Melville Centre Abergavenny

Stand-Up Comedy Writing Workshop
2023-12-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-10-04 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Ever fancied doing Stand-Up?
Noel James is a professional comedian. His stand up comedy workshop does not teach people how to be funny, but instead provides the tools needed by a new act to deliver their material, to sell their performance to the audience, and to overcome fear and anxiety.
Included in this two hour taster session is a 30 page booklet which outlines the history as well as various aspects of comedy.
What techniques can be used to make a joke funny? Misdirection/reveal, wordplay, juxtaposition, transposition.
How should a comedian address a crowd ? Head up, face towards the back of the room, with clear enunciation. plenty of volume and steady pace. All aspects will be covered, from the technical – how to handle a microphone. To the business – what is the comedy ‘ circuit’ and how does one get a ‘gig’?
This taster session will hopefully lead to a longer course where students will be invited to bring in their own written ‘set’, rehearse in the theatre and workshop your material before the group.
The environment provided is creative, constructive and non-judgemental.
This session is conducted in English but Welsh speakers are welcome.
Spaces only £5.00 – Get in while you can!
Everyone’s got to start somewhere, so if you want a laugh, or if you want to make others laugh…please do sign up. Email melvillecentrearts@gmail.com to reserve your space.

FOLK TALES with Taff Rapids
2023-12-08 19:30 - 22:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
There is a rise in the popularity of Americana in the UK and these seasoned performers have come together to create Cardiff’s newest bluegrass band.
Taff Rapids Stringband brings the skills of Siôn Russell Jones, David Grubb, Josh Goodey and Darren Eedens together around the mic in the old Bluegrass tradition to share songs of times past.
Lovers of fiddle and banjo will not want to miss their quick pickin’ and high and lonesome harmonies!!
There are no amps or drums here, just acoustic instruments, energy and tradition.
Mae’r poblogrwydd o gerddoriaeth Americana wedi codi yn y Ddeyrnas Unedig a mae’r perfformwyr brofiadol hyn wedi dôd at ei gilydd i ddod a gerddoriaeth bluegrass i Gaerdydd. Mae’r TAFF RAPIDS STRINGBAND yn uno sgiliau Siôn Russell Jones, David Grubb, Josh Goodey a Darren Eedens er mwyn harnesio’r steil traddodiadol a cyffrous yma mewn ffordd cyfoes. Mae nhw’n chwarae’n gyflym ac yn canu yn gytgord – mae’n siwr fydd cefnogwyr o’r ffidil a’r banjo ddim eisiau eu golli nhw’n chwarae. Does dim amps neu drymiau yma, dim ond egni, angerdd a traddodiad.

Keith James: The Songs of Leonard Cohen
2023-11-30 19:30 - 21:30 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
These remarkable songs – stripped back, honest, naked, and sensual.
‘There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’ Cohen’s most memorable and visionary line from his song ANTHEM. If ever there was a sentence in modern poetry to reflect on and give hope and understanding to us all, it is this line. The concert begins with ANTHEM.
Enigmatic, mysterious, and sub textural, songwriter Leonard Cohen was an unflinching character, with an exact sense of prose, wry humour, and the courage to wrestle with the unspoken. He conveyed human frailty and indulgence with the stroke of each word. The chilling announcement of Leonard’s death marked the end of an era. His music befriended an entire generation. Within every line of his writing, he has been challenging us to listen more carefully, speak more thoughtfully, think more deeply, and recognise our own vulnerability. Our World misses him very much.
With a lifetime reputation of performing in this exact way and an undying love of the ‘pure song’ Keith James gives you a concert of Cohen’s amazing material.
In the most intimate and sensitive way imaginable, Keith exposes the solitary inner strength of Cohen’s greatest songs in their original perfect form. Keith has performed an extensive tour of this concert in Theatres and Arts Centres across the UK, giving over 550 concerts to more than 150,000 people. This has proved to be one of the greatest honours in Keith James’ 40 year career.
Included in the concert are Cohen’s well-known songs: Famous Blue Raincoat, Sisters of Mercy, Suzanne, and Hallelujah, alongside his rarer and profound writings, such as If It Be Your Will, Joan of Arc, and Secret Life. Also included are Keith’s dramatic performances based on the work of Federico Garcia Lorca – Cohen’s greatest influence. Keith has also transcribed into song one of Leonard’s poems from his collection ‘Book of Longing‘ written whilst on retreat during the 1990s.
Tickets:
Buy online: tickets link is towards the end of this page.
Reserve & pay cash on the door: call 01873 853167 to reserve your tickets, then collect on the door and pay by cash.

