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Bi Polar Me – A new play about mental health

By Alys / 27 March 2023

Popty Ping Productions & Span Arts presents ‘Bipolar Me’ (English language production) and ‘Bipolar Fi’ (Welsh language production.) A new play about mental health by Ceri Ashe, performed at Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd April 2023. A truthful, dark comedy based on the Pembrokeshire born writer’s experience of living with bipolar. Book tickets here. After a sell-out 4 star run in London, Span Arts and Popty Ping Productions are delighted to present this punchy, enlightening and moving show that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions from the highs of a festival, to the depths of depression and suicide, while shining a light on a still much stigmatised subject. ‘Recommended for anyone who loves a gritty, naturalist and thought provoking drama.’ London Theatr1.com ‘A necessary and inspirational production that’s as urgent as it is moving’ Broadwayworld.com Welsh language ‘Bipolar Fi’ was commissioned by the National Eisteddfod last year, and writer and actor Ceri Ashe is delighted to present both versions of her play at Theatr Gwaun. Ceri commented, “I hope ‘Bipolar Me’ and Welsh language ‘Bipolar Fi’ will get people in Pembrokeshire talking about mental health, and help lessen the stigma around mental health conditions. I’m delighted [...]

Immerse yourself in Love Stories to Nature!

By Alys / 13 March 2023

Join us in creating something special in the open air! Here are the latest opportunities to take part in our Love Stories to Nature Commissions. Songlines - A drawing and poetry event in celebration of birds at Whitesands beach. With artist Charlotte Cortazzi and poet Sue Kullai. Come join Charlotte and Sue by adding your birds and words to create a giant flock along the beach! We're inviting everyone to come and draw their own sand art masterpiece. Whether you're an experienced artist or just looking for a fun way to spend a day at the beach, we welcome you to join us. When? Saturday 25th March 12pm This is a free event open to all but parking charges may apply. Meeting point: beach at the end of Whitesands car park. Please bring along a garden rake or a stick to draw and write with. Register your interest to info@span-arts-dev.co.uk. This event will feature drone photography.

The House of Jollof Opera: a live pop-up experience

By Alys / 1 February 2023

Chef Adeola is feeling the heat, and we’re not talking pepper soup! With the pressures of a new business, a lockdown baby and an upcoming food safety inspection, how is our budding foodie entrepreneur going to cope? The House of Jollof Opera is a live pop-up experience serving a Nigerian delicacy (100% vegan) in places of communal gathering across Wales, accompanied by a 15-minute hip-hop influenced operatic story. Take a journey in taste, aroma and rhythms in this one-of-a-kind show. The show is written and performed by Welsh-Nigerian artist Tumi Williams and also stars acclaimed soprano Gweneth Ann Rand. Directed by Welsh-Indian Sita Thomas, The House of Jollof Opera is a true celebration of modern, multicultural Cymru. Based on a Celtic Film Award-winning short film by the same creators, The House of Jollof Opera was created to shake up and reshape conceptions of opera and live artistic performance as well as address inequities in access to art and culture. A multidisciplinary artist, Tumi Williams’ first artistic love is music, working in a blend of styles including hip hip, Afro funk and jazz. He is also a chef and founder of Jollof House Party, a pop up serving vegan Nigerian food.

All about the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival 2023

By Alys / 23 January 2023

We are incredibly excited that the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival (NAVF) will be back from the 3rd – 5th of March 2023. This festival weekend will be packed with live music, an incredible singing feast, as well as engaging and uplifting workshops led by a cappella masters. Full Festival Tickets, Singing Feast, and Saturday Concert tickets now available. BOOK HERE or via the box office on 01834 869323. Individual Sunday concert and workshop tickets will be available to book soon via the SPAN website. See below for more information about our performers and the full festival schedule. Meet the performers & workshop leaders 4 in a Bar This award-winning a cappella group came together originally through a love of ‘barbershop’. The group have an extensive repertoire and perform a mixture of early music and contemporary music. Recent performances have included the Bayreuth Sangeslust — the Sparkassen A Capella event. Côr Pawb In 2015, SPAN created Côr Pawb (Everyone’s Choir), a 70-100 strong mass community choir featuring singers ranging in age from six to ninety-six from across the county and beyond. Founded upon the principles of community strength and resilience, Côr Pawb welcomes all voices, regardless of singing ability, to

