UP, UP AND AWAY...LLANGOLLEN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES REFURBISHED PAVILION WITH A SPECTACULAR BALLOON RELEASE

Free Festival Tickets Up For Grabs Find more photos like this on Americymru To celebrate the refurbishment of the Llangollen International Pavilion, Llangollen Eisteddfod were proud to invite everyone to a spectacular and colourful balloon release on Thursday 10th of June at 2pm in the presence of celebrated, multi-million selling and original electric string quartet (and stars of one of the festival’s evening concerts this year) Bond! Five thousand balloons took to the skies, with 100 special gold balloons. Those lucky enough to find one of the special gold Llangollen Eisteddfod balloons will have the chance of winning tickets to the Festival or the evening concerts - including the Concert featuring Bond on Thursday, July 8th. All you have to do is go online to www.llangollen2010.co.uk to see if your gold balloon number is one of the winners! It is anticipated that several winning balloons will travel overseas to countries in Europe and beyond and will serve to further enhance Llangollen’s International message. Dozens of people turned up to watch the balloon release, those included were dozens of Dinas Bran School pupils. “This is a brilliant idea” says Cardiff-born BOND violinist, Eos Chater, “and we are really excited to be involved with it. Imagine the thrill of finding one of these winning balloons and receiving free tickets to the Festival or one of the spectacular concerts. If you’re really lucky, it might even be ours!” “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has always been associated with colour”, says the Festival’s Chief Executive Mervyn Cousins, “and now, here we are, turning the skies over Llangollen into a wonderful mosaic! It will be a great day out for the whole family and, of course, there is also the chance of winning a rare ticket to one of our justly famous evening concerts. But we’re also eager to draw attention to the improved facilities at Llangollen this year. The Festival is bigger and better than ever and now, thanks to the renovations made possible by our friends at Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, so is the Pavilion itself”. “The Llangollen Eisteddfod is something we can all be proud of in Wales”, says Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, “and we at Denbighshire County Council are happy to have contributed to the overall £1.6million redevelopment, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, to create a world class pavilion which is no less than this great event deserves. This will hopefully be seen as a significant investment in what is an important cultural phenomenon. Llangollen is a national and international treasure”. The £1.6 million investment by Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government will secure the provision of an Over-Pavilion New Canvas together with the renovation and renewal of the steel structures underneath. In addition to improvements in lighting, access and seating within the building there has also been a major overhaul of the entrance with new designs from local artists and wonderful images of the beautiful local scenery. “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a hugely significant event” says Alun Ffred Jones, Heritage Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, “not only for us in Wales but to the thousands upon thousands of people who flock here each year to compete and to sample it’s unique and multi-cultural atmosphere. The Welsh Assembly Government recognizes the huge importance of this event as a symbol of peace and harmony in a troubled world and as a crucial ambassador for our nation and is therefore delighted to invest to safeguard its growth in the twenty first century”. “I am convinced that the public and the performers will both appreciate these massive improvements to the Llangollen Pavilion”, says Mervyn Cousins, “particularly in terms of the acoustics in the Main Hall and in the areas of catering. These will have long-term benefits for the pavilion too of course because it is an all-year-round venue and the hope is that these new improvements will make the pavilion a much more attractive proposition for business conferences and meetings”. “We have been working closely with the Eisteddfod to create a new business plan allied to the refurbished pavilion” says Iwan Prys-Jones, Corporate Director of Denbighshire County Council, “the improvements to the pavilion are fantastic and we hope it will bring new investment to the area and attract a wider business base.” Members of the public were invited to celebrate the new pavilion on Thursday, June 10th at the spectacular balloon release and, with a little bit of luck, they might also have the chance of winning free tickets to the Festival or some of this year’s evening concerts - including the one featuring Bond on Thursday, July 8th. “We are so looking forward to playing in Wales, particularly at Llangollen”, says BOND cellist, Gay-Yee Westerhoff, “and it will be great fun to help out at the balloon event. Enjoy the colour and the spectacle - and, of course, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for everyone!” Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s Opening Gala Concert featuring Katherine Jenkins on Monday 5th July opens the full facility. For more information on all this year’s evening concerts- and the daytime events - log on to www.llangollen2010.co.uk

Diary Marker: BOND join Llangollen Eisteddfod to celebrate the new Pavilion roof with a 5000 balloon release and ticket give-away

BOND join Llangollen Eisteddfod to celebrate the new Pavilion roof with a 5000 balloon release and ticket give-away

To celebrate the Llangollen Pavilion’s new roof, this Thursday, 10^th of June, the most popular and sexy string Quartet in the history of the Music industry BOND will be on the Llangollen festival field to release 5000 numbered balloons into the air for a free ticket give away. Anyone lucky enough to find a numbered bio-degradable balloon in their garden they can check if it’s a winning number on the festival's website www.llangollen2010.co.uk and claim free tickets for the evening concerts. Join us at 2pm - everyone is welcome!

