Melville Centre Abergavenny

Storytelling & Sugar paste Creative Workshop Age 10+
2026-02-17 11:30 - 2026-02-19 13:00 (Europe/London) | Monmouthshire
The storytelling through sugar paste workshop is a delightful and fun way of
stimulating the imagination with the use of sugar paste, cutters, and moulds. We
also use 2D and 3D modelling skills to create a picture collage that will tell a story,
uncover a legend or inspire an adventure.
All materials will be provided, come along and have some fun!!
Workshop led by Deborah Blake, Cake Artist and Author.

Yetii: ‘Inner Worlds’ Album Tour
2026-02-22 20:00 - 22:30 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
We welcome Yetii to Black Mountain Jazz for this very special one-off gig as part of their UK ‘Inner
Worlds’ Album Tour.
Yetii released their debut album ‘Live at The Greenbank’ to widespread critical acclaim and have
since played at jazz clubs, festivals and arts centres across the UK, as well as supporting ‘The Bad
Plus’ on their recent UK Tour.
The trio play original compositions combining flowing melodies with expansive group
improvisations, interlocking grooves and evolving soundscapes.
The band have built their following with a sold-out monthly residency in Bristol, including
collaborations with Iain Ballamy, Ant Law and Arun Ghosh.
Alex Veitch – piano
Ashley John Long – double bass
Alex Goodyear – drums
“a performance that both enthralled and delighted the audience ★★★★★”- Ian Mann, TheJazzMann
“Impossible to ignore” – Jazzwise
“a trio of fluent and wildly inventive improvisers” UK Jazz News

The People’s Fire: A Chartist Tale
2026-02-27 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-27 20:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Step into history with The People’s Fire: A Chartist Tale.
This powerful five-part theatre experience brings the Chartist Trial to life, following the events through the eyes of John Frost, Mary Frost, William Jones, Zephaniah Williams, and others whose voices helped shape a movement.
Blending drama and original songs, the production explores courage, conviction, and the tension between justice and power, including the presence of a judge determined to uphold the law. The People’s Fire reignites a defining moment in history, inviting audiences to witness the human stories behind the struggle for reform.
A compelling theatrical journey where history’s flame burns bright once more.

Ymunwch yn hanes cyffrous y Siartwyr gyda’r sioe gerdd newydd Tân y Bobl: Stori’r Siartwyr.
Profiad theatrig grymus, wedi’i rannu’n bump rhan, yn dod â hanes anhygoel y cyfnod yn fyw. Cyfle i ddilyn y digwyddiadau trwy lygaid John Frost, Mary Frost, William Jones, Zephaniah Williams a’r criw arbennig a helpodd i siapio’r mudiad. Gan gyfuno drama a cherddoriaeth wreiddiol, mae’r cynhyrchiad yn trafod yn ddwys y dewrder, hyder, a’r tensiwn rhwng cyfiawnder a phŵer.
Mae Tân y Bobl yn ailgydio yn amser allweddol yn hanes Cymru, gan wahodd cynulleidfaoedd i weld y straeon dynol tu ôl i’r frwydr dros ddiwygio. Taith theatrig ddiddorol lle mae fflam hanes yn cael ei gynnau unwaith eto.

LunchTime Theatre - Anne Bonny
2026-03-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Monmouthshire
We join Anne Bonny with her friend Mary Reed as they attempt a gaol break to avoid the noose! Listen in as they reflect on their swashbuckling adventures while Mary tries to hide her failing health. – sea shanties, humour and a very human story.

