Video Interview with Lovespoon Carvers Laura Gorun and Chris Watkins

We were lucky enough to get a few minutes at this year's NAFOW with lovespoon carvers Laura Gorun and Chris Watkins, two carvers from Ohio with very different styles but both doing fantastic work:

A Video Interview with Megan Morris at NAFOW 2011

The AmeriCymru interview with mezzo soprano Megan Morris at this year's North American Festival of Wales in Cleveland, Ohio:

Find out more about Megan or buy her music at http://meganmakesmusic.com/

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.

The Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu is 80! Come Celebrate!

September 1 - 4, 2011 Cleveland, Ohio Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association July 4, 2011 Quick Links: Request Registration Materials Our Website Americymru   Take a moment to reflect on the folks who organized the first Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu. Take a look at this photo from the 1934 Cleveland Gymanfa.  Who will be here in 80 more years? What can each of us do to insure this wonderful tradition continues for future generations?  80th Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Looking Forward, Giving Back As we prepare to gather in Cleveland for the North American Festival of Wales, we cannot help but think back to 1929--the year of the very first "National," as the event was sometimes called. Since then, the Festival has expanded to a long weekend of varied experiences, but the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu still remains as the heart and soul of the NAFOW. This year, we are very pleased to have Ilid Anne Jones, the director of the featured choir, Hogia'r Ddwylan, also conducting both gymanfa ganu sessions on Sunday afternoon and evening. The gymanfa ganu schedule will be: 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Afternoon Session 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Intersession Dinner 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Evening Session Groups of hymns, with verses sung in both Welsh and English, will be interspersed with solo and ensemble performances. Both sessions will be accompanied by Alan Thomas, Organist and Choir Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ottawa. Alan first accompanied the Gymanfa in 2000, then returned for each Gymanfa since 2004. This will be your final chance to hear Alan accompany the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu, as he is retiring as a Festival accompanist at the close of the NAFOW.  This is not a spectator sport! Grab your  WNGGA Hymnal (or purchase one at the festival) and join the hwyl!  Note: Entrance to the gymanfa sessions is included in the  3-Day Pass or Sunday Day Pass. One-day Passes are $20 for WNGGA members and $25 for non-members, and may be purchased on-line at www.nafow.org, or at the Festival. Youth under 18 are admitted free. Intersession Dinners must be purchased in advance at www.nafow.org.  YSGOL GÂN (Singing School) Ilid Anne Jones Don't sing in Welsh, yet? Dim problem! Ilid Anne Jones, who will be conducting the 80th Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu on Sunday, will lead our Ysgol Gân on Friday. In this fun, relaxed and no-fear practice session you will learn some of the hymns we'll be singing during Sunday's Gymanfa Ganu sessions. This is your opportunity to hear Welsh verses beautifully pronounced by Ilid Anne and become familiar with four-part singing (five-part, if you count the 'joyful noise' section, which we do)! Come, find out why Wales is 'The Land of Song'!  __________________________________________________________ Wonderful Opportunities to Help Your  WNGGA!! 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 out at the WNGGA hospitality and sales table, and in other areas.  If you can help out, please email cleveland2011@nafow.org with your name, email and phone number, and your  preference for tasks or times. Someone will be on hand to provide assistance and direction to get you started and we will schedule volunteers at your convenience. Remember, the entire NAFOW is only possible because of a handful of dedicated volunteers working very hard all year long! Thank you! _________________________________________________________ History of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu It all started back in 1929 when, in its September 5, 1929 issue, Y Drych, The North American Welsh Newspaper, headlined:  "Yn Cael Gymanfa Ganu Gymraeg yn Swn y Niagara Falls (Having a Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Within the Sound of Niagara Falls) Thousands There The Occasion is a Great Success and All Praise It" Excerpted from "The History of the WNGGA" by Col. Alf Reese. Read more HERE.                        _____________________________________________________ Inner Workings of the WNGGA and the NAFOW The North American Festival of Wales (NAFOW) is the main event held by the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association (WNGGA) each year. Welsh fairy folk aside, the NAFOW does not just magically come together each Labor Day Weekend. We rely on a small band of volunteers who serve as the Board of Trustees and committee members. These people, through the years, have been dedicated members of the organization--just like you, perhaps? Do you know someone who would make a good Board member for the WNGGA? Or, would you be an excellent member of the Board? We will be electing new Board members at the NAFOW this September and have several positions to fill--from Canada and the Eastern and Western US. It isn't too late to suggest names for consideration to the nominating committee, and we are relying on the local Welsh societies and WNGGA members to suggest quality people--you are the ones who have seen people in action locally and know who can get the job done. Who has great ideas? Who plays well with others? Let us know who these wonderful folks are and we'll take it from there! Send suggestions (include names and email addresses, please) to publicity@wngga.org. Nominees must have been members of WNGGA for at least one year before they can be elected to the Board. We need only the best people to serve on the Board, if we are to continue to have the great organization you've come to know. Suggest someone today! _________________________________________________________ Who Will Represent Your Society at the NAFOW? All Affiliated Welsh Organizations (AWOs) are encouraged to send representatives to the Meeting of Affiliated Welsh Organizations at the NAFOW on Friday, Sept. 2.  