Friday, May 27
* “DREAM ON”, the Arts Centre Youth Theatre continue to grow in number and reputation are delighted to bring this Malcolm Sircom play to the stage, directed by Rachel Crane and choreographed by Rachel West with musical direction from Ric Lloyd. A musical version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set in modern times in the run up to the Olympic Games in Athens, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre tonight and at 2.30 and 6.30pm on Saturday, May 28.
* ”MAPPING THE SOUL”, Castaway Community Theatre celebrate their 20th anniversary, with performance of Lucy Gough’s fast paced race through the underworld, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre tonight and Saturday, May 28.
* MID WALES ART CENTRE, last chance to see the 1921-96 Lifetime Retrospective Exhibition of the artist Stefan Knapp who would have been 90 this year, ending on May 29 at the CAERSWS gallery and grounds. Works include paintings from 1940 describing his experiences in a Siberian Prisoner of War Camp, drawings he made as a Spitfire pilot and sculpture, paintings and enamels that show his restless experimentation with materials and technique that made him a world famous pioneer of enamelling.
Gallery re-opens June 2 with “Roots and Shoots” exhibition curated by Amy Bowen, an arts graduate from Newtown, highlighting the best of Young Welsh Artistic Talent.
On Saturday, June 4 the Arts Centre will host Barb Jungr, the famous singer known for her interpretations of Bob Dylan songs, with limited number of tickets on sale at 01686 688369.
* BLUES & BOOZE FESTIVAL, Ted Crook and Blues Highway open up the bank holiday weekend event at the White Horse Inn, CLUN.
Will Killeen at 3pm, Barrelhouse Blues at 6pm and Whiskey River Boys at 9pm on Saturday.
Paul Wallis and Sam Newth at 3pm, Bridgewater Blues Band at 6pm and The Hexmen at 9pm on Sunday.
Jam Session from 3pm, and Dave Rea and Friends at 6pm end the festival on Monday.
* CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS, by Clive Bowen and others in Hay festival event open 11am to 5pm daily to June 5, at St Michael’s Church, DISCOED. John Nethercott also opens his new showroom at nearby Upper House with wide range of quality furniture. Funds to the church renovations.
* AMANDA SKIPSEY, exhibitions by the self-taught artist with her distinctive paintings of Welsh towns and villages; plus unique artworks and practical items by James Smith using premium-grade locally grown native wood, at ERWOOD Station Craft Centre and Gallery to the end of June.
Open seven days a week with free admission.
* HAY FESTIVAL, opening weekend of the 2011 Literary and Arts Festival, plus the HowThe LightGetsIn philosophy and music festival at HAY ON WYE. Among those appearing today are cartoonist Matt; Gareth Malone with a Journey Through the Pleasures and Pitfalls of Classical Music; the Afro Celt Sound System; and the Bees Knees showgirls.
Saturday includes Professor Brian Cox; Rob Lowe talking with Mariella Frostrup; Paul o’Grady; an acoustic set by Rumer; and sets by Jane Taylor, Lowri Evans, and Jess Childs.
Sunday includes Nigella Lawson, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; and sets by Small Engine Repair, the Cool Cat Rooftop Band, Peggy Sue, Lulu and the Lampshades, and Gaz Mayall.
Monday includes Michael Wood, Barry Cryer. Paul Merton, and sets by the Village Quire, and Dr Branwell’s No-9 Bus to Utopia.
Tuesday includes Maureen Lipman, Arthur Smith, plus music from Gifford Circus’ touring band Pirouette, Camille O’Sullivan, and Mad Jack and the Hatters.
Wednesday includes James Cracknell, Roy Hattersley, Germaine Greer, the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and Dara O’Briain; plus sets by Johnny Fluffypunk, and Bard.
Next Thursday includes Wendy Cope, Dan Cruickshank, and breakfast DJ Chris Evans with Anne Robinson.
* SOPHIE BIGNALL, exhibition by local artist specialising in producing lifelike images of flora and fauna, at the Tower House Gallery, KNIGHTON, during May. She also enjoys creating watercolours and landscapes drawing inspiration from her surroundings and provided the art work for a new children’s book “Dark Candle” by Shropshire author Carole Anne Carr.