Anne Bonny
2026-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Monmouthshire

Who were the worst "Bad Guys" in Welsh History
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
TV history expert and author Graham Loveluck-Edwards is touring venues across Wales to bring you stories about the worst bad guys from Welsh history. Tales of pirates, highwaymen, tyrants and murderers. Including ancient folk songs to demonstrate all the different ways we get our history.
Audiences who have seen this tour to date have given it rave reviews. Performances throughout West Wales, Mid Wales and the Border Counties. Tickets for adults £12, children under 12 go free.
For all information, and to buy tickets, click the link below 👇
https://grahamloveluckedwards.com/etn/who-were-the-worst-bad-guys-in-welsh-history-live-in-the-melville-theatre-abergavenny-friday-27th-march-2026-at-7pm/

Synergy, Beaufort Scale & Tenouus sing for QB
2026-03-28 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Enjoy a fabulous evening of music whilst raising money for our amazing sister project QB Monmouthshire who do amazing work with young people and their families across Monmouthshire.
Please book via this link;
https://form.jotform.com/260645128186359

Poetry Upstairs
2026-04-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
To prebook your space email: events@melvillecentre.org.uk

Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth
2026-04-11 18:00 - 20:30 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Join Savoy Youth Theatre as they showcase their latest National Theatre Connections performance, Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth, written by Kirsty Housley.

When an alarm is deliberately set off during their GCSE drama exam, a group of students find themselves in detention. As they struggle to navigate the seemingly endless tasks they’ve been set as punishment, questions are raised. Who set off the alarm and why? Will they ever get out of this detention? Will it cost them their GCSE? And why is Shakespeare still so popular?
So begins a meta deconstruction of the play as we move from classroom to theatre, artifice to reality. The performers switch between their characters and their real selves as they interrogate Shakespeare, the canon, the education system, the nature of theatre, and the world itself. They begin to wonder whether the classics really are that classic, or whether we might need to tell a different story altogether….
Content guidance:
o Themes exploring the climate emergency
o Themes exploring the cost of living crisis
o Depictions of anxiety
o References to colonialism

Scratch choir workshop with the Apex Singers + Concert
2026-05-01 17:00 - 18:30 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or someone who simply loves to sing in the shower, this is your chance to be part of a brilliant choir – without the long-term commitment. Led by the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble, The Apex Singers, this 90-minute energising vocal workshop invites you to explore the art of a cappella ensemble singing alongside group members and fellow vocal music lovers. You’ll discover how to create a unified ensemble sound and enjoy the opportunity to perform together with The Apex Singers.

No sheet music or prior preparation is required to take part in this workshop. The material taught on the day allows us to focus on ensemble technique, listening skills, and developing a unified group sound. Participants will be invited to perform the arrangement they learn in the workshop during the evening concert.

THE APEX SINGERS
2026-05-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Monmouthshire
Embark on a journey through folk song and storytelling with The Apex Singers, the critically acclaimed vocal ensemble. Renowned for their intricate harmonies and gorgeous melodies, this live concert promises an unforgettable musical experience.

The Apex Singers are an eight-part vocal ensemble celebrated for their bespoke a cappella arrangements of traditional folk songs from around the world. Their distinctive sound blends classical choral technique with traditional folk and contemporary a cappella, creating a richly textured and captivating musical experience.
The Apex Singers regularly tour the UK and Ireland and have headlined festivals including the International Irish A Cappella Festival, City of Derry International Choir Festival, and Banstead Arts Festival. Their recordings have received widespread recognition, earning four Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, four A Cappella Video Awards, and the Best Music Video award at the British Independent Film Festival for The Mermaid Wife.

TESTIMONIALS

“It genuinely floors us at times that humans can sound this beautiful” – Danny Jones, The Manc

“Attractive arrangements of memorable melodies with excellent choral ensemble work” – Nick Holmes, Live Review

“Crystal clear melodies and flowing, inventive harmonies are this ensemble’s trademarks” – Matthew Dougall, Number 9 Reviews

“I absolutely love them” – Angellica Bell, Scala Radio

“Stunning – I love everything they do” – Simon Mayo, Scala Radio

“Thank you for one of the best gigs I’ve experienced in recent years” – Audience Member

“What amazing voices and arrangements” – Audience Member

AGE RESTRICTION
None.
Recommended for under 14s to be accompanied by an adult.

Poetry Upstairs
2026-05-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Reserve your seat & pay £5 entrance at the door.

