Category Archives: Celebrations

Mae Gwobrau Effaith Ddiwylliannol Get The Chance 2025, sy’n cael eu cefnogi gan Tempo Time Credits a Porter’s Cardiff, yn cael eu lansio y mis hwn!

Mae Gwobrau Effaith Ddiwylliannol Get The Chance 2025 yn dathlu gweithgarwch diwylliannol o safon uchel sy’n cyrraedd ystod eang o’r cyhoedd a’i effaith gadarnhaol ar ansawdd eu bywyd.

Bydd y seremoni wobrwyo yn cael ei chynnal yn Porter’s Cardiff, Caerdydd ddydd Sadwrn, 22 Mawrth (5-7pm). Bydd gwahoddiad i gynrychiolydd o bob sefydliad/unigolyn enwebedig fod yn bresennol.

Bydd yr enillwyr ym mhob categori yn cael y cyfle i greu ffilm broffesiynol fer sy’n amlygu eu gwaith. (yn amodol ar gadarnhad)

Mae’r Gwobrau’n cael eu cefnogi gan Tempo Time Credits a Porter’s Cardiff. Dywedodd Rachel Gegeshidze, Prif Weithredwr Tempo Time Credits:

“Yn Tempo, rydyn ni’n credu y dylai diwylliant, y celfyddydau, a threftadaeth fod yn hygyrch i bawb, ac rydyn ni’n hynod falch o fod yn cefnogi Gwobrau Effaith Ddiwylliannol Get The Chance 2025. Gwirfoddolwyr yw asgwrn cefn ein cymunedau, a thrwy Time Credits, rydyn ni’n cydnabod ac yn gwerthfawrogi eu hamser, gan agor drysau i brofiadau newydd. Mae’r gwobrau hyn yn taflu goleuni ar y mentrau diwylliannol anhygoel a’r gwirfoddolwyr sy’n rhoi o’u hamser i wneud gwahaniaeth go iawn i gymunedau a bywydau pobl. Mae’n fraint, felly, i ni ddathlu’r unigolion a’r sefydliadau sy’n arwain y gwaith hwn.”

Rachel Gegeshidze, Prif Weithredwr Tempo Time Credits

Dywedodd Dan Porter, Cyfarwyddwr Porter’s Cardiff:

“Fel lleoliad, rydyn ni am barhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i artistiaid newydd, y rhai sy’n dod i’r amlwg, a’r rhai sydd ddim yn cael eu cefnogi.Rydyn ni’n falch o gefnogi Gwobrau Effaith Get The Chance a’r hyn y gallwn helpu eraill i’w gyflawni yn Porter’s Cardiff.”

Dan Porter, Alice Rush a Frankie-Rose Taylor

(Llun: Moreton Brothers)

Mae’r gwobrau’n gyfle gwych i ddathlu effaith y ddarpariaeth ddiwylliannol yng Nghymru yn ystod 2024. Mae llawer o’r categorïau unigol yn cael eu noddi gan amrywiaeth o gefnogwyr prosiect.

*Cysylltwch os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn cefnogi’r digwyddiad hwn

Ceir rhagor o wybodaeth am y Categorïau a’r broses enwebu isod:

Meini prawf

Nod y gwobrau hyn yw amlygu ac arddangos natur fywiog ac amrywiol diwylliant, treftadaeth a’r celfyddydau yn ein cenedl bob blwyddyn

At ddibenion y gwobrau hyn, mae gennym ddiffiniad eang o ddarpariaeth ddiwylliannol sy’n cynnwys gwirfoddoli cymunedol gyda’r celfyddydau, addysg a threftadaeth. Bydd enwebiadau yn adlewyrchu amrywiaeth o feysydd ym mywyd diwylliannol Cymru. Gall unigolion neu sefydliadau enwebedig fod yn wirfoddol neu’n broffesiynol. Rhaid i bob parti a enwebir ddod o Gymru neu wedi’i leoli yng Nghymru ar gyfer y rhan fwyaf o’i weithgarwch creadigol a’i faes enwebedig. Y cyfnod sy’n berthnasol ar gyfer enwebiad yw 1 Ionawr–31 Rhagfyr 2024.

Pwrpas y gwobrau hyn yw codi ymwybyddiaeth o weithgaredd diwylliannol o ansawdd uchel sy’n cyrraedd ystod eang o’r cyhoedd, yn ogystal â’i effaith. Rhoddir ystyriaeth ddyledus i adnoddau’r gweithgaredd creadigol a’i effaith ar y cyhoedd.

Rhaid i bob gwaith fod â chysylltiad Cymreig cryf, a bydd hyn yn rhan o’r broses sgorio.

