Friday, January 8
* WINTER CRAFT & GIFT FAIR, open at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre to January 10.
* KATRIN MOYE, wheel thrown decorative domestic slipware made from earthenware and inspired by vintage textiles and clothing, until January 9 at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre.
* FORM & MOVEMENT, group exhibition of fantastic unseen and rarely exhibited works that score by being serious and funny, skillful, aesthetic and bold, by more than 20 artists on at the Maesmawr Art Centre, CAERSWS, open Thursdays to Sundays 11am to 4pm, until January 24. Admission free.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, exhibitions feature Illumination by Sarah Berry, and Blaenau-Between Earth and Heaven, by Jeremy Moore, at MACHYNLLETH until January 9.
* OPEN ART COMPETITION 2009, winners and entries on show at the Theatr Hafren bar gallery, NEWTOWN, to January 31.
* BEYOND PATTERN, exhibition on until January 27, exploring the cultural meanings of pattern, through exhibition, commission, publication and debate, at the Oriel Davies Gallery, NEWTOWN.
On Saturday, January 16, between 2 and 4pm at the gallery there will be a free Conversazione informal event ‘Bluestockings, Magazines and Stitching’ bringing together artist Catherine Bertola, and academics and authors Margaret Beetham and Carol Dyehouse to discuss and draw out issues around Bertola’s work in Beyond Pattern.
The renamed ‘Test Bed’ space encouraging more experimental use of the gallery space and its first exhibition is Alex Duncan’s Eocene inspired by the fragility and power of the natural world.
* MALTHOUSE GALLERY, new exhibition at the OSWESTRY venue, with over 15 leading artists from across the region showcasing work including an exclusive world first showing of sculpture by Ursular Fels Eisenstien. As well as sculpture, textile and leather works there will be a select display of bespoke furniture by Vidal and Company. Open Monday to Saturday, to March.
Saturday, January 9
* LIVE JAZZ, from 7.30pm at the Maesmawr Arts Centre, CAERSWS, organised by jazz enthusiasts Laurence and Debbie Grey of Pontrobert and Cathy Knapp of Maesmawr Art Centre. Many of the works in the current exhibition Form and Movement are inspired by music. Information on 01686 688369.
* TWELFTH NIGHT IN LLANDINAM, annual celebration from Church to Village Hall with food, drink, music, song and dance. Processing down the hill to the strains of the old Welsh favourite Nos Galan.
Celebrated storyteller Helen East will be delighting with the stories of St Uncumber and St Nicholas. The ancient turn of the year horse figure Mari Lwyd will make its first appearance. The Llandinam Village Band will be trying its hand at mumming as well as playing for the ceilidh. In sparkling voice will be Wendy, Ticia and Linda.
The Wild Angels will be not only singing the Wassail but providing food and drink into the bargain.
Start at the Church at 7pm with frozen beauty and then to the Hall at 8pm, progressively warming throughout the evening until the final rumbustiousness of a ceilidh in full flood.
For tickets contact Kathleen on 01686 688102, and more details on the website www.tradartsupport.org.uk
* HERBERT SPLIFFINGTON ALLSTARS, reggae night with Jamaican vocalist and percussionist Satch Dixon, at the Old New Inn, LLANFYLLIN.
* SOUNDBITES, internationally reputed harpist Harriett Earis heads this month’s triple bill at the Great Oak Cafe, LLANIDLOES.
Harriet from Aberystwyth is an extremely talented and expressive harpist. Classically trained, she is featured regularly on TV and radio, has made two CDs herself as well as having guested on numerous other albums. In 2007, she played both at the 02 Millennium Dome and the Royal Albert Hall. She has played in many countries in Europe and undertaken 14 tours in USA. Harriet plays a fusion of Celtic, Folk-Dance and Jazz.
The opening set will be by Maisie Greenwood and Clovis Philip. Maisie's musical background comes from playing in Irish, English and Northumbrian sessions from an early age, and doing plenty of busking. She has spent the last few years alternating between studying in Durham and travelling the world with a backpack and a fiddle, and once ended up joining a Cuban band for a couple of months in Guatemala. Clovis Phillips has played guitar since the age of seven, and since has played in a number of bands in a wide range of styles. He has recently released his second solo CD (available on iTunes), on which he plays most of the instruments himself.
The middle set will be by Anam Cara, a newly formed group features the exceptional vocal and songwriting talents of Orfhlaith nic Conmhaoil, set against an intricate sonic tapestry of Richard Booth on guitar and Cornelius Eger on mandolin.
* DYAD PERCUSSION DUO, Music in New Radnor features Toby Kearney and Dan Jones, at NEW RADNOR Community Centre.
* JAMES HICKMAN, bluegrass and folk at the Dun Cow, SHREWSBURY.
* WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALLS BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2010, this year’s competition starts tonight with the first heat at the new Little Civic venue at The Slade Rooms in Broad Street, with Stafford band Point Blank, Shrewsbury’s Run Fast Turn Left, Bilston’s Mezzatonic, Burntwood’s White Rose, and Gornal’s 12 Gauge.
It’s not too late for more entries to the competition as the Little Civic’s January and February schedule is fully dedicated to accommodate as many heats as possible – send your applications to phil@wolvescivic.co.uk
The winners will get £1,000, a free recording session at M2 Studio, a photo shoot with a professional photographer, a bespoke website designed and hosted by Surge Music and more goodies.
If enough people vote for a band on the botb1.wolvescivic.co.uk website then they can also get to the final by winning the Online Wildcard.
Line-ups go online on the website and heats will be on January 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 31, and February 4, 5, and 7. Semi-Finals will be on February 20 and 26, and March 19 and 27. The final will be at Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on Saturday April 17.