Swing from Paris
2026-05-08 19:30 - 21:30 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
An evening of Parisian-flavoured music

★ ★ ★ ★ “intelligent, interesting and inventive” THE JAZZ MANN
“excellent band…diverse numbers, smart arrangements” JAZZ JOURNAL

Swing from Paris are an all-string jazz quartet of violin, guitars and double bass, inspired by the music of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s: from the cafés and cabarets of Montmartre to Artie Shaw, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the master of tango Astor Piazzolla.
Known for their tight ensemble sound and virtuosic performances, the group brings a distinctive Parisian flair to vintage jazz and stylish swing. They have performed at major UK and European festivals including the renowned Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois-sur-Seine, and appearances range from BBC TV and radio to the French Embassy at Kensington Palace.

BMJ Collective with guest Gareth Williams
2026-05-17 19:00 - 22:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
The BMJazz Collective is delighted to welcome special guest Gareth Williams to Black MountainJazz Club for an evening of dynamic, contemporary jazz.
Winner of the British Jazz Awards, Gareth Williams is one of the UK’s most compelling pianists,renowned for his expressive intensity and creative flair. His career has seen him collaborate withleading international artists including Joe Lovano, Jerry Bergonzi and Claire Martin.
Drawing on influences from jazz, classical music and Welsh folk traditions, Gareth brings a deeplyemotional and genre-fluid approach to his playing.
Together with the BMJazz Collective’s vibrant, collaborative sound, this promises an evening ofinspired improvisation and outstanding musicianship.
Don’t miss this chance to hear world-class jazz in the intimate surroundings of Black Mountain JazzClub

Small Basket workshop
2026-05-19 16:00 - 19:00 | Monmouthshire
To book your space email:
abergavennycommunitylearning@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Portrait/Life Model Workshop
2026-05-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Monmouthshire

Poetry Upstairs with Zoe Skoulding & Mark Blayney
2026-06-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Zoë Skoulding is a poet and literary critic interested in translation, sound and ecology. She is Professor of Poetry and Creative Writing at Bangor University. Her latest collection of poems from Carcanet Press is Do I Look Like an Atmosphere? (2026), following A Marginal Sea in 2022, which was shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year.

Mark Blayney writes fiction, poetry, scripts and journalism. His novella Two kinds of silence won the Somerset Maugham Prize, while his poetry has been longlisted for the National Poetry Competition, and his journalism won a Wales Media Award.

POETRY, PEOPLE AND PLACES!
2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Due to a family emergency the performance is unfortunately cancelled.
Refunds will be issued to those that have already bought tickets.

Living, Dying and Other Messy Human Things
2026-06-06 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Open Mic and spoken word poetry – bringing together local talent and featuring poets Lily Redwood and Ceri Baker.
Lily and Ceri first bonded over caring for a parent at end-of-life. Join them as they approach the mess and magic of being mortal with honesty, tenderness and a smattering of playfulness. (includes themes of parenthood, sexuality, death and dying)

email: lilyredwoodpoet@gmail.com to sign up for the open mic
age 16+

Poetry upstairs - Path by Chris Torrance
2026-06-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Melville Centre Cafe-Bar, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Path presents Chris Torrance’s own compilation of his later work, finalised in 2017.
The characteristically varied and wide-ranging poems in this major new collection can be read as continuations of the Magic Door sequence, crowning 50 years of Torrance’s writing life in rural Wales.
‘The character humanises the landscape, and the landscape gives the character his larger dimension: so that, idiosyncratic and fallible as he is, Torrance’s persona, his consciousness, can stand for each of us: reaching into the real contexts of being human with an energy and grasp that proffer them to his reader, to share.
Torrance enlarges and deepens the world for us.’ — John Freeman (Poetry Wales)