Mae’r ffurflen enwebu yn y ddolen isod.

https://forms.office.com/e/MFiTvHPSXy

Categorïau

  1. Digwyddiad Cyhoeddus

Disgrifiad: Dyfernir i gynhyrchiad, arddangosfa neu ddigwyddiad diwylliannol cyhoeddus sy’n dangos uchelgais a safon artistig uchel sy’n cysylltu â’r cyhoedd. Dylai’r gweithgaredd fod wedi cael ei gynnal a’i gynhyrchu gan bobl greadigol o Gymru.

Ystyriaethau

  • Pa effaith gafodd y Digwyddiad Cyhoeddus hwn ar y cyhoedd?
  • Sut mae gan y digwyddiad safon artistig uchel amlwg; a gafodd adolygiadau, sylw yn y wasg neu wobrau diwydiant?
  • Cyrraedd cynulleidfa – tua faint o bobl a welodd y digwyddiad ac a gyrhaeddwyd unrhyw grwpiau penodol megis plant a phobl ifanc ac ati?
  • Cyrraedd cynulleidfa – o ble ddaeth cynulleidfaoedd? A aeth ar daith neu a oedd yn ddigon mawr i ddenu pobl o’r tu allan i’r ardal lle cafodd ei pherfformio?

2. Person Creadigol y Flwyddyn

Disgrifiad: Dyfernir i Berson Creadigol sy’n dangos y safon artistig uchaf mewn gwaith sy’n cael ei greu a/neu ei arddangos, ei berfformio neu ei arddangos yn gyhoeddus yng Nghymru.

Ystyriaethau

  • Pa effaith gafodd gwaith y Person Creadigol hwn ar y cyhoedd?
  • Sut mae’r Person Creadigol wedi dangos safon artistig uchel; a gafodd ei waith adolygiadau, sylw yn y wasg neu wobrau diwydiant?

3. Prosiect Cymunedol ac Addysgol

Disgrifiad: Dyfernir i brosiect cymunedol, cyfranogol neu addysgol e.e. côr, dawns, theatr, celfyddydau gweledol neu grŵp treftadaeth sy’n cynnig mynediad rheolaidd, cynhwysol at ddiwylliant i bobl leol.

Ystyriaethau

  • Pa effaith gafodd y prosiect cymunedol, cyfranogol neu addysgol ar y cyhoedd?
  • A gafodd y prosiect adborth cadarnhaol a boddhad gan gyfranogwyr?
  • Faint o bobl gymerodd ran?
  • Oedd y prosiect yn gynhwysol? Er enghraifft, a oedd yn cefnogi pobl o gefndiroedd amrywiol neu’r rhai ag anableddau neu na fyddai, am resymau eraill, yn cael y cyfle i gymryd rhan fel arall?
  • A gafodd y prosiect unrhyw sylw cadarnhaol yn y wasg, adolygiadau, gwobrau eraill neu gydnabyddiaeth?
  • A wnaeth y prosiect gydweithio â sefydliadau eraill?

4. Hwylusydd y Flwyddyn

Disgrifiad: Dyfernir i hwylusydd diwylliannol, athro neu ymarferydd sy’n arwain prosiectau cymunedol, cyfranogol neu addysgol cynhwysol yng Nghymru.

Ystyriaethau

  • Pa effaith gafodd gwaith yr unigolyn ar y grŵp neu unigolion?
  • Unrhyw adolygiadau, sylw yn y wasg, gwobrau eraill neu gydnabyddiaeth?
  • Unrhyw adborth gan bartneriaid neu gyllidwyr?

5. Diwylliant a Iechyd

(Noddwyd gan Christine O’Donnell)

Disgrifiad: Dyfernir i brosiect, digwyddiad neu gyfres o weithdai diwylliannol sy’n cefnogi pobl sy’n byw yng Nghymru i wella eu hiechyd a’u lles.

Ystyriaethau

  • Pa effaith gafodd y prosiect ar ei gyfranogwyr
  • Faint o bobl gymerodd ran?
  • Sut cafodd y prosiect/digwyddiad effaith gadarnhaol ar iechyd pobl?
  • Unrhyw adborth/tysteb gan gyfranogwyr?
  • A oes unrhyw ffyrdd y mae’r gweithgaredd wedi lleihau dibyniaeth ar wasanaethau eraill fel y GIG?
  • Sut defnyddiodd y prosiect ddiwylliant a chyfranogiad?
  • Unrhyw adolygiadau, sylw yn y wasg, gwobrau/cydnabyddiaethau eraill?
  • Unrhyw adborth gan bartner?

