What’s On

University of Cardiff: Round Table Discussion with four Irish and Welsh writers: Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Robin Llywelyn, Catherine Fisher and Patrick McGuinness.  Part of a Wales-Ireland Symposium: The Politics of Affiliation - Comparisons and Contexts.  2pm at Room 0.36, Humanities Building, Cardiff University, Colum Drive, Cardiff.  For further details contact Dr Katie Gramich: gramichk@cardiff.ac.uk / 029 20875622.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Butetown History and Arts Centre: Contemporary Trinidadian Poetry: lecture and discussion with Anson Gonzalez.  Anson Gonzalez is internationally recognised as a poet with several collections and with poems in most of the new major antholigies of Carribean poetry.  7pm - 9pm at Butetown History and Arts Centre.  For further details contact Michael Flynn: marketing@bhac.org / 029 20256757.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Butetown History and Arts Centre: Poetry Writing Workshop with Anson Gonzalez.  Anson Gonzalez is internationally recognised as a poet with several collections and with poems in most of the new major antholigies of Carribean poetry.  15 places available.  4:00pm-5:30pm at Butetown History and Arts Centre.  For further details and to book your place contact Michael Flynn: marketing@bhac.org / 029 20256757.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Gwent Poetry Society: Annual General Meeting.  7:15pm - 9:00pm at the Studio, Dolman Theatre.  For further details contact Hazel Pritchard: 01633 483592.

Disability Arts Cymru Seminars: Equal Spaces – Live! Disability Arts Cymru is the strategic organisation for disability and the arts in Wales, led by disabled people.  Equal Spaces - Live! gives opportunities for arts, cultural and other organisations to obtain advice and guidance around best practice regarding the inclusion of disabled and disadvantaged people.  There is always more we can do in working towards greater inclusion and accessibility. Considerable changes can be made on a relatively small budget.  Equal Spaces - Live! shows how.  Equal Spaces - Live! is aimed at arts organisations, local authority arts development teams, youth and community arts groups, voluntary sector organisations, arts and health groups, colleges and further education establishments.  At the Riverfront, Newport.  Cost: £25 per head including lunch.  For further information contact DAC on 029 2055 1040 / post@dacymru.com or visit www.dacymru.com

Seren Books: David Llewellyn will be reading at the launch of his new novel Everything is Sinister.  "In Everything is Sinister, Llewelyn has created a nightmarish, repulsive vision of the near future, but his style is so engaging, his world so credible and unsettling, that I defy you not to reach the very bitter, bloody end of this engaging read" - Attitude.  "David Llewelyn sums up everything I hate about Britain" - Telegraph blogger.  7pm at Waterstone’s, The Hayes, Cardiff.  For further details contact Jen Campbell at Seren: jencampbell@seren-books.com / 01656 663018.

Butetown History and Arts Centre: Poetry Readings and Discussion with Anson Gonzalez and Chris Meredith.  Anson Gonzalez is internationally recognised as a poet with several collections and with poems in most of the new major antholigies of Carribean poetry.  15 places available.  7:00pm at Butetown History and Arts Centre.  For further details and tickets contact Michael Flynn: marketing@bhac.org / 029 20256757.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre: Choman Hardi reads from her poetry in Kurdish and English.  7:00pm at Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre.  In association with the Arabic Society for Culture.

Academi: Readings and Q&A session with local author Roger Granelli.  Roger will be reading from his new book ’Risk’ published by Accent Press and discussing his other novels including Quick Reads title ’Losing It’.  From 2pm at Ebbw Vale Library.  All welcome.  For further details contact Louise Richards: swvldo@gmail.com.

Book Launch: The Banquet of Esther Rosenbaum, the first novel by Penny Simpson, winner of the Rhys Davies Short Story Competition 2007.  Set in interwar Berlin, this is a novel about exile told by Esther, a Jewish chef whose extraordinary recipes are a subversive form of storytelling.  "Alive… startling and original… quirky, unsentimental… funny... The writing flies off the page" - Tessa Hadley and Meic Stephens.  For further infomation about the novel click here.  Wine, cake, conversation.  6:30pm for 7:00pm at Bay Art Gallery, 54B/C Bute Street, Cardiff Bay CF10 5AF.  For further information and to RSVP contact: 029 20650016 / gwen@ylolfa.com.  www.bayart.org.uk  www.alcemi.eu  www.pennysimpson.com