Royal International Pavilion, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire. LL20 8SW

Llangollen Underlines Welsh Connection to Liverpool

Mersey Primary School cites Festival as a major factor in Ofsted report success.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is famous throughout the world for its colour, spectacle and exuberance but in addition to its reputation for melting down cultural barriers and in presenting the very best of the world’s singers and performers the Festival also aims to encourage a more general sense of harmony within communities, both nationally and internationally.

St Matthew’s Primary School in Liverpool has just gained ‘Overall Effectiveness Outstanding’ in its Ofsted report and the school was especially praised for its creative involvement in community cohesion events and cultural development. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is proud to have been cited directly in the Inspectors’ letter as a major contributory factor in the school’s achievements.

“The International Eisteddfod has greatly helped our pupils to develop their understanding of people from other cultures, through their music and dance” says St Matthew’s Headteacher, Veronica McDonnell, “This was acknowledged in our recent Ofsted Inspection when we were awarded Outstanding for overall effectiveness. Our strong Community Cohesion work was also rated outstanding with the International Eisteddfod contributing to our international links”.

“We have been coming to Llangollen for the past four years”, says Donna Jones, Senior Teacher and Music Coordinator at St Matthew’s Primary School whose been involved along with Mrs Letitia Wilkins, Deputy Headteacher. “We have attended once on Children’s Day, once on Song and Dance Day- where we saw HRH Prince Charles!- and we have also competed in the Junior Children’s Choirs competition and taken part in the inclusive ‘All the World, One Smile’ project in 2009”.

As a direct result of their visits to the Llangollen Festival St Matthew’s Primary School has made strong cultural connections with children and schools from other countries throughout the world and, this year, the school hopes to forge specific links with both India and Hong Kong. Mrs McDonnell explains “Our pupils have benefited socially, emotionally and spiritually through their participation in this wonderful annual event. They have had the opportunity to meet and forge on-going links with children from India and China. What a wonderful way of helping children to experience first hand the cultural diversity and unity of people from all corners of the world”.

Veronica McDonnell continues to explain “Our own pupils come from a wide variety of different backgrounds, and abilities and so for us, having a wonderful event like Llangollen on our doorstep is so important. We have a wealth of talent, enthusiasm and spirituality, and the Eisteddfod helps us to develop this”.

The children of St Matthews Primary School have fond memories of their previous visits to Llangollen Festival:

“I love going to Eisteddfod. You see people from all over the world wearing such beautiful colourful costumes.” Ying Yu Fang aged 10.

“I enjoyed watching the Chechnyan dancers. They were so fit and strong. Even the tiniest children could kick their legs so high. They made us feel so excited.” Paige Lancaster aged 10.

“Our school choir felt so proud when we sang on the main stage at the Eisteddfod. We competed against children who came from as far as China. It was great.” Katie Jones aged 10.

“I couldn’t believe I saw Prince Charles at the International Eisteddfod. The golden Harp was shining so brightly on the stage. We waved at Prince Charles and he waved back at us.” Jack Bradley.

Llangollen Festival’s Chief Executive Mervyn Cousins is delighted that the event is having such a positive effect in schools and in the community as a whole. “It is great to hear once again that the international reach of Llangollen has such a positive effect on young people”, he says. “We naturally believe that what we can offer to schools and families is special and it is wonderful to know that this experience has a legacy beyond their actual attendance at the festival. I am also delighted personally, as before coming to work in Llangollen I worked in Liverpool and I know what brilliant work is done in schools there”.

The City of Liverpool is often cited as being the ‘capital city of North Wales’ and the connections between the Mersey and the Dee appear to be as strong as ever in 2010 because, this year, in addition to welcoming a choir from St Matthews Primary School, Liverpool will also be represented in this year’s Eisteddfod by the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir.

Some tickets are still available for this year’s Children’s Day (Primary Schools, Tuesday 6 July), and for Youth Day (Secondary schools and colleges) and, because of the continuing high demand for these tickets, Llangollen is also offering school packages, including workshops from performers from all over the world, on the other days of the festival week.

“Culturally and geographically we are not far away from Liverpool”, says Mervyn Cousins, “and, of course, the continuing and enduring philosophy of Llangollen is that the rest of the world is also much closer to us than we think!”

Lets Send Laura To Wales! - Calling the American Welsh Community!

