Email barry.jones@countytimes.co.uk
Friday, August 13
* 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, new exhibition of contemporary work in textiles, on to September 18.
* STAGEFIGHT STUNTS, drama workshops, from 10am, at the SpArC theatre, BISHOPS CASTLE.
* VALLEY, paintings by local artist Robert Cunning, on to August 14, at the BLEDDFA Trust Centre, near Knighton.
* MAESMAWR ART GALLERY, the CAERSWS gallery hosts new Form and Light exhibition featuring Forden painter and installation artist Gemma Hughes and Kerry potter Chris Purdy.
Painting workshop with Jenny Jones will run next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 19, 20 and 21.
Children’s Summer Holiday Clay courses run by Kerry potter Chris Purdy and Cathy Knapp started on August 9. Contact Cathy on info@midwalesarts.org.uk or 07970671819.
The new community based Pottery Club at the Mid Wales Arts Centre welcomes new members of all ages and abilities, with experts on hand to advise on projects on Wednesdays from 7pm.
* 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, 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.
* DAYLEVEL, live music at the Lowfield Inn, MARTON.
* THE ACCELERATORS, 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.
Also on to August 18 is Dawn Woolley’s Interloper, short digital video loop examining female stereotyping.
* SHROPSHIRE ART COMPETITION, at the OSWESTRY Visitor Centre until September 25.
* FESTIVAL IN THE SHIRE, hobbits, elves, dwarfs and men all welcome at the troubled Tolkien fest that eventually found a home at PONTRYHDFENDIGAID, where things will be happening all weekend leading up to Sunday’s main music performance by the magical keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman. For tickets and more visit www,festival intheshire.com
* SHEEP MUSIC DOME ALONE, 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 huge 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 12th annual weekend fest near Gatten Farm, RATLINGHOPE, Songstress Hazel O’Connor, still best known for the film Broken Glass and the hit song Will You?, returns to headline Saturday night with her Bluja Project featuring Claire Hurst on sax and Sarah Fisher on piano and vocals including a 30th anniversary tribute with songs from Breaking Glass.
Saturday night headliners are also The Hawklords, key players of Hawkwind reunited in some cases after 28 years apart.
The festival starts today from 2.30pm with Rubee and The Rockets, followed by Too Loud for the Legion, Goayanda, Emma and the Professor; Groucutt and Haynes; Elephant Talk, The Skints, and Pauline Black formerly of the Two Tone band The Selector.
Saturday’s line up also includes Electric Blues Band, Belch Pop Factory, Small’s Faces, Flat Stanley, Weapons of Sound, Chimanimani; and Greenland Whalefishers, described as in the style of The Pogues.
Starting each day from 11am will be the battle of the bands competition with acts confirmed including Naked Remedy, Bopilar and the Mountain Valley Boys, E-Gos, The Nights, Gold Room, and the Pre-Sleep Monologue.
There will also be an acoustic stage, a comedy tent, a Green Fashion Show, fancy dress competitions, children’s entertainment, a farmers’ market, and Green tent and workshops.
Go to the www.farmerphilsfestival.co.uk for full details or call 01588 650450.
* 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.
* LAURA COLLINS, free lunchtime Jazz concert at St Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY, at 12.40pm.
* RHYTHM ACES, at the High Street Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY.
* OK BROTHER, acoustic guitar duo live at the Romolo Bar, SHREWSBURY, tonight and Saturday.
* FAMOUS LAST WORDS, 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.
* STORY FEST, Helen East tells stories for primary school ages at WELSHPOOL Library, 10am to 11.30am. Also Fiona Collins next Thursday August 19.
Saturday, August 14
* CRASH FESTIVAL, new festival 12-hour music extravaganza with 17 bands performing near ABERMULE on the B4386 road to Montgomery, from 11.30am.
Bands will include Colour Sunday, Roots Oracle, The Hostages, Misty Blue Trio, The Strikez, Organised Chaos, Dai Roberts, Extra Curricular, Coaching the Obese, Eyes of Mars, Shameless Faith, Febo King, Madoc Vanguard, Skinny White and The Goods, All Fired Up, the Nail Gun Episode, and Cool Kids Write in Blue.
Proceeds to various Abermule Community Centre groups. Call 07859 937083 for tickets.
* SHAYNE PRINCE, local favourite at Forden United fund raiser from 8pm at the Cock Hotel, FORDEN.
* THE SWING COMMANDERS, after tours of Texas, France, Netherlands 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. Landlord Rob Cook-Williams will be playing guitar himself with others lined up including the Golden Blues Band, Chainwire, Juno & The Mook, Chris and Alisdair, Claire and Eleri, Back to Blue, John Rogers, and Roger Honda 50.
