Craft as commentary

Three absorbing exhibitions are running at Ruthin Craft Centre until 16th April. ‘On Your Table’ is a curation of domestic ceramics from 22 makers – “a fantastic array of tableware, objects of expression… to bring pleasure in both use and spirit,” said potter and lecturer Alex McErlain.

Embroidered handkerchiefs commemorate the Suffragette Movement in ‘Motive/Motif’, with the significance of the stitched images going far beyond the modest object. Curated by Charlotte Hodes and Alison Moloney at London College of Fashion, the collection was previously exhibited at Buckingham Palace. It is accompanied by a short film and banners made for ‘Processions’, a mass-participation project in 2018, reflecting on what it means to be a woman today.

Antonia Dewhurst’s ‘gimme shelter’ is a series of micro

Search for your supper

Woodland Classroom leads a Wild Food, Foraging & Wilderness Cookery Day on 22nd & 23rd April. From their basecamp in the ancient woodland of Erddig, Chirk, explore the forest and hedges in search of ‘food for free’. 9.30am4.30pm, £60. www.woodlandclassroom.com

Keeping it Rhyl

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 17TH-20TH

structures that re-imagine the idea of the Welsh Ty Unnos (‘One Night House’).

“Tradition held that if a house could be built on common land between sunset and sunrise and have smoke emerging from its chimney at dawn, it could be kept with the land enclosed by a hammer throw from the four quarters.”

Built from digital photos and found materials, the models explore the idea of architecture as a metaphor for life in the 21st century. Open Tues–Sun 10am–5.30pm. Free entry. www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

Tchaikovsky and chill

Enjoy the BBC National Orchestra of Wales this spring. Experience Tchaikovsky’s sublime Symphony No. 5, featuring violinist Clara-Jumi Kang, with pieces by Tansy Davies and Sibelius, on 17th March at PrichardJones Hall, Bangor (7.30pm) and 19th March at Venue Cymru, Llandudno (3pm).

Radio’s Sian Eleri joins the orchestra at Pontio, Bangor for an evening of chilled-out classics on 18th March at 8pm. www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnow

Mike Bubbins: Throwback, 17th March The BBC comedy star unleashes his first ever solo UK tour. Expect funny stories, impressive characterisations and possibly a song. 8pm. Tickets £21.50.

Chris Mccausland – Speaky Blinder, 2nd April The top stand-up in a show about life, family and other nonsense! 7.30pm. From £20.

Rapunzel, 8th & 9th April An hair-larious panto for all the family. 2pm & 6pm. Tickets from £16.50.

G4 Live, 27th April Stars of The X-Factor, G4 mesmerise audiences with their vocal harmonies. Expect classic hits such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Circle of Life’ and ‘Nessun Dorma’. 7.30pm. Tickets from £20. www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

More time for tea

•17th March, Ban Mountain Film Festival, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Join the world’s top adventure filmmakers and thrill-seekers as they climb, ski, paddle and ride to the wildest corners! 7.30pm. From £15.50.

•18th March, Just Radiohead, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham. Performers with experience of some of the largest stages in the world come together to celebrate one of the planet’s best alternative rock bands. 7.30pm. £13.75.

Afternoon tea is a treat to savour, and you’ve all the time in the world on a boat trip with www.horsedrawnboats. co.uk. Boarding at Llangollen Wharf at noon, you’ll meander along the Llangollen Canal through the Dee Valley, passing the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct while enjoying tea and a glass of Prosecco, returning at 4pm. Most Sundays from 12th March, £32.95 per person.

•18th March, Beginner’s Guide to Glass Fusing, Wernog Wood, Ruthin Verity Pulford will lead you through creating fused glass to produce copper foil coasters. Half or full day, £60 a session.

•18th March, Are You Watching Closely?, The Jesters Tower, Conwy Join Jay Gatling for an evening of sleight of hand, mysterious skills and mind-bending trickery. 8pm. £10 via TicketSource.