This special meeting is your chance to meet face-to-face with other local Welsh leaders to share ideas and discuss common issues.   Each  AWO is also entitled to one vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), on Saturday, Sept. 3. The AGM is where we elect new Trustees for the WNGGA Board and conduct other official business. Be sure YOUR voice is heard at these two important meetings in Cleveland. AWOs are reminded to update their contact information each year and to include an email address for WNGGA mailings.  This can be done via an email to publicity@wngga.org; at either if the above meetings; or at the Festival's registration table.   _________________________________________________________________________ Where we've been:  A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY  of North American Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Venues The North American Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu has traditionally been held in cities where many Welsh immigrants lived and worked. Local Welsh organizations continue to work with the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association to  organize these events. Perhaps your ancestors settled in one of these North American regions, too. 1929 Niagara Falls, New York 1930 Niagara Falls, New York 1931 Niagara Falls, New York 1932 Niagara Falls, New York 1933 Chicago, Illinois 1934 Cleveland, Ohio 1935 Youngstown, Ohio 1936 Atlantic City, New Jersey 1937 Johnstown, Pennsylvania 1938 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1939 Buffalo, New York 1940 Detroit, Michigan 1941 New Castle, Delaware 1942 Utica, New York 1943 Suspended during war years 1944 Suspended during war years 1945 Suspended during war years 1946 Akron, Ohio 1947 Akron, Ohio 1948 Detroit, Michigan 1949 Salt Lake City, Utah 1950 Canton, Ohio 1951 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1952 Columbus, Ohio 1953 Rochester, New York 1954 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1955 Salt Lake City, Utah 1956 Cleveland, Ohio 1957 Washington, DC 1958 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1959 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1960 San Francisco, California 1961 Chicago, Illinois 1962 Utica, New York 1963 Detroit, Michigan 1964 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1965 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1966 Los Angeles, California 1967 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1968 Buffalo, New York 1969 Cardiff, South Wales & 2nd event, Cleveland, Ohio 1970 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1971 Salt Lake City, Utah 1972 Chicago, Illinois 1973 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1974 Swansea, South Wales & 2nd event, Cleveland, Ohio 1975 New York, New York 1976 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1977 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 1978 Minneapolis, Minnesota 1979 Niagara Falls, New York 1980 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 1981 Utica, New York 1982 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1983 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania 1984 Portland, Oregon 1985 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1986 Columbus, Ohio 1987 St. Paul, Minnesota 1988 Baltimore, Maryland 1989 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1990 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 1991 Cincinnati, Ohio 1992 Kansas City, Missouri 1993 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania 1994 Bellevue, Washington 1995 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 1996 Utica, New York 1997 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1998 Columbus, Ohio 1999 Minneapolis, Minnesota 2000 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2001 San Joe, California 2002 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 2003 Richmond, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2004 Buffalo, New York 2005 Orlando, Florida 2006 Cincinnati, Ohio 2007 Alexandria, Virginia 2008 Chicago, Illinois 2009 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2010 Portland, Oregon 2011 Cleveland, Ohio - - will you meet us in Cleveland? Time is Running Out!   Book Your Hotel NOW to Get the Best Rates! * 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 and travel information and a direct link to our roomblock to reserve on-line; 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.    _________________________________________ Festival Snapshot* *Tours *Opening Ceremony *Eisteddfod Competitions and     Winners' Concert *Opening Concert ~ with Moch Pryderi *Seminars *Folk Dancing *Welsh Language Classes *Children's Activities *Cinema Wales *Ysgol Gân (hymn singing class) *Youth Showcase *Open Mic Night *Grand Concert ~Welsh Male Voice Choir, Hogia'r Ddwylan *Worship Service *80th Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu ~  Afternoon and Evening Sessions *Closing Ceremony Meals and Drinks:  Cash Bars (benefit the WNGGA) Pre-Concert Dinner--Thursday Pre-Banquet Social Hour--Friday Gala Awards Banquet & Entertainment --Friday Pre-Concert Buffet--Saturday Intersession Dinner--Sunday Everyday: Tea Room Marketplace Informal Singing Pub Nights Business: WNGGA Annual General Meeting   WNGGA Board of Trustees meeting NWAF Meeting Affiliated Welsh Organizations Meeting Ninnau and Y Drych Breakfast ~   Invitation  Only *Note: Full schedule will be in the Program Booklet and is also available online at www.nafow.org, subject to last-minute changes.