Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
Its festival season (three cheers for that), and what better way to kick things off than with this year’s Hay Festival (Thurs 21- Sun 31 May, Hay on Wye, Herefordshire. Tickets: Events priced separately). With its vast programme of intriguing, sometimes funny, sometimes odd, often enlightening shows and discussions, Hay has earned its places as one of the ultimate festivals of ideas.
The almighty Hay Festival isn’t the only festival in town as How The Light Gets In Festival (Hay on Wye, Herefordshire, Thurs 21- Sun 31 May. Festival passes £24 – £118) also hosts an impressive line-up starting this week. There will be a wide selection of philosophical debates to get your teeth into, alongside a mix of comedy, spoken-word poetry, film screenings, and, of course, some banging tunes. What more could you ask for?
If you want a cinematic experience with a twist, try the Outdoor Rooftop Cinema (Jacobs Antiques Market, Cardiff, Fri 22-Sat 23 May. Tickets £13 on the door) where they will be giving a screening of the comedy crime classics Snatch and The Naked Gun. Cocktails and a tasty assortment of movie snacks will be on offer, so you can sit back, relax, and be merry whilst you revisit a good ole classic.
If you’re partial to getting dolled up and spending a night at the opera, then make your way to see the Welsh National Opera’s The Magic Flute (Wales Millennium Centre Bay, Cardiff, Fri 22 May- Fri 5 June. Tickes: £5-£40.) The last opera composed by Mozart, it tells a mystic tale of a far away land divided into day and night, each with their own supreme ruler. The Magic Flute takes its audience on a spectacular journey of good versus evil, dark versus light, whilst the orchestra and performers belt out some truly beautiful scores.
You’ve seen car boot sales, but not like this. The Art Car Bootique (Sun 24 May, Chapter Arts Centre car park, Cardiff. Admission : free) is a fun day out for anyone who loves vintage clothing, quirky art, and engaging performance. Bring along your family and friends, or go it alone and see if you can snap up a bargain – this event is good for anyone who wants to have some fun on a modest budget.
For all you sporty types, the Aberystwyth Cycle Festival (various venues across Aberystwyth, Mon 18 – Sun 24 May. Admission: free) should be of interest. With a jam-packed itinerary featuring racing, mountain biking, and mass participation riding, it looks set to be a week of some seriously intense cycling (and probably a fair bit of leg cramp).
Love music? Love quirky spaces? The National Museum in Cardiff has something just for you. Late Night Music in the Museum (The National Museum, Cardiff, Thurs 21 May. Tickets: £7 / £5 adv) boasts an eclectic lineup of alternative artists (including the Threatmantics, Ratatosk and Aah) who will all be performing within the hallowed halls of the old museum. How’s that for ambience?
If you’re looking for some comic relief, the Beans On Toast: Bending Over Backwards Tour (Wednesday 20th May, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. Tickets: £10 / £8 adv) may do just the job. Featuring a blend of dark satire and sharp wit, the cynical and world-weary of you will feel right at home.
For the theatre lover there’s To Kill A Machine (, The Miners, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Thurs 21 May. Tickets: £10). Based on the story of war-time code breaker Alan Turing, the script explores themes of sexuality, discrimination, and the brutality of government forces on people who dared to be different.
Fans of the X Factor’s Lucy Spraggan (The Globe, Cardiff, Tues 19 May. Tickets: £14.50) will be excited to learn she will be performing in Cardiff this week. She’s here for one night only to bring you an evening of live soft rock music.
words BETHAN WINNALL Hay-On-Wye photo FINN BEALES