Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
What do the films Clueless, American Psycho, The Babadook all have in common? They were all directed by women, that’s what! BFI Net.Work Wales have teamed up with a whole bunch of organisations for their Women In Film Week (Memo Arts Centre, Barry, Mon 24-Fri 28 Aug. Tickets: individual events priced separately / come events free). There is loads to enjoy including talks and workshops from female directors (such as Desiree Akhavan, Corinna McFarlane, Rebecca Johnson and Destiny Ekaragha) and film screenings of Confetti, Appropriate Behaviour, Honeytrap and Gone To Far!
Don’t miss what might be your last chance to see traditional folk troupe Bellowhead perform live, before they disband later this year, at Castell Roc (Chepstow Castle, Thurs 27 Aug [festival taking place Sun 23-Mon 31 Aug.Admissions: £13.50-£27.50 per night/ some free events).
Rather celebrate the last bank holiday of the summer with a range of craft beers? Why not head to Cardiff’s first independent craft beer festival, Cardiff Brewfest (The Depot, Cardiff, Fri 28-Sun 30 Aug, tickets: £5), organised by Tiny Rebel Brewing’s Bradley Cummings and Nick of Otley Brewing Company.
In the interests of sampling the best beers and ciders over the weekend you’ better also swing by the Swansea Beer and Cider Festival (Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Thurs 27-Sat 29 Aug. Tickets: £5 / £3 CAMRA members) and sample the 60 craft brewed ciders and perries from CAMRA (The Campaign For Real Ale).
If you missed out on tickets for the incredibly popular Cardiff Gin Festival, you can still enter into the spirit with the Cardiff Dry Gin Tasting Trial (Eccentric Gin Distillery, Llantrisant, Sat 29 Aug, tickets: free), where local spirit makers Eccentric Gin will have samples of the capital’s new very own gin.
If you’re planning a ‘dry’ bank holiday weekend, we can’t promise you won’t get splashed at the 30th World Bog Snorkelling Championships (Llanwrtyd Wells, Sat 29-Sun 30 Aug. Admission: free), where snorkelers from around the world will flipper their way through 120 yards of peat bog.
Travel back to a Victorian Llandridnod Wells’ very own Steampunk Festival (Sat 29-Sun 30 Aug, admissions: free), where steam power meets sci-fi with a time travelling tea tent, cabaret and colonial adventurer/hip hop artist Professor Elemental. Things will culminate with a torch-lit procession, fireworks and The Copperfield Ensemble.
Don your blue and white stripes and join in all the nautical excitement at the Harbour Festival and Grand Prix of the Sea (Cardiff Bay, Sun 30-Mon31 Aug, tickets: free). Plus it’s your last weekend to enjoy the Cardiff Bay beach.
There’s something for everyone at the Brecon Beacons Summer Fair (National Park Visitor Centre, Sat 29-Mon 31 Aug, admission: free), with live music, locally-produced food and craft workshops.
Inspired by a certain bearded lefty? Pay homage to the anti-capitalist early 90’s rave scene in Pembrokeshire on board the Black Diamond bus (Neyland Marina, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Sun 30 Aug. Tickets: free). Follow the rave boat upstream as she harnesses the sonic power of the Cleddau and local musicians, broadcasting via some hefty speakers.
words TANGWEN ROBERTS