Kaiser Chiefs headline Cardiff show

The Kaiser Chiefs

The Kaiser Chiefs will be headlining the SSE Swalec in Cardiff this Saturday (July 16).

The set will featuring the bands biggest hits including I Predict A Riot and their Number One smash Ruby, The Kaiser Chiefs fronted by Ricky Wilson will also play tracks from their forthcoming sixth album Stay Together, which includes their latest single Parachute.

Ricky Wilson has described the bands latest material as a return to previous form. “When we wrote the first record we were very direct,, little needed explaining. The songs seemed to speak for themselves and did all the hard work for us, " he says, "Parachute is pretty self-explanatory and a bit of a return to that. Parachute is probably the first love song we’ve written since Ruby”.

The Kaiser Chiefs will be supported by Dizzee Rascal who will bring his own brand of rap, pop and grime in to the early evening slot and indie-rock band Everything Everything .

The event will take place at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club on July 16. Gates will open at 2pm with Kaiser Chiefs on stage at 8.30pm. Tickets are available from from the Glamorgan County Cricket Club box office (02920 419311) as well as TicketMaster.co.uk

Animals and Friends play Cardiff

Animals & Friends

Founder Animals drummer John Steel along with Micky Gallagher, Danny Handley and Roberto Ruiz as Animals and Friends will take to the stage of Acapela, Pentrych, Cardiff tomorrow evening (July 15).

In 1964, The Animals topped the UK and US charts with The House of the Rising Sun. The band subsequently achieved over twenty global Top Ten hit records, many of which gained the Number One slot in various parts of the world. In Britain alone, the band had no less than twelve chart entries.

Animals & Friends will perform their famous chart topper along with We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place, It’s My Life and tracks from their recent album, Prehistoric.

For ticket information visit ticketsource.co.uk/acapela/events

Pupils put on a great show at South Wales school

Circo Rum Ba Ba

The pupils from Cwmbran’s Blenheim Road Community Primary School sampled the world of theatre promotion recently when they worked as a team to plan and organise an event that promoted the visit of the women’s circus theatre company, Circo Rum Ba Ba which fuses spectacular theatre with a diverse range of circus skills and disguise.

The young promoters have been worked as managers, marketing officers, designers and more to create a wonderful setting and audience for the event entitled L’Hotel which took place at the school on July 1.

Pupils worked with staff to organise a raffle, refreshments and snacks while local businesses also got involved with fund raising donations.  Funds raised on the day went to Blenheim Road Community Primary School.

Pupils at Cwmbran's
Blenheim Road Primary School

The event was made possible by the Arts Council of Wales, Night Out Young Promoters Scheme and supported by Communities First. Jack, the manager of the group commented “I think it's a really good project. Good to make us more creative and working as a team. Making us more artistic and open minded.”

Young promoter facilitator Naz Syed continued, “It has been a brilliant experience working with the group of young promoters In Blenheim Road Community Primary School. The support of their teachers and chance to be in charge on the day gave the children a new found confidence.”

An Arts Council of Wales scheme, Night out takes away the financial risk of bringing professional shows to community venues in Wales, providing funding, tickets, advice and recommendations for great shows. For further details on other Night Out events visit nightout.org.uk

Twentieth Maindee Festival looks at Fair Play

Stick in the Wheel

The 20th Maindee Festival gets underway Saturday July 9, with the festival teaming up with Newport’ City Council’s Fairness Commission to explore the idea of fairness in Newport.

The Maindee carnival parade will commence the theme of Fair Play as it makes its way through the streets of Maindee from 11.30 towards the festival site at Maindee Primary School.  The parade will focus on the theme of fun and games, featuring giant footballs and scrabble pieces as well as dancing and drumming from Newport’s own Sene-Gambian and Spanish Latin American associations.

The afternoon events will commence at 1pm with performances and walkabouts from Eveswell Primary Taiko drummers, and various dance companies. A varied programme of events will take place on the three main stages across the site of Maindee Primary School.   Amongst the Main Stage highlights will be Maindee’s Got Talent 2016 hosted by Newport City Radio and Urban Circle’s DJ. Amongst the Main Stage live music highlights will be sets from Nigel Blackmoor, Joshua Doughty and Connor and the Conmen.

The Garden Stage focus on acoustic sounds with sounds from Maindee School’s Wild Crew, Eveswell School’s Celtic Folk Band and performances from Rhys Hone and The Maharaja Blues. Meanwhile, The Spoken Word tent will feature story telling from Dick Berry and performance poetry from Mike Church, Rhys Trimble and Des Mannay.

