What’s On

Thu 12 Jan 12 - Thu 23 Feb 12
Creative Writing Workshops. Featuring Paul Henry. Organised by Poets in The Castle, Brecon. At 31 High Street, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1BE. Over four sessions - 12/01/2012; 26/01/2012; 09/02/2012; 23/02/2012. 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Contact: Amanda Lloyd 07984 859905 / epona66@hotmail.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Mon 6 Feb 12

Reading & Discussion followed by Open Mic. Featuring Gwyneth Lewis. Organised by Cardiff University. At The Promised Land, 4 Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BX. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Dr Richard Gwyn 02920 874887 / gwyn@cardiff.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).



Mon 6 Feb 12


Tue 7 Feb 12
Poetry with Open Mic. Featuring Ben Mellor. Organised by Tommy's Poetry Nights. 8 pm to 11 pm. Tickets: £2 (donation). Contact: Alwyn Rhys Jones 07837 757366 / alwynrh@hotmail.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Wed 8 Feb 12
AGM and workshop from Max Makin…subject a secret! Organised by Llandudno Writers.  2.00 pm - 4.00 pm, Llandudno Library.  Contact: Brian Lux on 01492 860156 / brian@luxb.freeserve.co.uk


Wed 8 Feb 12
The mystic Pagan:  An evening of esotena with poets and prosets:  With Nigel Humphreys, David Parry and Jonathan Wood.  7.45 pm, Tickets: £6 (£4) available from the Aberystwyth Arts Centre box office:  01970 623 232.


Thu 9 Feb 12
Poetry workshop. Third in a series of 4 workshops. Final workshop 23/02/12. Featuring: Paul Henry. Organised by: Amanda Lloyd. Venue: (tbc), Crickhowell, Powys. Time: tbc. Contact: Amanda Lloyd: tel. 07984859905. epona66@hotmail.co.uk


Sat 11 Feb 12
NaCOT in association with The Centre for Narrative Leadership proudly presents 1002 Nights Gala Storytelling Performance. NaCOT (The National Centre for the Oral Tradition) is delighted to announce a first gala evening of storytelling featuring award-winning Welsh storymaster Michael Harvey with author and storyteller Geoff Mead. 7.30pm - Doors open at 7.00pm, Itton Village Hall, Chepstow Road Itton, NP15 4BT. Tckets £12 (£10 concs) available online from www.poetryontheborder.org and on the door. Suitable for adults, young adults, families and accompanied children over 10yrs. This gala evening will showcase a medley of amazing and amusing stories from the 1001 Arabian Nights plus the Winning Story from the 1002 Nights Short Story Competition.


Sat 18 Feb 12
Landscape in Writing Workshop. With Will Stewart. From 1.00pm to 3.00pm. at the Ucheldre Literary Society, Holyhead. For more information please contact the Ucheldre Literary Society, Holyhead.


Mon 20 Feb 12
Poetry Reading. Featuring George Szirtes. Organised by the English Department, Bangor University. At The Management Centre, College Road, Bangor, LL57 2DG. 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm. Free entry. Contact: Ian Gregson 01248 351529 / i.gregson@bangor.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Tue 21 Feb 12
Storytelling at Milgi's Yurt. Guest storyteller: tbc. Guest musician: Geoff Liles & Annette Davies, 8.00 pm, Free entry, contributions in the hat. Milgi Lounge, 213 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3JD, 029 2047 3150, www.milgilounge.com


Tue 21 Feb 12
Literature Wales and Wales Millennium Centre Book Club will be welcoming the author and journalist Jasper Rees to discuss his book Bred of Heaven (Profile Books, 2011). Grahame Davies will lead the discussion. The event is aimed at Welsh learners, but all are welcome. 
7.00 - 8.00 pm, Glyn Jones Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Free event, but ticketed. Reserve your space by contacting Literature Wales 029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org
Organised by Literature Wales and Wales Millennium Centre.