6. Hyrwyddwr Diwylliannol

(Noddwyd gan Tempo Time Credits)

Disgrifiad: Dyfernir i unigolyn o’r gymuned greadigol, e.e. gwirfoddolwr, gweinyddwr, technegydd, curadur neu aelod bwrdd y mae ei waith yn gwneud cyfraniad cadarnhaol mawr at fywyd diwylliannol y genedl

Ystyriaethau

  • Y prosiect/digwyddiad/gweithgaredd/arddangosfa fawr y mae’r unigolyn wedi chwarae rhan arwyddocaol ynddo neu ynddi a beth fu effaith ei rôl?

Launching the Get The Chance, Cultural Impact Awards, 2025

The Get The Chance, Cultural Impact Awards, 2025 supported by Tempo Time Credits and Porters Cardiff, Launch this month!

The Get The Chance, Cultural Impact Awards, 2025 celebrate high quality, cultural activity that reaches a broad range of the public and its positive impact on their quality of life.

The Award event will take place at Porters , Cardiff on Sat March 22nd, 5-7 pm a representative of all nominated organisations/individuals will be invited to attend.

Award winners in each category will have the opportunity to have a short professional film created which highlights their work. (subject to confirmation)

The Awards are supported by Tempo Time Credits and Porters Cardiff. Rachel Gegeshidze, Chief Executive, Tempo Time Credits said

“At Tempo, we believe that culture, the arts, and heritage should be accessible to all, and we are incredibly proud to support the Get The Chance, Cultural Impact Awards 2025. Volunteers are the backbone of our communities, and through Time Credits, we recognise and value their time, opening doors to new experiences. These awards shine a light on the incredible cultural initiatives and volunteers that give their time to make a real difference to communities and people’s lives, and we are privileged to celebrate the individuals and organisations leading this work.”

Rachel Gegeshidze, Chief Executive, Tempo Time Credits

Dan Porter, Director of Porter’s Cardiff said

‘As a venue we want to remain committed to new, emerging and unsupported artists. We are happy to support the Get The Chance, Impact Awards and what we can help others to achieve at Porters Cardiff”

Dan Porter, Alice Rush and Frankie-Rose Taylor

(Photograph: Moreton Brothers)

The awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the impact cultural provision in Wales during 2024, many of the individual categories are sponsored by a range of project supporters.

*Please get in touch of you are interested in supporting this event

Further information on the Categories and nomination process can be found below

These awards aim to highlight and showcase the vibrant and diverse nature of culture, heritage and the arts within our Nation each year

Criteria

For the purposes of these awards, we have a broad definition of cultural provision which includes community arts volunteering, education and heritage. Nominations will reflect a range of areas in the cultural life of Wales, nominated individuals or organisations can be either voluntary or professional. All nominated parties must be from or based in Wales for the majority of their creative activity and nominated area. The nomination period is Jan 01-Dec 31 2024.

The purpose of these awards is to raise awareness of high quality, cultural activity that reaches a broad range of the public and its impact. Due consideration shall be made on the resources of the creative activity and its impact on the public.

All work must have a strong Welsh connection, and this will form part of the scoring process.

The nomination form can be found at the link below

https://forms.office.com/e/MFiTvHPSXy

Categories

  1. Public Event

Description: Awarded to a public production, exhibition or cultural event that demonstrates high artistic ambition and quality which connects with the public. The activity should take place in and be produced by Welsh and Wales based creatives

Considerations

  • What impact did this Public Event have on the general public?
  • How the event has demonstrable high artistic quality, did it receive reviews, press coverage or industry awards?
  • Audience reach – roughly how many people saw it and were any specific groups reached such as children and young people etc?
  • Audience reach – where did audiences come from? Did it tour or was it large enough to attract people from outside the direct performance area?

2. Creative of the Year

(Sponsored by Porters Cardiff)

Description: Awarded to a Creative who demonstrates the highest artistic quality in work which is created and/or publicly exhibited, performed or displayed in Wales.

Considerations

  • What Impact did the work of this Creative have on the general public?
  • How has the Creative demonstrated high artistic quality, did their work receive reviews, press coverage or industry awards?

3. Community and Education Project

(Sponsored by The Red Shoes Poster Archive)

Description: Awarded to a community, participatory or education project e.g. choir, dance, theatre, visual arts or heritage group which provides regular, inclusive access to culture for local people.

Considerations

  • What Impact does the community, participatory or education project have on the general public?
  • Did the project receive positive feedback and satisfaction from participants?
  • How many people took part?
  • Was the project inclusive? For example, supporting people from diverse backgrounds or those with disabilities or who, for other reasons, might otherwise not have the opportunity to take part?
  • Did the project receive any positive press coverage, reviews, other awards or recognition
  • Did the project work in partnership with other organisations?

