R D H E R R I N G Master comedian and podcasting pioneer Richard Herring speaks with David Griffiths about happiness, philosophy, and freedom.

ince first coming to the public’s attention in the early 90s as one half of comedy double act Lee and Herring (alongside Stewart Lee), Richard Herring has been one of the best stand-up comedians in the UK (if not always one of the most famous). Every year for the last 12 years Herring has written a new hour long stand up show. His latest how is Happy Now?, and in response to a question about the premise behind this new show, predictably, he explained it’s about whether he is happy now. “The show is about whether I am happy now, which is the ultimate question. Over the course of the last 12 shows I’ve done I’ve had a few ups and downs, and I’ve been depressed and angry and then met my wife and settled down a bit, had a baby, and so it’s asking whether I am happy, and about whether it’s possible to be happy. “It’s about punishment: because if you are happy you worry about being happy. It’s also about whether contentment is a desirable thing for a comedian, and whether parenthood makes you less dark or more dark. I think it makes you more dark. Some people think comedians lose their edge when they become mothers or fathers, but I don’t think that’s really true. “It’s also a philosophical look at what the nature of happiness is, and why it’s desirable, whether it’s possible to choose to be happy. A lot of it is personal, but I like to ask questions in my shows, and make people think about stuff. But there’s also lots of stuff about sex with robots, and funny nursery rhymes.” Alongside his stand-up shows, Herring also produces his Leicester Square Theatre podcasts, where he interviews other comedians. Does he see himself as trying to create a new way of doing comedy? “In a way the podcast is a new way of doing comedy, and it seems weird to me that young people aren’t embracing it more. I think they are starting to, but I feel that if I was 15 or 20 years younger I could get further with it. Things are so cheap to make now, that a podcast is only going to cost you your time to make. You don’t need to go through the traditional routes of trying to get on the radio, or trying to get on the TV. You can do it yourself. If you create good stuff and get it out there, people will see it, people will retweet it, and you can build up an audience that way. “It’s frustrating trying to get stuff on radio or TV because either people are asking you to do something that you don’t want to do, or they change it so much that it’s no longer what you wanted to do. So to be able to do what I want and accidently come up with this model that people like is great. I put everything out for free, so if people like my stuff then they can come and see me when I’m on tour and that pays for itself. It wasn’t a business plan that I sat down and wrote one day. I’ve been doing the podcast for the last eight years, and those eight years have gone very well for me, so I’m happy to carry on making a living and doing some interesting stuff. “I think if I had to choose one thing I would choose stand-up, because

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I love doing stand-up you’ve got the immediacy, you’ve got the audience there, it’s a creative thing. I need to perform, so it ticks all the boxes. But luckily I don’t have to do just one thing. I like doing podcasts. I like writing scripts. I like doing slightly more serious stuff.” With all of these projects, Herring is still one of the best stand-ups in the country and his new show looks set to be one of his best. And, who knows, perhaps Richard Herring finally is Happy Now. Richard Herring: Happy Now?, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tue 12 Apr. Tickets: £15. Info: 029 2087 8500 / www. stdavidshallcardiff. co.uk

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BUZZ 21

upfront

ALICE LOWE Amanda Hunt speaks with Alice Lowe, star of Sightseers and Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, about her new film Black Mountain Poets.

hen neurotic sisters Lisa (Alice Lowe) and Claire Walker (Dolly Wells) are hot on their heels from the authorities, they find themselves at a weekend poetry retreat in the Black Mountains, Wales. They assume the identities of internationally renowned poets, the Wilding Sisters, and embark on a new journey of love, laughter and cash prizes. Actress, writer and director Alice Lowe stars in Black Mountain Poets, alongside Dolly Wells (45 Years) and Tom Cullen (Downtown Abbey). “It’s a film that’s pretty much all improvised,” explains Alice. “It’s a romantic comedy about a love triangle. There are two sisters who are con-artists. They’re on the run from the law and they find themselves at a poet’s retreat, pretending to be poets to escape detection. There is a lot of silly poetry and great comic performances.” Judging from the trailer, there seems to be no doubt that Alice is once again on top form with her comedic prowess. Her subtlety and dry wit is unleashed when she has to prove her worth by reading out a receipt from Tesco.

Known for her darker and more gruesome films such as Sightseers, is this a new lighter direction in her career? “I am into my horror, sci-fi and all of that kind of thing but this was something a bit different. But I like doing stuff where there is a really good character, something that I can get my teeth into. I really enjoyed playing Lisa because she is a bit of a nightmare but she has a soft centre. She's a kind of devil-may-care, bolshy sort of character, but she's vulnerable underneath all of that." So what was it like working with Dolly Wells? "It was really brilliant, we are playing these two very BUZZ BUZZ22 22

different sisters. We have got this dynamic where I am the bossy one, where as she is more shy, nervous and anxious about things." Filmed in October for five days in the Welsh Black Mountains, the weather must have been pretty abysmal. "It was quite awful weather but it all adds to the performances and funniness of it. As an actor you know it is going to be funny with the more torture you are put through. It was a very short shoot and we kind of just went for it.” This is not the first time Alice has filmed in Wales, and she recently starred in and directed her revenge film Prevenge, whilst being eight months pregnant.

"It's been really great filming in Wales. It's sort of been a coincidence that I've been filming in Wales so much, but it's definitely been inspiring. You can end up filming in the same locations over and over again, so it's been nice having this fresh perspective of filming scenes in places that you haven’t seen before. It adds a bit of originality and gives a bit of inspiration to everyone.” Black Mountain Poets was written and directed by Jamie Adams, habe they had worked together before? "No, I haven’t actually but I have been in contact with him for a while and it just so happened that he asked if I was around for this film. It was quite appealing getting a feature done in five days and I had that time free. If it had been a longer shoot, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.” Having already been screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, it received a nomination for the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film and a win for the Student Critics Jury Award, a promising sign for its general release. Black Mountain Poets is released on Fri 1 Apr. Info: www.jolenefilms.com

BUZZ 23

upfront upfront

AMERICAN IDIOT American Idiot is finally making a welcome return to Cardiff. Fresh from the West End, the show dubbed as unpredictable and high octane is about to grace the stage at The New Theatre and Green Day fans can’t wait. When Green Day’s rock opera was released in 2004 it won a plethora of awards, and is often mentioned as one of the top albums of the noughties. The musical followed in the wake of that success and has already won two Tony Awards and a Grammy. The show expands on the album and centres around three childhood friends, Johnny, Will, and Tunny, searching for meaning in their restricted suburban lives. Johnny and Tunny flee the suburbs, while Will works out his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend Heather. Disillusioned with the world, Johnny falls into drugs, while Tunny joins the military to fight. Billie Joe Armstrong’s lyrics are hard-hitting and emotive, filled with sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, life, death, war and dissatisfaction. This isn’t a show for the faint-hearted, and is a rock opera for the modern age. Originally envisioned as a punk rock opera, it seems that American Idiot’s home is on stage. Inspired by the likes of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Who’s Tommy and Quadrophenia, and a sense of unease in the world with the backdrop of the Iraq War, this musical is a gift for Green Day fans and is surprisingly as relevant now as when it was initially released. The score includes popular hits such as Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, Wake Me Up When September Ends and Holiday plus songs especially written for the show. The cast includes X Factor finalist Amelia Lily, who reprises her acclaimed role as Whatsername, Steve Rushton (Son Of Dork) as Will, and singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner as Johnny. If its many outstanding reviews are anything to go by, you’d be an idiot to miss it. LYNDA NASH American Idiot, New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 19-Sat 23 Apr. Tickets: £10-£37. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY Matthew Bourne is back with another re-imagined ballet. Known for mixing up conventional ballet with contemporary dance, and for bringing out the darker edge in these tales, Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty will not disappoint on either front. In this the first revival of the show which premiered in 2012, the music of Tchaikovsky’s original masterpiece allows Bourne to create a dark exciting new ballet. Imaginative, exciting and engaging, Bourne never fails to bring ballet and the world of dance to life in a way that everyone can appreciate. Critically acclaimed and smashing box office records, Sleeping Beauty has won the hearts of thousands since its premiere. Considered a new classic in the revolutionary dance company New Adventures’ repertoire, Sleeping Beauty has been revived to give people the opportunity to see the finest in cutting-edge dance. The last piece in their Tchaikovsky trio, following Nutcracker! and Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty features stunning set and costume design, transporting the viewer through time from the Edwardian era to the modern day. Strikingly beautiful and set in a world of magic, fairies, vampires, love and romance, as ever Bourne promises a visual delight that would enchant everyone from dancing enthusiasts to the initiated. Although it is ‘ballet’ set to the Tchaikovsky score, don’t expect anything like a traditional ballet. As with all of Bourne’s work, his choreography infuses contemporary dance and a new take on the traditional tale. A darkly gothic piece where good and evil are turned upside-down, Bourne’s reimagined Sleeping Beauty becomes a supernatural love story told through music and dance. As darkly intriguing as it is beautiful Sleeping Beauty is a great introduction to Bourne’s work and the work of dance as a whole. In its 2012 premiere tour Sleeping Beauty was the fastest selling production of the company’s history; luckily you don’t have 100 years to wait for princess Aurora to wake up and dance again. EMILY GARSIDE Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 26-Sat 30 Apr. Tickets: £17.50-£35.50. Info: www. wmc.org.uk BUZZ 24

pic Simon Gough Photography

l o l f a

l o u n g e

WHAT’S ON/AR FYND April – June / Ebrill – Mehefin 2016

festival guide May 2016 Green Man to Hay on Wye, GlastonBarry to Blysh Food & Drink, Comedy, Music, Folk, Classical and Kids Buzz brings it’s ultimate festival guide back for 2016.

RICHARD HERRING 12.04.2016 – 8.00pm

• 16 page guide inside the magazine • Welsh, National and International festivals • Previews and gig news • Festival fashion • Camping essentials • Competitions and reader offers • 25,000 copies delivered across South Wales • Available online To ensure your festival is part of this essential guide and hits the audience it rightfully deserves, place your advert in Wales’ number one entertainment magazine.

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upfront upfront

GREEN MAN LINEUP ANNOUNCED With a 2015 lineup consisting of headliners Hot Chip, St Vincent and Welsh favourites Super Furry Animals, it was always going to be a tough one to trump. But Green Man Festival’s 2016 offering promises an equally delightful melange of alternative artists and homegrown indie legends. Now in its 13th year, the festival continues to attract big-name artists; Scottish pop-folk legends Belle & Sebastian grace the Brecon Beacons this August, an appearance that will “celebrate 20 years since their timeless debut Tigermilk”. Wild Beasts, as well as golden boy of the bedroom-producing generation, James Blake, will join the Glaswegian seven-piece in headlining – and there is still one headliner to be announced. Further down the lineup, an array of musical treats nestle, including White Denim, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Jason Isbell, Michael Rother, Floating Points, Ezra Furman and Fat White Family. LA indie-rockers Warpaint are set to dazzle the Mountain Stage with their brightly daubed dream pop, whilst disruptive trio Battles will bring their customary spellbinding performances, including some pretty impressive drumming, to shake things up in the serene Brecon Beacons setting. Venerable Californians Grandaddy will no doubt affirm their mastery of wonderfully weird indie rock, but if you’re looking for something more on the quieter side of life, the dreamlike songwriting of Julia Holter and Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon will do just the job. Those familiar with Green Man would know that whilst they are of course unmissable, it’s not all about the bigger acts, so be sure to explore the 15+ stages spanning every genre you can think of. According to the organisers, “we get our biggest kicks from welcoming spellbinding musicians who you will be really please we introduced you to. They stun us, break our hearts and send us bonkers.” ELLIE MCKEON Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park, Crickhowell, Thurs 18-Sun 21 Aug. Tickets: £60-£175. Info: www.greenman.net

BIG LOVE FESTIVAL Brand new and fiercely independent, Big Love joins the festival scene this May Bank Holiday, for a three-day extravaganza. Big Love takes place in the magical Baskerville Hall in Hay-On-Wye; the huge country mansion and surrounding woodlands are transformed into a party palace, handcrafted especially for the eccentric ravers amongst us. This small but mighty celebration of music, arts and creativity, aims to create a weekend of magical moments that cannot be experienced elsewhere. The extravagant hotel takeover provides a memorable getaway, where you are free to rave until dawn in the dining room or dance under the stars at a secret woodland party, waking up for a dip in the hotel swimming pool or a lounge in the sauna. Matt The Hat from Something Creatives is thrilled to be a part of Big Love’s curation and hopes the shindig will become an annual triumph of local talent. He explains, “We want to get back to the heart of what festivals are all about. Escaping to the country for a weekend of good times, good music and good people.” Worlds away from the traditional outdoor camping experience, this unique festival offers a selection of boutique accommodation including gypsy caravans, bell tents, hotel rooms or even unidomes, as well as a cocktail bar yurt and a selection of the best street food traders in Wales. Small in capacity but huge on atmosphere, Big Love’s focus is not solely on headliners but on curating a mix of your favourite bands, DJs and crews from the area. Cardiff promoters Teak, Blue Honey and Bump ‘N’ Grind, to name a few, will be joining Big Love to create the ultimate party vibe. Announced acts include Ibibio Sound Machine [pictured], Afrikan Boy and Norman Jay, with lots more to be released. If you’re seeking a festival with an epic party and an alternative edge, Big Love is a fest-holiday not to be missed, sure to be amazing whatever the weather. ANICA WHITMORE Big Love Festival, Baskerville Hall, Hay-On-Wye, Fri 29 Apr-Mon 2 May. Tickets: £95. Info: www.biglovefestival.co.uk

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Monday 18th April 2016

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Thursday 28th April 2016

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Thursday 5th May 2016

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Monday 9th May 2016

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Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

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Miners’ Institute, Blackwood

Monday 10th October 2016

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by Keiron Self

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL ****

EDDIE THE EAGLE ***

Dir: Jeff Nichols (12A, 111 mins) Jeff Nichols is the writer/director behind such classy art house fares as Take Shelter and Mud, films that helped reinvigorate careers in the case of Michael Shannon and Matthew McConaughey. With Midnight Special, Nichols takes the plunge into blockbuster territory, whilst still maintaining some offbeat character moments not normally found in a multiplex. Michael Shannon is a father, who along with Joel Egerton kidnap his eight-year-old son, Jaeden Lieberher, from a religious cult. The boy may have supernatural abilities and his father embarks on a road trip with him to a destination which will explain everything. It’s intriguing stuff mostly well handled by Nichols and his cast, although Adam Driver as an NSA man hot on their tail and Kirsten Dunst as the boy’s mother could have had more to do. A sense of expectation and Spielbergian wonder is created, making the film both exciting and frustrating. It is however constantly engaging and a palette cleanser to more straightforward sci-fi fare. Shannon is excellently intense as always, and although 80s family movies like ET and Starman are evoked, Nichols adds a supernatural shade of his own. Opens Apr 8

Dir: Dexter Fletcher (12A, 105 mins) The bizarre true life tale of ski jumper Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards is given the Hollywood treatment, as an apparent loser ‘triumphs’ making this a pleasant if unremarkable upbeat confection. Taron Egerton fresh from making anal sex jokes in the overrated Kingsman, takes on a far different hero, the plumber from Chelmsford who fulfilled his lifelong dream of competing in the Winter Olympics back in 1988. He wasn’t adept at the sport of ski jumping, terrible in fact, but through dogged determination he made it happen. Playing fast and loose with the real story, Edwards’ acquires a fictional trainer, an embittered Hugh Jackman, which abounds with sports movie clichés but still manages to charm. Director Dexter Fletcher joins the dots but makes sure Eddie isn’t the butt of the jokes, that would make for a far more snide, cruel film. Instead this is an almost relentlessly upbeat film propelled by a winning jaw jutting performance by Egerton. Jackman has great fun as his trainer and the likes of Christopher Walken and Jim Broadbent add some weight to the fluff. Resoundingly British, this is a winning underdog film with feel-good intentions. Opens Apr 1

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT ***

THE JUNGLE BOOK ***

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR ***

Dir: Glenn Ficara/ John Requa (15, 112 mins) A wavering tone stops this ‘WTF’ from satisfying on a comedic or a dramatic level despite the best efforts of all involved. Wanting to be a surreal satirical sideswipe at war but ending up somewhat toothless, it nevertheless features a game performance by Tina Fey as a journalist stuck doing thankless reporting on unexciting topics – until a post in Afghanistan comes up. She leaps at it and finds herself ensconced with other foreign journalists, including Margot Robbie and Martin Freeman, fending off sexual advances from everyone whilst occasionally being in a tense situation. This blend of broad rom-com jokes in the theatre of war is unsatisfying and the result is far blander than it should have been. Points are made about the thrill and boredom of being in a warzone but none have real bite, a shame considering the talent involved. Not exactly WTF, more ho hum. Opens Apr 22

Dir: Jon Favreau (PG, 99 mins) Disney continues to lazily plunder its catalogue with another retread of an animated classic, this time with photo-real animals and a star-studded voice cast. It can never match the 60s original and whilst upping the spectacle, this tale of Mowgli the man cub, the only human in a CGI landscape winningly played by Neel Sethi, lacks point. Mowgli has to survive in the jungle with the help of a Ben Kingsley-voiced Bagheera and Bill Murray’s Baloo, escaping the dangerous likes of Shere Kahn’s tiger (Idris Elba), Scarlett Johansson’s seductive snake Kaa and Christopher Walken’s Gigantopithecus King Louie. Like the other Disney live action re-imaginings Alice In Wonderland, Maleficent and Cinderella, there seems little point resuscitating Kipling’s story without a definite new take, and the songs of the original are even given a cursory nod. Opens Apr 15

Dir: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan (12A, 121 mins) Snow White And The Huntsman hardly felt like it needed a sequel, so this prequel/follow up is somewhat of a surprise. Kristen Stewart’s Snow White is nowhere to be seen, but Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman is, along with some serious female star wattage. Charlize Theron returns as evil queen Ravenna and Emily Blunt is the wicked queen’s sister Freya, who can turn all to ice and snow in a Frozen kind of way. Blunt’s heart has hardened: she has forbidden love in her army, which includes Hemsworth and Chastain who, after some fighty foreplay, flout that rule. When the chance comes for Freya to retrieve the magic mirror and resurrect her sister, things get worse, but there are still comedy dwarves played by Nick Frost, Sheridan Smith and Rob Brydon. Big on spectacle, this has a chance of being decent with the cast involved rather than the proverbial poisoned apple. Opens Apr 8

ALSO RELEASED APRIL 2016: MARTYRS (18) Nasty, violent remake of the visceral French thriller which was also nasty and violent. Bit of an endurance test. THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY (12A) Dev Patel plays a poor Indian boy who earns a place at Cambridge University pioneering mathematical theory with Jeremy Irons’ professor. Sums and racism in this worthy drama. NASTY BABY (15) Kirsten Wiig wants a baby and wants her gay friends to help, but something darker happens as well, in this often annoying but always engaging drama. COUPLE IN A HOLE (15) Does what is says on the tin, as a British couple end up living like savages in a hole in the French Pyrenees. Paul Higgins and the ever-excellent Kate Dickie star. CRIMINAL (15) Ryan Reynolds' CIA mind is put into criminal Kevin Costner’s body in

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR ****

BLACK MOUNTAIN POETS ****

Dir: Joe and Anthony Russo (12A, 130 mins) With the roster of superhero stars growing ever larger, it takes a brave director to try and marshal them all. Coming on more like Avengers 3, this third Captain America sequel has former team mates at each other’s throats. Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark is riddled with guilt after the damage his creation Ultron did and now gets behind a drive for superheroes to be answerable to authorities. Chris Evans’ Captain America objects to outside interference, especially with everyone after his former best buddy Bucky, the Winter Soldier in Captain America’s last solo outing. This difference of opinion creates a schism right down the middle of the superhero team which ends up having tragic consequences. Much has been teased about the newcomers to the overstuffed Marvel universe, while Spiderman and Black Panther will cameo in the guise of Tom Holland and Chadwick Boseman before their stand-alone films. Hopefully the writers and directors can give everyone a fair crack of the whip rather than the occasional disappointment of the crammed Age Of Ultron. Set to recalibrate the Marvel universe before two Avengers films, this is empire building stuff, let’s hope it has room for what made its predecessors a success, strong storytelling with spectacle. Opens April 29

Dir: Jamie Adams (15, 85 mins) Welsh film maker Jamie Adams returns with his third and most accomplished film to date, following Benny And Jolene and A Wonderful Christmas Time, rounding out a loose trilogy of modern romance movies. As with his previous two films this is a film with a blueprint, improvised by its talented cast over the course of five days. A fast and furious film making model that has culminated in charming, human films outside of mainstream rom-com. The excellent pairing of Dolly Wells and Alice Lowe anchors events, playing sisters, who, after a failed attempt to steal a JCB, end up on the run. They find a car, belonging to the poets, the Wilding sisters (Hannah Daniel and Clare Cage), and assume their identities at a poetry retreat where a cash prize is at stake. Also at the retreat is Tom Cullen, who is soon the centre of a love quadrangle with Wells, Lowe and competitive, ambitious and jealous poet Rosa Robson. Brilliantly lensed by Ryan Owen Eddleston despite being made on the fly, Black Mountain Poets is warm and witty with some standout lines; Lowe’s reading of a Tesco receipt as a poem is a highlight, as is her great chemistry with Dolly Wells. There’s also solid support from Richard Elis, Laura Patch and Roger Evans as fellow iambic enthusiasts. Opens April 1

HARDCORE HENRY **

EYE IN THE SKY ****

BASTILLE DAY ***

Dir: Ilya Naishuller (15, 90 mins) A first person shooter video game as a whole film? There’s no denying some of the ingenuity on show in Hardcore Henry, but there’s also no denying the fact that it’s not a satisfying experience. At least in a video game you can control your character, in this film there is no character or plot, just a string of relentless action set pieces with no emotional content or real point. Henry, essentially the audience’s POV, is a mute amnesia victim following game master Sharlito Copley’s every whim – having to get to checkpoints, like in a game, all to save his wife. You face off against albinos, throw grenades, cut throats, anything a GoPro can put you through, but it adds up to no more than an adolescent boy’s action fantasy. Homophobia, sexism and nudity back up the relentless, mind-numbing action, making Hardcore Henry a blunt assault on the senses and nothing more. Opens Apr 8

Dir: Gavin Hood (15, 102 mins) A claustrophobic thriller that grips as it delves into the murky morality of drone warfare over the course of a one-day operation. The action flits between Helen Mirren’s hard-edged military colonel at an army base in the UK, Aaron Paul’s drone pilot in Nevada, the late great Alan Rickman’s compromised military man dealing with rowing politicians, and Barkhad Abdi’s man on the ground in Kenya. The film sees all of them fret over what action they should take when key members of a terrorist unit are spotted. Do they capture or kill these potential suicide bombers? Should a fatal drone strike be called in despite the risk of civilian casualties? Plunged into the moral complexities of this situation, the characters battle with their decisions, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Eye In The Sky succeeds over the likes of similar thriller Good Kill with its no frills script and direction. Opens Apr 8

Dir: James Watkins (15, 92 mins) Idris Elba does CIA agent action (Bond anyone?), teaming up with Game Of Thrones’ Richard Madden in this Euro pudding thriller. Unfortunately rather timely, Elba hunts terrorists in Paris, with the help of pickpocket artist Madden after he accidentally steals a bomb in a bag. Cue chases across Parisian rooftops with dodgy CGI, some blistering car smashes, Idris kicking down doors and refusing to take orders from his bosses and some not convincing comedy banter between him and Madden. It seems a solid enough affair, James Watkins, the director of The Woman In Black and the disturbing Eden Park, doing what he can with well-worn material, but ultimately this still feels like a straight-to-DVD thriller. Also the queasy subject of bombing Paris on Bastille Day takes some fun out of what is essentially a Liam Neeson-esque action flick. C’est OK. Opens Apr 22

a very silly thriller with a better cast than it deserves. DESPITE THE FALLING SNOW (12A) Rebecca Ferguson’s spy falls for a young Charles Dance in this Cold War romance/thriller with heart. DESERT DANCER (12A) The founding of an Iranian dance company in a country where dance is banned forms the backbone of this uplifting tale. Also starring Welsh boy Tom Cullen in his second film of the month. FRIEND REQUEST (15) Facebook with demons. in this zeitgeisty supernatural hogwash. Do not press the Like button. JANE GOT A GUN (15) Natalie Portman’s troubled Western finally gets a release as she fends off outlaws with the help of Joel Edgerton. It’s no Unforgiven. MILES AHEAD (15) Solid Miles Davis biopic starring and directed by Don Cheadle.

profile

FIONA STEWART Fiona Stewart, the Managing Director and owner of Green Man festival, speaks with Luke Owain Boult about challenges in the festival industry and what to expect from this year’s festival.

hat can we expect from Green Man this year? I'm really excited about James Blake, Belle and Sebastian and Warpaint, all talented, amazing acts and their performances on the Mountain Stage, with the dramatic backdrop of the Black Mountains, will be magical. Music is at the heart of the Green Man but the arts and other content have become so extensive that there is something for everyone. Green Man is located in a truly beautiful place. During the day the varied music stages, science, talks, theatre, yoga, holistic therapies and family fun create a really special vibe. After dark this moves to a more hedonistic place; the bonfire is lit, music is played well into the morning and late-night bars, secret performances and arts installations come to life. How do you find working in a predominantly male-dominated industry? The majority of the time I am not aware of any problems, but in the past I have experienced issues relating to perception and communication. The music industry is a very social work space where relationships matter greatly. Where some men are used to an all-male environment, and have never done a deal with a woman, their normal cues for moving the conversation along may inappropriate and often make

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discussions a little clunky. You can get over that, and the more it is done the less likely that the barrier will exist. For most of my life I have been the only woman in the room, and that has changed over the years but it’s still very much a male industry particularly in senior roles. I am the only woman in the UK to have controlling ownership of a national festival, and it’s a bit absurd that in 2016 this is still the case! You are the only woman to have won the Award for Outstanding Achievement To UK Festivals, and to be a Board Member of the prestigious Concert Promoters Association. How does that make you feel? Very grateful. To be included with the likes of John Peel, Peter Gabriel and Michael Eavis is a massive honour. Right up to the point where I was given the award I kept feeling that someone was about to tap me on the shoulder and say Fi, don’t be daft, of course it's a mistake! The Concert Promoters Association was started in 1986 to lead the live events industry in lobbying for better outcomes. The other board members come from more traditional music industry backgrounds, and we are also all in competition with each other. But we have common issues which are better presented in unison. When I first joined the board there was a massive

reaction in the music press. That soon settled which was good because it normalised it, and I am sure other women will join the board in the future. Green Man was highlighted by Oxford Economics as part of the Music Tourism Report for UK Music as "driving music tourism across the UK," and a major contributor to the £95 million generated in Wales though music tourism. How do you feel about Green Man being such a large part of the Welsh economy? Green Man is proudly Welsh so it's great to hear that it adds to the economy. Part of our ethos is to try and bring in businesses opportunities where we can, without detracting from the enjoyment of the festival experience. The Settler's Pass is a subsidised ticket which extends the festival site into a Welsh holiday. Over 1,000 people are employed at the festival and many more are employed by external businesses to deal with the influx of visitors, or to produce the extra supplies, goods and equipment the festival requires and festival attendees purchase. It is the associated promotion of Wales through the brand which raises awareness, and interest in visitors. Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park, Crickhowell, Thurs 18-Sun 21 Aug. Tickets: £60-£175. Info: www.greenman.net

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food/drink

SWANSEA GIN FESTIVAL The UK’s largest gin festival will be hitting South Wales this month. Over 100 gins will be on offer to sample, with a variety of entertainment also being put on. As you enter the festival, you’re provided with a Gin Festival glass, a brochure, information on each company and suggested garnishes for each gin. On arrival you’ll need to purchase tokens in order to buy the gins which are £5 per drink. With live entertainment, talks from industry experts and food, the festival has all the ingredients for an enjoyable day out. Swansea Gin Festival 2016, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Fri 22 + Sat 23 Apr. Tickets: £7.50. Info: www.swansea.gov. uk/gin-festival-swansea-2016

pic ThreeIfByBike

A FOODIE’S GUIDE TO HOMEBREWING H

omebrewing has a 7000-year long history and had a resurgence after rationing in the Second World War led to a shortage in alcohol. After a brief hiatus, people all over the country are now taking up this rewarding hobby in their thousands and joining the homebrew revolution. It’s a lot simpler than you think. Most of the tools needed are household items: a cooking pot, a large plastic fermenting bucket (it is very important that you use food grade plastic when you ferment the alcohol, you may draw chemicals out of normal plastic which will tarnish the flavour), a long white stirring spoon, water and yeast – which produces the alcohol. For beer, you will need hops and malt extract, and for wine, fruit and sugar. Then, it is as simple as following the recipe. Once you have the basic ingredients you can experiment. It’s all about trial and error. I spoke with Jennifer Thomas who has been running a homebrew shop in Cardigan since 1978, selling everything you need to make your own alcohol. “If you think of it as a process, it’s so simple; if you have all the ingredients, you combine them, you will produce alcohol. All you have to do it be patient; unfortunately, we don't sell patience in a jar.” To make a homebrewed beer, it takes around four weeks, while wine takes around four to six weeks to make a fuller bodied tipple – but with a kit, you can make a bottle in seven days. People often like homebrewing because, like baking, you produce something that you can share with your friends and enjoy together. Not only is it sociable, but making your own alcohol cuts the cost dramatically. You can pay anything from £3 for a pint in a pub, but with homebrewing, after the initial outlay of buying the reusable materials, the actual ingredients are considerably cheaper – cutting the cost of a pint to under £1. So if you fancy taking up homebrewing as a hobby, find your nearest homebrew shop and get brewing – and drinking, of course. ELOUISE HOBBS Info: www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk

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TIME AND BEEF Coffee shop by day, burger joint with cocktails by night. The Canton coffee shop Time has turned into a burger bar, selling burgers with a ‘create your own’ theme which can be meaty, veggie or vegan-friendly. You can choose from a range of toppings like pulled pork, feta, beans and more. The independent company have vowed to never freeze their meat or pre-cook it, and to only buy from local suppliers to boost the freshness of their food even more. Time And Beef are here to prove that you don’t have to be one kind of cafe. You can be three if you really wish. Time And Beef, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff. Info: www.timeandbeef.co.uk

CALÇOTADA FESTIVAL Bar 44 will be celebrating the world famous Catalan tradition of eating calçots, with a selection from Valls in Tarragona this month. This festival celebrates the harvest of the calçot, a Catalan spring onion. Spanish food lovers can enjoy the ritual ,which involves grilling calçots over an open barbeque, before stripping back the skins, dipping them in a Romesco sauce and eating them with their fingers. Penarth’s Bar 44 held Wales first Catalan Onion Festival in 2014, and now Cardiff’s branch is continuing the tradition. Calçotada Festival, Bar 44, Cardiff, Sun 10 Apr. Admission: £30. Info: www.bar44. co.uk

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Outdoor Eats

GINGER SESAME GLAZE PORK pic Alper Cugan

The days are getting longer and the nights shorter. This admittedly is bad news for foxes, astronomers, and vampires, but fantastic for human beings who love the sun. This may leave sun frolicking astronomers confused, but for the rest of us Anica Whitmore suggests where to eat around Cardiff. JUNO LOUNGE Just a stone’s throw away from Roath Park, this cafe/bar's charming rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for indulging in brunch and a cold cider after a spring walk, with its friendly atmosphere and chilled-out vibe. 14 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff. Info: 029 2019 8990 / www.thelounges.co.uk

Words MICHAEL BELL www.mikeyandthekitchen.wordpress.com @mikeyandthekitchen Nothing gets me more excited for food than the sizzling crackle of meat against a griddle pan. Don’t be intimidated by the heat of a griddle pan, it only guarantees a natural yet burnished smokiness to a meat that cannot be imitated by any other ingredient. This recipe requires almost no effort and can be made in advance – you could even make the glaze as a dipping sauce and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week. INGREDIENTS Thumb-size piece of fresh ginger 3 tbsps hot chilli sauce (I use sriracha) 2 tbsps dark soy sauce 2 tbsps toasted sesame oil 1 tbsps rice wine 1 garlic clove

TY MAWR This traditional pub in Lisvane serves up quality pub grub, which can be enjoyed in their huge country garden whilst soaking up the spectacular views of Cardiff. Graig Rd, Lisvane, Cardiff. Info: 029 2075 4456 / www.tymawrcardiff.com

THE PURE KITCHEN If you're on track for that summer bod and hoping for a light bite, visit The Pure Kitchen in Cardiff Bay for some guilt-free indulgence. From protein pancakes to pizzas baked on a cauliflower base, you will leave feeling totally refreshed. The Flourish, Lloyd George Ave, Cardiff. Info: 029 2049 3348 / www. thepurekitchen.co.uk

THE FIG TREE Located on the esplanade in Penarth, this restored Victorian beach shelter sources all local produce, so you can enjoy a meal of fresh fish and chips whilst sitting on the veranda and looking out across the beautiful waterfront. The Esplanade, Penarth. Info: 029 2070 2512 / www.thefigtreepenarth.co.uk

LAS IGUANAS This Latin American-themed restaurant is positioned in the heart of Cardiff on Mill Lane, with a large outdoor seating area where you can enjoy cocktails and tapas in the lively ambiance of the city centre. 8 Mill Lane, Cardiff. Info: 029 2022 6373 / www.iguanas.co.uk

1 lime 290kg pork loin chops (2 steaks) 1 spring onion (to garnish) METHOD 1. Start by peeling the bud of the ginger (for ease, scrape the skin with a teaspoon). 2. In a blender add the hot sauce, soy, oil, rice wine and garlic clove before grating in the ginger. 3. Squeeze in the juice of the lime (reserving the husks for later) before clamping on the lid and blitzing to a thick glaze. 4. Place your pork steaks in a shallow dish before pouring over the glaze and covering with foil, allowing to marinade in the fridge (minimum 2 hours). 5. Heat a griddle pan until it’s hot enough for a teaspoon of water to sizzle and evaporate. 6. Take your pork cuts from their marinade and apply directly to the pan with a vicious crackle. 7. Pan fry for 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes to ensure smoky tiger stripes on either side. 8. Serve with some plain rice and adorned with finely chopped spring onion and some grated lime zest from the lime used earlier in the recipe.

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food/drink

pic Jules Morgan

A GUIDE TO MAKING YOUR OWN CHEESE

MILGI M O N T H L Y

e love to eat from the wild at Milgi and there are many pleasures to be gained from eating this way. Foraging allows you to reconnect with food, the environment and the seasons. Spring is an ideal time to grab a basket, head to your local hedgerow or green space and add a new dimension to your cooking.

pic Tavallai

pic Sonja Piepa

Wild garlic is a good place to start. It grows in abundance in woodland, hedgerows, and even in unpromising-looking urban green spaces. It is identifiable by its distinctive garlic-like smell, long lush leaves and white flowers.

n a time where instant gratification is the norm, Lynda Nash looks into the next great British pastime: cheese making.

Readers over a certain age will no doubt remember the big cheese glut of the 1980s. Catering-size blocks of generic yellow cheese were doled out to UK households to diminish the growing cheese mountains and, presumably, to help lower food bills while raising cholesterol levels. Grocery stores were inundated with slabs of cheese that people didn’t want. The ‘cheddar’ was tasteless and there are only so many cheese sandwiches and pies a person can stomach. But the country has moved on in terms of flavours, supermarkets stock a wide variety and the consumer is exposed to cheeses they might have once had to fly across the channel to taste. But why pay store prices for artisan cheeses when you can make your own for less and have fun doing it? Cheese-making kits come in various sizes and can cost just a tenner. Each kit contains full instructions and will make from two to eight different varieties. Just add milk. If you don’t fancy messing up your own kitchen, cheese-making courses are popping up all round the country. Forget spas breaks or writing retreats, why not have a cheesy weekend out in the country? Cwmcrwth Farm in Llandeilo runs a cheese-making course and Food Centre Wales offers the ‘Principles of Cheese Making’ for those who’d like to study cheese production on a more professional level. The art of cheese making, or caseiculture to give it its official name, dates back at least 5,000 years and The Cheesy Times has a wealth of information on how to use what you produce. Sliced with crackers and pickle will do nicely. Cwmcrwth Farm, Llandeilo. Info: www.cwmcrwthfarm.co.uk; Food Centre Wales, Llandysul. Info: www.foodcentrewales.org.uk

It’s best to add wild garlic towards the end of cooking to preserve its nutritional value, or even better, eat it raw. The taste is gentler than garlic cloves and the flowers are edible too, so add them as a garnish and as an ingredient to salads. Wild garlic is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and can be used to normalise gut flora. It’s mineral and chlorophyll-rich, and, if you've sourced it yourself the thrill of picking from nature’s larder will not only give your spirit a good massage but will also add culinary purpose to any humble walk. Take only what you need and only harvest what you can positively identify. Respect nature and enjoy its bounty. How to make wild garlic pesto: 1. Wash wild garlic and shake off excess water. 2. In a food processor, blend together a bunch of wild garlic, 30g walnuts and a big drizzle of olive oil to form a coarse paste. 3. Transfer to a bowl and season with black pepper and salt. Add more oil if the mixture is too stiff. Your pesto will keep for up to a week in the fridge if covered with some extra oil. If you’re hungry for more join the Milgi Tribe for recipes and the inside scoop on everything, from how we make our kombucha to sprouting lessons, recipes, foraging walks and field trips. Get online content delivered directly to your inbox each month by signing up to our website and start making the most of your free time! GABRIELLE KELLY Info: www.milgicardiff.com

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EPICURE EXPERIENCE

Celtic Manor, Newport. 01633 413000 / www.celtic-manor.com Food ***** Atmosphere **** The latest of Celtic Manor’s fine dining schemes sees Michelin star holder Richard Davies return to Wales to offer up a beautifully flavoured menu. In a typically classy affair, we were sat down in the new restaurant and treated to a cocktail and presented with a taster menu, accompanied with sommelier-selected wines. First up out of five courses was duck three ways, which may sound a little risqué, but was a Neapolitan mix of duck paté, duck breast, and what can only really be described as duck ham. Next up was turbot with pancetta in a brilliantly salty sauce, followed by the highlight of the night: Welsh lamb shoulder and loin with caramelised onion. The lamb shoulder was cooked to perfection, melting almost like butter, which when paired with a smoky South African red, a Morgenster Lourens River Valley, had an almost barbecued taste. With the savouries out of the way, we were swiftly served up with a citrusy set yoghurt, served alongside a sweet Austrian dessert wine. This was a perfect introduction into the final course, the mysteriously named ‘strawberries and cream’. Featuring neither strawberries nor cream, but rather a pleasant ice creamy desert with a crumbled biscuit base and white chocolate nibbles, this deconstructed cheesecake of sorts, along with a Chilean dessert wine, was the perfect way to round off a meal. With unparalleled service and harp renditions of everything from John Coltrane to Ray Charles, this is a promising addition to Newport’s food scene as they hope to attract a Michelin star themselves. Overall, the lamb, service and wine pairings turned this night into a triumph. LUKE OWAIN BOULT

pic Matthew Cook

food/drink

HANG FIRE SOUTHERN KITCHEN LAUNCH

The Pump House, Waterfront, Barry. www.restau.herokuapp.com/hfsk_home Food: ***** Atmosphere: ***** Given the success of the Hang Fire brand, it was only a matter of time, before a permanent home was found. Samantha Evans and Shauna Guinn, the passionate duo who launched the concept only three years ago following an adventure across America, where they repaired an old drum smoker deep in the Appalachian Mountains, cooking 500 racks of spare ribs at a rodeo in Houston. A love for barbecue was lit and an idea blossomed. Regularly found at pop-ups, street food markets and their own smoke house in Llantwit, the girls knew it was time to find a permanent home. The Pump House in Barry was the perfect location, away from the already saturated Cardiff market, and Barry has welcomed the venture with open arms. The launch early in March proved a huge success and guests were treated to samples of the menu. As well as their original recipe rubs, highlights included Creole filé gumbo: stew from Louisiana, made with jumbo shrimp, smoked Louisiana sausage and ground sassafras leaves, served with rice. And you have to try their wood-smoked chicken in a crunchy coating, with freshly made waffles, sweet potato fries and a jug of pepper gravy. The Parilla Grill (Wales’ first custom built wood fired burner) delivers flat iron steak, dry aged and grilled on oak, with Argentinian chimichurri fries and salad. What more could you want, other than perhaps, homemade and crafted soda ‘Triple soda’ devised by the girls in conjunction with Pipes Brewery, a collaboration paired to suit the Hang Fire taste. Add to the mix a selection of local crafted beers and ales, and fresh and varied food, and you’ve got Hang Fire: a place where you know the food has been created with passion and a vision to share the love. Perfect. You need to book at least a month in advance, that’s how good this Southern hospitality is! Love it. ANTONIA LEVAY

