Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
Like mixing wine with good tunes? Why not try out the brand new Winyl night (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, 11 Sat July. Tickets: £5). Come and join in to an evening of free wine tasting accompanied by a live DJ who will be spinning records all night. You can even bring your own treasured vinyls for the DJ to spin.
If you fancy an event with more of a foodie angle then the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival (Cardiff Bay, Fri 10-Sun 12 July. Admission: free) will be your best choice. Not only will there be stall after stall of local cheeses, artisan chocolates and fresh homemade bread but lots of live music and a champagne bar! Scrumptious!
RAF Red Arrows will be bracing the skies of Swansea Bay once again for the Welsh National Airshow (Swansea Bay, 11 Sat-12 Sun July. Admission: £2). If you have never witnessed the Airshow I can confidently claim that this annual sensation will not disappoint. It is a ‘must see’ display and is loved by thousands of people each year.
For all of you poetry enthusiasts out there, here is an event that will be sure to grab your attention. The Caerleon Festival (St. Cadoc’s Church, Caerleon, Thurs 9 July. Admission: individual events priced separately / some events free) will continue it’s programme of arts with readings from special guest Carol Anne Duffy (the Poet Laureate don’t ya know!)
There will be more live art in the form of Theatr Ffynnon’s new production Larvae (Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 10 + Sat 11 July. Tickets: £8.50/£7). The show is the second phase of Ffunnon’s dance/movement project Metamorfoza, which is based on the four stages of human development. It’s the story about our external world which can be reflected through our internal thoughts, feelings, and dreams.
Chapter will have some more art in their gallery in the form of Thirteen Blackbirds Look At A Man (Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Sat 11 July-Sun 6 Sept. Admission: free). Several artists have taken inspiration from the world of myth and folk tales to create weird and wonderful pieces.
There will be more stunning things to see at the Kendal Mountain Festival (New Theatre, Cardiff, Fri 10 July. Tickets: £15). The festival give you the opportunity to see stunning scenery, true-to-life wild adventures and heart-pounding extreme sports and the event will be raising money for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal.
On the more musical side of life there is the Chamber Music Festival (Penarth Pier Pavilion, Penarth, Thurs 9-Sun 12 July. Tickets: £15 individual performances / £60 festival pass). Now in its second year the festival returns with musician David Adams in the director’s chair. There will be six concerts overall and a study session with writer and broadcaster Richard Wigmore on the Saturday afternoon.
There will be folky feelings in Barry as Kelly Oliver + Tobias ben Jacob and Lukas Drinkwater (Barry West End Club, Barry, Thurs 9 July. Tickets: £10 / £8 adv) play their first welsh gig. Oliver will be bringing her stunning vocals and indie/folk mix, while Jacob and Drinkwater will be getting out their guitar and double bass to perform.
If you want a weekend’s worth of tunes then Tribe Fest (St David’s, Haverfordwest, Fri 10 + Sat 11 July. Tickets: £50) should be on your calendar. The line-up includes Disciples, Mixalydia and (among many more) and the site boasts an exclusive beach, coastal walks above spectacular views across the Irish Sea.
words JAMEY PENGILLEY