4. Facilitator of the Year

Description: Awarded to a cultural facilitator, teacher or practitioner who leads inclusive community, participatory or education projects in Wales

Considerations

  • The impact the individuals work has on the group or individuals
  • Any reviews, press coverage, other awards or recognition
  • Any feedback from partners or funders

5. Culture and Health

(Sponsored by Christine O’Donnell)

Description: Awarded to a cultural project, event or series of workshops which support people living in Wales to improve their health and wellbeing.

Considerations

  • The impact the project has had on its participants
  • How many people took part?
  • How the project/event positively impacted people’s health?
  • Any participant feedback/testimonial?
  • Are there any ways the activity has reduced reliance on other services such as the NHS?
  • How the project used culture and participation?
  • Any reviews, press coverage, other awards/recognition?
  • Any partner feedback?

6. Cultural Champion

(Sponsored by Tempo Time Credits)

Description: Awarded to an individual from the creative community, e.g. a volunteer, administrator, technician, curator or board member whose work makes a significant positive contribution to the cultural life of the Nation

Considerations

  • The major project/event/activity/display in which the individual has played a significant role and what the impact of their role has been?
  • How the individual positively contributes, beyond their own participation (for example supporting others, volunteering etc)?
  • Any support or feedback from project/organisation leaders or facilitators?
  • Any reviews, press coverage, other awards/recognition for either the individual or the project they are involved with?
  • About any feedback from colleagues, participants and other relevant parties?

7. Commitment to Arts, Heritage & Culture

(Sponsored by Awen Cultural Trust)

Description: Awarded to a school who demonstrate significant commitment to and celebration of the arts in the broadest sense

Considerations

  • The impact the project has had on its participants?
  • What cultural activities does the school offer?
  • How many students are involved?
  • How is this offer different from traditionally provided education activity?

8. Disabled Creativity

An award recognising the achievements of an organisation or individual creating awareness of Disabled led work.

Considerations

  • What impact has the organisation or individual made to Disabled led work?
  • What cultural activities does the organisation or individual offer?
  • How many people are involved?

Mold Carnival by Simon Kensdale

In 1895, the star attractions at the Mold Carnival were Leino, the Flying Trapezist; Signor Rovollo, the Gymnastic Wonder and Professor Crannio,’The Marvellous Conjurer.

In 1904, Carnival music was supplied by the Royal Buckley Town Prize Band. There was the Best Decorated Bicycle competition, Riders on Horseback and The Procession of Gigantic Proportions, which paraded through Mold’s principal streets, its salient features being six brass bands. At the close of The Procession, the public congregated at the Black Lion Hotel where dancing took place to music supplied by the Brymbo Steel Works Prize Band. Takings for the Carnival in 1904 were about £68, and after putting aside an amount for the following years’ show, £25 was handed over to the Mold Cottage Hospital Fund. (Note – this information is from the Mold Carnival website and was provided by local Historian David Rowe.)

Mold Carnival has form.  It’s representative of a genre of activity that is widespread and perhaps an example of best practice, not too small to be meaningless but not too large to be commercially exploited.  It’s still organised by volunteers and in 2024 it attracted over 6,000 people to its events.  This is what grassroots cultural activity looks like (in terms of grass, the organisers get a lot of help from local people cutting the grass on the two fields where the Carnival is held).

The Eisteddfod Mold Carnival is not but there is an almost infinite variety of strata in this type of cultural activity.  The Eisteddfod is not Glastonbury and Glastonbury is not Edinburgh, which is not Bayreuth.  Carnivals, like festivals, have a role to play, otherwise they would disappear.

This year I thought I might participate in the ‘Time 2 Shine’ Mold Carnival talent show, not because I am talented but because I like a challenge and it looked like a good way to see the event from the inside.

I am a (very) amateur piano accordion player.  I thought I’d play a simple version of the famous Czardas, composed in 1904 by Monti (go to https://youtu.be/_Zjz6oLuaxw if you want to hear it played properly).

A Czardas is a traditional Hungarian folk dance, getting its name from the old Hungarian  term for roadside tavern. Its origin was a death dance, in which a soldier fights with an opponent, looks for his weak points, then kills him and dances in joy.  It starts slowly, speeds up, slows down and then finishes quickly.  I thought it might be suitable for the Carnival…

Lined up against me in the talent competition were a young man playing Chopin on a keyboard, a teenager impersonating Chuck Berry, a vocalist with an Adele song, a girl reciting her poem about what she would do if she were Queen for a day and some very young singers performing their favourite pop songs to backing tracks (they were all word perfect). 