THE CLASSROOM

Cardiff & Vale College, Dumballs Road, Cardiff. 029 2025 0377 / www.theclassroom.wales Food **** Atmosphere *** Be they budding hairdressers or biologists, the lower floors of this college are still bustling with students when we arrive just before 7pm. One in the eye for anyone who might carp about today’s idle teens – as, indeed, is The Classroom, which is at the top floor of the building and whose kitchen pairs experienced head chef Alex Smith with catering course trainees. Whisked via elevator past the college’s jumble of glass and primary coloured fittings, we’re given a window seat – it’s not very busy, but it is a Wednesday – in the bright, airy room. The open-plan kitchen reveals Smith with a solitary assistant, but the duo prove able from the starters. Potted rabbit is rich, gamey and fine; a salad of dandelion and carrot tops (from the late rabbit’s personal stash, no doubt) is indifferent and black onion seed toast seems to be missing its seeds. Similarly, the globe artichoke gets a tad lost in an artichoke and pea risotto, but the creamy decadence compensates for this. Main courses ascend a level, with very little to fault beyond nitpickery. Of fried John Dory with lemon and dill gnocchi, samphire and cockle veloute, the gnocchi was vaguely cloying but the fish was meaty and exquisite. A Caerphilly cheddar soufflé wobbles alluringly and is properly light and fluffy when set about; yellow beetroot is an especially worthy accompaniment. With desserts added, this felt like a perfectly weighted three courses. A pear parfait delivers a belting rush of concentrated fruit in each mouthful, while the hit of cocoa from a dark chocolate and rum torte is even more impressive, arriving in three stages. A meal for two came to £75, a good bottle of Le Versant pinot noir accounting for one third of that. The Classroom is a noble concept with results to match, and the fact that most of the CAVC students are subsisting on wraps from the One Stop down below shouldn’t dissuade you from visiting. NOEL GARDNER BUZZ 35

art

RELICS: A PHOTOSPHERICAL REFLECTION ON WALES National Waterfront Museum, Swansea Until Sun 22 May A Cardiff-based visual artist who transforms scenic panoramic images into large spherical 360º sculptures, that he called photospheres, is to have his work displayed in Swansea. The captivating new art form, created by photographer and artist Matt Wright, are of various historical sites from around Wales. He presents them in a series of intriguing 3D photospheres. When they were first on exhibit to the public they were placed in the landscape they depicted. Two years later they will be gathered together and on display in Swansea. Wright explains, “As a visual artist I am often drawn towards environments that have been lost or forgotten. I love photography’s ability to alter our understanding of the world and actively seek out the discrepancies between our own and a cameras capacity to record and see the world.” Other places where the installations have been inspired from are as diverse as the top of an abandoned blast furnace in Northern Spain, pre and post-demolition steel landscapes in Newport, windswept canyons in Utah, and the high mountains of Colorado. For his project Relics, Matt Wright has spent the past 10 years investing his time and skill into these high definition spheres, and the outcome are those colourful sculptures of Wales’ historic landmarks. They were inspired by eight of the nation’s most iconic sites, including Blaenavon Ironworks and Tintern Abbey. The exhibit is funded by the National Museum Wales, Cadw and the Arts Council Of Wales. Relics was his first large-scale project based around this innovative art form in Wales, and was so well loved that it’s back. Wright further explains, “Wales’ incredibly diverse range of landscapes and rich heritage has always provided me with a great amount of creative inspiration. Having developed the photospherical medium here, I was extremely pleased to get the opportunity to work at such impressive Welsh heritage sites.” Matt Wright has been travelling with his project Relics: A Photospherical Reflection On Wales since 2014. Admission: free. Info: 029 2057 3600 / www.museumwales.ac.uk KARA GURR

CEREDIG AP DAFYDD: STILL LIFE IN THE POST-INDUSTRIAL AGE King Street Gallery, Carmarthen Fri 8-Thurs 21 Apr The title pretty much speaks for itself when you hear it, ‘still life in the post-industrial age’. That’s what you get with Welsh sculptor and fine artist, Ceredig Ap Dafydd. The young artist’s work is said to elegantly and simply deconstruct the materialistic world we’re used to, through a subtle adaptation of values. Why do we value things differently when together they make up everything we want and need? That is exactly what is explored in his exhibition, which a collective of life-related things when broken down to their core, are made simple again. Ceredig ap Dafydd’s exhibition is solely focused on the untold and unobserved beauty that is often overlooked due to its complete normality and simplicity, small things we see regularly on a day-to-day basis. He explains, "I try to use conventional building materials and apply or present them in a way that considers anew the fabricated environment humans have built around themselves." By using typical building materials that we’re used to, Dafydd creates that connection that we usually disassociate ourselves from. Admission: free. Info: 012670 220121 / www.kingstreetgallery.co.uk (KG) BUZZ 36

CHEON PYO LEE

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery @ YMCA, Swansea Until Sat 30 Apr Korean born Cheon Pyo Lee’s current residency for Swansea’s Glynn Vivian Gallery is an opportunity for the New Yorkbased artist to showcase his experimental, chaotic and strangely accessible style to the community of Swansea. In return the community has the opportunity to engage with an internationally accredited artist with an impressive body of work that is both playful and thought provoking. Although born in Korea, Lee grew up in Paraguay before moving to the United States to study at renowned art institutions, culminating in an MFA from the Yale School of Art. Such an eclectic mix of places to call home has surely had an effect on the artist’s multidisciplinary output, which seamlessly blends sculpture, moving image and photography to name but a handful of his practices. Visitors to the Glynn Vivian can expect work that is largely interactive; there are no neatly roped areas and ‘please do not touch’ signs here. Lee creates art that on the surface appears to be brimming with childlike innocence, there is absurdity in spades yet a darker side glimmers for those who stare long enough. Admission: free. Info: 01792 516900 / www.glynnvivian.com (CW)

HOLLOW: JENNY HALL

Aberystwyth Arts Centre Until Sat 7 May Jenny Hall’s interactive exhibit Hollow inspired by a copper mine, explores the creative destruction involved in the art of construction. The giant hollow sculpture is made of loose cardboard boxes connected by magnets, to represent the ‘ore’ that has been extracted from inside the large mine model. The cardboard ‘mine’ is built on a mirrored floor, to reflect the form above giving an even bigger visual effect. It seeks to explore the equal and opposite actions of excavation and construction and to explore the question ‘what is left in the emptiness?’ When living in Finland, Jenny Hall developed the idea for this exhibit when hearing more about the local Orijarvi copper mine. The point for the exhibit to be interactive to the public is to explore a creative understanding for displacement and destruction. Throughout history, we have burrowed underground for raw materials to build wealth. But what happens when you can visually see and experience the effect that has? With every move of a cardboard box, something else is changed making there an easier understanding of underground chambers. Tickets: £2-£5. Info: 01970 623232 / www. aberystwythartscentre.co.uk (KG)

LITTLE PICTURE SHOW

Albany Gallery, Cardiff Until Sat 23 Apr The Little Picture Show takes its name not from its synonymous link with the cinema but from the size of the paintings themselves. The exhibition houses paintings by over 60 artists, all of whom have created small paintings for this unique showing. By exhibiting smaller pieces of work by established artists, they are considerably less expensive. Renowned artists who will be exhibiting at the show include: Lindsay Madden, who uses the human form as her inspiration and paints the figures on old school rulers and protractors; successful greeting card designer Louise Rawlings, whose paintings tell a story with child-like simplicity and Luned Aaron, who captures the gentle moments of family in his dreamlike paintings. There are two great landscape painters whose style, unique to them, will allow you to view the world from a different perspective. Sarah Carvell is based in and inspired by north Wales and Peter Wileman uses colour to express movement in his abstract scenes. The artworks encompass all tastes from experiential and abstract to the realist and controversial, leaving visitors free to discover something new in every little space. Admission: free. Info: 029 2048 7158 / www.albanygallery.com (EH)

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Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd National Museum Cardiff

Darganfyddwch drysorau o bob cwro’r byd APRIL 2016

ARCHEBWCH NAWR Plant 16 ac iau am ddim amgueddfacymru.ac.uk/trysorau #TrysorauCaerdydd #AnturCymru

Discover treasures from around the world BOOK NOW 16s & under free of charge museumwales.ac.uk/treasures #TreasuresCardiff #AdventureWales

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stage

AN INSPECTOR CALLS New Theatre, Cardiff Tue 12-Sat 16 Apr The Stephen Daldry-helmed West End production of J.B Priestley’s thriller, An Inspector Calls, has won more awards than any other play in history, and is coming to Cardiff this month. This haunting classic, originally produced by the National Theatre in 1992, was written after the Second World War but was set before the First. The story follows Inspector Goole, who arrives unexpectedly at the Birling family home – a warm capsule of privilege with expensive chandeliers, champagne, port and a lot of tension. He ruins their delightful engagement party dinner by beginning his investigation into the suicide of a young, working-class woman. With his horrifyingly intrusive questions, it becomes clear that perhaps they all bear some sort of guilt for the destruction of the young woman. Goole's startling revelations and relentless behaviour shake the foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences. This is the story of a family being torn apart by a questionable investigator – if he even is an investigator – but how much of it is their fault? With the drama unfolding, the focus is strongly class-based, riffing on tensions and divisions between the rich and the poor – an issue that is just as relevant today. The words that Priestley put across in 1912 will always maintain a significant impact on anything you apply it to: “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” With swelling orchestral music to bring the hair on the back of your neck to a stand, this play has thrilled audiences in the West End, on Broadway, and further worldwide with its wildly imaginative and chilling suspense. As a play that is set in only one room, a lot lies in the balance of the character traits, and with that it has the power to shock and stun its audience in seconds. Tickets: £9-£29.50. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk KARA GURR

TONIGHT IM GONNA BE THE NEW ME Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff Fri 8 + Sat 9 Apr

This short, snappy and tantalisingly uncomfortable piece from Made In China focuses on real life relationships, specifically those of the play’s co-founders. How well do we perform when we’re one half of a relationship? Why don’t they ever quite live up to our expectations set by Hollywood? This is explored within this clever masterpiece of a play. Why is it considered so dark and hostile you ask? Well it’s almost like, some say, the play version of the chilling film Gone Girl. By that I mean fantasising about your partner’s death, in detail, on the regular. Jess Latowicki, who is the star on stage, explores the mind of her partner Tim Cowbury, who wrote the script. Tim is the man in the shadows who keeps you guessing throughout whether or not he is controlling Jess, or if it’s her decision all along. Adorably sweet on the surface, with their own ‘Jessisms’, events soon turn sour. It’s said to perfectly entwine the feeling of being confused in love with being confused watching the show. Well that’s love for you. It's confusing as hell, yet thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Tickets: £12/£10. Info: 020 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org (KG) BUZZ 38

SID

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff Thurs 21 + Fri 22 Apr The latest play by the new London-based theatre company 5POUND5, Sid, is a one-man stage show created by Leon Fleming, and directed by theatre company director Scott Le Crass. Dario Coates stars as Craig, an unstable punk rocker who feels like he’s losing it in a confusing world. Alienated from his girlfriend who’s convinced he’s mad, and only finding solace is the punk music he’s mocked for enjoying, Craig’s life is starting to unravel. However, it’s in this loneliness that Craig finds a friend, and it’s none other than the Sex Pistols’ deceased bassist Sid Vicious. This show explores the all too relatable adolescent act of hero worship and the very nature of punk. Having cut its teeth with years of development and growth in London, the play is coming to Cardiff as part of its tour of the UK. The idea behind Sid is innovative, and if done well, then 5POUND5 could be onto a winner. The mix between a one-manplay format and an almost Lynchian commentary on punk and idols is refreshing and has all the ingredients for an engaging short play. The play contains strong language, but by the sounds of it he has every right to it. Tickets: £7.50-£15. Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermancymru.co.uk (LOB)

GRAEME OF THRONES

Grand Theatre, Swansea Wed 27 Apr This hilarious stage production, which parodies the blockbuster TV franchise Game Of Thrones takes us on a journey through the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, with countless laugh out loud moments along the way. Having sold out shows in both the West End and in Australia, this humorously low-budget spoof of GOT to South Wales’ theatres. The play finds Graeme (Ali Brice), a devoted GOT fan, eager to recreate his favourite TV series with his best friend Paul and his school crush Bryony. His budget is low, his cast members are few, but he’s sure that George R.R. Martin would love it. Once Graeme catches wind that an influential theatrical producer is in the building, he decides that it could be his big break. Silly, ridiculous, and over the top are words that have been used to describe this production, but if anything it all adds to the humour that talented comedy writers Andrew Doyle and Dan Evans have come together to create. It must be said that without watching the original series, the jokes will most certainly be lost. However, for any avid fan of the cult series, it will be well worth a watch. Tickets: £18.50. Info: 01792 475715 / www.swansea.gov.uk (RT)

CONSTELLATION STREET

The Other Room @ Porters, Cardiff Mon 11-Sat 30 Apr

Matthew Bulgo is the next playwright on the list for the INSOMNIA season at The Other Room in Porters. Bulgo, originally from Swansea, wrote his debut, Last Christmas, addressing an emotional journey set in his hometown. A gritty Welsh drama is definitely on the cards once again with his latest offering, Constellation Street. If the previous productions in this venue are anything to go by, then Bulgo’s new play is sure to be another stellar hit. Recent showings in this intimate location have included Sand and St. Nicholas which have examined the darkness that lies within people and the consequences of their actions for themselves as well as others. Constellation Street will, like the rest of the series, continue in the exploration of these themes. The play charts the individual and interconnecting paths of four people during one night in Cardiff and the evening's resulting effects. Will any of the characters be able to escape their past with the promise of a new day, or will the following night merely drag them back into the dark? Tickets: £12/£10 (pay what you can previews on Mon 11 + Tue 12 Apr). Info: www.otherroomtheatre.com (LM)

Theatrau RhCT/RCT Theatres

CARA DILLON Y Colisëwm/ The Coliseum Ebrill 8 April 8.00pm £20.00

AN EVENING WITH

sherman

LULU

Y Colisëwm/ The Coliseum Ebrill 13 April 8.00pm £35.00

RICH HALL Y Parc a’r Dâr/ The Park & Dare Ebrill 14 April 8.00pm £16.00

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Y Colisëwm/ The Coliseum Ebrill 16 April 7.30pm £12.00 /£10.00

PASHA KOVALEV

Y Colisëwm/ The Coliseum Ebrill 23 April 7.30pm £23.00

TONTO EVANS Y Colisëwm/ The Coliseum Ebrill 25 & 26 April 7.30pm Ebrill 27 April 1.00pm

Y Parc a’r Dâr/ The Park & Dare Ebrill 28 & 29 April 7.30pm Ebrill 30 April 2.00pm £12.00 /10.00

BUZZ 39

clubs

JORIS VOORN Shangri-La Bank Holiday All-Dayer @ Tramshed, Cardiff Sun 1 May Technologically-advanced Rotterdam native Joris Voorn has achieved a lot in his 20 years DJing. His 2002 debut for the Keynote label contained hi-tech rhythmic textures and future-shock melodies inspired by classic Dutch record labels like Djax-Up-Beats and Spiritual, but with a sense of progression that made him a huge inspiration on the tech-house sound that ended up taking over a lot of clubs and labels. These early productions received support from Carl Craig, Derrick May and Laurent Garnier, so he was instantly a name in the highest levels of European dance music. Just last year he was given the controls of Fabric 83, the latest in the illustrious London club's official mix series. 2009 was the year his profile became seriously large, after he released his Balance 14 CD – a complex mix of over 100 tracks digitally engineered to fit together in an amazingly detailed way; he was beating Richie Hawtin at his own game. Of course, in recent years his productions have distanced themselves from the warehouse-filling trance-tinged techno style that he made his name with – things are more suitable for well-dressed European clubbers, with bedroom-friendly melodies and pleasant, building harmonic shifts. He’s been relatively quiet of late, but 2015’s Sonic Highway saw him reappear for his first proper single in two years, an Italo disco-influenced journey through fizzing drum machines and waves of pinging, headspinning synthesisers. Prepare to be surprised when you catch him DJing though – that Fabric mix wasn't just any old bodged-together selection of house, spanning Detroit techno from Plastikman and Robert Hood alongside emotive deep house, modern UK electronics and even a bit of classic jungle, all skilfully woven together using Ableton music software. This daytime bash is the biggest party yet thrown by Shangri-La, normally found in Cardiff’s Glam nightspot. Other top names featuring in its 10-hour duration include Liverpudlian big room house man Yousef; Kydus, a young DJ from Yousef’s Circus label; and Swansea promoters The Lighthouse Project controlling the second room. Tickets: £20. Info: 0117 9259273 GWYN THOMAS DE CROUSTCHOFF

FLAVA D / SIR SPYRO

Sink @ Sin City Sat 16 Apr Swansea consistently punches above its weight when it comes to grime and garage lately, even outbooking Cardiff most of the time, and that’s largely down to the work of the Sink promoters. Last year alone they brought down DJs, producers and MCs including Big Narstie, Newham Generals, DJ Magic, Stormzy, Melé, Barely Legal, Redlight, DJ EZ, Mike Skinner and a topless, musclebound Tempa T. They seem to be continuing their success with this double header. Sir Spyro’s widely considered as the most technically skilled grime DJ, a master of fast-cutting CDJ techniques. He's been a regular on Rinse FM for a decade now, and mixed the Pure Grime series of CDs that aped garage’s equivalent chart-busting mix series. He’s also the DJ for legendary grime crew Ruff Squad and the tour DJ for crossover star Tinchy Stryder. Alongside him is fresher talent Flava D, not only a strong DJ but a brilliant and unusually female producer in what’s often considered a man's genre. She’s come through as one of the better producers of recent years, releasing on esteemed label Butterz and carrying out a high-level collaboration with DJ Q. It's to Sink’s credit that, while it’s predominately a student-populated fixture – not that there’s anything wrong with that – they’re supplying Wales with some essential UK music. More power to them. Tickets: £8. Info: 01792 468892 (GTDC) BUZZ 40

DEWALTA

Platform @ Scene Club, Swansea Sat 16 Apr Part of the same house and techno empire as Dogruff, Buzz covered Platform’s third birthday with S.A.M last year, and they kick off their spring season now with DeWalta. A subtle practitioner of minimal techno and deep house, strongly influenced by the cold clarity of Berlin techno, David Koch grew up surrounded by a musical family and instructed himself in the art of jazz from the age of 10. After attending an elite Berlin music school he had a serious talent for saxophone, piano, composition, and music theory. The emphasis of improvisation in jazz led him to experimentation, and he began to acquire studio equipment, experimenting with different sounds and eventually founding his own label to release dancefloor records. Obviously his musical upbringing gave him a head start, as one year later he was signed to the Vakant label, releasing alongside some of the most exciting innovators in minimal techno such as Alex Smoke and Robag Wruhme. Since then he’s put together two solo albums, and just a few days ago released another in collaboration with regular partner Mike Shannon – it’s more than plain old ‘mnml’ with some seriously lively bangers too. Just before this Welsh trip, DeWalta performed his machine music in Melbourne, Sydney and Lombok Island in Indonesia – we hope he finds Swansea to his liking... Tickets: £12/£10 early bird. Info: events@thesceneclub.co.uk (GTDC)

STICKY

Selecta @ Undertone, Cardiff Fri 15 Apr Undertone’s in-house night for soundsystembusting UK beats takes a break from its normal resident-fronted parties to bring to Cardiff a master of UK garage. This is a night for the ravers who enjoyed last month’s night with Jason Kaye and Mike ‘Ruffcut’ Lloyd; the Welsh capital seems to be having a resurgence of this sort of thing lately, which certainly makes a change from house. Richard ‘Sticky’ Forbes built his reputation as one of the scene’s leading producers in the early noughties heyday. His distinctive sound ranges from full frontal, speakerdestroying examples of garage at its most bass-twisted and tearing, and ragga style vocal riddims that tap into the Caribbean soundsystem DNA of UK garage. There’s a total devotion to frenetic energy in his music's zig-zagging rhythms, and the playful hooks with a touch of darkness make his music full of character – for proof, check out his track Triplets and the series of remade versions that he followed its dancefloor success with. His tunes were unavoidable in the clubs during the golden era, and his classic Booo! kickstarted the career of Ms. Dynamite. Sticky’s long list of club and chart hits features other vocal collaborators like Kele Le Roc, Tubby T, Stush and Twista, and he remixed the likes of Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah and Sugababes at the peak of his powers. Admission: £7/£5. Info: 029 2022 8883 (GTDC)

LETHAL BIZZLE

Tramshed, Cardiff Sat 30 Apr Grime posterboy turned YouTube star, who once wrote an article for the Guardian headlined “David Cameron is a donut”, Lethal Bizzle’s 2004 track Pow! (Forward) was probably the genre’s biggest hit, and was so explosive and energetic that club owners instructed DJs not to play it for fear of violence – one DJ booth allegedly bore a sign reading “All Lethal B tracks are banned from this venue (including instrumentals)”. It's been described as “a 21st-century anthem with a life of its own”; the NME compared it with the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen. It's a classic of the 16-bar grime style; after Lethal Bizzle’s intro, each guest MC has 16 bars to say their piece, in frantic style and with violent imagery – but to a rapturous, excited response in the club. Tim Westwood once complained, “You can’t play a hip-hop tune after Pow! It's like a volcano erupting,” and it became a notorious soundtrack for the 2011 London riots. Bizzle has gone on to create an enthusiastic and larger-than-life persona on social media, popularising surreal street lingo (such as “twos twos now” and “dench”) that gets plastered onto t-shirts all over London and beyond. In 2015 the 31year old Walthamstow MC released Fester Skank, his first single for a few years, with a hip-hop style and hard-to-ignore, laidback groove – this is a good chance to check out his new flex. Tickets: £16.50. Info: 0117 9259273 (GTDC)

BUZZ 41

live

DAN BETTRIDGE

St. Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan Fri 29 Apr Highly rated, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Dan Bettridge will be playing a home gig this month after taking his talents across the pond to the USA and Canada. The Vale Of Glamorgan will be Dan’s fourth stop on his tour; the Welshman’s ability to portray real soul in his music has him tipped to make a real dent in the music industry and become one of the country’s biggest artists. If you’re not familiar with this relative rookie, think Paolo Nutini, Ben Howard and Johnny Cash mixed together to create a real star in the making. Originating from Ogmore-By-Sea in the Vale Of Glamorgan, the 22-year-old is returning home and it could be one of the last times he plays at a venue of this size with his career really starting to take off. Bettridge released his first EP Hunter’s Heart in 2013 and has since released a second, Darker Days. A full studio album shouldn’t be too far away for Dan, with demand for his music ever increasing. His songs have been aired on Huw Stephens’ show on BBC Radio 1 and he's also had his music aired on Radio 2 by Dermot O’Leary and Jo Whiley. His recognition overseas is to be admired after performing at Canadian Music Week in Toronto and also with CMJ in New York. His popularity is growing and growing, so get down to St. Donats Arts Centre for an intimate music session with an artist whose career is on the verge of catapulting. The impressive youngster has already played in sizeable Welsh festivals such as Swn and Green Man. His take on folk and country music is phenomenal for a man his age. New single Rosie Darling is just one example of his ability: the song is classic in style but seems to fit in modern music. While his style has touchstones among today’s folk/pop scene – the aforementioned Ben Howard and Paolo Nutini – despite this, Dan still manages to achieve originality. This could truly be his breakthrough year. Tickets: £10. Info: 01446 799100 RHYS TOMPKINS

pic BBC Introducing

KIMYA DAWSON

The Globe, Cardiff Thurs 21 Apr This gig, you ought to know, is something myself and many others have been looking forward to for a long time. Seeing Kimya Dawson live – and it’s been several years since the Olympia-based indie favourite visited south Wales – is on my hypothetical bucket list. Her solo discography includes plenty of songs that make you laugh and cry at the same time (Tire Swing, Loose Lips), plus there’s her early-00s work with Adam Green in The Moldy Peaches (Gary, of Cardiff indie night Twisted By Design, still drops Who's Got The Crack? from time to time). The Uncluded, a hip-hop-meets-folk creation alongside Aesop Rock, is another favourite – is there nothing she hasn’t or couldn’t undertake? Kimya never holds back and lyrically paints her emotions all over her sleeve with no embarrassments, and that’s what makes her such a compelling artist. Respect is due to The Globe’s promoters for giving us the chance to share in it this month; don’t mistake this for a Debbie Downer experience, mind you, with Kimya it’s all done with a wry smile and a sense of fun. After all, in these dire times of political unrest we all need a woman like Kimya to comfort us... Support comes from Little Wings, aka Kyle Field: an acoustic singer-songwriter who has performed with Grandaddy, Herman Dune and Devendra Banhart. Tickets: £12. Info: 07590 471888 (JE) BUZZ 42

THE PEOPLE'S FOLK FESTIVAL

The Graig Community Hall / The Ruperra Arms, Bassaleg, Newport Sat 16 Apr The People's Folk Festival is returning to Bassaleg for its second year, bringing the sleepy village to life with whistles, bells and traditional dancing. Headlining this year are Harvey Andrews [pictured], a mainstay of the folk scene since 1964, and Welsh singersongwriter Rob Lear and his band. More established performers like Chris Moreton and The Chartists will perform alongside upand-coming acts such as local dance group Shoostring and Meg Cox, whose opening to the evening concert last year went down a storm. Saturday’s events start at 1pm and music is free until 6pm. The £10 evening tickets include entry to the open mic in The Graig Community Hall the previous evening – amps will be plugged in from 8.30, so if you fancy yourself as the next Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell, come along and grab the mic. If you prefer food to folk, gastropub The Ruperra Arms – who serve the lightest battered cod for miles – are hosting The Bassaleg Food Festival. As well as an eat-in or take-out menu, there will be stalls from local and Welsh suppliers of street food and other delicacies. The folk festival is organised by Newport Folk Club and tickets are available in advance from Bryn at bryn.millichip@gmail.com. With music, dancing and plenty of grub there should be something for everyone. Tickets: £10 evening/free afternoon. Info: 07983 769350 (LN)

PORTHCAWL JAZZ FESTIVAL

Various venues, Porthcawl Fri 22-Sun 24 Apr If you do like to be beside the seaside, and like some swing in your music, maybe it’d be worth you checking out the 16th annual Porthcawl Jazz Festival. The picturesque town and its photogenic seafront makes for a worthy location for a fun weekend of music and dancing. “Porthcawl is a place filled with music, culture and creativity, and we have a great legacy of jazz here. Our festival – one of the longest-running jazz festivals in Wales – truly showcases what makes our town special,” said David Newton-Williams, Mayor of Porthcawl. The festival’s Musical Director Wayne Warlow said, “Being part of the festival since its inception, it has been rewarding to watch it grow and become an event that is woven into the fabric of the town and Jazz communities. We’re looking to add to its legacy with another collection of unforgettable performances this year.” This year’s lineup is a culmination of the Festival’s commitment to bringing a diverse group of jazz and blues musicians to South Wales. Locations and venues across the town will host new artists and student groups, plus established acts such as Claire Martin, Ray Gelato [both pictured] and the Rhondda Symphony Pops Orchestra. There will also be a recreation of the legendary New York Cotton Club to add to the atmosphere. Tickets: free-£20. Info: info@porthcawljazz-festival.com (OS)

THE YOUNG‘UNS

St David’s Hall, Cardiff Tue 19 Apr Not quite so young anymore, the Young‘uns have been plying their trade for over a decade now and will be bringing to Cardiff’s St David’s Hall a finely honed performance of heartfelt, harmonious folk tunes, interspersed with no little humour to balance the often gravely serious subjects covered in their punchy folk tunes. The Teeside three-piece are in south Wales to promote their latest record, Another Man’s Ground, an album stuffed full of pride in their hometown of Stockton and its people. Beyond the immediate surroundings of home, the group (current holders of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ coveted Best Group title) tackle a diverse range of subject matter, from tales of love and loss in World War I (Private Hughes), to the affecting The Streets Of Lahore, on which songwriter Sean Cooney pulls no punches in his depiction of the horrific ‘honour killing’ of Farzana Parveen in 2014. Predominantly playing a capella, with occasional accompaniment, the three lads’ live show is not about bombast, gimmicks or pyrotechnical stagecraft. Instead, they rely on Cooney’s first-class songwriting skills, their impressively tight harmonies and a healthy serving of wit and natural camaraderie, with each other and with their audience, to ensure that they deliver on the undoubtedly high expectations that precede them. Admission: £14/£13 adv. Info: 029 2087 8444 (HR)

NO.1

MUSIC SHOP IN CARDIFF

DRUM DEPARTMENT

NOW OPEN Professional Music Technology (PMT) in Cardiff opened its doors in November 2015, but it’s already becoming the hot spot for local musicians to get the latest gear from. Stocking the world’s best musical instrument and equipment brands, it’s not hard to see why the music shop has drawn a multitude of customers and big names from the music industry, including Adam Zindani of the Stereophonics, award-winning songwriter Amy Wadge, Richie Ramone and Cardiff-based band Houdini Dax, who played a live acoustic gig on the shop’s opening night. Mike Podesta, store manager of PMT Cardiff, said: “The new shop has been very well received and everyone seems to be particularly happy with the depth of stock that’s available to choose from; especially the DJ and pro-audio equipment, which there’s been a definite lack of in the area for some time. “Customers have also been very impressed with our selection of electric and acoustic guitars, which I think is the best in Wales, with us stocking the latest Fender, Gibson and PRS models. The Roland and Yamaha electronic drum kits have been going down a storm too with the kits always being set-up and ready for customers to try their chops on!”

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PMT Cardiff isn’t just for established musicians either. The shop offers free tuition for beginners on any instrument sold with the Cardiff Community Music School at Chapter Arts Centre. Plus, PMT Cardiff has tons of events booked over the next couple of months. Mike Podesta continued: “We have plenty of events lined up, including the Yamaha Montage Tour, the Steve White Drum Clinic and we are currently arranging in-store instrument and recording technique clinics with some top names in the music world in conjunction with the Atrium, Cardiff's School of Creative Cultural Arts. So watch this space!”

PMT, St Mary Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2022 1029 www.pmtonline.co.uk

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reviews albums 9BACH *** Anian (Real World) Rich with juxtaposed resonant electronics and acoustic timbres, a gritty, moody atmosphere pervades this record. As 9Bach proclaim, it reflects their feelings on the current state of the world. A big and bold beginning unfortunately loses some of its momentum toward the closing songs, with repetition seemingly the main obstacle. However, there are still plenty of stunners to choose from on the album, namely title track Anian and the mournful interpretation of trad Welsh lullaby Si Hwi Hwi. CPI

ASKING ALEXANDRIA **** The Black (Sumerian) Not too long ago, the future seemed a little bleak for these Yorkshire metallers. The departure of founding member Danny Worsnop devastated his bandmates, but the following “black period” has inspired a whole new record. New lead singer, Ukrainian Denis Stoff made his name posting Asking Alexandria covers on YouTube, and now fronts the band and gives the five-piece a new lease of life. The title track cements their trademark sound, while Let It Sleep explodes the band into a new era. OS

BABYMETAL **** Metal Resistance (earMUSIC) For those unfamiliar with Babymetal, brace yourselves. The band who fuse Japanese pop with metal are on album number two. Lead single Karate shows serious riff potential, while {No Rain, No Rainbow has some really good melodies to back up their gimmicks. As it goes on, the album goes from weird to sounding almost quite natural. They're still quirky to say the least, but Metal Resistance sounds like Babymetal are getting closer to reaching their full Wembley Arena-headlining potential. AE

BEN WATT **** Fever Dream (Unmade Road) It is unlikely that Everything But The Girl will be back any time soon, but both Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn seem to be making some pretty good music outside of EBTG, as well as writing books. Ben

Watt’s last solo album Hendra was a prime example of folk-rock perfection, and Fever Dream is just as good. Bernard Butler is still around to help and the songs this time round deal with the frailty of human relationships. DN

BLACK MOUNTAIN ***** IV (Jagjaguwar) Replete with Hipgnosisinspired album art, IV sees the Canadian outfit continuing their prog odyssey, re-capturing the spacerock formula that was at its pinnacle on their second studio venture In The Future. With a more than subtle nod to the transcendent synth heights of Rick Wright throughout and co-vocalist Amber Webber channelling Toyah Willcox, this is an effort that showcases the band on form and indulging in the lofty excesses of the concept and art rock sound of the 70s. CP

THE BURNING HELL **** Public Library (BB*ISLAND) Something of a concept album on offer here from Mathias Kom & Co. Eight songs exploring various styles of writing where the music bio of The Road falls in with the rom-com (and album peak) Fuck The Government, I Love You – all of which are told with The Burning Hell’s trademark witty and thought-provoking lyrics. Kom’s song-writing is on par with Jeffrey Lewis whilst his delivery evokes Bill Callahan (Smog) and David Berman (Silver Jews). A pretty damn fine seventh record. BG

FACE + HEEL **** Our Princes’ Quarry (Believe Digital) Like a boat across a wild shore, Our Princes’ Quarry cracks and bows against a force much greater than itself. Bristol-based two-piece Face + Heel have managed, here, with an atmospheric backline, some tight, tetchy pop rhythms and their synthy, modular shifts, to capture a feeling of verypresent, almost wistful unease. At once looking back to the 80s, and straight at now, this album is no half-made thing. It’s clearly meticulously made, anthemic, and really very good. BK

FRIGHTENED RABBIT **** Painting Of A Panic Attack (Atlantic) The fifth album from Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit, is a slow burn. The first track, the ethereal Death Dream, leads into a collection of songs with a haunting quality to them. Lyrics are urban, tunes are sometimes beautiful – 400 Bones and Lump Street – and Scott Hutchison’s voice blends well with the melodies. Songs, though, are a little short – just as you begin to get absorbed, the album moves swiftly on. Deserves several plays, nevertheless. LN

GUERILLA TOSS **** Eraser Stargazer (DFA) Lurid products of the American noiserock scene, given to releasing cassettes every five minutes and playing gigs in people’s cellars, Guerilla Toss recently made an unlikely signing with DFA, much like Black Dice did a decade or so back. Eraser Stargazer, while not exactly threatening much indie-dance crossover, has a tangible funkiness over its 28-minute duration. New York’s original no wave miscreants – James Chance, especially – are apparent in GT’s ancestry, likewise marginal underground heroes of the previous decade such as Coughs and Magik Markers. NG

KNIFEWORLD *** Bottled Out Of Eden (Insideout) A song called Lowered Into Necromancy should never be boring, so lose a star Knifeworld. But have three for the remainder: Bottled Out Of Eden is the third LP from the many-headed London band, formed by ex-Cardiac Kavus Torabi and swimming in a kind of kitchen sink psychedelia. The best bits are loaded at the front of the album, as the parping horn section make weird shapes over gently driving freak outs. Some Spartan, quasi-mystical guff at the end tends to spoil things though. WS

KONONO NO 1 *****

MAN MADE *** TV Broke My Brain (Soul Kitchen) A debut full-length offering from the Manchester three piece, with Manchester being the tag word here. This 11-track record has Britpop stamped all over it; you can hear the obvious influences of a number of 90s bands from start to finish. The gritty intro on All Mine stands out, You Never Know How It Feels has a nice feel to it and Plastic Key To Living is finger-picking good. Give it a listening over. OS

M. WARD **** More Rain (Bella Union) Many football commentators say how the best midfielders always seem to have more time and space than anyone else. You can apply this principle to M. Ward, who has now breezed his way through eight solo LPs with singular vision, creativity, class and consistency. For Portland read Manchester, as More Rain whips up doowop, glam, Americana, indie and surf into its own microclimate of uplifting tunes from the literal and metaphoric gloom, much like Morrissey circa Every Day Is Like Sunday. CS

QUIET NOISE ****

Konono No 1 Meets Batida (Crammed Discs)

Music | Building | Music (Audiobulb)

If you can listen to this album and not nod your head, tap anything near you rhythmically, or dance, you are either dead inside or literally a corpse. Combine in equal measures Brazilian carnival, an underground rave you’ve never been to, and the controlled yet somehow freeform nuances of Krautrock and you’re halfway there. Whistles blare, vocals drift in and out, but the relentless percussion is mesmerising and densely layered from both analogue and digital sources. A truly joyous experience. GM

West Walian multi-instrumentalist sound engineer Adam Wilkinson reveals his second album as Quiet Noise, with prettily poignant collection of twinkly, intricate melodies and filigree beats reminiscent of Ulrich Schnauss and Bonobo. With a conceptual element in its ‘day at work’ narrative, and wooden percussion referencing Wilkinson's carpenter background, Music | Building | Music successfully realizes a charming and emotive idea. Wilkinson gestures at the epic while staying familiar and folksy; his panoramic melodic flights retain a lo-fi digital veneer. GTDC

SHONEN KNIFE *** Adventure (Damnably)

KOWTON **** Utility (Livity Sound) Joe Cowton has had a decent-sized hand in recent developments of the so-called ‘Bristol sound’, although he only moved there once dubstep had already peaked, and now lives in London. His sound, as showcased on this calmly powerful debut album, feels rootless: there are suggestions of ultra-minimal Perlon-style techno,

GAMES REVIEWS Tom Clancy’s The Division *** Ubisoft – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Gamers could hardly have ignored the wave behind the release of Tom Clancy’s The Division. The open world third person shooter is immensely fun to begin with, with an impressively realistic setting in a sort of post-apocalyptic Manhattan. However, its attempt to integrate RPG elements à la the Fallout series actually harms its realism, with insurgents being able to withstand a flurry of bullets with little impact, and it doesn’t have the depth of Fallout for this to be forgiven. Generally, it’s above mediocre, and still enjoyable, despite not living up to the hype. LOB

Far Cry Primal **** Ubisoft – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC This is an innovative addition to the Far Cry franchise, and somewhat of a change of style. Set in Stone Age Europe, Far Cry Primal you take the role of Takkar (who we never learn anything about) as he tries to lead his own tribe. While its characters and storyline are superficial, and quite frankly crap, it plays very well and allows the gamer to play in a relatively little explored time in mainstream games. It lacks variety, but its beast taming mechanics and other innovative quirks make this very much enjoyable. LOB

BUZZ 44

creepy grime instrumentals of both an early-00s and mid-10s vintage, and the heavy dancefloor theorising of someone like Byetone. Yet it carries Kowton’s individual stamp, and a remarkably crisp production that will surely sound incredible on a big rig. NG

Now the cool aunt you actually like visiting, SK bandleader Naoko poops more clouds on Adventure, somehow album number 19 from the Osaka group. Original drummer Atsuko rejoins the ever-shifting line-up (on, er, bass), while {Adventure} itself is incrementally more ‘70s rawk than before, though still knitted-penguin cute natch. {Wasabi} nods its head with some {Ace Of Spades} guitar slash; {Rock N Roll T-Shirt} borrows some Steppenwolf chords. Swirled into familiar jangling pop sounds, it’s a comforting trip. WS

TACOCAT **** Lost Time (Hardly Art) With a host of {X-Files} references and a classic 90s-does-60s pop-punk sound, Tacocat's third album illustrates why they’re the riot grrrl band we never knew we needed. It's like someone threw the quirky, catchy sound of She & Him, Bikini Kill, gnarly beach break waves and Carrie Brownstein into one great big melting pot. Their lyrics tell it how it is, like an outspoken BFF – listening to them is a comforting reminder that you aren't alone in your thoughts. AP

TEDDY THOMPSON & KELLY JONES *** Little Windows (Cooking Vinyl) This country-inspired harmony-fest is the debut release from British folk singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson and American songstress Kelly Jones. Recorded live to a 16-track tape machine, this collection boasts an authentic old-school rustic sound. {Only Fooling}’s bassline catches you from the start, while album opener {Never Knew You Loved Me Too} has a Buddy Holly/Everly Brothers aura to it. Full of emotion, these songs would fit right in on the stage of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. OS

TIM HECKER **** Love Streams (4AD) This album is the aural equivalent of dry ice, superficially eerie and imposing but much like the best horror effects, ultimately not nearly as foreboding on closer inspection. Here Hecker reunites with the same team behind his last album Virgins with the addition of brain-freeze cooing from the Icelandic Choir Ensemble. Vocals, bereft of language, flit in and out of the enveloping foggy ambience, placing this album somewhere between Burial’s late night tales and something Luciano Berio would cook up. AJ

YEASAYER *** Amen & Goodbye (Mute) After four years, Brooklyn's Yeasayer return with another album of experimental pop oddities, their first release following 2012's Fragrant World. Amen & Goodbye follows on in the same vein of genre-bending weirdness mixed with pop hooks and obscure lyrics. There are a couple of pointless interludes that just feel like filler, as well as the last few tracks which are pretty forgettable; aside from that, though, it's an entertaining listen with enough highlights to make it worth a look. ML

singles AFRO CLUSTER ***** We Don Land EP (self-released) Sounding like a 2016 Superfly soundtrack with superfresh horns and fly rhyming from Skunkadelic, the future of hip-hop has landed in Cardiff. Don’t dismiss that as overblown praise – this is sick. (I have been given clearance to use such a phrase.) JE

CARU CARIAD *** Massive Brain Flex Vol 4.2 (self released) Weird, homemade electronica that mixes hauntology with 80s sample-era experimentation, while hints of dub filter through here and there. There’s nothing on here that would qualify as a song, but these short vignettes that have a strange internal logic. It’s difficult to pin this down to one genre, but well worth a listen. DG

FELA KUTI ***** I Go Shout Plenty / Frustration (Knitting Factory) Recorded in Fela’s mid-70s pomp and eventually released in the 80s, these two 13-minute songs have been crammed onto 10” for every queuer, vulture, chancer and twat’s favourite annual occurrence, Record Store Day, and so will

presumably be outrageously overpriced. They are, however, also outrageously brilliant, and are both available on YouTube, so go and listen to them there instead. NG

JUNIOR BILL *****

THIS MONTH’S DVD PICK

Respectable Man EP (self-released) The dub and ska sounds Cardiff’s Junior Bill are transmitting these days are so good. I won't throw forward comparisons, as that would cheapen it somewhat, but subtle, dubby whispers accompany vocals which, as anyone who’s previously encountered JB will know, are on point. JE

LUSH *** Blind Spot (Edamame) Over 20 years have passed since Lush released the Britpop stylings of Lovelife, but on their return they have reverted back to their 4AD shoegaze form of the early 1990s. A quartet of (perhaps understandably) downbeat songs ably assisted by Justin Welch (ex-Elastica and friend of the late Chris Acland) on drums. BG