The BIG Plant Sale 2023: Book your Pitches

By Alys / 11 January 2023

Image credit: Di Ford The 29th of April 2023 will mark SPAN Arts' 28th BIG Plant Sale in Narberth. The BIG Plant Stall is not only an important date in the gardening calendar, but it is also hugely important for SPAN as a charity; all profits from the stall will aid us in providing performances and arts experiences for people across the county. The event will return for its 28th year on the 29th of April 2023, near the SPAN Arts building, Town Moor, Moorfield Road, Narberth, SA67 7AG. Previous BIG Plant Sales have welcomed over 1,300 visitors flocking to see the impressive range of flowers, herbs and vegetable plants, as well as plenty of food and music for good measure. We have a number of Early Bird 12ft and 6ft pitches available for local businesses. Book here Prices Large Pitch (12ft) - £44.00 Small Pitch (6ft) - £23.00 * All bookings must be made by 11am Wednesday 26th April 2023 * Friend prices are for SPAN Arts friends only. For information on our friendship scheme please speak to staff on 01834 869323. * You will need to bring your own table unless otherwise arranged * Please note

Chwedlau’r Normal Newydd / Tales from the New Normal: Finding Me in a Sea of Change

By Alys / 28 November 2022

Verbatim theatre is made from real people’s stories. Playwright Ceri Ashe has been working with people of all ages and backgrounds from across West Wales to gather stories about the highs, the lows, and truths of what life in this new normal means to them. This tapestry of true stories from young students, hardworking mothers, pensioners and grandparents to list a few, will be brought to life this winter via our ground-breaking, livestreamed Theatr Soffa project. From first hugs and first loves to buzzcuts and dancing like no one’s watching, this poignant, raw, and heartfelt verbatim show will take you on an emotional journey, and encourage you to reflect on what this new normal means to you. Book your free ticket here Theatr Soffa is an online community theatre company presenting live-streamed community performances through zoom in both English and Welsh. It was initially conceived as a creative way to connect rurally isolated and housebound individuals across Pembrokeshire through the arts and technology. To date, we have presented several additional livestreamed productions, including Under Milk Wood, Dan Y Wenallt, Dracula, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Nadolig Plentyn yng Nghymru, and Lady Windermere’s Fan. During the Autumn, Pembrokeshire-born actor, playwright, and

Côr Pawb mass community choir is back!

By Alys / 10 November 2022

In 2015, SPAN created Côr Pawb (Everyone’s Choir), a 70-100 strong mass community choir featuring singers ranging in age from six to ninety-six from across the county and beyond. We are thrilled to announce that Côr Pawb will be back with a spectacular performance to draw the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival to a close on Sunday the 5th of March 2023 at The Queen’s Hall. The mass choir will meet for a series of rehearsals in Clynderwen Community Hall led by experienced choir leaders Molara Awen (One Voice and Cân Sing), Maya Waldman (Sweet Harmony and Lleisiau Preseli Voices), and Tomos Hopkins (Côr Dysgwyr Sir Benfro). Rehearsal dates: 19th November, 7th January, 29th January, 18th February. Sessions will take place from 11am – 4pm. Rehearsals are free to attend, but donations are welcome. Founded upon the principles of community strength and resilience, Côr Pawb welcomes all voices, regardless of singing ability, to come together for an uplifting celebration of song. You don't have to be a member of a choir or have sung before to join in. Everyone is welcome - experienced singers and newbies alike! We invite anyone interested in getting involved to the initial rehearsal on

SPAN Arts x Menter Iaith Sir Benfro present The John S. Davies Ensemble

By Alys / 26 October 2022

In partnership with Menter Iaith Sir Benfro, Span Arts are absolutely delighted to present The John S. Davies Ensemble at our popular annual Advent Concert at 3pm on Sunday the 27th of November at Pisga Chapel, Llandissilio, SA66 7TF. We are proud to welcome the renowned John S. Davies and his ensemble to the atmospheric candle-lit setting of Pisga Chapel. The talented group of professional singers, cathedral choristers, and music students selected by John S. Davies himself will treat audiences to a breathtaking and joyous hour of bilingual choral music to welcome the start of Advent. Formed in 1978, the John S. Davies Singers perform regularly at St David’s Cathedral, and have taken their major classics and wonderful new works, all of which are mostly unaccompanied by instruments, from London to Rome, and have performed at several festivals in Wales. John is a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he was a student. As Founder and Artistic Director of the Fishguard International Music Festival (1970 - 2006) he was awarded the MBE in 1997, and has received various other awards for his work in music in Wales. Doors open at 2.30pm. The concert will

