Day One - My Half Marathon Blog

Follow the whole nine yards here (a 95 part series) :- Half Marathon Blog
Why I am running:- West Coast Eisteddfod  Bryn Seion Church
For details of how to sponsor see this post

'Aged To Perfection' at NAFOW

AmeriCymru has been invited to circulate copies of 'Aged To Perfection' at NAFOW and Wordstock by Age Cymru. Age Cymru is the largest charity working for older people in Wales and it organiszes the annual Gwanwyn Festival which offers opportunities for greater participation by older people in the arts. Age Cymru describe the publication in the following terms:-

'This book is different from other books in two ways. Firstly writing can be a solitary pastime, however, this book enlisted the help of writing groups from all over Wales and the results illustrate the benefit to writers of sharing, nurture and support from their peers. We ignore the social isolation of older people at our peril.

Secondly it is intended that this book travels as far afield as possible, you will see the pass it on logo throughout the book. Please enjoy this book and pass it on to your friends so that as many people as possible can enjoy its contents. The book has its own Twitter page and we'd love you to Tweet us or email us with details of where you found it and what you thought. We'll be charting the books progress on the Gwanwyn website.'

We presented a copy to Tom Owen, President of the Welsh Society of Portland ( see pic below ). Tom said:-

'Alexander Solzhenitsyn in his Nobel address said that " literature is how a country talks to itself". What we have here is a way for an age demographic to talk to itself. Not that any of us are getting any older of course :) This is a good way to share the experience.'
 

Each of the books is numbered and Tom's copy is number 1023. Tom promised to pass his copy on when he has finished with it and for our part we will be sure to Tweet and blog each time we present someone with a copy of the book. Check back in the coming weeks for further reports.

In closing we should mention that if you are not lucky enought to come across a 'hard' copy of 'Aged To Perfection' all the stories in the book can be read on the Gwanwyn website here:- 'Aged To Perfection'

Diana Manzanilla of AmeriCymru presents Tom Owen with copy no. 1023 of 'Aged To Perfection'

Night Of The Living Bards ( Left Coast Eisteddfod ) - Thursday 7th October 5-12pm, Buffalo Gap, Portland, Oregon

BUY TICKETS HERE


The Event


5.00 pm - 7.00 pm Showing of S4C production 'Other World' ( Y Mabinogi ) 2002 ( 1hr 44mins )

"On his eighteenth birthday, Lleu's world is shaken by the news that he is adopted. On the same day, his friend Rhiannon thinks that she may be pregnant, and Dan, who lives in his big brother's shadow, is as scatty as ever.

They all put their problems aside for the day when they come together to celebrate Lleu's birthday. Venturing on a boat trip along the coast they suddenly see a change in the water. They realise that, on May Eve, they have found the golden doorway to the Otherworld, which can be seen shining deep beneath the waters.

Being an independent and stubborn girl, Rhiannon doesn't think twice before plunging into the sea, and the other two are not far behind. As they swim deeper and deeper and get closer and closer to the golden gate, they are transported many centuries ago to the incredible world of the Mabinogi.".....more

"The musical score is arranged by John Cale, formerly of the Velvet Underground, in conjunction with the National Orchestra of Wales.

Ioan Gruffudd (Hornblower, The Forsyte Saga), Matthew Rhys (The Graduate stage adaptation), Jenny Livsey, Daniel Evans, Phillip Madoc, Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Paul McGann (Withnail and I) are just some of the famous names who have contributed to the film.".....more

7.00 -7.30 pm Readings by Featured Authors at the Wordstock Festival

Niall Griffiths, Harrison Solow, Chris Keil, Peter Griffiths

World Premier Niall Griffiths will be reading for the first time from his forthcoming book in the 'New Stories From The Mabinogion' series. Niall was commissioned by Seren ( one of Wales' leading publishing houses ) to write a modern adaptation of two tales from the ancient text:- 'The Dream of Macsen Wledig' and 'The Dream of Rhonabwy'. The resulting title 'The Dreams of Max And Ronnie' will be published in mid October. Advance signed copies will be available for purchase at the event together with other titles from the series. The project is introduced in the following terms on the Seren website:-

"In this series commissioned by Seren, the old tales are at the heart of the new. Each author reinvents a story in their own way: creating fresh, contemporary tales that speak to us as much of our own world as of events long gone."

7.30 -9.10 pm Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Live' Poetry Competition

A live poetry competition for which we will be looking to recruit 10 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. If you wish to compete please email americymru@gmail.com to arrange.

9.20 -11.00 pm Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Live' Narrative Competition

A live narrative competition for which we will be looking to recruit 10 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. If you wish to compete please email americymru@gmail.com to arrange.

11.00 -12.00 pm Halley Weaver Portland's very own 'Zero Emissions Harpist'

...will be performing selections from The Mabinogion Suite and other works.

The Venue

Buffalo Gap Saloon | Directions

An Interview With Lorin Morgan-Richards

Lorin Morgan-Richards is a composer, author, illustrator and purveyor of finely crafted dark humor handmade books. He is a direct descendant of Welsh American poet Robert Dennison Morgan. Lorin will be appearing at our booth at Wordstock on October 9th- 10th. He will be presenting a limited edition print of 'The Goodbye Family in Wales' to the first 100 visitors to the AmeriCymru table on both days. Be sure to arrive early! The location of our booth can be found here ( booth 620 ) and samples of Lorin's work can be found in the slideshow at the bottom of this page.