OLGA BELL **** Randomness (One Little Indian) The first single from Olga Bell’s upcoming fulllength, Tempo, is a subtly catchy, late-night floorfiller. Imagine St. Vincent breathily singing over house beats and you’re in the queue to the right disco. Not an immediate belter, this is more a gradual earworm, which takes a few spins to wriggle in and bed down. HR

demos JACK PERRETT facebook.com/jackperrettmusic Trying times in recent weeks for Newport singersongwriter Jack, if his tweets about Arsenal’s recent performances are anything to go by. Much like his favoured team, though, he’ll always have the memories, and it’s these that seem to fuel his upbeat yet tender brand of jangly Britpop. Drunk And Stoned (see what I mean?) has the loping chime of The La’s and the guitars of The Stone Roses; What You Saying?, the title track of his EP, is fairly undisguised early-Oasis worship. NG

FAIR ONES facebook.com/faironesmusic Billed as “ambient dream pop”, cast away thoughts of the gauzy 90s shoegaze vibes those words once implied. Fair Ones – a Cardiff duo, both called Sam – offer up languid electronica with treated r’n’b vocals and big bass drops on Uh Oh, their debut release. Indicative of James Blake’s influence having long outlasted his coolness, but not bad for that, and certainly preferable to Uh Oh’s accompanying video – a hairy-palmed slo-mo leer over a poledancer with no artistic message beyond “check out this girl in her bra and pants”. NG

SAM FOWKE soundcloud.com/sam-fowke This month’s third Sam, while eschewing dull sexism, writes part of his biog in the style of an old skool lonely hearts ad: “likes beard cultivation, fine jumpers and long walks on the beach.” Red Handed, his debut track, has a polished arena-pop air, Chris Martin-esque vocals and all, which makes the aforementioned very believable. Its opening line is “You fell into the trap I left for you,” so I’m choosing to believe Fowke is a game poacher and this is an ode to an especially plump pheasant. NG

THE REVENANT 15 (20th Century Fox) Leo finally did it. He got the Oscar and now everyone can shut up and get back to their lives. ‘Inspired by true events’ The Revenant is superbly shot, with incredible performances by all of its cast. A tale of survival, this is a film that gets your pulse racing following the story of an abandoned and severely injured frontiersman as he seeks revenge. This is one of the top films of the past decade, so some historical inaccuracy can be overlooked I feel. *****LOB

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 12 (Lucasfilm) At times the latest addition to the Star Wars saga feels like someone has taken a stencil of A New Hope and just used different colours. However, this is no bad thing as it guarantees pleasing Star Wars fans with PTSD from The Phantom Menace. Despite some apparent plot holes, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an epic leap into the new trilogy, complete with a fantastic soundtrack, intense battle scenes, twists, turns, lightsabres and camp robots. ****LOB

JERUZALEM 15 (Matchbox Films) Oh look, another found footage film. Most of the time these films follow a very strict formula and come across as the horror version of mad libs. In this one, two stereotypical American girls go for a holiday in Israel (Cancun must have been fully booked) but things turn nasty as it turns out to be the end of days. Woops! Luckily they film it all on one character’s smart glasses. Bad characters abound in this Biblical bollocks. *LOB

HK: FORBIDDEN SUPERHERO 18 (Manga Entertainment) Easily one of the weirdest films ever, but still very funny. The son of a policeman and a dominatrix, Kyosuke finds that he has powers when he wears women’s pants on his head, which he does to hide his identity when saving his love interest from bank robbers. Yep. He then becomes Hentai Kamen (Pervert Mask) and fights crime in the streets of Tokyo. Extremely funny, very self-aware, and surprisingly well written. ****LOB

THE LADY IN THE VAN U (Sony Pictures Classics) Dame Maggie Smith is the star of this true story of a woman, Mary, who spent her life living in a van, until an English playwright saw life through her eyes and gave her his endless generosity. This one is a tear-jerker with snarky British humour. Mary is frail one minute and boisterous the next. This is the touching tale of her important past and present. ***KG

TUMBLEDOWN 15 (Starz Digital) Hannah is a writer; she is also trying to come to terms with her husband’s death when she meets Andrew. The cocky New Yorker shows Hannah a side to her husband she didn’t even know existed, the two then decide to work together to bring out the late musician’s true life story. Avoiding many of the typical cliché rabbit holes that romance films now seem to fall endlessly into, Tumbledown creates the perfect balance of realism with the sweet optimism that everyone secretly thrives for. ***KG

SON OF SAUL 15 (Mozinet) Winning best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars this year, Son Of Saul perfectly captures the horror of Auschwitz in 1944. The film follows the story of a man who is forced to burn the corpses of his people. But he soon finds a purpose with a young boy he finds in the flames, who he then begins to care for as his son. This film focuses on the choices, we as humans, can make for humanity. ****KG

SISTERS 15 (Universal Pictures) Directed by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect), two sisters who are summoned back to their family home before the house is sold, decide to relive the good old days. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in this comedy with everything you expect from these two: witty humour, pop culture references and relatable experiences making it a whole lot of embarrassing (for them) fun. ***KG

BUZZ 45

music news EXTRA

The annual Vale Of Glamorgan Festival Of Music, founded in 1969, returns once again for 11 days of classical performance that promises to be both highbrow and playful, in line with previous editions. The programme for 2016 lavishes special attention on three composers, who are respectively 80, 70 and 70 this year: gamechanging American doyen of the avant-garde Steve Reich, folkloric Latvian Peteris Vasks and John Metcalf, who as this festival’s Artistic Director has schmoozed his way into his own affections. Performers at the various Vale venues include the Latvian Radio Choir, Ensemble MidtVest from Denmark and violinist Parmela Attariwala. It takes place from Tue 10-Fri 20 May The Manic Street Preachers have a twopronged release attack scheduled for May. Their fourth album Everything Must Go is getting the deluxe repackage treatment around its 20th birthday; the most lavish version of the release is a box set with remastered CD and vinyl, all the B-sides,

promo videos, a 1997 Manchester arena gig and a 40-page book, which’ll set back Manics fans £50. Additionally, the band who once altered the lyrics of EMG’s title track to call for the sacking of Wales’ head football coach Bobby Gould have now been enlisted to write the official theme tune for the 2016 squad, ahead of their appearance at the Euro 2016 finals. Together Stronger (C’mon Wales) will be unveiled on Fri 20 May, the same day as the EMG reissue Never afraid to meddle in your affairs, Music News Extra suggests you swerve £50 boxsets and spend some of that money on the new album by restless Newport experimental rockers Spider Kitten [pictured]. Active since the early 00s, they’ve cycled through almost as many genres as band members, but Ark Of Octofelis might be their finest, most ambitious release yet. Two tracks of 23 minutes apiece, it takes in Nick Cave-style death balladry, synth-heavy prog, gossamer folk and punishing slo-

mo metal riffing, and also has a concept: a puzzling kerfuffle in the desert which only a rock band (possibly named Spider Kitten) can solve. In real life, they will be piling into their own Mystery Machine to play London’s DesertFest weekender on Sat 30 Apr, a day after Ark... is released on Undergroove Records Also back with a new album around now – just released by the time this hits the shelves in fact – are Rusty Shackle, a rollicking folk ensemble from Caldicot. They’ve toiled for a fair few years now on the UK tour circuit, playing festivals in the United States and Europe as well as Britain, and have also evolved their sound to ‘go electric’. Hopefully inspiring no heckles of ‘Judas!’, the third Shackle fulllength is titled Dusk and is very much in the live folk-rock band format, with drums, fiddle and banjo all produced to a sheen. It sounds primed to capture the Mumford & Sons market, all told, and will be supported by a tour that includes Cardiff’s Moon Club on Fri 15 Apr

ONE TO WATCH... ROPE

You could attribute Rope’s unusually high levels of ‘finishedness’ – where the first music they share with the wider world feels like the work of a band who have already hit on their complete sound – to its members’ previous band experience. It is doubtless significant, but can’t account for everything you hear on Manteision Bodolaeth, their six-song, 44-minute debut album. Of the Bridgend three-piece’s members, two (Kai Woollen-Lewis and Leigh McAndrew) were previously in Goodtime Boys, a post-hardcore group fronted by ex-Automatic singer Alex Pennie. A little bit of that hollered poetic anguish has found its way into Rope, the minimal lurch of Peut-Être being a prime example, but the musical vehicle is more akin to some of American underground rock’s finer cult favourites. Josh Smith’s drums are precise and close-miced, like an archetypal Steve Albini recording (they were actually captured by someone named Lewis Johns); guitars are rooted in hard rock, but arid, drawn out and hypnotic. At various times I’m reminded of Baltimore wizards Lungfish, Slint’s wildly influential Spiderland LP, Nottingham trio Kogumaza and the prog-metal skyscraping of Neurosis; Woollen-Lewis is also in sludgy, epic-loving south Walians, Hunger Artist. Manteision Bodolaeth is released on Truthseeker Records, ran by the same folks who do the Holy Roar label, so should be rewarded with decent distribution at least. It’s a deep, accomplished record that fans of both ‘the heavy’ and ‘the mathy’ stuff could crush on, and all the more impressive for a band who didn’t unveil themselves until summer 2015. www.facebook.com/ropebanduk

BUZZ 46

one louder FROM issue to issue, this column takes many subtly different forms. Indulgent snapshots of its writer’s interior life; painfully self-conscious efforts to address politics or social issues; a heartfelt tribute to someone or something; cassette reviews, for some reason; and a comprehensive roundup of the best local gigs happening in the region that month. That last one was just a joke, I would never do that. However, I feel its most natural subject matter is a news story that has flown below the radar of nearly everyone, and which has a stupid or disagreeable person as its protagonist. I’m happy to bring you an example of the latter here. It’s about an event promoter called George Hull, who with a business partner founded an electronic music festival, Bloc, a decade ago and hosted the final one last month. Bloc issued a press release saying their time spent doing this had left them “euphoric, shaken and with a newfound zest for life,” and that they would henceforth be concentrating on developing an ambitious ‘superclub’ in London. All reasonable enough. The festival came and went, and sounded like a jolly time, assuming you like canonical techno and/or the obscure prog rock tastes of snooker’s Steve Davis [pictured], who DJed there. One man begged to differ, though – Hull himself, who took to right-wing organ the Spectator to complain about the people who attended Bloc, paying up to £200 apiece for the pleasure. His main objections are that they don’t get as battered on illegal drugs as he thinks they should, and that they supposedly expect raves to be “safe”, which he hamfistedly conflates with the modish concept of ‘safe space policies’. It wasn’t always this way, Hull laments – when rave swept Britain 25-plus years ago, parties were dangerous, toxin-fuelled and promoted by entrepreneurs acting “in true Thatcherite spirit”. (Entertainingly, this led people to mock him for being a sad duffer steeped in nostalgia; he’s actually in his early thirties and can’t possibly have experienced rave’s halcyon days first-hand.) Notwithstanding the suspicion that Hull is tailoring his opinions for his audience, writing an op-ed (a) expressing open contempt for the people who pay your salary and (b) basically outing yourself as a Tory is a curious move. One unlikely to impress London’s sizeable population of young techno fans, who will be the main demographic of their new club and who have countless nights to choose from each weekend. Time will tell if Bloc will fall victim to the infamous ‘Ratner effect’. One element in their favour might be that punters have already forgiven them once, after their 2012 weekender which was so ‘unsafe’ that police closed it a few hours into its three-day duration. To revive the brand, they were obliged to host events at Butlins holiday camp – not a setting naturally linked with mind-altering hedonism – and enlist security measures whose strictness bore comparison to a Dubai airport queue. Much as any ‘superclub’ playing banging techno in London will have to. Poor George Hull: chewed up by the jaws of a hell that he expended 10 years of his life on helping create, and now faced with me not only calling him stupid and disagreeable, but basking in the memory of being given over a grand’s worth of free Bloc tickets over the years. Here are some bands who will drink their whole audience under the table, any time anywhere: TELLISON, MUNCIE GIRLS and BEDFORD FALLS (Undertone, Cardiff, Mon 4 Apr); ROLO TOMASSI, ROPE and MASTS (The Moon Club, Sun 10); BEASTMAKER and IRON VOID (Moon Club, Wed 13); THE SONNY BONDS DUO and THINK PRETTY (Le Pub, Newport, Sat 16); KEVIN SECONDS (Le Pub, Wed 20); THE BELLRAYS (Moon Club, Sun 24) and WUSSY plus PERSONAL BEST (Moon Club, Sat 30). NOEL GARDNER

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IAN

TH E INDEPE ND EN

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books

BOOK OF THE MONTH

COUNTER NARRATIVES John Keene (Fitzcarraldo Editions)

Counter Narratives is a fascinating read where the mode of storytelling is as integral as the stories themselves. Keene’s able command of language means at times he is wonderfully descriptive and at others uses sparse information, yet allows the reader to fill in the gaps, which makes for a more intense narration through what is not said. Made up of newspaper articles, dialogues, diary entries and letters, as well as more conventional narrative structures that make use of both first and third person narration, this book makes for a multi-layered read. Though not always the most accessible of styles in terms of abbreviations and grammatical nuances, particularly in diary format, the authenticity of characterisation shines through and so it is worth persevering with as the tales are engrossing. Covering an historical period ranging from the 1600s to modern day, Keene presents an intricate work of American colonial tales from a range of perspectives. The first section offers portraits of several members of the same family across the generations and shows how easily dreams can turn to nightmares. Relationships between master and slave, sexuality, the supernatural and religion, are also overarching themes. One narrative, Rivers, envisages a meeting of Huckleberry Finn and Jim in the future when he is free. Keene imaginatively takes these well-known fictional characters, as well as real writers such as Xavier Villaurrutia and Langston Hughes, and presents alternative stories for them. Keene’s ability to tailor his language and vary his narrative structures means that this work becomes something incredibly unique and a clever way of representing individual journeys as well as larger issues. This makes for a very powerful collection. LUCY MENON Price: £10.99 paperback / £15.99 hardcover. Info: www.fitzcarraldoeditions.com

ALUN, GWENO AND FREDA

APPAREL

John Pikoulis (Seren Books)

Arthur Mauritz (Dedalus)

Published to mark the centenary of Alun Lewis himself, this new re-working features a variety of unknown material sheds new light on a writer who was arguably the greatest of the Second World War. The book draws on the two significant women in his life: Gweno, his wife, a teacher in Mountain Ash whom he married before his transfer abroad where he wrote most of his poetry, and Freda, a woman with whom he had a brief affair in India. Lewis died mysteriously in Burma and Pikolulis asks questions of the role these women played in the end of his life. Revealing still more about Lewis, and his fascinating life, the dual narrative adds another dimension that sets it apart from standard literary biography. EG Price: £14.99. Info: www.serenbooks.com

Apparel is a rare insight into the lives of a small group of people, where we, the readers, have the privilege to access their everyday thoughts, routines and inner dialogue. Mauritz is a refreshing writer that has pushed the bounds introducing an innovative writing stance, modernising fiction with superb interwoven narratives whilst challenging issues that we are exposed to in the 21st century. The book has you totally engaged, with each chapter easily turning into five more, thumbing through the pages leaves you anticipating everyone’s next moves. Apparel is a true work of passion from Mauritz, that leaves you engaged, builds character and teaches you the importance of looking after your feet. Curious? Then you have to read Apparel to find out why. Arthur Mauritz is a writer to watch. AL Price: £9.98. Info: www.dedalusbooks.com

BLACK APPLES OF GOWER Iain Sinclair (Little Toller Books) Iain Sinclair’s latest foray into the labyrinthine workings of memory and landscape is many things: an exceptional portrait of a much romanticised (and Googled) coastal walk, a treatise on the numerous artists this location has inspired as well as a winding discourse on the leylines our memories and studies create between disparate subjects. Facing up to some lingering guilt often albatrossed on those border-crossers who don’t return to Wales is Sinclair’s stated impetus for beginning this journey, and, by the book’s end, the question of whether atonement or reconciliation is achieved is up for debate but what is surely indisputable is the sheer joy and wonder the book radiates for both the literal winding pathways of his youth and the cognitive hinterland this landscape reveals to him. As Sinclair himself puts it: place is poem. AJ Price: £10 paperback / £15 hardcover. Info: www.littletoller.co.uk BUZZ 48

@mabjones

pic Thomas Life

April showers us with literary wonderment, once again, beginning with the annual storytelling at the Urdd Centre in Cardiff. Join many tellers for showcases and speeches, displays and discussions, from Fri 1 to Sun 3 Apr. There will also be a tampingly good Twmpath on the Saturday evening. See the Society For Storytelling website for details. Cardiff also hosts another of its ‘visiting writers series’ at Dempseys, Castle Street, on Mon 11 Apr at 7pm. Fflur Dafydd will be the guest this time, reading some of her latest work, and there will be the chance for emerging voices to take to the very popular open mic. It’s first come first served for that one, so make sure you turn up early. The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival brings a whole load of lovely literary events to the city, so do make sure to check out the Literature Wales website (www.literaturewales.org) for a full programme of events – these include beatboxing, tales of Welsh legends, stories, songs, and much, much more. Over in Abergavenny, the Aber Writing Festival takes place on the weekend of the 21st, and features workshops for adults and children, a poetry open mic night, readings and, again, a plethora of engaging and entertaining events. See www.abergavennywritingfestival.com for more information. On Wed 27 Apr, celebrate the 200th birthday of Charlotte Brontë at the Holiday Inn in Newport. Editor and critic Katie Gramich will speak, and you can enjoy dinner at the event too. See the Newport and Gwent Literary Club’s blog site for further details. So, don’t be an April fool, there are lots of literary things for you to attend and enjoy this month. Have fun, and see you in the next issue!

lifestyle

SPRING STYLE GUIDE Summer is finally in sight with all this wonderful Welsh sun. So let’s banish April showers for good. Want to treat someone to a gift? Want to treat yourself? Get some fruity fresh inspiration here for April.

4 5

6 7

1. Lulu Guinness Birdcage Umbrella, £32 www.johnlewis.com John Lewis, St David’s Centre, Cardiff / 2. Travel Journal, £4 Paperchase, St David’s Centre / 3. Star Wars Episode VII Beach Towel, £14.95 www.disneystore.co.uk Disney Store, St David’s Centre / 4. Sunglasses, £18 www.frenchconnection.com McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Bridgend / 5. Lakeland Coffee On The Move, £19.99 www.lakeland.co.uk St David’s Centre / 6. Summer Scoup Yankee Candle, £8.99 www.yankeecandle.co.uk McArthur Glen Designer Outlet / 7. Tea Discoveries English Tea Caddy Selection, £12 / Whittard, McArthur Glen Designer Outlet / 8. Personalised Moustache Pint Glass Tankard, £14.95 Menkind, St David’s Centre

BUZZ 49

travel

FARO Ria Formosa

Portugal is one of the destinations on offer from Flybe, now flying out of Cardiff Airport. Buzz checked out Faro with a few blissful days spent in the peace and quiet in the beautiful Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, just outside Faro.

he Algarve is on the Southern coast of Portugal, only two and a half hours’ flight from Cardiff. With Flybe now offering fantastic flight deals, you can be ambling around in the beautiful region of Portugal in less time than it takes you to get through a couple of episodes of Game Of Thrones. Heavily influenced by the occupation of the Phoenicians, Romans and the Moors, Faro enjoys a fascinating history and diverse culture. Given the uncertainty in travelling to destinations like Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, Portugal is having a resurgence; with its all-year-round sanguine climate, tourists are rediscovering its natural beauty. The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (Ria Forma Natural Park) and the Barrocal are protected areas which run along the leeward coast through to Santo Antonio, some 18,000 hectares. Five barrier islands and two peninsulas create natural protection for many endangered and rare species that thrive in this unique ecosystem. This area of outstanding beauty is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and many sea creatures. Among the endangered species that thrive here are chameleons and one of the largest populations of seahorses in the world, who benefit from the sheltered lagoons. Birdwatchers come here from all over the world to see flamingos, and rare aquatic birds in their natural habitat. The shallow waters that run

BUZZ 50

along the coast are home to clam and oyster farms, and at low tide you will find locals handpicking and tending to the fragile crops. Much of what is farmed here, however, is exported to France, as many of these farms are owned by French companies. This is a continual bone of contention to the locals as shellfish farmed from here are labelled as French produce, and not credited to this region. The trip we took started out in Fuseta, a tiny fishing village about 15-20 minutes from Faro and near Olhão. The trip meandered along the lagoon, past the oyster and clam farms, and out to the islands off the coast, stopping off at

Culatra, a village with fewer than 1,000 people. Mainly a fishing village, this beautiful, isolated little haven has its own church and school and pretty much governs itself. If any work needs to be done, the villagers gather round; if there is any justice that needs to be doled out, they sort it out themselves, and it was only recently that a helicopter landing strip was created in case of any medical emergencies. This is a perfect desert island hideaway; you cannot stay on the island but boat trips travel here daily. There is a big religious festival in August which lasts for four days, where locals and mainlanders celebrate with music, seafood,

Casa Modesta

Loule

Local cork craft bands and general frivolity. It likely takes at least another four days to recover from the crates of Sagres that get consumed. The trip back is a leisurely affair, with stunning views of the coastline. Don’t expect to see the same views as the tides here are very high, covering all the clam and oyster farms and much of the land. Only experienced sailors and guides can use these waterways. Boat trips are regular and from Fuseta and Olhao, with Passeios Ria Formosa being very informative when showing you the sights. One of the burgeoning vocations is the creative industries in part promoted by Projecto TASA, who facilitate craft makers and designers to establish links by working together to make useable art. The key word is useable, and the aim of the project is to support local craftmakers and provide a much needed industry. Their aim is keep old traditions alive before they get lost forever by bringing modern and innovative ways of designing products to a new audience. They also organise and promote eco trips, in particular birdwatching and walking in the Algarve. In April there is an annual walking festival provided by ProActiveTur, which encourages responsible tourism (see the link below for further details on this and other events and trips they organise). Of all the wonderful places to eat and drink in the Algarve, it’s worth taking a trip to Loulé. A few miles from the coast, this pretty town has a market selling local produce and crafts, and is a thriving cottage industry. Many local delicacies can be found here; of note is the local Algarve wine, Malaca, a family-run business and relatively new in terms of winemaking, but already creating a name for itself. Trips are available to the winery, and their rosé is

particularly good. It, unlike local resident Sir Cliff Richard, can be found at many local restaurants. If you are looking for a peaceful getaway from it all, I recommend Casa Modesta, a charming guesthouse 20 minutes away from Faro, and 10 minutes from Olhão. It has plenty of local restaurants, great little tapas and wine bars, a few shops and craft stalls, a fish market every Saturday, and a small marina. Casa Modesta is surrounded by natural beauty and is in the heart of the countryside. Run by Carlos Fernades and designed by him and his sister, this is a family affair. Eggs, vegetables and fruit are either grown here or on his father’s farm just up the road. His grandmother’s cooking and recipes are authentic and as fresh as you can get. Don’t expect any lively bars or drunk tourists, this is the Algarve at its best, and its most peaceful and beautiful, with fantastic views across the lagoons and flats, offering up completely

unspoilt sunsets. This is highly recommended as an escape from the world. To visit this area, you will need a car to get around, but given the unspoilt beauty of this southern gem, you will discover many more hidden delights, and it’s worth getting lost and finding them for yourself. Flybe currently operates services to Belfast City, Chambery, Cork, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Edinburgh, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow, Jersey, Milan, Munich, Paris and Verona from Cardiff Airport. Over 50 direct routes are available from Cardiff Airport with more than 900 destinations available with connections. ANTONIA LEVAY Flybe. Info: www.flybe.com; Passeios Ria Formosa. Info: www.passeios-rio-formosa. com; ProActiveTur. Info: www.proactivetur. pt; Vinho Malaca. Info: www.facebook. com/vinho.malaca; Casa Modesta. www. casamodesta.pt BUZZ 51

lifestyle

pics Cuprinol

UNCLE WILC K I N G

O F

TH E

SH E DDIE S

Andrew Wilcox, better known as Uncle Wilco, is the founder of the Shed Of The Year competition and a shed aficionado. He speaks with Luke Owain Boult about, well, sheds.

hen I first heard about the Shed Of The Year competition a variety of emotions hit me. First was sheer joy at the eccentricity of the event. Next was confusion, and then naturally intrigue. Why sheds? “I have always liked sheds. My grandfather in Clydach Vale had the best shed ever – well, it seemed to be as a nine-year-old – and that memory of great times helping on the allotment as a child stayed with me. So I started a website about sheds in 2001 so I could see other people's sheds and compare them.” “I love everything about sheds,” he continues. “Each shed, like the sheddie who created it, is different, so each time you see something you love then someone will come along and do something different. It's a constantly evolving thing. The sheddies always surprise me.” Since the competition was launched in 2007, the country’s most passionate sheddies (as shed aficionados are referred to) have competed against each other to win the coveted Shed Of The Year award, going from strength to strength and now being covered on BUZZ 52

Channel 4. There are no limits to the ingenuity of the entrants, from relatively typical sheds to Roman temple themed sheds, and ones that wouldn’t look out of place in The Lord Of The Rings. I was interested in finding out what factors Andrew took into account when judging: “For me it's the passion of the person who is building or pimping the shed. Yes, skills are important but passion is the thing that gets the shed done from the early plans to it being entered to Shed Of The Year. I never see mistakes, always opportunities, so a bodge can turn into a triumph.” With such inventive, and often downright peculiar, entries, I ask Andrew about the strangest shed he’s seen, which I was called out for: “I no longer use the word ‘strange’. I use the word ‘inspiring’. It must be the first ever Shed Of The Year winner in 2007. It was a normal shed that had been turned into a Roman temple. After that I thought no sheddie could top it, but every year they surprise me with their talents and ideas... but I still love that Roman shed.” “I’m surprised it’s still going,” responds Andrew, asked what has surprised him most about the competition. “After the first year

I thought it was a bit of fun but it's a very serious thing now. As I said the passion is amazing and it makes my year. I’m also surprised how great the community of sheddies are.” Having brought out the wonderful weirdness of sheddies across the countries, I was eager to see how he thought it would develop in future. “VR seems to be the in thing at the moment! I would like to visit a lot of sheds and do 360 degree videos of them so we can all see what the sheddies sees every day. Coming back to earth I hope to do a book to celebrate 10 years of Shed Of The Year, which will feature all the previous amazing winners plus some of my favourite sheds. I’m happy that the sheddies want to take part and I've started something that means a lot to so many people.” We end talking about how people can get involved in the growing garden movement, and with spring here garden lovers may be pondering a redesign of their sheds. “You have until 15 May 2016 to get your shed ready,” he says; “you can enter on the Shed Of The Year website.” Info: www.readersheds.co.uk

BUZZ 53 53 BUZZ

sport

I C E A R E N A JUDGEMENT DAY WALES OPENS ROUND-UP Marcus Hughes looks into the opening of the Cardiff Devils' new home: Ice Arena Wales.

Conor Knight checks up on the current state of the Pro12 Welsh rugby teams as they prepare to battle it out.

Ice Arena Wales finally opens its doors to the public, playing host to a record breaking attendance for the Cardiff Devils. In 2006, the Wales National Ice Rink closed its doors to make way for the development of the St. David’s shopping centre in the heart of Cardiff. The rink had been home to the Cardiff Devils for two decades; so temporary premises were built on a site in Cardiff Bay, intended to house the Devils for three to four years until a permanent venue could be built. The resulting Big Blue Tent became a much-loved venue for fans that filled the gap left by Wales National Ice Rink for close to 10 years. In March, the wait was over as Ice Arena Wales finally opened its doors for the first time, welcoming a record-breaking attendance for the Devils with a crowd of 3,087. Opening night saw the Devils beat the Belfast Giants 5-2, a fantastic result to settle fans into their new stadium. Unfortunately, the Sheffield Steelers beat the Devils to the Elite League title in their last game of the season. The Devils held the number one spot in the league for a heartbreaking 15 minutes after their victory over Nottingham Panthers, before Sheffield Steelers regained their two-point lead to claim the trophy. After a thrillingly close season and fantastic performances from the Devils, the sport appears to be increasingly settling itself in the heart of the city. The future looks bright for the Cardiff Devils, though. Ice Arena Wales is a £16 million state of the art facility, with one 60 by 30-metre Olympic sized rink the Devils will be using, and another smaller rink for curling, sledge ice hockey and public skating. Support for the team looks set to increase further with the opening of Ice Arena Wales, a timely accompaniment to the Devils recent performance success. The venue could also play host to a range of other events including boxing and music gigs, and the capacity of the venue could be increased by up to 400 or 500 to accommodate this.

Judgement Day is coming. Void of the religious nuances but just as big, it’s the day Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons and Scarlets battle it out at the home of rugby: the Principality Stadium. The Ospreys will be hoping to continue their run of form in the yearly fixture, with three wins out of three so far at the Principality Stadium. Having already beaten Cardiff Blues in November, and recording two victories against them in Judgement Day, Ospreys will feel confident for the fixture. However, there will be concerns for Alun Wyn Jones, though with Rhys Webb returning from injury and another series of impressive performances from Dan Biggar, Ospreys will be hoping their form at the Principality continues. Despite Cardiff Blues’ record against Ospreys in this fixture, they can gain confidence with the fact they are level on points with their opponents as they both sit in the bottom half of the Pro12 table. With a wealth of experience to draw on within their ranks, from Wales captain Sam Warburton to Gethin Jenkins, past results will mean to nothing to them as they step out onto the turf. Yet to win a Judgement Day match, Newport Gwent Dragons came closest in their inaugural appearance, losing 28-20 to Scarlets. Welsh international players Taulupe Faletau and hot prospect Hallam Amos will aid their search for supremacy as they return to the Principality following the Six Nations. Though the Dragons’ campaign has not been the most successful, winning only four games from 17, the wonder of the Principality could incite a passionate revival that could boost an otherwise disappointing season. Favourites for their afternoon clash again the Dragons, it is the Scarlets who will enter Judgement Day feeling confident; they sit third in the Pro12 with an impressive 53-point haul from 12 victories. Boasting a powerful Welsh attack of Liam Williams, joint third top try scorer Gareth Davies and potentially Scott Williams, depending on his recovery from injury, the Scarlets assault could prove too much for the Dragons defence.

Ice Arena Wales. Info: 029 2038 2001 / www.icearenawales.co.uk

Judgement Day IV, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Sat 30 Apr. Tickets: £10. Info: 029 2082 2432 / www.wru.co.uk

BUZZ 54

listings

Inclusion in Buzz Listings is free. Send via post or email by 17th of the previous month. Buzz takes no responsibility for material sent or any errors made after time of going to press. * – recommended

DIMSWN Various venues, Cardiff Sat 9 Apr Perceived by its host and its punters as a kind of diet Swn or perhaps Swn lite, this one-day mini-jamboree is but a third of the wondrous city centre Welsh music festival we know and love in the autumn – but by no means a meagre morsel in comparison. Rather, it boasts the same high calibre lineup and energetic revelry, just in a more condensed format. It’s a very welcome addition to a calendar wherein we normally have a hefty wait before we can get our fix of Swn shenanigans. There’s no end of great names on the bill this year. Lancashire’s rising indie-meets-prog-meets-avant garde icon Kiran Leonard who has just released a new album Grapefruit. Coves are fresh off their new release to deliver some fantastic shoegazey indiepop. Also making a stop on his Fight To Forgive album tour is coveted Manchester singer-songwriter Mike Dignam. Bry is another one sure to fill the floor, not only a popular singer-songwriter but a much followed social media presence, particularly on YouTube. The Big Moon bring a fair measure of kudos with them, currently on their first ever headline tour and attracting a lot of attention, so be sure not to miss them. Of course, it wouldn’t be Swn without a good portion of Welsh names on the list and thankfully there are plenty. Estrons return after a great reception at this year’s SXSW. Sarah Howells, of Paper Aeroplanes acclaim, will be appearing with her exciting new solo project Bryde [pictured]. A select number of this year’s Horizons 12, a BBC project championing bands in Wales, will also be performing – CaStLes, Ysgol Sul and Anelog – and there will also be an entire stage in Undertone dedicated to the artists on the Forte Project, comprised of a younger array of emerging talent from Wales. On the topic of youngsters, Swn are offering a special price of a fiver for 14-17 year olds, that’s a whopping discount of £20. The rest of us still get treated to an incredible day of live music fresh and unadulterated – not to be sniffed at. CHARLIE PIERCEY Admission: £30/£25 adv/£5 14-17-year-olds. Info: www.dimswn.com

CONTENTS pg 56 pg 58 pg 60 pg 67 pg 73

art clubs events live stage BUZZ 55

art

art Aberglasney House & Gardens

Llangathen, Carmarthenshire. Free. 01558 668998 / www. aberglasney.org Sacred Art International contemporary art exhibition exploring the question, ‘what is sacred now?’ Featured artists include Clive HicksJenkins, Sarah Rhys, Sung Young Park, Soon Yul Kang, Ezio Cicciarella, Jonathan McCree, Joshua May, Jojo Taylor, Joyce Treasure, Carlos Cashiero, Marc Craig, Swci Delic, Johnny, Stucky, Imelda Almqvist and Ingress Vortices. (From Fri 29 Apr until Thurs 5 May)

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Free. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. 01970 621903 / www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre Andrew McNeill ‘Under The Bridge: Being Homeless In Cardiff’ Cardiff-born photographer McNeill spent months building relationships with those he photographed, sleeping rough on the streets with them, resulting in this suite

of portraits. (Until Sat 9 Apr) Jenny Hall ‘Hollow’ Hall “explores the creative destruction involved in the act of construction,” specifically regarding a copper mine, by stacking up several dozen cardboard boxes in the gallery and inviting visitors to move them around. (Until Sat 7 May) The Box Film and video installation works by David Wilson, Alan Holl, Christopher M Smith, Mark Lyken & Emma Dove and Nathan Kaso. (Until Sat 14 May) James Morris ‘Inhabitation’ Photographs showing the buildings on the shortlist for the 2015 Gold Medal For Architecture at the National Eisteddfod. (Until Sat 21 May) Ruth Thomas & Linda Alterwitz ‘Inside Out: From Vegas To Wales’ The collograph prints of Thomas reflect the area of rural Wales where she lives, through use of natural materials and organic structures. Alterwitz often photographs her more urban surroundings. (From Sat 16 Apr until Sat 18 June)

Albany Gallery

74b Albany Road, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2048 7158 / www.albanygallery. com Little Picture Show New works on a small scale from

over 100 artists. (Until Sat 23 Apr) Siôn McIntyre and David Porteous-Butler Young Welsh painter McIntyre shares the stage with Kyffin Williams protégé PorteousButler, a well-established painter known for his use of the palette knife. (From Thurs 28 Apr until Sat 21 May)

Andrew Lamont Gallery (Theatr Brycheiniog)

Canal Wharf, Brecon. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free. 01874 611622 / enquiries@ brycheiniog.co.uk / www. brycheiniog.co.uk Sorrel Matai Romanian artist from Builth Wells whose material focuses on “found objects, rain, soft light, landscapes, people and life itself”. (From Sat 8 Apr until Sun 1 May)

Arcadecardiff

Queens Arcade, off Queen Street, Cardiff. Usually open Wed-Sat 12.30-5.30pm. www.arcadecardiff.co.uk Double Top A group exhibition of painting and print by the artists working in the newly set up Arcade Studios in Fairwater: Gordon Dalton, Lara Davies, Richard James, Hannah M Morris and Liam O’Connor. (Until Sat 16 Apr) Ellie Young ‘Frontiers’ New work inspired by astronauts and cowboys and the intersection between reality and

fiction in painting. (From Wed 20 Apr until Sat 7 May)

Art Central

Barry Town Hall, King Square, Barry. Tue-Sat 11am-4pm. Free. 01446 709805. Women’s Arts Association (Wales) Exhibition 2016 To mark International Women’s Day on Tue 8 Mar, female artists from across Wales are invited to submit work into this open exhibition, drawing together an eclectic mix of artworks celebrating individual achievements and promoting the advancement of women’s rights today. (Until Sat 16 Apr) Richard Cox ‘Subterranean Architecture’ Exhibition documenting an unusual aspect of Indian traditional architecture, stepwells, this has already toured India, America and the UK, indeed it’s been in these listings a few times. (From Sat 23 Apr until Sat 4 June)

ArTeas Cafe & Art Hub

591 Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2115 3927 Paul O’Donnell Original oil paintings and limited edition prints based on the history of Cardiff and south Wales. (Until Sat 14 May)

Attic Gallery

37 Pocketts Wharf, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am4.30pm. Free. 01792 653387 / www.atticgallery.co.uk Brenda Hartill Leading British artist/printmaker whose work explores the texture, pattern and light of landscape and ranges from finely drawn figurative works to bold, heavily embossed abstract images.. (Until Sat 9 Apr) Welsh Landscape Paintings – Three Artists Introducing two newcomers to the gallery – Thomas Haskett and Matthew Wood, who both work ‘en plein air’ – plus Wynne Jenkins, who is a regular contributor. (From Sat 16 Apr until Sat 7 May)

Barker Gallery / Torfaen Gallery

BREATH OF NATURE Boundary Art, Cardiff Bay, until Sun 1 May Admission: free. Info: 029 2048 9869 / www.boundaryart.com Boundary Art is toasting its first birthday! This new gallery in the heart of Cardiff Bay is celebrating the occasion with an exhibition titled Breath Of Nature: a show which aims to showcase the feeling captured when artists feel at one with nature. Pieces from the contributors follow the theme of experimenting with forms of expression and exploiting the freedom of action in a new way. Eleven nationally and internationally acclaimed artists are to feature in this collection, including Paul Wearing, Jason Rouse and Ping Gang Cheng. This intriguing exhibit will be running right through April, so get down to the Bay to view some exciting pieces.

