Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
Big fan of one-liners? Then get yourself to Milton Jones And The Temple of Daft (St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Thurs 14 May. Tickets: £24-£24.50). The comedian is leaving the confines of Mock The Week and delving into a narrative-driven comedy show that’ll rope you into his unique, colourful-shirted world.
For a showcase of music and literature talent, look no further than Gwyl Pili Pala Fest (Uplands, Swansea, Fri 15-Sat 16 May. Tickets: £5-£15). The festival not only raises money for a good cause, but also showcases some of the best local talent, with performances from the likes of Maddie Jones and Albatross Archive.
Award-winning theatre company Earthfall are bringing their latest production to Newport this week. Stories From A Crowded Room (The Riverfront, Newport, Wed 13-Fri 14 May. Tickets: £8-£12.50) marks the company’s largest production to date, aiming to engage the audience in a self-contained digital box encircling audience and performers alike.
Contemporary art is coming to Swansea this week with a showcase of two local artists Chris Griffin and Paul Rees (The Attic Gallery, Swansea, Sat 16 May-Sat 6 June. Admission: free). The showcase is a combination of Griffin’s urban and rural landscapes inspired by South Wales, and Rees’s nostalgic paintings of the theatre.
Get your jazz hands ready for the AmserJazzTime Weekender (Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama, Cardiff, Fri 15-Sun 17 May. Tickets from £12). The Royal Welsh College will be playing host to numerous performances from renowned jazz musicians including Get The Blessing and some free foyer performances from their own students.
If you’re looking for something with a little more bite, then don’t miss Bully (Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 14 May. Tickets: £5). The female fronted Nashville four-piece are bringing their grunge-rock sound to Cardiff in a blast of energetic melodies and high-speed percussion. With support from Twisted and Grindrinker.
You’ve seen Street Food Circus, but here’s one for the veggies. The annual Cardiff Vegetarian Festival (Mackintosh Hall, Roath, Cardiff, Sat 16 May. Admission: Free) is back with an evening of entertainment and, of course, a range of vegetarian vendors. The night will feature pop-ups from Herbivore and vegan pie pros Mr Nice Pie, amongst others.
Also this week, a Welsh re-imagining of Bertolt Brecht’s play, Mother Courage And Her Children (Merthyr Labour Club, Merthyr Tydfil, Mon 11-Fri 22 May. Tickets: £15, conc £12.50), is continuing in Merthyr. The National Theatre Wales production sees an all-female cast bring this anti-war play into the 21st century.
For 20 years, the Vale Of Glamorgan Festival Of Music (Various locations across the Vale Of Glamorgan and Cardiff, Tue 12-Fri 23 May. Tickets: from £8) has brought the best of classical music to Wales, and this year is no exception as it celebrates living composers with performances from Welsh, British and international musicians.
Cerys Matthews returns with Ballet Cymru for one night only. TIR/Celtic Concerto (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Thurs 14 May. Tickets: £15-£25) sees Cerys’ iconic Welsh folk album become the inspiration for choreographers Darius James and Amy Doughty. Cerys will perform her music live on stage with the company.
words MAIR UNWIN