A new codesigned programme is launching at SPAN Arts

By Alys / 14 October 2022

We are proud to announce the launch of a series of new codesigned projects that place community voices at centre stage. Following 6 months of creative conversations, these projects mark the start of an exciting chapter for SPAN as we embark upon a new cocreation process in collaboration with the community. Chwedlau'r Normal Newydd / Tales from the New Normal: With support from the Arts Council of Wales and Comic Relief, we are working with Actor and playwright Ceri Ashe (Bipolar Me, Lockdown Tales: Making Bread and Babies) and Producer and Director Anna Sherratt (Rholiwch am Wellhad / Roll for Remission) to create Chwedlau'r Normal Newydd / Tales from the New Normal: a community-led, bilingual, online theatre piece that looks at the realities of life in a post-lockdown world. Performances will be live streamed online in December. Unlimited Partner Awards commission: Alongside National Theatre Wales and the National Dance Company of Wales, we are proud to join the Unlimited partner commission for the first time. Unlimited commission extraordinary work by disabled artists that is rebellious, radical, adventurous, inspiring, and playful. We are seeking to work with a socially engaged disabled artist to create new work that has local

Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival returns in 2023!

By Alys / 14 October 2022

Save the date! NAVF is back this Spring. We are incredibly excited to announce that the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival will be back in full swing from the 3rd – 5th of March 2023. Look forward to a festival weekend packed with live music, an incredible singing feast, as well as engaging and uplifting workshops led by a cappella masters. Book your full festival ticket here or via the box office on 01834 869323. Individual singing feast, concert, and workshop tickets will be available to book soon via the SPAN website. See below for the full festival schedule. Click here for more information about the artists involved. Stay tuned for more updates across our social media channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council, in collaboration with The Queen’s Hall and Bethesda Chapel, Narberth. Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival 2022 NAVF 2023 Festival Schedule Friday 3rd March NAVF Singing Feast Date: Friday 3rd March 2023 Time: Doors open 6pm. Event begins 7pm Location: The Queen's Hall, Narberth Saturday 4th March NAVF Morning Workshops and Sharing Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 Time: Doors open for registration 9.30am. Workshops begins

Cân Sing: Singing for the soul

By Alys / 30 September 2022

Cân Sing is a bi-monthly singing group for all abilities which celebrates the uplifting benefits of singing. The group has been meeting for many years, with new additions along the way. It's perfect if you are looking to sing regularly in a pressure free environment, or whether you fancy dropping in for a sing every so often. The pace of the teaching is easily accessible to all, with no time restraints. We are delighted to announce that sessions have returned to Narberth, and will take place at Bethesda Baptist Church, Narberth, at the regular time of 7.15 pm - 9.15 pm Vocal practitioner Molara will guide the group through an exploratory celebration of singing, focusing on strengthening the voice, overcoming some of the physical and emotional barriers to singing openly and freely, and above all, singing for enjoyment. The repertoire is varied with songs from Georgia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Hawaii with a few shanties and some pop thrown in for good measure. The project has provided vital support and connection and helped to improve people’s wellbeing at this most difficult time. Singers have found the experience “Stimulating, connecting and heart-warming” with “with just the right mix of warm up,

