Gwanwyn 2016 - 10th birthday celebrations come to a venue near you

Posted Friday, May 13th, 2016
Gwanwyn Dance night at Dance House May 21

Gwanwyn Dance night at Dance House May 21

Gwanwyn’s 10th birthday celebrations continue this week with Aging Creatively at Theatr Brycheiniog on Tuesday May 17. There will be craft workshops and a visit from Men’s Sheds Cymru, plus a special screening of The Lady in the Van featuring an acclaimed performance from Maggie Smith.

May 19 - 20 finds Arts Care Gofal Celf at the Torch Theatre for a day of workshops, taster sessions and a chance to catch Re-Live Theatre’s brilliant new play Belonging.

Llion Williams and Clêr Stephens in Belonging

Llion Williams and Clêr Stephens in Re-Live Theatre’s Belonging

Belonging follows the fortunes of two families living with dementia and has opened to rave reviews in Cardiff last week. It will also be at the Lyric Theatre Carmarthen (May 17), before continuing its national tour. Critics are calling it ‘beautiful, both in the delicacy with which it tackles the subject and the strength of the performances‘ and ‘a damned good piece of theatre‘.

Gwanwyn Dance Night at Dance House May 21

Gwanwyn Dance Night at Dance House May 21

Saturday sees one of the events we’re most proud of – our first ever Gwanwyn Dance Night at Dance House in Cardiff. We’ve been working with older people’s dance groups for several years now and this special performance brings together long term Gwanwyn collaborators Rubicon Dance, Striking Attitudes and TAN Dance with the National Dance Company of Wales for an evening celebrating the passion and variety of older peoples’ dance in Wales.

Only Men Aloud

Only Men Aloud

We’re delighted to have Only Men Aloud perform a special matinee at the Coliseum in Aberdare on May 22. They’ll be bringing their powerful harmonies to a unique mix of styles, from pop to classical. Expect the unexpected: anything from show tunes to Welsh hymns! We spoke to Craig from Only Men Aloud last week and you can read his interview here (link).

Mountain Dulcimers at the Squirrels Nest

Mountain Dulcimers at the Squirrels Nest

Finally, there’s a very different kind of musical celebration going on at Squirrels Nest Men’s Shed in Bridgend on May 20. Following on from their Epic Award winning Pimp My Uke project they will be holding an open day to show off their latest enthusiasm, the Appalachian mountain dulcimer. There will be plenty of music, plus food and refreshments and the chance to find out how get involved.

Whether you’re into Shakespeare or crochet, bookbinding or African drumming, Gwanwyn offers something for everyone. Please take a look at our Gwanwyn events page for full listings of all the concerts, exhibitions and workshops still to come.