Merthyr Express column

26 March 09
Punk Poet
Attila The Stockbroker has been added to the bill for the Punk Forever Festival on, 16th April, at the Myfanwy Theatre. Sharp-tongued, high energy, social surrealist rebel poet and songwriter. His themes are topical, his words hard-hitting, his politics unashamedly radical, but Attila will make you roar with laughter as well as seethe with anger. Inspired by the spirit and 'Do It Yourself' ethos of punk rock, and above all by The Clash and their overtly radical, political stance. He took the name Attila the Stockbroker in 1980, blagging spots for his poems and songs in between bands at punk gigs. He quickly got a couple of John Peel radio sessions, a deal with London independent record label Cherry Red Records and before very long was on the front cover of Melody Maker...and he hasn't looked back since! Attila has spent the last 28 years performing his work across the world. He's written for many national and local publications including The Guardian, Time Out, NME, Sounds, The Independent and also work for radio and TV. Attila joins classic punk band Sham 69, 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, James Cauty and Billy Childish. The exhibition runs from 15th – 17th April. Admission to the art exhibition is free. Entry to the live music and poetry is £12.For further information please contact Myfanwy Theatre on: 07863 354097 / themadone28@hotmail.com.

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.

Modern Art in Castle
This week will be your last chance to see a collection of new abstract paintings by celebrated artist, John Uzzell Edwards, showing at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery. The one-man show is an exhibition of the latest paintings in his ‘Welsh Quilt Series’, collections of which have been seen recently at the Interceltic Festival in L’Orient, Brittany and venues across Wales. Now living in Swansea, John is thrilled to be showing in Merthyr. He said: “I started painting here in the early ’60s when I had a studio above Zanelli’s café. It was an exciting time in Merthyr, full of fighters and writers; and I started painting everything around me.” He explain’s why he is fascinated by Welsh quilts and blankets: “As a boy growing up in Deri, I was brought up using them, but only lately I’ve become amazed by their structure, the variety of materials and the choice of colours. All our social history is here - bits of clothing, silk, tweed, furnishing fabric, workmen’s suiting, even grain bags. We have a rich tradition here, and it’s a very important part of our Welsh culture”. The exhibition in Cyfarthfa Castle runs until 31st March. For inquiries, telephone 01685 723112 or e-mail museum@merthyr.gov.uk. Admission is free. Open Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 4pm Weekend: Noon – 4pm Closed Mondays.

Watercolour Paintings
This week will also be your last chance to catch another art exhibition; a series of watercolour paintings by artist Christine Davies, born in Nelson and now living in Trelewis. The exhibition is on show at Treharris Library until the end of March. 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.