BMJ Presents Claire Roberts Trio - Carmen McRae Remembered
2023-11-26 19:30 - 22:30 | Monmouthshire
In this session, singer and violinist Claire Roberts ventures into the bebop vocal style of one of her biggest inspirations, Carmen McRae.
Originally from Carmarthen Claire Victoria Roberts was first introduced to the sounds of jazz by her father, a gypsy jazz violinist. She went on to study classical music and composition at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music and at Bangor University, and remains resident in Manchester.
Roberts is a highly versatile musician who was written for classical ensembles large and small, and also for dance and theatre. She has also worked with Manchester based pianist, composer and improviser Adam Fairhall as part of his “The Imaginary Delta Project”.
A major part of her musical career is as fiddle player, pianist and joint lead vocalist with the busy and popular Manchester based Texas Swing ensemble The Swing Commanders.
Tickets available from blackmountainjazz.co.uk

FOLK TALES with Filkin's Drift
2023-11-23 19:00 - 22:30 | Monmouthshire
Filkin’s Drift weave together intricate melodies from the folklore of their homes, Wales and Gloucestershire. Their music combines the traditional and the contemporary, blending fiddle and guitar with their close vocal harmonies.
The duo take you on a journey from delicate Welsh folk-songs to traditional English dance tunes. Ornate interplay between two instruments conjures up a Baroque soundworld, while their foot-stomping fiddle tunes have been igniting audiences across the UK.
Seth and Chris have fast gained a reputation on the folk scene for their dynamic and entertaining performances. Previous performances include St George’s Bristol, Leeds Conservatoire, and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Seth Bye is a violinist, composer and educator. He has performed in venues from the Royal Albert Hall to the Cecil Sharpe House and at festivals including Boomtown, Greenman and Shambala. Aside from Filkin’s Drift, Seth performs with long acclaimed Balkan band, The Destroyers, recently featured on BBC 1 opening the commonwealth games. He has toured with Giffords Circus, performing on fiddle, banjo and accordion.
Chris Roberts’ training in classical guitar means he soars effortlessly through jigs and reels with an unrivaled purity in his steel-string playing. His performances across the UK and Europe have been praised for their “beautifully varied timbres, real virtuosity” and for being “simply mesmerising” (The British and International Federation of Festivals). As well as playing with Filkin’s Drift, Chris tours with pop singer Tanita Tikaram, writes lullabies with new parents, and delivers workshops in SEND schools.
‘Hugely entertaining’ | Rock n Reel Magazine
‘They are utterly mesmerising. Hovering around a single microphone with tunes full of waterfall guitar and fabulous violin’ | Bristol 24/7
‘Exquisite tune playing mixes effortlessly with irresistible grooves and an engaging chemistry’ | Dan Walsh BBC Folk Awards Musician Of The Year Nominee, Urban Folk Quartet

Lolfa Gymraeg
2023-11-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-10-26 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Come and Practice your Welsh!
A great chance to come together to come together in an informal way and practice your Welsh. Whether you are just starting or at a more advanced level, this is a space where you can get some pointers from facilitator, Joshua (Learn Welsh Gwent) and meet other speakers. In association with Learn Welsh Gwent.
Sessions are free with a suggested donation of £1.
Email melvillecentrearts@gmail.com for more info.