* FROM INGRESS TO IPAD, retrospective exhibition (pictured above) by prolific local artist Marcia Gibson-Watt, on display at the Radnorshire Museum, LLANDRINDOD WELLS, to June 11.
* FRANCES CARLILE, new prints, together with paintings by Simon Dorrell and sculptures by David England, on show at the Silk Top Hat Gallery, LUDLOW, to May 28.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, new exhibitions at the MACHYNLLETH gallery comprise Ann Bridges “Halcyon Days”; the Contemporary Art Society for Wales’ Art for Wales collection; and New Work by Aneurin and Meirion Jones.
* ORIEL DAVIES GALLERY, “Placement: Ceramics Connections Wales and Scotland” exhibition, at the NEWTOWN venue, until July 6. Also open in the TestBed space in “Aggregates” by Jonathan Anderson.
Writer Tyler Keevil will be in conversation with the gallery’s writer in residence Chris Kinsey and will read from his extensive work on Friday, June 3, at 7.30pm. Evening will also include announcement of the Oriel Davies Poetry Competition 2011 winners.
* VIVI-MARI CARPELAN, the Finnish-Swedish symbolist artist from Llanidloes shows 20 intriguing handmade collages until the end of May at PH Salon and Gallery, Park Street, NEWTOWN.
* OSFEST, opening of the weekend of music, including Welshpool band String The Marionette, at OSWESTRY Showground.
* TCHAIKOVSKY GALA, presented by Vienna Festival Ballet, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* “WORLD OF PAIN”, Nobody’s Perfect Productions present Phil Preece’s fast paced camp comedy featuring the vile Mrs Violet Spatchcock, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* PAUL PARKER & ALL THE RIGHT FRIENDS, with Americana music at the Dun Cow, SHREWSBURY.
Saturday, May 28
* VINCENT PRICE CENTENARY. screening of his 1964 horror fantasy film “The Last Man on Earth” with live soundtrack played by Animat, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre at 8.15pm.
* PAPIER MACHE & STORY CREATION, workshop for children with Welsh author Morgan Tomos, from 10am at ERWOOD Station and Craft Centre. His new first book in English is “Mrs GwraK”, a horror story on the theme of obesity.
Book on 01982 560674.
* PLAYING FOR DANCING, ninth of 10 TASC weekly music workshop days for eight to 18 year olds, from 10am now at the Drama Centre, LLANDRINDOD WELLS. Leading to creation of a band to perform at a community event on June 25. Visit www.tradartsupport, org.uk or call Philip Freeman on 01686 688102, or Helen Wilding-Smith on 07772 697401.
* KNIGHTON MUSIC CENTRE, hosting visit by world class guitarist Jamie Humphries currently touring with Queen guitarist Brian May, demonstrating Music Man guitars, with prizes on offer and Sunshine Radio broadcasting live from the store.
* CELEBRATION CONCERT, resulting from choral and orchestral workshop directed by David White, with leader Ruth Lowther, organist Chris Green, and soloists Stephen and Dilys Hollinghurst and Malcolm Hughes, at St Andrew’s Church, PRESTEIGNE.
* BOBBY GEE, singer at the Royal British Legion Club, PRESTEIGNE, in memory of John Clay.
* THE MANNFREDS, vintage British band at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
Sunday, May 29
* THE CHORUS LINE, Mid Wales dance Academy evening of song and dance numbers from popular musicals, with guests, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* CEIRIOG MALE VOICE CHOIR, in concert at 7,45pm at St Thomas’ Church, PENYBONTFAWR.
* FIGHT THE BEAR, Bishops Castle indie band at the Royal Oak, PRESTEIGNE, with free admission.
* PERCUSSION UNLIMITED, free event from 10am to 1pm in The Square, SHREWSBURY.
* G.MANIA, reality show pop stars with music inspired by the hit TV show “Glee”, at 5 and 8pm at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* LOST HIGHWAY, at the High Street Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY.
* RUSSELL KANE, comedian’s Smoke Screens and Castles tour date, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
* WELSHPOOL MUSIC FESTIVAL PUB SESSIONS, the third annual free event features a vast range of musicians with live music pub sessions at The Talbot, The Crown, The Pheasant, The Wellington, The Green Dragon and Signature.