You can’t judge the talent in a line-up like that.  I don’t say this because I didn’t win (!) but because more than the difference between apples and pears is involved.  The only original performer was the poet.  It’s not easy to either write or recite your own funny poem.  The most technically accomplished performer was the Chopin player, who would have put in a lot of practice on his Grade 8 exam piece.  The most entertaining performer by far was the Chuck Berry impersonator. But then the vocalist was employment-ready standard, and the very young performers’ singing was as accurate as their recall of their lyrics.  Then there was me – but you always attract an eccentric when you have an open-door policy.

I was perfectly happy to have performed the Czardas satisfactorily, if at two-thirds speed.  A couple of people had asked me what my accordion was, so I think I reminded the Carnival-goers of what is now a vanishing instrument in the UK.  Children danced as I played and I got enough applause to go home quite pleased with myself.

I think the Adele singer and Chuck Berry won the senior and junior categories because they conformed most closely to what talent show judges are looking for, but that’s beside the point.  The point is that creative performance activity can and does take place in a variety of styles, irrespective of economics.  It makes a significant contribution to social celebration – the Mold Carnival feeling like a gigantic garden party, with its mountain bike acrobatics, its fire-eater and the alien robot wandering around in front of the Territorial Army.  The only question is – Is It Art?

The short answer to that is No. There was not enough originality, technical ability or depth of feeling on show for anything to be discussed in artistic terms (especially not if you want to compare what was on offer with what gets performed in the street at major festivals).  However, art does not appear out of thin air and artists have journey to make.  It’s possible that at some point in the future the author of ‘What I would do If I was Queen for a day’ will one day release a first collection.  It’s possible that the Chopin player will become a modern composer.  It’s possible that the young Chuck Berry impersonator will develop his own persona and become the next Mick Jagger.

It’s that possibility which counts, alongside the opportunity events like Mold Carnival give young people the chance to experiment and gain experience.  There is nothing quite like appearing on stage in front of a substantial live audience, especially if you are only nine years old.  The theatre in the UK depends heavily on both musicals and pantomimes for its survival and carnivals help to feed future cast members into the system.  So it’s not exactly what you see taking place, so much as what it all represents that matters.

I’m already wondering what I might brush up to perform this year.

The csárdás is characterized by a variation in tempo: it starts out slowly (lassú) and ends in a very fast tempo (friss, literally “fresh”).

The dancers are both male and female, with the women dressed in traditional wide skirts, which form a distinctive shape when they whirl.

Review, Coppa Club, The Cardiff Townhouse by James Ellis

 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Cardiff is seeing many fine eateries and places to be seen over the past few years. What recently caught my eye was the Coppa Club in their first flutter into Wales. It was all very exciting, a part of the timeless David Morgan building would be brought back to life.

I know the space well, my brother worked at the Moss Bros which was the past proprietor. Arriving to the club you could detect the faint whiff of new furnishings and new renovation smell (this was their tenth day of trading), though I’m sure that will go with time. I had little time to take in the space downstairs, which appears to just be for drinks and nibbles, the soft, autumnal colour scheme and cosy seats looked promising.

It’s wonderful to see the old glass dome upstairs still be in the space, this is where the Gatsby like bar now resides. I was served a delectably smooth espresso martini, I rarely fall into vodka though I’m thrilled I did here. A perfect way to be welcomed in, I cant recall which vodka was offered though I did clock Grey Goose and amongst others. A grip with the bar is that the mountains like stools are extremely heavy and only swivel a certain amount if degrees. The layout of the bar is a clever use below the dome, though the golden, mushroom lamps block a large amount of space in the bar’s surface. I should also point out this is not a club per se, no membership required.

A highly amusing moment came when a customer asked me where the toilets were, I had chosen to dress up this night. A barman passed remark how smart I had come, which as always nice. I do remain a bit disheartened when people don’t dress up at a restaurant. The music was a little to dance heavy for dinner, though volume levels were graceful. Sat in the corner with a view of The Hayes, a slight sight of scaffolding couldn’t be helped as it was next door. Quite simply lit, the dining area we frequented felt right in mood, the seats comfy and the table standard for two. The folded paper art work had me intrigued, stylish if uninspired, the patterned prints were fairly more alluring.

The squid to start was a fine thing. Cooked well, tender and with a fitting sauce, the food was off to a great start. As my main, this might be the best steak I’ve ever had. Dry aged for 30 days, I couldn’t believe my luck. Cooked to perfection as medium rare, some fries were crunchy and a side salad was heavy on dressing, though a fine garnish. The Béarnaise sauce is not quite my flavour, but that’s on me. I should have done a classic peppercorn sauce. I’ll regret that thoroughly. My plus one had the yellow fin tuna, trying some it was pink on the middle as it should be, tender and juicy, some potatoes and olives added depth to the plate.