In Another's Shoes (tickets: £10 each)
2023-11-16 19:30 - 21:15 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
“Finding a Voice” Creative Writers Group presents In Another’s Shoes
For one night only…
Don’t miss a unique performance of new writing
Finding a Voice is a creative writing group, facilitated by writer/performer Liz Pearce. The group first met as part of the Abergavenny Writing Festival. Since then Finding a Voice have continued to meet, working with Liz, using a creative process to stimulate and develop new writing. The group write together and individually, exploring different themes and finding resonance in personal experience and in the world around us.
Our performance piece, In Another’s Shoes is a culmination of this process.
Please be aware that this performance contains adult themes and language.
Writers include: Usha Siret, Pat Smail, Susanne Wille, Linda Owen Jones, Katherine Tovey, Debby Spencer, Helen Northfield, Ellen Waters and Michelle Pope.
Our readings will cover the following themes: Identity, Performance, Life and Art, Wishes for the Genie, Dramatic Starts (I saw her running out the back door, The Old Lady Wandered Off), Generations, Tea around the World, Regret, Envy, Potbound/Freedom, Friendship and The Pandemic.
Tickets: £10 each RSVP below to reserve your ticket(s) & then pay on the door – cash only please!
Doors open: 7pm | Performance starts: 7.30pm | Interval: 20 minutes

BMJ Presents - Shirley Smart Trio
2023-10-29 19:30 - 22:30 | Monmouthshire
Shirley’s trio draws on her eclectic background to bring together her jazz, blues and world music influences.

Shirley Smart is recognised as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists. Her trio draws together the vibrant and eclectic mixture of influences resulting from 10 years present living in Jerusalem before establishing herself on the UK scene. Joined by John Crawford, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, who shares her interest in Latin and world influenced jazz, and long term collaborator, and flamenco master Demi Garcia Sabat, their first album ‘Long Story Short’ was released in 2018 to critical acclaim.
“Smarts playing is particularly remarkable throughout. She readily demonstrates a wide range of techniques incorporating an understanding of improvisation drawn from a jazz background and her extensive knowledge of Arabic maqam..” Songlines

“..some of the most inventive use of the cello I’ve heard for some time.” Kind of Jazz

​
Tickets available from blackmountainjazz.co.uk

The Play Group presents Play Time
2023-10-26 19:30 - 2023-10-28 21:30 | Monmouthshire
The Play Group presents Play Time by Cecilia Bawler
The Play Group are delighted to present the premiere production of Play Time, the hilarious new comedy.
It’s the 1980s, a time of big hair, bold fashion choices, and smiley children’s television programmes. “Play Time” is an institution, loved by all its young viewers. But behind the scenes, things aren’t quite as bright and positive as they seem. Can the director keep his feuding presenters in check? Will new blood revive the flagging programme? Can they keep the executive producer from replacing them in the schedule? Does the puppeteer actually know what day it is? And who is Angie anyway?
Contains adult content and some mild swearing.
Thursday 26th October
Friday 27th October
Saturday 28th October
£10
Entry by pre-booked tickets only, available via The Play Group’s website:

theplaygroupabergavenny.co.uk

FOLK TALES with Climbing Trees
2023-10-13 19:00 - 22:30 | Monmouthshire
Blending multi-instrumentalism with pin-point harmonies, Pontypridd’s Climbing Trees bring their distinctive Cymrucana sound to The Melville Centre amongst a run of stripped-back shows throughout Wales this Autumn.
Featuring Matthew Frederick, Colenso Jones and Martin Webb, the BBC Introducing favourites have made numerous television, radio and festival appearances across the UK, Europe and US, recorded at London’s iconic Maida Vale Studios and performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, gaining airplay from the likes of Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson along the way.
Marking a decade since the release of their debut album Hebron, the band’s first tour in six years will also feature songs from the Welsh Music Prize-shortlisted follow-up Borders alongside brand new material, with rumours of a long-awaited and much-anticipated third album on the horizon.
Returning from hibernation with a first ever appearance in Abergavenny, this is an evening not to be missed with one of Wales’ most endearing live acts.
“A glistening musical experience” “Dynamic, magnificent and stunning”
Buzz Magazine From The Margins
“If Steven Spielberg made music…” “Gorgeous vocals … a heart-warming treat”
New Sound Wales Alternative Friday
“The sound of your soul soaring … one of my new favourite bands”
Bethan Elfyn, BBC Radio Wales
“Incredible. Gospel country soul that soars with angels. Hallelujah!”
David Owens, Media Wales
“Homespun anthems, custom-built for careening along the Welsh coast at the height of summer with the window wound down and the volume zapped up”
Wales Arts Review
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Poetry Upstairs
2023-10-03 18:30 - 21:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Established Monthly Poetry Session in the Melville bar, hosted by Ric Hool. Bringing local and international poets to Abergavenny to celebrate the art of words and the story of our time that is expressed by current poets. £5
This Months Guest Poets:
The Annual Chris Torrance Reading
A celebration of an influential but marginalised poet whose work and extramural teaching class at Cardiff University, Adventures in Creative Writing, opened a new consciousness for many aspiring poets. Chris died 21st July 2021.