For film fans, The Neon will host The Maindee Fairness Film Festival which includes screenings of the films The Divide and Extchange between 2.30 and 4.30.

The evening has further music highlights lined up to this years festival with London based folk band and Glastonbury favourites Stick In The Wheel will play Maindee library  at 8pm and  Ska favourites, Skarcasm closing the days events at The George on Chepstow Road later in the evening.

For further information email info@maindee.org or visit facebook.com/MaindeeFestival

Bel Blue To Release Debut Album - Our Places

Singer/songwriter Bel Blue will release her debut album Our Places on August 1.

Bel describes the album as a journey of her songs, many of which are anchored in the rivers, and landscapes of South and West Wales. The recording began last autumn, with an outside recording of the title track  on the banks of the River Ely, Cardiff.

Keeping the geographical approach River of Dreams, was written by Cenarth Falls on the River Teifi, Nans Ddu on the Taff Fawr, Waterfall by the Nedd Fechan,and Wild Dog Rose by the Taff.

Bel, plays guitar and harmonium on several tracks is also joined by  Jamie Nemeth on Violin, Ben Steer on mandolin and guitar, Kevs Ford on guitar and harmonium and A.J Constable on percussion.

The launch of the album on August 1 will coincide with a free performance of music and poetry at Octavo’s Cafe and Wine Bar, Cardiff between 5-7pm.

Any profits from the Our Places after project costs, will be donated to Michaels Project , a service for men, run by the mental health charity Cardiff Mind Visit belblue.co.uk for further details of the album and latest news.

A Host Of Literary and Music Events At Caerleon Festival

The Gatecrashers

Caerleon Festival gets underway this evening with a host of literary and music events.

Abergavenny-based poet, author and playwright, Owen Sheers presents Poetry in the Pews at St Cadoc’s Church at 6.45pm. Sheers, who recently appeared at The Hay Festival, wrote the script for The Passion, a 72-hour production in Port Talbot by National Theatre Wales, directed by and starring Newport actor Michael Sheen. Also appearing at this event will be the Allegra Ladies Choir and the Merthyr poet, Mike Jenkins.

The literary theme will continue into the weekend as The Priory Hotel plays host to Literature on the Lawn which features authors Angela John, Peter Finch, Richard King, Holly Muller and Rachel Trezise getting underway at 11am on Saturday.

The Priory Hotel also presents the fifth All-Wales Comic Verse Finals on Sunday at 2pm presented by Broadcaster and former Newport Town Poet, Goff Morgan. To purchase tickets for the literary events visit caerleon-arts.org or call in at Caerleon Post Office.

Music will also play a key part of this years festival with two free Pub Rock events getting underway later today.

The Gatecrashers, a four piece acoustic band from Llanfrechfa will play their  repertoire of light rock, blues and country music at The Hanbury Arms at 8.30pm.

At 9pm, The Bell Inn will play host to The Albino Frogs. Known for their appearances at festivals such as Brecon, Raglan and Aber Jazz The Albino Frogs will be playing material from their third album Big Dog.

Further pub rock highlights into the next week will include Spellbound at The St Julian Inn on Sunday at 4.30pm, TaffyWasAThief at The Old Bull Inn on July 6 at 7.30pm and The Tom Williams Jazz & Blues Band at The St Julian Inn on July 7 at 8.30pm

Further Caerleon Festival events will see St Cadoc’s Church host a free Festival Songs of Praise at 4pm on Sunday and an appearance of The Morriston Orpheus choir on July 6 at 7.30pm To purchase ticket details for the latter event visit caerleon-arts.org

Unique Dance Events From India Dance Wales At Everyman Open Air Festival

Two unique events presented by India Dance Wales’ will take place at Everyman’s Open Air Festival in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Sunday July 10.

Bharatanatyam, a classic Indian dance will be performed by Shishyas (disciples) trained by India Dance Wales at 2.30pm. In this annual showcase, Shishyas of all ages, abilities and backgrounds come together from classes held in different cities for an exciting gala event.

At 8pm, India Dance Wales’ will present their production of Shakuntala, an epic story told through the classical dance style of Bharatanatyam with English narration and directed by Kiran Ratna. A tale of love, heartbreak, & forgiveness to reunite love, the play was the first Indian drama to be translated into a Western language, by Sir William Jones in 1789. In the following century, there were at least 46 translations in twelve European languages.

There is a special discount of £20 for those wishing to attend both shows if booked as one purchase.
Contact the  Box Office on 0333 666 3366 or visit everymanfestival.co.uk for full details.