Aberration yn y Dre / Aberration Goes to Town
Live at the Bank Vault bar every month!
16 May: VG Lee – read more >>
29 June: Mike Parker
13 July: Queer Diary
11 August: Beach Picnic! On Aberystwyth South Beach from 6pm. Details coming soon.
Scroll down for details in English (pink) and Cymraeg (melyn). Digwyddiadau yn Saesneg yn bennaf / Events mostly in English.
1.30 to 3.30pm [SOLD OUT] LGBT+ History Walk around
Aberystwyth. Meet at Ceredigion Museum where your guide, Jane Hoy of Living Histories Cymru, will take you on a tour round Aberystwyth meeting LGBT+ characters from the past, from Sarah Jane Rees to Goronwy Rees. Expect the unexpected! All welcome. (Indoors at museum if too wet or windy.) Limited to 20 places. SOLD OUT.
1.30-3.30 yh [WEDI GWERTHU ALLAN] Taith Gerdded yn olrhain hanes pobl LGBTQ Aberystwyth. Fel rhan o ddathliadau mis dathlu Hanes LGBT, ymunwch â ‘Hanesion Byw Cymru’ ar daith gerdded o amgylch Aberystwyth a dewch i gyfarfod â rhai o bobl LBGT mwyaf dylanwadol hanes y dref, pobl sydd bron wedi mynd yn angof. Man cyfarfod – Amgueddfa Ceredigion. WEDI GWERTHU ALLAN.
4.30 to 6pm Workshop at Aberystwyth Arts Centre:
Yasmin Begum is a writer, artist and activist from Cardiff. As a member of the 1919 Race Riots collective she will run a zine-making workshop delving into exciting ideas of Welsh identity, language, history and cultural memory with an emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility. (Zines are creative / lo-fi magazines or booklets.) Meet at Box Office at 4.20pm to go to Creative Studios 5&6 (silver pod). £5 / £3. WORKSHOP TICKETS>>
4.30-6 yh Gweithdy: Mae Yasmin Begum yn ysgrifennwr, artist ac actifydd o Gaerdydd. Bydd hi’n cynnal gweithdy gwneud zine, gan ymchwilio a syniadau cyffrous o hunaniaeth Gymreig, iaith, hanes a chof diwylliannol gyda phwyslais ar gynwysoldeb a hygyrchedd. (Mae zines yn gylchgronau neu lyfrynnau creadigol/lo-fi.) Cwrdd yn y Swyddfa docynnau am 4.20 yh i fynd i stiwdios creadigol 5 i 6 (pod arian). £5/£3. TOCYNNAU>>
7.45pm Aberration presents: ‘Forgotten Stars’ evening at Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Studio) [Cymraeg isod] Lively talks, songs and stories of LGBT+ history. TICKETS £10 / £8 (concs).
In a special presentation, Yasmin Begum (who is also leading a workshop, above) will use the lens of the 1919 race riots to shine a light on black and minority ethnic communities and queer people of colour in Wales. With film clips and discussion.
Alison Child will talk about the research for her new biography ‘Tell Me I’m Forgiven’, about the once-famous music hall duo (and romantic pairing) Gwen Farrar and Norah Blaney. Ali and her partner Rosie Wakley will treat us to some of the songs that Gwen and Norah used to sing. Plus storytelling by Queer Tales from Wales: coppermine girls, women wrestlers and men in pink houses. BUY TICKETS NOW>>
7.45 yh Aberration yn cyflwyno: ‘Forgotten Stars’ yn Canolfan Y Celfyddydau (Stiwdio): sgyrsiau bywiog, caneuon a straeon o hanes LHDT. Tocynnau £10/£8.
Mewn cyflwyniad arbennig, bydd Yasmin Begum yn defnyddio lens terfysgoedd ras 1919 i ddisgleirio golau ar gymunedau pobl dduon a lleiafrifoedd ethnig a phobl queer o liw yng Nghymru.