AmeriCymru: Your latest book is titled 'A Boy Born From Mold'. Care to give our readers an idea of what they will find between its covers?

Lorin:  Diolch Ceri for allowing me the opportunity for this interview and giving me a chance to share my passion. 'A Boy Born from Mold and Other Delectable Morsels' is my second published book through my small press, A Raven Above Press, which encompasses dark humor short stories with pen and ink illustration. Readers often call my books 'Gothic Fairytales' because they are reminiscent of Victorian Era moral stories.

'A Boy Born from Mold', my title story, reveals a mysterious boy named 'Rune' who lives in a basement, after having been hatched from an old forgotten family quilt. His neighbor upstairs is a lost little girl who seeks knowledge about her family's heritage. The two intersect and the story unravels so to speak.

I find it interesting the symbolism and metaphors that readers pull from this story. Some have thought of it as giving insight into some sort of Pagan beliefs. One commented it was a metaphor for the Celtic Tree of Life. The little girl upstairs represents an above plane while 'Rune' resides in the below or Otherworld, and the remaining between provides the journey towards consciousness of spirit and self interconnected. I will not say if these are accurate or intentional in any way, but obviously, the story itself was meant to fascinate adults as well as children, and like one reviewer mentioned, this story is fundamentally about finding oneself. 'A Boy Born from Mold' is just one of seven delectable morsels in the book. 

AmeriCymru: You have an interesting, perhaps unique, method of publishing your work.Can you give us a brief idea of the process by which you individually handcraft each volume and the materials you use?

Lorin:  In making 'A Boy Born from Mold and Other Delectable Morsels', I begin by gathering tools and my materials. After this, I use an Epson printer to make two sided booksheets. Both the booksheets along with the endsheets are folded into fourths and are cut to size. I then measure out and paste down cotton cloth and hinges to the first and last signatures. One by one I sew the signatures together using Irish linen thread, and these are knotted and glued. After I glue the spine, I attach a ribbon and let it dry. I then begin constructing the hardcover case. Last steps are adding the title to the spine with my foil stamp machine, gluing the pages to the case and pressing each book for several hours. Each book is signed and limited in edition to 400 copies. The bookbinding process is hard to measure in time, but once the pages are printed it takes a little over an hour for each book. Interestingly, the sewing is both the most time consuming and therapeutic part of my bookbinding. 

AmeriCymru: Is there any significance in making them limited edition?

Lorin:  In the ancient tradition of making things by hand, each book is interconnected with the author and thus has its own life principles. To further emphasize this, I made each part of a limited edition of 400 copies. However I won’t delve into the significance of the number 400.

AmeriCymru: On your website we learn that you are of Welsh and Amish ancestry. How did you become aware of your Welsh ancestry? Does it influence your work in any way? 

Lorin:  I believe dreams connect us to our ancestors and it is through creativity that we can tap into this in the conscious state. Creativity is a sort of trance that we have as artists that erases time and space. My mother's side, the Morgan family, is originally from Wales. I began questioning my identity pretty early on, but didn't understand or learn about it until I was in college when records and books became more readily available. By this time, unfortunately, my grandparents had also all passed. From here, I became heavily involved in genealogy and found in the US Census reports my direct ancestor 'John Morgan' as being born in Wales. Last year, I visited Cardiff and did more research, but found that the commonality of the name 'John Morgan' was equivalent to 'John Smith'. So my research continues. But in the meantime, I've begun taking steps to reconnect by learning Welsh and will be incorporating even more of the culture into my writing and illustrating.

AmeriCymru: You are currently working on several written projects with a Welsh linguist in Swansea. Care to tell us more?

Lorin:  In the fall, I will be releasing an audiobook of 'A Boy Born from Mold' with narration by Welsh linguist Jason Shepherd. I met Jason through 'The Learn Welsh Podcast', an informative podcast that he created and hosts every week. I am very lucky to have his talents for this project. His voice is simply stellar and his readings add a lot of charismatic dimension to the stories.

AmeriCymru: Do you see yourself as primarily any particular type of artist - painter,musician or writer?~ Do you have a favorite medium to work in and if so, what is it about that medium?
 
Lorin:  I am most comfortable with writing and pen and ink illustrations. My filter tends to be cut ups of what is around me blurred into my own feelings and interests of the Victorian era. I don't try to categorize myself but I do recognize my influences are a bit more macabre than usual.

AmeriCymru: What is next for Lorin Morgan-Richards? Do you have any new works in the pipeline? 

Lorin:  On September 12th, just in time for Grandparents Day, A Raven Above Press will be releasing a book entitled '13 Disturbing Postcards to Send to Your Grandparents'. This book is a lighthearted take on the mushy postcards kids send to their grandparents. I personally had terrific grandparents, but I thought it might be funny to create a book that is polar opposite to the postcards available today. I will also be releasing a miniature illustrated alphabet book that I will have finished by Halloween entitled 'The Terribly Mini Monster Book’.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru?

Lorin:  Thanks for the appreciation and I hope that I am able to meet some of you at Wordstock in Portland! Hwyl fawr am nawr!