Musicians involved this year include The Infamous, The Albino Excuse, Endorphin, The Antidote, Parti Gungrog, Tony Moore, Pre Sleep Monologue, Rob Dunsford, KuldipC, Mr Bradbury, Dan Owen, The Weavers, HalfLight, Back to Blue, Neil Saunders, Static Attic, Frankie Wesson, The Thieving Beggars, Glow, Omar’s Band, DJ Andy Eaton and Henry Wesson, Amy Pugh and Clive, Jake Spicer, Operation Minton, Will and Hugh, Cool Kids Write in Blue, and the Tia Kamru Band.
Visit www.welshpoolmusicfest.designacuity. co.uk for more details.
Monday, May 30
* LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO, the legendary South African vocal group on Hay Festival concert at HAY ON WYE.
Also coming to ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 21.
* ACOUSTIC NIGHTS, singers and songwriters welcome at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO, every Monday and Wednesday.
* ”FIVE BLUE HAIRED LADIES SITTING ON A GREEN PARK BENCH”, opening night for production of the John A. Penzotti comedy with cast including Lorraine Chase, Shirley Anne Field, Anita Harris and Frazer Hines, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY, to Saturday, June 4 at 7pm, plus 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.
* WELSHPOOL CARNIVAL, includes the Batala Samba Band and the Cambrian band, from 1pm on the streets and recreation grounds of WELSHPOOL.
Tuesday, May 31
* HEARTSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR, weekly meetings at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre. Also now including the Outdoors project with National Theatre Wales and Berlin’s theatre-makers Rimini Protokol, meeting at the Court Royal Hotel at 7.15pm revealing stories of each choir member on the streets of the town.
* DAN CASSIDY, the country folk musician brother of the late Eva Cassidy, with Shropshire bluegrass musician James Hickman and friends, in WhatTheFolk night at HAY ON WYE Parish Hall.
* RHAYADER & DISTRICT MALE VOICE CHOIR, weekly rehearsals now back at the Old School, CWMDAUDDWR from 8pm every Tuesday,
* ”OKLAHOMA!”, opening night for the Viv Kelly Youth Theatre production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein music, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY, tonight and to Saturday, June 4.
Wednesday, June 1
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* ”PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER”, opening night for Big Cigar productions thriller by Norman Robbins, at the Marches School, OSWESTRY, at 7.45pm tonight, and on Thursday and Friday, June 2 and 3
Thursday, June 2
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, hosted by Wayne Martin, at The Vaults, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* MAGIC, tribute shows to Queen and ELO, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
Friday, June 3
* IRIS WILLIAMS, Welsh songstress concert launch of her new “Catch My Dream” album, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* PARTI CUT LLOI, Banwy Valley plygain singers supported by the Two Gareths, and Builth Wells Male Voice and Ladies Choirs, in Dennis Jones Memorial Concert, at Alpha Chapel, BUILTH WELLS.
* SEDGEFEST, family friendly two day music event at the Horse and Jockey pub, CHURCHSTOKE, tonight and Saturday, June 4 with 10 bands on a large outdoor stage with full professional sound and light.
* ELIZA CARTHY BAND, the iconic folk music queen, at the Hay Festival HAY ON WYE.
* DENNIS WILLIAMS, new exhibition of paintings on show to June 19 at WELSHPOOL Tourist Information centre.
Saturday, June 4
* STRAWBERRY FAYRE, event from Friends of MusicFest Aberystwyth in aid of MusicFest Summer School student bursaries, at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre from 2pm.
* CATRIN FINCH, tour date for Royal Harpist to Prince Charles, promoting her superb new album “Annwn”, at Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON.
* GREGYNOG YOUNG MUSICIAN COMPLETION, 17 musicians compete in the afternoon with five chosen to go on to play in evening concert open to the public, at GREGYNOG HALL. Book on 01686 650224.
* PAINTINGS, ORIGINAL PRINTS & OBJECTS INSPIRED BY THE NATURAL WORL, exhibition by Montgomeryshire painter and printmaker Sara Philpott, on show 2pm to 5pm today and Sunday at Tan-y-Llyn Nurseries, near MEIFOD.
* PENYBONTFAWR MALE CHOIR, in 60th anniversary year concert, at WELSHPOOL Town Hall, in aid of NSPCC.