Aidan Thorne and Jason Ball - Poems of a Space
2026-06-13 19:30 - 21:30 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Poems of a Space, is the second album from the guitarist
Jason Ball and bassist Aidan Thorne. All of the compositions
on this album were written, arranged, recorded and mixed
by the duo.
The concept of the album was to invoke nostalgia, rekindle a
memory of a time and/or place. The pieces are engulfed in a
fog of guitar ambience and measured 6 string bass
textures.
As with their previous release, Archwilio’r Traddodiad |
Exploring the Tradition, there is an emphasis on experiences
within the Welsh landscape. The song Banc Y Celyn, refers to
the hill overlooking Aidans home in Powys. And the track
Clouds, was written after a hike up the Sugar Loaf near
Abergavenny.
Deeply rooted in jazz, the style carefully glides between
written and improvised elements. Some of the compositions
were realised and refined from recordings of loose jam
sessions. One may hear nods to influences from 70’s ECM
records such as Terje Rypdall or Bill Frisell.

“……. A fantastic deep dive into lesser-
known Welsh folk tunes”
Archwilio’r Traddodiad | Exploring the
Tradition
Jude Rodgers, The Guardian
“An unforgettable musical experience”
**** Ian Mann, Jazzmann Blog
“……… a beguiling instrumental set that
transmogrifies folk songs into delicate,
exploratory improvisations. Throughout,
combining a resonating bowed bass with
guitar work redolent of John McLaughlin on
Miles Davis’ In a Silent Way. Praise,
indeed!”
Tim Cumming, Songlines

BMJ Collective with guest Nicolas Meier
2026-06-14 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
BMJ Collective’s guest this month is Nicolas Meier – widely recognized as one of the World’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists.

Born in Switzerland and based in the UK, Nicolas Meier’s music expresses his love of Turkish, Eastern and Middle Eastern music, as well as the genres of flaming, tango and much more – all entwined with jazz.

His extensive talent, versatility and musical fluency has been widely acclaimed – so much so that it attracted the attention of rock guitar legend Jeff Beck, who made him a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group, leading to two World tours.

Since founding his own record label in 2009, he has produced 12 albums – either as a soloist, in a duo format or with a group.

Please note that this is one of our early 7pm start programmes.

Website: www.meiergroup.com

Gentle Angry Women
2026-06-28 15:30 - 17:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
On 5 September 1981 a march led by a small group of women arrived at RAF Greenham Common to protest at a decision to place US nuclear cruise missiles at the base. In 2021 a group of young activists recreated the original march from Cardiff to Greenham Common, and they invited women to join them along the way. This film documents their walk, and the impact it had on them. They ask why they hadn’t known about the Greenham Common camps before, and how women’s history is so often overlooked or minimised. One of the three young women, Poppy, will join us at the Melville for a Q&A session. A busload of women from Abergavenny joined the first day of the march in August 2021, from Cardiff to Newport, so expect to see familiar faces on screen. And the white peace doves created by Abergavenny people on their way to the anti-Iraq war demo have a starring role throughout the film.”
contact point: Ann Davison, annd5157@gmail.com, 07789 546654
https://www.folklifefilms.co.uk/gentle-angry-women

Fiona Ross Trio
2026-06-28 20:00 - 22:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
Multi-award winning jazz artist, journalist and founder of the award winning Women in Jazz Media organisation Fiona Ross never stops.

As vocalist, pianist, composer and producer, Fiona has become known for creating her own contemporary jazz sound – incorporating fast paced Latin Jazz, vintage Jazz club, a little neo-soul along with heart wrenching ballads.

Live performances have seen her perform at prestigious venues – including 606 Club and Pizza Express – as well as at festivals such as the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Fiona has achieved many accolades for her work, including Best Jazz Song from the World Song-writing Awards. Her song ‘Mistress’ is included in the British Library archives for prosperity.

As well as working as a Jazz artist, Fiona spends her time behind the scenes in Jazz working as the founder of the award winning not for profit organisation, Women in Jazz Media. She is also Senior Writer for Jazz in Europe.