Launching this Autumn: Pererin Wyf / Is oilithreach mé / I am a pilgrim

By Alys / 15 September 2022

Pererin Wyf / Is oilithreach mé / I am a pilgrim: sounding the way back through story and song is a participatory arts project seeking to connect with the Welsh and Irish diaspora with particular reference to Pembrokeshire and Wexford and a new cross-border pilgrimage connecting these places. The project takes its title and inspiration from an 18th century hymn by the prolific Welsh writer William Williams Pantycelyn. The song widely known in Wales and beyond through the Welsh diaspora will be familiar to a great many other people around the globe as it is mostly sung to the tune of Amazing Grace. This project will invite people wherever they are in the world to sing this song, a version of this song or any song of special significance to them and the themes of this project and to pin that recording to our online map. Project participants will also have the chance to offer their personal reflections and connections to North Pembrokeshire and Wexford whether current resident, the home place of their forebears, or place of significance for other reasons. Click here to view the project page. The project Pererin Wyf will begin in September 2022 with a series of free

SPAN Arts Announced as Partners in Unlimited Awards

By Alys / 11 August 2022

We are thrilled to share that SPAN Arts have been announced as partners in Unlimited's UK & International Partner Awards for Disabled Artists. Unlimited is an arts commissioning body that supports, funds and promotes new work by disabled artists for UK and international audiences. Since 2013, they have supported over 460 artists with over £4.9 million reaching audiences of over 5 million making it the largest supporter of disabled artists world-wide. In April 2022, Unlimited became an independent organisation with a mission to commission extraordinary work from disabled artists until the whole of the cultural sector does. In its first year of becoming an independent organisation, Unlimited are doing things differently to dismantle barriers disabled artists face and to support systemic and sustainable change. SPAN Arts is one of 17 UK organisations partnering with Unlimited to offer 20 awards to disabled artists. These awards will offer a grand total of £584,000 to commission artists on a national and international level. The awards will give disabled artists the chance to develop and present work across the country and/or internationally across rural and city locations, with a partner organisation for digital or in person, collective or individual experiences. The total commission pot sees generous funding

Span Arts present Outdoor Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By Alys / 24 June 2022

Span Arts is delighted to announce that The Festival Players Theatre Company returns to the enchanting setting of Lampeter House, to celebrate another year of outdoor Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the tale of four young lovers who find themselves wrapped in the dream-like arms of an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule. While a feuding Fairy King and Queen are at war, their paths are crossed by Bottom, Quince and their friends presenting a play within a play. Chief mischief-maker Puck is on-hand to ensure that the course of true love is anything but smooth, and games of fantasy, love and dreams ensue in Shakespeare’s most beguiling comedy. The Festival Players, patronized by Dame Judi Dench, have amassed 60 years’ combined experience of professional touring theatre, and are set to bring mirth and mayhem to their performances of Shakespeare’s most colourful comedy this summer. Now on their 36th Annual tour, the spirited Gloucestershire-based group bring A Midsummer Night’s Dream to over 50 venues from abbeys to amphitheatres across the UK and beyond. Presenting Shakespeare at Lampeter House takes the classic work outside of the traditional theatre infrastructure and opens up this beautiful and unusual venue to the

Protected: Me, Myself & I

By Alys / 13 April 2022

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Theatr Soffa’s Festive Treat: A Child’s Christmas in Wales

By Alys / 4 January 2022

Communities across Pembrokeshire worked hard throughout the winter on their English and Welsh performances of Dylan Thomas’ beloved Christmas tale, ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’, that was live-streamed to audiences in December 2021. Rehearsals took place over video calls as part of the innovative Theatr Soffa project, with people participating from across rural Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, thus making it possible for those with underlying health conditions to take part in a community project. Span Arts, Menter Iaith Sir Benfro and Cered have collaborated to bring Welsh and English language groups together; the casts have been creative in crafting props and costumes to bring the heartwarming story to life. Dylan Thomas's lyrical account of his childhood Christmases in a small Welsh town is a beloved story to many, featuring wolves, bears, hippos and Mrs Prothero's cat. The play version was presented in both Welsh and English, using the beautiful translation by the late Bryan Martin Davies. It proved the perfect nostalgic winter treat for those who have fond memories to look back on, and young audiences building their own memories for the years to come. The production featured the stunning music of Deuair, comprised of the musical talents of Elsa Davies

