Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
“Simply having a wonderful Christmastime!”… Paul McCartney might be, but not all of us are looking forward to the festivities. Included in those dreading Christmas in Noel, in brand new welsh indie film A Wonderful Christmas Time (in cinemas from Fri 12 Dec. Tickets: normal cinema prices). The improvised rom-com sees recently dumped Noel (played by Dylan Edwards) meet disillusioned actress Cherie (Laura Haddock) while screaming on a hill. They seem to like each other but the course of love never did run smooth and all sorts of mishaps keep them apart. If you’re hibernating at home, and don’t fancy venturing to a cinema, then you can also get it on demand.
What was it that guided the three wise men to the baby in the barn: was it the sound of a novelty Christmas song, a black Friday bargain or the smell of roast turkey? No, it was the twinkle of a star. Why not forget the presents and dinner for a moment and enjoy Christmas with some Christmas Star Gazing (Brecon Beacons, Fri 12 Dec, 7pm -11pm. Tickets: £10)? The national park’s visitor centre will be opening its doors for an evening of astronomy inspired talks and virtual star gazing, with the chance to witness the Geminid meteor shower.
If you like you Christmassy events with a bit more novelty then the delightfully named Bridgend Elf-Steddfod (Sat 13 Dec. Admissions: free) will be the right way to go. More than 1,500 locals – dressed as elves – will be coming together in an attempt to beat the world record for the most elves gathered in one place at one time.
For something to get your Christmassy chops around there is the Abergaveny Christmas Food Festival (The Market Hall, Upper Brewery Yard + St Mary’s Priory Centre, Abergavenny, Sun 14 Dec. Tickets: £5). The festival will have all the bases covered with independent local stalls, cookery demonstrations and experts armed with a fridge full of cookery tips.
The crafty people at the Print Haus are also hosting a wintery wonder in the form of their Snapped Up Market (Cardiff, Sun 14 Dec. Admissions: free). There will be all sorts of arts and crafts to nab for Christmas presents, as well as a ‘print your own t-shirt’ section.
The festive season isn’t just pretty stars, funny costumes and tasty treats – the cold months also have their dark side. Based on CC Gilbert’s 1920s murder mystery novel, The Frozen Scream {Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 11-Sat 20 Dec. Tickets: £16 – includes glass of mulled wine or soft drink) sees a group of friends in an abandoned lodge tell each other the terrifying tale of Jack Frost. As any horror film will tell you this is a big mistake and they soon realise they should have listened to the earlier warnings of ‘beware of the ice’.
Chilling tales of ice giants aren’t the only things making people cold, as Marion Cheung’s exhibitions, Lost Connections (The Riverfront, Newport, Sat 10 Jan-Sat 31 Jan. Admissions: free), asks if technology is disconnecting us from each other as people huddle around the blue glow of a screen, rather than face and interact with each other.
This time of year lots of us will be heading home for the holidays, but coming home isn’t always a good thing. After ten years of living in places as glamorous as L.A and Barbados, Fiona returns to her village in the Welsh Valleys. This is the simple premise behind I’ll Be There, Now… (Park Cons Club, Cardiff, Tues 9-Wed 10 Dec; Redhouse Cymru, Merthyr Tydfil, Thurs 11-Fri 12 Dec; Volcano Theatre, Swansea, Sat 13 Dec. Tickets: £8 / £5 conc). Written and performed by Susan Kingman, I’ll Be There, Now… is a semi-autobiographical one-woman show exploring our relationship with the place we call ‘home’.
On the more musical side of life the minds behind Real Gone Kid and Dignity, Deacon Blue (St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tues 9 Dec. Tickets: £29.50-£39.50), come to the capital. Since forming in 1985 the band have sold over six million albums, had twelve UK Top 40 singles and two UK Number One albums.
If you want something a bit more obscure then The Death Of Her Money (Sat 13. Tickets: £6) return to South Wales with their unique take on heavy music, as they take to the stage at Cardiff’s new arts spot, the Abacus. Celebrating their 10th birthday the experimental band will be bringing a party spirit with them!