BUZZ 56

Pontypool Museum, Park Buildings, Pontypool. MonSat 11am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm. Free Wed/Sun 2-5pm. 01495 752036. Colour Vibrations Vision Arts presents a collection of mixed media work by eight well known Torfaen artists: Masae Takeuchi, Mark Medcalf, Jane Dorset, Patricia Clifford, Valerie Stewart, Joanne Price, Gillian Clayton and Aurelia. (Until Thurs 27 Oct)

Bay Art

54 B/C Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2065 0016 / www.bayart.org.uk Andy Black ‘Fields And Gardens’ Black creates imaginary spaces from an index of around 100 drawings collected together in a small book – trees, bushes, rocks, mountains, lakes – forming a syntax of an open-ended series of drawings. . (Until Fri 22 Apr)

Blossoms Gallery

Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. info@blossomsgallery.co.uk / www.blosssomsgallery. co.uk Plants & Pollinators Open exhibition encouraging contemporary responses to the symbiotic relationship between plants and pollinators. (Until Sat 16 Apr) Made With Love & Rubbish Sue Clow and Ruby Roberts give visitors textile recycling ideas and techniques, showing what can be achieved with everyday household waste materials. (Until Sat 16 Apr) Spring Open Exhibition celebrating the wealth of creativity in West Wales and the Welsh borders. Artwork can be submitted up to Thurs 14 Apr – see the gallery’s website for more. (From Mon 18 Apr until Sat 4 June) Hedgerows Exhibition Participating artists are encouraged to respond to issues of environmental damage in the countryside, via pesticides etc, and explore the intriguing world of the hedgerow. (From Tue 19 Apr until Sat 21 May)

Boundary Art

3 Sovereign Quay, Havannah Street, Cardiff. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 029 2048 9869 / www.boundaryart.com Breathe Of Nature Anniversary exhibition for this gallery which thematically focuses on the relationship between nature and human beings. Featuring the following artists: Ping Gang Cheng, Paul Wearing, David Bellamy, Hilary Barry, Andrew Hardwick, Andrew Crane, Jason Rouse, Matthew Evans, Julie Lawrence, Kerri Pratt and Sue Knight. (Until Sun 1 May)

Cardiff Story

The Hayes, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2078 8334 / museum@cardiff.gov.uk Merched Y Wawr Work by a a Welsh medium movement for women which organises social events in the Welsh language, lobbies on issues related to the lives of women and raises money for charities. (Until Weds 25 May)

Carmarthen School Of Art

Coleg Sir Gar, Jobs Well Road Campus, Carmarthen. Mon, Tue + Thurs 9.30am7.30pm; Wed + Fri 9.30am4.30pm. Free. 01554 748201 / susan.hayward@colegsirgar.ac.uk Foundation At 50 Exhibition of student work celebrating 50 years of the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at this college. (From Mon 4 until Fri 8 Apr)

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 *Rose Wylie ‘Tilt The Horizontal Into A Slant’ Paintings worked directly onto large, unprimed canvasses, using cut-up methods and loosely associated trains of

thought. (Until Sun 29 May)

Chepstow Museum

Bridge Street, Chepstow. Mon-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 2-4pm. Free. 01291 625981 / www. chepstowmuseum.co.uk The Hidden Presence Project Showcasing the work produced by Eva Sajovic, working with local schools and young people, based on the life of Nathaniel Wells – who went, in the 18th century, from being aplantation owner’s son to Britain’s first black sheriff. (Until Sun 17 Apr)

Coppertone Gallery

Exchange Building, Cambrian Place, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Free. 01792 293200 / www. coppertonegallery.com See California Landscapes, Like Never Before Large photography, ranging in size from 76 x 76cm up to 2.5m, from a recent road trip undertaken by Nigel J. Williams and Greg Jones around California. (Throughout April)

Craft In The Bay

The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Mon-Sun 10.30am-5.30pm. Free. 029 2048 4611 / www. makersguildinwales.org.uk Shirley Jones Showcase for Jones’ Artist Book, The Quest, with five framed images illustrating a story from The Mabinogion. (Until Sun 24 Apr) Hand Held: Hand Made Individual interpretations of medals, created by second year students studying on the Artist Designer: Maker course at Cardiff School Of Art & Design. (Until Sun 24 Apr) Sasha Kingston Recent work inspired largely by the concept of journeys, place and maps, but also reflecting Kingston’s fascination with the delicate structure of plant life. (Until Mon 2 May) Animal Tales Seven artists – Sue Brown, Celia Smith, Jeff Soan, Susan O’Byrne, Helen Thompson, Jan Beeny, Catrin Howell and Suzanne Breakwell – share their unique approach to depicting their chosen animals. (Until Sun 8 May) Graduates of Hereford College of Art, 2015 Spoecifically: Chris Lewis, Melissa Morgan, Ann Beardwood, Josie SeymourJones, Nicola Lillie, Maggie Kingston and Hannah Diane Bowen. (From Wed 27 Apr until Wed 1 June) Katie Scarlett Howard Guest maker with ceramic sculptures inspired by the fishermen and women of Welsh fishing ports in the early 20th century. (From Fri 29 Apr until Sun 26 June)

Dylan Thomas Centre

Somerset Place, Swansea. Daily 10am-4pm. Free. 01792 463980 / dylanthomas.lit@swansea. gov.uk / www.dylanthomas. com Love The Words Ongoing, permanent exhibition dedicated to Dylan Thomas, with lots of interactive features and voiceovers from people including Prince Charles and Richard Burton. Lunch

art At Mussolini’s Following Dylan Thomas’ death in 1953, Ethel Ross, the sister-in-law of Alfred Janes, took a series of photographs of Dylan’s Swansea, and captioned them with an appropriate quote from his work. A selection of these are shown here alongside Dylan’s typescript for his sketch Lunch At Mussolini’s. (Until Sun 3 Apr)

Fountain Fine Art

6-8 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www.fountainfineart.com Little Italy An exhibition of Italian landscapes from Gareth Thomas, Naomi Tydeman, Christopher Hall, Dewi Tudur, Michael Felmingham, Andrew DouglasForbes and Rowan Huntley. (From Sat 9 until Sat 30 Apr)

Fountain Fine Art

Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www. fountainfineart.com Spring Group Exhibition A changing exhibition of new work from the gallery’s painters and sculptors. (Throughout April)

Futures Gallery

Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay. Daily 10.30am-4pm. Free. 0845 010 5500 / www. pierhead.org Getting Things Done: Evolution Of The Built Environment In Vorarlberg Touring exhibition showcasing the architecture of the Vorarlberg, a movement with its origins in the late 50s and early 60s. Features more than 230 projects and around 700 photographic illustrations. (From Tue 5 Apr until Fri 6 May)

Y Galeri, Caerffili

Lower Ground Floor, The Visit Caerphilly Centre, The Twyn, Caerphilly. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2132 2570 / www.ygaleri.co.uk Bert Evans ‘Into The Light’ Port Talbot artist who professes to be inspired by what he sees on a day-to-day basis.. (Until Sat 23 Apr) Printers’ Stint Exhibition bringing together artists whose work reflects a genuine passion for the art of printmaking in various guises. (From Tue 26 Apr until Sat 28 May)

Gallery/Ten

23 Windsor Place, Cardiff. Free. www.gallery-ten.co.uk Spring Group exhibition featuring a number of this gallery’s established artists. (Until Sat 9 Apr)

The Gate / Y Gat

Pentre Road, St Clears, Carmarthenshire. Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9am-3pm. Free. 01994 232726 / thegate@carmarthenshire. gov.uk Re-awakening Carmarthen Artists’ Network’s spring group show, featuring new work by contemporary West Wales artists. Ceramics, prints, paintings, drawings and sculpture will reveal the artists’ response to the theme of re-awakening. (From Mon 11 Apr until Sat 4 June)

Grand Pavilion

The Esplanade, Porthcawl. Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01656 815995 / www.grandpavilion.co.uk Lesley Dearn ‘Jazz On The Sands’ Drawings and paintings inspired by, and including, the live sketches she created as Artist In Residence during the 2015 Porthcawl Jazz Festival. (Until Sun 8 May)

King Street Gallery

33 King Street, Carmarthen. Free. 01267 220121 / gallery@kingstreetgallery. co.uk Peter Rossiter ‘Enormous Space’ New abstract work located in the Chate Room. (Until Wed 6 Apr) Ceredig ap Dafydd ‘Still Life In The Post-Industrial Age’ Emerging sculptor and fine artist from Wales, who used conventional building materials here to deconstruct the material world through a subtle translation of properties, function and values. (From Fri 8 until Thurs 21 Apr) Criw Celf Portfolio Project Drawing, painting, photography, textiles, digital and 3D art from work produced by 23 GCSE students from local schools. (From Tue 26 Apr until Tue 3 May)

Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre

St. David’s Rd, Cwmbran, Torfaen. Mon-Sat 10am5pm. Free. 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk From Adams To Zobole: Fifty Years Of Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre A selection of work, old and new from 30 of the most influential artists whose work has been exhibited at the LGAC since it opened in 1966. (Until Sat 14 May) Vicky Lindo Lindo, plus creative partner William Brookes, produce slip cast earthenware pottery using coloured underglazes and slips to illustrate and decorate their tableware and animal figures. (Until Sat 14 May) Leoma Drew Leoma incorporates motifs with solid shapes and stone setting kinto her jewellery for an abstract and contemporary aspect. (Until Sat 14 May) Jantien Powell Work shown in the Cafe Gallery by an artist who paints mostly in acrylics but also loves to use collage and texture to add depth and layers to a painting. (Until Sat 14 May)

M.A.D.E. Gallery

41 Lochaber St, Cardiff. Free. 029 2047 3373. Aidan Myers ‘Manoeuvred Matter’ One-man show featuring a brand new, unseen series of large-scale paintings from 2016. (Until Sat 23 Apr) Floribunda / Spring Affordable Art Wall Featuring over 20 local artists in all media. (From Thurs 28 Apr until Sat 4 June)

Martin Tinney Gallery

18 St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2064 1411 / mtg@artwales. com Spring Show A large chang-

ing exhibition of work by Wales’ leading artists past and present. With a broad range of styles and subject matter on display, prices range from £50 to £40,000 (see, there really is some A-list content). (Until Sat 9 Apr) Karina Rosanne Barrett & Susan Gathercole Barrett lives in Snowdonia and paints the surrounding landscape, citing Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula as her main sources of inspiration. Gathercole works in a small studio overlooking the trees towards the

culture. (Until Fri 30 Sept) Treasures: Adventures In Archaeology Major exhibition showcasing artefacts from Egypt, Rome and more, with some Indiana Jones content to boot. Admission is £7, £5 concessions or free for under16s. (Until Sun 30 Oct)The Attraction Of Onlookers: Aberfan – An Anatomy Of A Welsh Village A fivechannel video installation developed in 1966 by Shimon Attie, 40 years after the Aberfan colliery disaster. This show will also feature still

Oriel Davies, who consistently showcase the cutting edge of Welsh art at their home in Newtown, have an open exhibition of painting from Sat 16 Apr until Wed 15 June. Thirtytwo artists will feature in total. mountains near Llanberis, where she has lived for over 20 years. (From Thurs 14 Apr until Sat 7 May)

Mission Gallery

Gloucester Place, Swansea. Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. Free. 01792 652016 / www. missiongallery.co.uk Julie Brunskill Maker In Focus show featuring work made with a mixture of clay bodies combined with layers of oxides, to represent the effects of time. (Until Sun 3 Apr) Leah Millinship Work in the [...] space from a photographer who explores notions of family and identity through the intimate narrative of the collected object. (Until Sun 3 Apr) Catherine Biocca, Cornelia Baltes & Rosalie Schweiker Group show bringing together new works by these international artists. Curated by Louise Hobson. (Until Sat 9 Apr) Rebecca Rendell Maker In Focus show from an artist who is interested in exploration and discovery as an artistic process. (From Tue 5 Apr until Sun 8 May) Jonathan Arndell Work in the [...] space. (From Tue 5 Apr until Sun 8 May) Philip Eglin ‘Slipping The Trail’ Touring exhibition which is the result of a collaboration between the Ceramic Collection And Archive at Aberystwyth University and Eglin himself, one of the major ceramicists in the UK. (From Sat 16 Apr until Sun 5 June)

National Museum & Gallery

Cathays Park, Cardiff. TueSun 10am-5pm. Free except where noted. 029 2057 3500 / www.museumwales.ac.uk/ cardiff Augustus John In Focus A selection of paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints by this important Welsh artist. It will focus on images of his family, friends and celebrated sitters as well as his fascination with gypsy

photographs of the community taken by Attie. (From Sat 30 Apr until Sun 4 Sept)

National Waterfront Museum

Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Daily 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 638950. Matt Wright ‘Relics: A Photospherical Reflection On Wales’ Wright captures various historical sites from around Wales. and presents them in a series of 3D photospheres. (Until Sun 22 May) Chips, Curry And Cappucino A young people’s project from the Ethnic Youth Support Team that looks at the diverse food culture in Swansea and how it has been influenced by people from different ethnic backgrounds that have settled here. (From Sat 2 Apr until Mon 30 May) Forget Me Not: Postcards From The First World War A variety of postcards from the Amgueddfa Cymru collections, made, written and sent throughout that time of unrest. (From Sat 2 Apr until Sun 19 June)

Newport Museum & Art Gallery

John Frost Square, Newport.Tue-Fri 9.30am5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm. Free. 01633 656656 / museum@newport.gov.uk 140 Years Of Newport RFC Marking the ups and downs of this historic rugby football club. On display will be an outstanding collection of rugby memorabilia from Newport RFC, together with audio and visual exhibits. (Until Sat 16 Apr) The Grosvenor School Of Modern Art Founded in 1925 by Scottish artist Iain Macnab. the School soon occupied a leading role in the promotion of modern printmaking techniques. All works here are by artists associated with the Grosvenor School and form a part of a larger group of prints collected by Newport Museum in the 1950s. (Until

Sat 14 May)

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay. Daily 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2087 7959 / www. norwegianchurchcardiff.com F22 Inspired by a lens aperture setting that helps to establish depth-of-field and light, two photographers – Mike and Dave – display work influenced by the likes of Berenice Abbott, Guy Bourdin, Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell. (Until Sun 24 Apr)

(From Sat 16 Apr until Wed 15 June) Oriel Davies Open 2016: Painting Representing the current strength of painting practice by established and emerging talent across the UK and overseas, this show will feature 32 artists, roughly a third of whom are Wales-based. (From Sat 16 Apr until Wed 15 June)

Oriel Joanna Field

Off The Wall

Torch Theatre, St. Peter’s Road, Milford Haven. Free. 01646 695267 / www. torchtheatre.co.uk Alan Rees-Baynes ‘Martian Skies’ A series of paintings of the Pembrokeshire night sky, based upon the name of a household paint inexplicably entitled ‘Martian Skies’. (From Mon 4 until Sat 30 Apr)

Oriel Bach

Bath House Rd, Cardigan. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. Free. 01239 621200 / siobhan@ mwldan.co.uk Cardigan Art Society Popular fixture in Oriel Mwldan’s gallery programme, showcasing range of art works from local artists. (From Fri 8 until Sat 23 Apr) Jessica Lloyd Jones ‘A Chemical Process’ Responses to geological landscapes such as coal mines, using materials that include coal, iron oxide and plant life as the basis for photographic, sculptural and 2D work. (From Sat 30 Apr until Sat 11 June)

Oriel Canfas

Church Lane, Carmarthen. 01267 222775 / www. orielmyrddingallery.co.uk Cecile Johnson Soliz ‘Made Up’ Soliz draws, paints and makes sculptural forms, and in combining these processes she creates objects that encourage us to wonder. Techniques such as wrapping, to-ing and fro-ing, knotting, folding, crisscrossing, winding are all present in her latest exhibiton. (Until Sat 21 May)

The Old Probate Registry, Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. Tue-Fri 9.30am5.30pm, Sat 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2055 4469 / art@ galleryoffthewall.com Eloise Govier & Swci Delic Govier, a Welsh painter based in Bath, creates bright abstract works, applying paint thickly with a palette knife. Swci, from mid-Wales, has gained a fair bit of attention for her psychedelic pop art pieces in the last few years. (Throughout April) 4 Dunns Lane, Mumbles, Swansea. Mon-Sat 11am4pm. Free. 01792 361012 / www.orielbach.com Roger Dunstan Local Mumbles artist with landscape paintings and illustrations. (Until Sat 9 Apr) Jessica Woolridge, Owen Martin and Tony Richards Mixed media, paintings and photography. (From Mon 11 until Sat 23 Apr) David Hughes Jones Paintings by a local artist. (From Wed 25 Apr until Sat 7 May) Glamorgan Street, Canton, Cardiff. Tue-Fri 1-4.30pm, Sat 10.30am-4.30pm. 029 2066 6455 / www.orielcanfas.co.uk Paul Green, Paul Norton & Alun Hemming Exhibition of painting, sculpture and digital print. (From Sat 2 until Sat 23 Apr)

Oriel Davies

The Park, Newtown, Powys. Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm. Free. 01686 625041 / enquiries@orieldavies.org Power In The Land The artist group X-10 bring together the fruits of 2 years working together around the closure and decommissioning of Wylfa, the last nuclear power station in Wales and the last and largest of the Magnox stations, closing in December 2015. (Until Wed 6 Apr) Chris Oakley ‘Datacide’ A sculptural installation, created from the remains of destroyed hard disk drives, both reflects upon the meaning of data in a digitised culture and considers a possible scenario where technology has become irrelevant and is reduced to its material qualities alone. (Until Wed 6 Apr) Eifion Sven-Myer 'Obscured Light – Misshapen Vistas' An installation in response to the TestBed space that incorporates the play of light on mirrors, wooden structures and magnifying plastic sheets.

Oriel Mwldan

Oriel Myrddin

Oriel Q

The Queens Hall, High Street, Narberth. Wed-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01834 869454 / www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk Sarah Lees Paintings in the main gallery. Oriel Fach: paintings by Sian Jones; stairs: details TBC; main gallery 3D area: assorted ceramics and jewellery by students and well-known artists. (Until Mon 11 Apr) Carmarthen School Of Art Work by students from said school. Stairs and Oriel Fach: details TBC; main gallery 3D area: assorted ceramics and jewellery by students and well-known artists. (From Wed 13 until Sat 16 Apr)

Oriel Y Bont

University Of South Wales, Pontypridd. Mon-Thurs 8.30am-5.30pm, Fri 8.30am-5pm. Free. 01443 480480 / www.gallery. southwales.ac.uk Alan Salisbury Retrospective touring exhibition of intricate paintings and other works by Barry-based painter Salisbury, covering 50 years of work from 1965 to BUZZ 57

clubs 2015. (Until Mon 25 Apr)

Penarth Pier Pavilion

The Esplanade, Penarth. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2071 2100 / info@ penarthpavilion.co.uk Channel Mal Bennett, Louisa Fairclough, Chris Short, Josephine Sowden and Bedwyr Williams look at our immediate geography, our relationship with, and our respect for the River Severn. (Until Tue 5 Apr) Open Art Exhibition Second annual exhibition of this nature here following 2015’s popular debut, this will be drawn from work by “all types of artists, craftspeople, designers, film makers or performers” who were invited to submit their works. (From Fri 15 Apr until Wed 11 May)

The Riverfront

Bristol Packet Wharf, Newport. Mon-Sat 10am8pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Free. 01633 656757. The Night Time Economy A collaboration of poetry and photography, this exhibition showcases the work opf Kate Mercer and Steven J Fowler on said economy. (From Fri 8 until Sat 30 Apr)

Swansea Grand Theatre

Singleton St, Swansea. MonSat 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 475715 / www.swanseagrand.co.uk Gowerton Friday Art Group A small group of self help, mixed ability amateur and hobby painters each using various media and a variety of subject matter. (From Tue 5 until Fri 15 Apr)

Swansea Museum

Victoria Road, The Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 653763 / www. swanseamuseum.co.uk Transformation Exhibition of work by South Wales Scribes. Also on show, for the first time in Wales, will be the four volumes of Letters After Lindisfarne – on loan from the International Research Centre For Calligraphy at the University Of Sunderland. (Until Sat 23 Apr) Artists Of Berllan Las Work by a Pontardawe-originated group called the Blue Orchard Group; the artists in question here are Hilary Bryanston, Sue Mann, Phillip Jacobs, Andy Wardrop, Tim Grant, Bruce Risdon and Rhiannon Jones. (From Sat 30 Apr until Sun 19 June)

Taliesin Arts Centre

Singleton Park, Swansea. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 12pm-6pm and performance evenings 6pm8.15pm. Free. 01792 295526 / www. taliesinartscentre.co.uk The Sacred Yew An exhibition of paintings, ceramics and photography by Janis Fry, Valerie James and Paul Greenwood, respectively a painter, sculptor and photographer. They explore the theme of the Yew, also know as the Tree Of Life. (Until Sat 7 May)

Tenby Museum & Art Gallery

Castle Hill, Tenby. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, £4/£3/£2 kids. 01834 842809 / www. tenbymuseum.org.uk Knapp-Fisher: A Family In Art Tribute show to celebrate the life of John Knapp-Fisher and his family. Paintings of John’s will feature, likewise his ex-wife Sheila and his entertaining and informative son Buzz. (Until Sun 24 Apr)

Theatr Hafren

Llanidloes Road, Newtown, Powys. Mon-Sat 10am5.30pm. Free. 01686 625007 / boxoffice@theatrhafren. co.uk Neyla Grady A body of work inspired by the marriage of art and language, Grady invites us to use the words exhibited as a springboard for creative observation. (Until Fri 20 May)

Tower Gallery

49 High Street, Crickhowell. Free. 01873 812495 / www. towergallery.co.uk Robert Macdonald Paintings and prints from an artist who is currently Chair of the Royal Watercolour Society Of Wales and a director of the Swansea Print Workshop. Also showing work by all members of the Usk Valley Artists’ Co-operative. (Until Sat 7 May)

Tower Gallery

Oriel Y Parc Landscape Gallery & Visitor Centre, The Grove, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Free. 01437 720392 / info@orielyparc. co.uk Miranda Bowen ‘Discovery Room Windows’ Self-taught artist specialising in animal portraits, mainly of cattle and horses – plus the Lili Wen range of textile items made using recycled fabrics. (Throughout April) The VC Gallery Art from a small, independent community organisation bringing together veterans and the community through art, based in Haverfordwest. (Throughout April)

Velindre Hospital

Whitchurch, Cardiff. Open 24/7. Free. 029 2075 2251. South Wales Art Society – Permanent Rolling Exhibition Members’ works are available to view in the corridors and restaurant of the hospital at any given time. 20% of all sales go to the hospital.

Victoria Fearn Gallery

6B Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Free. 029 2052 0884. Blue And White Themed exhibition featuring handmade gifts with Mothers Day and Easter in mind. (Until Sat 9 Apr) David Haswell One-man show featuring paintings and framed prints of landscapes including the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. (From Fri 15 Apr until Sat 21 May)

Wales Millennium Centre

Bute Place, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2063 6464 / www. BUZZ 58

wmc.org.uk Common Ground Inspired by notions of ‘home’ and ‘community’, Common Ground brings together new work from two photographic collectives taking an outward-facing view of their respective home countries of Scotland and Wales. (Until Sun 10 Apr)

Workers Gallery

99 Ynyshir Road, Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taff. FriSun 10am-5pm. Free. 01443 682024 / wood4tt@gmail. com A World Of Work Annual mixed exhibition for this gallery’s artists. (From Thurs 17 Mar until Sat 30 Apr) Fibre Art Beyond Work from fibre artists Hannah Kemp and Sarah Goodgame of (Talgarth Mill Crafts). (From Thurs 21 Apr until Sat 28 May)

clubs 10 Feet Tall

11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / thisis10feettall@yahoo.co.uk Fridays Soulection 9pm3am, £3 after 10. Soul, boogie and the like from Blue Honey DJs. New night. Saturdays Under A Groove 9pm-3am, £3 after 10. Funk, neo-soul and Motown with music from James Morgan-Rees & Alex Moxham. Sat 16 Record Store Day 6pm, free before 10. All vinyl all night from Kelly’s Records staffers. Sundays 10 Feet Tall Industry Night 5pm-3am, free. 50% off all drinks for industry staff with this venue’s Industry card, alongside late-night Blue Honey DJs.

The Angel Inn

57-59 Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth. 01970 617878. Fri 1 Chunkafunk April Fools Party 11pm-4am, £3. House from Bristol’s Das Butcher, Sammy String and Quality Tom. Fri 22 Outside The Box Presents Addicted To Bass 11pm-4am. Bass tunes of a non-specific sort, from Spectrumdj & MC Benji, Hidden Element, M-TEK, Neurotik and Kreat:ure b2b Nykto RobvWhy?. Fri 6 May Rhythm’n’Bass 11pm-4am. “Extreme bassage” from the Gemini Twins plus many more TBC.

Big Love Festival

Baskerville Hall, nr Hay-OnWye. www.biglovefestival. co.uk Fri 29 Apr-Sun 1 May Big Love Festival £95 (three days). Debut for this weekender, hosted by the Something Creatives people. Playing live/DJing on the main stage: Ibibio Sound Machine, Norman Jay, Wrongtom & Ragga Twins, Andy Cooper, Soom T & J-Star, Beans On Toast, Afrikan boy, Jodie Abacus, Kaptin & Matt The Hat, Lady Jelly & Mathilda and AA Bad Boy. Fantazia stage: rave/ jungle mania from Shades Of Rhythm, Easygroove, Kenny

Ken, Ramjack, Tommy B, Boy aka Bump’n’Grind, Dutty Girls, Hip-Hop Karaoke, Richie V, Big Swing Sound & Hypeman Sage, Rumpsetters and Eclectic Mick. Plau more DJing from Alfresco Disco, Blue Honey, Teak, Bodywork, We Like To Party, City Bass, Gung-Ho, Trax On Wax, Clwb Ifor Bach and BBC Horizons. Also! The Fantasy Orchestra presents David Bowie, street food, a swimming pool and some other stuff.

Blind Tiger

49 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 243500. Fridays Boombox Old school reggae, hip-hop, beats and bass with Blind Tiger residents and guest selecters on rotation. Saturdays Koncept & Friends House, techno and bass music with guest DJs, breaking producers and residents from Wales’ freshest nights, like so: Sat 2 Ben Britton (Submerge), Sat 9 Pete Lori (OneHouse), Sat 15 Neeko, Sat 23, Luke Hubba and Sat 30 Koncept & Friends Bank Holiday Jam. .

Buffalo

11 Windsor Place, Cardiff. Open Mon-Thurs 11am-3am, Fri + Sat 11am-4am, Sun until 4am. 029 2031 0312 / www.buffalocardiff.com Mondays Bump & Grind 10pm-3am, £4/£3 before 11.30. 90s r’n’b/hip-hop night. Tue 12 90s Rave Launch Party 10pm. “Taking you back to the sound of 90’s Rave! Experience the original ACID house project! Get your bucket hats and vintage sports gear at ready for the original 90’s Rave!” Nah, you’re alright. Thurs 5 May The Manor 10pm-4am, £5 adv. New night of grime, drum’n’bass and bassline. The headliner is TBA (“a MOBO nomination for best grime act,” they tease) but will be supported by Cardiff’s Mr L.A.. Fri 1 Aperture 10pm-4am, £8.50 early bird. DJ Marky is headlining this one, so I’d expect it to sell out in advance. Consider this a headsup. Fri 8 Dubfire Afterparty 11pm-4am, £5 adv. Top floor: Scott Kerr, The Organ Grinder, Matt Owen, Haematoma, Terri Simmonds and Caracal. Ground floor: Buffalo residents. The Dubfire night itself is in the Tramshed, and there’s another afterparty in Ladybird too. *Fri 22 One Love 10pm-4am, £5. Reggae, dancehall and ska from James Hamilton, Love & Harmony, Mikee Snooze, Nat Tea Mischief and Shanti Squire. This is a fundraiser for the late DJ Derek of Bristol, specifically his funeral expenses and a wall mural in his honour. Saturdays Shindig 10pm-4am, £3. Pop, chart, funk and soul from residents over two floors. Drinks deals.

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. Fri 29 Treatment 9pm-4am, £20 adv. House and techno from Dusky, Heidi, Jonas Rathsman, Cristoph, Cera Alba, Solardo and Lancelot. Saturdays Flux 9pm-2am, £5/£4 NUS. Chart, dance and pop.

Club Oxygen

1 Northampton Lane, Swansea. 0844 8849171 / www.globaloxygen.co.uk Fridays Dance Anthems 11pm-6am, from £5. House and commercial music all night from Big Al, Nicky G, 3 Bird, Jordan Steins, LJ Isaac and Tom Chizzy. Saturdays 10pm-6am. Room 1: ED, progressive, big room, electro, deep and house. Room 2: r’n’b, bassline, garage and hip-hop. Plus big name guests TBC.

Clwb Ifor Bach

Womanby St, Cardiff. 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net

Dempseys

Castle Street, Cardiff. 029 2023 9253 / www. dempseyscardiff.com Thursdays (downstairs) Twisted By Design 9.30pm2am, free. Weekly night along the lines of the Saturday lineups. Fridays (downstairs) Blah Blah Blah 10pm-3am, free. Gary Twisted offers up Motown, indie, rock’n’roll, reggae and “no cheesy pop”. Saturdays 9pm-3am, free. Rock’n’roll, funk, soul, party tunes yadda yadda, selected by Chris PJ Martin. Sat 2 Fabulous 9pm-2am, £4. Mod, ska, reggae, indie, R&B, funk, boogaloo and northern soul, running here for the mods since the 90s.

Face 11

105 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff. 029 2022 8221 / www.face11.co.uk Fridays DJ 45 Free. Funk, soul, hip-hop and more, or “poppin’ funk and funkin’ pop” as the tagline goes.

Swansea's Monkey Bar have Kano – big dog of grime during both its mid-00s surge of popularity, and its recent revival – playing live on Fri 22. Tickets are £15 and the venue reckon it's on course to sell out. Thurs 14 Carnival 11pm4am, £4. Dead popular student-friendly night helmed by “a bashment collective that bring the sounds of Jamaica to Cardiff”. Thurs 28 Brooklyn Zoo 10.30pm-4am, £3-£5. Current and classic hip-hop alike. Fridays (bottom) Zerox 10.30pm-3am, £4/£3 NUS. A “party jukebox” night. With DJs, though, not an actual jukebox. Fri 11 Bullion Presents The Payback Party 10pm-4am, £5/£3 before 11. Kooley and Stu Grady will be battling against DJs TBC; send Bullion your mix if you’ liek a go. Fri 15 Submerge 10pm, £12 adv. Hatcha and N-Type visit for a double dose of dubstep royalty, like it’s 2009 again. Or maybe earlier, depending on where you lived at the time. Saturdays 10pm-4am, £5/£4 NUS. Three floors of fun: The Vinyl Vendettas’ top floor resident indie shindig; Dirty Pop and Mr Potter's proper disco.

Courtyard

48 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161. Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Upfront dance anthems and “Urban Vibes”. Fridays The Kickstart / Terrace Session Classic anthems, downstairs, Mr Ifsta plus allstar residents up on the roof terrace. Saturdays Mischief Beat-driven anthems is the ambiguous description for tonight’s music policy. Sundays Sunday Sessions DJs til late and the weekend’s sports highlights.

Fuel

5 Womanby Street, Cardiff. 07970 063107 / www. facebook.com/fuelcardiff Thursdays FUBAR 10pm2am. Rock, metal and alternative clubnight. Fridays + Saturdays Rock and metal anthems each weekend, plus special guests when such types are in town.

The Full Moon / The Moon Club

Womanby Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3022 / info@ thefullmooncardiff.com Fri 8 Synapse 8pm, £5. A psychedelic dance night boasting psy-tech, psy-breaks AND psytrance. Fri 29 Sub:Culture 11pm-4am, £10 adv/£8 early bird. Detroit techno head Kris Wadsworth headlines, with Tom Ware, IOLO and Dan Gough also in room 1. The second room has Aneurin, Jam and Andrew Lee. Saturdays Five Dollar Shake Free. DJ Puddlefunk with bebop, funk, soul, Motown, hip-hop, reggae, ska and everything in between. Sat 2 Hypnotion 11pm. Oxford-based junglist crew Dope Ammo come down for a session tonight. Sat 9 Killing Moon 11pm, £4. Nght celebrating 80s alternative music. Sat 16 The Hold Up 9pm, £6.50 adv. Monthly hiphop night, with Skinnyman headlining this month.

Glam

Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. 029 2022 9311 / info@

clubs glamnightclub.co.uk Mondays The Fest 10pm3am, £3.50. Two floors of charts, dance and student anthems (room one) and r’n’b, hip-hop, urban and funky (room two). Mon 11 is the Silent Disco Fest, I’m not sure if it’s the same Silent Disco Fest as I’ve seen listed in Tiger Tiger but they’re a stone’s throw away from each other so I’m sure it’ll work out for you on the night. Fridays Smack. 9pm-3am. This night has moved from, er, some other Cardiff club, I can’t be arsed looking up which one. Saturdays Vanity 9pm-3am, £5-£10. Two rooms of quality music, everyone catered for it is claimed.

The Globe

125 Albany Road, Cardiff. 07590 471888 / www. globecardiffmusic.com Sat 9 David Rodigan 8pm1am, £8 adv. The UK’s last Caucasian reggae ambassador standing visits Cardiff for the first time this year to play from his archive of classics and exclusive dubplates.

Gwdihw

6 Guildford Crescent, Cardiff. 029 2039 7933 / www.gwdihw.co.uk Wed 13 Club Tropicana 9pm. Tropical disco and Latin-flavoured boogie. Fri 1 Signor Funk x Move On Up 9pm-2.30am, £3. Funk and soul classics. Fri 8 Superchango Takeover 9pm-2.30am, £4/£3 adv. Nineties dance anthems and r’n’b classics. Fri 15 Modula x One Good Thing 9pm. With a headline set from German hip-hop beatsman Suff Daddy. Fri 29 Pleasuredome 9pm-2.30am, £5/£3 before 11. Conroy, Deemo and Teoman play the electronic music of the 80s. Sat 2 Blue Honey 9pm. Residents night. Sat 16 Mise En Bouche 9pm. DJing from Gidge and Toclifrench. Sat 30 Hully Gully 9pm. Hip-hop, jazz, funk, house, disco and suchlike.

Jacob’s Market

West Canal Wharf, Cardiff. 029 2039 0939. Sat 9 Teak: I Wanna See All My Friends At Once 10pm-5am, £13.50 adv. Featuring Seka, Rikki Humphrey, Dismalman and guests Future Garden. As per the event name, it seems to tip its hat in some way towards late disco pioneer Arthur Russell, but it’s not clear how exactly.

Ladybird

41 St Mary St, Cardiff. 029 2066 5500 / info@ ladybirdcardiff.com / www. ladybirdcardiff.com Tue 12 Disney Appreciation Society 10pm-4am, £5/£20 celebration package. Playing, they say, your favourite Disney childhood songs all night long, along with 90s loveable classics and remixes. I think this is secretly a night for perverts and not actual Disney fans at all. Wednesdays Cheeky 10pm-4am, £2. Tickets are £2, drinks (some of them) are £2 and there are two rooms of music. Thursdays

Propaganda 10pm-4am, £4. UK-wide indie night’s Cardiff wing. You can tell it’s the Cardiff one becuse they list Stereophonics first on the list of bands likely to be played. Fridays Mi Casa 10pm-4am. House and techno every week, often with some pretty big names. They never announce them in time for these listings though. Saturdays Solution 10pm4am. A night whose flyer has a big photo of a model in her bra and pants. Sundays Sunday Project 7pm-3am, free with guestlist. Free industry night offers floor fillers and house classics.

The Lemon Factory

37 St Helens Road, Swansea. 07969 671379 / www. facebook.com/ thelemonfactoryswansea Sat 2 Funktion Tek 9pm, £8. Rowdy sounding grime night headlined by Birmingham’s Devilman along with DJ Boogieman. Pryme Cut, Kazm with Chew & Dex, DJ Darkfada with Papa T (open mic grime session), T-Rev & RealTodd and Rhys Mann comprise the rest of the (confirmed) lineup.

The Lounge

6 Market Street, Newport. 01633 259144 / www. facebook.com/ theloungenewport Fridays Flashback Signature cocktails and a selection of retro-centric grooves from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Saturdays Live:Lounge Air guitar anthems and indie classics, along with live bands whose names you can hopefully find in the Live Music listings.

Mary’s

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 Sundays Mary’s Mad Sundays 12pm-1am, free. Cabaret and cocktails with Mary Mac.

Metros

Baker’s Row, Cardiff. 029 2039 9942 / www. metroscardiff.com Wednesdays Cheapskates 9pm-4am, £5. Hywel plays ‘alternative mayhem’ and old skool cheese. Fridays Freespirit 9.30pm-3.30am, £3 with flyer before 10.30pm. Drinks promos, no dress code. Rock, punk, metal and alternative beats. Saturdays Cherry Bomb 9.30pm3.30am. Indie, electroclash (!) and good time rock’n’roll.

Minskys Show Bar

Cathedral Walk, St David’s Centre, Cardiff. 029 2023 3128 / www.minskysshowbar.com Fridays & Saturdays 8pm1am. Dancing and cabaret with regular drag acts including Tina Sparkle, Miss Babs and Jolene Dover.

Missoula

84-86 St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 1315 / www. missoulabars.co.uk/ missoulacardiff

Fridays Unfunkinbelievable Half price drinks from 5-10pm. What I find ‘unfunkinbelievable’ is that there’s a club night called ‘Unfunkinbelievable’ in the year 2016. Saturdays ‘Miss’ Behaviour Music, cocktails, party. All these things are found here.

what it says in the tin I guess. Wednesdays Giggle Free before 12. Student night. Thursdays Poptails. 9pm-3am. Non-stop pop with DJ Lyndon and 2-4-1 cocktails deals. Fridays + Saturdays Until 3am. Drinks deals from 5-11pm (Fri) and 3-8pm (Sat).

Mocka Lounge

Popworld

Mill Lane, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 11am-late. 029 2022 1295 / www.mockalounge.com Thursdays The Social Affair 9pm-3am. Over-25s night with chart hits through the ages. Fridays Timeless DJ Dan Nicholas plays r’n’b, funk, disco and old skool. Just old skool. Saturdays Decorum Soulful and upfront house, plus funk, disco etc, from Sinky and Styles. Sundays VIP Chris Evans (My Playhouse) plays club classics, funky house and r’n’b.

Monkey Bar

13 Castle Street, Swansea. 01792 480822 / www. monkeycafe.co.uk Wednesdays Drop 10pm4am. Hip-hop, drum’n’bass, house, garage, jungle and grime. Fridays Dime 10pm-6am, £5/£3 before 12 or with a Kon Tiki stamp. Hip-hop, grime, house and drum’n’bass. Fri 22 features special guest Kano, while Fri 29 showcases both sides of millennial garage with Oxide & Neurino and DJ Pied Piper! (Both of whom are TBC as we go to print.) Saturdays Get Busy £3 with a Kon Tiki stamp. Funk, soul, hip-hop, Motown, boogie and party. Sun 1 May Congo Natty Ragga jungle legends come to Swansea for a bank holiday show, although this one is TBC right now too.

Wind Street, Swansea. MonFri + Sun 8pm-3am; Sat 3pm-3am. 01792 470676. Tuesdays Popstar Karaoke 9pm-3am. Karaoke night with a £50 prize. Wednesdays W.H.I.P. 9pm, free before 11. That’s short for What Happens In Popworld. Thursdays T.N.T. 9pm-3am. That’s short for Thirsty Night Thursday. All drinks are £1.50 before 12am, apart from wines, cocktails, champagnes and – oh, Swansea – Rekorderlig. Fridays + Saturdays Ain’t No Party Like A Popworld Party 8pm-3am, £2-£4 (Fri)/£3-£5 (Sat).

Pryzm (formerly Oceana) Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. 029 2023 3854 / www. pryzm.co.uk/cardiff Fridays + Saturdays 10pm-3am. Three music arenas, VIP booths, other stuff. Saturday is in conjunction with Jongleurs comedy club, which also takes place here.

Pulse

3 Churchill Way, Cardiff.

029 2064 1010 / www. pulsecardiff.com. Gay venue. Wednesdays Warped 10pm-4am. Join DJ Craig W on a journey through time with the best hits from the last two decades. Fridays Pulsetastic 10pm-5am, £4/£3. With live PAs once a month. Saturdays Pop Til You Drop 10pm-5am, £5/£4 b4 11. The very best chart remixes and classic hits all night long.

The Queens Hall

High Street, Narberth. 01834 861212 / www. thequeenshall.org.uk Fri 1 Critical Condition 8pm-1am, £12/£10 adv. Hiphop and drum’n’bass from Ausiomission, Kelvin 373 ft. Eva Lazarus & Gardna, Index & DJ Fingerfood, Ausio Autopsy & T-Jey and Ketchum.

Revolution

Castle Street, Cardiff. Open from 11am. 029 2023 6689 / www.revolution-bars.co.uk Tuesdays Sync 9pm-3am. Student night featuring hazers, lasers and drink deals. Fridays + Saturdays 9pm3am. DJs, drinks offers, free area hire.

The Robin Hood

16 Severn Grove, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 029 2037 8829 / www. robinhoodbar.co.uk Sat 2 + Sat 7 May Totally Mod For It Free. Every first

Saturday of the month, DJ 45 presents an evening of 60s/70s beat, rhythm & blues, soul, ska, 80s/90s Britpop and 2-tone.

Room 112

3-6 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Thurs 9pm-3am, Fri + Sat 10pm-4am. 029 2066 7996 / www.room112.net Fridays Bedrock 9pm-4am, £10/£5 before 12. R’n’b, hip-hop and dancehall. Saturdays Pillow Talk 9pm-4am, £10. Old skool r’n’b, hip-hop, house and decadent partying is this night’s deal.

The Scene

Plymouth Street, Swansea. events@thesceneclub.co.uk / www.thesceneclub.co.uk Fri 1 + Fri 6 May Night Train 10pm-3am, £3. Swansea Scooter Society DJs play R&B, mod, soul, jazz etc on the first Friday of every month. Sat 2 + Sat 7 May Dead Of Night 10pm-3am, £3. Goth/alternative club night, on the first Saturday of every month. Sat 16 Platform 10pm, £12/£10. German house maestro DeWalta headlines Platform’s first night of 2016. Gyan Bhatia and Daniel Knight also play.

Sin City

Dilwyn Street, Swansea. 01792 468892 / www. sincityclub.co.uk Tuesdays Hustle 10pm-

Mozarts

Walter Road, Swansea. 01792 649984 / www. mozartsswansea.co.uk Fri 1 Hip-Drop 8pm-3am. Mod, Stax, reggae and northern soul. Fri 8 Yum Yum Club 8pm-3am. Funk, soul, reggae, disco and hip-hop. Sat 2 Rewind 8pm-2.30am, free before 12. Nineties revival night.

The Neon

Clarence Place, Newport. 01633 533666 / www. theneon.co.uk Fri 8 Urban Shutdown 6-11pm, £10 adv/£20 VIP. Grime, hip-hop and r’n’b from young south Wales talent: Safone, Gino, Deadly and Aystar.

The Parrot

32 King Street, Carmarthen. 01267 236012 / www.parrotmusicbar.co.uk Sat 16 People In Motion 8pm-1am, £5. Northern soul from Vinyl Richie, Scooter Paul, Uncle Funk, and guest DJ Keith AnCindy.

Popworld (formerly Flares)

96 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Mon, Tue + Thurs 9pm3am; Wed 8pm-3am; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat 1pm-3am. 029 2023 5825. Mondays Candy Pop Karaoke 9pm, free. Does

KRIS WADSWORTH Sub:Culture @ The Moon Club, Cardiff, Fri 29 Tickets: £12/£10. Info: 029 2037 3022 / www.themoonclub.net A real step up for Cardiff promoters Sub:Culture, who have been doing cheap’n’cheerful techno-centred nights irregularly since 2013 and have had the good taste and foresight to bring Detroit’s Kris Wadsworth to Cardiff for the first time. On the scene for a decade or so, with a big sheaf of 12” singles to his name, he’s known to some for slightly smoother house produce on labels including Get Physical and Hypercolour; to others, and reflective of his more recent work, raw, analogue and slightly aliensounding techno jams. His upcoming LP, Infiltrator, is being released by Jimmy Edgar (a fellow Detroit dude who Kris has known since school), and if his set in the Moon is similarly dirty, electro-streaked and stripped-down, it should fully go off.

BUZZ 59

events 3am. Funk, soul, Motown and hip-hop. Thursdays Sin Savers 10pm-3am, £3. Student night, back for the new term. Fridays Monsters Of Rock 10pm-3.30am, £4/£2 before 12.30. Indie in room 1, metal in room 2. Fri 22 The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club 10pm-3.30am, £15 adv. Comedy actor turned BBC Radio groove chronicler drops some (b)Listering bombs for what will probably be a capacity crowd. Saturdays Sink 10pm-3am. Hip-hop, drum’n’bass, dubstep etc, with special guests plus resident DJs Dubman, Swiss Elf and South. Sat 16 features a garagey grimey guest duo of Flava D and Sir Spyro, who you can hear on the Kiss and Rinse FM stations, respectively (£8 adv).

Soda Lounge

St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3363 / www. sodalounge.co.uk Tuesdays Cartel £4/£3.50. UK-wide student night. Mr. Mozafari will be playing vocal house and electro upstairs; DJ Wallace will supply r’n’b and chart in the Soda Lounge. Wednesdays Replay 10pm, £5/£4. The official sports night of the Cardiff Metropolitan University. Thursdays Clique 10pm, £4. New night promising the hottest r’n’b and dancefloor fillers. Saturdays Soiree 9pm4am. Three rooms including the Attic which is “the social playground for the high flyers and social elite, really the only place to be seen.” Imagine catching your reflection in the mirror just after writing that.