Janet Sutherland was born in Wiltshire and grew up on a dairy farm, she is the author of five poetry collections, most recently The Messenger House (Shearsman Books, 2023) which is about her great great grandfather’s travels to Serbia in the 1840’s with his friend, Mr Gutch, who was a Queen’s Messenger. George Davies, her great-great-grandfather, grew up in Crickhowell. Her poems are widely anthologised and are published in magazines such as Poetry Ireland Review, New Statesman, The Spectator and The North. A critical essay on the poet Charles Reznikoff appeared as an afterword to two new editions of his work, Holocaust, in the UK (Five Leaves Publishing, 2009) and USA (Black Sparrow Press, 2007). She won the 2017 Kent and Sussex Poetry Prize and received a Hawthornden Fellowship for 2018. She has an MA in American Poetry from the University of Essex. She lives in Lewes, East Sussex.
Ian Brinton’s most recent publications include Language and Death, a translation of poems by Philippe Jaccottet (Equipage, 2022), Paul Valéry’s Selected Poems (Muscaliet Press, 2021, prefaced by Michael Heller), Paris Scenes, a translation of Baudelaire’s ‘Tableaux Parisiens’, (Two Rivers Press, 2021) and Islands of Voices, the selected poems of Douglas Oliver (Shearsman Books, 2020). His translation of de Nerval’s Les Chimères will appear from Muscaliet Press in 2023. He reviews for The London Magazine, PN Review, Litter, Long Poem Magazine and Golden Handcuffs Review; he co-edits SNOW and helps curate the Cambridge University Library Archive of Modern Poetry.
Please email melvillecentrearts@gmail.com to book your space.

Beginners Welsh Classes
2023-10-03 13:00 - 2023-12-13 21:00 | Monmouthshire
With Learn Welsh Gwent (Coleg Gwent)
Tuesday’s – 7 – 9pm
Wednesday’s – 1 – 3pm
A great class to get you started with Welsh. Focusing on vocabulary, basic language patterns and everyday phrases with an emphasis on spoken Welsh and correct pronunciation. This class will help you to give and understand basic information about yourself and everyday topics. Classes are fun and informal and you will be warmly welcomed by our experienced and friendly tutors.
For info, visit learnwelsh.cymru

Wall 2 Wall Jazz Festival
2023-09-29 12:00 - 2023-10-01 23:00 | Monmouthshire
A 3 day celebration of Jazz bought to you by one of the country’s leading jazz clubs – Black Mountain Jazz.
A firm favourite in the musical calendar, this year’s festival will see performances from a range of incredible performers and will showcase some amazing local talent. With shows throughout the venue, this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.
This year’s festival will see performances from a range of incredible performers including the Eddie Gripper Trio, Laura Jurd Sextet and Sara Brown. An absolute must in the Abergavenny musical calendar, we are lucky to have such extraordinary talent visiting The Melville.
Will pretty much every BMJ night selling out this year, be sure to book your tickets now!! Click here for full line-up and tickets.