Cardiff Storytelling Circle: Celtic Gems with Robin Williamson.  7:30pm at Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff.  For further details contact Cath Little: cathlittle@btinternet,com / 02920 230919.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Literature in Wales at Hay: Niall Griffiths discusses his work and reads from his next book Ten Pound Pom (Parthian, to be published shortly).  12pm - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Gillian Clarke, the National Poet of Wales, reads and discusses her work as President of the Taliesin Trust which manages the Tŷ Newydd Centre.  Sally Baker, Centre Director will discuss the programmes and courses.  4pm - 5pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Nia Wyn: Blue Sky July (Seren, 2007) follows the story of a mother whose child suffers a devastating brain injury.  A Radio 4 Book of the Week.  11am - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Library of Wales / Parthian Books Reception.  Meet the Editors and authors and dip into Welsh classics.  11:30am - 12:30pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Winning Stories: Eagle in the Maze.  Join Cinnamon Press, Academi and The Rhys Davies Trust at the Literature in Wales stand for the launch of Eagle in the Maze (Cinnamon Press), selected by Tessa Hadley and Meic Stephens, the anthology of the winning entries of the 2008 Rhys Davies Short Story Competition.  Plus talks and discussions with Rhys Davies Short Story Competition winners.  Hear excerpts of some of the winning stories and learn more about this prestigious prize that is helping to keep alive the short story form in Wales.  “You can put a whole world in a short story or next to nothing at all: anything’s permitted. In all eleven winning stories, what matters is that subject and form and language combine to make the sparks fly, to make something happen, something new.” - Meic Stephens & Tessa Hadley.  1:00pm - 2:30pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.  The Literature in Wales stand is a collaboration between Academi, The National Library of Wales, The Welsh Books Council, Welsh Assembly Government and Arts Council of Wales.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Menna Elfyn (Perfect Blemish: New & Selected Poems 1995-2007, Bloodaxe 2007), discusses her work as poet, dramatist, prose writer and Arts Council of Wales 2008 Creative Wales Award recipient.  During the afternoon at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Parthian Books: Dai Smith will be featuring in ’The Raymond Williams Lecture’ at 2pm at Hay Literary Festival.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

Academi: Wales Book of the Year 2008 Short List launch at 7:00pm on the Main Stage followed by a reception and book-signing from about 8:15pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Richard Gwyn reads from Deep Hanging Out (Snowbooks, 2007).  Richard Gwyn is a poet, novelist, translator and Arts Council of Wales 2008 Creative Wales Award recipient.  2pm - 5pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Mavis Nicholson meets visitors and discusses her childhood reminiscence Martha Jane and Me (Seren, 2008).  12 noon at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Owen Sheers, poet and novelist, reads from Resistance (Faber, 2007) and meets young members of the Powys Writing squads.  During the day at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Open Mic Poetry Night at 7:30pm at the Conway Pub, Cardiff Street, Aberdare CF44 7DG, 01685 88366.  Free admission.

Literature in Wales at Hay.  The periodical Poetry Wales was founded in 1965 and has an international reputation for fine writing and criticism.  Meet the new Editor, Zoë Skoulding and staff from the publisher Seren Books.  12 noon at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Samantha Wynne Rhydderch reads from her new collection Not in These Shoes (Picador, 2008).  1:30pm - 3:00pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council / Parthian Books: Open Mike Night and Readings by Welsh American writers Jon Dressel, David Lloyd and Margaret Lloyd, from Otherland: Contemporary Poems on Wales and Welsh-American Experience.  A collection by ten poets, each with an American background and an active, creative engagement with Wales.  Published by Parthian Books. Free admission. 7:30pm at the Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil. For further information contact Gus Payne: gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk / 01685 725382 or Mike Jenkins: mjenkins1927@gmail.com.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Literature in Wales at Hay: Robert Minhinnick reads from King Driftwood, (Carcanet, 2008). Robert is a poet, journalist and prose writer and an Arts Council of Wales 2008 Creative Wales Award recipient.  11am - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Dirty Protest: Dirty Directors’ Protest.  Six directors.  One play.  Six different takes.  After critical acclaim and a sell-out night at Sherman Cymru, cult theatre company Dirty Protest is turning its attention to directors in Wales.  Using the same play, the fifth night from the theatre company will aim to put the spotlight firmly on the directing talent of the country.  Simon Harris, former artistic director of Sgript Cymru, Ruth is Stranger Than Richard’s Adele Thomas, Dirty Protest director Mared Swain, Julie Barclay (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) 3D Theatre Company’s Gareth Bale and writer/director Kit Lambert will debut their interpretations of Phil Porter’s short play Repeat.  8:00pm - 3:00am at club Ten Feet Tall, 11a - 12 Church Street, Cardiff CF10 1BG. Tel: 02920 228883. £3. Aftershow with DJs Carl Forecast and Huw Evans (B-Music).  For further details contact dirtyprotest1@hotmail.co.uk or Claire Hill: claire.hill90@googlemail.com / 07908 810090.  www.facebook.com/pages/DIRTY-PROTEST/15245189534