Bydd Alison Child yn siarad am yr ymchwil ar gyfer ei Bywgraffiad newydd ‘ Tell Me I’m Forgiven’, am y ddeuawd neuadd gerddorol a fu’n enwog ar un adeg (a’r pâr rhamantaidd) Gwen Farrar a Norah Blaney. Bydd Ali a’i phartner Rosie Wakley yn ein trin ni i rai o’r caneuon y mae Gwen a Norah yn canu. Ynghyd ag adrodd straeon gan Queer Tales o Gymru: merched copr, ymgodymwyr menywod a dynion mewn tai pinc. TOCYNNAU>>
+ Charity RAFFLE (bring a prize if you can!), guest appearance from friend of Aberration NORENA SHOPLAND with her latest queer history book, PLANET magazine on sale, and COMMUNITY COHESION stall.
+ Raffl, awdur Norena Shopland, Stondinau Cylchgrawn Planet a ‘Community Cohesion’.
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[PAST EVENT: you are now entering the realm of past fabulousness and nostalgia…]
Mae’n ol! Bigger and better than ever! A massive Aberration queer-themed cabaret night: Cabarration in the Great Hall at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
8pm Friday 15 November 2019, Aberystwyth
Starring Barbara Nice – ordinary housewife extraordinaire – a refreshing blast of proper good fun. She believes in bargains, public transport and livin’ la vida loca! Recently seen storming it in the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent 2019, with her quick-fire chat and stage-diving, Barbara is guaranteed to bring joy to any audience.
AND:
Shelf, up-to-the-minute lesbian comedy duo from that London
Edd Muir, aerial artist extraordinaire
Rad drag-king troupe The Family Jewels
Live music from melodic local band Chocolat
Compere Helen Sandler
Wear your best queer cabaret get-up!
Edrych ymlaen!
For all LGBT+ people and open-minded straight folks. Age guidance 16+ . Not suitable for children due to adult humour, references to hanky panky, and perhaps a little light striptease if you’re lucky.
Oo-er missus/ mister/ wotever!
Tickets: £14 / £10 (concs) from Aberystwyth Arts Centre on the links below.
TICKETS https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/music/cabarration-1
TOCYNNAU https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/cy/music/cabarration-1
Event supported by Prifysgol Aberystwyth University and Over the Rainbow vegetarian guesthouse. Programmed by SpringOut and Enfys Aber.
On Friday 5 July 2019 we had a fab beach party! Starting out in Bottle & Barrel bar and then with food and fires on Aberystwyth South Beach. A lovely sunny evening social. Here’s a pic while the sun was still out.
TICKETS>>
Aberration, WEN Wales (Women’s Equality Network) and Aberystwyth University bring you this special evening to celebrate International Women’s Day.
‘100 Welsh Women’ will include music, poetry and discussion:
Book your tickets for 100 Welsh Women now>>
Poetry: Gillian Clarke, former National Poet of Wales, will read her lyrical and moving poems. If you have never heard Gillian read, you are in for a mesmerising treat. If you have heard her before, then you know you will want to be here for this! Gillian has been awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry and the Wilfred Owen Award. Selected Poems (Picador) was published in 2016, Zoology (Carcanet) in 2017, and her version/ translation of the 7th century Welsh poem Y Gododdin, appears this year from Faber.
Speakers: Dinah Mulholland (left), Chisomo Phiri (centre) and Megan Talbot will form a knowledgeable and rousing panel, chaired by our own Helen Sandler (right).
Dinah is a political activist who has campaigned around domestic abuse, women in prison and austerity. Dinah was the Labour Party candidate for Ceredigion in the 2017 General Election and is involved in setting up a local branch of Acorn Tenants Union.
Chisomo is the NUS Wales Women’s Officer. She was elected on a manifesto of campaigning to end period poverty, encouraging women to run for leadership, and tackling sexual harassment. She aims to create a strong, intersectional movement.
Megan is an associate lecturer in law at Aberystwyth University and is studying legal recognition of non-binary genders internationally. She is co-convener in the Aberystwyth Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Research Group (aber gender).
Helen is a writer and editor who runs Tollington Press and comperes Aberration. She has been involved in theatre and events for women and LGBT+ people for many years.
