What’s On - Festivals, Shows, Etc Brecon Jazz
BRECON Jazz takes place from Friday, August 6 to Sunday, August 8.
This year’s festival welcomes South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela, thirteen piece Cuban band Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club and modern jazz from four piece London foursome Portico Quartet.
Hugh Masekela started playing the trumpet aged 14 after seeing the film Young Man With a Horn in which Kirk Douglas portrayed American jazz trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke. His first trumpet was given to him by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, the anti-apartheid chaplain at St Peter’s Secondary School.
The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club features original BVSC members Guajiro Mirabal, Jesús ‘Aguaje’ Ramos’, Manual Galbán and Barbarito Torres presenting some of the finest Cuban music ever made.
The Portico Quartet are a bunch of guys in their early twenties who play instrumental music. Formed four years ago from two sets of schoolfriends, they share a house in East London, make recordings, and play festivals and
Hugh Masekela at Brecon Jazz clubs.
For the full Brecon Jazz line-up go to
www.breconjazz.org.
Welcome to Mid Wales & The Brecon Beacons
Brecon Fringe One town, 22 venues, 70 bands, 120 gigs
IN the true tradition of fringe festivals, Brecon Fringe is a organic affair which takes place over 22 venues ranging from pubs and hotels to galleries and tea rooms. Fringe 2009 clocked up over 120 gigs performed by over 70 bands and artists and 2010 promises to be larger and even more eclectic.
Bands confirmed to play so far include The Vandalists, Red- Eyed Fly, Whisky Business, masters of bluegrass Roots and Galoots, 60’s retro experts Mists of Time, 9 piece ska band Funhouse, Tredegar Town band and the Universal Translators.
Royal Welsh Show
THE biggest agricultural show in Europe, the Royal Welsh Show, is held at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. This year’s event takes place from Monday, July 19 - Thursday, July 22.
For the 21st time in 2009 the attendance exceeded 200,000. It was, coincidentally, in 1989 when the show was also
featured by Glamorgan, that visitor numbers first exceeded 220,000.
Despite the economic recession and the heavy rain on the second and third days, the 2009 Royal Welsh Show, proved to be remarkably successful due to the continued support of members, exhibitors and visitors.
And not forgetting...
THE Royal Welsh Smallholders and Garden Festival 2009 in Builth Wells on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16. Hay-on-Wye Horse and Pony Show on Sunday, July 25. Brecon Show on Saturday, August 7. Llanigon Show near Hay-on-Wye on Saturday, August 7 and Hay-on-Wye Vintage Rally on Sunday, August 8. The Rally is an event which caters for all the family - nostalgic vintage items for the older generation, entertainment for the children and plenty to interest everyone else. Last but not least, The Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells takes place between Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 29.
The Hay Makers
SITUATED in the world famous book town of Hay-on-Wye, The Hay Makers, a co- operative of professional designer makers, has flourished since opening in the 1980s. During this time the gallery has gained a reputation for an exciting selection of high quality crafts and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The co-operative includes many disciplines. Visitors will find a broad range of work on display as throughout the year the gallery has exhibitions showing the work of some of the finest contemporary British makers including Chris Armstrong, Pat Birks, Caitriona Cartwright, Jenny Chippendale, Dawn Cripps, Sue Forest, Gail Stokes Hayward and Victoria Keeble.
The gallery is open seven days a week, 10.30am to 5pm.
The eclectic Brecon Fringe - Mike Markey in 2009 
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Also on board are Majestic Strayz, Whiskey River, The Spartans, John Eyre, Jess Childs, Chris Summerhill, The Dolphins, Skylab, laughs from Henry Widdicombe’s Brecknock Knock comedy club and the wonderfully named Electric Tomato doing film themes in the style of a brassy Led Zeppelin.
Alongside the more established venues like the hugely popular Clarence Inn and the riverside Boar’s Head,
new venues in 2010 include The Castle Hotel of Brecon.
The Brecon Fringe Festival Guide is a handy publication available over the weekend which carries details of the bands and times of all the gigs. More info can be gleaned from
www.breconfringe.co.uk and
www.myspace.com/ breconfringefestival. Brecon Fringe three day festival is on from Friday, August 6 until Sunday, August 8.
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