Abergavenny Film Society
2023-09-20 16:30 - 2023-12-13 22:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Screenings Wednesday’s fortnightly 4.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets £5 on the door
The longest running film society in Wales. Abergavenny Film Society are dedicated to showcasing the best in world and independent cinema. As the nights draw in, this is the perfect way to spend a Wednesday evening and why not enjoy a beer or glass of wine while you’re here. Membership is now full, but come down 10 minutes before the showing and grab a guest seat at only £5.00.
AUTUMN SCREENINGS
20 Sept 2023 Cairo Conspiracy
4 Oct 2023 Lunana – A Yak In The Classroom
4 Oct 2023 Kid’s Games
18 Oct 2023 Love According to Dalva
1 Nov 2023 The Grave Digger’s Wife
15 Nov 2023 All The Beauty And The Bloodshed
29 Nov 2023 Close
13 Dec 2023 Polite Society
13 Dec 2023 Ding Dong
For more information about the Film Society and listings please click here.

Wishful Slim
2023-09-15 19:30 - 22:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
A musical experience, with traditional roots in the Blues & Rock
(HIRE EVENT)
A session musician in the 60s who played with The Chicken Shack, London Cadillacs, King Crimson and Chris Rea to name a few.
In those days lots of musician walked the streets of London not realising how famous they would become.
He lived on the same road as The Who and The Average White Band rehearsed in the flat above me – great days busking and playing on the London music scene.
“I moved around a lot in London, Bristol, Devon, Hampshire Southampton and Cornwall, always gigging and playing at various venues in bands or as a solo artist. When I met my wife, Pat, I moved to Wales and we jointly decided to attend and take part in the Welsh music scene, playing at open mics solo and duo with fellow musicians, mainly in Abergavenny and the surrounding area. Hence this is how this evening’s event is happening. I have called on some friends of mine to come and play all sorts of musical genres but mainly the Blues and Rock n Roll, with some Pop, Jazz and Country thrown in for good measure.”
Come along and have a great evening’s entertainment!
£5 on the door
Bar open
To book, call David on 07715 682628
(please note: this is a hire event)

Advanced Welsh Classes
2023-09-13 09:00 - 2023-12-13 12:00 | Monmouthshire
ADVANCED WELSH CLASSES
With Learn Welsh Gwent (Coleg Gwent)
Wednesday’s – 9am – 12pm
For those learners who have completed the intermediate level course and also for those who are familiar with the main language patterns, this is an opportunity to come together and enhance your language skills.
For info, visit learnwelsh.cymru

Poetry Upstairs
2023-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Established Monthly Poetry Session in the Melville bar, hosted by Ric Hool. Bringing local and international poets to Abergavenny to celebrate the art of words and the story of our time that is expressed by current poets. £5
This Months Guest Poets:

Robert Minhinnick is a Welsh poet, essayist, novelist and translator. He has won two Forward Prizes for Best Individual Poem and has received the Wales Book of the Year award a record three times (in 1993, 2006 and 2018).An environmental campaigner, he co-founded the charities Friends of the Earth (Cymru) and Sustainable Wales. His work deals with both Welsh and international themes.
He has published a dozen poetry collections and several volumes of essays. Robert edited the magazine, Poetry Wales from 1997 until 2008. He has also translated poems from contemporary Welsh poets for an anthology, The Adulterer’s Tongue. He is also the author of three novels.

Christopher Meredith: In 2014 Shifts was shortlisted for the title of ‘Greatest Welsh Novel of All Time’ by Wales Arts Review, coming a very close second to the winner. His poetry collection, The Meaning of Flight, was long-listed for The Book of the Year Award 2006. His fourth novel, The Book of Idiots, was published to acclaim in 2012. A collection of poems, Air Histories, was published in 2013. His short story collection, Brief Lives – six fictions, appeared in 2018. His latest fiction, the short novel Please, and latest poetry collection, Still, were published simultaneously in April 2021.

Chris has broadcast on radio and TV and given readings and talks all round Britain as well as in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Slovenia and the USA. Born and brought up in Tredegar and now living in Brecon, he has been a steelworker, a schoolteacher and a university professor.

