Merthyr Express column

28th Jan 10
Merthyr Aloud
If you have an interest in singing, then why not go along to the Merthyr Aloud Community Choir, a series of fun voice workshops with Heather Murray – Natural Voice Practitioner, in the room adjacent to St Davids Church Hall, and learn some beautiful harmonies from different musical traditions. No experience needed – all songs taught by ear. Sessions run 1pm – 3pm on Wednesday afternoons. For more information or to book on please call Jenna on 01685 729940 or call into the Glamorgan Gates shop at 121 High Street Merthyr Tydfil.

Digital Photographs
If you’d like to learn how to repair old photographs and adjust digital images, then why not come along to the WEA’s Adobe Photoshop course at Dowlais Primary School (the old Gwernllwyn School) on Tuesday, February 2nd 2010, from 4pm until 6pm. To enrol telephone the Workers’ Educational Association on 01685 382710

Treharris Watercolours
The WEA are also running a Watercolour Painting Course at the Community First Office, Perrott Street, Treharris (next to Treharris Library) on Thursday, 11th February at 9.30am until 11.30. At the session participants will learn how to paint trees, skies, buildings in watercolour. To enrol call WEA on 01685 382710

Dance Gig
Wales’ multi award winning dance company Earthfall bring their radical choreography with live music and strong visual imagery to Merthyr Tydfil on Monday, 22nd February, with their performance Gig, which will be visiting the Myfanwy Theatre at Merthyr Tydfil College. Directed by Jesica Cohen and Jim Ennis, and designed by Mike Bookes, Gig is a high-octane satirical rampage through the human condition with dark humour, bold dance, live music and film. Gig is the story of a band that encapsulates the world outside with songs, film and extreme dances of love and loathing. The transient and turbulent relationships, trashed instruments, bloody noses and drunken reconciliations are witnessed as they struggle to make sense of their world. This 20th anniversary production follows a band on tour, living in a surreal world removed from the reality of life. Transporting the audience on an emotional ride, from the exciting to the ridiculous and the comical to the poignant. For more information visit: http://www.thisisgig.com/. The performance starts at 8pm with tickets priced at £6.50 full price and £5 concessions. For further information, please contact 01685 726161 or email mtheatre@merthyr.ac.uk.

2010 Poetry
2010 continues with visits by guest authors Richard Marggraf Turley and Damien Walford Davies, both on 11th February, then David Greenslade on 11th March, Philip Gross in April and Meic Stephens for a bilingual evening, using both English and Welsh in June. All are welcome to the Open Mike Nights. Come and read, sing or do you thing or just relax and enjoy listening to the others. All Open Mike Nights at the Imperial Hotel are free entry and start at approximatley 7.30pm. Supported by MTCBC and Academi (and Menter Merthyr for the bilingual night). For further information please contact: (01685) 725382 arts@merthyr.gov.uk.