PLEASE DONATE VIA THE PAYPAL BUTTON IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ( or mail checks to:- 606 St Paul St., Campus Box 673, Baltimore MD, 21202 ) "Hello! My name is Laura Stokes. I am currently studying Harp Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of music in Baltimore MD under Dr. Ruth K. Inglefield. This April I will be traveling to Caernarfon Wales (UK) to compete in the Youth Competition of the Second Wales International Harp Festival. This is a wonderful and very exciting opportunity for me. Dr. Inglefield found the competition and urged me to enter because she knew of my love for Wales and harp. I was born to and English father and American mother in Charlottesville VA, USA. Throughout my childhood I spent each summer and many Christmases in Wales, in a cottage that my parents bought 18 years ago in the village of Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant in Powys. I began playing harp at the age of 8 after many years of begging my family for lessons after falling in love with the instrument while in Wales as a toddler. After 7th grade in Virginia, my family relocated to Wales so that my father, a blacksmith, could assist his brother, also a blacksmith, on a large ironwork project. I attended Welsh high school for a year and totally fell in love with the country and the people of Wales. I was overjoyed to learn that high school owned a harp and had a wonderful teacher who came to the school once a week and gave harp lessons. It was during the time that I really fell in love with harp and decided that I wanted to pursue it a career in music. We loved living in Wales so much that we decided to stay for a second year, during which I passed, with merit, the grade 5 Harp exam given by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Upon returning to the United States in my Sophomore year of high school, I finally bought a concert grand pedal harp. With this instrument, a Venus Paragon, I was able to excel in harping playing as I had never been able to before. I am now studying at the Peabody Conservatory of Music working towards a Bachelor’s of Music in Harp Performance and I am loving every minute of it. When Dr. Inglefield approached me with the idea of competing in Wales I was simply over the moon with excitement. Sadly neither of us had heard anything of the competition until only a few days before the entry deadline. I still went ahead and applied not wanting to miss out on the great opportunity. The Wales International Harp Competition has many different levels. I will be competing in the Youth Competition a category for harpists under age 19. I am now 18 years old and will be at the time of the competition. This is amazingly timely and couldn’t have worked out better time wise. Sadly being a freshman at Peabody I am ineligible to receive any grant money for career development/competition/travel from the school. It is my last possible chance to compete in this level of competition. I am determined to get to Wales this April but this is not a cheap endeavor, as you know the price of cross Atlantic plane tickets is phenomenal and room and board and cost of attendance of this week long festival is also rather pricey. I am now on a quest to find someone, be it community group, individual, foundation etc. who would be willing to help sponsor my trip. Every little helps no matter how large or small. Thank you!!!!! --Laura Stokes" Find more photos like this on Americymru

An Interview With Fflur Dafydd - Welsh Novelist, Singer-Songwriter

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"The Jenkins's's's's's" at The Left Coast Eisteddfod

In addition to head lining Saturday nights show at the Left Coast Eisteddfod, Chris Needs will also be introducing the premier US screening of his animated film "The Jenkins's's's's'" on Saturday afternoon during a short presentation on the forthcoming Americymru International Film Festival. "The Jenkins's's's's" won the Best Animation/CGI award at this years Swansea Bay Film Festival. For a short review of the book - "The Jenkins's's's's" see below. BUY TICKETS FOR THE LEFT COAST EISTEDDFOD FRIDAY SATURDAY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The revealing autobiography, Like It Is, published in 2007 by Y Lolfa told of Chris’s traumatic childhood, his showbiz and charity career as an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and his life more recently as an all-round celebrity. However, this book is a completely different kettle of fish. In her riotous, humour-filled diaries, Gladys tells of her struggle to keep the family’s crazy, mixed-up lives together. Mam’s task isn’t easy though. Her husband Dai is work-shy, son Philllip has a handbag, daughter Shantell is preggers and dog Christopher – or is it Christine? – has had puppies. Just as well Elsie next door is accommodating – she agreed to an adjoining door so they only pay one TV licence. Follow the family from their humble beginnings in the valley community of Ponty Pantin to the sun-kissed Mumbles Bay and foreign parts (including Western Super Mare). Crammed full of outrageous valleys humour, this is an ideal Christmas treat for all of Chris’s fans – and anyone else who needs a good laugh. The book is illustrated with eye-catching colour cartoons by Mark Davies. Chris Needs is a much loved radio presenter with a high profile thanks to his popular weeknight music and chat show on BBC Radio Wales. His cult fan club ‘The Garden’ has over 40,000 members worldwide. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more about the Left Coast Eisteddfod HERE. Read our interview with Chris needs HERE.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod: 6th - 12th July 2009 ( Schedule)