Tiger Tiger

Friary House, Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-12.30am. 029 2039 1944 / www.tigertigercardiff.co.uk Every Day Lucky Voice Karaoke From £2.50 per session. The UK's leading private karaoke experience each day of the week. Mon 11 Silent Disco Fest 10pm-2am, £4 adv early bird. Personally speaking, I disliked the concept of silent discos even when they were new in town. Yeah, you’re impressed aren’t you. Wednesdays Shotgun Rules 10pm3am, £5/£3.50. Exclusive midweek student party, now transferred from Revolution. You don’t need NUS to get in though. Fridays Koosday 10pm-3am, £7/£5. Something that has lots of decor, smoke machines etc and describes itself as an “Arrogantly Premium Clubbing Experience”. How depressing. Saturdays Kanaloa Polynesian style area with cocktails, VIP booths, dancers etc.

Tramshed

Clare Road, Grangetown, Cardiff. 0117 9259273 / www.tramshedcardiff.com Fri 8 Memorex 7pm-12am, £15-£25. Headlined by American deep house veteran Dubfire, with Shaded the other ‘name’ on the bill. The Organ Grinder, Scott Kerr, Sinky and JV are in the place also. *Sun 1 May ShangriBUZZ 60

La 2pm-12am, £20 adv. House promoters with a hefty lineup for their bank holiday alldayer: Joris Voorn (Cardiff debut I think), Yousef, Kydus and residents Nic Saunders, Lee Charnock, Adam Carey, Caracal & Eben Rees, James Coughlin & Josh Green, Josh Thomas, Dave Eaves and Puff Richards. Room 2: The Lighthouse Project present Tom Francis, Stu Gray, Ben Fowler, Nicky Cursio and Lewis Elsey. See Clubs.

Undertone (basement of 10 Feet Tall)

11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / www.undertonecardiff.com Tue 19 Get Funky 10pm4am, £4/£3 before 11. Funky house from resident DJs. Tue 26 The Mixtape 10pm, £5. With headliner Ishmael. Fri 1 La Fiesta 10pm-4am, £3. Guilty pleasures and commercial hits with a side of traditional Spanish music. Guessing this means it’s aimed at Spanish students or possibly pissed/horny salsa class attendees. Fri 8 Castle Nights 10pm, £5. Techno from Dave Little aka Kofi Tarris, BLAP and a guest TBC. Fri 15 Selecta 11pm, £7/£5. Were you saying “boo” or “Booo!”? I was saying “Booo!” in honour of the best known track by tonight’s headliner, UK garage geezer Sticky. Leeson, Onslaught and Woo Ha also DJ. See Clubs. Fri 22 Paranoize 10pm, £7/£5. Drum’n’bass from Mako (Metalheadz), Kooley, Coop, Format, Onslaught, Character and Gunn. Fri 29 Temple 10pm-4am. Monthly drum’n’bass night, headliner TBC as usual. Sat 2 City Bass 10pm, £5/£3 before 11. Featuring Owain Bellis plus the Organ Grinder, who is launching a label called Graft and has also supplied its first release. Sat 16 Rotary Club 10pm-4am, £5/£3 before 12. Disco, house and boogie with Hollick and Ratcatcher tipping up tonight. Sat 23 Bodhi – Roots 10pm, £8/£6. Popular local house duo play a four-hour set with visuals from Snowskull and special guests. Sat 30 Cardiff’s Finest 10pm-4am. House and techno played by residents and locals.

The Vaults

The Old Natwest Bank, 113116 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. www.vaultspresents.com Fri 1 Vaults D&B Presents 10pm-5am, £13 adv. S.P.Y. of Hospital Records headlines this one. Stu Grady, Kooley, Pabz, Sheppa D b2b Fernandez and Resonate also feature in the main room; Paranoize promise “savage party fun” in room 2. Sat 2 AnaloQ Muzik 9pm-5am, £12.50-£20. New promoters in town (they’re actually London-based it seems) with a strong lineup of minimal gear: Martin Buttrich (live set), Antony Difrancesco, Samuel Bellis, Kolo & Dyze and Gyan Bhatia. Sun 1 May Memorex 10pm-5am, £15£25. The Martinez Brothers headline the main room for this big house bank holiday banker. Haematoma, Scott Kerr, Sinky and JV are also

in there; room 2 has Lucas Alexander b2b Incus, Griff b2b Pat Hickey, Masy b2b Drew Watkins, Josh Tarrant b2b Alex Taylor, Ryan Howells b2b Kurtis Simpson, Ross Powel b2b Gatesy and Teri Simmonds. The Banking Hall has Gareth Hopkins, Terry Hardwicke and Mike Touhey.

Warehouse 54

Cambrian Rd, Newport. 01633 259144 / www.wh54. com Friday Shake It Off An eclectic mix of live band sounds, from hip-hop to swing to punk to soul to folk to funk, then DJs playing alt anthems, pop-punk and ‘dirty pleasures’. Fri 29-Sun 1 May The May Ball Weekender Live sessions and special guest selectors across all five of Newport’s ‘Newport Venues’ venues throughout the weekend and concluding with a Grand Ball on Sun 1 May. Saturdays Hype R’n’b, hiphop and urban classics from Mr Ifsta and others.

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 b4 11. With WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty and Marcia, plus special guests every week. Saturdays The VKend Free b4 11. With DJs Craig and Krys. You can get cheap deals in VK. £6.50 for a fishbowl. £6 for a jug of WKD. Settle down now, kids. Sundays The Cuckoo Club Free. DJ Krys plays the tunes until late.

events EVERY MONDAY

Ballet The Gate, Cardiff. 6-9.30pm, £6.50/£5.50/£3 taster. Info 029 2048 3344. Beginners 6-7pm; intermediate 7-8; advanced 8-9.30. Begins on Mon 11 Apr. Bharatanatyam Dance Classes For Adult Beginners Bayview House, Cardiff Bay. 8.15-9.15pm. Info 029 2075 1158. 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. 6.30pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880. High intensity workout combing cardio and climbing.

Ceroc The Gate, Cardiff. 7.4510.45pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info 029 2048 3344. Sessions for a dance style billed as a combo of salsa, ballroom, hip-hop, tango and jive. Runs until Mon 21 Mar. Children’s Ballet The Gate, Cardiff. 4-7.30pm, £6.50/£5.50/£3 taster. Info 029 2048 3344. Ages 4-6 4pm; 6-8 4.45; grade 1 5.45; grade 3 6.45. Begins on Mon 11 Apr. Children’s Ballroom Dancing Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7-9pm. Info 01495 243252. Community Choir Sessions Cornwall Street Church Hall, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, free. Info 07952 752823. Led by Pauline Down and taking place most Mondays; ring ahead to check. Freestyle Fitness Yoga Kings Road Studios, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / sarasclasses4@gmail.com. Every Monday. India Dance Wales Classes Highmead House, Lisvane, Cardiff. Info 029 2075 1158. For Grade 3 to vocational level. These classes are by special application only at various points in the month – not on specific days, hence listing them here. To apply write to admin@indiadancewales.com with previous dance experience and reason for wanting to join India Dance Wales. Making Music The Gate, Cardiff. 6-10pm, £7.50-£9.50 per session/£4 taster. Info 029 2048 3344. Learn to play improvised rock and pop and basic chord sequences. Beginners 6-8pm; intermediate 8-10. Begins on Mon 11 Apr. Musical Theatre The Riverfront, Newport. 6.158.30pm, £6/£5. Info 01633 656757. 7-11 years old: 6.15-7.15pm; 12 and up: 7.158.30pm. Newport Badminton Club Pill Millennium Centre, Newport. 7.30-8.30pm. Info 07789 965285. One of the largest badminton clubs in South East Wales. Monday club nights have coaching with Carissa Turner, the current Ladies Welsh number one, for juniors and then senior club members. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today features Youth Circus Wookies (age 7-9, 4.30-6pm); Youth Circus Ewoks (age 5-7, 5-6pm); Flying Trapeze L3 (6-8pm); Aerial Hoop L3 (6-8pm); Static Trapeze L3 (6-8pm); Aerial Yoga (6.15-7.45pm); Aerial Hoop L2 (8-10pm); Flying Trapeze L1 (8-10pm); Static Trapeze L4 (8-10pm) and Flexibility (8-9.30pm). Taking place in a new venue for 2016. Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Tours of the centre running daily for one hour. Advance booking recommended. Pilates Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £6/£30 for six sessions. Info 07872 306745 / info@burlesquecardiff.co.uk. Mixed ability class with Steph;

please bring your own mat. Pilates 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. Begins on Mon 11 Apr. Quizzical The North Star, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 4050. RAD Children’s Ballet The Gate, Cardiff. 4-7.45pm, £6.50/£5.50/£3 taster. Info 029 2048 3344. 4-6-year-olds: 4-4.45pm; 6-8 4.45-5.45pm; Ballet Grade 1 6-8 yrs 5.456.45pm; Ballet Grade 2 6-8 yrs 6.45-7.45pm. Begins on Mon 11 Apr.. Ruff Folk Dance Club St Andrew’s Methodist Church Hall, Birchgrove, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2051 3440. With Ian Lewis. Salsa Classes Mischiefs, Cardiff Bay. 7.30-9.30pm, £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. Tai Chi: Health Qigong Glyndwr Community Hall, Penarth. 10.30-11.30am. Info 029 2020 6042. Tango Dancing Argentine Barocco, Cardiff. 8-10.45pm, £3/£1. Info 029 2023 7332. Tang Soo Do Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. 7-9pm. Info 07734 557767. Learn traditional Korean karate; beginners welcome. Yoga Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 12.301.15pm. Info 029 2087 7959. On tomorrow also. Yoga With Valerie Price St Mary’s Church Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 6.30-9.30pm. Info admin@yoga-works.co.uk. 6.30-8pm: intermediate; 8.109.30pm: beginners.

EVERY TUESDAY

A Ballroom Dance Memorial Hall, Newbridge.

Info 07790 167560. Every Tuesday and Friday. American Line Dancing The Gate, Cardiff. 2.454.45pm, £3. Info 029 2048 3344. Begins on Tue 12 Apr. Beth’s Buns Pilates Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 7.15-8.15pm, £5. Info 029 2048 4880. Bring It Pong 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. New weekly session of table tennis, with two tables in the main bar (little known fact: table tennis is one of the best games to play while drinking). No session on Tue 9 this month. Circus Skills The Riverfront, Newport. 7-8.30pm, £3.50 per session. Info 01633 656757. For ages 14 and up. Contemporary Dance The Gate, Cardiff. 6-8pm, £5-£6.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Beginners 6-7pm; intermediate 7-8. Begins on Tue 12 Apr. Extend The Gate, Cardiff. 11am, £2.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Exercise to music, aimed at over-60s and people with a disability. Begins on Tue 12 Apr. Funkypump Fitness Universal Gym, Cardiff. 6pm. Info www.funkypumpfitness. co.uk. Boxing-based highintensity workout with a house soundtrack. First session free. In this gym every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Gitananda Yoga St David's Uniting Church, Pontypridd. 7-8.30pm, free. Info 01443 408065. Glam Dram St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7pm. Info 01446 799100. Amateur theatre company for adults. India Dance Wales – Bharatanatyam Classes Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5-6pm. Info 07410 977427. Beginners’ class. India Dance Wales Classes Rubicon Dance, Adamsdown, Cardiff. 6.30pm. Info 029 2075 1158. From beginners to grade 2 and for all ages and

The Creepy Carmarthen history tours return to said town this month, every Wednesday until the end of September. Murder, execution and phantasmagoria will all loom large. 7-11pm. Info 01495 243252. Acrobalance The Gate, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £7/£5.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Combining elements of partner lifts, poses and transitions that involve two and sometimes more people. Begins on Tue 12 Apr. 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. Advanced Belly Dance Cardiff Central Youth Club, Ocean Way, Cardiff. 5.306.45pm, £6/£30 for six sessions. Info 07872 306745. With Steph. Aikido Village Hall, Heol Syr Lewis, Morganstown. 8-10pm.

abilities. Irish Dancing The Gate, Cardiff. 5.15-7.15pm, £7/£5.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Kids 5.156.15; adults 6.15-7.15. Begins on Tue 12 Apr. Jamaican Bum Flex Channel View Leisure Centre, Cardiff. 6-7pm, £5. Info 07950 256969. Dancehall/reggae style dance moves, “turned into a tough bum workout for the ladies” by Latone Holder. Also on Wednesday and Thursday. Jazz Workshops For Beginners Atradius Offices (4th floor), Cardiff Bay. 6.208pm, £10. Info 07806 625717. All instruments and ages welcome. Kizomba Tango Classes

events 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. Learn African samba here. 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 JK Club, Neath Rd, Briton Ferry. 8-10.30pm, £5. Info 07400 080101. Hosted by Frank, who also runs a similar class in Pencoed each Thursday. Lessons are from 8-9pm; there’s a disco from 9-10.30. Life Drawing 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 5.30-7pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. Hosted by Cardiff Life Model. There’s also an irregular meetup session afterwards where you can all go to the cinema (Capitol Centre) for £3. Lindy Hop Dance Classes & Social Swing Dancing The Garage, Swansea. 6-10pm. Info 01792 475147. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Ground Skills – Jedi (11+, 4.15-6pm); Youth Circus Padawans (age 9-11, 4.306pm); Hula Hoop (6-7pm); Performance (7-9pm); Circus Mishmash (6-8pm); Beginners Aerial L1 (8-10pm) and Static Trapeze L2 (8-10pm). Off Centre Silver Dragon, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Adult drama group meeting weekly to develop performance skills. Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Pilates And Stretch Conway Road Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff. 8-9pm, £6/£25 for five sessions. Info 07872 306745 / info@burlesquecardiff.co.uk. With Steph; bring your own mat please. Pilates: Beginners The Gate, Cardiff. 6.30-7.30pm, £5.50-£7.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Begins on Tue 12 Apr. Pregnancy Yoga Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 6-7.15pm, £35/£30 (five-week blocks). Info kalavathi@ omstudio.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. Salsa Classes La Tasca, Cardiff. 7-10.30pm, £5. Info 07949 270618. Every Tuesday. Beginners 7.15-8pm; Improvers 8.30-9.30pm; dancing 9.45-10.30pm. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Mines & Mountains National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales. com. Every Tuesday and Friday. This one visits Big Pit Mining Museum of Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park (including BBNP visitors centre). Tai Chi / Qigong Shibashi Continuation St Mary’s

Church Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 6.30-7.30pm. Info 029 2020 6042. Yoga Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5.30-6.30 + 6.45-8pm. Info 029 2087 7959. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 7.309pm, £9. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk. With 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. 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, £30 (five weeks). Info 01633 656757. Ceroc Dance Class Dockers Club, Swansea. 7.45pm-12am, £6/£8 freestyles. Info cerocsouthwales@gmail.com. Contemporary Dance Youth Session The Gate, Cardiff. 5pm, £3-£6. Info 029 2048 3344. Begins on Wed 13 Apr. Creepy Carmarthen The Guildhall, Carmarthen (starting point). 7pm, £7.50/£5. Info 01267 231557. Take a trip through Carmarthen’s ‘horrible history’ and meet murderers and their victims; visit the sites of grisly executions; discover dark secrets from bygone days – and find out where ghosts walk. Every week until Sept 28. Freestyle Fitness Yoga Wake Up Kings Road Studios, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7.15-8am, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / sarasclasses4@gmail.com. Jamaican Bum Flex Canton Community Centre, Cardiff. 8-9pm, £5. Info 07950 256969. Newport Youth Dance The Riverfront, Newport. 4.156pm, £2.75 per session. Info 01633 656757. 7-10 years old: 4.15-5pm; 14-18: 5-6pm. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Acrobatics Jedi (11+, 4.15-6pm); Adult Acrobatics (6-8pm); Creative Aerial L3+ (8-10pm). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Pilates The Gate, Cardiff. 6-8pm, £5.50-£7.50. Info 029 2048 3344. General fitness

session for the first hour, advanced for the second. Begins on Wed 13 Apr. Pub Quiz The Pilot, Penarth. 8pm. Info 029 2071 0615. With Hayley. Salsa Classes Rhiwbina Recreational Club, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 07800 565651. SeeWales Sightseeing Tour: Romans And Ruins National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Day tours from Cardiff, every Wednesday and Saturday. This one visits Caerleon, Caerwent, Tintern Abbey, the Wye Valley, Abbey Mill Craft Centre and Raglan Castle. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 9.3011am, 1-2.15pm + 7-9pm, £9/£8. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk. Yoga Trwy Gyfrwng Y Gymraeg Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 7-8.30pm. Info admin@yoga-works. co.uk. Yoga With Tori Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 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. Zumba Classes La Tasca, Cardiff. 6pm, £4. Info 07949 270618.

Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Join the Centre’s urban choir who blend choral singing with hip-hop. Every Thursday and Saturday; contact takepart@wmc.org.uk for further details. Hatch The Riverfront, Newport. 4.30pm, £8 per session/£60 per term. Info 01633 656757. New youth theatre programme organised by the Tin Shed Theatre Co. Jamaican Bum Flex Trinity Church Centre, Newport Road, Cardiff. 6.30-7.30pm, £5. Info 07950 256969. Learn To Rock’n’Roll 50s Style Pencoed Rugby Club. 8-10.30pm, £5. Info 07400 080101. Hosted by Frank. Lessons are from 8-9pm; there’s a disco from 9-10.30. Newport Badminton Club Newport Active Living Centre. 7.30-9.30pm. Info 07789 965285. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Today: Flying Trapeze L1/2 (6-8pm); Static Trapeze L2 (6-8pm); Ropes & Silks L2 (6-8pm); Static Trapeze L3 (8-10pm); Ropes & Silks L3 + 4 (8-10pm). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Pilates Kings Road Studios, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 6.15-

7.15pm, £7/£6. Info 07774 601544 / sarasclasses4@ gmail.com. Every Thursday. Salsa Buena Class Little Shop Of Calm, Cowbridge. 8.30-10.30pm, free. Info 07800 565651. Beginners 8.30pm; improvers 9.30. Salsa Classes La Tasca, Cardiff. 7-11pm, £5. Info 07949 270618. Beginners 7.158pm; improvers 8.30-9.30pm; Rueda 9.45-10.30pm. Salsa Dancing Classes Revolucion De Cuba, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £6/£5 NUS. Info 029 2023 6689. Salsa, bachata, zouk and kizomba. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Golden Gower National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Thursday and Sunday. This one visits the Gower, Swansea Bay, Parc-Le-Breos, the Dylan Thomas Centre and more. Tai Chi / Qigong Shibashi Albert Road Church & Community Centre, Penarth. 6.30-9.15pm. Info 029 2020 6042. 6.30-7.30: Tai Chi/ Qigong; 7.45-9.15: Tai Chi Short Form. Tai Chi / Qigong St Albans Church Hall, Splott, Cardiff. 10.30-11.30am. Info 029 2020 6042. The Alexander Technique M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11.30am-1pm, £16. Info info@yogaskies.co.uk. Small group class hosted by

Mike Young. Yoga Classes Cardiff Steiner School, Llandaff North, Cardiff. 6-7.15 + 7.15-8.30pm, £8/£6.50. Info info@yogaskies.co.uk. Hosted by Mike Young. Yoga Classes Om Studio, Partridge Lane, Cardiff. 7-8am + 1-2.30, 6-7.15 + 7.308.45pm, £9/£8. Info 07727 139379 / www.omstudio.co.uk. 11am: Mums & Baby yoga; 7.30pm: Pregnancy yoga.

EVERY FRIDAY

Aikido Village Hall, Heol Syr Lewis, Morganstown. 8-10pm. Info 07790 167560. Boys’ Dance The Riverfront, Newport. 4.45-5.30pm, £2.75 per session. Info 01633 656757. Taught by Rubicon, for ages 6-12. 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. Children’s Tap/Ballet Classes Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 10.30-11.30am. Info 01495 243252. Community Choir Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9.4511.45am, £72/£48 (12 weeks). Info 01446 401209.

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. 6.15-7pm, £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. Funkypump Fitness Universal Gym, Cardiff. 6pm. Info www.funkypumpfitness. co.uk. Hand Drumming Group Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff. 6-6.50pm, £15 (five weeks). Info 01446 401209. Hosted by Laura Bradshaw. Hard Côr Japan Room, Wales

OUTDOOR CINEMA: TOP GUN St Donat’s Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan, Fri 22 Apr Tickets: £7.50/£6. Info: 01446 799100 / www.stdonats.com Want to see a classic film in a medieval setting? This month, Top Gun is being screened at an outdoor cinema in the dramatic surrounding of St Donat’s Castle. The castle overlooks views of the North Devon coastline and if the weather is in your favour, enjoys the viewing in the shadows of a coastal sunset. For those who haven’t seen Top Gun, it features Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, combining intense action, drama and romance in a United States Navy camp. St Donats Are Centre, who are hosting the screening, invite you to bring a picnic and comfortable chairs, whilst wrapping up in a blanket to the adventures of Maverick and Iceman.

BUZZ 61

events

It’s another quiet month on the folk and roots scene although a careful scan of the listing reveals that there are a few gems to be enjoyed as spring finally kicks in, among them the old timey Americana of Carl Jones and Erynn Marshall who travel from their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains for a short tour which takes in a couple of Welsh dates (www. dittyville.com for details). Among the best of the rest are a couple of gigs at Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall – one by a band who’s star is the ascendant and one by a band taking their final bow. From the north-east of England, The Young ‘Uns have been making waves for over a decade since they formed at Stockton Folk Club. Fully professional for the past couple of years, they’re about to embark on their biggest ever tour which will bring them to Cardiff on Tue 19. For more info see the music pages. Two days prior to that (Sun 17) the mighty Bellowhead, one of the most exciting live bands of any genre, hit the St. David’s Hall stage for their last ever Welsh gig and what promises to be a high energy and emotionally charged evening. Formed by Jon Boden and John Spiers just for fun in 2004, the 11-piece band’s arrangements of traditional dance tunes, folk songs and shanties that take inspiration from a wide range of other musical styles including funk, disco and rock, has seen them become one of the most successful British folk acts of all time. Nominated for an extraordinary 21 BBC Folk Awards, the band have taken home eight of them and their five critically acclaimed studio albums are among the best sellers by any folk act and regularly place in the national charts, (their third album Hedonism sold over 60,000 copies and is the highest selling independently released folk album of all time). The gig is sold out but extra tickets may be released on the day; please check with the venue’s box office (029 2087 8444) on the day of the gig.

Buzz also recommends: FFynnon. Top notch Welsh music from Lynne Denman and Stacey Blythe. Valley Folk Club, Ivy Bush Hotel, Pontardawe. (Fri 15) The People’s Folk Festival. Local performers during the day and an evening concert with Harvey Andrews. The Graig Community Hall, Bassaleg, Newport. (Sat 16) Gwenan Gibbard. Welsh tradition from respected harpist and singer. Ty Tawe, Christina St. Swansea (Fri 29) Please send your folk and roots listings to listings@ buzzmag.co.uk or phone them in to 029 2022 6767

BUZZ 62

Little’ns Dance The Riverfront, Newport. 9.4510.25am + 10.30-11.15am, £3 per session. Info 01633 656757. Newport Photographic Club Skip Jennings Hall, Maindee, Newport. 7.30pm. Info 01633 400685. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Aerial Jedi (11+, 4.15-6pm); Aerial Conditioning (6-7.30pm); Flying Trapeze Taster (6-8pm). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. Older Adult Dance/ Exercise The Riverfront, Newport. 11.15am-12.15pm, £2.80. 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 & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Tango Argentine Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. 7.30-8.45pm, £7/£4. Info 029 2023 7332. No experience or partner required. Zumba: Dance Exercise Classes Sbectrwm Community Centre, Fairwater, Cardiff. 1-2pm. Info 07891 712344. With Irene Davies.

EVERY SATURDAY

African Drumming Sessions Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10.30-11.30am, £5. Info 0844 8700887. 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. Clwb Drama The Riverfront, Newport. 11.30am-12.30, £5. Info 01633 656757. Welsh language drama group for ages 7+. 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. Funkypump Fitness Universal Gym, Cardiff. 9.30am. Info www.funkypumpfitness.co.uk. Hard Côr Sony Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Mini Musical Theatre The Riverfront, Newport. 10-11am, £5. Info 01633 656757. Run by Defying Gravity, professional tutors

will teach ballet and drama to kids aged 3-6. Breaking for half term on Sat 20 Feb. NoFit State Circus: Youth Circus Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. 10.30am-12pm, £7/£6 per session. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. Today: Youth Circus Wookies (age 7-9, 10-11.30am); Youth Circus Ewoks (age 5-7, 10.30-11.30am); Youth Circus Padawans (age 9-11, 11.30am-1pm). 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 & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £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. Ballet For Beginners Dance Studio, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2-3.30pm, £6/£15 for three classes. Info info@ burlesquecardiff.co.uk. Hosted by Stephanie of Burlesque Cardiff. Bridgend Undercover Car Boot Sale Multistorey Car Park, Bridgend Town Centre. 7am-12pm, free (selling cars £6; selling cars with trailers £10). Info 01656 661338. Cabaret And Showgirl Dancing For All Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am12.30pm. Info 07872 306745. With Steph. Beginners and mixed ability class. More info at www. cardiffcabaretclub.com. Children’s Climbing Classes Boulders, St Catherine's Park, Cardiff. 10-11.30am, £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. 1.30-3.30pm, £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. Farmers’ Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Welsh producers sell their wares every week at this brand new market. Lindy Hop Dance Classes & Social Swing Dancing Pontardawe Arts Centre. 6-10pm. Info 01792 863722. NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Cardiff Central Sports And Community Centre, Ocean Way, Cardiff. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. Today: Youth All Skills Jedi (11+, 12-2pm) and Youth Performance Jedi (11+, 2-4pm). Official Guided Tours – Every Day Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £5/£4. Info 029 2063 6464. *Riverside Farmers’ Market Fitzhammon Embankment, Cardiff. 10am2pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. Always worth a trip. SeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour: Golden Gower National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales.com. Sunday Board Games Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Weekly session featuring a mixture of competitive and co-operative games.

FRIDAY 1

Art History Lecture Penarth Pier Pavilion. 2-4pm, £8. Info 0844 8700887. With Stella Lyons. Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. Make enormous bubbles, square bubbles, glowing bubbles etc etc. (Until Sun 10) Build Your Own Coracle In The Brecon Beacons Middle Ninfa Farm, Llanellen, nr Abergavenny. 10am-4.30pm, £235/£280 for two people. Info bookings@ middleninfa.co.uk. Three-day course where you learn how to contstruct these small, Welsh-originated boats. Prices are before camping or bunkhouse fees. (Until Sun 3) Cardiff Inter Varsity Club Meeting Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £5 (threemonth trial membership). Info 07526 141392 / www. cardiffivc.org.uk. Meeting here on the first Friday of each month. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. Lots of seasonally appropriate activities for kids. (Until Sun 10) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. Join in the Mini Miners Quest, find out things about the museum and at the end swap your completed trail for an Easter treat. (Until Fri 8) Easy Entertaining Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am3.30pm, £170. Info 01443 222716. An Angela Gray Cookery School class. Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. Discover hid-

den eggs around the museum and have some fun with quizzes. (Until Sun 10) 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. Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609. Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Also on Fri 8, Fri 15, Fri 22 and Sat 30. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Hunt the galleries to search for the dozen golden eggs nestled amongst the artefacts. (Until Sun 10) Here In This Spring Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Drop-in family workshop. Also on Mon 4 and Fri 8. Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. Join in with the trail hunting hares, presumably not real ones, around the Museum and garden. (Until Sun 10) Instead Of The Egg... Hatching Barnabas Arts House, Newport. 7-9pm. Info 01633 673739. Dame Rosemary Butler AM launches this project and explains the concept, so if you want to know what it is go and ask her because I haven’t a clue. @RosemaryButler is her Twitter handle. Junior Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 7 + 8.15pm, £8.50. Info 07538 878609. Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Laugharne Weekend: Day 1 Various venues, Laugharne. £85 (weekend ticket). Info enquiries@ thelaugharneweekend.com. Return of this literary and culture festival of note. Schedule looks like this at press time. Millennium Hall: Tracey Thorn, Gwenno & ACCU, Richrd James & Angharad van Rijswijk. The Keith’s Head: Mike Garry, Robin Ince & Josie Long live podcast, Laugharne’s Got Talent with Keith Allen. The Cross Inn: Quantick’s Quiz and Faber New Poets. Weekend tickets are sold out sorry. (Until Sun 3) Let’s Get Quizzical The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £2 to enter. Info 01497 821762. Pub quiz. Little Mice Club: The Weather National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am12pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Enjoy bilingual play, song and crafts and meet Morys the Museum Mouse. Mixed Media Castles Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free. Info 01792 652016. April Fools Day workshop led by artist Megan Leigh. Planting Heritage Potatoes National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Also on Wed 6. Slow Pig Pop-Up 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 5-10pm, free (before food). Info 029 2022 8883. Fusion tapas people guest in the kitchen. On tomorrow also.

events Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. Find out more about some familiar constellations, the planets, how stars are born and how they die. (Until Sun 10) St Fagans Makers Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Sun 3) Tallest Towers National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Using K’Nex, test your building skills to create a tall stable tower and see how high you can go before it topples. On tomorrow also. Treasures And Adventures Family Workshops National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Warrior School Cardiff Castle. 10am-4pm, £10/£7.50 age 5-9. Info 029 2087 8100. An opportunity for children to learn how to sword fight under the expert tuition of The Warwick Warriors. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt And Other Stories Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 11am, free. Info 01239 621200. Kids’ storytelling session. Book in advance please. Wire Sculpture Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2048 4611. Easter craft for kids, also on Wed 6. Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales.org. uk. Adult bikes on sale from £60; kids’ bikes from £10. On tomorrow also, and every Friday this month.

SATURDAY 2

500 Years Later Ceramic Exhibition & Workshops Newport Memorial Hall, Pembrokeshire. 10am-4pm, free (workshops £5). Info 07772 004218. Showcasing the work of John Bellis, Pete Bodenham, Mick Morgan, Micki Schloessingk and Audrey Richardson. Plus workshops for all ages in pottery throwing, clay modelling and raku kiln firing. On tomorrow also. Adult Craft Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Monthly event. Book in advance please. Batik On Tissue Paper Blossoms Gallery, Aberystwyth. 10am-4pm. Info info@ blossomsgallery.co.uk. With Jenny O’Leary. Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Build Your Own Coracle In The Brecon Beacons Middle Ninfa Farm, Llanellen, nr Abergavenny. 10am-4.30pm, £235/£280 for two people. Info bookings@ middleninfa.co.uk. (Until Sun 3) Cardiff Story Museum Fifth Birthday Party Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2078 8334. Promising party games, family crafts, live music and birthday cake. 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. Cricket: Friendly – Glamorgan v Somerset SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Mon 4) Dewch Y Ganu National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 01792 463980. Sessions for Welsh learners. Dragon & Fairy Fest Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 11am-4pm. Info 01291 420241. On tomorrow also. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. (Until Fri 8) Eclectic Crafters Centenary Hall, Maryport Street, Usk. Info eclectic. crafters@gmail.com. Craft fair held on the first Saturday of each month. Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Football: Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City v Derby County Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 3pm. Info 0845 3451400. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Handmade Arts And Crafts Market Tabernacl Chapel, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-4pm. Info uniquefairs@gmx.co.uk. Horrible History: The Keepers Of The Castle National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1 + 3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. A frantic through 400 years of Welsh history in 50 minutes flat. Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum,

Nichols, Meic Stevens & Heather Jones, Baby Queens and Laugharne’s Got Talent. The Cross Inn: Pete Brown and David Quantick. (Until Sun 3) Lindy Hop Dancing Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 7.45pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. A walk through woodlands, ruins and graveyards. Every Saturday this month. Masterclass: Classic Stocks & Sauces Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-4.30pm, £185. Info 01443 222716. Meet The Knights Cardiff Castle. 12-4pm. Info 029 2087 8100. Armour, archery and combat displays plus storytelling. On tomorrow also. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Presented by Cardiff History & Hauntings. Also on Fri 8, Sat 9, Fri 15, Thurs 21, Thurs 28 and Fri 29. 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. Paper Aeroplanes Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Put your folding skills to the test and help create a paper aeroplane installation. On tomorrow also. Piggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Take a pair of friend-

Portland House in Cardiff Bay has a Vintage Kilo Sale on Sat 9. That is, literal tons of 'vintage' clothing, which you purchase by weight (£15 per kg) rather than as individual items. Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Laugharne Weekend: Day 2 Various venues, Laugharne. £85 (weekend ticket). Info enquiries@ thelaugharneweekend.com. Millennium Hall: David Hepworth & Mark Ellen, Lujke Wright, Charlotte Church talking to Suzanne Moore, the guys who made those Ladybird parody books that everyone I know under 25 got one of for Christmas, Ian Rankin and Robin Ince & Friends. St Martin’s Church: Pete Wylie. Browns Marquee: Deborah Mogach & Holly Muller, Josie Long, something called the John Peel Panel featuring Steve and Gillian from New Order, and Brix Smith-Start. The Keith’s Head: Jeb Loy

ly Kune Kune pigs (from New Zealand, look a bit like Ewoks) for a walk, then return to the smallholding for refreshments. On tomorroew also, plus Sun 10, 17 and 24 this month. Playground Games Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Including hopscotch, dominoes and tiddlywinks. On tomorrow also. Prehistoric Sculpture Workshop For Adults Swansea Museum. 10am1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 01792 653763. Shanty Street Festival Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 12pm, free. Info 07512 237983. Featuring food, crafts, live entertainment and a licensed bar. Sheep Trekking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons.

£35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Spend the afternoon in a 200 acre organic farm with fantastic views. A Good Day Out Event. Slow Pig Pop-Up 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 5-10pm, free (before food). Info 029 2022 8883. Stargazing & AstroPhotography Evening Dark Sky Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £55. Info 01874 749092. A Good Day Out Event. On tomorrow also, plus Sat 9, 16 and 30. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) St Fagans Makers Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Sun 3) Strictly Social Dance Party Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01239 615952. Featuring live music by Combo Yanze and an introduction to salsa dance. Talk At 4 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Exhibition tours hosted by Richard Higlett and Thomas Williams. Also on Sat 16, Sat 23 (in Welsh) and Sat 30. Tallest Towers National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales. org.uk.

SUNDAY 3

500 Years Later Ceramic Exhibition & Workshops Newport Memorial Hall, Pembrokeshire. 10am-4pm, free (workshops £5). Info 07772 004218. Attack! Pro Wrestling: How Do You Learn To Fall Off A 20ft Ladder? Walkabout, Cardiff. 7pm, £12 adv/£20 VIP. Info 029 2072 7930. Ticket price includes entry to watch tonight’s Wrestlemania on the big screens in here, after Attack!’s own bouts. Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Build Your Own Coracle In The Brecon Beacons Middle Ninfa Farm, Llanellen, nr Abergavenny. 10am-4.30pm, £235/£280 for two people. Info bookings@ middleninfa.co.uk. (Finishes today) Cardiff Storytelling Circle Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £4. Info 029 2030 4400. Cricket: Friendly – Glamorgan v Somerset SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Mon 4) Cwmbran Craft Fayre Our Lady’s School Hall, Cwmbran. 1-4pm. Info cwmbran_crafts@hotmail. co.uk. Every first Sunday of the month. Dragon & Fairy Fest Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 11am-4pm. Info 01291 420241. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free.

Info 029 2057 3650. (Until Fri 8) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) From The Mouths Of Babes Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am, free. Info 029 2030 4400. “A gallery talk for children by children,” say Chapter. Children aged 8-12 specifically, and concerning the Rose Wylie exhibition currently here. I approve of this primarily because it will piss off people who make a big show of hating to share public space with other people’s children. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) GSD Dog Show Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 11am4pm. Info 01291 420241. Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Laugharne Weekend: Day 3 Various venues, Laugharne. £85 (weekend ticket). Info enquiries@ thelaugharneweekend. com. Millennium Hall; The Penderyn Prize, Martin Rowson, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Martin Niven and Mark Thomas. St Martin’s Church: Martin & Eliza Carthy. The Cross Inn: Peter Finch, Jonathan Edwards, Erwin James. Browns Marquee: Nathan Filer, Stuart Maconie and Kate Hamer & Belina Bauer. The Keith’s Head: Two White Cranes, Huw M, The Gentle Good and Laugharne’s Got Talent. (Finishes today) LuchaMania Pill Millennium Centre, Newport. 3pm, £10/£8 kids. Info 07525 137709. Family-friendly Lucha-themed wrestling show with all the masks and that. Presented by Exposure entertainment and featuring Juventud Guerrera, ex of WWE/WCW. Meet The Knights Cardiff Castle. 12-4pm. Info 029 2087 8100. Paper Aeroplanes Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Piggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Playground Games Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) St Fagans Makers Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. (Finishes today) Wber Seafood Essentials Course Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am-2pm, £99. Info 01443 222716. Welsh Hoop Convention Jacob’s Antiques, Cardiff. 11am-8pm, £45. Info www. facebook.com/ welshhoopconvention. Second year for this hula hooping extravaganza, which was successful last year and is indeed sold out this year.

Featuring hula hoop workshops from Emma Hornell, Mary Jane, Esther Fuge, Elliecoptor Pilott and Elle Edwards.

MONDAY 4

Bug Boxes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. View bugs, in a box, with a magnifying lens. (Until Sat 9) Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Cricket: Friendly – Glamorgan v Somerset SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. Info 029 2040 9380. (Finishes today) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. (Until Fri 8) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Fossil Free Cardiff Launch 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Launching a campaign to have Wales divest from fossil fuels. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Gordon Buchanan: Lost Adventures The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £17.50/£15.50. Info 01633 656757. Top wildlife cameraman talks about his life and work. Gwd Mondays: Musical Bingo Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Here In This Spring Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Instructor Training Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4.30pm, £350 (four days). Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 7) Poetry Open Mic The Capel, Bargoed. 7-10pm, free. Info 01443 830272. With guest reader Julie Ann Pritchard. First Monday of every month. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Write On Writers Morganstown Village Hall. 6.30-8.30pm. Info 07512 235758. An open group of writers who encourage others to write and also critique work. Here every first and third Monday of the month.

TUESDAY 5

Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Bug Boxes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 9) Dark Skies Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7.45pm, £12/£10. Info 0844 8700887. Stargazing on the pavilion with Dark Skies Wales. Easter Fun Gower Heritage BUZZ 63

events

BAFTA CYMRU

April will be an exciting month for BAFTA Cymru as we find out who has entered our 4th Games Award and 25th Cymru (Film and Television) Awards. With new, broader eligibility criteria that ensures that we can recognise Welsh talent working on UK productions we are eager to see which new craft and performance nominations will be put forward for our 28 Award categories. Our shortlisted nominees will be announced on Thu 1 Sep so make a date with us to find out which individuals and productions will be celebrated on Sun 2 Oct. Our April events programme will offer a chance to see the BAFTA Shorts – the 8 short live action and animation films were shortlisted for the 2015 British Academy Film Awards and will offer a glance at the best new filmmakers in the UK. We’re also co-hosting our first Doing Digital, Thinking Digital event with Creative Cardiff which will bring together people working in any creative job, business or organisation to explore how we can use digital to maximise our creative impact. We’ll share some of the most inspirational digital projects in Wales and explore how these have developed in a fast-moving, digital world. We’ll explore new ways of doing things and look at how you can equip yourself to create exciting and engaging digital content that can reach new audiences and build new collaborations. Black Mountain Poets, the darling of last month’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas gets a second BAFTA Cymru treatment in Caernarfon, followed by a masterclass with Cardiff producer Jon Rennie and we will then finish off the month with a special celebration of 40 years of Aardman at the Cardiff Independent Film Festival. We’re also still accepting membership applications for students, career starters and branch members – find out more here: www.bafta.org/wales

BUZZ 64

Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. (Until Fri 8) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Instructor Training Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4.30pm, £350 (four days). Info www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 7) Making It! Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Creative scripting and performance workshops for women over 55 based on Women’s Archive of Wales’ oral history project, Voices From The Factory Floor. Also on Tue 19 and Tue 26. Miss Wales Fundraiser Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2039 7933. This could be to raise funds for whoever has already won it, or to keep the event happening, or to create a future Miss Wales in a laboratory from a single cell. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Tea Dance Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-4pm, £4. Info 01656 815995. Also on Tue 19. Treasures And Adventures Family Workshops National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Find out more about archaeological treasures and adventures and create something inspired by your visit to the exhibition. (Until Fri 8)

WEDNESDAY 6

Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Bug Boxes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 9) Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Easter Holiday Crafts Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £1. Info 029 2078 8334. Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. (Until Fri 8) Easter Workshops: Psychedelic Animation YMCA, Swansea. 11am-4pm, free. Info 01792 516900. With artist Anna Barratt. Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Instructor Training Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4.30pm, £350 (four days). Info www.cycle-

trainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 7) Macmillan Cancer Support: HOPE Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am-1.30pm, free. Info 01656 867960. A free selfmanagement programme for anyone living with and beyond cancer to help them manage the emotional impact of their diagnosis. Paper Tube City Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free. Info 01792 652016. Workshop led by artist Megan Leigh. Planting Heritage Potatoes National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Pop Up Produce Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3-8pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Reminiscence Monthly Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 11am-1pm, free. Info 029 2078 8334. Come to the museum and share your memories of Cardiff, on the first Wednesday of every month. Scriveners Writers’ Group Royal Exchange, Brynmawr. 8pm. Info 01495 753629. Established group aiming to provide constructive criticism, help, advice and guidance to its members. Also on Wed 20. Skill Builder: Pasta Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am3.30pm, £80. Info 01443 222716. Spring Jewels Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £10. Info 01633 868239. Flower demonstration by Pontypool And District Floral Arts Society. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) The Future Of Public Service Television School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University, Cardiff. 5.30-8pm. Info 01656 867960. Focusing on the role of Wales in an evolving television landscape and the challenges facing public service television more generally. Treasures And Adventures Family Workshops National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 8) What Ya Got? 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Open mic night incorporating music, poetry, storytelling, comedy, cabaret etc. Also on Wed 20. Wire Sculpture Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2048 4611.