Liz Pearce is writer and actor working in theatre, TV and radio.. She co-founded Rareseed Youth Theatre in 2014 and wrote and directed plays for this company. Written work includes These Foolish Things, a series of humorous monologues based on people’s significant life changes, and While the Kettle Boils, a poetic montage concerning people in the workplace. A nation-wide poetry project, My Creative Time was commissioned by Creative Lives and Literature Wales. Hydro Psyche (Water Spirit), to be exhibited at Aberystwyth Arts Centre in summer 2023, is a multi-media collaborative project, using rivers as a central theme.

Please contact us to register your place, and then pay on the door as usual.
To register, email info@melvillecentre.org.uk and send your full name/s and telephone contact numbers, or call The Melville on 01873 853167
It is very helpful to know the number of attendees ahead of the evening in order to provide the correct seating.

BMJ Presents - Simon Spillett Quartet play Tubby Hayes
2023-08-23 19:30 - 22:30 | Monmouthshire
Multi award-winning tenor saxophonist, Simon Spillett honours the genius of Tubby Hayes.
None has been more inspired by Hayes than Simon Spillett, multi award-winning tenor saxophonist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal’s Album of The Year) and author of the definitive Tubby biography, The Long Shadow of the Little Giant. Together with his quartet, he has put together this celebration of the genius of Tubbs, featuring compositions and arrangements from Hayes albums The Jazz Couriers In Concert, Tubbs in New York and Mexican Green.
Over his twenty-five year career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it’s possible to wear within jazz; instrumentalist, quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist, Social Media commentator and latterly blogger.
However, for all these varied skills he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight-ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry.
“Straight-ahead, high energy jazz is his line and he does it with aplomb”
The Guardian

Common Ground: Memory Share & Film Screening
2023-08-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Scary Little Girls Collective are bringing the inspirational story of the first all-female peace camp of Greenham Common, told from the inside by the women who were there to The Melville Centre in Abergavenny.
Women Against the Bomb is Sonia Gonzalez’s prize-winning documentary about the impact of the Greenham Women, reflected through interviews and footage from women who took action and never looked back.
Join us for a film screening followed by a Q&A with Greenham child and author of ‘Out of the Darkness’ Rebecca Mordan as well as other Greenham Women who will discuss their first hand experiences of Greenham Common.
Hear songs from the camp come to life and enjoy the opportunity to hear from Greenham Women in our live Q&A.
£5 CASH ON THE DOOR

Film School For Kids
2023-08-21 10:00 - 2023-08-25 15:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Free Film School for Children aged 9 – 12 years!
Have you ever dreamed of being a director, actor, sound engineer, editor? This 5 day long film school run by 47 Studios and kindly funded by GAVO will give kids the opportunity to explore ideas, create, learn and have fun!
Spending time working on story, aesthetic with a focus on collaboration and leaning key technical skills, Film School For Kids is an incredible opportunity for all film enthusiasts and creatives.
30 places available and offered on a first come first served basis.
For more details and to secure your place, please email 47studios.productions@gmail.com.
Running from 21st – 25th August from 10am – 3pm

Poetry Upstairs
2023-08-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Monmouthshire
Established Monthly Poetry Session in the Melville bar, hosted by Ric Hool. Bringing local and international poets to Abergavenny to celebrate the art of words and the story of our time that is expressed by current poets. £5
This Months Guest Poets:
Pauline Plummer is of Irish/Welsh mix from Liverpool who has lived in the North East England since the 1980s where she became a founding editor of Mudfog Press and a former poet laureate of Middlesbrough. She has 4 collections of poetry, most recently ‘Life Pours Ordinary Plenty’ – Red Squirrel Press 2022, a verse novella ‘From Here to Timbuktu) Smokestack 2012, a collection of short stories ‘Dancing with a Stranger’ Red squirrel 2011. She has taught creative writing in UK, Greece, Sierra Leone and now works with asylum seekers, teaching English and cooking.
Josephine Scott was born in Northumberland but spent her childhood in Australia. In When Rain Becomes Memory (her third collection, following Sparkle and Dance and Rituals) poetry is rooted in matters historical and domestic concerning her coastal place of residence, whilst also responding and sensually exploring the minutia of daily life.Poems have recently been included in This Cullercoats (Iron Press, 2019) and poetry magazines throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. She is a graduate of Northumbria University.
Frank Olding writes in Welsh, reads his work in both English and Welsh. Frank was poet in residence at the Art Exhibition of the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale in 2010 and is a member of the Gorsedd of Bards. He was honoured with an Ovate at the 2011 Eisteddfod in recognition of his services to Wales. Frank Olding’s new collection of poems Eilun, published by Gwasg y Bwthyn, is rooted deeply in the magical and suggestive relationships between history and mythology.