Sunday, January 10
* SHROPSHIRE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, at St, Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY.
Monday, January 11
* ACOUSTIC NIGHTS, singers and songwriters welcome at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO, every Monday and Wednesday.
* SING YOUR HEART OUT, singing group meeting on Mondays at 7pm at MEIFOD Village Hall for all ages, abilities and experience, with Rosie McConnell a member of the Natural Voice Practitioners Network. Further information from Kath on 01938 500459.
* FFONIC, community world music band meets for sociable music making on Monday evenings at NEWTOWN, playing traditional and new music for ceilidh dances, private parties, festivals, fairs and other community events. From small beginnings in 2000 Ffonic has grown into a 13-piece band playing an eclectic mix of music from across the world. Membership is open to instrumentalists of all ages and abilities. Call Steve for details on 01686 411366 or visit www.ffonic.co.uk
* BANDAMANIA, meetings of the popular folk community orchestra continue at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms at 7.15pm on Mondays. New players are always welcome.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, new singers and acoustic music welcome at The Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* MODERN JIVE CLASSES, weekly classes on Mondays at 7.45pm for beginners; 9pm for intermediates, and freestyle from 10.30pm at the Lion Hotel, SHREWSBURY. Call 078123 69702 for details.
Tuesday, January 12
* NEWTOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR, weekly practice now on Tuesdays with new members welcome at the United Reformed Church at 7.30pm. Looking forward to promoting their new CD with a wonderful mix of rendition. For more information ring secretary Enid Morgan on 01686 626894.
* BORDER FOLK COMMUNITY NIGHTS, musicians and singers welcome at weekly sessions from 9pm at The Grapes, NEWTOWN.
* RHAYADER JAM, session at The Cornhill Inn every Tuesday from 8pm for performers of all types. Call the pub first for confirmation on 01597 810029.
Wednesday, January 13
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, with Gerry Rockstar, at the White Horse Inn, CLUN.
* GUILSFIELD SINGERS, enterprising local mixed choir’s weekly rehearsals at GUILSFIELD Old School at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, now rehearsing Karl Jenkins’s Sacred Songs, plus shorter pieces by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Wesley, for their Easter Concert in Welshpool on March 27. For more information give secretary Pauline a ring on 01938 559612.
* LLANDRINDOD SILVER BAND, practices at LLANDRINDOD WELLS Primary School, at Cefnllys, with junior band practice at 6pm followed by senior band practice from 7pm. New members are always welcome and some instruments are available for musicians. Call Darcy Morgan on 01597 823260 and more information may be had on the band’s website Llandrindod-silver-band.org.uk.
* ACOUSTIC SESSIONS, informal folk, blues and jazz every Wednesday from 8.30pm now at the Elephant, LLANIDLOES. Musicians welcome.
* LIVE JAZZ, informal music sessions with local musicians at the Dragon Hotel, MONTGOMERY, from 9pm on Wednesdays.
* COR MERCHED MALDWYN, the Montgomeryshire ladies choir weekly rehearsals resume on Wednesdays at NEWTOWN Evangelical Church at 7.30pm. All choir enquiries to secretary Gay Roberts on 01686 630678 or visit www-cor-Merched-Maldwyn.org.
Following their two successful Christmas concerts at Bucknell and Llanidloes, the choir are now rehearsing for concerts starting at GUILSFIELD on Saturday, March 6.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Wednesday at Norton Manor Hotel, PRESTEIGNE, from 8pm. Entry is free and all ages and abilities are welcome. To book a slot call 01547 520843 or email welshmusicevents@yahoo.co.uk
* TONY SKEGGS, regular musician at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
Thursday, January 14
* POETS CORNER, monthly gathering at the Poppy House, BISHOPS CASTLE. Book a meal at 7pm on 01588 620541. Readings and music 8pm.
* NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, with CD Adventures in Brass, practices at the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm, with all welcome. Also Junior Band practices at 6.30pm every Thursday,
* ABSOLUTION SAXOPHONE QUARTET, Welshpool Music Club’s 67th season of concerts continues at 7.30pm at WELSHPOOL Methodist Church with a recital by one of the leading saxophone quartets in Britain performing a wide range of music, including some standard pieces from the repertoire for this medium.
Friday, January 15
* EDDIE GARTRY & BLUES STATE UK, at the White Horse Inn, CLUN.
* CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, playing works by Brahms and Sibelius, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY.
Saturday, January 16
* CANDLELIT BAROQUE CONCERT, held by Friends of St Michael’s, Discoed. at St Andrew’s Church. PRESTEIGNE. Tickets £12.50 are available from the post office or by calling Judy and David Hiam on 01547 560246 or visit davidhiam@aol.co.uk
Tuesday, January 19
* MARTYN GERAINT A’R LOSIN HUD, one of Wales’ most loved children’s entertainers returns with friends to perform a new Welsh language pantomime at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre at 1 and 7pm today, and at 10am on Wednesday, January 20.
* SCARECROW, opening date for new community tour by the region’s professional drama company Theatr Powys with a passionate, humorous and intensely human play for children and their families, written by Chris Cooper, at 7.30pm at the Drama Centre, LLANDRINDOD WELLS. Also at 1.20pm on Wednesday January 20. Call 01597 824444 for bookings.
Tour dates continue to February 27 and include Friday January 22 at 7pm at TREFEGLWYS Memorial Hall 01686 430644; and Saturday, January 23, at 7pm at ABERMULE Community Centre 01686 630240. For further details, call Theatr Powys on 01597 824444/ theatr.powys@powys.gov.uk
* TO GET an item in What’s On email barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk