Merthyr Express column

3rd June 2010


Open Mic Nights

Tonight’s (10th June) Open Mic Night at the Imperial Hotel welcomes invited author Meic Stephens. Born in Trefforest in 1938, Meic was the founder of Poetry Wales 1965 and its editor until 1973. Meic stood as Plaid Cymru candidate in Merthyr Tydfil at the General Election of 1966 and was White Robe of the Gorsedd of Bards, 1976. Meic writes obituaries of eminent Welsh people for The Independent. The language of Meic’s home is Welsh, which he learned as an adult. Meic will be reading in both English and Welsh. Open mic contributions from either language are warmly welcome. Next week, 17th June, welcomes back Peter Finch for a Bio-Diversity themed open mic session. Open Mic Nights are free entry, so why not come along and join in or just relax and listen to the others. for further information, please contact 01685 725382 or email arts@merthyr.gov.uk.

Bedroc
Next Friday night, 18th June, sees the return of this year’s Welsh language festival - Bedroc ’01, beginning with Menir Gwilym, Brigyn, Heather Jones and Ryan Kift all perforrming live on stage. Then on the following night, Saturday, 19th June, Bryn Fôn, Yr Ods, Y Betti Galws and Yucatan take to the stage, at the Workmen's Hall & Institute, Bedlinog, from 7pm - 11.30pm on both nights. The price for Friday or Saturday night is £7 each or you can get a weekend ticket to cover both for the bargain price of £10.
The weekend also includes free day-time activities and performances including Mudiad Meithrin activities for young children with Gwenda Owen, The Martyn Geraint Show and schools performances, family fun with S4C children’s characters, an acoustic stage and a Cymdeithas Yr Iaith stage with a number of high profile Welsh language music performers including Masters in France, El Parisa, Bevan a Batric and Nos Sadwrn Bach amoung others, all on Saturday 19th June, throughout the day. The festival ends with a free folk music session and barbecue on Sunday, 20th June. Activities and events will take place at the Workmen’s Hall, Bedlinog Inn and Bedlinog Rugby Club. For further information please contact: jamie@merthyrtudful.com / 01685 725382 or visit www.merthyrtudful.com / http://www.cymdeithasgymraegbeddllwynog.co.uk/.

Art & Craft
There will be an exhibition in All Saints Church and Hall, Dowlais, with paintings, embroidery and other arts and crafts by local artists, from Wednesday 23rd until Saturday 26th June, 10.30am – 4.30pm. For further information, please contact Mairwen Hagerty on 01685 384889

Global Photography
This year’s Global Village festival, designed to celebrate cultural diversity, included a series of creative photography sessions with 3Gs, where a group of participants, ranging from school age through to adults, worked with artist Andrew Johnson to explore global, artistic and cultural influences, in making photographic portraits using the theme 'Who We Are'. Dealing with the relevance of global culture on present day lives. The transatlantic styles of two prominent artists from the Pop Art movement; David Hockey originally from the north of England and Andy Warhol from New York, were the main influences chosen to focus on. This work is currently on show at Dowlais Library.