Dirty Protest: The Paines Plough theatre company will launch the prestigious Rod Hall Memorial Award.  The winner of the award will receive representation from the Rod Hall Agency, and a £5,000 commission from Paines Plough.  Hosted by Dirty Protest, literary manager Pippa Ellis and Assistant director Corey McMahon will meet new and established writers at 4pm Milgi, 213 City Road, Cardiff at 4pm.  Those writers wishing to attend should email dirtyprotest1@hotmail.co.uk.  For further details about Dirty Protest visit www.facebook.com/pages/DIRTY-PROTEST/15245189534

George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling: Research Seminar: Dr Patrick Ryan - Narrative Learning/Learning Narrative: Storytelling, Experiential Learning and Education.  Dr Patrick Ryan, Research Fellow at the George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling will explore theories of cognition, neurology and liminality and how these explain the use of storytelling in both formal and informal learning, particularly with reference to experiential education.  6pm in The Zen Room in The Atrium, Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, Adam St., Cardiff.  For further details, to reserve your place at the seminar or to discuss any of the activities of the centre contact storytelling@glam.ac.uk / 01443 483312.  www.glam.ac.uk/storytelling

Cinnamon Press: Because We’re Brilliant: The Hay on Wye launch of Dinner Time by Holly Howitt, Eva Shell by Kate North and The Fugitive Three by Mike Jenkins.  Join Cinnamon Press for an exciting event featuring three engaging and distinctive works of fiction – Holly Howitt’s innovative, surprising microfictions, Kate North’s multi-genre, multi-layered debut novel, Eva Shell and Mike Jenkins’ sharp, witty and convincing novella.  Jan Fortune-Wood will be introducing the authors: a chance to hear excerpts from these three innovative, engaging books, ask questions from the audience and buy signed copies.  11:30am at the Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For further details contact Jan Fortune Wood: jan@cinnamonpress.com.  For full festival details visit www.hayfestival.com

Llanhilleth Institute: Open Mic Night with Babs Horton; hosted by the Llanhilleth Writers and Culture Group.  Come along and join us for a fun open mic night from 7:30pm at the Llanhilleth Miners Institute, Llanhilleth.  For further details contact Karen Ross on 01495 354607 / 01495 354764.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Parthian Books: ReWind at 10am at Hay Literary Festival.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

Literature in Wales at Hay: To mark the year of publication of the Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales (University of Wales Press, 2008), editors John Davies, Menna Baines, Peredur Lynch and Nigel Jenkins talk about the great enterprise.  11am - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: John Goodby (uncaged sea, Waterloo Press, 2008), poet, lecturer at the University of Wales Swansea and member of Boiled String, multi-media experimental performance group will be at the stand.  11am - 1pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

The 2008 Academi Cardiff International Poetry Competition winners are being announced at an official ceremony aboard cruise vessel Seren Y Bae on Tuesday 3 June 2008. This year’s ceremony is unique in that it will be held afloat and includes a 90 minute covered cruise around the Bay. The winners will be announced and the prizes awarded in the company of fellow prize-winners, Welsh poets, local literary enthusiasts and dignitaries. The event will begin as we board Seren Y Bae at 2.00 pm on Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. So if you want to be one of the first to find out who will sail away with the first prize of £5,000 for their poem then join us beyond the sea…
Tickets cost £6.00 / £5.00 (Academi Members and Associates). Includes a 90 minute cruise and glass of wine on arrival. To book your ticket contact Academi on 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org

An evening with Chinese and Welsh Poets: As part of the Yellow Mountain Poetry Festival, visiting Chinese poets will read alongside Welsh poets including Robert Minhinnick and Peter Finch. 6.00pm in the Senedd, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay.  Free entry.   For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org

RCT Cultural Services / Academi: Open Mic Night.  Rhyme, rhythm and verbal frolics, plus liquid refreshment and the chance to develop your writing skills in a fun, friendly atmosphere.  Open Mic slots available.  From 7pm at Park and Dare Theatre, Treorchy.  For further details contact the box office 01443 773112.

Wales Millennium Centre / Parthian Books: Otherland: Contemporary Poems on Wales and Welsh-American Experience.  Parthian launch a collection by ten poets, each with an American background and an active, creative engagement with Wales.  Editor David Lloyd and poet Jon Dressel will give readings and discuss their contributions to Otherland with Lloyd Robson.  7:30pm at Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.  Free entry.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org or Dominic at Parthian: dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