Find more photos like this on Americymru

Wales at Wordstock

The Venue

As part of this year's Left Coast Eisteddfod celebrations we are presenting a panel discussion at the prestigious Wordstock literary festival ( 7th-10th October 2010 ) entitled 'Welsh Identity in Literature: From Dylan Thomas to Dr Who'. Featured panel authors include Niall Griffiths, Harrison Solow and Chris Keil. We are pleased to announce that this will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning in the OEA Performance Area at the Oregon Convention Center ( pictured left ). In addition two of our authors will be presenting workshops at the event  ( see details below ). The AmeriCymru booth, where you will find  a  wide variety of Anglo-Welsh literature for sale and signing sessions by our featured authors ( including Peter Griffiths and Lorin Morgan-Richards), will be open throughout the event. See this floor plan for our location ( we are at booth 620 )

The Authors

Check the Wordstock blog here daily for posts by our featured authors. Find details of featured authors in the slideshow above .

The Panel Discussion

Welsh Identity in Literature: From Dylan Thomas to Dr Who - 11 a.m. on Saturday morning ( 9th Oct ) in the OEA Performance Area at the Oregon Convention Center

What is Anglo-Welsh literature and why should anyone care?  As historian Gwyn Williams once famously said:- “The Welsh as a people have lived by making and remaking themselves in generation after generation, usually against the odds, usually within a British context.” For the Welsh speaking minority in Wales cultural identity is not a problem. The language defines it. For the English speaking majority, this question is not so easily answered. In Wales we see the same TV programs , read the same newspapers as our neighbours do a few miles away across the English 'border'. Wales is a popular vacation spot and in the summer months there are areas where you will be lucky to hear a Welsh accent let alone hear the native language spoken. And yet for centuries the Welsh have refused to be subsumed or absorbed by the Anglo-Saxon cultural Borg .  Welsh authors are rarely included in the English literary canon. Perhaps there is a reason for that? How does Welsh literature help to preserve Welsh identity? What lessons does this hold for others attempting to maintain an identity in the face of  cultural globalization.

From 'Mr Vogel' by Lloyd Jones - “When was Wales? Wales has never been, it has always been.” he rambled on to his next victim, Myrddin the schizophrenic, who fortunately) was asleep. “I’ll tell you something for nothing.” he said, “true Wales is never more than a field away, and true Wales is always a field away, like Rhiannons horse in the Mabinogi. Got it?” 

We asked our panelists to respond to the followowing question:- How do you think Welsh writers, writing in English, contribute to establishing a distinct Welsh cultural identitiy. Do you think there's anything unique about the Welsh experience or about Anglo-Welsh literature in this regard?  Here are their responses:-

Chris Keil - "What do you call it? Welsh writing in English? English-language writing in Wales? If youʼre not confused you donʼt understand the situation. The one constant is that cultural politics are always changing. In the last thirty or forty years the languages have inverted their relationship to each other, and Welsh is now the speech of the elite. This puts English- language writers in Wales in a new place. For me, the salient, abiding characteristic is a sort of estrangement - from England, but also from Wales; not so much embattled/romantic/heroic, as just not-signed-up: a failure (and I mean that in the most successfulsense of the word) to invest in any of the big-noting nationalisms that compete for our souls. Itʼs never a party-piece, either of dull fields and sullen rocks and angst, or of verbal tics and tricks and archness and cutesyness, boyo, look you. To invoke Mae West: “Indeed-to-goodness has nothing to do with it.”

Niall Griffiths - "Difficult to answer briefly .Let's just say that the less power London has, in every realm, the better for the UK and Europe and indeed humanity as a whole. Wales is bi-lingual, and gloriously so; being able to mediate the world through two languages is very beneficial and enriching."

Harrison Solow - "There is everything unique about the Welsh experience. I have said in various interviews about my writing about Wales that "no word equals its referent, and that the meaning of what is approximated in words lies in the shadow of them – in a different realm altogether." I believe  "there is a meaning in any experience described within a book, that cannot possibly be in the book." Nowhere have I seen this belief personified, indeed, living, except in Wales: “The Welsh have survived as a nation chiefly by cunning and reserve...they play for time, they fence, they scout out the situation, but they do not commit themselves. Those sweet smiles are sweet, but they are well under control. It is performance that greets you, polished and long practiced, played on a deceptively cosy stage set with brass pokers by the fire...” as Jan Morris says in her book A Matter of Wales. This is a mystical nation and the daily life of y Cymry remains a mystery to outsiders, some of it even to fellow Welshmen who do not speak Welsh and whose intrinsic and amorphous content is shaped by what is considered by some to be an alien form: English. My significant encounters in Wales have been with the Welsh speaking Welsh, whose intermittent appearance behind those smiles have both an I-Thou magnetism and a faint but discernable invitation; whose bland and wordless gazes bespeak the language of a somehow recognizable teulu (family) that sent me hypnotically to the Welsh Department of The University of Wales to embark on a journey of another kind: the lifelong acquisition of an ancient, bardic tongue.  But when I won the Pushcart Prize for Literature for writing about Wales, even those Welsh speakers celebrated the notion that it is possible to write about Wales in English. I'm not so sure that one can write Wales without Welsh. But one can write about it. Wales is a state of mind, or rather a state of heart. It is the scent of lanolin in the air – the hum of small cities in the loam beneath the oaks, the conviction of Celtic blood. It is an endless and sirenic song - as far from English sensibility as  it is from German or Cherokee. Sometimes I think that any story about Wales should be told outside the written word. It is only because I cannot sing or paint that I write and what I write is a word-performance. It is eisteddfod."