Website www.fionaross.co.uk

Welsh Language Escape Room - Ystafell Ddianc yn Gymraeg
2026-07-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Melville Centre, 5 Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UN, United Kingdom
To book your space email: joshua.wheeler@coleggwent.ac.uk

John Bevan: Team Player – from Lions to League
2026-07-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
A new play by Mari Lloyd
“To us, it’s not just a game, it’s who we are.
”It’s 1971.
Margaret Thatcher becomes known as the ‘Milk Snatcher’. ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ is nominated for 10 BAFTAs…And the British Lions with 13 Welsh players do something that has never been done before…and never repeated since. They defeat the mighty All Blacks on their own turf in New Zealand.
Imagine, like John Bevan, that you are 20 years old, and part of that phenomenal success. How does that feel? And what happens afterwards? Within two years John Bevan leaves Union for League and a new life. What is he searching for? And will he find it? Could ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ inspire change? Or is this the end of a dream.
Mari Lloyd’s new solo play explores the triumphs and challenges of three years in the sporting career of Welsh rugby player John Bevan, as it chronicles the Test series in Australia and New Zealand in 1971 and the period which followed in 1973 when John left the success of his rugby union roots to “go north” for a job to play rugby league for Warrington.
This is the new production from the team behind the acclaimed, award nominated Still Here named by The Edit as one of ‘The Top 20 Shows We Saw Across Wales’ in 2025.
Written by Mari Lloyd | Directed by Julia Stubbs Produced by Still Here Productions in association with 20 South Street and Grey Swan With Scott Gutteridge as John Bevan
Critical Acclaim for our previous production “Still Here is not just a play – it’s an experience that lingers in the heart long after you leave the theatre. Mari Lloyd’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of Welsh storytelling to connect, challenge, and inspire Welsh writers to pick up the mantle and forget their own stories of what it means to be Welsh.” The Edit “English-speaking Welsh theatre has been scared of showcasing Welsh people for a long time; it’s exciting to see a company not only doing it but doing it well.” ★★★★ Buzz Magazine “incredibly powerful” ★★★★ Everything Theatre “hugely enjoyable” ★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions
Tickets: £15.00 | Running Time: 95 minutes (plus interval ) followed by a post-show Q&A (free)
Content Information: brief strong language, references to isolation and loneliness | Age Guidance: 12+

Poetry Upstairs
2026-07-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Monmouthshire
Gareth Writer-Davies is from Pencelli, Wales
He was Longlisted for the National Poetry Competition last year and has been Shortlisted for the Bridport Prize three times.
He was Prole Laureate for 2017 and Winner of the Wirral Festival Poetry Competition in 2023. He was a Hawthornden Fellow in 2019.
He has five previous poetry publications and will be reading from his most recent, Memento Mori.

Natasha Gauthier is a Canadian poet and journalist living in Cardiff. She placed first out of thousands of entries in the 2025 Poetry Wales Award and also won the 2025 New Welsh Review/Borzello Trust Prize for poetry.
She has been nominated for the Forward Prize and the Pushcart Prize, and her poems have been published in Poetry Wales, the New Welsh Review, Scintilla (journal of the Henry Vaughan Association), Ink Sweat and Tears, Winged Moon, and Acropolis, amongst others.
Her debut collection Seasonal Clothing will be published by Parthian Books later this year. Natasha was a member of the 2024-25 cohort of Representing Wales, the flagship development programme run by Literature Wales, where her mentor was Damian Walford Davies.
In 2023 Natasha founded Tiger Bay Poetry, Cardiff’s leading series of literary readings and events. She grew up fluently bilingual in English and French in Montreal, Quebec, and is of mixed Goan and French-Canadian heritage. Duality, family history and identity are recurring themes in her poems.

