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DANNY ROBINS: EVENTS: 29TH JULY 2010
Post categories: Danny Robins
|15:28 UK time, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Eisteddfod 31st July - 7th August
The Eisteddfod is an annual celebration of Welsh culture. It's in a different part of Wales each year. This time it's in Ebbw Vale (pronounced 'Ebboo Vale').
The Eisteddfod tradition dates back to the 12th century, when Welsh bards would come together and hold a competition to choose the best poet and musician. The modern incarnation dates back to a Welsh cultural revival in the 18th century though.
There's loads of stalls selling Welsh stuff and there's music, drama, stuff for kids and poetry readings. One of the main events is the parade of the Gorsedd of the Bards - The Gorsedd are poets, writers, musicians and artists, who either join when they win one of the Eisteddfod's main competitions, sit an exam or when they are awarded a degree in Welsh or Music from a Welsh university.
Sometimes famous Welsh people become an honorary member - such as opera singer Bryn Terfel and 'Hornblower' Ioan Gruffudd. The bards parade around the Eisteddfodd wearing quite spectacular costumes that makes them look a bit like baddies from Doctor Who. They are lead by the Archdruid. There's a competition of bards at the Eisteddfodd and the winner will get to join the Gorsedd.
Everything's in Welsh, so brush up on your Gorky''s Zygotic Monkey or early Super Furry Animals before going (sadly there's no one like that playing). Apparently there's 'translation equipment' available though which makes it sound like you might get one of those earpieces they use at the United Nations.
Anyway, it doesn't get more Welsh than this so if you are Welsh or want to be Welsh get yourself down for a dose of culture.
See an Old Goth on Tour
Former Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy is doing a small tour at the moment with several UK dates. He's been back in the public eye of late after an appearance as 'The Cold One' in the latest Twilight film Eclipse. This could be a well timed tour as it does feel to me there's a bit of a mini Goth revival going on with a few interesting new Goth bands out there such as O Children and Luxury Stranger.
His last stage appearances were with Trent Reznor on the 2009 Nine Inch Nails tour, where he was lowered onto the stage upside down hanging from chains. Murphy is famously eccentric and erratic. He cancelled a planned 100 date tour with former Dead Can Dance member Brendan Perry which left Perry saying Murphy was 'a sandwich short of a picnic', but is doing this tour called the 'Dirty Dirt Tour' instead. Be interesting to see what he comes out with - apparently the set will be mixed between old Bauhaus stuff and material from his new album , Ninth.
Between Aug 1st and 7th, he's hitting Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Dublin, London, Sheffield and Blackpool.
The Edinburgh Fringe kicks off next week and we'll be talking a lot more about that over the coming weeks but also happening during August is the Camden Fringe - a smaller, more DIY London alternative to the festival up in Scotland.
It's happening in a range of venues across London's Indie capital - in pubs and theatres all within walking distance of each other. These range from tiny cramped rooms above pubs such as the Camden Head to the studio theatre in the legendary gig venue the Roundhouse.
It's a mix of theatre, comedy and music. You can catch quite a few comics who are taking a break from the Edinburgh Festival this year or doing a short run in Camden before they head North.
There's some well known names like Scott Capuro and Robin Ince and plenty of up and coming people.
One show that caught my eye is Rosie Wilby, a stand up comedian who used to be in an indie band called Wilby - she played at the Glastonbury Festival and was also a rock journalist - this show Rosie's Pop Diary is an account, with songs, of her experiences in the music biz.
And, I have to declare a personal interest, I'll be doing my show DJ Danny at the Roundhouse studio on 6th, 7th and 8th August at 9pm.
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