For one week, in one town, over fifty countries gather for one of Wales’ most unique experiences. This July over 50,000 performers and festival goers from all over the world will visit Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the picturesque Dee Valley, North Wales. This cool and cultural event, considered as 'Wales’ gift to the World' was established in 1947 to promote peace and goodwill between nations through music and dance. Still thriving today Llangollen Eisteddfod has become one of the world’s most colourful festivals. During each themed day the festival field is a hive of activity with main stage competitions, outside stage performances, workshops, and impromptu singing and dancing from every corner of the world, in national and regional costume. The evening Gala concerts over the years have attracted some of show-business’ biggest names such as Pavarotti, Michael Ball, Elaine Page, Domingo, Katherine Jenkins and Dame Shirley Bassey. This year is no exception with concerts by Faryl Smith, Barbara Dickson, Sir Willard White, Blake, Natasha Marsh, and even The Music of James Bond, with guest stars including Honor Blackman, aka Pussy Galore! What a cocktail...Prepare to be shaken and stirred! Join the rest of the world, join the party. For more information, telephone 01978 862001 or visit the website at www.llangollen2009.com

Llangollen Festival Schedule 1_7_09.pdf

Am un wythnos, mewn un dref, daw pobl o dros 50 gwlad ynghyd ar gyfer un o ddigwyddiadau mwyaf unigryw Cymru. Ym mis Gorffennaf, daw 50,000 o berfformwyr ac ymwelwyr o bedwar ban byd i Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen yn Nyffryn Dyfrdwy, Gogledd Cymru. Mae’r digwyddiad cŵl a diwylliannol hwn, a gaiff ei ystyried fel ‘anrheg Cymru i’r Byd’, ei sefydlu ym 1947 i hybu heddwch ac ewyllys da rhwng cenhedloedd trwy gerddoriaeth a dawns. Mae Eisteddfod Llangollen yn mynd o nerth i nerth ac erbyn hyn yn un o wyliau mwyaf lliwgar y byd. Ceir thema benodol i bob diwrnod ac yn ystod pob diwrnod mae maes yr ŵyl wastad llawn bwrlwm gyda chystadlaethau ar y brif lwyfan, perfformiadau ar y maes, gweithdai, canu a dawnsio byrfyfyr o bedwar ban byd mewn gwisgoedd traddodiadol. Mae cyngherddau Gala a gaiff eu cynnal gyda’r nos wedi denu enwau mwyaf y byd adloniant megis Pavarotti, Michael Ball, Elaine Paige, Domingo, Katherine Jenkins a Dame Shirley Bassey. Mae eleni hefyd yn sicr o syfrdanu gyda chyngherddau gyda Faryl Smith, Barbara Dickson, Syr Willard White, Blake, Natasha Marsh, ac hyd yn oed Cerddoriaeth James Bond, ymhlith y gwesteion arbennig bydd Honor Blackman, sef Pussy Galore! Am goctel ffrwydrol! Ymunwch â gweddill y byd, ymynwch yn yr hwyl. Am ragor o wybodaeth, ffoniwch 01978 862 001 neu ewch i’r wefan www.llangollen2009.com

Amserlen Eisteddfod Llangollen 1_7_09.pdf

The Americymru International Film Festival

Americymru is immensely proud and pleased to announce that it will be holding the first Americymru International Film Festival in Portland, Oregon between August 23rd and August 28th 2010. The festival will coincide with the Left Coast Eisteddfod which will be held on the weekend of Aug 27th-Aug 29th. The likely final list of film categories for submission is listed below.

"This is the festival that honours the individual voice. Its mission is to provide a worldwide public forum for films made by Welsh & Celtic filmmakers. We also welcome films inspired by or based in Wales ."

To enter a film or video click below

ENTER

( For details of this years Eisteddfod CLICK HERE )

Best Welsh Language film

Best Wales based production

Best Celtic language Film

Best Original Screenplay Award

Best Film under 5 minutes

Best Film under 10 minutes

Best Film under 15 minutes

Best Film under 20 minutes

Best Film under 35 minutes

Best Film under 65 minutes

Best Film under 70 minutes

Best Film under 80 minutes

Best UK Short under 5 minutes

Best UK Short under 10 minutes

Best UK Short under 20 minutes

Best American Short Film

Best International Short Film

Best Student Film

Best Young Filmmaker

First Film – North America

First Film – International

Music Based Video / Film

Public Service / Community Award

Best Animation / CGI

Best Documentary

Best Film USA

Best Horror Film

Best American Feature Film

Best International Feature Film

Best Feature Film

Best in Festival

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