The Workshops

The Writing Life: A Serious Pursuit of Self Definition - Harrison Solow ( OCC room B118 Saturday 9th Oct 9-10.15 am )

In this seminar, we will address writing under a variety of conditions, about  a variety of subjects, under the guise of ourselves and alter egos, in company and in isolation.

Writing Dialogue in the Novel - Chris Keil  ( OCC room B119 Sunday 10th Oct 1.30- 2.45 )

The workshop contains lecture, discussion, examples and participation in writing, on technical characteristics of dialogue in order to intensify mood, compress/express social/emotional connections etc

STOP PRESS:  Author Lorin Morgan Richards will be joining us at our booth at Wordstock where he will be selling and autographing copies of his works throughout Saturday and Sunday.

David Western's Portland Eisteddfod Lovespoon: THIS is a lovespoon!!!

David Western's Portland Eisteddfod Lovespoon: THIS is a lovespoon!!!: "With the Left Coast Eisteddfod lovespoon somewhere in the air over the continental USA, I thought I would use the time before Laura gets ..." more here

Keeping Up with the Joneses -yn y Gymraeg: A Taste of the Welsh Language

As part of this years Left Coast Eisteddfod we are pleased and proud to announce the following event. For full details visit the Portland Central Library event page here:- Keeping Up with the Joneses -yn y Gymraeg: A Taste of the Welsh Language "In this fun, activity-based course, you will be able to do what Welsh stars Catherine Zeta-Jones & Tom Jones CAN'T do - you’ll be able to speak the language of Cymraeg (Welsh)! In this 2 hr taster course, forget dictionaries or taking notes, instead you’ll be meeting new ffrindiau(friends) and sharing gwybodaeth(information) about your interests. This is an activity-based experience that is so enjoyable you won’t even know you’re learning! Expect to participate, experiment and most of all to have fun! In this class we’ll also be: **having a laugh and a go at pronouncing Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch **storytelling – enjoy reading some of your favorite Jumbo Fairy tale books in Welsh. **listening to englynion and other styles of Welsh poetry."   About the teacher: To California native Diana Manzanilla, discovering Cymraeg was a fluke. Yet, the language instantly captivated her, causing her to leave home and family for the beautiful green valleys of Wales. She spent 2 years in that glorious land - the first spent learning Welsh and the second spent teaching Welsh to adults using the same methods you’ll experience in this course.

Win The Portland Lovespoon - Support the Left Coast Eisteddfod

The Left Coast Eisteddfod will be held in Portland in the first week of October this year. Events cost money and the Eisteddod is no exception. The Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit which raises funds for this and other similar events. Our objective is to hold an annual Eisteddfod on the US West Coast with live competitions in poetry, story telling and other traditional ( and not so traditional ) bardic arts. Eventually we would like to inauguarate recognised Bardic chairs for some of these competition categories. Lovespoons are a traditional Welsh folk art. David Western and Laura Gorun are lovespoon carvers who have very generously donated their time to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in support of the Left Coast Eisteddfod. Every dollar you give buys you a ticket and a chance to win the spoon. Five dollars, equals five tickets, fifty dollars equals fifty tickets and fifty chances to win. This is David's second year of creation in support of this event and we are very grateful for his and Laura's generosity in sharing their work with us all. For a chance to win their spoon this year, click on the 'Donate' button in the right-hand column on any page on the AmeriCymru blog and be sure to note that your payment is for the lovespoon. You do not need to be a member of AmeriCymru or logged into the site to do this and everyone will receive a PayPal receipt and an email of acknowledgement from the Eisteddfod  organisers. Last years spoon, uniquely hand-crafted and valued at around $1000 is pictured on this page. If you want to follow a step-by step account of the design and creation of this years spoon go to this blog:- http://davidwestern.blogspot.com/ The prize draw will take place at our 'Last Bard Standing' event in Portland on October 8th. More information about the event can be found here:- http://www.facebook.com/AmeriCymru?v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=110551428972706&index=1 If you wish to enter the draw click on the 'Donate' button in the right hand column on this page. Remember...every dollar you spend equals one extra chance to win this unique work of art. We are not necessarily looking for large sums. If everybody here gave $5 it would contribute enormously toward the success of the event. If you decide to contribute, we wish you pob lwc/best of luck in the draw. Bendithion Ceri Shaw/Gaabriel Becket AmeriCymru/Left Coast Eisteddfod -------------------------------------------------- Anyone wanting further information about attending, sponsoring, competing or anything else to do with the Eisteddfod schould contact us at americymru@gmail.com . We aim to answer all enquiries personally and in a timely manner.

