THINGS TO DO | CHRISTMAS 2020
The return to the Buzz website of this event-based march towards double figures, switching at will between digitally distanced happenings and ones involving IRL interaction. Dress appropriately!
A Music Box Adventure – until Fri 25 Dec
This project follows the advent calendar format, offering purchasers “exclusive musical content” on each day of December up to and including the 25th. And nope, the month already being 10 days in isn’t a problem – you’re permitted to catch up. It’s the brainchild of Welsh musicians Dawn Hardwick and Deian Rowlands, who are aiming to raise funds for the Musicians For Musicians campaign and, following on, COVID-nobbled musos; Bryn Terfel (more of him below), Aled Jones and Hannah Stone are among the names on board.
Indie Superstore – Until Fri 18 Dec
This grouping of south Wales independent businesses – shops, stalls and street food hawkers – has proved a success since launching in summer in Cardiff’s Corporation Yard (aka the back of the shuttered Corporation pub in Canton). This week and next, they’ll be there on Thursday and Friday evenings, describing their wares as “night market/takeaway/off licence”.
Deliver a Dance – Until 24th December
Light, Ladd & Emberton are offering people the opportunity to give the gift of a live dance performance to colleagues, friends and family this Christmas – both delivered direct to their doorstep
Deliver a Dance is a free performance delivery service – short, live dances by local performers, delivered directly to doorsteps or to communities to bring joyful experiences in socially distanced times.
Street Food Cinema Christmas Drive-In – Fri 18-Thurs 24 Dec
The people behind this threw their hat in with the whole drive-in movie concept over summer, when it was the only option for going to ‘the pictures’, and are offering up a (primarily) seasonally-themed stack of films in the week before Christmas. You’ll find them in Splott Market, Cardiff, beginning at 7pm on Fri 18 with 80s Bowie vehicle Labyrinth and bowing out on the afternoon of Christmas Eve with a screening of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. “Extra production, lights, smoke, performers and some pre-show surprises” are additionally promised, and you can have snacks delivered to your car.
The JBirds Christmas Special – Fri 25 Dec
The JBirds are a female vocal trio from Wales whose festive programme of carols and wartime ditties is usually ideal live entertainment for care homes in the region – except they are of course not allowed in this year. Local organisation the Stormz Community For Musical Arts are helping by setting up a livestream of the JBirds’ performance, which anyone can watch via the website linked above and which kicks off at 4pm on Christmas Day.
Secret Country – Wed 16-Fri 18 Dec
This livestreamed performance has been devised by Re-Live, a “life story theatre company” in Cardiff, and its focus is the experience of COVID-19 and lockdown for elderly people in Wales. It features nine such individuals, aged from 72 to 93, and it sounds like they’ve got some fair old stories to tell. It starts at 1pm on each of its three days, and tickets are pay what you can.
Adwaith – Wed 16 Dec
Clwb Ifor Bach’s irregular programme of streamed gigs finishes for the holidays with this one by Carmarthenshire postpunk indie cool cats Adwaith, who hopefully have a few songs in the pot for a second album by now. Pys Melyn, a newer Welsh language group, support, and S4C music programme Lŵp appear to be involved in some way also. Watchable via Facebook Live at the link above.
Sali Mali – December 24th
Wales’ most popular children’s character Sali Mali is back to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, as Cardiff-based film and tv production company Calon announces exciting plans for 26 brand new episodes which will run on S4C from Christmas Eve and into 2021. Cerys Matthews and Rhys Ifans lend their dulcet tones to the new series.
Words: Jen Thomas