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Friday, May 8, 2015


Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide MICKTEMS previews TredegarHouse Folk Festival


Artists are ready to entertain


HUNDREDS of musicians and dancers from all over the world will be converging on the 90-acre grounds of New- port’s historical heritage to celebrate the 26th year of the Tredegar House Folk Festival this weekend. Performers from Canada,


Sri Lanka, Latvia and neigh- bouring England will be re- ceiving the warmest of Welsh welcomes, and dance teams and bands from South Wales will be flying the Welsh flag. The committee chairman, Sue Oates, said: “For many festival-goers,


Tredegar


House weekend represents the beginning of summer – it’s a very special occasion.” The imposing Tredegar House was the home of the highly-influential Morgan family – later Lords Trede- gar – for more than 500 years. Originally stone-built, it was constructed on a larger scale between 1664 and 1672 by Wil- liam Morgan. It is adminis- tered today by The National Trust.


Families from Newport and


the surrounding area look forward to a free day out at the festival, watching the ex- citing young dancers from


Folk Festival


the Latvian village of Deg- umnieki, the Madhuka danc- ers from Sri Lanka, the Ap- palachian tradition from the mountains of rural America, Middle Eastern belly danc- ing, Spanish flamenco from Andalusia and the beautiful art of Bharata Natyam dis- played by India Dance Wales. There will also be tradition-


al morris from England and South Wales, northern Eng- lish clog dancing and Welsh traditional dance shown by three teams, Gwerinwyr Gwent from the village Bas- saleg, Cwmni Gwerin Pont- y-P l and Dawnswyr Gwerin Pen-y-Fai, who have won a world-wide reputation. There’s even a free con-


cert, run by Llantrisant Folk Club, with Jonny Dyer and Vicki Swan topping the bill. In keeping with the festival’s international theme, hear Vicki playing the graceful and entrancing nyckelharpa, a complicated Swedish ‘me- chanical violin’. But there’s a treat for punt-


ers that pay for a ticket. Bob Fox, who plays The Song- man in the National Thea-


JUMP: The villagers of Degumneiki demonstrate a Latvian fun dance which tests the agil- ity of even the most energetic reveller


tre’s smash-hit production of War Horse, is coming to the festival – and the hit of the festival is Gordie MacKee- man and His Rhythm Boys, hailing from Canada’s Price Edward Island, who will be delivering the breathtaking sound of fiery and frenetic fiddle bluegrass styles com- bined with some jaw-drop- ping and acrobatic footwork. Steve Tilston, sponsored by Newport Folk Club, delights everyone with his songwrit- ing craft and his assured gui- tar style. Gwent valleys band Allan


Yn Y Fan have just expanded to a sextet, with new recruits, lead vocalist Catrin O’Neill and fiddler Alan Cooper, join- ing them for the first major Welsh event of the new year. . Allan Yn Y Fan have record-


ed many albums and played in Europe, at the gigantic Lorient Interceltique in Brit- tany and at the Celtic Con- nections Festival in Glasgow. Among the highlights are


CREATIVE: Allan Yn Y Fan


Yorkshire multi-instrumen- talist Pete Coe and dancer/ musician Alice Jones, who present their fascinating


story-show on Leeds-born singer and song collector Frank Kidson, The Search For Five-Finger Frank. Pete and Alice have released a CD of a the show, which features new arrangements of both classic and rare folk songs, unearthed from the treasure trove that is the Frank Kid- son Collection. This show celebrates and commemorates the incred- ible legacy of a man widely regarded as a pioneer of the folk song revival. One of the rising young stars is 14-year-old local fid- dler Meg Cox, who fronts the Meg Cox Band and plays ten- or guitar and banjo as well. The festival welcomes other


young artists such as Jay- walkers, who reached the fi- nals of the BBC Young Folk Awards and have cemented their reputation as stunning bluegrass musicians. The Harry Browns are a


late addition – six Bristol- based shantymen and one shantygirl, who can sing up storming, sweaty maritime work songs in perfect har- mony while delivering tender


tales of lovers separated by years upon the ocean. Bristol was and is a bustling port, its riches built upon the Slave Trade; and the shantymen’s name connects both England and Wales. Harry Brown was an old Bristol Docks tug, which ended its days in Bar- ry, cut up for scrap. Last but not least is the mighty dance band Juice, who will be linking up with the expert Cardiff caller Dave Parsons for the Satur- day night twmpath/ceilidh. Originally from the Gwent