Mabinogion Quiz

So you think you know the Mabinogion? Here is a ten question quiz compiled by Americymru's resident Mabinogion meister Bill Tillman to test your knowledge. The Mabinogion is the theme of this year's Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland Oregon which will include readings from works by the authors of 'Stories From The New Mabinogion' commissioned by leading Welsh publishing house 'Seren'. There will also be a special showing of the 2003 S4C movie 'Y Mabinogi/Otherworld'. Left Coast Eisteddfod Events Night of The Living Bards Last Bard Standing

An Interview With Halley Weaver - Portland's 'Zero Emissions Harpist'

Halley Weaver, Portlands very own "zero emissions harpist" will be playing at the 'Night of The Living Bards' in Portland, Oregon on October 7th. This event is part of the Left Coast Eisteddfod 2010. Americymru spoke to Halley about her love for the harp and her future musical plans. Americymru: You have been described as Portland's "zero emissions harpist". Can you explain this for our readers? Halley: Many harpists, whether folk or classical, get from gig to gig by use of large station wagons, even to the extent of small panel trucks. When traveling around the city of Portland, I opt to use my bike and a custom-made trailer whenever possible. When the bike and trailer aren't appropriate, as in the case of very severe weather, I take public transportation. This is sometimes, annoying, to say the least, but it's great to talk to people on the bus, curious about the harp! Americymru: What attracted you to the harp? How long have you been playing it? Halley: As a little girl, I was in love with fantasy books, medieval history, fantasy role-playing games, etc. At some point, a switch went off in my mind and I wanted to play the folk harp. There was no epiphany moment while at a Celtic festival or while watching a movie. I just decided. I don't even recall having any "harp contact" before I got my first one. I do remember drawing a little "savings meter" and marking it off with red marker every time I saved money for my harp fund. It took a couple years of persistence before my parents deemed I was serious about this infatuation. That was almost 12 years ago, and I know that they don't regret finally giving in to my whim! Americymru: We learn from your site ( link ) that you were, at least initially self-taught. How difficult was it to learn to play the harp? Halley: This is my dad's favorite story. When I got my first harp, I was also given a "teach yourself" book. I spent the entire day in my room devouring the book and the next morning at breakfast, I performed the first few songs in the book to my family. I remember there were times when I was extremely discouraged and frustrated. Felt clumsy, stiff-fingered and slow. But then, there are times last week when I felt like that while practicing! It's definitely an act of love, though. And as with most love, sometimes I'm a little blind to the less-than-stellar times. Americymru: What is your typical repertoire? What kind of events do you perform at? Halley: My repertoire is so fluidly organic and changes (sometimes on a daily basis!). I peform an eclectic collection on traditional folk and Celtic pieces. I really enjoy dance tunes; jigs, reels, etc so a lot of my music has a very bright, springy flow to it. I've played a variety of venues from retirement centers, weddings, funerals, corporate banquets, Renaissance fairs, churches, craft fairs, art galleries and street corners. I've become pretty versatile to performing in a bunch of unique environments. It's always a lot of fun and everyone has their different charm. Americymru: Do you plan to release any cd's in he near future? Is there anywhere online where people can hear your music? Halley: I have been in the long, long process of trying to get a CD recorded on a very limited budget. I've started actually two different times last year and because of my very generous recording friends' schedules, things have fallen through both times. Third time, being the charm, I am taking my time and saving my pocket change so that I can afford to get it professionally done. But regardless, I am hoping by the end of summer to have the CD out. Music samples will be available at my website by the end of April, but until there, there is my gig webpage at: www.gigmasters.com/harp/halleytheharper Americymru: You have been involved with the SCA ( Society for Creative Anachronisms ). Care to tell us a little more about your involvement with the organisation? Halley: I was involved in the SCA in northwest Washington for a number of years. It was a deeply rewarding experience where I volunteered for many of their public demos, teaching children and adults all sorts of nifty things from chainmail to fencing, making bread, working wool and about period instruments. I became my "barony's" ambassador to the "East Kingdom" when I went away to school in Massachusetts and then later to "Artemesia" (Utah). While my membership has lapsed and I currently don't have the time to dedicate to such a fun, educational non-profit, I still have tons of photos all over and my "Award of Arms" framed and hanging in my art space. (I still plan family visits to Washington around events, "accidently" though, so I can duck in and say hi to friends!) Americymru: Have you ever accompanied other musicians or do you always perform solo? Halley: I regularly "jam" with other musicians whether it's in my home or during a pub's monthly "session." I love impromptu jams on the street corners and have met some amazing people that way and some really great friends. I have performed a few times with violins, flutes, guitars and piano. Am looking forward to some future projects this summer with folk, gypsy/klezmer and just some crazy musicians! Americymru: Is there any performance that you are particularly proud of? Any memorable incidents whilst performing? Halley: I have performed for audiences of over 2000 people. I have performed for huge, gorgeous weddings set in amazing locations. However, the performances that really stick in my mind are playing for retirement centers and events where it's smaller, more intimate - where people can ask questions and I get to mingle and really meet the people that I am playing for. I have many, many memorable incidents, but one in particular that I love is playing at the Waterfront Park in Portland, which is a paved multi-use path along the river. During the early summer last year, there were a lot of muscle guys jogging. Not one would make visible eye-contact with me, but quiet a few would stop within earshot as their spontaneous place to stop and do calf stretches on the handrails. Americymru: What kind of music do you listen to? Are there any performers that you draw inspiration from? Halley: I listen to a lot of country/folk rock music. Andrew Bird, Billy Bragg, Robyn Hitchcock, The Mountain Goats, Casey Neill and the Norway Rats, just to name a few. My first love with celtic pub music was with a Winnipeg band, The Dust Rhinos. 10 years later, they're still my favorite band. I don't know if I draw inspiration from any particular performer. I do know that the first time I heard Robyn Hitchcock though, I was inspired to begin writing my own music and get the bug every time I go to a live show to run home and work on music. Americymru: Any final message for the members and readers of Americymru? Halley: I want to say something cheesy about following your bliss, but you know, without making it sound cheesy. I just know that I have worked a lot of jobs; marketing, tech support, food service, etc and while I've had some jobs that I've really liked, I love being a performer and educator. Last summer, I was able to successfully support myself by harp alone and I am really hoping to continue with that trend through this summer. Not everyone has the lifestyle that they can drop everything and start over, but I was given that opportunity two years ago, and I have been truly happy with my decision since.

