Merthyr Express column

Poetry Night
Tonight’s Open Mike Poetry Night (Thursday, 25th September) at The Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, welcomes Mab Jones. The Cardiff poet began her career when she haphazardly gate-crashed a poetry open mic and then, a month or so later, found herself in the semi-final of the Radio 4 National Poetry Slam. Thanks to this, Mab was encouraged to carry on gate-crashing events. She is now resident poet at the Resurrected Comedy Club in Cardiff, and has performed in recent months at Chapter, Bath Spa University, Swansea Grand Theatre, and many other places. Mab has been likened to ‘Pam Ayres’ with a risque and often cortroversial slant. She is also training to become a therapeutic counsellor. Performance poetry is her own form of self-therapy, which she may outgrow at some point. Until then, Mab is having a jolly time, and tries to entertain through poems that are funny and dark in equal measure. Open Mike Poetry Nights at The Imperial are funded by MTCBC Arts and Academi. For further information please contact Gus Payne at the column details.

Classic Punk Tonight
The Myfanwy Theatre, at Merthyr Tydfil College, present a season of performances for all tastes beginning this September with the fast and furious sound of punk legends the UK Subs, supported by special guests, Merthyr’s very own Foreign Legion tonight, Thursday, 25th September at 8.00pm. The UK Subs topped the charts at the end of the 1970s and into the 80s, with hits like Stranglehold, Party in Paris, Tomorrows Girls, Teenage and War-Head. The band is among a select group of British bands from that era, who influenced the likes of Green Day, The Offspring and others. They have continued to gig and release new material throughout the 90s and this decade. Tickets cost £10.00. For further in formation please contact Myfanwy Theatre 07516774384. Merthyr’s Foreign Legion also support another classic punk band, Stiff Little Fingers, when they return to south Wales for a show at The Point in Cardiff, next month, 14th October.

Folk Music
The music continues at the Myfanwy Theatre on Tuesday, 22nd October, this time with the mellower sounds of folk singer and songwriter, Amy Wadge. Tickets for the event cost £10.00. For further information please contact Myfanwy Theatre 07516774384.
Amy Wadge started writing songs at the age of nine on the family piano. At 14, she signed her first record deal with her band, 'Two Of A Mind' and released her first single at the age of 16. At 19, Amy moved to Wales to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She was voted Best Female Solo Artist at the 2002 and 2003, Welsh Music Awards, She toured Australia as a Welsh Assembly Government, cultural ambassador, during the 2003, Rugby World Cup. Amy has continued touring ever since, singing the length and breadth of the UK and playing at many of the UK's prestigious festivals including Cropredy, Hay on Wye Literary Festival, Larmer Tree Festival and Glastonbury. She has also toured in Asia, Russia, Europe and the USA. Amy’s new album, "Bump!" is available now. The performance season at the Myfanwy Theatre is supported by the University of Glamorgan, MTCBC Arts and the Arts Council’s Night Out scheme

Book Available Soon
The new Merthyr Tydfil short stories and poetry book is almost here. The official launch and Open Mike Night will take place at the Imperial Hotel on Thursday 23rd October, with an official publication date the following day. The book, which features 26 authors, including Des Barry, Mike Jenkins, Anthony Bunko and Mike Williams, will be available through various outlets including Merthyr Libraries and The Welsh Books Council website http://www.gwales.com/. For further information please contact Gus Payne at the column details.