Email barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk
Friday, August 6
* CHICAGO, professional summer season production of the hit musical with eight shows a week to August 26 at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre, starring Shona Lindsay as Roxie Hart.
* BITTEN & PRESSED, exhibition of contemporary printmaking on to September 4, at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
Also The Dartboard for Witches, exhibition of contemporary work in textiles, on to September 18.
* VALLEY, paintings by local artist Robert Cunning on to August 14 at the BLEDDFA Trust Centre near Knighton.
* BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL, opening events for the scaled down festival now run by the Hay Festival organisers at various venues, includes the Neil Cowley Trio at Theatr Brycheiniog; Norwegian saxophonist Hakon Kornstad; the Pee Wee Ellis Funk Ensemble; and BBC Jazz Award winners Get The Blessing.
Saturday’s choices include saxophonist Scott Hamilton from New York with top Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello and others at the Market Hall; Cuban legends Orquesta Buena Visa Social Club; Kyle Eastwood; Jacqui Dankworth; American blues star Charlie Musselwhite; Nostalgia 77 with American singer songwriter living in Montgomeryshire Jeb Loy Nichol; fiesty quartet Brass Jaw; the Elin Larsson Group from Sweden;the Portico Quartet; a tribute to British jazz legend Tubby Hayes; the Gwilym Simock Trio; the Brecon Jazz commission involving Paula Gardiner and other Welsh musicians with the great French trumpeter Erik Truffaz; plus Getting to Know the Music Industry, Beat Matching and Rock Riffs Guitar workshops.
Sunday starts with the Jazz Service at Brecon Cathedral at 10am and the Jazz Parade through the streets at 11.30am. Gigs include the Royal College of Music and Drama and Brecon Jazz International Jazz School showcase at Christ College; Acker Bilk; Keith and Julie Tippett; young jazz trumpet star Matthew Halsall; violinist Olivia Moore; King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys; the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble from Chicago; Indian brass band Bombay Baja; saxophonist Andy Sheppard; South African trumpet legend Hugh Masekela; plus Guitar Effects, and Electric Drumming workshops.
Full listings at www.breconjazz.co.uk with tickets at 01497 822629.
* BRECON FRINGE FESTIVAl, starts today and continues Saturday and Sunday with more than 190 gigs in over 30 venues including rock, R&B, ska, indie, jazz, poetry readings, comedy and burlesque.
Top tips are electronic noodler Little Eris who performs at Brecknock Museum alongside Canadian techno drum and bass pianist John Farrar; and Brecon’s hardest working band Electric Tomato who play at The Clarence, The Castle, The Star, the Markets Tavern, and the Ardent Gallery. Most venues are free and full listings are at www.breconfringe.co.uk
* BAAAH!, artwork from all five Brecon Fringe Guides, on show at Brecknock Museum, BRECON, to August 8.
* DOCTOR’S ORDERS, live music for the carnival weekend, at the White Horse. CLUN.
* DAVID LLOYD MEMORIAL EXHIBITION, story of the south Wales artist who died last year and was reluctant to sell his art, on show at the Radnorshire Museum, LLANDRINDOD WELLS until September 5.
* MUSEUM OF MODERN ART WALES, new exhibition at the MACHYNLLETH gallery features entries in the 2010 Machynlleth Festival Tabernacle Art Competition based on the final section of the poem Ode to the Summer by R. Williams Parry, with first prize won by Katy Webster, of Mold.
Visitors have to August 27 to select their favourite exhibit for the annual Ailsa Owen Memorial Prize for the most popular exhibit,
Also Common Threads by environmental campaigner artist Caitlin Shepherd is on to September 4.
* HICKMAN & QUINN, Shrewsbury-based musicians James Hickman and Chris Quinn drawing from the rich traditions of British folk and American roots, at the Lowfield Inn, MARTON.
* JUDITH MOY, exhibition of new paintings by the Shrewsbury-based artist, at CountryWorks Gallery, MONTGOMERY, until August 11.
