Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
If you’re a fan of cider, what would be better than to enjoy a cold pint and live music in 12th Century building? The last weekend of May brings with it the Old Swan Inn Beer And Cider Festival (Old Swan Inn, Llantwit Major, Fri 29 May-Sun 31 May. Admission: Free).
If you like to eat as well as drink there is also the Monmouthshire Food Festival (Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire, Sat 30 + Sun 31 May. Admission: £5/free under 12s) on this weekend. As well as many edibles there will be cookery demonstrations, a producers market and a ‘look and learn’ area where local foodies will deliver talks in their edible area of expertise.
Are you feeling hungry now? Maybe a bit philosophical as well? Why not try a theatrical experience which aims to recreates the days of Plato; a time where great minds came together to eat, drink and contemplate new concepts. Spring, Autumn, Summer, Winter: Pop-Up Love Party (Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 29-Sat 30 May, 9:30pm. Tickets: £15) invites you to an anything but ordinary theatre experience that even including a seven course meal.
If you want more food for your mind then how about some poetry? Ellen Davies will be launching her debut poetry collection, Accent (Gwdihw, Cardiff, Tues 26 May, 7pm. Admission: free) this week. The night will include guest readings from Jodie Ashdown and more to-be-confirmed poets.
There will be more waxing lyric in Cardiff in the form of rap and grime as Lunacy & Butterz Presents Kano + Elijah & Skilliam (Buffalo, Cardiff, Thurs 28 May, 10pm. Tickets: £8) visits town on their UK mini-tour.
Cardiff’s music scene is far from quiet as the following night will see Memorex Presents CUTHEAD (Undertone, Cardiff, Fri 29 May, 10pm. Tickets: £5-£8) play. There will be a House party with Cuthead’s tunes inspired by Dub, Hip Hop and Wonky – as well as the line-up that includes The Organ Grinder, Scott Kerr, Sinky and JV.
Rather bang your head to some rock’n’roll and punk rock tunes? The fast and powerful drummer who used to play for the legendary punk rock band The Ramones, Richie Ramone (The Scene Club, Swansea, Wed 27 May, 7:30pm. Tickets: £10/£12), is coming to Swansea.
If you’re not really sure what you’re looking to do, why not do all of it? The Big Splash Festival (The River Front, Newport, Fri 29-Sun 31 May. Admission: free) offers music, circus, street theatre, dance, comedy and Sunset Spectacular – where local arts companies will combine forces in a blaze of fire, dance and music. Everything you need to know about Big Splash is that you can expect the unexpected.
If that’s not enough to satisfy your circus fix then there will be acrobats, aerial artist, musicians and stuntmen are all gathered at the ‘beautiful and bonkers contemporary circus’ Pirates Of The Carabina: Flown (St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 27-Sat 30 May, 7:30pm. Tickets: £10-£18). Both laughs and gasps are expected at this award winning show within a show.
For a good dash of sci-fi pop culture there is the Dr Who Symphonic Spectacular (Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Mon 25 May. Tickets: £23-£52.25) which will celebrate all the music of the long-running-much-loved TV show. Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales and members of the BBC National Chorus of Wales, the music will go alongside screenings of key Doctor Who moments and visits from the doctor’s iconic enemies.
words HELLMA PAALSRUD