A packed programme for this year’s Flintshire Artsfest has been officially launched with Pam Ayres, the Rhos Male Voice Choir, author Steven Booth, NEW Dance Youth Company and the North Wales Jazz Society just some of the acts on the bill. Promising to rival the success of previous years, the programme encompasses all of the major art forms and celebrates local and national talent.
Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Chair of Flintshire County Council said:
“A big thank-you goes to everyone who works hard each year and all the committees involved in the organisation of the festival. Artsfest means so much to local people, who come to the events and to performers, who take part in the programme. The wide variety of events this year offers something for everybody of all ages. Artsfest really puts the authority on the map promoting Flintshire as a great place for the arts.”
The festival takes place between 14 and 30 March.
An inspirational evening of beautiful music from Flintshire’s talented young singers and musicians comes from The Flintshire County Music School on Friday 14 March and will include the Senior County Youth Choir, String Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Jazz Band and Senior Harp Ensemble.
Henry Sandon from the Antiques Roadshow will be in the Clwyd Room at Clwyd Theatr Cymru on Sunday 16 March talking about his road to becoming a ‘Potaholic’ as he shares reminiscences about his life in antiques, with an opportunity for audiences to ask questions and have items valued. There will also be a theatre performance of Dylan Thomas – Clown in the Moon at Gwaenysgor Village Hall on Sunday evening.
An exciting evening of dance takes place on Thursday 20 March at Connah’s Quay Civic Hall. Young dancers from six Flintshire high schools will be celebrating the life and work of Dylan Thomas with help from NEW Dance Youth Company who will also perform newly choreographed pieces from their repertoire alongside Edge FWD, a student group from the dance department of Edge Hill University.
An evening of stories and intrigue at Holywell Library on Friday 21 March will see award winning author, Stephen Booth discussing his crime writing. His Derbyshire police detective novels have won awards on both sides of the Atlantic, with one of his characters being nominated for a Sherlock Award for the Best Detective created by a British author. Tickets for this event are available from Holywell Library on 01352 713157.
Buckley Library, Museum and Gallery will host an exhibition of the stunning work by members of the Flintshire Visual Art and Craft Network throughout March and the network will also be holding a weekend festival of arts and crafts in St. Mary’s Church, Mold on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March.
Following the recent publication of her new book of poetry, ‘You made me late again!’, An Evening with Pam Ayres will be coming to Clwyd Theatre Cymru on Sunday 23 March. Flintshire ArtsFest is delighted to present her performance of detailed observations of the absurdity of everyday life presented in her uniquely funny, simple and effortless style and there will be a book signing after the show.
On Tuesday 25 March the North Wales Jazz Society will be presenting ‘Cuba Cubana Bop Plays Jazz on the Latin Side’ at Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Acclaimed band, Cubana Bop, perform a mix of high-octane Latin jazz grooves, songs from major twentieth century musicals, and well-known jazz standards.
Get ready to become a sleuth on Tuesday 25 March when Kate Ellis, an accomplished crime writer, presents a Murder Mystery Evening at Flint Library. Kate has written a series of exciting crime novels, an historical novel and many short stories. Please contact Flint Library for tickets on 01352 703737.
A theatre performance entitled Fireside Tales with Granddad will be presented at Edith Bankes Memorial Hall in Northop on Thursday 27 March
The world famous Rhos Male Voice Choir will be filling St Mary’s Church in Mold on Saturday 29 March with their repertoire of traditional male voice choir music, songs from the shows, operatic chorus favourites and Welsh classics. This internationally known choir have taken first prize in competitions at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, the National Eisteddfod and the S4C CorCymru TV Show.
Poet and author, Mererid Hopwood, who was the first ever woman to win the Chair at the National Eisteddfod, will be enchanting a Welsh-speaking audience with readings from her beautiful works and a question and answer session at Mold Library on Saturday 29 March. Mererid was Wales’ Children’s Poet in 2005 and she has written and edited many poetry books for both children and adults. This event is suitable for intermediate Welsh learners and above, tickets available from Mold Library on 01352 754791.
A display of enchanting original ink prints by professional printmaker, Ruth Thomas, can be seen in the Gallery at Holywell Library throughout March. At the same time, Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s education gallery will show artistic ink prints that pupils from Southdown, Mountain Lane and Mynydd Isa primary schools have developed under the guidance of Ruth. For people who are inspired to have a go after seeing the exhibitions, Ruth will be holding a workshop where participants can try their hand at colagraphic printmaking at Rhosesmor Village Hall on Sunday 30 March. To book a place on the workshop please contact the Arts, Culture and Events section of Flintshire County Council on 01352 704408.
New for this year’s ArtsFest programme is an Arts Sponsorship Seminar, a course presented by Arts & Business Cymru, for events and festival organisers. It is designed to increase understanding of sponsorship and give practical guidance to event and festival organisers and arts organisations on how best to go about obtaining and developing sponsorship. The day is aimed at both people with no sponsorship experience and those wishing to refresh and update their knowledge. This seminar will take place at the Pavilion, Flint on Friday 21 March. To book a place at the seminar please contact the Arts, Culture and Events section of Flintshire County Council on 01352 704408.
The full Artsfest ‘14 programme can be found at www.flintshire.gov.uk or call 01352 704408 for more details.
To book a ticket for any of the above events, unless stated otherwise, please contact the Clwyd Theatr Cymru Box Office on 0845 3303565.