All desserts were veggie, but no chance for a vegan this time from what I could see. I was recommended the sticky toffee pudding, which I wouldn’t usually pick. It was the honeycomb crumbs which finished this pudding, the rest was finely balanced. Wine choices of red and rosé added colour to the meat and fish choices, I was thrilled to have a cappuccino with skimmed milk, something which not every place has.

The staff need a massive shoutout, as some of the friendliest and alert I’ve encountered in the dining world. Some personal stories thanks to my plus one opening up, lead to insights and advice. We even got some holidays tips and recommendations. We were looked after so much and the staff are really selling the place. It’s one of their strongest assets.

One question remained after I had left: where exactly was the kitchen in the club? I saw neither chefs nor kitchen setting. There was little chance of it being upstairs and I recall the ground not as not being huge either. Having said this, this was a wonderful night, filled with joy and generosity. The Coppa Club is becoming one of the places to go in Cardiff. We are going back for a birthday soon, I’d imagine.

The Coppa Club, The Cardiff Townhouse, is now open for reservations and drop ins.

RWCMD-in-Residence, a new partnership with Penarth Pier Pavilion.

This Spring, Penarth Pier Pavilion is working in collaboration with RWCMD on a new RWCMD-in-Residence programme. The Residency will involve music workshops and performances for all ages and audiences!

Morning Mini Music Sessions

Come along and experience joyful, high quality music sessions for under-5s and their parents/guardian.

Children will enjoy joining in with songs, rhymes, dances, and games led by inspiring professional musicians with live music.

Learn lots of fun ways to engage musically with your little one which you can do at home. Watch your child flourish developmentally and socially through these expertly designed sessions.

Age guidance: Children under 5 and their parent/guardian.

Tickets are limited: 20 children per session. You can find out more and book tickets here

Venue: Penarth Pier Pavilion

Event: Morning Mini Music Sessions

Date: Wednesday 15th February 2023

Timings: First session: 9.30am to 10.15am. There is a second session from 10:45 – 11:30 am

Tickets: £5.95 per child (booking fee applies) per session – children to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Review Castellana, Cardiff Castle by Rhys Payne.

 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Around a year ago it was announced that Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland would be relocating to the historical Cardiff Castle (due to COVID concerns) and so I and a few friends thought that we would walk through the city center dressed as Santa and his usual companions. Apart from the excited faces of children running up to tell us they have been good this year, the actual event was extremely disappointing! The skating was frequently closed and reopened due to transmission rates and the majority of stalls were closed with those that were open were mostly selling the same thing. Therefore when it was announced that a festive festival would be landing in Cardiff Castle, I was concerned it was going to be a repeat of the lackluster event. However, I could not have been more wrong! This year the Castle has been given a festive make-over with most fantastical pop-up theatre, luminous decorations, and a plethora of stalls for everyone to enjoy.

This production marks the second show we have seen from the Castle’s Spiegeltent festival the first of which being Santa’s Wish where I talked about for me Christmas is all about the child-like wonder that floods over you as Santa bellows his iconic catchphrase. As we get older the magic of Christmas starts to fade away and we our perspectives begin to change. Sometimes Christmas is not about that warm fuzzy feeling in your belly, sometimes it is about purposefully finding your way onto Santa’s naughty list and being your own “Ho, Ho, Ho!”

This brand-new, mature cabaret event is unique in the fact that it was hosted mostly by different arrangements of three separate cast members. We were introduced to the fabulous Velma Celli (who is west-end star Ian Stroughair behind all the name-up) who is all of my cabaret dreams come to life on stage! I am absolutely in love with the sparkly outfit they wore at the beginning of the performances which acted as a disco ball by reflecting the stage lights beautifully. They also helped to drive the pace of the show with hilarious interactions with the audience (including stealing my sequin Santa hat and handing to the people next to me) and delivering exciting introductions for many of the acts. On top of all this Velma also performed an excellent rendition of the hit song “Let Me Entertain You” which introduced the host to the audience as the almost master of ceremonies.  We are also introduced to ‘the Magician’ Alex Phelps who has somewhat of a storied history with the previous host. He also helps to introduce the final host and mystery guest of the evening Ana played by Vikki Bebb after randomly selecting her from the audience and hypnotising her to be the star of the show. I do think that the inclusion of selecting her from the audience was convoluted and was very clearly an intentional plant that took away from the rest of the very live and at times highly dangerous acts to follow. I have to admit that there was an underlying storyline to the show about the re-discovery of a mythical yet fictional Castell Annwn but I missed many of the plot points as these details were shared of overwhelming audience reactions.