Listen Now: Song of the Golden Road Radio Ballad

By Alys / 10 November 2021

On Saturday 6th November Span Arts and Planed hosted a listening party event at Tafarn Sinc for the culmination of the heritage lottery funded project Cân y Ffordd Euraidd / The Song of the Golden Road. The project which has been running since May 2021 has created a radio ballad in response to the Preseli Heartlands, from Crymych to Cwm Gwaun. Taking inspiration from the work of Charles Parker, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger whose radio ballads to industry and other ways of life were broadcast on the BBC in the late 50s and early 60s, the project hosted talks, walks, interviews and music workshops recording material at each event. The events took place at different locations throughout the Preselis circling the Golden Road, a name for the ancient trackway that runs across the Preseli ridge. A radio ballad, an extended sound piece weaving together oral speech, ambient sound, traditional songs and newly created music and lyrics was created from the rich and deep material recorded. The final programme is an hour in length and skilfully weaves together the lived lives and languages of the Preseli area. At Tafarn Sinc we were joined once again by musician Stacey Blythe who

Song of the Golden Road Listening Party

By Di Ford / 27 October 2021

Parti Gwrando Cân y Ffordd Euraidd / Song of the Golden Road Listening Party Tafarn Sinc, 6th November 2021 You can listen to the full radio ballad here! After a summer of informative talks and walks in the Preseli area the radio ballad Cân y Ffordd Euraidd / The Song of the Golden Road is finally ready for its first public broadcast. This hour-long online bilingual radio programme will be launched at Tafarn Sinc on the 6th November. Cân y Ffordd Euraidd / The Song of the Golden Road has created a radio ballad in response to the Preseli Heartlands from Crymych to Cwm Gwaun. The project has taken the form of a series of workshops and walks from the communities that reside at the foot of the Preselis, concluding with a community walk along the golden road, a name for the ancient trackway which traverses the seven-mile ridge of Mynydd Preseli (the Preseli Mountains) from Foel Drygarn to Bwlch-Gwynt. The workshops followed different themes from the Neolithic, agriculture, education, religion and industry and were an opportunity to get to know the place from different perspectives and to find out what is important to people about this place. Sophie Jenkins Community Engagement Officer with the Ein Cymdogaeth Werin project had this to say about the workshops, “One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about the workshops are the opportunities to keep re-visiting the really unique elements of our heritage and culture in the Preseli area and all of those layers that overlap and build a picture

Y Tangnefeddwyr

By Di Ford / 20 September 2021

This project has now come to a close, but you can still listen to the full radio ballad here! On Sunday 3rd October the project Cân y Ffordd Euraidd is inviting singers to join a ‘scratch’ choir or Côr Unnos to sing and record a version of the song Y Tangnefeddwyr (the peacemakers) – a setting of Waldo Williams’ well known poem. The choir leader for this unique event will be Rhian Medi Jones and the accompanist Rhidian Evans. The event is being recorded for the project which has been taking place over the Summer, Cân y Ffordd Euraidd / The Song of the Golden Road which has been building a creative response to the heritage of the Preseli Heartlands, from Crymych to Cwm Gwaun, with the intention to create a ‘radio ballad’ a weaving of voice, sound and song. The ballad will be an oral record of a unique place for future generations to enjoy. The Golden Road is the name given to the ancient trackway which crosses the seven mile ridge of the Preseli Mountains from Foel Drygarn to Bwlch Gwynt. The project up until now has taken the form of a series of workshops and walks in

We are hiring!

By Di Ford / 8 September 2021

Digital Marketing Assistant (Maternity Cover) Span is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, hardworking, and creative person to join our team. The successful candidate will be committed to ensuring Span’s events and activities are promoted as effectively and widely as possible The role would suit a student or graduate with experience in Wordpress, coupled with superb digital, social networking and design skills and an interest in the arts. Responsible to: Span Arts Director Location: Narberth and/or online and event locations Salary: £9.50 per hour equivalent to £7410 per annum (£17,290 FTE) Hours: 15 hours per week Fixed term maternity cover contract, starting in November 2021. Some evening & weekend work will be required Holiday 5.6 weeks pro rata including Bank Holidays Span Arts is committed to achieving equality of opportunity in both services to the community and the employment of people and expects all employees to understand and promote its policies in their work. Span Arts is a Real Living Wage Employer DIGITAL MARKETING JOB DESCRIPTION & APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES Please note we will not be accepting CV’s. To apply please download and complete the form below: SPAN ARTS DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT (MATERNITY LEAVE) – JOB APPLICATION FORM Please send your

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