Tue 21 Feb 12
'Writing from the Body' Creative Writing Workshop. Featuring Tracy Evans. Organised by Peacock Vein Scriptshop. At Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4ED. 7.30 pm - 10.00 pm. Contact: Emily Hinshelwood 01269 822230 / emily@pantyrywen.wanadoo.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Wed 22 Feb 12
Sally Spedding will be signing copies of her latest crime chiller Cold Remains at Uplands Bookshop, 27, Uplands Crescent, Swansea. West Glam.SA2 0NX 12 .00- 1.00 pm. All welcome. Tel; 01792 470195.  www.sallyspedding.com


Wed 22 Feb 12


Thu 23 Feb 12
Open Mic Night. Featuring Paul Groves. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. At The Imperial Hotel, High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. 7.30 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Gus Payne 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Thu 23 Feb 12
Poetry Reading (theme - Nature & Gardening). Featuring Kate Williams. Organised by Cowbridge Gardening Club. At Lesser Hall, Cowbridge Town Hall, High Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7AD. 7.30 pm. Tickets: £2.00 (non members) / £1.00 members. Contact: Allyon Lipp 01446 772290 / alipp@glam.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Thu 23 Feb 12
Poetry workshop. Featuring: Paul Henry. Organised by: Amanda Lloyd. Venue: (tbc), Crickhowell, Powys. Time: tbc. Contact: Amanda Lloyd: tel. 07984859905. epona66@hotmail.co.uk


Sat 25 Feb 12
Poetry Day Seminar. Featuring Allen Fisher. Organised by Glasfryn Seminars. At Glasfryn, Llangattock, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1PH. 11.00 am - 4.30 pm. Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions). Contact: Lyndon Davies 01873 810456 / goodbard@yahoo.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Sat 25 Feb 12
Valentines Hearts, Easter Eggs and Beltane Fires. Spring Festivals in folklore and literature, with Dr Dimitra Fimi, a literature specialist and internationally acclaimed folklorist Dr Juliette Wood. The day school will look at the folklore and literature of Valentine's Day, Easter, St David's Day and MayDay. From 10.00am till 3.00pm. At Cardiff School of Education, UWIC, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff. Fee is £70.00 which includes lunch, refreshments and certificate of attendance. To book or for more information contact Huw Jones / Donna Hendy on 02920 417078 / 416577 / cseenterprise@uwic.ac.uk


Sat 25 Feb 12 - Sun 26 Feb 12
Storytelling Weekend at the National Botanic Garden of Wales: A weekend of wonderful and warming tales. The event takes place in various venues around the Garden on Saturday and Sunday February 25-26 and features a number of silver-tongued story-tellers, including Anne Lister, Jeff Rees, Sophie McKeand, Suzanne Hughes Owen, Sam Collins, Grethe Gillman, and Lloyd Roberts. Creative director Cheryl Beer, who will also be telling tales accompanied by musician Heather Summers (funded by Community Music Wales), has been running a series of workshops with local schoolchildren who will be designing the official fliers and posters for the event. The Storytelling Weekend takes place from 11.30 am-4.00 pm on both days. There is no additional entry cost but Normal Gate prices apply: full details from www.gardenofwales.org.uk . Cheryl Beer can be contacted on cherylbeermusic@gmail.com


Mon 27 Feb 12

Reading & Discussion followed by Open Mic. Featuring Owen Sheers. Organised by Cardiff University. At The Promised Land, 4 Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BX. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Dr Richard Gwyn 02920 874887 / gwyn@cardiff.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).



Wed 29 Feb 12
Talk on Fantasy Fiction for Children. Featuring Catherine Fisher. Organised by Newport and Gwent Literary Society. At Holiday Inn, The Coldra, Newport, NP18 2YG. 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Tickets: £20.00 (to include dinner). Contact: Jean Sullivan 01633 663114 / sullivan_jean@sky.com / www.newportandgwentliterarysociety.wordpress.comSupported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Thu 1 Mar 12
First Thursday Poetry Reading and Q&A. Featuring Meirion Jordan & Fflur Dafydd. Organised by Seren. At Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff, CF5 1QE. 7.30 pm. Tickets: £2.50. Contact: Amy Wack 01656 663018 / amylwack@aol.com. Supported by Literature Wales.


