Penarth Soul Club @ Portland House, Cardiff Bay
Fri 15 Dec
Soul music has always had a presence in Tiger Bay, the historic forebearer to what’s now the regenerated Cardiff Bay area. More recently (since 2014, actually) it’s found a home over the water in Penarth at venues like the historic Paget Rooms and the Penarth Ex Serviceman’s Club, where well-dressed rare groove nuts go long and hard into the night. For its Christmas special, the event is packing up its enviable suitcase of 7”s and catching the Aquabus over the Bay to Portland House, a suitably grand and spectacular venue right in the heart of what remains of the old part of the docks area, for the occasion. DJs and founders Shelley Barrett and Liam Curtin [pictured] will be providing lashings of Stax, Tamla Motown and northern soul.
In other soul-y news, you won’t have long to wait for another helping. Strictly Soul Wales will be pitching up at the Exchange Hotel (the new name for the Coal Exchange), in its grand main hall, for a big helping of brassy goodness on Sat 13 Jan. This should prove to be just the tonic for those post-Christmas blues, which should really be reaching their nadir at that pont. Soulful selections for this event come the Strictly Soul residents, along with guests Hitsville Chalky, Dave Rimmer and Dean Carr. Slip on your Fred Perry and let the good times roll.
Tickets: £5. Info: 029 2048 7602 (KD)