THURSDAY 7

1896: Cardiff’s Great Exhibition Cardiff Castle. 6pm, £7.50. Info 029 2087 8100. Lecture about The Cardiff Fine Art, Industrial And Maritime Exhibition, which took place in said year and had a sweet looking poster. Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Bug Boxes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 9) Bug Science National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. With Jon Chase, from the TV apparently. (Until Sat 9)

Cardiff Lighters: Meet, Compete And Turn Lights On 1 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff. 6-8pm, free. Info www.tloishappening.com. An evenign playing 80s board games with the people behind Turn Lights On. Creative Writing Workshop For Young People Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-12pm, free. Info 01792 463980. For ages 10-16, specifically. With Jonathan Edwards. Discovery Day Penarth Pier Pavilion. 11am, 1pm + 3pm. Info 0844 8700887. Hands-on science shows and experiments. Doll’s Dream Home Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, £6. Info 01792 652016. Make your own doll’s house and fill it with hand made furniture. Led by artist Tim Stokes. Drop-In-And-Make Craft Afternoons For Kids Drill Hall, Chepstow. 2-4pm. Info 01291 625981. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. (Until Fri 8) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Ely Hospital Spoken Word Evening Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, free. Info 07830 381930. Hidden Now Heard present poetry etc from the Roath Writers group, who were given access to oral histories and images from the Hidden Now Heard project. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Instructor Training Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4.30pm, £350 (four days). Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Finishes today) Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Every Thursday this month. My Lovely Quiz: An Interactive Father Ted Quiz 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £2. Info 029 2022 8883. Yep, this is a good idea. New Poetry & Fiction Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £2.50. Info 029 2030 4400. With guests Katrina Naomi and Jo Mazelis. Printing Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2048 4611. Easter craft for kids. Skill Builder: Pastry Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am3.30pm, £80. Info 01443 222716. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Storytelling Suppers Kemi’s, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7pm, £14. Info 029 2037 2055. Stories by Dave Pitt, who promises “Tales Of The Birds”. Price includes food. Treasures And Adventures Family Workshops National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff.

11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Fri 8)

FRIDAY 8

Bug Boxes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 9) Bug Science National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sat 9) Dinky Dragons Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2078 8334. Family fun day for 0-5-year-olds on the second Friday of every month. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Easter Quest Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. (Finishes today) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Essential Bike Maintenance Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £65. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. On tomorrow also. Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Here In This Spring Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Origami Workshop Drill Hall, Chepstow. 2-4pm, free. Info 01291 625981. Community art project for the upcoming Wye River Festival. Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2048 4611. Easter craft for kids. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Swansea Pride Awards Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 6pm. Info 01792 475715. Celebrating the inspirational efforts of Swansea residents. Thai Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-3.30pm, £170. Info 01443 222716. Make a Thai meal for several people. Treasures And Adventures Family Workshops National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 11am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. (Finishes today) Voices From The Spiritual World Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. Info 07512 237983. A night based on paranormal investigation: tools, techniques, resources and demonstration with some mediumship. Times and prices TBC right now. Wire Houses Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-2pm, £6. Info 01792 652016. Work with artist Megan Leigh to create an ideal home using wire. Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales.

events org.uk.

SATURDAY 9

Art Book Making Workshop Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, Rhondda. 11am-2pm, £12 adv. Info 01443 682034. With Patricia Clifford. Blaenavon Flea Market Bethlehem Court, Blaenavon. 10am-2pm, free. Info 01495 792878. Book Swap National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. With Oxfam Cymru. On tomorrow also. Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) Bug Boxes National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Finishes today) Bug Science National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Finishes today) Caerwent Craft Fayre Caerwent Village Hall, Monmouthshire. 2.30-4.30pm. Info cwmbran_crafts@ hotmail.co.uk. Every second Saturday of the month. Cardiff Vintage Kilo Sale Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 11am, £3/£1.50 after 12. Info 029 2048 7602. There will be five tons of vintage clothing (a term, it has to be said, that can mean virtually anything) humped into the venue and you are invited to purchase it by weight – specifically £15 a kilo, or £10 if you pick up 10kg or more. Chepstow Farmers’ Market Cormeilles Square, Chepstow. 8.30am-1pm, free. Info 01291 626370. Every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Crochet With Wool In The Woods Barnabas Arts House, Newport. 10am-2.30pm, £20. Info 01633 673739. With Louise Horton. Drop-In Knotwork & Beadwork Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. £5 per session. Info 029 2048 4611. With Suzen Millodot every month. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Until Sun 10) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981. (Until Sun 10) Essential Bike Maintenance Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £65. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. Family Egyptology Day Swansea Museum. 10am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 01792 653763. Workshops on calligraphy, hieroglyphics, amulets and shabtis. Farmers’ Market Twyn Community Centre, Caerphilly. 9.30am, free. Info 01656 658963. Every second Saturday of the month. Football: Barclays Premier League – Swansea City v Chelsea Liberty Stadium, Swansea. 3pm. Info 0870 400004. Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Until Sun 10) Hieronymus Bosch: The Devil’s Painter Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10.30am2.30pm, £25. Info 029 2078 8334. Lecture by Celtic Learners’ Network. Hunt The Hare National

Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Until Sun 10) Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 7.45pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Masterclass: Baking Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am4.30pm, £185. Info 01443 222716. Miss Inspiration Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 5.45pm, £15/£12 under-12s. Info 01633 868239. Beauty contest, specifically the Teen, Miss and Women UK final. Do I want to know the distinction between ‘Miss’ and ‘Women’? Hmm. The ‘Little Miss’ event is on tomorrow, anyway. Mumbles Produce Market Seafront Car Park, Mumbles. 9am-1pm, free. Info 01792 361012. Every second Saturday of the month. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. 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. 10am4pm, free. Info 07790 298913. On the second Saturday of every month. Spoken Word Saturday Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3pm, £3. Info 0845 2263510. Stargazing & AstroPhotography Evening Dark Sky Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £55. Info 01874 749092. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Until Sun 10) The Glammies Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7pm, £6-£12. Info 029 2070 0721. The Glamorgan Drama League Awards and Presentation Evening, in fact. Vintage & Antiques Fayre Clarence Hall, Crickhowell. Info 07977 846509.

SUNDAY 10

Bubbles And Blasts Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Finishes today) Calçotada Festival Bar 44, Cardiff. £30. Info 029 2009 0444. This is an evening of dining and drinking celebrating the calçot, a Spanish vegetable that’s like a spring onion but the size of a leek. I ate two of them when I went here the other week, that’s a lotta calçot I can tell you. Caldicot Castle Dog Shoe 2016 Caldicot Castle & Country Park. 10am-5pm, £1/£2 to enter a class. Info 01291 420241. Craft Fair LC2, Swansea. 10am-4pm, £25 to set up a table. Info cottagecraftfairs@gmail.com. Dragon Pro Wrestling: Fighting Chance Rodney Parade, Newport. 6-9.30pm, £7.50 adv. Info 01633 670690. Featuring Mike Bird, The Wild Boar, Panda Mask And Cub, Big Grizzly, Danny Jones, Bishop and many more. Rescheduled from late March. Easter Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 01792 371206. (Finishes today) Egg Hunt Chepstow Museum. 11am-5pm. Info 01291 625981.

(Finishes today) Golden Egg Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. (Finishes today) Hunt The Hare National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 10am-5pm, £1. Info 029 2057 3550. (Finishes today) Let’s Get Hitched Wedding Fayre Showcase Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 11am-3pm, free. Info 01685 384111. Making Minds, Giving Voices Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 029 2039 7933. Scheduled musicians and performers will appear alongside an open mic segment open to students, musicians, artists, poets, comedians and anyone wishing to express themselves. Marina Market National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Miss Inspiration: Little Miss Catagory Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2.30pm, £15/£12 under-12s. Info 01633 868239. Piggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Psychic Craft Fayre Manor Park, Swansea. 10am-5pm. Info 07772 769762. A mix of psychic readers and general merchandise is on offer here. Proceeds go to Better Life Appeal In Aid Of Cystic Fibrosis Shake It Off Dance Fitness Event Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2037 3144. New, regular family-friendly event, open to the public with the aim of promoting better mental health. Stained Glass Artist Workshop Swansea Museum. 10am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 01792 653763. With local artist Huda Awad. Star Tours Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Finishes today)

MONDAY 11

Cardiff Creative Writing Visiting Writers Series Dempseys, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2023 9253. With Fflur Daffydd. Cricket: MCCU – Glamorgan v Cardiff MCCU SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Thurs 14) Joy Of Living Mindfulness Group Meeting Gaia Yoga Studio, Roath, Cardiff. 7.309pm, free (donations welcome). Info 07412 346054. On the second and fourth Monday of every month. The Big Harry Potter Quiz Face 11, Cathays, Cardiff. 7.30-10.30pm, £3. Info 029 2022 8221. Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £450 (four days). Info www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 14)

TUESDAY 12

Black Kettle Collective YMCA, Swansea. 5-7pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Also on Tue 26. Carmarthen Storytelling Caffi Iechyd Da, Carmarthen. £3. Info 07752 438901. Monthly event featuring guest Storytellers and tales from the floor. Cricket: MCCU – Glamorgan v Cardiff

MCCU SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Thurs 14) Meet The Curator: Natural Sciences National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Tea Dance Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 2.30pm, £5. Info 0845 2263510. With Philip and Gaynor Evans. The Forbidden Door Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. The Devil’s Violin with a combo of storytelling and spoken word. Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £450 (four

9380. (Finishes today) Dick Johns: What Midlife Crisis? Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 16) Howl Mozarts, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 649984. Poetry open mic, every second and third Thursday of the month. Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. SWDFAS Lecture: The World Of The Bayeux Tapestry Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm, £6. Info 029 2030 4400. Lecture by Rupert Willoughby.

Fri 29 until Mon 2 May sees the pleasant seaside town of Tenby get invaded by mods! Don't worry though, it's not the 60s and their Welsh National Scooter Rally will probably be quite well behaved. Live bands, DJs and gleaming scooters will feature. days). Info www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 14)

WEDNESDAY 13

Conservation Lunchtime Talk National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. 'Conserving the paper templates in an 18th century patchwork sampler' by Lisa Childs. Cricket: MCCU – Glamorgan v Cardiff MCCU SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Thurs 14) Dick Johns: What Midlife Crisis? Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. Writer and actor who has been in various TV comedies and radio plays reads from six of his short stories, collectively examining the middle-aged experience, over a four-night residency here. (Until Sat 16) Fool’s Gold Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £5-£7. Info 01970 623232. Storytelling with the spirit of the clown, they say. Open Mic Spoken Word Extravaganza Ye Olde Murenger, Newport. 7.30pm, £5/£3. Info 01633 263977. Featuring Rhys Trimble and Phil Knight. Skill Builder: Asian Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 6-9pm, £80. Info 01443 222716. Urban Upcycled Crafts Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6.30-9pm, £10. Info hannah@ greencityevents.co.uk. Hosted by Becca for Green City Events. Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £450 (four days). Info www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 14)

THURSDAY 14

Cricket: MCCU – Glamorgan v Cardiff MCCU SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040

Talk: ‘The Navy Helps On Land in The Boer War’ Swansea Museum. 7.30pm. Info www.risw.org.uk. By Lindsay Morgan and based on the diary of Admiral Sir Heanage Vivian. Hosted by the Royal Institution Of South Wales. Velotech Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £450 (four days). Info www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Finishes today)

FRIDAY 15

Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609. Dick Johns: What Midlife Crisis? Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 16) Lunch Club Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10.30am-2.30pm, £33. Info 01443 222716. MTB Hydraulics And Suspension Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £95. Info www. cycletrainingwales.org.uk. (Until Thurs 14) Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Pipes Tap Takeover Brewdog, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2023 1684. Pontcanna’s backyard beer barons Pipes hitch their wagon to Brewdog for an evening, with 12 of their beers on sale here. RHS Show Cardiff Cardiff Castle Parklands. 10am5.30pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2087 8100. Annual celebration of plants and flowers and shrubs and blooms and so on. See Roundup. (Until Sun 17) So You Think You’re Smart? Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7pm, free. Info 01495 243252. Quiz night, every third Friday of the month. Toddler Time Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Bay. 11am-3pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales. org.uk.

SATURDAY 16

All Hallows Annual Spring And Easter Craft Fayre All Hallows RC Church Hall, Miskin, Pontyclun. 12-4pm, free. Info 01443 204830. Ancient Welsh Woodland And Its Relationship To Climate Change Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 10am-5pm, £15/£8. Info 01239 615952. Talks by Pat Wolseley, Simon Ayres and Jane Davidson. Annual Lecture – Siân James Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 1.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3650. Former MP for Swansea East talks about... not sure what, actually. BIGsmallART Welsh Tour Finale & New Show Launch Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, Rhondda. 2-4pm. Info 01443 682034. meet the current artists and to find out about the next BIGsmallART group show. Brecon Craft Fair Market Hall, Brecon. 9am-4.30pm. Info 01495 753782. Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 10am, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features children’s TV presenter Cerrie Burnell talking about Harper, her new TV character; Holly Webb on her new book, The Mermaid’s Sister; a writing workshop with Sibéal Pounder; Sean Taylor reading from Hoot Owl; Mair Tomos Ifans and Angharad Tomos, author of the Rala Rwdins series; Nathan Wyburn talking about his art; CBBC presenters Sam & Mark; Horatio Clare on his new book Aubrey And The Terrible Yoot and beatboxing with Welsh rapper Mr Phormula. The full set of listings are up at www.cardiffevents.com. (Until Sun 24) Cardiff Firewalk 2016 Outside Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6pm, £15 to enter. Info 029 2052 4417. Charity event in aid of the Stroke Association. Walk across coals heated up to 1200°F, hot enough to melt aluminium. Let that be a warning to any aluminiumfooted readers out there. Cardiff Impro: Level 2 – Efficiency In Scenework Cardiff Arches, John Street, Cardiff. 11am-5pm. Info cardiffimpro@gmail.com. Hosted by Nathan Keates, this weekend aims to improve improv skills to create scenes on stage. On tomorrow also. Collage Masterclass Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, Rhondda. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, £12 adv. Info 01443 682034. With Melanie Ezra. Craft Club National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am1pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Bring your own projects (knitting, sewing, crochet, paper craft, anything), meet new people and exchange ideas. Dick Johns: What Midlife Crisis? Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. (Finishes today) Football: Sky Bet BUZZ 65

events Championship – Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 3pm. Info 0845 3451400. Generation Game Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. Generating electricity using bottles, balloons, dominoes, water and even the energy from a breakfast. (At weekends until Sat 30) Guardians Of The Solar System Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. A look at Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, the largest planets in the solar system. (At weekends until Sat 30) Lazy Crafternoons: Plant Markers & Pretty Pots National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1.30pm, £5. Info 01792 463980. Learn To Design & Plant An Edible Garden Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am-4pm, £95. Info 01600 714595. Lenses, Camera, Action! National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1 + 3pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Session showcasing simple experiments to cover how a camera captures light and creates an image we know as a photograph. Linocut Printmaking Workshop Blossoms Gallery, Aberystwyth. 10am-4pm, £45. Info info@blossomsgallery. co.uk. With Ian Phillips. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 7.45pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Lou Lou’s Cardiff Vintage Fair Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 10am, £2. Info 01792 475715. In Cardiff tomorrow. More Bike Maintenance Cycle Training Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 9.30am-4pm, £65. Info www.cycletrainingwales. org.uk. Nantgarw Craft Fair Nantgarw China Works. 11am3pm, free. Info deb_0001@ hotmail.co.uk. Every third Saturday of the month. RHS Show Cardiff Cardiff Castle Parklands. 10am5.30pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2087 8100. (Until Sun 17) Stargazing & AstroPhotography Evening Dark Sky Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £55. Info 01874 749092. St Colmeilles GAA Cardiff Dinner Dance 2016 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. £35 adv. Info 07900 581865. Featuring live music by Peel Your Own Spuds, special guest Mickey Harte and all manner of other Irish sporting hullaballoo I would imagine. Stepping Into Hell: Historical Experiences of Work In The Port Talbot Steel Industry National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 01792 463980. Talk by Bleddyn Penny (Swansea University). Talk At 4 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Thrifty Kids: Egg Box Crafts National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am12.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Working With Plant Dyes

Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10am-4pm, £55. Info 029 2048 4611. With Claire Cawte.

SUNDAY 17

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 11am, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features a Roald Dahl party of some kind; Abie Longstaff reading from her various books; a drawing workshop with Shoo Rayner; activity with Anni Llyn, the Welsh language Children’s Poet Laureate; storytelling with Mair Tomos Ifans; a Digital Narrative Workshop; stories with Kas Gray; stories from Manon Steffan Ros. (Until Sun 24) Cardiff Creative Writers Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 07830 381930. An open forum to discuss work, new reads, author news etc. Third Sunday of each month. Cardiff Impro: Level 2 – Efficiency In Scenework Cardiff Arches, John Street, Cardiff. 11am-5pm. Info cardiffimpro@gmail.com. Cricket: CC2 – Glamorgan v Leicestershire SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Wed 20) Cycling: Tour De Gwent Caerleon Cricket Pavilion (starting point). 7am, £50 to enter. Info 01633 851051. Take one of various routes around the county of Gwent, in aid of St David’s Hospice Care. NB this isn’t a race, which in fairness the name kind of suggests. Generation Game Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (At weekends until Sat 30) Guardians Of The Solar System Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (At weekends until Sat 30) Lambing In The Brecon Beacons Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £40/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Billed as “A no holds barred day with a farmer and his family during lambing time,” however please be advised that despite the turn of phrase, wrestling is discouraged on this farm. Also on Sun 24. Lou Lou’s Cardiff Vintage Fair City Hall, Cardiff. 10am4pm, £2/free under-12s. Info 029 2087 1000. Piggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Record Store Day Vinyl Party The Full Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. RHS Show Cardiff Cardiff Castle Parklands. 10am4.30pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2087 8100. (Finishes today) TRWCO Brunch Small World Theatre, Cardigan. Info 01239 615952. Closing event of the TRWCO weekend, aiming to build support for the issues raised and find a framework for future events. Wrestlequiz VI Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 07970 063107. A quiz about wrestling. Hosted by Exposure Entertainment.

MONDAY 18

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features a talk in the Cardiff University Main Building by Catherine Butler, ‘Taking Children’s Literature Seriously’. (Until Sun 24) Cardiff Cocktail Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Tasting session with Jared Smith of Sipsmiths. Cricket: CC2 – Glamorgan v Leicestershire SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Wed 20) Gwd Mondays Quiz Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Tea Dance Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. The Unity Project Queens Arcade, Cardiff. 12-1.30pm,

writes these listings, drop by for an evening.

WEDNESDAY 20

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features a conversation with Gareth T Williams in the Cardiff Story. (Until Sun 24) Cricket: CC2 – Glamorgan v Leicestershire SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Finishes today) Pricking Out Seedlings National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Revive Your Wardrobe Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6.309pm, £10. Info hannah@ greencityevents.co.uk. How to make more ethical fashion choices, with Julia and Sarah from The Sustainable Studio for Green City Events.

Bret Hart, as in the wrestler from the 90s (plus other decades to a lesser extent), is doing another 'Audience With...' night at Cardiff City Stadium on Thurs 21.

Pop-up cinema screenings to kick off the Cardiff Independent Film Festival. Complimentary food and drinks from Madame Fromage also. Design Stuff 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Monthly social event about design-related topics. Diane Lazarus Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18.50. Info 01792 475715. Howl Mozarts, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 649984. Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Skill Builder: Risotto Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 6-9pm, £80. Info 01443 222716. The Herbivore 019 Supper Club: A Walk On The Wild Side Kemi’s, Pontcanna. 7pm, £25. Info simon@ theherbivore.co.uk. A fivecourse supper of creative vegetarian food. The Transit Of Mercury – Evening Lecture National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 6.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. With experts from the School Of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University and National Museum Cardiff.

FRIDAY 22 free. Info hmw_illustration@ yahoo.co.uk. Devised by Hanna-Mae Williams, this will be “celebrating the individual, not the label,” and will feature a drawing wall, cake stall, artwork and freebies. Write On Writers Morganstown Village Hall. 6.30-8.30pm. Info 07512 235758.

TUESDAY 19

Behind The Scenes: Art National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features a talk on writing for children with Barry Cunningham and Jon Mayhew. (Until Sun 24) Cricket: CC2 – Glamorgan v Leicestershire SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2040 9380. (Until Wed 20) Juke Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 07933 844234. Monthly open mic event, on the third Tuesday of each month for writers to perform in whatever genre they’d like: poetry, rap, storytelling, drama etc. Making It! Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Tea Dance Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2-4pm, £4. Info 01656 815995. Vegan Pizza Co. Kitchen Takeover Brewdog, Cardiff. 6pm. Local, relatively new animal product-free pizza makers, who have the personal approval of the guy who

Scriveners Writers’ Group Royal Exchange, Brynmawr. 8pm. Info 01495 753629. Spice Preview Night Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Info 07429 598414. A chance for you to go along and see what you might get out of this adventure, activity, sports and social group. What Ya Got? 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883.

THURSDAY 21

Abergavenny Writing Fest Kings Arms Hotel, Abergavenny. Info 07980 649308. New festival which will include workshops for adults and children, talks and discussions about books and writing, a poetry open mic night, competitions, readings and chances for people to take part and exchange feedback and ideas. A programme will hopefully be up at www. abergavennywritingfestival. com by the time you read this. (Until Sat 23) An Audience With Bret Hart Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 6pm, £75/£35. Info www.triplempromotions.co.uk. Iconic neon pink-clad wrestler talks about his life, work and life’s work. Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 7-8pm, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features ‘A Welsh Dahl?’, a talk on Roald Dahl’s relationship with Cardiff and its culture, in the Cardiff Uni main building. (Until Sun 24) CIFF2016 Launch Party Castle Arcade, Cardiff. 7-10pm. Info 07761 770735.

Abergavenny Writing Fest Kings Arms Hotel, Abergavenny. Info 07980 649308. (Until Sat 23) Art Lunchtime Talk: Clare Woods In Conversation National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Cardiff Independent Film Festival Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 1.30-10pm. Info 029 2030 4400. Screening, showcases, short films and talks over three days. Full listings are at www.cardifffilmfest.org. uk. (Until Sun 24) Eat Well Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-3.30pm, £170. Info 01443 222716. Course designed to inspire you to bring a good balance to your everyday eating. Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609. Outdoor Cinema: Top Gun St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 8pm, £7.50/£6. Info 01446 799100. Swansea Gin Festival Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 12.30pm, £7.50. Info 01792 475715. Featuring over 100 gins for sale – including the likes of Ginny Reckon, Mother’s Rune Odinist Gin and Betty Boothroyd’s Bathtub. On tomorrow also. Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales. org.uk.

SATURDAY 23

Abergavenny Writing Fest Kings Arms Hotel, Abergavenny. Info 07980 649308. (Finishes today)

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 10am, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features Vanessa Woolf reading Five Minutes Peace; Bethan Gwanas’ new book Coeden Cadi [Cadi’s Tree]; illustration with Huw Aaron; Jacqueline Wilson appearing in what I daresay is the headline slot; Chloe Inkpen (that must be a made-up name) and her new book about a dog; Nibbles the book monster and his creator Emma Yarlett; a celebration of the Harry Potter books; Mari Lovgreen telling you the story of Anni Wyn; a Singing Pirate Walk with Dan Anthony; and cartoonist Gary Northfield talking about the Romans. (Until Sun 24) Cardiff Geek Party Gwdihw, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Monthly gaming night focusing on retro consoles. Cardiff Independent Film Festival Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am-10pm. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sun 24) Crickhowell Craft Fair Clarence Hall, Crickhowell. 10am-4pm, £10 to set up a table. Info 01495 524764. Football: Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City v Bolton Wanderers Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. 3pm. Info 0845 3451400. Foraging: A Wild Taste Of The Hedgerow Humble By Nature, Penalt, nr Monmouth. 10am-4pm, £95. Info 01600 714595. Generation Game Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (At weekends until Sat 30) Guardians Of The Solar System Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (At weekends until Sat 30) Kidsmarkets Family Sale Ararat Centre For The Community, Whitchurch, Cardiff 11am-12.30pm, £1/ kids free. Info 07760 802088. Featuring 25 stalls of great quality new and pre-loved baby and children’s items. Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 7.45pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Monmouth Mooch Chepstow Racecourse. 10am-4pm. Info 01291 622260. Billed as a Welsh charity vintage rummage for tractors and Land Rovers. Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10am-4pm, £55. Info 029 2048 4611. With Jan Beeny.. Raw Sunday Lunch M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. £18. Info 029 2047 3373. The first in a monthly series of lunches with a different themed cuisine, this is a three-course Asian menu devised and created by Cardiff-based raw foodie Roar Recipes. Shakespeare 400: The Soul Of The Age Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1pm, £5/£1.60. Info 01792 463980. The first of Fluellen`s Shakespeare 400 events at the Dylan Thomas Centre, commemorating the day on which William Shakespeare was both

JUST ANNOUNCED FOR MAY: MAVERICK SABRE (Sin City, Swansea, Fri 4) BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH (Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sun 6) PAUL YOUNG (Tramshed, Cardiff, Mon 9) BILLY OCEAN (Tramshed, Wed 11) BAND OF FRIENDS (The Globe, Cardiff, Thurs 12) JOSH GROBAN (Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Tue 17) MARTIN CARTHY & ELIZA CARTHY (Pontardawe Arts Centre, BUZZ 66

live music born and died. Swansea Gin Festival Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 12.30pm, £7.50. Info 01792 475715. Talk At 4 Yn Gymraeg Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Weber Essential Course Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10am2pm, £99. Info 01443 222716. BBQ techniques. Who Looks After The Stuff? National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Meet the Museum’s conservators and discover how they look after the collections. Wonderwool Wales Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells. 10am-5.30pm, £10/free under-16s. Info 01938 820495. Stalls, special exhibitions, daily demonstrations and have-a-go sessions, all based around the subject of wool and other natural fibres. On tomorrow also. Writing A Historical Thriller Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. £1.60-£5. Info 01792 463980. Fiction workshop with Anne LauppeDunbar.

SUNDAY 24

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 10am, £4 per event. Info 029 2023 0130. Today features a minibeasthunting adventure with CBeebies presenter Jess French; Guy Bass and his creation, Stitch Head, performing “the worst song you’ll ever hear” (this being She’s Got Standards by The Rifles); reafings from Caryl Lewis; a guided tour of the National Museum by local author Ruth Morgan; a pirate adventure with Will Mabbitt; Kristina Stephenson with a musical storytelling from her book, The Pirate’s Curse; a Roald Dahl walking tour; creative writing with Laura Sheldon; and the story of a brave boy called Gwion Bach by Eurig Salisbury. (Finishes today) Cardiff Independent Film Festival Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am-8pm. Info 029 2030 4400. (Finishes today) Generation Game Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (At weekends until Sat 30) Geocaching Day National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Learn the basics if you’re a beginner, or watch a talk and the launch of a new ‘Earth Cache’ at this very museum if you know about geocaching already. Not sure what I think about this as a hobby, so hopefully the global geocaching community will put their activity on hold while I decide. Guardians Of The Solar System Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (At weekends until Sat 30) Lambing In The Brecon Beacons Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £40/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Masterclass Special: Seafood Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 9.30am-4.30pm, £195. Info

01443 222716. Piggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Wonderwool Wales Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells. 10am-4.30pm, £10/free under-16s. Info 01938 820495.

MONDAY 25

Ale & Cider Fair Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 12-6pm, free. Info 01685 384111. Ales and ciders from quality artisan producers and breweries are promised here. Joy Of Living Mindfulness Group Meeting Gaia Yoga Studio, Roath, Cardiff. 7.309pm, free (donations welcome). Info 07412 346054. Science Cafe Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, free. Info 01970 623232. Andy Hardy on ‘Fighting malaria with geography’.

TUESDAY 26

Atrium Storytelling Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2039 7933. Storytelling from Atrium students. Black Kettle Collective YMCA, Swansea. 5-7pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Explore Books National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am. Info 01792 463980. This month’s theme is ‘historical novels’. Making It! Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Psychic Sally St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24. Info 029 2087 8444.

WEDNESDAY 27

Charlotte Bronte’s 200th Birthday Party Holiday Inn, The Coldra, Newport. 6.30pm, £25. Info 01792 516900. With editor and critic Katie Gramich. Speakers supported by Literature Wales. Elliecoptor Hoops Hula Hoop Class Plasnewydd YMCA, Cardiff. 8-9pm, £5. Info 07934 011061. Last Wednesday of every month. Natural Sciences Lunchtime Talk National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. ‘When is a fern not a fern? The mystery of an ancient group of fossil plants’ by Dr Chris Cleal, Head of Botany Section. Skill Builder: Italian Bread Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 6-9pm, £80. Info 01443 222716. Staking Perennials National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Women In Small Nations Theatre Q&A Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 6.30pm. Info 029 2039 1391. Q&A with Lucy Davies and Vicky Featherstone from the Royal Court Theatre.

THURSDAY 28

Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. On every month this year. (Until Mon 2 May) Farms, Families And

Things Found On The Beach: Penarth Village In The 18th Century Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7pm, £5. Info 0844 8700887. Lecture by Dr Chris Riley. Meet The Gardener National History Museum, St Fagans. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. Painting The Modern Garden: Monet To Matisse Drill Hall, Chepstow. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01291 625981. This is either a film, a lecture or a combo of both.

FRIDAY 29

Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Until Mon 2 May) Desert Island Picks: Owen Sheers The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm. Info 01497 821762. Welsh poet and playwright talks about his literary inspirations. Four Bars Swing Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 029 2023 9253. Featuring a lindy hop class for beginners, followed by dancing to classic swing tracks. Jay Rayner Grand Theatre, Swansea. 8pm, £15.50-£20. Info 01792 475715. Two-parter evening from noted food critic, where he first talks about the perks and berks of his job, then plays some jazz music with a band. Museum Ghost Walk National History Museum, St Fagans. 8.15pm, £15. Info 029 2057 3500. The Full Moon Rum Festival The Full Moon, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. With live music from Seas Of Mirth. (Until Sun 1 May) Welsh National Scooter Rally 2016 The DeValance + Tenby Rugby Club, Tenby. £13 adv weekend. Info mail@ mojoking.co.uk. Annual event featuring a custom scooter show, various stalls, live music (from Evil Turkeys and Rude Soles) and DJs (Paul Davies, Dylan Williams and Mark Taylor). (Until Mon 2 May) Workshop Bike Sale Cardiff Cycle Workshop, Gabalfa, Cardiff. 10am-12pm. Info www.cycletrainingwales. org.uk.

SATURDAY 30

An Introduction To Mandala Painting Blossoms Gallery, Aberystwyth. 10am-4pm, £35. Info info@blossomsgallery. co.uk. With Anne Thomas. Boutique Gift Markets Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am5.30pm. Info 029 2087 7959. (Until Mon 2 May) Bringing In The May National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. May Day weekend of merriment, music and the raising of the maypole. (Until Mon 2 May) Car Boot Sale Whitchurch Hospital Grounds, Cardiff. 8.30am-1pm, free/£7 per car.

Info info@gthc.org.uk. A George Thomas Hospice Care fundraising event. Craft Fayre St David’s Church, Neath. 10.30am-4pm, free. Info ariancrafts@hotmail.co.uk. Floribunda Fundraiser Plant Sale M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. Free. Info 029 2047 3373. Herbs, border plants and shrubs for sale, donated by local growers. Food Haven Foxy’s Deli, Penarth. 7-10pm, £35. Info info@realfrankfood.com. Vegan pop-up restaurant presented by Romy of Real Frank Food. Football: Barclays Premier League – Swansea City v Liverpool Liberty Stadium, Swansea. 12.45pm. Info 0870 400004. Forget Me Not Postcards National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-3.30pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Taking inspiration from the postcards sent during the First World War, make your own card using embroidery or colouring techniques. (Until Mon 2 May) Generation Game Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Finishes today) Ghost Tour Cardiff Castle. 10.15pm, £15. Info 07538 878609. Guardians Of The Solar System Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. Info 029 2047 5475. (Finishes today) Llandaff Ghost Walk City Cross, Cathedral Green, Llandaff (meeting point). 7.45pm, £10. Info 07538 878609. Mumbles Craft Fayre Ostreme Centre, Mumbles, Swansea. Info brmakinson@ ntlworld.com. Red Route Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil (starting point). 10am, free. Info 01685 384111. Madeinroath’s third peaceful, artist-led march, an attempt to defend arts and culture. It will feature performance, poetry, music and action, and finish in Roath tomorrow. Rugby League: Judgement Day IV Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 2.30pm, £10. Info 08442 777888. 2.30pm: Cardiff Blues v Ospreys. 5pm: Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets. Rules Of Play International Table Top Day Angel Hotel, Cardiff. 10am-10pm, £5/free under16s. Info 029 2022 1695. Featuring learn-to-play events, game tournaments, independent publisher stalls and signings and lots more for the family. Stargazing & AstroPhotography Evening Dark Sky Reserve, Brecon Beacons. £55. Info 01874 749092. Talk At 4 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. The BIG Plant Sale 2016 Town Moor, Narberth. £2/ free kids. Info 01834 869323. Fundraiser for Span Arts. The Full Moon Rum Festival The Full Moon, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. With live music from acts TBC.

(Until Sun 1 May) Welsh National Scooter Rally 2016 The DeValance + Tenby Rugby Club, Tenby. £13 adv weekend. Info mail@ mojoking.co.uk. Live music: Skacasm, The Riff. DJs: Nigel Graham, Ken Dunn and Lee Davies. (Until Mon 2 May)

live FRIDAY 1

An Afternoon Of Flute And Sax Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 1pm, £6 adv. Info 01633 868239. In aid of Tenovus. Ascaris + Nukchorris + Kill For Trophies + Rosetta’s Ruin Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 07981 684142. ‘Nukchorris’ is on of the most Local Metal Band names I’ve ever heard. Aubrey Parsons Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Chris John The White Horse, Coychurch, nr Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 652583. Down For Life Fest Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 2-11pm, £12 adv. Info 07970 063107. How many tuff hardcore bands do you want on one bill? Not 12, not 14 but 13 of the buggers feature here: Surge Of Fury, xViciousx, Sentenced UK, Grove street Families, Outrage CC, Rough Justice, Back Down, Dead Weight, Murder Circuit, Grim Existence, Chikatilo, Swan Song, Choked Out and Dusted. Forget Me Not Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13-£16.50. Info 029 2039 1391. Raising money for the Forget-me-Not Chorus (FMNC), a charity that supports people with dementia

issue too. Junior Hacksaw Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. Kantref St Fagans Village Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2023 2970. Playing the Pentreffest Noz monthly folk night. Kill 66 The Patriot, Crumlin. 9.30pm. Info 01495 247178. Live Acoustic Night The Pilot, Penarth. Free. Info 029 2071 0615. On the first Friday of each month. Marie Batchelder St David’s Hotel, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2045 4045. Mike Dennis The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Novana The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Nirvana tribute band. Open Night The Ivy Bush, Pontardawe. 8pm. Info huwpudner@ntlworld.com. A Valley Folk Club night. Red Crow Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Sabiendas + Atomwinter + Sodomized Cadaver + The Dweller + Ferinus + Cerebral Atrophy The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, £5. Info 01495 213300. Death metal. Sebastion The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Sam Crow The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £2. Info 01685 387925. The Darling Buds Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 01633 221477. The Franklys + Beach Fatigue + Dead Shed Jokers Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Whitney Houston Tribute Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £38. Info 029 2070 5391. With Nya King. You’ve Got A Friend Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01874 611622. Tributes to James Taylor and

Cara Dillon, Irish folk-rock type in the game for the best part of 25 years, visits the Rhondda – as she likes to do every so often – on Fri 8, to play the Coliseum Theatre in Aberdare. and their families through weekly singing sessions. Greenmailer + White Noise Radio The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. John Adams Band Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Junior Bill + The Barefoot Bandit + Iron Eye The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6/£8 inc copy of EP. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. EP launch gig for Cardiff’s JB. The EP is reviewed in this

Carole King. In Swansea on Wed 6; Newport on Thurs 28.

SATURDAY 2

Afro Cluster The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01497 821762. Aubrey Parsons St David’s Hotel, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2045 4045. Also on Fri 15 and Sat 30. Brothers Water The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Catching Kate The Lounge, Newport. Free. Info 01633 259144. Playing as part of the

Fri 20) BALSAMO/DEIGHTON (Acapela, Cardiff, Sat 21) OPEN MIKE EAGLE (The Moon Club, Cardiff, Tue 24) STRANGE DAZE FEST (various venues, Cardiff, Fri 27-Sun 29) THE WOODENTOPS (Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 27) THE HUNNA (Clwb Ifor Bach, Mon 30) THE SUGARHILL GANG (Tramshed, Tue 31) ZEBRAHEAD (The Globe, Tue 31) JUST ANNOUNCED FOR JUNE: CANCER BUZZ 67

live music Live:Lounge night here. Climbing Trees + The People The Poet + Peasant’s King The Muni, Pontypridd. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 01443 490390. The first live music event in this famous old venue since it reopened late last year, it features three pleasantly rocking Valleys bands. Elvis Desley Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm. Info 07818 056599. John Power & Jay Lewis The Tabernacle, Talgarth. 7.30pm, £3 adv. Info info@ thetabernacle.co.uk. Two members of jangly Britpoppers Cast visit Alan McGee’s mid-Wales chuckle hut for an intimate, and soldout, performance. Jumpin’ Jimmy & The Nice Guys Porter’s, Cardiff. 9pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Kamikazee Millionaires The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8.30pm, £2. Info 01685 387925. Kinky Wizzards The Bunker, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info james@thebunkercardiff.com. Mason Noise + Aleighcia Scott The Neon, Newport. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 01443 490390. X Factor contestant headlines. Metal To The Masses South Wales Heat 2 Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £4 adv. Info 07970 063107. Featuring sets from Junk DNA, Eclipse, Democratus and Helldown. Moon > Sun + /Please/ + Mantis Opera + Mother Me Le Pub, Newport. 7.30pm. Info 01633 221477. Presented by Midwife Crisis.

Mutant Reavers + Lupen Tooth + Dominic Nation And The Dirty Dead Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 8pm. Info 07981 684142. National Youth Wind Orchestra Of Wales The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £10/£7.50. Info 01633 656757. Owen Money’s Jukebox Heroes Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15.50/£13. Info 01792 475715. Penetration + Dukes Of Bordello Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Late 70s-vintage punk faves. Resident House Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £2. Info 029 2038 7026. Every Saturday. Sebastion The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Showaddywaddy The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25 adv. Info 07590 471888. Sodomized Cadaver + We Come From Ashes + After The Abduction The Duke, Neath. 8pm, free. Info 01639 643892. Songs And Scones Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 2pm, free. Info 01495 227206. With the Icaris Duo. The Spokes Duo Pontyclun RFC. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. Upbeat Sneakers Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 01685 384111. New local ska band. Wales Sings In Spring Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 475715. Who Saves The Hero? + Smart Casual + Static

live review MARY COUGHLAN St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tue 15 Mar

Fires The Scene Club, Swansea. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 07730 432166. Wishful Drinkin’ Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £10/£8 members. Info 01633 483238. A Borough Blues Club gig headlined by a band whose name definitely doesn’t get less funny over time.

SUNDAY 3

Bronwynne Brent Cwtch Coffee, Pembroke Dock. 8-10.30pm, £14/£12 adv. Info 01646 687635. Chris John The Pontygwindy, Caerphilly. 9pm, free. Info 029 2088 4321. Exit Black + Nuclear Lullaby + The Caspians Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 07970 063107. Gypsy Jazz Brunch Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 12-2pm, £15/£12.50 kids. Info 01239 841387. With Jean Louis Raimbaud. Price includes food, for example eggs benedict or a tortilla. Karnataka The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Welsh prog band. Nicky Pendry The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 6.30pm. Info 01685 387925. People & Other Diseases Cinema & Co, Swansea. 6pm. Info info@cinemaco.co.uk. Playing live as part of an exhibition of paintings and photos from Jamie Morrison and Ryan Lee Moule. Rope + Human Future + Korsakoffs Hobo’s, Bridgend. 8pm, £3. Info www. hobosmusicvenue.com. Album launch gig for a band who are

this month’s One To Watch. Sunset Sons + Louis Berry + Peasant’s King Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Headliners are a band of, it says here, “AngloAussie surfers”. Oi! Stop playing that music and go pour me my pint. The Cat Empire + Black Peaches Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25 adv. Info 0117 9259273. Australian ska-jazz band. Very much seem like an outfit that you either really like or know zero about, this reporter sitting in the latter camp. The Rhythm Rats The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767.

MONDAY 4

Atrium Live Music Night Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Every Monday. Cathays Brass Band Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Clu + Gmon Gmon Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. Harker + Casually Dressed + American Graffiti + Alaska Alaska Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £4. Info 01633 221477. Live Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Every Monday. Live Original Music Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Presented by U&I Radio. Every Monday. Monday Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029

2022 8883. Local singersongwriters perform in the main bar every week. Shaun Klush – Elvis World Tour Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £28/£23. Info 01792 475715. Tribute show with actual Elvis backing band guys from the 70s. Tellison + Muncie Girls + Bedford Falls + Esuna Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Presented by DIY Cardiff. The Hunna Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Don’t know who these guys are, but two hundred and something people do as this is sold out. Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Monday, with The Plucking Fourstrings.

TUESDAY 5

Acoustic Tuesday South Riverside Community Development Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers. Capital City Jazz Orchestra Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Every Tuesday. Funeral For A Friend + Shai Hulud + Zoax Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Valleys rock band, inventors of emo music [winky

face], play their last two local dates before splitting up. I hereby use these listings to predict they will reform sometime in the next five years. On tomorrow also, but both gigs are sold out. Jane Williams & Pete Mathison Duo Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Now on every Tuesday. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Every Tuesday. Remember John Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Silly Band The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07969 671379. I don’t know anything about these guys so can only speculate if their name is an now outmoded pun on ‘Miliband’. Ty Dolla $ign Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £17.50 adv/£25 VIP. Info 0117 9259273. US pop crossover rap fella with a show announced just before we went to press. DJs including Jordan Valleys, Nezzy, Paz, Jigga and Ash will warm the crowd up.

