11/03/2009

Merthyr Express column

19 March 09
Poet Reading
Open Mike Nights are free entry, all are welcome to come and read their poetry and short story extracts, with a prize for the night’s best reading, judged by the guest author. The next evening is tonight, Thursday, 19th March, with guest author Steve Griffiths, a poet, born on Anglesey, in 1949. He has published five collections of poems since 1980, most recently An Elusive State: Entering al–Chwm, through Cinnamon Press in 2008. For further details, please contact arts@merthyr.gov.uk or 01685 725382.

Punk Forever
Music, art and poetry all come together for the Punk Forever Festival on, 16th April, at the Myfanwy Theatre, with classic punk band Sham 69, together with Dirty Revolution and The Red Poets Society. The festival also includes an art exhibition of original art work by Jamie Reid, responsible for the iconic imagry associated with the Sex Pistols, including the notorious “God Save The Queen” and the “Never Mind The xxx” record covers. There will also be artwork by Billy Childish and others throughout the festival. Admission £10.For further information please contact Myfanwy Theatre on: 01685 726000.


The Blackout
Merthyr rock band The Blackout will be playing in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust on Friday, 27th March, at the Myfanwy Theatre, Merthyr Tydfil College. To book tickets call 07944 790038. Following the night at the Myfanwy Theatre the band head for the Albert Hall in London, before embarking on another international tour. The band have recently signed a recording deal with major label, Epitaph Records, probably the world’s leading label for American punk, with numerous releases by the likes of Bad Religion, NoFX, The Offspring and New Found Glory under their belts, together with a more eclectic catalogue with sister labels including Joe Strummer, Tom Waits, Elliot Smith, Nick Cave, The Cramps and The Hives. Doors open at the Myfanwy Theatre at 7:30pm.

Valleys Girl
The Merthyr performance of H4As Valleys Girl project will be staged on Sunday, 29th March at 2pm and 4.30pm, at The Canolfan Gymraeg (Welsh Centre), Zoar Chapel, Pontmorlais. For further information, please contact 01685 373770.

Welsh Poet
Eisteddfod Welsh Learner of The Year finalist Jenny Henn, will be speaking and reading some of her work at the Canolfan Gymraeg on Thursday, 26th March, at 7.30pm. Entry is £2. The event will be suitable for Welsh speakers and higher level learners. For further information please contacr 01685 722176.

Art Exhibition
An exhibition of watercolour paintings is currently on show in Treharris Library throughout March. The exhibition is by artist Christine Davies, born in Nelson and now living in Trelewis. Christine describes her motivation for painting as being “purely for her own pleasure”, however her work has also had several wins at the Royal Welsh Show over the past two years – The winning paintings are included in this exhibition. Admission free.

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