>>Book your tickets for 100 Welsh Women now>>
Live music: Musical interludes from Cerys Hafana (pictured, top) on the Welsh triple harp. Cerys is a talented young musician who lives locally. She is a member of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, and last year played at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient with Tŷ Teires and Robin Huw Bowen, and on the Aran Islands with Cerrig Camu. She will play her own compositions and tell us a little about the history of the instrument.
Bright Field sing folk harmonies such as Georgian, Corsican, Shape Note, British traditional and sacred music, as well as modern compositions. They enjoy the way voices will lock into or lean on one another. The group has changed its make-up over the years, but local singers Linda Gwillim and Joan Mills, who join us for the evening, have been a part of Bright Field since it began back in 2001.
Exhibition: on display will be WEN’s exhibition of posters of significant and inspiring women, past and present, who have worked for equality in Wales – including Gillian Clarke. We will pick out some of these women with readings chosen specially.
Inclusive fabulousness: All welcome at this inspiring evening. Whether you identify as female, male or non-binary, whether you are trans, intersex, queer, lesbian, gay, bi, straight, unsure or wotever… you are very welcome at all Aberration events.
Language: Event mainly in English.
Booking: Book your tickets for 100 Welsh Women now>>
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Hidden Worlds is an enthralling evening about queer lives, as Aberration celebrates LGBT History Month UK. With talks from artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins and oral history researcher Jane Traies, plus the Welsh premiere of the brand-new jukebox musical ‘Rebel Dyke’ written by and starring Karen Fisch. Scroll down for more about all these wonderful guests. And click here for a workshop on doing LGBT history (same day). We can’t wait to share this special night with you!
Aberration is brought to you by Enfys Aber and SpringOut, supported by Over the Rainbow guesthouse.
Aber art lovers will be familiar with Clive Hicks-Jenkins’ magnificent paintings and prints from exhibitions at the Arts Centre and National Library, as well as the Museum of Modern Art in Machynlleth. In an illustrated talk devised especially for Aberration, Clive will explore how he created a hiding place for his gay identity in the magical world of his art.
Clive says: “I was born in Newport in 1951, at a time when all the old prejudices still held sway. Even as a small child I sensed raised eyebrows – and raised concerns – when I was too much myself. So I learned to hide that true self, and make a secret world I could retreat to and be safe in. And I got very good at it.”
The early part of his career was as a choreographer and stage director. In the 1990s he began to concentrate on painting and has garnered praise ever since. Simon Callow has called him ‘one of the most individual and complete artists of our time’.
Jane Traies will talk about her new book of oral-history interviews with older lesbians, Now You See Me (Tollington Press).
Jane is a writer, researcher and story-teller who was also at various times a historical novelist, a director of the lesbian publishing house Onlywomen Press and a Trustee of the York Lesbian Arts Festival.
For some years, Jane has been recording the experiences of the oldest generations of lesbians in the UK. Her new book, Now You See Me (Tollington Press, 2018), features some of these life-stories. Jane and interviewees appeared in the short films Now You See Me (Esme Waldron, 2016) and Older Than What? (Steen Starr, 2017).
For Aberration’s Hidden Worlds evening, Jane will talk about her work and introduce readings from the book. Signed copies will be for sale on the night at the special Aberration price of £10 (usually £11.99). Jane is helping to lead our workshop earlier the same day on how to ‘do’ LGBT+ history.
Karen Fisch sings her way through forty years of lesbian clubbing and protesting in her new jukebox musical, Rebel Dyke.
Karen aka Fisch is part of the Rebel Dyke Project, a group of outsiders from the 1980s. Fisch has been a significant member of this lived legacy since her first Gay Pride March in 1978. She has gone via Greenham Common (Main Gate), The Black Widows All Women Biker Gang, Chain Reaction (the UK’s first SM Dyke club) to running her own women’s club nights in London for ten years
Since starting performing as Drag King Frankie Sinatra three years ago Fisch is now both producer and host of the drag king night Kings of Clubs at London’s legendary Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Frankie has graced the stage at both London and Amsterdam Pride.
Fisch encompasses all of this personal sistory in her one-woman jukebox musical. Rebel Dyke has only been seen once before at L Fest 2018, the UK’s largest Women’s Festival, where it was nominated for two awards and grabbed the attention of the Aberration team who immediately asked Fisch to bring it to Aber. She is now touring the show to select venues in England – we are the only one in Wales so far, so tell your friends to get over here!