Fri 2 Mar 12
Sally Spedding will be signing copies of her latest crime chiller Cold Remains at the Cawdor Hotel, Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo. Carms. SA 19 6EN 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm. All welcome. Tel. 01558 823500. www.sallyspedding.com 


Fri 2 Mar 12
Walking on Legends. A literary walk across the hill that shaped Paul Henry’s early poetry. Featuring: Paul Henry. Organised by: Crickhowell Walking Festival. Venue: Mynydd Llangors, Powys. Time: tbc. Tickets: www.crickhowellfestival.com Contact: Emma at Bookish: 01873 811256


Fri 2 Mar 12
A poetry reading with songs. Two poets, two guitars…Featuring: Paul Henry and Christopher Meredith. Organised by: Crickhowell Festival. Venue: The Bear, Crickhowell, Powys. Time: tbc
Tickets: www.crickhowellfestival.com Contact:  Emma at Bookish: 01873 811256


Sun 4 Mar 12
Poetry Workshop on Love and Longing. Featuring Mab Jones. Organised by Dylan Thomas' Birthplace. 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm. Tickets £15.00. Contact: Anne Haden 01792 472555 / annie@dylanthomasbirthplace.com. Supported by Literature Wales (click here for information on funding for events).


Mon 5 Mar 12
Julia Donaldson4.00 - 6.00 pm, UWIC's Cyncoed Campus.
The Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson will be visiting Wales and will be giving a lecture about reading for pleasure and the importance of picture books. She'll be joined by Wales' two very own children's laureates, Catherine Fisher, the newly appointed Young People's Laureate, and Eurig Salisbury, the Bardd Plant Cymru (Children's Poet Laureate), making it the first ever triple Welsh / English laureate event. Books will be for sale.
Tickets are £5.00, and to book a place contact: jbowers@uwic.ac.uk


Thu 8 Mar 12
Poetry Reading & Discussion at Brecon Women's Festival 2012. Featuring Anne Cluysenaar & Ruth Bidgood. Organised by Brecon Women's Festival 2012. At The Hours Cafe & Bookshop, 15 Ship Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9AD. 3.00 - 4.00 pm. Entry £3.50. Contact: Leigh Hendra 01874 622800 / thehours@btinternet.com. Supported by Literature Wales.


Mon 12 Mar 12
Poetry Competition Workshop & Adjudication. Featuring Jane Blank. Organised by Cardiff Writers' Circle. At the Chaplaincy Building, 62 Park Place, Cardiff. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Judith Sanders 02920 652770 / judesand123@live.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Mon 12 Mar 12

Reading & Discussion followed by Open Mic. Featuring Belinda Bauer. Organised by Cardiff University. At The Promised Land, 4 Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BX. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Dr Richard Gwyn 02920 874887 / gwyn@cardiff.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).



Wed 14 Mar 12
Elaine Walker, successful local author, will give a workshop.  Organised by Llandudno Writers. 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm, Llandudno Library. Contact: Brian Lux on 01492 860156 / brian@luxb.freeserve.co.uk


Fri 16 Mar 12
Somali Poetry Reading. Featuring Caasha Luul Mohamad Yusuf. Organised by Cardiff Central Library. At Grangetown Branch Library, Havelock Place, Grangetown, Cardiff, CF11 6PA. 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Preeti Pathak 02920 382116 / ppathak@cardiff.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Tue 20 Mar 12
Storytelling at Milgi's Yurt. Guest storyteller: tbc. Guest musician: Miss Maud's Folly, 8.00 pm, Free entry, contributions in the hat. Milgi Lounge, 213 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3JD, 029 2047 3150, www.milgilounge.com


Tue 20 Mar 12
Workshop and Evening Perfomance. With Ian McMillan and  Tony Husband. Cartooning and Poeming workshop with evening perfomance. Workshop starts at 4.00pm and evening perfomance starts at 7.30pm. At Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold. Tickets - £11.00 / £9.00 concessions. To book please contact Trefor Roberts - 01352 704027 / trefor.l.roberts@flintshire.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Tue 20 Mar 12
Contemporary Poetry Reading. Featuring David Greenslade, Frank Olding & Mike Greenhough. Organised by The Collective. At the Hen & Chicks Pub, Flannel Street, Abergavenny. 8 pm. Tickets: £5. Contact: Ric Hool 01495 292271 / richardhool05@aol.com. Supported by Literature Wales.