WEDNESDAY 6

Acoustic Open Mic Night Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, free. Info 01685 384111. Acoustic Open Mic Night The Bunker, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info james@thebunkercardiff.com. Every Wednesday. Adam Khan & Clarissa Payne Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire.

The stage was set with a grand piano and a microphone. Tonight was entertainment from the first to the last dying note. The music interspersed with waspish anecdotes about ex-husbands, alcohol, drugs, and life in all its darkest glories. Once again, Roots Unearthed delivered an evening of music and entertainment. Ireland’s Mary Coughlan sings with a husky voice that pulls every ounce of emotion from the lyrics from songs that are an ethereal mix of blues, folk and jazz. Her conversation flowed through the night, giving context to the sadness and heartbreak of the songs chosen tonight. We heard about her five children, ex-husbands and alcohol abuse as she sips water and says her last drink was in 1993. The combination of blues fuelled jazz is delivered with a mix of ironic amusement and, at times, a feeling that everything that happened was just ordinary. The result was an evening of devastatingly engaging musical journey as Coughlan sung about betrayal, love lost and taboo subjects – child abuse, sex trafficking and the dark underbelly of life that breaths emotion and gritty realism into the blues. Mary is back with new projects, including a musical based on her album The House Of Ill Repute, and sang the title track and a couple of numbers from the album. An exploration of life in a brothel, there is no glitz, glamour or plush red velvet; this is hard, gritty and the reality of what women’s lives in a house of ill repute is like. The highlight was the emotional a cappella delivery of Antarctic, combining vocal purity with the tale of a “rotten, stinking cheat” – her ex-husband. The encore was her slap at the world as she sings Ain’t Nobody’s Business What I Do. Having conquered many demons through her life, her delivery and choice of songs are of a woman with powerful views on the role of women throughout society. Roots Unearthed once again delivered an evening of musical delights as Mary Coughlan, songstress, held St David’s Hall enthralled. words and photos LIZ AIKEN

BATS (Clwb Ifor Bach, Wed 1) FESTIVAL OF VOICE (various Cardiff venues, Fri 3-Mon 12) HELEN LOVE (Le Pub, Newport, Fri 3) TOYAH (Acapela, Fri 3) TITUS ANDRONICUS (Gwdihw, Wed 8) THE PRETTY THINGS (The Scene Club, Swansea, Thurs 9) INGLORIOUS (The Globe, Sun 19) VINTAGE TROUBLE (Tramshed, Tue 28) JUST ANNOUNCED FOR JULY: AVERAGE WHITE BAND BUZZ 68

live music 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01646 651725. Classical guitar and flute duo. Aidan Thorne Trio Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Aubrey Parsons The Carne Arms, Llysworney, nr Cowbridge. 8pm, free. Info 01446 775607. Also here on Wed 27. Bandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.” Bluenote Bistro Sessions Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Every Wednesday this month; details TBC. Dale Storr Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10. Info 07802 912789. Dignan Porch + Wylderness + Mumbleman The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Funeral For A Friend + Shai Hulud + Zoax Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Gethin Liddington & Richard West Duo Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Grown Up Music The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Jam session presented by Pi & Hash. Icaris Duo The Riverfront, Newport. 1pm, £5.50/£4.50. Info 01633 656757. First Wednesday classical recital. Jazz Night Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm. Info 01443 491424. First Wednesday of every month. Jazz Wednesdays Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. In-house live jazz band every week. Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Wednesday. Expect to hear jazz, blues, rock or ska here. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Wednesday. Phil Dando Big Band with Heather Castle & Brian Crane Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. South Wales Big Band Society gig. Son Of Jack + Shimai The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm. Info 01685 387925. The Gentle Good + Matthew Frederick + Eleri Angharad + Henry Adams Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. A Folk In The Owl’s Nest night. The Sheepdogs The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. All I can tell you about these guys is that they wear long hair and plaid shirts, and aren’t real sheepdogs. Who Saves The Hero? + Sticks And Stones + Elite Days Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883.

Willowen + Moongazer + Crwth + Ofelia The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 07969 671379. You’ve Got A Friend Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £19/£17. Info 01792 475715.

THURSDAY 7

Afro Cluster + Greg Blackman + Mansfield Green Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Launch gig for an EP reviewed this issue. DJ Veto also features. Bare Knuckle Parade Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Evil Scarecrow + We The Deceiver The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. UK metal bands. Headliners are popular on the metal festival circuit with people who started drinking vodka at 8am. Half A Step Higher + Wall Street + Of Felia + Josh Garratt + Cameran Trowbridge The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm. Info 01685 387925. Hodad + A/M/B/E/R + Chroma Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is The Spasm Band. October Drift + The Broadcasts + The Fused Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. Every Thursday except when there’s a guest on. The Rezillos + Guardians Of Public Morality + Bankrupt Pug Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07512 237983. Tom Ollendorff Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.

FRIDAY 8

Cara Dillon Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 8pm, £20. Info 0800 0147111. Singersongwriter type, comes round these parts every couple of years maybe. Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01792 475715. Denim Snakes + Tobias Robertson + Wetpainttt Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2031 0312. Explosive Light Orchestra Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7pm, £15. Info 01495 243252. ELO tribute. Fruit Of The Original Sin + Psycho Kiss Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 01443 682388. Henry Marten’s Ghost The Gravity Station, Swansea. 8pm. Info 07919 164467. Isle Of Woman Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £16.50/£15. Info 01874 611622. “Three strong and individual women use stunning rich harmonies to sing about bare bones reality,” gasps the blurb. Isolation + We Come From Ashes + Master Charger

The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. John Coghlan’s Quo The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. John was the drummer in Status Quo until 1982, when he kicked his kit to pieces for no reason and then quit the band. Several years later this would be made ‘cool’ by Kurt Cobain doing it at every gig, and that wasn’t even his own kit. Junior Bill Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Matt Cook The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Metallica Reloaded The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Tribute band. Ninetree Stumblers Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. A ChapterLive gig. Owen Money’s Jukebox Heroes Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £15/£13. Info 01686 614555. Pvris Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. This gig is sold out despite me having no idea whatsoever who this band is. I take personal offence when this sort of thing happens. Retrospect Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Romeo’s Daughter Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 07970 063107. don’t know who this band are but the record shop Retro-Vibe Music are putting the gig on. Sinead & Mike Face 11, Cathays, Cardiff. 7-10pm. Info 029 2022 8221. Soul Legends St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25.50/£24.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Featuring Gwen Dickey from Rose Royce. Tellin’ Ya Charity Concert & Blues Jam West End Club, Barry. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 07561 143114. In aid of Ty Hafan. The Jazz Boys Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. The Lonesome Stampede + The Linerunners + Steffan Lewis & Rachel Foster The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01497 821762. The Luke Doherty Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. The Manfreds Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £19-£21. Info 01656 815995. The Rosie Walters Band The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £2. Info 01685 387925.

SATURDAY 9

Akua Naru Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01834 869323. Connecticut rapper described here as “a model for what women can be in hip-hop”. Righto. She has a backing band of dudes who all dress in jeans, suit jackets and shirts with the top button undone. In Cardiff tomorrow. Bad Sam + Pizzatramp + Seven Crowns + The New Black Le Pub, Newport.

7.30pm, £2. Info 01633 221477. Punk bands. Band Cymru 2016 Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 8pm, free. Info 01970 623232. Semi-finals of the televised S4C competition for brass, wind and jazz bands. On tomrorow also. Cover’d Up Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Crowsaw + Old Samuel + The Money Shot The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli. com. DimSwn 10 Feet Tall, Clwb

hobosmusicvenue.com. Forever Still + Proscenium In Requiem + Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £7/£5 adv adv. Info 01792 468892. Harleighblu Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Starving Artists present a kinda nu-soul singer on the Tru Thoughts label. Hells Bells Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info 07512 237983. AC/DC tribute band. JW Jones The Garage, Swansea. 7pm, £10/£8 adv.

Nice booking by Sound Nation, in the form of Canadian indie rockers Ought. Signed to the Constellation label, their brand of indie is definitely on the punkier, more abrasive side of things. See/ hear for yourself at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on Wed 20. Ifor Bach, Dempseys, The Moon Club + Undertone, Cardiff. 12pm-4am, £30/£25/£5 aged 14-17. Info www.dimswn.com. See the front page of Listings for more on this miniature indie fest, back for its second year. Here’s the lineup as of late March: 10 Feet Tall: Parcs 2.45-3.15pm, Grace Petrie 3.45-4.30pm, Orla Garland 5-5.45pm, Benedict Benjamin 6.15-7pm, Bryde 7.45-8.30pm; Kiran Leonard 9.15-10pm. Clwb Ifor Bach (downstairs): Sam Fowke 4-4.30pm; Jake Isaac 5.156pm; Bry 6.45-7.45pm; Mike Dignam 8.15-9.15pm. Clwb Ifor Bach (upstairs): Sports Team 3-3.45pm; WaLL 4.15-5.30pm (I don’t think they’ll actually be playing for 75 minutes), Leif Erikson 5.45-6.30pm. Ysgol Sul 7.158pm; Estrons 8.45-9.30pm, The Big Moon 10.15-11pm. Dempseys (upstairs): The Bay Rays 3.30-4.15pm, Seize The Chair 5-5.45pm, Beaty Heart 6.30-7.15pm, Island 8-8.45pm, Castles 9.3010.15pm. The Moon Club: Shoebox Orchestra 4-4.45pm, Anelog 5.30-6.15pm, Virgin Kids 7-7.45pm, Holy Esque 8.30-9.15pm, My Name Is Ian 10-10.45pm. Undertone: Bryony Sier 2.15-2.45pm, Hvnter 3.15-3.45pm, Pipedream 4.30-5pm, Luk 5.45-6.15pm, Luna Tides 7-7.30pm, Ofelia 8.15-9pm, Upbeat Sneakers 9.4510.30pm. City Of Ashes + Brightr + The Effect + Anna’s Anchor The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Fire Fences + John Nicholas + The Broadcasts Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30-10.30pm, £5/£3 adv. Info www.

Info 01792 475147. Ladyrock The Lounge, Newport. Free. Info 01633 259144. Playing as part of the Live:Lounge night here. Marc Angel The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Massive Wagons + The Texas Flood + Florence Black + Terminus Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 07970 063107. Hard rock bands. Metallica Reloaded The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm. Info 01495 247178. Tribute band. Mr Hate Ex Servicemens Club, Taffs Well, nr Cardiff. 7pm, £3 adv. Info 029 2025 0731. Covers band with a rather strange name for what they appear to do. Nirvana UK + Stay Voiceless + Street Lights No Glory + Lost At Sea Ebbw Vale Institute. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01495 708022. Owen Money’s Jukebox Heroes St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18.50. Info 029 2087 8444. PhiloBeddoe The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8.30pm, £2. Info 01685 387925. Rock covers. Resident House Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £2. Info 029 2038 7026. Sam Crow Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 07981 684142. Solid Gone The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Soul Lotta Funk Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. The Black Dyke Band Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7pm, £10-£16. Info 01686 614555. The Special Brew Cadoxton Conservative Club, Barry. 7.30pm, £3 adv. Info 01446 735223. Bad Manners tribute

band. Treorchy Male Voice Choir Blake Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £16/£12 under-16s. Info 01600 719401.

SUNDAY 10

Akua Naru Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6pm, £5. Info 029 2063 6464. Presented by Higher Learning (their first booking in years!) and part of this year’s WOW Caerdyff Festival. Amigos Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £5/£3 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Gypsy jazz. Band Cymru 2016 Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2.30 + 8pm, free. Info 01970 623232. Daniel James The Pontygwindy, Caerphilly. 9pm, free. Info 029 2088 4321. Folk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Also on Sun 24. Haran + EKKO + Zoe Leonard 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, £4. Info 029 2022 8883. Henry Marten’s Ghost Brown’s Hotel, Laugharne. 3pm. Info 01994 427688. Jigantics The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Newton Faulkner Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £21.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Er actually, the history of dreadlocks dates back to the ancient Celts, who er were also all ginger, like Newton Faulkner, so actually er he’s just honouring his heritage. Pandora’s Secret The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 6.30pm, free. Info 01685 387925. *Rolo Tomassi + Rope + Masts The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Proggy post-hardcore band from Sheffield headline. They’re ace.

MONDAY 11

Atrium Live Music Night Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Live Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live Original Music Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Monday Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.

TUESDAY 12

Clare Hammond Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7.45pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2087 4816. International Piano Series recital. Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Joseph Tong St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £4.75-£6.75. Info 029 2087 8444. Lunchtime piano recital. Laurence Jones & The Black Circles The Scene Club, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07730 432166. Blues-

(Tramshed, Fri 8) ANIMALS AS LEADERS (The Globe, Fri 15) SIMPLY RED (SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, Sun 17) HOT 8 BRASS BAND (Clwb Ifor Bach, Fri 22) AIRBOURNE (Cardiff University, Wed 27) RED SUN FESTIVAL (various venues, Cardiff, Fri 29-Sun 31) A WILHELM SCREAM (Clwb Ifor Bach, Sun 31) BUZZ 69

live music rock fella. Love Bazaar + The Sonny Bonds Duo + Nuclear Lullaby Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2022 8883. Lulu Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £35. Info 01970 623232. An Evening With Lulu, I’ll have you know. In Aberdare tomorrow. Man Made The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6.50 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Newish indie band, reviewed in this issue. They have the offspring of a famous musician in them but I’m not saying who as I don’t think it’s relevant. Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Partikel Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Experimental, yet accessible, jazz ensemble. Superhand + La Forme + Niamh Doyle Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 NUS. Info 029 2039 7933. Presented by Dragon Radio. Wessex New Orleans Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

WEDNESDAY 13

Acoustic Open Mic Night The Bunker, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info james@

thebunkercardiff.com. Aubrey Parsons The Star Inn, Treoes. 8pm, free. Info 01656 658458. *Beastmaker + Iron Void + Heavy Flames The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £7 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Headliners are a new doom metal band on the Rise Above label, they’re not exactly groundbreaking but their album sounded good when I played it. Iron Void are another band named in the ‘fridge magnet doom’ tradition. Bluenote Bistro Sessions Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Folk Night Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm. Info 01443 491424. Second Wednesday of every month. For Today + Silent Planet + Novelists Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Glasgow, Preston & Lowe Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Jazz Wednesdays Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Cathays Brass Band Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Jelly Roll Jones Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Joe Francis with Dave Cottle Trio Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10. Info

07802 912789. Liberty Big Band with Allyson Cox & Mervyn Hill Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. South Wales Big Band Society gig. Lulu Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 8pm, £35. Info 0800 0147111. Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Partikel The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Jazz/classical crossover merchants, not bad. Phil Millichip Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. Rick Astley St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £29.50/£19.50. Info 029 2087 8444. See Upfront. The Fureys Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £19/£18. Info 01646 695267. Irish hitmakers. In Cwmbran tomorrow. The Decoy The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166.

THURSDAY 14

Backbeat Soundsystem + Tree House Fire + Conners & The Con Men

AKUA NARU The Queens Hall, Narberth, Sat 9 Apr; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sun 10 Apr Tickets: £5-£10 (Sat 9); £5 (Sun 10). Info: 01834 869323 / www. thequeenshall.org.uk (Sat 9); 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk (Sun 10) Connecticut’s poetry wonder, Akua Naru, is heading to Wales this April. Her unique blend of hip-hop with jazz undertones all started when she was introduced to music in church as a child. Growing up in the city of New Haven, where violent crime was rife, her lyricism often challenges similar issues with political commentary. This social awareness has made her popular globally. On Sat 9 she will appear in Narberth at the Queen’s Hall, with a performance as part of the WOW Caerdydd festival in Cardiff Bay the following day. Naru and her band promise a night of lyrical excellence, as you immerse yourself in one of the most promising female voices in hip-hop.

BUZZ 70

The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. BBC NOW: Rhapsody In Blue Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12.50-£18. Info 01792 475715. The music of Gershwin and Bernstein. In Cardiff tomorrow. Beach Baby + Willie Jay Healy Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Blind River Scare The Open Hearth, Sebastopol, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 763752. This month’s edition of the Open Hearth Acoustic night, on the second Thursday of every month. Butcher Babies + Sumo Cyco The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. This band seem to be some sort of schlocky metal thing, but I’m just going on their publicity photo. Catrin Finch’s Classical Cafe Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv/£7.50 early bird. Info 029 2089 0862. Four emerging artists from the classical world each performing a 20 minute set in a relaxed environment. Hawkwind Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £22.50 adv. Info 0117 9259273. I guess I should see Hawkwind before it’s too late. Mind you I never saw Motörhead and don’t really feel like I clowned myself in that regard. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Night Owls. Jon Crespo Quintet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026. Mairearad Green & Anna Massey Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night. Mass Collective Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Michael Bolton St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25£225. Info 029 2087 8444. The £225 ticket gets you many alluring privs such as a glass of sparkling wine or juice, and a commemorative laminate. Prose + Aeddan & Mellor Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4 NUS. Info 029 2039 7933. Presented by Juxtaposed. Steve Turner Newport Fugitives Athletic Club, Rogerstone, Newport. 8.45pm. Info 01633 897923. A Newport Folk Club night. The Fureys Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £19. Info 01633 868239. The Simon & Garfunkel Story The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01633 656757. Tribute show. In Brecon on Sun 24.

FRIDAY 15

3 Amp Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. 5 Seconds Of Summer + Don Broco Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £35. Info 029 2022 4488. Sold out but on tomorrow also, currently not sold out. Amazonne Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 01834 869323. West Wales prog-folk band. Aubrey Parsons St David’s Hotel, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info

029 2045 4045. A Vulgar Picture + Trivax + Unheard Before The Wake + Severe Lacerations The Duke, Neath. 8pm, free. Info 01639 643892. A Death To The Duke night of metal bands. BBC NOW: Rhapsody In Blue St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£35. Info 029 2087 8444. Bee Gees Fever Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01600 772467. Tribute band. Benn Willis The White Horse, Coychurch, nr Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 652583. Bob Delyn A’r Ebillion St John’s Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2056 2022. Cantaloop The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01497 821762. Live hip-hop festival faves. Claire Jones Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 01646 695267. Classical harpist. In Cardigan tomorrow. Cor Y Gyrlais The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. Info 01639 843163. A charity cancer appeal concert with special guests. More details TBC. Craig Ogden Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £1-£17. Info 01874 611622. Classical guitarist. Fat Sandwich Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. FB Pocket Orchestra Blossoms Gallery, Aberystwyth. 7pm, £10/£8 adv. Info info@blossomsgallery. co.uk. Ffynnon The Ivy Bush, Pontardawe. 8pm. Info huwpudner@ntlworld.com. Valley Folk Club night. Guns 2 Roses The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £4. Info 01685 387925. Henry Marten’s Ghost Diablos Gastro Pub, Carmarthen. Info 01267 223000. Holding Absence + Moralist Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30-10.30pm, free. Info www. hobosmusicvenue.com. Jacqui Dankworth & Charlie Wood Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01792 602060. Jazz duo. John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Live/Wire St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01446 799100. AC/DC tribute band. Lucy Spraggan + Mary Mac + Tom Auton Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Presented by Pride Cymru. Macaco Project 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 9pm, £3. Info 029 2022 8883. Live hip-hop/soul from Bristol. Midnight Hour Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. Multi Story + Ian Luther The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. Open Mic Night The Met, Abertillery. 8pm, £2. Info 01495 355800. Rusty Shackle + The Minerals + Vince James The Moon Club, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £7 adv. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Sophie Hansen The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Stevie Wonder Tribute And The Sounds Of Motown Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £38. Info 029 2070 5391. With Nat Augustin as Stevie. A five-course meal is included in the price. The Caspiens Le Pub, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 221477. Local indie band whose patter on their Facebook page makes them sound like Butlins redcoats. The Icicle Works Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Liverpudlian big coat pop band who came up during the early 80s boom time for such music. Fronted by Ian McNabb, whose bad posts I sometimes see shared on Facebook. The Sherry Babys Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 0845 2263510. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons tribute. The Summer War The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. The Unknown Era The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Tredegar Town Band Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10£14. Info 029 2039 1391.

SATURDAY 16

5 Seconds Of Summer + Don Broco Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £35. Info 029 2022 4488. Bayside Boogiemen The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8.30pm, £3. Info 01685 387925. Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 8.30pm, £14/£12 adv. Info 01495 227206. Cardiff Ukelele Festival St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2087 8444. Hosted by the people who do Cardiff Ukelele Nights. Now the humble uke gets a lot of disrespect but I for one think it’s an excellent Christmas present for a toddler. Claire Jones Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £6-£14. Info 01239 621200. Death Pop + The D Teez Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7.3011.30pm, £4. Info 01443 682388. Elin Manahan Thomas & Jocelyn Freeman Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8-10pm, £15. Info 01239 841387. Soprano and pianist. Encore! An Exclusive Evening With Lesley Garrett Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm. Info 0845 2263510. Also featuring Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers and Welsh opera singer Gary Griffith. Sold out though. Flew Fighters The Bunker, Cardiff. 9pm, £3 adv. Info james@thebunkercardiff.com. Foo Fighters tribute band. Goldies Cymru Charity Concert St German’s Church, Adamsdown, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 07778 282934. Featuring the the City Voices Cardiff choir conducted by Simon Curtis, plus the Welcome Choir from Bath conducted by Grenville Jones. Good Vibrations Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £38. Info

live music 029 2070 5391. Beach Boys tribute plus five courses of food and drink. Guns 2 Roses + Discount Columbo The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £5. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Tribute band headline. Junction 24 CMC Sports and Social Club, University Hospital Of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 029 2039 4207. A RUFF Ceilidh night, also featuring calling from Madeline Smith. Kaytanua The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Kerosene Lane Ex Servicemens Club, Taffs Well, nr Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3 adv. Info 029 2025 0731. Rock and blues. Laura Cortese And The Dance Cards Pennar Hall, Pembroke Dock. 7.30pm. Info 01646 621811. Louis Barabbas Snails Deli, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. 7pm, £18 inc buffet. Info 029 2062 0415. Mairearad Green & Anna Massey Angel Hotel, Llandeilo. £12 adv. Info info@ llandeiloacoustic.com. Maya Mitten Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm. Info 07818 056599. Metal To The Masses South Wales Heat 3 Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £4 adv. Info 07970 063107. Featuring sets from Nycosia, The Eighth Bridge, Agrona and Catalyst. Mick Pini + Glas The Met, Abertillery. 8pm, £10. Info 01495 355800. Blues. Morrison Orpheus Choir Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7pm, £18. Info 01792 602060. Mr Shiraz The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Owen Money’s Juke Box Heroes Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 01633 868239. Resident House Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £2. Info 029 2038 7026. Rock Factor Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Skinnyman The Moon Club, Cardiff. 9pm, £6.50 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Playing the Hold Up hip-hop night. Solid Gold 70s Show Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01874 611622. Stonehouse The Lounge, Newport. Free. Info 01633 259144. Playing as part of the Live:Lounge night here. The Dweller + Chaos Trigger + Koshiro + Revelation + Clear The Auditorium + Giving In To Ghosts + Jaws Of The Guillotine + Disrupt The Continuum + Led By Lions Ebbw Vale Institute. 5pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 01495 708022. Metal bands presented by FKU Events. The People’s Folk Festival The Graig Community Hall / The Ruperra Arms, Bassaleg, Newport. 1pm, free afternoon/£10 evening. Info 07983 769350. Featuring sets from Harvey Andrews, The Rob Lear Band, Chris Moreton, The Chartists, Meg Cox, Rhys Morris & Osian Gruffydd, Phil Millichip, Paul Lloyd Nicholas, Paul Brown, Hilary Ward, Tanglewood, Roy Zeal, Broadside, Jan Vaisey & Ian Harvey, Greg Rowlands and

Cris Bartlett. Also incorporating folk dancing and a beer and food festival. *The Sonny Bonds Duo + Think Pretty + KVSD Le Pub, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 221477. Local punky garagey indie type bands. The Trio Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Tigertailz + Last Great Dreamers The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. South Wales’ flagship glam metal band with their first local show for a while. Xpresstival Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 4pm-4am, £8 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Cardiff University’s own radio station, Xpress, is 20 years old! They are having a 12-hour knees-up here with these bands: Tibet, Kassassin Street, Yonaka, XY&O, Hipicat and Breichiau Hir. Xpress DJs will keep it going from approx 11-4, too.

SUNDAY 17

Bellowhead St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £19.50-£24.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Big folk band with their last ever tour. Sold out, accordingly. Bruce Anderson The Pontygwindy, Caerphilly. 9pm, free. Info 029 2088 4321. Not to be confused with the appalling racist newspaper columnist of that name. That said, ‘bruce anderson singer’ came up first in autocomplete, so maybe this guy is more famous. Or my Google searches for Welsh pub vocalists have skewed the results. Cal Hillan + Gareth Howatson + Joe Merriweather Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Single launch for Hillan. Chapter Four Jazz Quartet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Jazz in the bar. Fathoms + The Dweller + Defeatist + Epsilon + Miles From Home + Alive In Salem The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 5pm, £5 adv. Info 07969 671379. Lunchtime Concert National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. With Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama students. Mariinsky Orchestra: Peter & The Wolf Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 12pm, £8.50-£22.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Old Time Music Hall Dolman Theatre, Newport. 2.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01633 263670. Plague Vendor + Love Buzzard + People And Other Diseases Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Presented by Fuelled By Jealous Lovers. Ragsy The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 6.30pm, £2. Info 01685 387925. Roxanne De Bastion + Matthew Frederick + Ellie Makes Music + Danielle Lewis The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Swansea Philharmonic Choir Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10-£15. Info 01792 475715. The Alco Acoustics The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600

712767.

MONDAY 18

Atrium Live Music Night Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Monday Club 10 Feet Tall,

£4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@

Remember Dodgy? Everyone liked, or at least didn't hate, their sunny, mildly psychedelic guitar pop – until they had a few Britpop-era hits that wound people up. However, that was 20 years ago, and if you can forgive Dodgy singer Nigel Clark, he plays solo sets at the New Crown, Merthyr (Wed 20) and Swansea Scene Club (Thurs 21). Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Saxpax Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 8pm, £8/£5. Info 0845 2263510. Blues & Jazz Club night. Live Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live Original Music Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. St John’s College Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 029 2039 1391. The Collective Big Band Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Vant + Tigercub Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6.50 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Vant are a newish UK rock band who were “born out of discontent and frustration at the fucked up world we currently inhabit”. Things are looking up for them, however, as they’re in Swansea tomorrow.

porterscardiff.com. Russell Watson Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £22.50-£47.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Students Of UWC Atlantic College St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 3pm, £6.50. Info 01446 799100. Cafe concert. Tendons + Benjamin Yellowitz + Adam Cleaver + Aled Rheon The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £4 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. The Bluetones Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £21 adv. Info 0117 9259273. The Pat McManus Band Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 8pm, £7 adv. Info 07970 063107. Irish blues-rock guitarist. The Young’uns St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £14/£13 adv. Info 029 2087 8444. A Roots Unearthed gig. See Music. Vant + Tigercub Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £6.50 adv. Info 01792 468892.

TUESDAY 19

89 To 91 Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2063 6464. Acoustic Open Mic Night The Bunker, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info james@thebunkercardiff.com. Aubrey Parsons The Ivor Arms, Pontyclun. 8pm, free. Info 01443 222287. Bluenote Bistro Sessions Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Dave Jones Quartet with Remi Harris Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10. Info 07802 912789. Gregory Porter St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £30£42.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Jazz/soul maestro, you know him, always wears that hat. Played here before. Gwd Jams Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3/free for performers. Info 029 2039 7933. Monthly open jam session. Hair Club Live: Open Chair Night The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. This is billed as “an open mic night... for hairdressers” which I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be a joke. I think you should find out for me, and I can

Afuriko Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Jazz duo based in Paris. Boyd Duo St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £4.75-£6.75. Info 029 2087 8444. Cello and piano. Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Daniel Kemish + James Weston 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4. Info 029 2022 8883. Americana double bill. Dave Jones & Remi Harris Play ‘Monk’ Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 8pm, £7. Info 01874 611622. Brecon Jazz Club gig. Doberman The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £3. Info 01685 387925. Italian rock duo. Ghana Fundraising Gig Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2039 7933. Could be to raise funds for Ghana itself, or for someone to travel there, or to start an entirely new country from scratch using Ghana as the template. Moonshine Boulevard Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm,

WEDNESDAY 20

reward you with the same finders’ fee as you pay me, ie nothing. Jakob + Right Hand Left Hand + Esuna Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Jealous Lovers Club gig. Jazz Wednesdays Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Kevin Seconds + Louise Distras Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £8 adv. Info 01633 221477. Frontman of bonzer 80s hardcore band 7 Seconds plays solo and acoustic. Nigel R Clark The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £4. Info 01685 387925. One of the members of Dodgy, Nigel’s recently added middle initial stands for Realness. As does Nigel himself. In Swansea tomorrow. Nineteen Fifty Eight + Young Kings + The Effect + Static Fires The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £3 adv. Info 07730 432166. The flyer for this gig is a black and white sketch of a crying woman with a gag round her mouth. Am thus expecting some great and original music made by non-dickheads. Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. *Ought Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Not half bad 90s-style serrated indierock Canadians. Sound Nation present. Pericopes +1 Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Jazz meets rock from from Italian/NYC trio. Russell Watson Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £37.63 adv. Info 01639 763214. The Carpenters Story Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £19.50-£23.50. Info 01792 475715. Tribute show. Tribute To The Ted Heath Orchestra Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. With Chris Dean, Angie Mills and the Capital City Jazz Orchestra. South Wales Big Band Society gig.

THURSDAY 21

Abercoustic Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7pm, £4/£3.50. Info 01970 623232. A capella university choir. On tomorrow also. Brilliant Corners Monk Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026. Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01646 651725. Old timey Americana duo. Jazz Jam Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Low Profile. Kimya Dawson + Little Wings The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Brace of American indie-folk singers. See Music. Nigel R Clark The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info

07730 432166. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. The Knights Of Music St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25. Info 029 2087 8444. This is a concert celebrating, by means of covering their songs, every living pop musician who has been knighted. Plus Bono, who is Irish and therefore the Queen’s natural enemy. Philip Schofield is the host. Is it me or is this a really weird idea for a show? The Simon & Garfunkel Story Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01874 611622. Tom Gray & Mark David Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 8pm, £4-£7. Info 01834 869323. A Spanjazz night. Why We Love + Bronze Age Boats + The Naomi Rae Band Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 NUS. Info 029 2039 7933. Single launch for Hillan.

FRIDAY 22

2 Tickets 2 The Gun Show Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Abercoustic Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7pm, £4/£3.50. Info 01970 623232. American Hitmen Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 8pm. Info 07981 684142. Rock band made up of a bunch of former American squaddies. Sorry, that’s ‘Marine Corps combat veterans’. Amy Wadge & Pete Riley The Chattery, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01792 473276. Bangers + The Cut Ups + Hot Mass Buffalo, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £5. Info 029 2031 0312. Punk from nearish and farish. Bare Knuckle Parade Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Big Boss Man Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£12.50. Info 029 2089 0862. Groovy Hammond organ mod type band. Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £18.50/£16.50. Info 01633 868239. Featuring Marc Robinson And The Counterfeit Crickets. Christ College Brecon 475th Anniversary Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7pm, £8-£15. Info 029 2039 1391. Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog + Eugene Capper + Rhodri Brooks Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Daniel James The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Eat Your Greens The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Green Haze + The Offspin The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Two pop-punk tribute bands. Ian Luther Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. Lewis Cook And His Swing Trio Urban Bar And Kitchen, Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel And Spa, Cardiff. 6.30-8pm, free. Info 029 2043 5000. Also performing here on Fri 29, and in May. Little Folk Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info BUZZ 71

live music 029 2030 4400. A ChapterLive gig. Moonlight Drive + Crystal Balloon + Paul Daffurn The Globe At Hay, Hay-OnWye. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01497 821762. Mr Woodnote Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £7/£6 NUS. Info 029 2039 7933. Hip-hop presented by Starving Artists. Porthcawl Jazz Festival Various venues, Porthcawl. 1-2 + 6.15-9.45pm, prices vary per event. Info 01656 815995. See Music for more. Today features performances from The John Stark Mainstreamers (Trecco Bay, 1-2pm, free); Dave Cottle (Pavilion Cafe, 1-2pm, free); John Mills (Pavilion Cafe, 6.15-7.15pm, free) and the Claire Martin/Dave Newton/ Ray Gelato Trio (Grand Pavilion, 7.30-9.45pm, £17£20). (Until Sun 24) Rozelle + Frostroyk + Parcs + Cadno + Rebecca Hurn The Moon Club, Cardiff. 5pm, £5 adv. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. An evening of female performers, with the intention of “raising awareness of the gender gap in the music industry”. Shaken Not Stirred The Met, Abertillery. 8pm, £5. Info 01495 355800. A celebration of 50 years of James Bond in song with Stuart Gold and guests. The King, The Cat & The Fiddle St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 11am + 1.30pm, £45. Info 029 2087 8444. Folk group Calan perform new music based on a kids’ book written by Yehudi Menuin. On tomorrow also. The Orbison Story St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 029 2087 8444. As in Roy. In fact have you ever heard of or met another Orbison? Me neither.

SATURDAY 23

Aisha & The Astronauts + Eleri Angharad + Natalie Jones Mozarts, Swansea. 7pm, £3. Info 01792 649984. Charity gig in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. All Folk’d Up Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £18. Info 01792 475715. Youthful Irish folk group. It’s my expert opinion that their name is a saucy pun on the phrase “all fucked up”. Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band Paget Rooms, Penarth. 8pm, £13.50. Info 029 2070 0721. Courtney Pine & Zoe Rahman Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £22/£20. Info 01686 614555. Top Britjazz duo. Diamond Head + Revival The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, £7 adv. Info 01495 247178. NWOBHM icons. Diego Sebastian & The Wild Fangs The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Face 11 A&R Event Face 11, Cathays, Cardiff. 3-11pm. Info 029 2022 8221. “Another incredible opportunity for any singer or songwriter to be placed in front of world leading record labels and their scouts,” say the venue. Gabriel Marshall The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info gigs@thedragonffli. com. Twin tribute to UB40 BUZZ 72

and Bob Marley. Speaking of UB40, if you’re appalled by one of the quotes in the Ali Campbell interview we have this month, please remember that we just printed what he said, and tweet him rather than us. (Also, please disregard this if we take that bit out at the last minute.) John Cooper Clarke Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £19.50 adv. Info 0117 9259273. Now going by the full title Dr John Cooper Clarke, but I am mindful of readers who might be looking for him under J while scanning these listings. Also, he isn’t a real doctor. Marblehead Johnson The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 07969 671379. Britpop covers band, named as they say “after the classic Bluetones anthem”. Except they named that song after Bill Hicks’ band, so in effect they have just stolen someone else’s name. From a dead man at that. Disgraceful. Money For Nothing Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale. 8pm, £16.50. Info 01495 355800. Dire Straits tribute. Mozart – Great Mass In C Minor And Requiem Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25/£12.50. Info 029 2039 1391. New Revival + Local Enemy The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Nick Harper West End Club, Barry. 7.45pm, £10 adv. Info 07561 143114. Folk-rocker, son of Roy. Maybe not quite the selling point it once was, that. This gig is sold out mind you. Orangefall + Psycho Kiss + V0id The Scene Club, Swansea. 8pm, £3. Info 07730 432166. Album launch party for the headliners. Owen Money’s Jukebox Heroes Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 0845 2263510. Paul Dark The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Porthcawl Jazz Festival Various venues, Porthcawl. 1-9.45pm, prices vary per event. Info 01656 815995. Today features Liberty Street Jazz Band (Trecco Bay, 1-2pm); Sarah Jayne/Dan Phelps Trio (Pavilion Cafe, 1-2pm); Rumblestrutters (Brentwood Hotel, 1-2pm); Brilliant Corners with Remi Harris (Glamorgan Holiday Hotel, 2-3pm); Porthcawl Rock Club (Seabank Hotel, 2-4.30pm); Geoff Eales Trio (Grand Pavilion, 3-5pm); Archbishop McGrath School Band (4.30-5pm); Easy Street (Glamorgan Holiday Hotel, 5-6pm); The Scott-McNicholas Experience (Pavilion Cafe Bar, 6.15-7.15pm) and Swinging At The Cotton Club (Grand Pavilion Main Hall, 7.309.45pm). (Until Sun 24) Public Order Act + Gung Ho + Mercurius Rising The Roath Park, Cardiff. 6pm. Info 029 2031 1049. Presented by Surplus. Resident House Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £2. Info 029 2038 7026. Rocket Joe Joe & The Old Time Bangers Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Skinflint The Lounge, Newport. Free. Info 01633 259144. Playing as part of the Live:Lounge night here. So 80s Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. Thee Damage Done Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 01443 682388. Neil Young tribute. That seems like a gap in the market, good shout. The King, The Cat & The Fiddle St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 2pm, £7.50. Info 029

today) *The Bellrays + Graveyard Johnnys + The D Teez The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. The Bellrays are one of my fave bands, on the downlow, of the last decade and a half. I say on the downlow because they don’t really cross my radar more than once every few years, but if the singer still has Tina Turner level pipes then they will probably

How cosmically mind-expanding can a Thursday evening in Grangetown get? Very, I'd wager, if UK free festival icons Hawkwind happen to be passing through. And guess what! They're at Cardiff's Tramshed venue on Thurs 14.

2087 8444. T’Pau St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01446 799100. Start fights in church on Christmas Eve, call me ‘Carol Decker’. Transmission The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Joy Division tribute band perform Unknown Pleasures all the way through. Verdi Requiem Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £2-£12. Info 01970 623232. Conducted by David Russell Hulme.

SUNDAY 24

Beyond Grace + Countless Skies + A Vulgar Picture The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 7pm, £5. Info 07969 671379. Earl The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Folk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Molotov Jukebox The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 07590 471888. UK band who feature an actress from the Harry Potter movies on vocals and play some combo of gypsy/Latino/other reductive terms for global music. Paul Dark The Pontygwindy, Caerphilly. 9pm, free. Info 029 2088 4321. Porthcawl Jazz Festival Various venues, Porthcawl. 11am-9.45pm, prices vary per event. Info 01656 815995. Today features a Jazz Service (Trinity Church, 11am12pm); Liberty Street Jazz Band (Glamorgan Holiday Hotel, 12-1pm); John Mills (Pavilion Cafe Bar, 1-2pm); Dave Griffiths Little Big Band (Grand Pavilion, 2-3pm); Babajack (Glamorgan Holiday Hotel, 3-4pm), Li Harding/ Gary Phillips Trio (Brentwood Hotel, 4-5pm); Claire Hingot/ Graham Watkins Trio (Glamorgan Holiday Hotel, 5-6pm); Dave Cottle (Pavilion Cafe, 6.15-7.15pm) and the Rhondda Symphony Pops Orchestra (Grand Pavilion, 7.30-9.45pm). (Finishes

still own as a live ‘unit’. The Doors Alive Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 468892. Tribute band.

MONDAY 25

Atrium Live Music Night Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Gwd Mondays Open Mic Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Live Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live Original Music Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Monday Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. The Lovely Eggs + Stacking Chairs Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8.50 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Eccentric indiepop duo, no strangers to Cardiff, headline. Stacking Chairs is the solo project of noted music video maker Casey Raymond; don’t think he’s played under this name for a fair few years. Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Whitecliff Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2022 8883.

TUESDAY 26

Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info sambabrecon@yahoo.co.uk. Dave Smith Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Emma & The Professor Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £2.50. Info 01686 614555. Folk duo. Jazz Jam Session Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, free. Info 07802 912789. Also featuring a drum workshop by Clark Tracey beforehand. Joe Northwood Quartet Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Olena Tokar Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Bay. 2pm, £10-£12. Info 029 2063 6464. Performance from BBC Cardiff Singer Of The World 2013 Finalist. Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Student Composer Showcase Cardiff University Concert Hall. 6.15-8.45pm, free. Info 029 2087 4816. The Rubettes Featuring Alan Williams Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 01792 475715. Totem Terrors + Hodad + Aaronson Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.

WEDNESDAY 27

Acoustic Open Mic Night The Bunker, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info james@thebunkercardiff.com. Aubrey Parsons The Carne Arms, Llysworney, nr Cowbridge. 8pm, free. Info 01446 775607. Bluenote Bistro Sessions Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues Night Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm. Info 01443 491424. Last Wednesday of every month. Faux + Rory Indiana + A/M/B/E/R + Bandicoot The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 07969 671379. Geoff Eales & Friends Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253. Jazz Wednesdays Warehouse54, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 259144. Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Skywalker + All At Sea The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Spear Of Destiny Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. The Clark Tracey Quintet Jazzland, Swansea. 8.3011pm, £12. Info 07802 912789. Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

THURSDAY 28

Cardiff University Symphony Chorus and Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 029 2087 8444. Dan McKinnon Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night. Dead Dollar Days + Cancel The Transmission + The Hip Fire + Migs Buff The Lemon Factory, Swansea. 7pm, £4. Info 07969 671379. Exmagician The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info info@thefullmooncardiff.com. Jimjam Open Mic Session The Claude Hotel, Albany Road, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 07557 505123. Every Thursday. This week’s guest band is Siren. Libardo Cardozo Trio And Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026. Performing two sets with

those respective setups. Lockerhouse + We Rob Banks + Colonel Custer’s Jam Sesh + Matt Leaman + Martha O’Brien & Beth Wooding Undertone, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. Charity gig, not sure who for. Mike Peters Presents The Alarm Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 8pm, £28. Info 0800 0147111. Concentrating on stuff played 30 years ago, but also throwing in a few new ‘uns. Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. Renegades Of Funk The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £3. Info 01497 821762. Featuring Students from Herefordshire College Of Music Skywalker + All At Sea The Bunker, Cardiff. 7pm, £6. Info james@thebunkercardiff. com. Submotion Orchestra The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. The Don Bradmans Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2039 7933. You’ve Got A Friend The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £19.50/£17.50. Info 01633 656757.

FRIDAY 29

Cardiff University Chamber Choir Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. 7.30-9pm, £8/£6/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Performing works by Robert Ramsey, James MacMillan, Kenneth Leighton and Eric Whitacre. In St David’s tomorrow. Chris Kelly The White Horse, Coychurch, nr Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 652583. Dan Bettridge + The Goat Roper Rodeo Band St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01446 799100. See Music for more on Dan. Ffli Stock 2016 The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Raising awareness and funds For the Newport-based Ieuan The Lion Memorial Fund, the first of three days of music features Godsticks, Digital Criminals, The Vim Dicta, The Real Kings Of Spain, Pilgrim and SmithGrind. (Until Sun 1 May) Gwenan Gibbard Ty Tawe, Christina St. Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 456856. Henry’s Funeral Shoe The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info info@thefullmooncardiff. com. Huw M Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£15. Info 029 2089 0862. Welsh language indie fella, plus band. Jack Sleazy Amp + Dharma Bird + Sam Baggott + Lauren Kinsman Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 07981 684142. Acoutic night. Lewis Cook And His Swing Trio Urban Bar And Kitchen, Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel And Spa, Cardiff. 6.30-8pm, free. Info 029 2043 5000. Marco Mendoza + Beth Blade And The Beautiful Disasters The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £11 adv. Info 01685 387925. Fella from the band The Dead

stage Daisies. Mermaid Quay Music Fest Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2048 0077. Four days of gratis live music, further details TBC. (Until Mon 2 May) Owen Money’s Juke Box Heroes Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 01873 850805. Paige Kenzie The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Tattsyrup Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. The Cellar Bards Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm. Info 07818 056599. The Searchers Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01633 868239. The Solid Silver 60s Show St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24.50-£29.50. Info 029 2087 8444. The Villagers The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. TRC + Create To Inspire + I Cried Wolf + Teacher + Revelation The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Hardcore and metal bands. Wayne Brennan Academy Espresso Bar, The Pumphouse, Barry. 8pm, free. Info 07557 773723.

SATURDAY 30

2 Tickets 2 The Gun Show The Lounge, Newport. Free. Info 01633 259144. Playing as part of the Live:Lounge night here. Arcomis Ensemble St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2087 8444. Atomçk + Reclvse + Uberchop Mozarts, Swansea. 8pm, £2. Info 01792 649984. Grindcore, doom and heavy rock on a commendably cheap and mismatched bill. Aubrey Parsons St David’s Hotel, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2045 4045. Bristol European Jazz Ensemble The King’s Arms, Abergavenny. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 07958 612691. A Black Mountain Jazz night. Cardiff University Chamber Choir St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire. 7.30-9pm, £8/£6/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Daniel Champagne Ex Servicemens Club, Penarth. 7-10.30pm, £8 adv. Info 07561 143114. Australian singersongwriter. If that’s his real name he should have been, I dunno, a 90s r’n’b producer or something. Ffli Stock 2016 The Dragonffli, Pontypool. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Today features The Decoy, Deaf Horse, Mordrake, Doll Rockets, Blackjack Zero, Nuclear Lullaby, Zed Motel and Fire Blisters. (Until Sun 1 May) Guns Or Roses + Flew Fighters + Green Dai Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info 07512 237983. Tributes in triplicate. Kangaroo Moon + Sendelica + Steve Kelly Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm. Info 07818 056599. Lethal Bizzle Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16.50 adv. Info 0117 9259273. See Clubs. London Calling Ex Servicemens Club, Taffs Well,

nr Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£7 adv. Info 029 2025 0731. Clash tribute band. Martin Turner The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Fella who used to be in Wishbone Ash. Mermaid Quay Music Fest Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. Free. Info 029 2048 0077. (Until Mon 2 May) P.P. Arnold Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £17. Info 01239 841387. Soul veteran. Her real name is Pat... I didn’t know that. Resident House Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £2. Info 029 2038 7026. Sacrilege + Revival The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm. Info 01495 247178. Sophie Hansen The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Special Kinda Madness + The Dappers The Garage, Swansea. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 475147. Twin Specials/ Madness conver band headline. The Andy Lewis Band Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965. The Sessions: A Live Re-Staging Of The Beatles At Abbey Road Studios Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 8pm, from £40. Info 029 2022 4488. This show is set in/on a giant replica of Abbey Road’s Studio 2 and features faithful renditions of the Beatles LPs recorded there. George Martin died yesterday (at the time of typing) so expect a heartfelt tribute message to feature somewhere for about two seconds. The Treatment + Amorette + Them Dead Crows Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. The White Horse Whisperers Pennar Hall, Pembroke Dock. 7.30pm. Info 01646 621811. Untouchables + Krobow + DoomCrow + Helldown Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 07981 684142. Headliners are a loving tribute to Korn. Welsh Sinfonia: An Evening In Italy Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£15. Info 029 2039 1391. Wussy + Personal Best The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6.50 adv. Info info@ thefullmooncardiff.com. Dependable US indie mob headline, while a Welsh showing for Personal Best is always a bonus.

stage FRIDAY 1

A Girl Is A Half-Formed Thing Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £14. Info 029 2063 6464. Acclaimed adaptation of Eimear McBride’s awardwinning novel. On tomorrow also. Alice In Wonderland Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 2.30pm, £8.50/£6.50. Info 0845 2263510. Panto! Presented by Gary Starr Pantomimes. Danny Deegan + Philip Simon+ Sally-Anne

Hayward Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 8pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Killforaseat comedy night. Dave Fulton + Kevin McCarthy + Kate Lucas + Chris McCausland Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15/£7.50 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Drones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Also on Fri 15. Hetty Feather New Theatre, Cardiff. 7pm, £11-£21. Info 029 2087 8889. Olivier Awardnominated production of Jacqueline Wilson’s kids’ book, starring protagonist Heterosexual Feather. (Until Sun 3) Only The Brave Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12.50-£37.50. Info 029 2063 6464. An epic new musical about love, friendship and above all hope. It says here. On tomorrow also. Rhapsody Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £9.50/£8.50. Info 01633 868239. Presented by the Charlotte May School Of Dance. On tomorrow also. Riverdance St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £32.50-£44. Info 029 2087 8444. This time it’s a 21st anniversary tour. (Until Sun 3) Rory McGrath The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01633 656757. Spent quite a bit of time a few months back reading 90s-era issues of Viz. They really stuck it to Rory in the letters page. Smash It Up Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £13. Info 01873 850805. Mr & Mrs Clark’s activist theatre production. Also in Cardigan on Fri 15. ‘Stute Comedy Nights Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 8pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 01495 227206. With standups TBC. The Curse Of Ruddigore St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2087 8444. Gilbert & Sullivan, as done by the Unknown Theatre Company. On tomorrow also. The Jungle Book Kids Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7pm, £11/£8.50. Info 01656 815995. Presented by The Performance House Juniors. On tomorrow also. The Legendary Adventure Of Litla The Brave Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10.30am, £7 adv. Info 029 2030 4400. Kids’ show presented by Flossy & Boo. On tomorrow also.

Hetty Feather New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7pm, £12£23.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sun 3) La Bohème Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £1-£19.50. Info 01874 611622. Presented by Swansea City Opera. In Abergavenny on Sat 23. Matilda Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 6pm, £8. Info 01686 614555. A performance of Tim Minchin’s musical, based on the Roald Dahl book. Hadn’t heard of this (the musical that is) until now. Only The Brave Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30pm, £12.50-£37.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Rhapsody Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2 + 7pm, £9.50/£8.50. Info 01633 868239. Riverdance St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 2.30 + 8pm, £30.50£44. Info 029 2087 8444. (Until Sun 3) Romesh Ranganathan Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 8pm, £14. Info 01873 850805. Comedian. In Milford Haven on Thurs 14. Sam Avery + Glenn Moore + Topping & Butch Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960. Sword In The Stone Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 1pm, £9/£7. Info 01600 772467. Talegate Theatre with their Easter pantomime. The Curse Of Ruddigore St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2087 8444. The Jungle Book Kids

Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2.30 + 7pm, £11/£8.50. Info 01656 815995. The Legendary Adventure Of Litla The Brave Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 1pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2030 4400. The Railway Children Blake Theatre, Monmouth. 2.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01600 719401. New stage adaption of famous novel, by Woolford & John.

SUNDAY 3

Ellie Taylor + Ignacio Lopez + Chris Kelly + Payton Quinn + Robin Morgan Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2031 0312. Presented by Buffalo Comedy. Hetty Feather New Theatre, Cardiff. 1 + 5pm, £12-£23.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Finishes today) Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday. Riverdance St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 2.30pm, £28.50-£38. Info 029 2087 8444. (Finishes today)

MONDAY 4

Boxy & Sticky Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am + 2pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2030 4400. Derren Brown Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £28.50-£45.50. Info 029 2063 6464. One of the notable folks in our Feb issue comes back around for six days in the Centre. (Until Sat 9)

TUESDAY 5

Boxy & Sticky Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am + 2pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2030 4400. Crafty Laughs The Cambrian Tap, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2064 4952. Free standup comedy of the night every first Tuesday of the month. This one features (deep breath) Frank Foucault, Steven Skilling, Darren Masterton, James Ryan, Hari Ramakrishnan, Darryl Carrington, Ash Hughes, Alicia Roberts, Matthew Morris, Nathan Webb and MC Col Howarth. Derren Brown Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £28.50-£45.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 9) Tap Factory Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15.50£21.50. Info 01792 475715. Tap dance show, previously popular in Vegas. As is encouraging people to become addicted to gambling. Tell Me On A Sunday New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£21. Info 029 2087 8889. Jodie Prenger stars in a Lloyd Webber musical. (Until Sat 9) That’s Life Dolman Theatre, Newport. 2pm, £7. Info 01633 263670. Variety afternoon presented by T42. The Chris & Pui Show Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 11am + 2pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232. Cbeebies duo do it for the kids. In Porthcawl tomorrow.

SATURDAY 2

A Girl Is A Half-Formed Thing Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £14. Info 029 2063 6464. Boxy & Sticky Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am + 2pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2030 4400. Theatre aimed at ages 3-5. Also on Mon 4 and Tue 5. Dave Fulton + Kevin McCarthy + Kate Lucas + Chris McCausland Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.95/£10 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Free Family Interactive Matinee Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £14. Info 029 2063 6464. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales and BBC Get Creative; taking place in the Dance House.

BELONGING Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Mon 2-Sat 7 May Tickets: £10/£8. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org Belonging is an evocative performance highlighting the issues surrounding those living with dementia. This thought provoking play follows the lives of two families, who demonstrate that just because a member has dementia, the laughter and love of family life doesn’t stop. This ‘mythbusting’ play is directed by Peter Doran, who has recently had success with award-winning show Grav based on the life of Welsh rugby icon Ray Gravell. The production will be performed bilingually and is set to tour across Wales in May and June – south Wales dates lining up like so: Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea, Thurs 12 + Fri 13 May; Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, Tue 17; Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Thurs 19 + Fri 20; Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon, Wed 8 June.

BUZZ 73

stage WEDNESDAY 6

THE GLEE CLUB The comedians you see on TV, on tour and in comedy clubs every week all started out at the same point, standing on stage for the very first time trying to make strangers laugh. Years later they’re still doing the same but the rooms are grander, audiences bigger and they even get their own bottled water. But what makes someone a comedian? Being funny is the obvious start but the fact they even got up on stage and keep doing so makes them a real comedian… and being funny. Did I mention that? When they start out they’ll travel the country and perform for free just for the chance of progression and to grace the stages their heroes once did. The reputation of UK clubs such as The Stand, Comedy Store and the Glee Clubs continue to witness the progression of tomorrow’s stars. The Glee Club for example still has a paper file of ‘act reviews’ featuring Rhod Gilbert, Jon Richardson and many more now established comedians. Most clubs will be contacted by a performer for a gig request; they normally provide a video clip and some text about themselves. If they’re interesting enough they’ll be invited along to do a 5 or 10 minute set, this is what is called an ‘open spot’…a chance to perform and impress the audience and venue management. If that goes well it’s onto a ‘half spot’, normally 15mins on stage with a fee to cover travel and performance. If THAT goes well then it’s on to the big time…in good time of course. It’s both refreshing and reassuring to see a profession such as the comedy industry have a system that’s thorough, fair and works. There’s a journey for all comics to take and Elis James is a good example of someone that’s travelled it; he started out in 2008, had his first paid spot at the Glee in 2010 and he’s back in April to record his own radio show for the BBC. There are a lot of funny people out there but it takes a lot to become a comedian, so here’s to the stars on the rise! Info: www.glee.co.uk/cardiff-comedy

BUZZ 74

Derren Brown Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £28.50-£45.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 9) Easter Dance Faktry The Met, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01495 355800. Dance performance from local kids. Return To The Forbidden Planet Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.15pm, £10/£9. Info 01495 227206. Presented by Blackwood Musical Theatre Society. (Until Sat 9) Tell Me On A Sunday New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13-£27. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 9) The Chris & Pui Show Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 11am + 2pm, £12/£10. Info 01656 815995. The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 9) Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 2pm, £9.50/£8.50. Info 01239 621200. Kids’ theatre with live music and puppetry. To Jinx Or Not To Jinx Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1pm, £6. Info 01656 815995. Lunchtime theatre by Fluellen.

THURSDAY 7

Comedy Carousel Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Hosted by Clint Edwards and featuring Paul Thorne and Tom Lucy. Derren Brown Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £28.50-£45.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 9) I’m Spilling My Heart Out Here Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 0845 2263510. Mess Up The Mess present their own take on Stacey Greg’s play as part of the National Theatre Connections 500 scheme. On tomorrow also. Rapunzel The Met, Abertillery. 2pm, £6. Info 01495 355800. Presented by Immersion Theatre. Return To The Forbidden Planet Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.15pm, £10/£9. Info 01495 227206. (Until Sat 9) Samuel Lloyd + Tanya Spence-Kelly + Dan Kiss + Geraint Nott Crafty Devil Cellar Shop, Llandaff Road, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@craftydevilbrewing. co.uk. Second in a series of monthly comedy nights, named Laffty Devil, in this Canton bottle shop. Tell Me On A Sunday New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £10-£27. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 9) The Company Of Wolves Cwmcarn Forest Drive, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £14/£12 under-18s. Info 01495 227206. Angela Carter’s classic tale, adapted by Burn the Curtain and Shiona Morton as a promenade theatre adventure. (Until Sat 9) The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 9) Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales Sherman Cymru,

Cardiff. 2 + 4.30pm, £9. Info 029 2064 6900. Kids’ theatre with puppetry and live music. On tomorrow also. Tom Ward + Leroy Brito + Jamie McGowan + Tim Goodings + Andy Thomas + Russ Creemer Chapel 1877, Cardiff. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2022 2020. Standup night presented by Masa Comedia. Trials Of Galileo Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £1-£12. Info 01874 611622. One-man play based on the events surrounding Galileo’s heresy trial in 1633.

FRIDAY 8

County Youth Dance Company Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.75/£6.75. Info 01792 602060. Four new pieces from students aged 14-21. Derren Brown Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £31.50-£48.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 9) Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jnr Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3.30 + 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Until Sun 10) I’m Spilling My Heart Out Here Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 0845 2263510. Jem & Ella Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50-£15. Info 029 2064 6900. Play about a ballet-mad father and daughter. On tomorrow also. Laughing Leek Comedy Ebbw Vale Institute. 7.30pm, £7.50/£5 adv. Info 01495 708022. With a Welsh standup comedian headliner TBC. Raising money for local charity One Life, supporting children and families with autism. Raymond & Mr Timpkins + Drew Taylor + Paul James + Phil Alexander The Function Room, Pontyclun. 7.15pm, £10 adv. Info 07790 864217. A Comedy Cow night of standup. Return To The Forbidden Planet Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.15pm, £10/£9. Info 01495 227206. (Until Sat 9) Tell Me On A Sunday New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13-£27. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 9) The Company Of Wolves Cwmcarn Forest Drive, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £14/£12 under-18s. Info 01495 227206. (Until Sat 9) The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 9) Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 11am, £9. Info 029 2064 6900. Tom Lucy + Ian Moore + Paul Thorne Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15/£7.50 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Tonight I’m Gonna Be The New Me Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Theatr Iolo and Made In China’s hardhitting “physical endurance act”. On tomorrow also.

SATURDAY 9

Best Of BE Festival Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £1-£12.50. Info 01874 611622. Showcasing European theatre,

dance and circus performances. Derren Brown Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £31.50-£48.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes todsy) Disney’s Aladdin Jr Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 5pm, £9/£6.50 kids. Info 01792 475715. Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jnr Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3.30 + 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Until Sun 10) Jem & Ella Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50-£15. Info 029 2064 6900. Kiri Pritchard-McLean + Anthony Dawson + Rory O’Hanlon Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960. La Boheme The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £10.50-£18. Info 01633 656757. Presented by Swansea City Opera. Mark Watson Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £16. Info 01792 863722. Rich Hall Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 8pm, £16. Info 0845 2263510. Performing a show, 3:10 To Humour, and increasing his ticket price by £1 for the first time in several years. In Treorchy on Thurs 14. Return To The Forbidden Planet Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 2.30 + 7.15pm, £10/£9. Info 01495 227206. (Finishes today) Singalonga Frozen Grand Theatre, Swansea. 3pm, £15.50/£12.50. Info 01792 475715. Singalonga Grease Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15.50/£12.50. Info 01792 475715. Tell Me On A Sunday New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £13-£27. Info 029 2087 8889. (Finishes today) The Company Of Wolves Cwmcarn Forest Drive, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £14/£12 under-18s. Info 01495 227206. (Finishes today) The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. (Finishes today) Tom Lucy + Ian Moore + Paul Thorne Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.95/£10 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Tonight I’m Gonna Be The New Me Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400.

SUNDAY 10

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jnr Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 12 + 3.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Finishes today) Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863.

MONDAY 11

Caterpillar Comedy Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Open mic standup night hosted by James Dunn. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. New play by local writer Matthew Bulgo with the following premise: “one night under Cardiff skies, four lost souls go looking for answers”. No shows on

Sunday. (Until Sat 30) Let It Be Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£30.50. Info 01792 475715. Beatles musical. (Until Sat 16) The Harri-Parris: The Big Day The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01639 843163. Tonto Evans Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01633 868239. Another ribald valleys-based Frank Vickery comedy. On tomorrow also. In Porthcawel from Wed 13-Fri 15; Blackwood from Mon 18-Wed 20; Aberdare from Mon 25-Wed 27; Treorchy from Thurs 28-Sat 30. Welsh Unsigned StandUp Award 2016: Heat 2 Dempseys, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4. Info 029 2023 9253. Featuring these comedians: Owen Niblock, Dan Kiss, Sam Lloyd, Dave Parton, Payton Quinn, Matthew Morris (Barry John Pugh), Tanya SpenseKelly and Geraint Nott. Heat 3 is on Mon 25.

TUESDAY 12

An Inspector Calls New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10£26.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Popular thriller, directed by big stage nob (that’s a compliment OK) Stephen Baldry. (Until Sat 16) Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Ghosts Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. Newport Playgoers present Henrik Ibsen’s play. (Until Sat 16) Let It Be Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£30.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 16) Richard Herring St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2087 8444. See Upfront. Sister Act The Musical Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12. Info 01873 850805. Amateur production by AAODS. (Until Sat 16) Tonto Evans Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01633 868239.

WEDNESDAY 13

An Inspector Calls New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9-£26.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 16) Karen Sherrard + Chris Chopping + Josh Elton + Jethro Bradley The Parrot, Carmarthen. 7-10pm, £3. Info 01267 231012. Standup comedy night. Comedy Den Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Standup night hosted by Charlie Smith. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Feral Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01792 863722. Play presented by Tortoise In A Nutshell. Ghosts Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. (Until Sat 16) Let It Be Grand Theatre, Swansea. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £15£30.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 16)

stage Sister Act The Musical Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12. Info 01873 850805. (Until Sat 16) The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £12/£10.50. Info 01874 611622. Tonto Evans Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £12.50£14.50. Info 01656 815995. (Until Fri 15)

THURSDAY 14

An Inspector Calls New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9-£26.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 16) Comedy Carousel Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Hosted by Clint Edwards and featuring Steve Harris and one more TBC. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Diary Of A Madman Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01495 227206. Gogol’s dark comedy, in this incarnation a oneman performance by Robert Bowman. In St Donats on Sat 30. Emma The Met, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01495 355800. Stage adaption of Jane Austen’s novel. Ghosts Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. (Until Sat 16) Into The Woods Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £12. Info 01686 614555. Amateur production of Sondheim musical. (Until Sat 16) Let It Be Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£30.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 16) Mariinsky Ballet Triple Bill Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £13.50-£83.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Featuring performances of Five Tangos, Infra and In The Night. On tomorrow also. Rich Hall Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 8pm, £16. Info 0800 0147111. Romesh Ranganathan Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 8pm, £14/£12. Info 01646 695267. Sister Act The Musical Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12. Info 01873 850805. (Until Sat 16) Steve Gribbin Queens Hall, Narberth. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 01834 869323. Comedy Club night. The Death Hilarious 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2022 8883. Local comedy troupe perform a show called The Scum Also Rises. The Good Person Of Szechwan Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.45pm, £14/£12. Info 01646 695267. On tomorrow also. The Musicians Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Musical about a school band in Moscow for a concert. Presented by Blue Bee Productions. (Until Sat 16) Tonto Evans Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £12.50£14.50. Info 01656 815995.

(Until Fri 15)

FRIDAY 15

Alice In Theatreland Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£8. Info 01970 623232. Retelling of the Lewis Carroll classic with Alice recast as a “typical teenager”. On tomorrow also. An Inspector Calls New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11£29.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 16) ...And This Is My Friend Mr Laurel Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.45pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 475715. Play with a Laurel & Hardy theme by Gail Louw and Jeffrey Holland. Connections 500 Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7 + 8.15pm, £5/£8 both events. Info 029 2064 6900. Ten productions across three days – two to start with this evening, Citizenship at 7pm and I’m Spilling My Heart Out Here at 8.15 –from local schools, youth groups and drama groups. (Until Sun 17) Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Drones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Ghosts Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. (Until Sat 16) Into The Woods Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £12. Info 01686 614555. (Until Sat 16) Let It Be Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£30.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Sat 16) Mariinsky Ballet Triple Bill Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £13.50-£83.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Owen Money’s Juke Box Heroes Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01685 722176. Sister Act The Musical Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12. Info 01873 850805. (Until Sat 16) Smash It Up Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 8pm, £10. Info 01239 615952. Kicking off a weekend of events under the banner of TRWCO. The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.45pm, £14/£12. Info 01646 695267. The Musicians Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Until Sat 16) Tom Deacon + Angela Barnes + Dave Johns + Steve Harris Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15/£7.50 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Tonto Evans Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £12.50£14.50. Info 01656 815995. (Finishes today)

SATURDAY 16

Alice In Theatreland Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£8. Info 01970 623232. Ancient Welsh Woodland: Poetry & Music Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 8pm, £8. Info 01239 615952. Featuring Ceri Wyn Jones, Ceri Rhys Matthews, Julie Murphy.

An Inspector Calls New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £10-£29.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Finishes today) Bethany Black + Archie Maddocks + Ignacio Lopez Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960. Bluestocking Lounge Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £15.50. Info 01792 475715. Burlesque featuring performers Diva Hollywood, Fraulein Frauke, DeeDee De La Rouge and Dawn. Connections 500 Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10.30am, £5/£16 all events. Info 029 2064 6900. Featuring Eclipse (10.30am), What Are They Like? (1.15pm), and Blackout (4.45 + 8.15pm). (Until Sun 17) Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Debra Stevenson The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01633 656757. Impressions, from a lady who does impressions. Ghosts Dolman Theatre, Newport. 2.30 + 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. (Finishes today) Into The Woods Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £12. Info 01686 614555. (Finishes today) Julian Clary St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £23/£20. Info 029 2087 8444. With a new show titled The Joy Of Mincing. Let It Be Grand Theatre, Swansea. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £15£30.50. Info 01792 475715. (Finishes today) Mariinsky Ballet Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £13.50-£83.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Double bill featuring performances of Sacre (The Rite Of Spring) and Concerto DSCH. On tomorrow also. Sister Act The Musical Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 6pm, £12. Info 01873 850805. (Finishes today) The Birthday Party Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. London Classic Theatre presents this Pinter favourite. The Harri-Parris: The Big Day Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 01495 243252. The Musicians Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Finishes today) Tom Deacon + Angela Barnes + Dave Johns + Steve Harris Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.95/£10 NUS. Info 0871 4720400.

Theatre, Carmarthen. 2.30pm, £15. Info 0845 2263510. Amateur music and theatre groups of Carmarthen come together.

SUNDAY 17

American Idiot New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£33. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 23) As You Like It Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.15pm, £10/£8. Info 01792 475715. Presented by Fluellen. (Until Fri 22) Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Disney On Ice Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 7pm, from £15.50. Info 029 2022 4488.

Connections 500 Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 10.30am, £5/£12 all events. Info 029 2064 6900. Featuring Gargantua (10.30am), It Snows (1pm), and The Musicians (4.30pm). (Finishes today) Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Mariinsky Ballet Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5pm, £13.50-£83.50. Info 029 2063 6464. The Show Must Go On Lyric

MONDAY 18

Anything Goes 2016 Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7pm, £10. Info 01646 695267. Comedy and variety entertainment from local members of the W.I. That title sounds like a challenge to me. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Ed Byrne Grand Theatre, Swansea. 8pm, £19.50. Info 01792 475715. Tonto Evans Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14/£13. Info 01495 227206. (Until Wed 20)

TUESDAY 19

American Idiot New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£25. Info 029 2087 8889. It’s the Green Day musical, in Cardiff for the second time I believe. Most notable to me is the alleged name of its director, Racky Plews. That’s Racky Plews. (Until Sat 23) Call Me Merman Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £14/£13. Info 01633 868239. Rosemary Ashe pays tribute to Ethel Merman. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Fear Of Drowning Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. A black-centred romantic comedy which has won a Wales Drama Award already. (Until Sat 23) Mr Bulkeley O’r Brynddu Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232. Bilingual production inspired by a Welsh squire’s 18th century diaries. In Cardigan tomorrow; Ammanford on Thurs 21; Abergavenny on Thurs 28. Mrs Reynolds A’r Cena Bach Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15-£22. Info 029 2064 6900. Welsh translation by Meic Povey of Gary Owen’s play, Mrs Reynolds And The Ruffian. On tomorrow also; in Neath on Fri 22, Carmathen Tue 26. Piste Off Comedy Club Face 11, Cathays, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8221. On the third Tuesday of every month. Tonto Evans Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14/£13. Info 01495 227206. (Until Wed 20)

WEDNESDAY 20

It’s a Silver Anniversary Celebration tour. This jamboree certainly lit up my 1991, I can tell you. (Until Sun 24) Fear Of Drowning Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 23) Mr Bulkeley O’r Brynddu Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £10/£9. Info 01239 621200. Mrs Reynolds A’r Cena Bach Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50-£15. Info 029 2064 6900. Welsh translation by Meic Povey of Gary Owen’s play, Mrs Reynolds And The Ruffian. On tomorrow also; in Carmathern on Tue 26. Tonto Evans Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14/£13. Info 01495 227206. (Finishes today)

THURSDAY 21

A Clockwork Orange Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Presented by Llaneli Youth Theatre. (Until Sat 23) American Idiot New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£33. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 23) American Idiot Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £10/£7. Info 01686 614555. An NPTC Performing Arts Production, that is to say not to be confused with the big shot one above. If it was an era of Green Day, it would be their Lookout Records period rather than the stadium band they would become. On tomorrow also. As You Like It Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 1 + 7.15pm, £10/£8. Info 01792 475715. (Until Fri 22) Comedy Carousel Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Hosted by Clint Edwards and featuring comics TBC. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Craig Campbell Pontardawe Arts Centre. 8pm, £16/£14 adv. Info 01792 863722. See Upfront. Disney On Ice Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 3 + 7pm, from £15.50. Info 029 2022 4488.

hood and adulthood, Peter Pan style. Mr Bulkeley O’r Brynddu Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £5-£10. Info 0845 2263510. National Dance Company Wales Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01970 623232. Three new (well, a few months old – we wrote about them late last year) dance pieces: Folk, Tuplet and A Mighty Wind. Sid Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15-£22. Info 029 2064 6900. New one-man show devised by Leon Fleming about a young man called Craig who is obsessed with Sid Vicious. The subject of “what it means to be punk” will also be tackled here – looking forward to this matter finally being settled. On tomorrow also. See Stage. The Birthday Party Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £14.50/£13.50. Info 01656 815995. Presented by the London Classic Theatre Company. In Brecon on Fri 22; Aberystwyth Sat 23. The Government Inspector Melville Centre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £8/£5 under-18s. Info 01873 853167. Suitcase Theatre Company present Nikolai Gogol’s play. (Until Sat 23)

FRIDAY 22

A Clockwork Orange Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Until Sat 23) American Idiot New Theatre, Cardiff. 5.30 + 8.30pm, £10-£37. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 23) American Idiot Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £10/£7. Info 01686 614555. As You Like It Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.15pm, £10/£8. Info 01792 475715. (Finishes today) Bella Berserk Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. One of Europe’s leading female impersonators, it says here, although I must say I don’t know how much they carry on like this on the continent. Hosted by Miss Gin. Burlesque Unplugged 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2022 8883.

Crafty Devil is a new craft beer type bottle shop in Canton, Cardiff, and Laffty Devil – the standup comedy nights it hosts once a month – are newer still. April's edition is on Thurs 7, features four Welsh comedians and costs an attractive £0.00. (Until Sun 24) Fear Of Drowning Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 23) I Hooky The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £8. Info 029 2048 3344. In which Olly Fry, a real person, teams up with Captain Hook, a fictional character, to blur the lines between child-

Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Disney On Ice Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 3 + 7pm, from £15.50. Info 029 2022 4488. (Until Sun 24) Fear Of Drowning Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, BUZZ 75

stage £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 23) Forbidden Nights Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £23.50/£19.50. Info 0845 2263510. Male strippers. It is suggested that you bring your granny, by the venue itself. Mrs Reynolds A’r Cena Bach Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0300 3656677. Murder Mystery Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01633 263670. Interactive slaying fun... with a buffet! On tomorrow also. Noel James + Chris Chopping + Charlie Webster + Beth Jones + Paul Scoble The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Comedy night. Peter White + Damian Clark + Jenny Collier Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15/£7.50 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Reflections Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01792 602060. Dance showcase by Swansea University Dance Society, in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre. On tomorrow also. The All-Star Stand-Up Tour 2016 Grand Theatre, Swansea. 8pm, £20.50. Info 01792 475715. Featuring Gary Delaney, Pete Firman, Jarred Christmas and Sean Hughes. The Birthday Party Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 01874 611622. The Government Inspector Melville Centre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £8/£5 under-18s. Info 01873 853167. (Until Sat 23) The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7 + 9pm, £10. Info 029 2063 6464. Earlier in the year than normal, no doubt due to global warming. Opening night cheap tickets. (Until Sat 30)

SATURDAY 23

A Clockwork Orange Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3 + 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Finishes today) American Idiot New Theatre, Cardiff. 5.30 + 8.30pm, £12-£37. Info 029 2087 8889. (Finishes today) An Evening Of Burlesque Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 01495 227206. Presented by Easy Theatres, who describe the art of burlesque as “the ultimate parody”. I don’t think they’re using that word correctly. Aspects Of Andrew Lloyd Webber Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. A compendium of parts from leading bastard’s musicals. In aid of the Diabetic Association UK. Ceri Dupree Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01792 475715. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Disney On Ice Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 11am, 3pm + 7pm, from £15.50. Info 029 2022 4488. (Until Sun 24) Fear Of Drowning Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. (Finishes today) H.O.P.E MS Centre Charity Concert Torch Theatre, BUZZ 76

Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01646 695267. Featuring pupils from Seren Irish dance classes, run by Cheryl and Lizzie John. La Bohème Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01873 850805. La Bohème Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £17. Info 01239 841387. Presented by Opera Up Close. Murder Mystery Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01633 263670. Noel James + Dan Thomas + Phil Cooper + Daniel Glyn + Dan Mitchell + Steffan Alun Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 8pm, £6. Info 029 2039 1391. Welsh language standups, on the final night of a national tour. Pasha Kovalev Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm,

Abergavenny. 3.30pm, £7.50. Info 01873 850805. Famous old story retold by Stuff And Nonsense. In Swansea on Tue 26. The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £19.50-£32. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30)

MONDAY 25

Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) The Circus Of Horrors Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18.50-£26.50. Info 01792 475715. The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £19.50-£32. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) Tonto Evans Coliseum

Mr Bulkeley O'r Brynddu is a one-man play based on the diaries of William Bulkeley, who lived in early 18th century Anglesey and chronicled it in great detail. Visiting Aberyswyth, Ammanford, Cardigan and Abergavenny between Tue 19 and Thurs 28. £23. Info 0800 0147111. Peter White + Damian Clark + Jenny Collier Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.95/£10 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Reflections Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01792 602060. Sam Avery + Javier Jarquin + Andrew Ryan Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960. Showstopper The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £16.50. Info 01633 656757. Improvised musical comedy revue. The Birthday Party Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232. The Government Inspector Melville Centre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £8/£5 under-18s. Info 01873 853167. (Finishes today) The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7 + 9pm, £19.50£34. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30)

SUNDAY 24

Dane Baptiste St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2087 8444. Comedian. Disney On Ice Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 11am, 3pm + 7pm, from £15.50. Info 029 2022 4488. (Finishes today) Encore Dance Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2.30pm, £5-£13.50. Info 01874 611622. Programme from the Graduate Dance Company of Tring Park School for Performing Arts. Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. The Emperor’s New Clothes Borough Theatre,

Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Wed 27) Thriller Live New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11-£29. Info 029 2087 8889. It’s another runout for the Michael Jackson musical. (Until Sat 30) Welsh Unsigned StandUp Award 2016: Heat 3 Dempseys, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4. Info 029 2023 9253. Featuring Karen Sherrard, Col Howarth, Jowan Mounsey, Liam Jones, Trevor Williams, Vicky Lee, Gerald McCarthy and Alex Mahoney.

TUESDAY 26

Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £17.50-£42.50. Info 029 2063 6464. See Stage. (Until Sat 30) Mrs Reynolds A’r Cena Bach Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. The Conquest Of The South Pole Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2030 4400. Theatr Iolo and Companby Of Sirens’ play about a group of unemployed, bleak-futured men in the Welsh valleys, who take to recreating an Antarctic quest in a back garden. (Until Sat 30) The Emperor’s New Clothes Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 4.30pm, £8.50. Info 01792 602060. The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion,

Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £19.50-£32. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) Tonto Evans Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Wed 27) Thriller Live New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£30.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 30)

WEDNESDAY 27

Comedy Club Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £11. Info 01792 475715. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Graeme Of Thrones Grand Theatre, Swansea. 8pm, £18.50. Info 01792 475715. One-man comedy show baed on Game Of Thrones. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £17.50£42.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) National Dance Company Wales 2016 Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £4-£11. Info 01646 695267. Singin’ In The Rain Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12 adv. Info 01633 263670. Centrstage Cymru present an all-singing, alldancing musical. (Until Sat 30) The Conquest Of The South Pole Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2 +n 8pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 30) The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £19.50-£32. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) Tonto Evans Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 1pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. (Finishes today) Thriller Live New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£30.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 30)

THURSDAY 28

A Chorus of Disapproval Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Phoenix Theatre Group presents Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy. (Until Sat 30) Burton Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7.30pm. Info 07512 237983. One-man play based on the life of Dickie ‘Richard’ Burton, starring Rhodri Miles from Torchwood etc. Comedy Carousel Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Hosted by Clint Edwards and featuring Nick Dixon and Mark Nelson. Comedy Club Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £10. Info 01970 623232. Presented by Little Wander. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £17.50-£42.50. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) Mr Bulkeley O’r Brynddu Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01873 850805.

Russell Kane Grand Theatre, Swansea. 8pm, £16.50. Info 01792 475715. Singin’ In The Rain Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12 adv. Info 01633 263670. (Until Sat 30) Squeaky Bum Time! Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £15. Info 0845 2263510. Rescheduled from late March. I won’t subject you again to the initial listing I wrote for it. The (Almost) Complete History Of Britain Blake Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01600 719401. “A historically hysterical show packed with songs, sketches and silliness,” trumpets the blurb. Which bits of Britain’s history will be left out of such a play, I wonder. The Conquest Of The South Pole Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 30) The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7 + 9pm, £19.50£32. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) The Vicar Of Dibley Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01633 868239. Presented by Theatre AdHoc. In Garndiffaith tomorrow; Trevethin on Sat 30. Tonto Evans Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Sat 30) Thriller Live New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£30.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 30)

FRIDAY 29

A Chorus of Disapproval Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Until Sat 30) Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Until Sat 30) Mark Nelson + Wayne Deakin + Nick Dixon + Al Porter Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15/£7.50 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20.50-£45. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) Max And Ivan: The End The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01633 656757. Sketch comedy duo. Singin’ In The Rain Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12 adv. Info 01633 263670. (Until Sat 30) Take Away Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£8. Info 01970 623232. Aberystwyth Arts Centre Youth Theatre with a poetic ensemble piece about a town where everyone is addicted to onions. I imagine this is allegorical. On tomorrow also. The Addams Family Musical Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 01656 815995. Presented by Porthcawl Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. On tomorrow also. The Conquest Of The South Pole Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2 + 8pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2030 4400. (Finishes today) The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7 + 9pm, £19.50-

£32. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 30) The Vicar Of Dibley The Millennium Hall, Garndiffaith. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01633 868239. Tonto Evans Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Sat 30) Thriller Live New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15-£35. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 30)

SATURDAY 30

A Chorus of Disapproval Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. (Finishes today) Bard Of Margate Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 12.30pm, £6/£4.50. Info 01792 475715. Lunchtime theatre by Fluellen. Constellation Street The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 029 2128 0189. (Finishes today) Diary Of A Madman St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01446 799100. Leaper Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 2pm, £4.50/£3.50. Info 01495 227206. Modern fairytale theatre for kids. Mandy Knight + Jonny Price Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960. Mark Nelson + Wayne Deakin + Nick Dixon + Al Porter Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.95/£10 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £20.50£45. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) Mela Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01686 614555. Welsh language theatre presented by Ysgol Theatr Maldwyn. Singin’ In The Rain Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12 adv. Info 01633 263670. (Finishes today) Studio One: Musicality Mashup Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 6pm, £13.50. Info 029 2064 6900. An uplifting evening of dance and song. Take Away Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£8. Info 01970 623232. The Addams Family Musical Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 01656 815995. The Lady Boys Of Bangkok Sabai Pavilion, Cardiff Bay. 7 + 9pm, £19.50£34. Info 029 2063 6464. (Finishes today) The Man Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 0845 2263510. Critical Ambition’s play about a self-employed man and a selfassessment form. The Vicar Of Dibley St Cadoc’s Church, Trevethin. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01633 868239. Tonto Evans Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 2pm, £12/£10. Info 0800 0147111. (Finishes today) Thriller Live New Theatre, Cardiff. 4 + 8pm, £11-£35. Info 029 2087 8889. (Finishes today)

BUZZ 77

TWO TICKETS TO SEE TREASURES AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

Delve into the world of archaeology by marvelling at uncovered treasures from the best explorers in the world. This intriguing exhibition at the National Museum includes the hat, whip and jacket of Indiana Jones and real Inca gold. For a chance to go back in time through this exhibit, answer the following question by Fri 15 Apr: Q: Whose skeleton was found in an excavation in a Leicestershire car park?

TWO TICKETS TO CRAIG CAMPBELL AT PONTARDAWE ARTS CENTRE

TWO TICKETS TO AMERICAN IDIOT The award winning Broadway musical, American Idiot, is coming to Cardiff’s New Theatre! This thrilling musical is full of Green Day classics and follows the narrative written by Billie Joe Armstrong himself. For a chance to win a night full of rock and roll antics on Tue 19 Apr, answer the following question by Fri 15 Apr: Q: Who is the drummer in Green Day?

TWO TICKETS TO SEE THE SESSIONS

Want to relive the glory days of The Beatles? With a live restaging of the band’s successes at Motorpoint Arena on Sat 30 Apr, The Sessions put on a magical experience as John, Paul, George and Ringo. With a chance to win a night of Beatlemania, answer this question by Wed 27 Apr: Q: What was The Beatles’ first single? A) Help! B) Twist and Shout C) Love Me Do

TWO TICKETS TO AN INSPECTOR CALLS

The multi-award-winning production of An Inspector Calls is at the New Theatre, and you have a chance to go on Tue 19 Apr. Based on J.B. Priestley’s haunting classic, this show evokes raw emotion throughout. With a chance to win tickets, answer the following question by Fri 15 Apr: Q: What is the name of the father in An Inspector Calls?

On his Don’t Look Down tour, Craig Campbell is heading to Pontardawe Arts Centre on Thurs 21 Apr for an evening of excellent delivery and absurd anecdotes to match his bizarre behaviour. For a chance to attend the show, answer the following question by Mon 18 Apr: Q: Where is Craig Campbell from?

TWO TICKETS TO UB40 WITH ALI CAMPBELL, ASTRO AND MICKEY

Ali, Astro and Mickey are heading to the capital for a night of reggae for all to enjoy at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Wed 4 May. The boys will be playing their extensive back catalogue, and with a chance to win tickets to see them, answer this question by Fri 29 Apr: Q: Where do UB40 come from?

TWO TICKETS TO RICHARD HERRING

In his 12th solo show, Richard Herring analyses what it means to be truly happy at St David’s Hall on Tue 12 Apr. Happy Now? is a satirical reflection on his life so far, now that he has settled down with a wife and children. For a chance to win tickets to the performance, answer this question by Fri 8 Apr: Q: Who was Herring part of a double act with?

TWO TICKETS TO RICK ASTLEY

Rick Astley is set to perform at St David’s Hall on Wed 13 Apr, taking you back to the 80s with his hit singles, including – of course – Never Gonna Give You Up. For your chance to win, answer the following question by Mon 11 Apr: Q: How many studio albums has Rick Astley released?

Please email your answers, name, address, Twitter username (if you have one) and contact number to competitions@buzzmag.co.uk by the stated date. T&Cs: WE DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR THESE COMPETITIONS TO BE REPLICATED OR SHARED ANYWHERE ONLINE. BUZZ 78

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