Directed by Barbara Houseman, this funny and moving show featuring the Bad Boy with the Golden Voice will enthral and entertain you.
Aberration’s Hidden Worlds evening will be mediated via your loud host Helen Sandler, who will as usual be pointing at you in disturbing new ways.
All welcome. Age guidance 14+ (some adult content). You don’t have to be queer to be here… but it sometimes helps to ask a queer friend what the hell is going on.
We are very pleased to have arranged a separate afternoon workshop before the event on how to do LGBT+ history. Arranged and facilitated by Aberration’s own Jane Hoy, with sessions by LGBT+ historians Norena Shopland and Jane Traies. Book separately. Full details here>>
Mae Aberration yn dathlu Mis Hanes LHDT 2019
7.45pm Sadwrn 9 Chwefror, Canolfan Celfyddydau Aberystwyth, £10/£8
Mae Karen Fisch yn cyflwyno ei sioe gerdd jiwcbocs, Rebel Dyke. Mae Clive Hicks-Jenkins yn dangos sut y creodd guddfan ar gyfer ei wir hun yn ei gelf. Mae Jane Traies yn trafod ei llyfr o gyfweliadau efo lesbiaid hŷn, Now You See Me (Tollington). 14oed+ Iaith: Saesneg
Gweithdy efo Jane Traies a Norena Shopland ar hanes LHDT+ yma>>
LGBT History Month with Aberration
Saturday 9 February 2019 3.30-6pm
Aberystwyth Arts Centre: Creative Unit 5/6 (silver pod)
£5 / £3 (concessions) – includes refreshments
Tickets on sale from Aberystwyth Arts Centre here>>
Ever fancied doing some LGBT+ historical research but don’t know where to begin? This lively participatory workshop will introduce different ways of opening up lesbian, gay, bi and trans history. Everyone is welcome, whether you are a research newbie or have some experience to share. We hope that it will be the beginning of a Mid Wales network in which we continue to uncover our hidden queer histories in the past and present.
The workshop will be facilitated by Jane Hoy of Aberration and Living Histories Cymru.
In the first part historian Norena Shopland (as seen at Aberrations past) will ask us to consider: What is LGBT+ historical research? What does it mean to use the terms sexual orientation and gender identity in history? Which sources should we use, and why? She will also introduce us to her new online research tool. Norena is the author of Forbidden Lives: LGBT stories from Wales (Seren, 2018).
In the second part writer and researcher Jane Traies will introduce her groundbreaking research with older lesbians. She will explore what oral history can offer and introduce us to ways of doing it ethically and effectively. We will get the chance to practise interviewing skills on each other. Jane is the editor of Now You See Me: Lesbian life stories (Tollington, 2018).
The workshop will be followed later in the evening by ‘Hidden Worlds’: Aberration’s celebration of LGBT+ History Month with illustrated talks from Jane Traies and artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins plus the Welsh premiere of Karen Fisch’s jukebox musical Rebel Dyke. The evening starts at 7.45pm in the Round Studio and is ticketed separately at £10 / £8. Find out more>>
Storytelling around the queer histories of Cymru: we are considering a summer event in which individuals offer a 5-10 minute performance/presentation based on the life of someone they are interested in (perhaps one of the people from Norena’s book or someone you have found). We would explore creative ways of presenting each person, in a series of workshops using story, poetry, film, music, drama, diary, dialogue… whatever is suggested by the materials we find and your strengths. For further information email janehoy99@gmail.com
ENGLISH: [Cymraeg isod]
Aberration on Tour: Galeri Caernarfon
Friday 14 September 2018, 7.30pm
£10 in advance, £12 on the day
A cabaret night with an LGBT bite. Host Helen Sandler introduces a dazzling line-up of local and national talent, from circus to song. Expect quickfire words, irreverent laughs and gay abandon.