There will also be market and craft stalls, local food and real ales. It starts at 11.30am and entry is free. Call 01691 830295.
* ERICA HERBERT, opening of first exhibition at the CountryWorks Gallery, MONTGOMERY, for the still life and Welsh countryside landscape artist, who lives near Llanfair Caereinion, on to September 22.
* CIRCUS ANTICS, circus skill lessons and more from 10am at the WELSHPOOL Town Hall Market Village.
Sunday, August 15
* DAVE ONIONS, live at the High Street Wheatsheaf, SHREWSBURY.
Monday, August 16
* ACOUSTIC NIGHTS, singers and songwriters welcome at the Golden Lion Hotel, LLANDYSILIO, every Monday and Wednesday.
* THE COUNTRY GIRL, Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove star in new stage version of Clifford Odets’ award winning masterpiece about a former theatre star’s comeback chance, at Theatre Severn, SHREWSBURY, with performances at 7.30pm every night to Saturday, August 21, plus 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.
Tuesday, August 17
* 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.
* JOURNEY OF TURTLE, Lempen Puppet Theatre with traditional storytelling, at The Hive, SHREWSBURY, at 2pm.
Wednesday, August 18
* MAGIC KEV, family entertainment from 10.30am at BISHOPS CASTLE Library.
* 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.
* HIVE SCHOOL MUSICAL. all the fun of the High School Musical but on a shoestring budget, for ages eight to 13, between 10am and 3pm today and Thursday, August 19, at The Hive, SHREWSBURY. Call 01743 234970.
* AN IDEAL HUSBAND, Heartbreak Productions staging of the Oscar Wilde favourite full of intrigue, romance and wit, in open air production at 6.30pm at SHREWSBURY High School grounds.
* PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Chapterhouse Theatre perform adaptation of the Jane Austen classic in open air production at Gregynog Hall, TREGYNON. Book on 01686 650224.
* TERRIBLE TUDORS, dress up like William Shakespeare, use a quill pen, ward off the plague with a pomander and make an Elizabethan ruff, from 11.30am at the Powysland Museum, WELSHPOOL.
Also at NEWTOWN Textile Museum from noon on Thursday, August 19. Book for either day on 01938 554656.
Thursday, August 19
* COLOURSCAPE, return of the fabulous walk-through art installation attraction at ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre today, Friday and Saturday.
* NEWTOWN SILVER BAND, with their latest CD Adventures in Brass, the band practices at the NEWTOWN Band Room every Thursday from 7.30pm with all welcome. Also Junior Band practices at 6.30pm every Thursday,
Friday, August 20
* BACK ROAD HOME, at the White Horse Inn, CLUN.
* WHALEBONE, exciting acoustic music by the rootsy, funky Shropshire trio, plus the enchanting Celtic songstress Beck Sian, at St Aelahaiarn’s Church, GUILSFIELD. Tickets £10 including refreshments, contact Canon Roger Bird on 01928 554245.
* FLETCHER BROTHERS, at The Exchange, NEWTOWN.
* SHEEP MUSIC, second weekend events at PRESTEIGNE feature Samasara, and Fight The Bear, tonight; and Smerins Anti-Social Club and Molotov Jukebox on Saturday.
* PAUL MOCROFT, free lunchtime recital by the baritone from 12.40pm at St. Chad’s Church, SHREWSBURY.
Saturday, August 21
* ON THE BORDER FESTIVAL, starring Two Tone band The Beat, at KNIGHTON Community Centre.
* THE QUIRKS, featuring Dave Field, Nigel Elliott, Henry Nurdin, and Laurance Sharp promoting their new album playing live at The Talbot, WELSHPOOL, at 8,45pm.
Sunday, August 22
* MACHYNLLETH FESTIVAL, opening of this year’s events at The Tabernacle with the evening Cymanfa Ganu including the Wesleyan Singers Choir, from Llanidloes, and tenor soloist Alwyn Evans, of Machynlleth.
Events continue to August 29, and include one man show portrait of Richard Burton by Rhodri Miles; concert of Welsh Composers; Children’s Concert by three outstanding young artists; male voice choir Cor Godre’r Aran; soulful jazz singer Sarah Jane Morris, pianist Imogen Cooper, soprano Dame Felcity Lott accompanied by Julius Drake, the Elias String Quartet, German Cabaret with soprano Eva Meier, and the Faure Quartet of Berlin,
Tickets are available from the Tabernacle call 01654 703355. Website is www.momawales.org.uk