Merthyr Express column

14th Jan 10
Open Mike Poetry
Tonight’s (Thursday, 14th January) Open Mike Night at the Imperial Hotel welcomes guest author Kevin Mills, who has recently completed a collection of poems for Cinnamon Press and a critical/creative crossover book for Sussex Academic Press. Both published in 2009. Kevin is also a lecturer in English Literature at the University of Glamorgan where he teaches on Shakespeare, English Renaissance literature, and myth and narrative. His research interests include theory, literature and the Bible, and Victorian literature, as well as the relationship between critical and creative writing. Other interests include the work of Bob Dylan and British sit-coms. Kevin Mills’ critical work explores how the traces of Christian thought and ideology, especially the uses of biblical material in literature and criticism, are perceived and understood in a post-Christian culture. He has contributed articles to a number of publications including The Cambridge History of Literary Criticism, Vol. IX, and The Blackwell Companion to the Bible in English LiteratureAll are welcome to the Open Mike Nights. Come along to take part as a performer or just relax and enjoy listening to the others. The night is free entry and start at approximatley 7.30pm. Supported by MTCBC and Academi. For further information please contact: (01685) 725382 arts@merthyr.gov.uk. The February Open Mike Night at The Imperial Hotel welcomes authors Richard Marggraf Turley and Damien Walford Davies on 11th February.

Artwork & Poetry Wanted
2010 has just begun but Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Arts and Libraries are already on the lookout for local poetry and pictures from people of all backgrounds; male or female, young or old to contribute to the 2011 Merthyr Tydfil calendar/booklet: “Merthyr Tudful – Pictures and Poetry / Lluniau a Lleisiau”. The calendar/booklet will include a collection of images (paintings, drawings, artwork etc.) and poetry with links to Merthyr Tydfil (people, places, ideas etc.). Local content is vital and language content needs to be appropriate for all ages. Submitted images should be good quality digital “jpeg” images on CD or original copies size A3 or smaller. Digital images would be preferred as MTCBC cannot be held responsible for any work lost or damaged. Submitted poetry should be in digital Windows “Word” or “Notepad” formats on CD or emailed to arts@merthyr.gov.uk. Please remember to include your name, contact details and age range. Deadline for all entries is Tuesday 1st June 2010. Entries should be sent or handed into Carolyn Jacob at Merthyr Tydfil Central Library. For further information please contact Gus Payne on 01685 725382 or arts@merthyr.gov.uk.

The Gathering
The Gathering is a valleys wide battle of the bands event for under 18s, with the final to be held at Bridgend. The Merthyr Tydfil heat will be at the Myfanwy Theatre in Merthyr Tydfil College on Friday 12th February. Bands who would like to enter the compertition can enter free of charge. The majority of members of the band need to be in comprehensive school or further education to qualify. Bands should contact their music teacher or Lee Davies at lee.davies@3gs.org.uk to enter. Audience tickets for the night will be £5 and for under 18s only.