Stitch Together
2023-08-03 10:00 - 2023-12-21 12:00 | Monmouthshire
Create, have fun and have a natter!
Thursday’s 10am – 12pm
Come and join a like-minded and friendly group fo a chat, whilst crafting. We enjoy knitting, sewing, jewellery and doing any kind of hands on creative craft! Always happy to share our skills, we encourage inspiration and conversation.
£4 pre session with a cup of tea or coffee
Contact Lesley on 07905 336976

Story Telling & Kids Craft
2023-08-01 10:00 - 2023-08-17 11:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Come join resident Story Teller, Alison Newson as she weaves some fantastical tales and shares some crafting fun in The Melville Cafe.
Sessions will run on:
Tues 1st Aug
Tues 8th August
Thurs 17th Aug
All sessions 10am – 11am
Suitable for 3 – 8yrs
Tickets £3 per child with café open for teas and coffees
Please email melvillecamanager@gmail.com or call 01873 853167 to reserve your spot

BMJ Presents - Debs Hancock Quartet
2023-07-30 19:30 - 22:30 | Monmouthshire
Get ready from some smoky & sophisticated tones from well-loved local, Debs Hancock as she takes you on a journey through some of the key performances and influences of jazz divas in the 20th century.
Deb’s velvet vocals have graced stages at many a festival including Cheltenham, Brecon, Swansea and Fishguard Jazz.
Devoted to the legacies of the great jazz divas; Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Dinah Washington – the Great American songbook is her book! Performing with some of the best accompanying musicians in Wales, prepare for a night of smooth and eclectic tunes perfectly hitting the jazz sweet spot!
Tickets available here

An evening with James Roberts discussing his book Two Lights
2023-07-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Monmouthshire
In association with Book-Ish. Join us for an evening with James Roberts discussing Two Lights

Wednesday 26th July at 7.30 p/m.
Costs are £5 for admission only, or £20 with a copy of the book.

An extraordinary account of searching for the wildness left in our world – spanning continents and geological eras, skies and oceans, animals and birds, and even the planets and stars. With dizzying acuity and insight Roberts paints a portrait of a life and its landscapes, creating precious connections with wild creatures and places, from swans in the Cambrian Mountains to wolves in the Pacific Northwest. By walking at dawn and dusk, in the two lights of awakening and deepening, through the stripped, windswept hills of Wales, and the jungles and savannahs of Africa, he tries to navigate from a soul-stripping sense of loss towards hope in the future.
In the presence of wild creatures he finds a way back to life.

Gospel Singing Workshop
2023-07-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Monmouthshire
After a hugely successful Gospel workshop at the 2022 wall2wall Jazz Festival – BMJ bring you 2 further sessions on 25th June & Sunday 23rd July.
We are delighted to welcome Tanya walker back to lead the workshops. Tanya has worked within music for over 30 years and has been a natural voice practitioner/vocal and performance coach and choir leader for over 10.
Tanya is the leader and founder of the 60 person strong Alive and Kickin’ Community Choir, Brecon. She also leads the Merthyr Aloud World Music Choir, the Whiterose Singers in New Tredegar and the lunchtime uplift choir sessions at Theatr Brycheiniog.
Come and join us, make friends, make music, laugh-out-loud and enjoy yourself!
Reserve your spot here!

Story Telling Live!
2023-07-17 19:00 - 2023-09-18 20:30 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
An opportunity for storyteller’s to practice their art.
These sessions provide the space to tell traditional myth, legend and more modern tales in the oral storytelling tradition as well as giving the chance to listen to other storytellers.
3rd Monday of the month, 7 – 8:30pm
£3 with light refreshments
Call 01873 853167 to book
