TAFWYL
Curtain Closer For National Orchestra Of Wales
roundup WHAT’ S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
BRIEFLY
NEWS
TAFWYL
Despite early setbacks, Cardiff’ s only Welsh language festival is back for another year, and it’ s bigger than ever. The free festival will be held in Cardiff Castle and is targeted at keeping alive the Welsh culture, character and language for those speaking and those learning the lingo. In amongst the vast quantity of entertainment, home-grown musical talent and local arts pouring into Cardiff over the festival week, you can expect Welsh rock legend Geraint Jarman, award-winning circus company NoFit State and several big names headlining the music stages. Guests will be given the chance to learn how to sing the Welsh national anthem with Chris Coleman, develop Welsh recipes and cooking skills, and get involved in the family-friendly activities available over the week. Aside from the main fair, the festival will stretch over the whole of Cardiff offering a host of shows, performances and historical tours to help you engage in the Welsh culture on offer in the capital.
Tafwyl Festival, Fri 14-Fri 21 June. Admission: free. Info: www. tafwyl. org
Curtain Closer For National Orchestra Of Wales
After a triumphant season wowing audiences and critics all over Wales, Thomas Søndergård approaches the final performance of the year with The National Orchestra Of Wales, closing his first, highly-successful season as principal conductor of the orchestra on Fri 28 June. Expect a stunning performance, with lucky ticketholders being treated to the likes of The Epic Symphony No 5 by Mahler and an exciting rendition of Welsh composer Huw Watkins’ famous Violin Concerto in its first performance since the premiere at the BBC Proms in 2010. Violinist Alina Ibragimova, who was responsible for the premiered concerto in 2010, once again joins forces with Thomas Søndergård in an un-missable recital. Although Søndergård is confirmed to complete another season with the orchestra, this final performance is set to amaze as he positions himself ready to be considered one of the key classical influences of this generation. Catch the pair in action along with the rest of the National Orchestra Of Wales at St
David’ s Hall, Cardiff.
BBC NOW: Mahler’ s Fifth Symphony, Tue 28 June. Tickets: £ 10- £ 27.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www. stdavidshallcardiff. co. uk
EVENT
ANTICIPATION IS GROWING ONCE again for the hotly contested Wales Book Of The Year Award which last month revealed its shortlists for poetry, fiction and non-fiction in both English and Welsh language categories. Among those shortlisted are The Testimony by James Smythe, Wales At Water’ s Edge by Jon Gower, Blasu by Manon Steffan Ros and Cofnodion by Meic Stephens. The winners for this year’ s award will be announced on Thurs 18 July at the Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama. Info: www. literaturewales. org
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VOLUNTARY ARTS ORGANISATION ART4U hosts its very own arts and kites festival on Fri 21 June. Focused on the raw beauty of all things natural, Celebration Of The Sky is based around a sculpture by ART4U named Khandroma which means sky dancer in the Tibetan tradition. The aim is to take art out of the gallery environment and showcase it in public, to the public. Locals are encouraged to craft their own kites and bring them along to Knap Point in Barry on Fri 21 June from 6pm on Sun 23 June if weather affected. Info: www. art4uwales. org. uk
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WE ARE CARDIFF PREMIERE their We Are Cardiff documentary film at Chapter Arts Centre on Sun 7 July. The film documents the We Love Cardiff project which started in 2010 with the intention of giving a voice to the residents of Cardiff to speak about their city and how it has shaped their lives. Tickets cost just £ 6 and include refreshments and some accompanying acoustic music. The screening is at 1pm. Info: www. wearecardiff. co. uk
pic: BETINA SKOVBRO