* DRESSING UP AT THE MUSEUM, try on some of the fantastic old and replica clothes from 2.30pm at the NEWTOWN Textile Museum. Call 01938 554656 to book.
* MR JONES, live music at The Exchange, NEWTOWN, with free admission.
* RE-ANIMATE, exhibition of contemporary animation by 39 artists from across the UK at the Oriel Davies Gallery, NEWTOWN, together with prize winners in the competition launched last December reflecting animation at its most diverse and fascinating.
Winner of the Whittingham Riddell £1,000 first prize is Pia Borg , artist film maker based in London. Student £500 prize winner is Sibyl Montague, a London based student. Both also get chance for solo exhibitions in summer 2011. Call 01686 625041.
Visitors have to August 6 to chose their favourite for the People’s Choice Prize.
Also on to August 18 is Dawn Woolley’s Interloper, short digital video loop examining female stereotyping.
* HENRY SMITH’S COUNTRY DREAMS, at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
* IN THIS PLACE, local CARAD history and nature exhibition with sculpture, photography and poetry created by local people, on to late October at RHAYADER Museum and Gallery.
* MUSIC FOR PIANOLA & ORGAN, by Michael Broadway and Richard Walker in free lunchtime concert at St Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY.
* RUBEE & THE ROCKETS, at the High Street Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY.
* STIFF WITNESS, at the Dun Cow, SHREWSBURY.
* SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE OF, exhibition of photography by Derek Tamea, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY, to September 25.
Saturday, August 7
* BRECON FRINGE. The Bull’s Head hosts an Oxjam Day from 1pm today including Bernadette O’Grady; comedy from Horse and Louis, Sweet Bamboo, Moonface; and Cardiff’s premiere multimedia pub quiz.
On Sunday the Bull’s Head continues all day from noon with the Remembering George Melly Hour; followed by Poets at the Bulls, Shenanigans; the Brecon Bluegrass Session; Holy Jack Tanglefoot, the Nik Turner Band, Ruby Rose Burlesque; and the End of Fringe Party from 9.30pm.
* TEXTILE TOUR, behind the scenes family tour looking at the lives of the people who lived and worked in 1840s Newtown, at NEWTOWN Textile Museum from 1.30pm.
* ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR, monthly event at PRESTEIGNE Assembly Rooms from 9am.
For further details call Rosamund on 260777.
* OK BROTHER, acoustic guitar duo live at the Tomolo Bar, SHREWSBURY.
Sunday, August 8
* MAESMAWR ART GALLERY, the CAERSWS gallery hosts opening of new exhibition featuring Forden painter and installation artist Gemma Hughes and Kerry potter Chris Purdy. There will be a chance to meet the artists and enjoy live music provided by Gemma, Owen Thorpe, Mark Purdy and Sarah Philpott. Afternoon tea will be available. The event is being organised in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Stefan Knapp Sculpture Project.
Popular Children’s Summer Holiday Clay courses run by Kerry potter Chris Purdy and Cathy Knapp start on Monday August 9. Contact Cathy on info@midwalesarts.org.uk or 07970671819.
The new community based Pottery Club at the Mid Wales Arts Centre got off to a
good start and welcomes new members of all ages and abilities, with experts on hand to advise on projects on Wednesdays from
7pm.
* THE SECRET GARDEN, a Heartbreak Productions staging of the children’s timeless classic in open air production at 4pm at SHREWSBURY High School grounds.
* HARLEQUIN, folky trio back at the Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY High Street from 3pm, with James Hickman from 8.30pm.
Monday, August 9
* BUILTH WELLS MALE VOICE CHOIR, after November concert at Llandrindod, the choir meet every Monday at 7.30pm for practice in the Greyhound Hotel, Builth Wells. New members welcome.
* ACOUSTIC NIGHTS, singers and songwriters welcome at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO, every Monday and Wednesday.
* SHROPSHIRE ART COMPETITION, opens at the OSWESTRY Visitor Centre where it can be seen until September 25.
* 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, August 10
* KNIGHTON TOWN SILVER BAND, rehearsals under musical director Steve Edwards held at KNIGHTON Drill Hall, at 7.30pm, every Tuesday, and welcome new members. Contact secretary Jane Milward on 01547 528081.
