Blaenau will be turned into an arts venue

Blaenau Ffestiniog has been chosen as the venue to represent Wales in a UK roadshow which brings the work of more than 30 internationally-known artists to rural communities.

Road Show is described as "a wacky weekend of international art, music, film, performance, stalls and sport on a football pitch in Blaenau Ffestiniog".

For three days between 6-8 June, the former slate town will be besieged by a circus of bizarre artistic endeavours and entertainment.

I have invited two Besenji dogs from Aberystwyth to stand sentry outside - they have ears that stick up like Egyptian dogs Artist Bedwyr Williams

The event represents the Welsh leg of a UK touring show organised by Grizedale arts centre in Cumbria

It is being brought to Blaenau in association with a local film society, Real Institute.

The Betws y coed-based film society came to the attention of the media on Wales' cinema day in January when it claimed to have projected rare Russian footage on the dark side of the moon.

Iwan Williams from the society said: "This is going to be the biggest arts event to come to Blaenau since the National Gallery's art treasures were smuggled to safety here before the war.

"I think it is going to be shock for local people.

"Anyone expecting a usual fun day will be in for a surprise - it will be similar, but a special three-day arts fun day."

Road Show snapshot A rock opera called Tony based on the man who did the voiceover for the Generation Game A hermit who lives in the forest according to rules set by local children An artist who explodes melons and hunts motorcars with a crossbow A female artist who cleans long slate walls costumed as a "cleaning pig" Local band Anweledig play their first gig since splitting up Bilingually challenged singers, Garyoke Daredevil BMX stunt-rider Battle of the bands competition Triangular rugby-bowls-football match

Road Show will also visit Grizedale in Cumbria, Birmingham and Dundee.

As well as the touring artists, a number of Welsh artists are also taking part, many of them local.

Among them is Caernarfon-based, Bedwyr Williams, who will be inviting people to his nightclub in the back of a caravan - the Blaenau Vista Social Club.

Described as a "kind of fringe event", performers and musicians will provide entertainment for the select audience that will be able to squeeze into the venue.

"I have invited two Besenji dogs from Aberystwyth to stand sentry outside. They have ears that stick up like Egyptian dogs," said Mr Williams.

"The caravan is covered with familiar-looking, but slightly altered, stickers - it looks a bit like a judge's caravan in a rural county show.

"It's nice to get a chance to do something like this in north Wales where we don't have to compromise as artists," he added.

Iwan Williams said:"It is a golden opportunity to give national and international recognition to Blaenau.

"Art is being brought to the public completely free of charge, and it's great that Blaenau is representing Wales rather than Cardiff or Swansea."