Levels village of Castleton and named Juice Of Barley, the band was formed by mu- sical parents Gil and Jenny Kilbride and their three sons, Danny, Bernard and Gerard. Danny is a guitarist with Juice. He is joined by his brother Bernard on fid- dle, and the current line-up consists of flautist Imogen O’Rourke, Dean Ryan on bass and drummer-percussionist Dave Danford. Tredegar House post-code is NP10 8YW. Visit tredegarhousefestival. org.uk/ for details.


Emerging bands to play free theatre gig


SHERMAN Theatre’s free music event, the Foyer Ses- sions, returns on May 16 with two up-and-coming Welsh bands, Zefur Wolves (featuring Cian Ciaran from Super Furry Animals) and The Golden Age of Reason (featuring members of Helen Love and The Soft Hearted Scientists). Performing for free in the Sherman Theatre foyer, at


the later time of 9pmon May 16 following the performance of Iphigenia In Splott, audi- ences can enjoy a pint, a spot of food and some of the best new music in Wales. Zefur Wolves are a new Cardiff-based five piece, fea- turing Cian Ciaran from Super Furry Animals. Their laid-back, West-coast psych- pop sound is equal parts Su- per Furries and Beach Boys,


lyrically inspired by Mexi- can border crossings, Native American ceremonies and lunar eclipses. Their epony- mous debut album was re- leased this April. Also performing on the


evening will be The Golden Age of Reason, a new collec- tive featuring members of BBC 6 Music favourites: Soft Hearted Scientists, Helen Love and the Milkrace, who


will be making their live debut with us. Replete with shimmering indie-pop gui- tars and gorgeous vocals courtesy of Alyssa Podesta this will be a night of excep- tional musical talent. Now in its third year and fifteenth instalment, the Sherman Theatre continues to curate free Foyer Sessions where gig goers can listen to the most interesting local


music in a comfortable, con- temporary space with a well- stocked bar and good food. Sherman Theatre’s free Foyer Sessions will next be held on Saturday, May 16 (Doors 9.00pm, following the performance of Ip- higenia In Splott). Just turn up, no tickets or advanced booking necessary. For further informa- tion please contact the Sherman Theatre on 029 2064 6900 or visit shermancymru.co.uk.


3 Music


Revisit the sound of the 1970s


TRIBUTE: T-Rextasy


T.REXTASY, the official tribute band to Marc Bolan & T.Rex recreate the sound and glam- our of the 70s at the Borough Theatre Abergavenny on Fri- day, May 22. Voted number one in the BBC’s Battle of the Fantasy Bands, T.Rextasy guarantee to get audiences on their feet with their performances of classic hits such as Get It On, Children Of The Revolution, Metal Guru, 20th Century Boy and Telegram Sam. They are the only tribute band to be authorised by the controllers of Marc Bolan’s music catalogue. Lead singer Danielz bears


such an uncanny resemblance to glam rock inventor Marc Bolan that Bolan’s wife June said: “When I saw Danielz on stage, a shiver went up my spine. If there is anyone who can step into Marc’s shoes, I’d like it to be him.” T.Rextasy is now accepted as


the world’s only official live tribute band dedicated to Marc Bolan & T.Rex. Tickets for the concert are £18.50 (concessions £16). Call 01873 850805 or visit bor oughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk


Showyour talents at big festival


GET INVOLVED: The Big Splash


THE Big Splash Festival will be taking place in Newport on Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May and they’d like you to be involved. Are you a dance school? choir? theatre group? Big Splash would love to have you perform on their community stage! The Big Splash is calling out


for any community groups in- terested in performing at the event, or if you’re interested in taking part in the parade for the Sunset Spectacular and being a torch bearer to get in touch with Sally-Anne.Evans@ newportlive.co.uk. Deadline is May 12.


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