The Collective: David Steer and Fiona and Gorwel Owen will be reading and discussing their work at 8pm at the Hen & Chicks, Flannel Street, Abergavenny.  Entry £5.  For further information contact Ric Hool: richardhool05@aol.com.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Torfaen County Borough Council: Delightfully Rude: how a dictionary was born and a celebration of contemporary literature, with Terry Victor.  7:30pm at Cwmbran Library. Tickets £4 / £3 concessions.  For further details contact Carole Lewis: carole.lewis@torfaen.gov.uk / 01495 762820.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Wales Millennium Centre: Picador launch two new titles by Welsh authors.  Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch’s first collection for Picador reveals a young poet with a remarkable range of imaginative tactics at her disposal.  Not In These Shoes seems to announce not one, but several new voices.  Seize this opportunity to hear them.  Tristan Hughes’ Revenant is an unforgettable novel about friendship, betrayal and memory.  A long-listed author for the 2007 Wales Book of the Year Award, this is Tristan’s third novel.  Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff at 7.15pm.  Free entry, wine and refreshments provided.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council: Open Mic Night with Gillian Clarke, National Poet for Wales.  Poems and pints with Gillian Clarke and others.  7:30pm at The Imperial Hotel, High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH.  Free entry.  For further information contact Arts Development Division, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN; 01685 725382; arts@merthyr.gov.uk.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

RCT Cultural Services / Academi: Open Mic Night.  Rhyme, rhythm and verbal frolics, plus liquid refreshment and the chance to develop your writing skills in a fun, friendly atmosphere.  Open Mic slots available.  From 7pm at the Muni, Pontypridd.  For further details contact the Muni: 01443 485934.

George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling: Research Seminar: Dr Geoff Fox - ‘There’s Game in the Wind!’.  Tracking Red Riding Hood with the Old Watercress Woman and the Green Hunter.  The session will draw upon versions of the old tale from around the world, many of which will be on display.  6pm in The Zen Room in The Atrium, Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, Adam St., Cardiff.  For further details, to reserve your place at the seminar or to discuss any of the activities of the centre contact storytelling@glam.ac.uk / 01443 483312.  www.glam.ac.uk/storytelling

Beyond the Border: Saturday Storytelling.  Free lunchtime storytelling performances feature the finest storytellers from Wales and the world.  This time with Robin Williamson.  Robin Williamson was the founder in the 60s of the influential Incredible String Band and the Merry Band of the 70s. He has been a key figure at the forefront of the storytelling revival in Europe and America since the 80s. He has authored a number of books including The Craneskin Bag (re-telling and re-versifications of Celtic lore) and Celtic Bards, Celtic Druids (co-authored with R.J. Stewart). Robin is Honorary Chief Bard of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.  12pm at Wales Millennium Centre.  For further details visit www.beyondtheborder.com or contact Janet Smith, St Donats Arts Centre: janetsmith@stdonats.com / 01446 799095.

Llanhilleth Institute: Open Mic Night and talk with Colin R Parsons.  With Llanhilleth Writers and Culture Group.  From 7:30pm at the Llanhilleth Miners Institute, Llanhilleth.  For further details contact Karen Ross on 01495 354607 / 01495 354764.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Wales Millennium Centre:  A Life in Verse Gwasg Carreg Gwalch launches What Brings You Here So Late? by Tony Conran.  This single autobiographical poem divided into four movements, tells the story of Tony Conran’s emotional and intellectual life, from the complications of growing up with cerebral palsy to his engagement with the world as an adult.  Introduced, and with readings by poet Nigel Jenkins.   7.00pm in the Sony Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.  Free entry.  For more information contact Academi: post@academi.org / 029 2047 2266

Academi: Space, Time, Machine and Monster - A Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Day Conference for the Valleys as part of the new South Wales Valleys Literature Development Initiative.  Come and enjoy a stimulating day of workshops and discussion panels for adults and young people, with a wealth of talented authors, scriptwriters and creative artists from Wales including Jasper Fforde, Philip Gross, Tim Lebbon, Steve Lockley, Stephen Volk, Catherine Fisher, Terry Cooper and more.  10:00am - 4:30pm at the University of Glamorgan, Treforest.  Tickets £5 / £3 concessions, available on the door only.  Full details available by clicking here or for further infomation contact Louise Richards, South Wales Valleys Literature Development Officer on swvldo@gmail.com or 07854 435217 or Academi on 029 2047 2266.

Celebrate Stan Barstow’s 80th Birthday: Pontardawe Arts Centre and Academi will host a evening of events marking new Academi Fellow Stan Barstow’s 80th birthday. Stan will personally provide an introduction to his 1962 film A Kind of Loving, adapted from his 1960 Michael Joseph publication. The film will then be screened in the auditorium, after which Stan will be available to answer questions and sign any personal copies of his books. Entry is £5 full, £3 concessionary. Film Club members attend free of charge. Tickets available from the Pontardawe Arts Centre Box Office on 01792 863722 (press option 1). Phone-lines are open from 12.00–20.00 Monday - Friday, and 14.00-20.00 Saturday. Everyone is welcome. Events start at 19:30 sharp, at Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 4ED. For further details please visit www.npt.gov.uk/theatres.