Night of the Living Bards

Night of the Living Bards

Thursday Oct 7th 5 p.m till Midnight The Left Coast Eisteddfod is a Welsh-American performing  arts festival in Portland, Oregon USA for 2010. In the many-centuries-old tradition of the eisteddfod in Wales, this includes an oral storytelling competition. In the Portland version, outrageous lies, artistic license and unbridled wild creation are very strongly encouraged and we cordially invite you to join us. ( 100 tickets are available from the 'Buy Ticket' links on this page. They are priced at $6 plus $1 dollar commission charged by EventBee. We are advising people to purchase early to avoid disappointment. )

The Venue

Home Menu Directions Bus Routes There is free parking available in the Buffalo Gap parking lot and in the streets around. There is also an office parking lot opposite which is available for the use of patrons free of charge after 5 p.m. If you are travelling by bus please take the number 35 and alight at SW Macadam & California.

Buy Tickets/Register to Compete

The 'Night of the Living Bards' will take place at the Buffalo Gap on Thurs October 7th between 5pm and Midnight. It will consist of a live narrative competition for which we will be looking to recruit 20 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. We may also include a movie and some musical entertainment on the program. Full program details will be announced shortly. The narrative competition will run between 6.30 and 10.30 ( approx ). The competition will be judged by authors Niall Griffiths and Chris Keil ( and others to be announced ). Highlights will be recorded for posterity and hosted on the Americymru website. Penderyn Welsh Whisky  available at the bar!

Welsh Folk Dance at NAFOW - Portland, Oregon 2010

An Interview with Eirian Owen, Musical Director of the Cor Godre'r Aran who will be appearing at NAFOW 2010 can be found here. More info and registration here

Welsh Folk Dance at NAFOW

WELSH DANCES The history of Welsh folk dancing is a sad one. With the advent of the Non-conformist sects in the 18th and 19th centuries, the chapels saw the Welsh folk arts and customs as sinful and not in keeping with chapel teaching. They did their utmost to stamp out all sorts of "sinful" folk entertainment except, of course, hymn singing and music in the chapels. Some saw the damage that was being done to the culture and managed to record the dances on paper. Like most music of that period, there was a lot of exchange and borrowing between Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and Europe and a number of Welsh dances went into British/English collections, and tended to retain the original Welsh names in translation to English. By the start of the 20th Century, folk dancing contributed very little to Welsh culture. In the Twenties, a few people started to take interest in the old dances. In the 1940s, Lois Blake and Gwyn Williams led the way in reviving the Welsh dancing tradition and in 1949 the Welsh Folk Dance Society was formed, with the aim of promoting and resurrecting the old dances. Today, there are over twenty adult teams and hundreds of teams in the schools and clubs across Wales. This program is for all ages and will teach participants a number of Welsh dances, which will be taught by Sian Frick, a well-known and experienced instructor. Music will be provided by the Portland band, Beltaine. Come, enjoy a good time.

SIÂN FRICK, Welsh Dance Instructor. Siân is a British national of mainly Welsh parentage. From 1984 to 1991 she attended Cymdeithas Ddawns Werin Cymru (Welsh Folk Dance Society) workshops in Wales to learn the spirited but light-footed Welsh dances, and in 1988 she earned the Cymdeithas Instructors Certificate, Part 1. From 1986 to 1992 Siân led her group Dawnswyr y Tract Cymreig/The Welsh Tract dancers, based in Newark Delaware, and in 1991 she was a member of the Dawnswyr Môn display team in Anglesey for six months. Siân is frequently invited to teach Welsh folk dance workshops and give clogging demonstrations at many of the Celtic festivals in the mid-Atlantic region. On her regular visits to Wales she has joined Welsh teams performing dances at various events such as the Gwyl Ifan (Midsummer) Festival in Cardiff.

BELTAINE is a Northwest trio featuring hammered dulcimer, guitar, flute, and marimbula. They are unique in their blend of instrumentation. Their styles range from Celtic to traditional music from around the world. They do not limit themselves to any one genre. Their backgrounds include folk, rock, classical, jazz, and blues. They choose music that speaks to them. They try to put their spin on these tunes to make them unique to Beltaine. Their music is their passion, and they love playing and performing around the Northwest. They are excited to hear that others enjoy their music and they love stories about the music.