An Evening with Bethany Handley
2026-07-09 19:00 - 21:00 | The Melville Theatre, The Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5UD, United Kingdom
‘Urgent and beautiful, this book shows how our treatment of disability mirrors our treatment of nature. Essential reading’ Katherine May, author of Wintering

‘A passionate call for an inclusive countryside’ Jack Cornish, author of The Lost Paths
About Bethany Handley
Bethany Handley is an award-winning writer, poet and disability activist from South Wales and has just returned from speaking at the Hay on Wye festival. Named one of the UK’s ten most influential disabled people in politics, law, and media by the Shaw Trust 2024, she campaigns for disability rights and better access to nature. An ambassador for Country Living’s Access for All, Wales Coast Path, and Ramblers Cymru, her debut poetry pamphlet Cling Film was published by Seren in 2025. Bethany co-edited Beyond / Tu Hwnt, a ground-breaking bilingual anthology of Welsh Deaf and disabled writers. Her work has been featured by BBC One, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 4, the Poetry Foundation, Country Living, The Guardian and more.
About My Body is a Meadow
Since childhood, Bethany Handley has always felt most at home out in the wilds of the Welsh countryside. This all changed when Bethany became a full-time wheelchair user in her twenties and suddenly found herself padlocked out of the landscapes she belonged to.
Today, nearly one in four people are Disabled in the UK. Public rights of way are blocked in 32,000 places across England and Wales. My Body is a Meadow writes into this troubling landscape. Passionate and political, it delivers a galvanising call for us to rethink how we live among nature and each other. Lyrical and personal, Bethany Handley invites readers to wheel alongside her as she explores ableism, climate justice and what nature means to her.
On this journey, we discover the feral boar of the Forest of Dean and one of the first places in Britain to industrialise; how the metal and rubber of a wheelchair can become just as much a part of your body as skin and bone; why swifts rarely land and how maps tell a story of exclusion. Unearthing parallels between land ownership and privatised healthcare, loss of biodiversity and social marginalisation, My Body is a Meadow explores the lessons nature can teach us about inclusion and interdependence. This is a rallying cry for us to stop gatekeeping nature and work together to make it open to everyone.
Event Format: Author talk ‘in conversation’, followed by audience Q&A and book signing.

Tickets: https://www.book-ish.co.uk/event/an-evening-with-bethany-handley/

The Travelling Riverside Blues Show
2026-07-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Monmouthshire
Join two fine blues musicians and enjoy an evening listening to the sounds and tales of the Mississippi. The simple sound of acoustic guitar and vocal brings the Delta to life, celebrating the power and energy of the bluesmen who created the musical legend.
This early raw style – just traditional guitar and vocal – formed the foundation of modern blues music. This show weaves a story of hopes and dreams, hardship and poverty through soulful and passionate music, along with tales bringing those times and people to life.
Sit back and enjoy The Travelling Riverside Blues Show on a journey through the Delta.

Remi Harris is a Jazz & Blues guitarist from the UK whose playing draws inspiration from artists such as Django Reinhardt, Peter Green, Wes Montgomery, Robert Johnson.
From the age of seven he has dedicated himself to a life of guitar playing which has taken him from busking on the streets of his local towns to performing at many prestigious venues and events around the world, including Buckingham Palace, Montreal Jazz Festival, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Jamie Cullum, as well as appearing on national radio and television.
“Remi Harris is one of the great guitarists we have in this country, an absolutely extraordinary musician” Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
“a brilliant guitar player” Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2 & BBC 6 Music
“Brilliant!!!! Your playing is spectacular.” Peter Frampton

Roger Keenan is a seasoned vocalist who has his roots firmly anchored in the blues. This is the blues of not just the Delta, Chicago, and elsewhere in the USA but also the blues of Ealing, Dartford and wherever else formed the British Blues Boom of the 60’s and beyond. From playing in the vibrant music scene of the late 1960s to performing in Shrewsbury Abbey or Weston Park Hall, Roger has always stayed true to his roots – the Blues.
“Charismatic vocalist Roger Keenan commanded the stage throughout, his voice rich and soulful, guiding the crowd through classics like ‘The Thrill has Gone’”
The Edge Arts Centre
“Roger led the way… seamlessly weaving narratives with soulful performances. Roger’s vocal delivery was impeccable, perfectly capturing the raw emotion and depth of the genre.” Cube Theatre Malvern