The first act to officially grace the stage was the fire Fox Angie Sylvia who delivered a mesmerising burlesque/fire swallowing number which ended with her setting the remnants of her outfit of fire while still on her body! The sensuality of stripping combined with the danger of fire breathing made for a totally fascinating act that had me in the edge of my seat throughout! One of the acts that had the biggest reaction of the night was Brett Rosengreen who helped to showcase male burlesque which is something I have not seen a lot of before! It can only benefit the art form if more people are aware that burlesque is for anyone and so it was fantastic to see these performers a part of the line-up! If this performance by Brett is anything to go by then I cannot wait to see more male burlesque dancers in the very near future! His cowboy-infused number was so dramatic and sensual with just a splash of humour as he poured what appeared Jack Daniels over himself and the stage which just added to the sensuality of his number. The pairing of Yann LeBlanc and Sophie Northmore (under the duo of hand-to-hand) delivered an amazing, gravity-defying balancing act where the latter would contort and maintain the most insane positions as the former supported and functioned as the much need muscle. This performance was not only elegant and beautiful but also let the audience wondered how it was all possible which is the sign of an incredible circus act. I have to say that the silk routine by the flying man Joe Kelly was one of the best aerial routines I have ever seen! The way that Joe can rapidly wrap himself into the silks to twist, flip and dangle in the most precious positions was incredible to watch and also had me on the edge of my seat throughout. There were very few pauses between positions (which is usually a concern of mine during aerial numbers) which made the entire act extremely smooth and fluid for the audience.

Overall, Castellana is one of the sexiest shows this Christmas and (although we cannot make guarantees) may be the reason you end up on Santa’s naughty list this year! It is a wonderfully vibrant yet sensual show that is clearly intended for a more mature audience (due to the nudity and sexual references throughout) but this is absolutely a show to catch on your next girls/guy’s night as there is something for everyone! I would rate this production 4.5 stars out of 5!

Irlen Awareness Week by Jennifer Owen

Irlen Awareness Week is a worldwide week to increase awareness of Irlen Syndrome and to educate the public about Irlen Syndrome, this year it is the 18 to 22 October, 2021 so please join us this year. This years event will take place online due to Covid 19.

It’s a very special week for people with Irlen Syndrome and their families

Here are my plans, I have written a blog series about all things about Irlen syndrome, and I have got the Red House in Merthyr, lit up in Purple again this year and shared information about Irlen Syndrome on my own blog too.

If you want to get involved please visit HERE

Review Leroy’s Laughter Line Up, Wales Millennium Centre by Yasmin Begum

 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Comedy has come a long way in Cardiff, especially in a city that is as heckle-heavy as Cardiff. It’s always been heavy heckle: there’s a certain je ne sais quoi in the air around the Taff and the Docks. Cardiff can make or break you as a comedian and/or your mental health.

Local Butetown resident, Leroy Brito (well known for his work on Tourist Trap and BBC Sesh) programmed a stellar line up at the Weston Studio of rising stars from across the United Kingdom including Morgan Rees, Priya Hall, and Yuriko Kotani.

The copy from the WMC read “comedian Leroy Brito curates this stand up comedy night featuring some of the funniest comedians on the circuit”- and they’re not wrong.

Morgan Rees

The evening opened with Cardiff boy Morgan Rees, with Brito compering throughout the evening. Rees is exceptionally funny, and may well become the next big thing in the comedy scene from Wales. Weaving in strands of his personal life with quotidien observations on the minutiae of the day to day life, I look forward to seeing more of Rees’ work in the future.

Priya Hall

Priya Hall knows her audience, and she knows her audience well. She memorably brings to life anecdotes of her family, the miner’s strikes, her (legendary) Nan. Priya is hilarious, and warmingly witty, and, like Morgan, is another up and coming comedian from South Wales. Brito’s gone out of his way to curate some of the best new talent from Wales on the Weston Stage, and it’s appreciated.

Yuriko Kotani

Yuriko Kotani is an England-based comedian, and called ‘one to watch by Time Out’. Kotani’s comedy is an absolute joy to behold, laying bare the intimacies of her experiences, and quotidien observations on the minutiae of day to day life. Kotani will be around for quite some time, and her career will continue to reach new heights with her groundbreaking comedy.

Brito’s work as a producer and a programmer is impressive, and amongst some of the best work seen at the WMC, both in terms of programming, and in terms of the talent on stage.  Comedy in Wales has been predominantly on Zoom: but it’s coming back with a vengeance.

Review, The Producers (No, Not That One), Pleasance Theatre

 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

After 1 year of ups and downs in our industry, I cannot tell you how excited I was about tonight.