'Sexbomb' About To Burst Over Portland - Left Coast Eisteddfod 2010

'SexBomb' is a two-piece Tom Jones tribute band from Hanford CA, combining the musical talents of William Parry ( vocals ) and Bobby Z ( guitar, trumpet ). The band will be performing at the Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland Oregon 2010 ( watch this space for further details ). They agreed to a world exclusive interview with Americymru which we proudly present below. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Americymru:  'Sexbomb' are about to explode on the Portland music scene in October 2010. Can you tell us a little about how the band came to be formed? Sexbomb: True, I’m excited for Portland.  We’ve been terrorizing, uh, I mean, rocking the California music scene for months now, so a little “West Coast Tour ‘10” will be epic.  Sexbomb came together as a natural progression; an ‘evolution’ really of all my past musical forays and experiences . . . that and my other band broke up when my bass player went to jail for his second DUI.  Plus, Bobby Z (SB’s other half, and guitarist / trumpeter supreme) had just been asked to leave his church’s band, so the timing was perfect. Americymru:  Can you explain the symbolic significance of the bands name? Sexbomb: ‘Sexbomb’ is named after Sir Tom Jones’ 2000 hit song of the same name, from his massive “Reload” album.  We can’t really play ‘Sexbomb’ live yet (it’s disco beats don’t lend themselves well to a 2-man acoustical arrangement), but it’s a way cooler band name for us than, say, “Daughter of Darkness” or “Letter to Lucille”…. No symbolism, Bob and I are both married (not to each other). Americymru:  Can you describe a typical 'Sexbomb' performance? Sexbomb: I’d say that we’re the greatest band in the world by default, as we tribute/cover the greatest performer in the world; makes sense.  (But, “Surprisingly good” was the overall audience consensus at our world debut in October ’09…. We’re a 2-man acoustical/unplugged act.)  We’re fun, upbeat, disinclined to take ourselves too seriously, but always respectful of Sir Tom and the material . . . Bob and I like to rock the house, and get off stage quickly so we can go get properly pissed (Ok, ‘more’ pissed.)  Bottom line, we’re a very fun, entertaining band; what we may lack in talent and ‘classical training’ we more than make up for with enthusiasm, good humor, and a love for Sir Tom. Americymru:  Who, besides Sir Tom, are your biggest influences? Sexbomb: Good question.  Vocally I’d have to say Chris Cornell, Dick Haymes, and Dean Martin.  Onstage, my biggest “performance” influences are David Lee Roth, the late Robert Palmer, and Big Ernie McCracken.  Bob has a range of guitar influences, including Johnny Cash, Jimmies Hendrix and Page, Richie Blackmore, Brian May, and even some heavy metal guitarists, which has something to do with his ejectment from the church band. Americymru:  How long have you been a Tom Jones fan? Sexbomb: Since birth, I’m Welsh!! I first saw Sir Tom live in August of ’84 at the Paso Robles mid-state fair; that was my “Woodstock.” Blew me away.  I’ve seen him live many times since, and even shook his hand at the August 9, ’95 gig in Visalia (nearly took a savage beating after from a group of insanely jealous, panty-less housewives), and again in Vegas on April 27, ’06.  Epic.  (Bob’s been a fan since I begged him to form SB with me last year.) Hear 'Delilah' and 'She's A Lady' performed by Sexbomb (recommended listening level is .14% blood alcohol l!! ) Find more music like this on Americymru Americymru:  'Sexbomb' celebrates Welsh culture with particular reference to 'Tom Jones'. Can you explain the significance of drinking in Welsh culture? Sexbomb: Ah, wow, big question… I could more easily break down the I Ching, the Koran, or the DeNiro vs. Pacino debate…. It’s kind of at the Heart of our culture isn’t it?  (um, have I revealed too much about my own personal habits here?) Americymru:  We have pictures of you in a kilt at a Chicago Mass transit station. Can you explain what you were doing on that occasion and were you arrested for it? Sexbomb: Under advice of my counsel, I’m really not supposed to talk about that as litigation is still pending, and I’ll thank you to drop the subject.  I will say this, just to clarify:  I was never “arrested,” merely detained for questioning.  And that was mostly the fault of fellow Americymru member Phil Morgan (for plying me with copious amounts of Newcastle at the Wales v. USA rugby match earlier that day, where you may have seen me – a tattooed dancing Gorilla waving a Welsh flag if you watched the game—I’m told I made the ESPN2 and BBC telecasts.)  The statute of limitations for drunk in public and indecent exposure doesn’t expire for another 20 months, so, no further comment.  (ps – you’ll be subpoenaed and we’ll be setting your deposition soon to ferret out exactly  how you came in to possession of said photos.) Americymru:  Does 'Sexbomb' have any plans to record? Is there anywhere online where people can hear the band? Sexbomb: Yes, we’re recording now actually at American Made Studios, in Fresno, California, with our good friends Marc Kapetan and Paul “Smokin’ Joe” Turner.  When our master recordings are mixed down and ready, we’re prepared to debut them here on Americymru !!  (you’ve still got that case of Penderyn you’re sending me, right?) Americymru:  You are rightly famed on the Americymru site for an incident involving a flight of stairs in your student years. Care to tell us a little more about that? Any chance of a demonstration at the Eisteddfod? ( we need to know for insurance purposes- Ed ) Sexbomb: My only comment is to advise others never to slide head-first down a cement stairway on a lousy 20 quid bet (particularly after 9 JR Tenant Supers).  I should have counted the damn steps… 34 steps at that blood alcohol level is ill-advised, from what I remember anyway. (Hey, did I ever get paid for that?!@?)  And will I be recreating that feat at the LCE? Oh, no, I’m much more mature now and . . . um, why?, you gonna have any JR Tenants Super there?? Americymru:  Any upcoming gigs you'd like to mention? Sexbomb: We’re playing the Sky Line Room in Fresno, Calif. later this month, with a couple return dates tentatively in the works.  (ie, if we don’t get too drunk and stink up the initial gig.)  We’re also set to rock Joey Rubinstein’s bar mitzvah in March, and the Kings County Fair this summer.  Things are really taking off. Americymru:  Any final message for the members and readers of Americymru? Sexbomb: “To live for today and to love for tomorrow is the wisdom of a fool, because tomorrow is promised to no one.  You see, love is that wonderful thing that the whole wide world needs plenty of.  So, if you think for one minute you can live without, then you’re only fooling yourself.”  – ‘Without Love’ by Sir Tom Jones.  Amen. Interview: Ceri Shaw Email

