Merthyr Express column

7th October 10
Sun Exhibition

Throughout October Cyfarthfa Castle will be showing a colourful exhibition of the latest work from the Rhymney born artist, Neil Carroll in a show titled “Here Comes the Sun”. The exhibition is a touring show which represented Wales at this yera’s International Celtic Festival “InterCeltique” at Lorient, Brittany in August. For further details please contact 01685 723112 or e-mail museum@merthyr.gov.uk.

Just Dance
Merthyr Tydfil Dance Festival is coming to Troedyrhiw on Wednesday, 20th October at the Willows Centre. The Just Dance festival will feature dancers from various parts of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, all coming together to celebrate and enjoy an energetic, artform, with great health benefits. Refreshments and drinks will be available. Entry for spectators is only £1.50 For more information contact The Willows Centre, Troedyrhiw on 01443 692198, or visit the reception desk.

Who’s Got Talent?
It’s Talent season! Together with Merthyr’s Got Talent, which has just finished auditions before the main showcase on Thursday 4th November, Retro Academy For Performing Arts is also hosting Have You Got Talent 2. Retro are searching for the hottest talent across south Wales and invite participants and audience to come and join them this Friday, 8th October at 7.30pm in Abercwmboi Rugby Club. Any talent is considered, with a free public vote and a quiz. Winners receive a year’s free membership to Retro, plus a cash prize. Last year the majority of entrants came from the Merthyr Tydfil Borough, including first prize winner Zoe Sears. Entry is £5 per participant or £4 for audience tickets. For further information please contact 01685 884 657 or 07949 886 556.

World Music Performance
Internationally acclaimed world music group Siyaya come to Merthyr Tydfil next month.
Siyaya (pronounced “see-yaye-yah meaning “we are on the move”) are a nine-strong perfoming arts group from Zimbabwe. Siyaya celebrate the greatest African instrument, the human voice. Colourful, and energetic, Siyaya compliment lively dances and liquid tones with superb percussion rhythms and the sweet acapella harmonies exploring the rich cultures and traditions of Africa. Siyaya deliver a truly unique music, song and dance performance. Exciting and up-lifting, they consist of male and female singers, dancers and musicians. A vibrant fusion of the traditional and the modern. One of Zimbabwe's leading song and dance theatre companies, they have performed extensively in Africa, Germany and the UK including two lengthy appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe. They also perform reguarly at WOMAD, Glastonbury and Sidmouth festivals.
Siyaya will be performing on Wednesday, 10th November, at 7pm at Bishop Hedley High School, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 9AN. Entrance is only £3, with a concessional rate of £2 for OAPs and Children. For further information contact: Lee Davies (3Gs Development Trust) on 01685 352982 or lee.davies@3gs.org.uk. To listen or watch Siyaya live visit: www.myspace.com/siyaya or www.siyaya-arts.com. Event supported by Night Out and MTCBC Arts.