* REVOLTING ROMANS, with crafts, dressing up and a pretend archaeological dig, for children of all ages, from 10am at LLANIDLOES Museum; and from 1.30pm at NEWTOWN Textile Museum. Book on 01938 554656.
Also from 11am at the Powysland Museum, WELSHPOOL, on Thursday, August 12. Book on 01938 554656.
* NEWTOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR, weekly practice on Tuesdays with new members welcome at the United Reformed Church at 7.30pm.
* 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, Call 01597 810029.
* RHAYADER & DISTRICT MALE VOICE CHOIR, rehearsals held from 8pm every Tuesday at the St John Ambulance Building. Call Graham Benbow on 0154 7528286, or secretary, Su Morris.
* PETER AND THE WOLF, Sea Legs Puppet Theatre tells the tale from a Russian forest, at The Hive, SHREWSBURY, at 2pm.
Wednesday, August 11
* BUILTH WELLS & DISTRICT LADIES’ CHOIR, rehearsals every Wednesday at 7.45pm at the Wesley Chapel, Garth Road, BUILTH WELLS. New members welcome, Details and bookings on 01982 552514.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, with Jerry Rockstar, at the White Horse Inn, CLUN.
* LLANDRINDOD SILVER BAND, practices at LLANDRINDOD WELLS Primary School, at Cefnllys, with junior band practice at 6pm followed by senior band practice from 7pm. Call 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 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.
* OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Wednesday at Norton Manor Hotel, PRESTEIGNE, from 8pm. Call 01547 520843
* BAND OF THE CORPS OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS, in concert at 7.30pm at St, Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY.
Thursday, August 12
* ART GRAFFITI, workshop for ages eight to 13 from 10am and ages 14 to 25, from noon, at the SpArC theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE. Book on 01588 630321.
* GARIBALDI, live music at The Vaults, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, practices at
the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm with all welcome.
Also Junior Band practices at 6.30pm every Thursday,
* WAYNE MARTIN BAND, at the Horseshoe Inn, RATLINGHOPE.
Friday, August 13
* STAGEFIGHT STUNTS, drama workshops from 10am at the SpArC theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* GRAVY TRAIN, at The Exchange, NEWTOWN.
* SHEEP MUSIC, first of two weekends for the festival this year with gigs at the geodesic dome at Wentes Meadow, PRESTEIGNE. Tonight Extra Curricular journey through funk, soul and jungle anthemic choruses. Plus Jangle electronic and organic sounds with a locally brewed rhythm section.
Saturday, August 14, features Brass Roots, an eight piece blend of Michael Jackson, Gnarls Barkley and a trombone; plus Black Sheep White Sheep, Presteigne’s own talented multi instrumentalists on the wild side of eastern European funk.
* SIR JOHN TOMLINSON, one of the greatest Wagnerian singers of all time, will be accompanied by Kevin Lim, as part of the Sidney Nolan Trust weekend of Wagner, at The Rodd, PRESTEIGNE. Call 260149.
* FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL, opening of weekend near Gatten Farm, RATLINGHOPE, with headliners including Hazel O’Connor’s Bluja Project, Pauline Black, and Hawklords. Call 01588 650450.
* LAURA COLLINS, free lunchtime Jazz concert at St. Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY, at 12.40pm.
* STORY FEST, Helen East tells stories for primary school ages at WELSHPOOL Library, 10am to 11.30am. Also August 19 and 25.
Saturday, August 14
* THE SWING COMMANDERS, after tours of Texas, France, Holland and Belgium during the past two years, the radio, television and recording artists, return to play more Texas swing and lively western music live at the Pavilion, LLANDRINDOD WELLS, with local duo Country Company.
* JAZZ BLUES & ROCK FESTIVAL, fourth annual day of music at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO, with the Golden Blues Band, Chainwire, Blue Rooster, Juno & The Mook, Rob Cook-Williams, Chris and Alisdair, Claire and Eleri, and Back to Blue. Call 01691 830295.