Calling All Bloggers

Are you a Poet, Short Story Writer or a Photographer?...then read on.... For the second year running the Left Coast Eisteddfod is being held in Portland Oregon. What is an Eisteddfod?   An Eisteddfod is essentially an arts competition and the Left Coast Eisteddfod is an online arts competition. It features four categories:- Poetry, Short Story, Photography and Video.  The first Eisteddfod was held in 1176 in Cardigan in Wales. The National Eisteddfod and Bala Eisteddfod are held in Wales every year and more all over the world, wherever Welsh people settled. The competition is open to both Americymru members and non-members and submissions need not have any Welsh relevance. Why should this be of interest to bloggers? Cash prizes of $150 dollars in all competition categories! Submissions judged by experts with international reputations! Winning submissions and other entries stay on a heavily trafficed page-rank 4, social network site for more than a year together with backlink! No registration fee! Two ways to submit your entry If you have an original poem,short story, photograph or video that you would like to enter you can either, Join the site. Americymru is an American Welsh social networking site on the Ning network BUT if you have no Welsh heritage fear not. You can simply check the Eisteddfod option when categorizing your profile or copy and paste the following ....'I am here to compete in the Eisteddfod', in the 'About Me' field. Registration only takes a minute or two. Please remember that in order to qualify your blog must have some literary, poetic or photographic content. If this is the case please feel free to include a link to your blog on your profile page. To join Americymru go here. If you prefer not to join but still wish to compete, email your submission to americymru@gmail.com. We will post it for you together with your backlink. You may request that your submission be removed at any time and we guarantee to respect your copyright. Your content will not appear on any other page than the submission page. The winners will be announced at the Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland Oregon on Oct 6th 2010. Winners will be notified via email and checks mailed shortly after. Why are we doing this? Welsh culture is rich with artistic tradition in poetry, song and story.  Our mission is to promote art in the Welsh tradition in North America and to bring the Eisteddfod and the Welsh love of the arts and the art of the word to artists around the world. ( Submissions deemed to be of insufficient quality may be rejected by the Eisteddfod Organizing Committee.Please enter your best work. Blatant link-dropping will not be tolerated. ) To all our contestants both current and future we wish the very best of luck:)

"Tongue Tied" Author Peter Griffiths at the Clearing Cafe in Portland, Oregon

Peter Griffiths, author of Tongue Tied, invited AmeriCymru members in Portland to a reading and discussion of his book at the Clearing Cafe on NW Thurman in Portland last Monday evening. Peter and his wife, Yvonne, hosted the gathering at the Clearing Cafe, owned by their son, Andrew Griffiths, and his wife, Kelley Winchester, to celebrate the second printing of Peter's book by YLlofa. The senior Griffiths live in Colorado and travel to Portland to visit and will be back for the 2010 NAFOW in September. Peter gave readings from the book, discussed some of his process in creating it and answered questions. He described how he'd used cynghanedd (the concept of sound-arrangement within one line in Welsh language poetry, using stress, alliteration and rhyme) to some of the lines here and there throughout the book, and read examples to show how he'd applied these concepts to an English-language prose work. Peter and Yvonne's son, Andrew was born in Wrexham and his wife and partner, Kelly in New York. Although they both spent a lot of their early lives in Colorado, they met in Portland while working at the same bakery. They recently bought the cafe, which had been in business more than two years in that location, and they've kept the cafe's menu, which includes bagels, panini sandwiches, rice and bean bowls, salads, smoothies and juices and a good variety of teas and coffees. Wherever possible, they use local and organic ingredients for everything they make. They plan to introduce Welsh dishes to their menu, starting with Welsh cakes, and add beer and wine, so those of us in Portland can look forward to somewhere with a more specifically Welsh flavor to go. Andrew put on the red and green for the occasion and sported the Ddraig Goch on his tie to welcome us all. An interview with Peter appears on the AmeriCymru blog and Ceri's review of Tongue Tied will be up shortly.