The brief period that we returned to Theatre near the end of last year felt like part of me returned but to be shut down again was hard for everyone. Suddenly, we are working our ways back and gosh, doesn’t it feel good.

What better way to celebrate our return than with The Producers (No, Not That One) at the Pleasance Theatre. With all proceeds going to the #TheatreArtistsFund, we were entertained with a cabaret style show full of talent, of fun and of joy while supporting those who have had a really difficult year.

While many, bar a couple of the performers, were new to me, we all laughed, we all felt comfortable and in tune with one another and it felt like a family enjoying a common love. To be back in a fringe venue felt like a homecoming amongst friends.

The Producers was as it says on the tin: A culmination of some of London’s finest Theatre Producers showcasing what else they can do. Often, we are all known in this industry as jack of all trades: giving our hand to a number of different elements (myself included) and often this is from starting with our love of the Theatre, perhaps to be performers and finding that our passion and talent in also in many other elements.

We were treated to wall shaking singing, some hilarious comedy, a circus routine, wonderful piano and a Host full of love and laughter. Every single person was full of talent and showcased that everyone from in the background to the forefront are full of talent and skills.

I could not imagine more of a perfect show to come back to, with our World returning somewhat back to how it was , than to bring some of the backbone of our industry and celebrate their talent as Producers but as performers.

The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre Celebrates International Women’s Day 2021

This year for International Women’s Day (IWD), The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre in Newport take their International Women’s Day celebrations online with a programme of events taking place on social media throughout the day on Monday 8th March.

As the theatre is unable to open due to government guidelines, The Riverfront have taken the decision to still celebrate International Women’s Day in these challenging times and showcase a range of wonderful activities that can be joined and enjoyed from home. The theme for IWD 2021 is Choose to Challenge, as a challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change.

Community Arts Development Officer and International Women’s Day co-ordinator Sally-Anne Evans comments ‘It’s fantastic to be working on International Women’s Day again this year as it is always a great opportunity to come together and celebrate. This year we want to highlight the amazing creativity in our communities, and we are sharing our event virtually with some amazing activities both on the day and throughout the following week. 

We are focussing on our female artists, musicians and makers to share their work, as well as offering links to activities and workshops run by other groups and partners. A lot has happened in a year, but it feels good to be able to provide a platform for people to share and celebrate together. More than ever it feels like we need it.’

Throughout the day there will be a range of activities taking place from fitness to writing, crafts to music, dance to reflection. There will be the opportunity to dance along to the IWD 2020 Zumba routine choreographed by Newport Live instructor Mandy Knight and her Thursday morning FitSteps class, and there will be a live low intensity Functional Flow fitness class hosted by Newport Live instructor Erin.

Performance piece ‘Tripping Through Newport’s Underbelly’ which was devised and performed by Marega Palser will also be showcased. This BOSCH Observation piece is a journey through underpasses, subways and some of Newport’s in between zones that people move through rather than stay in. Spaces that are home for some, dumping grounds for others.

Digital events hosted by IWD partners will be showcased including a Therapeutic writing workshop, an IWD pub quiz and an informative talk and interactive singalong on the hymn ‘The March of the Women.’ The Riverfront also encourages you to take some time and think about what you Choose to Challenge this year, whether that’s calling out gender bias or inequity, celebrate women’s achievements or making a change in your own life to help create an inclusive world. Share how you #ChooseToChallenge on social media.

The Riverfront’s International Women’s Day celebrations will end at 7pm with a pre-recorded bilingual musical set featuring opera director and creative producer Rhian Hutchings performing alongside multi-instrumentalist and singer Stacey Blythe.

On Saturday 13th March The Riverfront is partnering with the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival to support the WOW Film Festival Women’s Film Club event Kotatsu Shorts: Women Make Animation. This free event will screen a hand-picked selection of animated shorts made by up-and-coming female animators working in Japan that are suitable for all ages. The ticket for this event will also include access to a live creative workshop on Zoom with Japanese animator and illustrator Chie Arai showing you how to draw a girl in a kimono.

Find out more about these events here: https://watch.eventive.org/wow2021/play/602e4314136d40003e56bd73.

In the weeks following International Women’s Day the Riverfront will also be showcasing inspirational female artists, organisations and groups within our creative communities across social media, including an exclusive performance from Aleighcia Scott. If you would like to be featured contact sally-anne.evans@newportlive.co.uk sharing your work and let us know why IWD is important to you and what you would #ChooseToChallenge.

To keep up to date with The Riverfront’s program of events for International Women’s Day follow them on social media, Facebook.com/ TheRiverfront or visit newportlive.co.uk/IWD.