Late News from the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association

featuring the 80th Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu September 1 - 4, 2011 Cleveland, Ohio Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association July 10, 2011 QUICK LINKS  Registration Form               Our Website                      Americymru Take advantage of our special room rates* and make your hotel reservations at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre by one of these methods  1. Visit  our website for hotel information and travel information and a direct link to our room block; or 2. Click HERE to reserve now; or 3. Call toll-free 1-877-208-2519 and mention "Festival of Wales," or use the code "WNQ". Remember, when you choose to stay at the festival hotel, you will be in the middle of the action! Also you are helping the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association meet its contractual obligation to fill the room block specially reserved for festival attendees. If you experience any difficulties making a hotel room reservation, please email  president@wngga.org for assistance. *Special Rates available only until all our Festival rooms are booked.      Don't be late! Reserve Your Hotel Rooms Now for NAFOW 2011! If you have waited to reserve your stay at the Festival hotel, now is the time to do it. The Special Festival Rate is not guaranteed after August 10, and our block of rooms may sell out before then. However, there are still rooms available NOW, and it is very important that WNGGA fills those rooms to avoid paying a penalty. The contract we have with the hotel, which allows us to offer such a great room rate to our Festival-goers, requires that we fill the rooms we say we will fill. The hotel takes a risk by holding rooms for us, when they could rent them at a higher price.  We encourage you to stay where the action will be--at the Festival hotel! Avoid driving , walking or taking a taxi or train to and from your hotel. Stay up late and be only steps from your bed at the Crowne Plaza! __________________________ A Riddle: What is free, but priceless? Everyone can spare a couple hours out of what is going to be a fun-filled weekend--even if you just need a chance to sit down! Put those hours to work by volunteering for a simple 2-hour (or less) shift helping to keep the NAFOW running smoothly. Many tasks can use more hands. Volunteers are needed to check tickets at the doors, work in the tearoom, help at the WNGGA hospitality and sales table, and in other areas.  If you can help, please email   cleveland2011@nafow.org with your name, email and phone number, and your  preference for tasks or times. Remember, the entire NAFOW is only possible because of a handful of dedicated volunteers working very hard all year long! Thank you! _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Testimonials: My wife and I find time at the Festival a wonderful uplift in our life.  We never fail to meet new people.  It reaffirms our love for things Welsh and especially our love of Welsh hymns.  If circumstances keep us from attending it's like going for a year without Christmas or Easter.  Make the effort to attend and you won't be disappointed. From upstate NY *********************** I used to attend with my parents and grandparents. Now I am bringing my own children. We wouldn't miss it! From Colorado  _________________________________________________________________________ 2009 Eisteddfod competitors. DEADLINE FOR EISTEDDFOD ENTRIES IS   JULY 15! Your chance to shine? The eisteddfod tradition at NAFOW began in 1994 at the National Gymanfa Ganu in Bellevue WA. Though the competitions have changed over the years, an eisteddfod has been held at each Festival since.  In general, the program of competitions appeals to singers and elocutionists.  Thanks to generous sponsors, cash prizes are available.  Certificates will be awarded at each competition.    Please join us and show off your talents to the Festival, by entering the competitions! Click HERE for the Eisteddfod Entry Form, Rules and Details. Remember, the deadline to enter is July 15! For more information and queries regarding the competitions, please contact: Jenny Hubbard Young, Chair Tel: 770-333-1964  E-mail: eisteddfod@nafow.org. The competitions are in Singing (three competitions - Hymn Singing; Solo Voice, Solo Voice Semi-Professional); and Recitation (one competition each for Youth and Adult categories).  A professional accompanist will be available, if required. Rehearsal time will be arranged with the accompanist in Cleveland. Competitions are held Friday and Saturday (depending on the category), with an Eisteddfod Concert on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. All Festival attendees are invited to attend the competitions and concert. The entire Eisteddfod schedule is on our website.    All winners will receive cash prizes and certificates. Some competitions award a trophy to the first place winner as well. We deeply appreciate the devotion and the generosity of the following individuals and organizations in financing these awards.     * Recitation: The Eisteddfod Committee Award     * NEW! Solo youth Recitation (in English) under 18:  Anonymous Donor     * Hymn Singing Competition: The WNGGA Past Presidents' Award     * Solo Voice Competition: Pacific Northwest Welsh Societies Award     * Solo Voice Semi-Professional: The David G. Morris Memorial Award   New Entrance Category: Guidance and Adjudication Only A new option of guidance and adjudication only is available in 2011. The aim is to promote performance of Welsh singing and recitation and to encourage newcomers or the shy, so that in future they will enter the eisteddfod competitions and vie for the prizes! Anyone electing this option to gain experience will perform alongside the other competitors, not in competition for the prize but to receive constructive advice and critique from an experienced adjudicator. This option is open for all competitions except the Solo Voice Semi-Professional for the David G. Morris Memorial Award.                  CALLING ALL KIDS! This year we are especially encouraging families with children and teens to attend the North American Festival of Wales. Special programs and activities just for children and young people will offer opportunities for them to become involved in the Festival and expand their horizons, all while having fun and celebrating all things Welsh.  The Youth Showcase will give young people an opportunity to demonstrate their talents in a concert-type event.  The registration deadline is July 15, 2011. Click HERE to register. The Children's Room will offer activities such as arts and crafts and storytelling. The Saturday session will conclude with a Welsh Puppet Show. No pre-registration is required for the Children's Room. In addition, many of our regular Festival offerings, such as Welsh language lessons, singing instruction (Ysgol Gân), and folk dancing, will  also appeal to young people. Cinema Wales is another option, and this year we will be including two shorts produced by Cineteg, a production company that works with youth from different parts of  Wales who help write, shoot and animate the films.  So, look around. Is that a child or grandchild with 'nothing to do'? Bring them along to the NAFOW--there's fun for all ages this year! More information about these events is available on our website. Additional information may be requested by emailing youth@nafow.org.