Author name: Alys

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Our Branch That Stopped Singing – by Billy Maxwell Taylor

Our Branch That Stopped Singing is an ambient music meditation on the continually changing soundscapes of Pembrokeshire. Through water, snow, waves, forests and the story of a blackbird friend, immerse yourself in this mindful 20-minute audiovisual experience, suitable for all ages. This installation was created by Billy Maxwell Taylor, SPAN Arts and the Pembrokeshire community who submitted audio recordings of their own Environments.
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Date Nature – The New Dating App

Do you love nature? Are you bored of dating humans? Stay tuned for an artistic experiment where you get to DATE NATURE! THIS CALL OUT IS NOW CLOSED Join artist Emily Laurens for a one-day workshop exploring our relationship with nature through nature connection games, clowning and mindfulness. AND be part of a (mock)umentary film exploring a new and exciting dating app – DATE NATURE! You will need to be a Pembrokeshire resident You will need to be free for two days (dates TBC around your availability) in August/September You need to be happy to appear in a film which will be shared widely including online You can contribute in Welsh and/or English You will be a VIP at the film premier later in the year! AND you will receive £100 expenses payment to cover food and travel for the days you are with us   To apply send us a photo of yourself, and tell us a bit about yourself, we want to know who you are, what’s your favourite bit of nature in Pembrokeshire and why you love it so much. OR you can send us a short audio or video file (shared via a sharing site like

Role

Board Member

We are seeking to recruit new Board members to our Trustee Board to help guide and support our leadership team through recovery and reopening and help to shape a viable post-covid arts offer for Pembrokeshire. We are open to new ideas and approaches as we want to find new ways of working to achieve our mission to make ‘Art as social change in rural Wales.’ We are now looking for experienced, passionate and well-connected new board members, with the energy and ambition to help steer Span Arts into the future. We are looking for a diverse group of board members, with expertise and experience in finance, community development, the arts, equality, diversity, human resources and the Welsh language. You can view the application form for Board membership here: Trustee Application Form / Ffurflen Gais Ymddiriedolwr Or if you would like to speak to someone informally to find out more please contact the Chairperson Cathy Davies at cathyfronfarm@gmail.com  

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Pererin Wyf – Y Canu Mawr – The Big Sing

SPAN Arts’ choir Côr Pawb invite you to Y Canu Mawr! / The Big Sing! 29th May 2023 | 11.15 – 12.00 | St Davids Cathedral Span Arts Choir Côr Pawb performed a short programme of pilgrimage related songs at St Davids Cathedral as part of a Pilgrim Fayre. Live stream from St. Davids - 29th May. Watch above or in a separate window. The event was a celebration of the Pererin Wyf / Is Oilithreach Mé / I am a Pilgrim project including a performance of a new song An Dara Craiceann (Tr. The Second Skin) written by Rachel Uí Fhaoláin in response to the project and concluded with a massed a Capella singing of the hymn ‘Pererin Wyf’ by William Williams, Pantycelyn where all assembled were invited to join in! The project Pererin Wyf / Is Oilithreach Mé / I am a Pilgrim culminated this Spring with an online film screening followed by a short live streamed concert at St Davids Cathedral. The project which has sought to connect with the Welsh and Irish diaspora through identity, language, travel and song was inspired by an 18th century Welsh hymn and has resulted in a new macaronic song. The
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Bi Polar Me – A new play about mental health

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
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Immerse yourself in Love Stories to Nature!

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.org.uk. This event will feature drone photography.
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The House of Jollof Opera: a live pop-up experience

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.
current project

Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival (NAVF)

We are incredibly excited that the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival (NAVF) will be back from the 2nd of March 2024. The festival will be packed with live music, an incredible singing feast, as well as engaging and uplifting workshops led by a cappella masters. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates across our social media channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council, The Ashley Family Foundation, Ty Cerdd, and PAVS, in collaboration with The Queen’s Hall and Bethesda Chapel, Narberth.

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All about the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival 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
News

The BIG Plant Sale 2023: Book your Pitches

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
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Youth Projects: Recycled Fashion

Working with artists, with a flair for fashion and all things sustainable, facilitating an exciting project at local youth centres in the heart of Pembrokeshire. The project involved a small group of young people from Point youth centre, Fishguard creating fashion out of natural and recyclable materials, following a series of co-creation workshops led by SPAN team members. The aim of the project was to create statement fashion that brings attention to the social prejudices young people face today, culminating in a showcase of the work created. The natural and recycled theme was a strong element of importance to the young people during the co-creation workshops, along with speaking out about what matters and feeling heard as a young person growing up in West Wales. We saw these elements and themes incorporated into the workshops.

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