•Until 19th March, Contemporary Art, Oriel Plas Glyn-yWeddw, Pwllheli

‘Longing’ by Stephen John Owen, ‘Five Miles from Home’ by Deanne Doddington Mizen and ‘Homeland’ by Sian McGill. Daily 10am-5pm. Free.

•20th March, Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary Celebration, Venue Cymru, Llandudno

This iconic masterpiece will be performed live with a full band, conducted by Mike Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith. 7.30pm. From £23.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 21ST-27TH

MARCH

•21st March, The Rickard Sisters, Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden (and online)

Defeated by Victorian writers’ tricky language, lengthy sentences and labyrinthine plots? Explore how graphic novels can bring classics to new audiences. 7-8pm. From £10.

•21st March, Holland and its Tulip Story, Halkyn Cricket Club, Holywell Mary Jones of Clwyd Hardy Plant Society talks about the links between Dutch tulips, the sea and the building of the Keukenhof Gardens. 7pm. Free. Call 01352 781458.

•21st-25th March, The Anniversary, Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham

One of theatre’s most monstrous creations, Mum controls her family like a cruel puppeteer – and there are plenty of strings attached to her a ection. 7.30pm. From £5.

Top for new talent

Awarded Best Festival for Emerging Talent, FOCUS Wales takes place in Wrexham between 4th-6th May, welcoming over 20,000 people to the city. The programme is packed with music, dance, art performances and movie screenings. Over 300 artists from across the world will appear in a variety of spaces, across 20 stages and showcasing a mindblowing range of genres. Headliners include A Guy Called Gerald, The Coral, Adwaith and more. There’ll be a New Music Conference featuring industry experts, with panels and discussions, while FOCUS Wales Film Festival will showcase new films, and host industry events and networking opportunities. Festival passes from £70, day passes from £40. Single events can be booked via www.focuswales.com

Turn back time

DID YOU KNOW?

Gerald’s 1995 hit Black Secret Technology was hailed best jungle album ever

Cooking up a storm

•24th & 25th March, Pijin/ Pigeon, Galeri Caernarfon

Set in the North Wales slate quarries in the early ’90s, a gripping tale about growing up, the power of words, friendship and just how far people will go for love. 7.30pm. From £5.

The Classic Rock Show, 10th March Paying tribute to music’s great heroes, CRS thunders through legendary tracks from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, The Who, AC/DC, Queen, Fleetwood Mac and more. 7.30pm. Tickets from £30.

The Magic of Motown, 22nd April Reprising Motown classics from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson, among others. 7.30pm. Tickets from £32. www.williamastonwrexham.com

Follow that rabbit!

Classics at the Club

•24th-27th March, Dolbelydr

Open Days, Denbigh This fine example of a 16th-century gentry house has good claim to be the birthplace of modern Welsh – learn more about its history. From 10am. Free entry, booking required via www.eventbrite.co.uk

Brush up your culinary skills at Bodnant Welsh Food’s Cookery School, at Tal-y-Cafn in the heart of the Conwy Valley. On 11th March learn to create homemade tapas and on 15th April enjoy a pasta-making masterclass. Young chefs can join in on 1st and 22nd April and learn some classic baking and decorating skills – perfect for budding bakers! Find the full programme at www. bodnant-welshfood.co.uk

Come along to Llanberis Lake Railway and join the annual Easter Egg Hunt from 8th-10th April. The resident White Rabbit has once again hidden eggs all around the railway, thinking no one will spot them! If you can help to find them all, you will receive a prize. Timetable and prices at www.lake-railway.co.uk

Based in the Town Hall, Rhyl Music Club presents ‘Young Musicians’ on 8th March: Oliver Pearce plays cello, joining an array of young musicians who have reached the equivalent of grade 8. On 22nd March cellist Gerard Flotats and pianist Ellis Thomas complete a season of five Beethoven cello sonatas. From 7.30-9.15pm, tickets £15. www.rhylmusic.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Fictional heroine Bridget Jones studied at Bangor – pre Pontio though!