North Wales Prosecco & Gin Festival
Following the resounding success of last year’s inaugural Prosecco & Gin Festival held at Brynkinalt Estate (left) on a splendidly sunny weekend in May, Cyclone Events are returning with even more opportunity for some fizzy, fun-filled frolicking. The tickets on offer provide the chance for either an end of the week let loose on Friday 17th May (6pm-11pm), a day play on Saturday 18th May (12pm-5pm) or the ultimate Saturday night shindig from 6pm-11pm.
Book tickets now at www.proseccoginfestival.co.uk for a memorable and entertaining event filled with 40+ types of Prosecco and gin, delicious Italian street food and fantastic live music in the stunning setting of Brynkinalt Estate.
Whittington International Chamber Music Festival
Whittington’s exceptional international music festival is now in its seventh year, but few people know how much its extraordinary success has been due to its base in Bronygarth. Every May, around fifteen world-class musicians come from across Europe and the US to offer six sensational concerts in the magnificent acoustic of Whittington church. But they stay in the Ceiriog Valley.
Brookside Manor in Bronygarth, with its remarkable views of Chirk Castle (where two years ago the musicians gave an open-air gig), is an ideal place for them to rehearse and relax, and it’s just a hop across the A5 to the concert venue in Whittington. Over the past few years, they have tended to focus on just one great composer a year, like Beethoven or Mozart, and this year it’s the popular Czech composer Dvořák who’s providing much of the programme, though some of his compatriots are represented too.
Among the eleven professional artists coming in May are the cellist Adrian Brendel, son of the famous pianist Alfred Brendel, violinist Priya Mitchell who runs the prestigious Oxford Chambe Music Festival, and pianist Sophia Rahman who has accompanied innumerable celebrity musicians over her career.
“Czech Mates” runs from 21st-26th May and tickets at £15 are already selling fast online (www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk)and over the counter at Rowanthorn in Oswestry. Young people aged between 8 and 25 get in free.
Llangollen’s International Eisteddfod
One of the World’s most exciting cultural festivals is held each summer right on our very own doorstep in Llangollen. This can bring as many as 50,000 visitors to the town over Eisteddfod week as well as up to 4,000 performers from around the globe.
This fabulously eclectic fusion of dance, music, costumes and culture made its debut in the summer of 1947 and brings to the International Pavillion a much-needed celebration of ‘Peace and Harmony’.
The whole town bustles with an explosion of colour, vibrancy, chorus and it must be said, not a little chaos. But it is fabulous.
See below for details of the main performances in the evening during the week. The always amazing Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Band kick the whole shebang off on the Monday with Llanfest closing the week-long celebrations on Sunday from 2pm.
Evening Concerts during Llangollen’s International Eisteddfod
Monday 1st July – Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
Tuesday 2nd July – Classical Gala with Rolando Villazon and guests
Wednesday 3rd July – Saints and Sinners: The Music of Wales
Thursday 4th July – International Celebration with Jamie Smith’s MABON
Friday 5th July – Gipsy Kings featuring Andre Reyes
Saturday 6th July – Choir of the World with Catrin Finch
Sunday 7th July – Llanfest with The Fratellis, The Coral, The Pigeon Detectives and Dodgy
Book tickets at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk
DOUBLE.LL 