Thu 22 Mar 12
Reading & Prize Presentation. Featuring Simon Armitage. Organised by University of Wales, Newport. At The School of Humanities and Lifelong Learning, Caerleon Campus, Newport, NP18 3QT. 12.00 midday - 3.15 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Linda Ruhemann 01633 432689 / linda.ruhemann@newport.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Thu 22 Mar 12
Open Mic Night. Featuring Ann Drysdale. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. At The Imperial Hotel, High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. 7.30 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Gus Payne 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).


Mon 26 Mar 12

Reading & Discussion followed by Open Mic. Featuring Douglas Houston. Organised by Cardiff University. At The Promised Land, 4 Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BX. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Dr Richard Gwyn 02920 874887 / gwyn@cardiff.ac.uk. Supported by Literature Wales (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).



Tue 27 Mar 12
Poetry Readings and Open Mic. Featuring Luke Wright, Susie Wild and Chris Ingram. Organised by The Absurd. At Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 1YA. 7.00 pm. Tickets: £6. Contact: Sophie McKeand 01352 758558 / sophie@theabsurd.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.


Tue 3 Apr 12
Pomes Penyeach – a montly poetry evening with open mic hosted by Brian Smith. With Robert Minhinnick. 7.30 pm start. Pontardawe Arts Centre.  For further information, contact Angie Dickinson a.dickinson@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk


Wed 11 Apr 12
Bring example(s) of BAD writing (max 500 words) for us to discuss. 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm, Llandudno Library. Contact: Brian Lux on 01492 860156 / brian@luxb.freeserve.co.uk


Fri 13 Apr 12
Poetry reading with songs. Featuring: Paul Henry. Organised by: Wenlock Poetry Festival. Venue: Wenlock, Shropshire. Time: 3.00 pm. Tickets: tbc. Contact: 01952 727877. info@wenlockpoetryfestival.org


Tue 17 Apr 12
Storytelling at Milgi's Yurt. Guest storyteller: Billy Teare. Guest musician: Kathleen O'Sullivan, 8.00 pm, Free entry, contributions in the hat. Milgi Lounge, 213 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3JD, 029 2047 3150, www.milgilounge.com


Tue 17 Apr 12
Storytelling at Milgi's Yurt. Guest storyteller: Billy Teare. Guest musician: Kathleen O'Sullivan, 8.00 pm, Free entry, contributions in the hat. Milgi Lounge, 213 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3JD, 029 2047 3150, www.milgilounge.com


Fri 27 Apr 12
LWReading & Discussion of 'The London Train', followed by Live Music, Drinks & Canapes. Featuring Tessa Hadley. Organised by Arriva Trains and Literature Wales. Leaving from and returning to Cardiff Central Station, en-route by train. Approx 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Ticket price tbc. Contact: Bronwen Price 02920 472266 / post@literaturewales.org.


Tue 8 May 12
Pomes Penyeach – a montly poetry evening with open mic hosted by Brian Smith. With Pontardawe Writer’s Slam. 7.30 pm start. Pontardawe Arts Centre. For further information, contact Angie Dickinson a.dickinson@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk


Sat 12 May 12
Midsummer Nights. Summer traditions and literature, with Dr Dimitra Fimi, a literature specialist and internationally acclaimed folklorist Dr Juliette Wood. The day school will look at national and international summer beliefs and folklore, including literary representations. From 10.00am till 3.00pm. At Cardiff School of Education, UWIC, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff. Fee is £70.00 which includes lunch, refreshments and certificate of attendance. To book or for more information contact Huw Jones / Donna Hendy on 02920 417078 / 416577 / cseenterprise@uwic.ac.uk


Tue 15 May 12
Storytelling at Milgi's Yurt. Guest storyteller: Joanne Blake. Guest musician: The Glow Gobes, 8.00 pm, Free entry, contributions in the hat. Milgi Lounge, 213 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3JD, 029 2047 3150, www.milgilounge.com


Tue 12 Jun 12
Pomes Penyeach – a montly poetry evening with open mic hosted by Brian Smith. With June Douglas Houston. 7.30 pm start. Pontardawe Arts Centre. For further information, contact Angie Dickinson a.dickinson@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk