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What are your views on better access to quality arts and culture for everyone in Pembrokeshire? Can arts organisations and groups in the county work more closely together? And how can we raise the profile of arts and celebrate Pembrokeshire’s diverse bilingual cultural offer? These are just some of the questions that the Inspiring Pembrokeshire Cultural Project is aiming to answer over the next few months. The project aims to deliver better access to quality arts and culture for everyone in the county. In order to improve this we need you to tell us your views! The project aims to encourage all arts organisations and groups operating in Pembrokeshire to work more closely together including theatres, community arts, museums and galleries, artists and craftspeople to join up and create a strong vibrant arts scene across the county. Working with partners including: health professionals, schools, colleges, parish councils and community groups the arts sector needs to meet the needs of all the people of Pembrokeshire for the future to improve quality of life for all. We want to ensure no matter what your circumstances, language preferences, age or financial situation that nothing is a barrier to enjoying access to fun, engaging, […]

This summer Span Arts and PLANED have been hosting a unique bilingual writing project.   The Preseli Poetry Slam Project is now in the closing phase and we’d like to invite you to take part.  Welsh poet Karen Owen has been commissioned as our Poet in Residence, spending time in the county over May, June and finally in July.  During this time she has been inspiring the people of Pembrokeshire to pick up their pens to write about life in the region.  She has worked in schools, pubs, village halls and even in people’s homes, the feedback from all has been so positive and the poems so varied.  We’ve had serious poems, funny poems, poems about village life as well as many words about the striking landscape.  Poems have been created through the medium of Welsh, English and bilingually by fluent speakers, learners and absolute novices.  There’s still a couple of chances to get involved!  We are holding a final public workshop in Brynberian Vestry from 1-3pm on Tuesday 16th July, come along and have a chat to Karen, get warmed up and let the words flow.  And finally, the project culminates in The Preseli Poetry Slam, a celebration of the project which will be held at Newport Memorial Hall on Friday 19th July from 7-9pm.  This will

Clwb Digi is one of our pilot digital projects for Span Digidol. We launched the programme in February this year and have so far run monthly sessions on digital film and animation, app making, robotics, making contact microphones and sound manipulation. We’ve had great feedback from our participants and will be continuing to deliver this service at least until Easter 2020. Here’s what kids and their parents said: “It was awesome!” “I loved it and please do more!” “Thank you – lovely to see the kids engaged and inspired” One thing we’ve learnt is that teenagers have different digital needs from slightly younger children, so from September, we are planning a two-tiered Clwb Digi, our regular session will continue monthly for ages 8-13. We will also be running Clwb Digi Uwch, sessions for ages 12-16 exploring more advanced digital skills. If your child falls into both age groups they are welcome to attend both sessions. Clwb Digi Uwch will be led by our digital volunteer Alan Cameron-Wills, former Microsoft programmer, and John Ewart, Planed’s DATRIS co-ordinator and former CIT teacher. Sessions will revolve around creative IT problem solving and will allow each participant to develop at a pace that’s appropriate for them. Further details and dates will be

The new mural on the Span Arts building plays with language and storytelling and is based on words used to describe the local arts charity, as well as feedback about their work from audiences and participants in English and Welsh. The vowels have been edited allowing the words to still be identifiable through examination to enhance curiosity and prompt imagination. The colours taken from the Pembrokeshire flag. Over recent years the organisation has been delivering high quality and a diverse range of music, theatre, comedy and voice events, alongside a wide range of arts and wellbeing projects across Pembrokeshire. When Span received funding to commission a mural artist, they wanted to portray something new, something that makes a bold statement about how the arts can change lives and something that reflects the diversity of their work. Port Talbot born Grant Radford is the lead artist on the commission, he explains why he applied for the position “It looked like an exciting project and an opportunity to do something a bit different, it was also a chance for us to try new techniques and branding representation. It’s lovely to come back and work in Wales and the weather has been great

Open Mic Night at Druidstone Hotel An Open Mic Night, hosted by Span Arts and National Theatre Wales TEAM, will be held for the second year running at Druidstone Hotel on Thursday 4th July at 8pm. Siobhan Ashe from Span arts commented “There are so far over 15 acts who are all so diverse –it looks like it will be a really entertaining evening of local talent.” This year, the event will be held in the domes overlooking the Pembrokeshire Coastline at Druidstone Hotel. According to National Theatre Wales TEAM, there are still some slots available – so if you are a budding performer, singer, poet, spoken word, stand up comedian – why not give it a go! All ages welcome. If you would like to take part, please email owainroach@nationaltheatrewales.org.uk Tickets to watch the Open Mic Night at free. To book your free ticket as an audience member call 01834 869323 or visit www.span-arts-dev.co.uk.  

such as an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot, some very fat owls learning to hoot, a big purple dinosaur who’s a magnificent brute, two sisters who play the flute, and even a swimming pool. But he still only has one boot! Join Mister Magnolia on his wacky adventures! We are delighted to be teaming up with the National Trust Colby Woodland Gardens in Amroth to bring this brilliant Family Theatre to Pembrokeshire on  3rd August!  ‘Mister Magnolia,’ based on Quentin Blake’s book is brought to you by Folksy Theatre, as part of an extensive national UK tour. Quentin Blake is a great writer in his own right and well-known for his artwork in Roald Dahl books.   Filled with music, puppetry, wonderful characters, and audience interaction this family show is one not to be missed!    To be held in the gorgeous outdoor location of the National Trust Colby Woodland Gardens, just south of Narberth.     Colby Woodland Garden’s manager Steve Whitehead, said: “Colby Woodland Garden is a special place for play with acres for visitors to enjoy and explore. We’re excited to be teaming up with Span Arts to welcome Mister Magnolia and his theatrical adventures to the gardens.”  Picnic food will be available for purchase, so why not come a bit early and enjoy a picnic. Bring

From your five a day to the latest weight loss advice, consumers have been presented with some remarkable nutrition plans down the years but none so delightful and memorable as the one enjoyed by the old lady in the nursery rhyme There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. First written as a song in 1953 it was a chart topping hit for singer, actor and all round good guy Burl Ives before being adapted into a best selling book by Pam Adams a few years later. This version, found in schools, nurseries and homes across the world is celebrating its forty fifth anniversary and to mark the occasion popular Children’s author Steven Lee (How The Koala Learnt To Hug, Don’t Dribble On The Dragon) has turned this much loved tale into a magical musical stage show written especially for children to enjoy with their parents. With a feast of fun filled games, colourful animal characters and heart warming fun it’s the perfect family treat you can enjoy between meals without ruining your appetite! For children and adults aged 2 and above Buy your tickets here   Advance Standard: £6 Advance Family: £22 Door Standard: £7 Door Family: £24 Starts 2pm Run time: roughly

“The highlight of the festival was an incredible epic telling of the fourth branch of the Mabinogion… they received a standing ovation, which was well deserved.” Wales Arts Review Immerse yourself in glorious living landscapes and the brilliant night sky to discover a world that’s bristling with life, filled with animals, people and constellations caught between creation and destruction. Gwydion, nephew to the King, a magician and master storyteller, provokes a war between North and South Wales and unleashes a chaos of consequences. Blodeuwedd, an intoxicatingly beautiful woman conjured from flowers, is torn between desire and duty, with fateful results. Honour, justice, magic and transformation collide in a story as relevant today as it ever was, where people seek to spin, manipulate and control, and nature reveals its deep power. By turns, thrilling, funny, powerful and poetic, this spellbinding new performance vividly evokes the ancient Celtic legend of the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion. Brought to you by Adverse Camber productions and the creative team behind the much loved Hunting the Giant’s Daughter, Dreaming the Night Field features one of Wales’ most engaging storytellers alongside exquisitely haunting live music. English and Welsh are artfully woven together to make these ancient voices and living landscapes come alive

This year Narberth Carnival is celebrating 100 years of votes for women with a Wonder Women themed carnival parade. Narberth Civic Week and Span Arts will be taking over the High Street on Saturday 28th July with a spectacular carnival parade led by three giant “Wonder Women” puppets made by local community groups and volunteers. In May Span Arts asked the people of Pembrokeshire to nominate their top “Wonder Women” who have furthered the fight for gender equality and were bowled over by the response, women from Barbara Castle to Beyoncé, Emma Watson and Rosa Parks to Gwenllian, fierce Welsh warrior princess were nominated.  A public vote was held to choose the 3 finalists;  Tanni Grey-Thompson in the Welsh category, Emmeline Pankhurst in the National category and Maya Angelou in the International category. Community groups, volunteers and local individuals have had the opportunity to work with talented local puppet maker Di Ford to bring these inspirational women to life. She said, “This has been a fun and challenging project to work on. It’s been no mean feat constructing these 3-metre-high giants and the participants and volunteers have done an amazing job.”   There’s still time to join in!  How can

Here at Span Arts we are very excited to be working with artist Nia Lewis on a very special commission for one of the largest participatory artworks ever created.  PROCESSIONS, produced by Artichoke and commissioned by 14-18 NOW, (the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary), marks 100 years since some women in the UK won the vote. Inspired by the powerful tradition of textile banners in protest movements Artichoke have commissioned 100 artists to collaborate with community groups to produce 100 banners.  These banners, together with countless others, will be flown by thousands of women to form enormous PROCESSIONS on Sunday 10th June in Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh and London. Nia is working with The Women Survivors Support Project to design and make a banner that portrays the lives, ideas and hopes of women in Wales today.  As well as designing a striking banner, the participants have been encouraged to consider what their vote means for them, and how the campaign of the suffragettes still impacts on the lives of women in the 21st Century. One participant said, “Having a vote validates women as citizens, it gives us a voice and freedom to express our opinions – I

Your chance to see the next generation of Pembrokeshire’s finest musicians before anybody else. Born out of a collaboration between Span Arts and Pembrokeshire College, The Future is Now is your chance to familiarise yourself with the newest and most exciting new acts in the area. With an electrifying line-up comprised of pop sweethearts Pink Velvet, frenetic alt-rock outfits GLUE and Finch’s Midnight Neighbours, sets from the most neoteric DJ’s in the county, a blistering headline set from local rap-rock legends Tied & Wasted as well as a whole stack of more young talent ensures that The Future is Now is definitely one for the diary. For regular updates and more information on The Future is Now, be sure to check out the Facebook event page HERE Tied & Wasted Since exploding onto the local music scene in 2016, Tied & Wasted have been turning heads at every given opportunity. With warm-up slots for artists like Verb T & Pitch 92, Regime and Timbale under their belts, Tied & Wasted are an experienced four-piece that “transcends elements of Rage Against the Machine, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys”, so be sure to catch these boys playing this

Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival 2018 sees the return of festival favourites London Bulgarian Choir for a special 10th anniversary performance on Saturday 5th May at The Queens Hall, Narberth. This fabulous and award-winning Choir will headline Saturday nights concert with a vibrant, sociable and wonderful performance of Bulgarian songs sung by 25 open-hearted singers reflecting all nationalities, ages and abilities. The songs performed by the London Bulgarian Choir are arrangements of traditional and ancient Bulgarian songs. Some tell powerful tales of love and loss, fighting and celebration, while others are inspired by the daily fabric of life. From its early days as a handful of singers, the choir has grown into an extended ensemble bringing its repertoire of traditional Bulgarian songs to concert halls, churches, nightclubs, galleries, festivals, embassies, village squares and even a barge on the River Thames. This incredible choir was founded in 2000 by Dessislava Stefanova (Dessi), a former singer with the legendary Philip Koutev Bulgarian National Folk Ensemble in Sofia, and thanks to her patience and dedication this group of largely non-Bulgarian singers has become a performing tour de force, winning hearts and minds from the Welsh valleys to Bulgaria’s mountain villages. There is something