Starring: Maggi Noggi: Wales’ Fiercest Drag-on. As seen on S4C’s The Salon, Maggi is Anglesey’s most famous queen. “You can take the girl out of the farm…”
Chocolat: Gypsy swing jazz quartet from Aberystwyth. Victoria Evans on vocal and violin, Jean-Louis Raimbaud and Steve Metcalfe on guitar, Norman Roberts on double bass… and you on your feet to dance!
Sadiq Sadiq: combines circus with elements of theatre, live art and dance to create stunning performances. Currently touring with Ockham’s Razor, Sadiq is also a winner of Mr Gay Great Britain and represented the UK at Mr Gay World in Malta.
Archibald Tactful: Proto-god, cement-lover and experimental dancer. “Laurie Anderson meets Groucho Marx” – FringeReview
Sarah McCreadie: Sharp spoken word from a rising star, who has performed everywhere from Newport to New York.
King Frankie Sinatra: Ol’ blue eyes is back! Frankie hosts the Kings of Clubs drag-king night in London. They have played everywhere from L Fest to Amsterdam; snuggled up on the sofa of This Morning; and hosted karaoke parties for Elizabeth Hurley. Their new show ‘Rebel Dyke’ will tour soon.
+ Open mic: see below
Everyone’s welcome at this fun and friendly night, whether you’re gay, straight, trans… or whatever! Age guidance 16+
Includes open mic: to perform a song or read a poem in Welsh or English, email aberrationcymru@gmail.com
Change of programme: sadly Mer Gân and Cortina Ford, both previously advertised, are unable to be part of the show this time.
Part of Aberration on tour, funded by Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, National Lottery, Aberystwth University, Over the Rainbow Guesthouse. Diolch yn fawr!
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CYMRAEG:
Aberration ar Daith: Galeri Caernarfon
Dydd Gwener, Medi 14, 2018, 19:30
Ymlaen llaw £10 / £12 ar y dydd
Noson cabaret gyda naws LHDT. Bydd Helen Sandler yn cyflwyno detholiad o dalent dawnus lleol a chenedlaethol, o syrcas i gân. Disgwylwch ymddiddan ffraeth, chwerthin afreolus ac afiaith heintus.
Maggi Noggi: Cwîn enwocaf a ffyrnicaf Ynys Môn a Chymru. Yn ymddangos ar Y Salon ar S4C. “Gallwch chi fynd a’r ferch o’r ffarm…”
Chocolat: Grŵp ‘gypsy swing jazz’ o Aberystwyth. Amser dawnsio!
Sadiq Sadiq: Sgiliau syrcas cyfoes a syfrdanol. Mae Sadiq yn perfformio efo Ockham’s Razor
Archibald Tactful: Proto-Dduw, carwr sment a dawnsiwr arbrofol. “Laurie Anderson meets Groucho Marx” – FringeReview
Sarah McCreadie: Siarad miniog gan seren newydd o Gaerdydd
King Frankie Sinatra: Caneuon Sinatra
Meic agored: gweler isod
Mae croeso i bawb yn y noson hwyliog a chyfeillgar hon, p’un a ydych chi’n hoyw, yn syth, yn draws … neu beth bynnag! Arweiniad oed 16+
Yn cynnwys meic agored: i berfformio cân neu ddarllen cerdd yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg,
e-bostiwch aberrationcymru@gmail.com
Cefnogwyr: Mae Aberration ar daith yn ystod yr haf drwy nawdd hael Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, Llywodraeth Cymru, Y Loteri Genedlaethol, Prifysgol Aberystwyth a gwesty llysieuol Over The Rainbow. Rhaglenwyd y daith gan SpringOut ac Enfys Aber. Diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb!
Sioe Pentref Amgen Aberration Alternative Village ShowGwener 17 Awst 8yh (Drysau’n agor am 7.30yh am beirniadu a stondiau)
Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth: Y Tŷ Haf £12 / £10 (Arweiniad oed 16+) TOCYNNAU>>
Friday 17 August 8pm (doors open for judging and sideshows 7.30pm)
Aberystwyth Arts Centre: Summer House, £12 / £10 concs (Age guidance 16+) TICKETS>>
Dewch yn llu, ymunwch â ni am sioe pentref amgen wrth i Aberration fynd o dan y gynfas am y tro cyntaf erioed! Bydd tocynnau yn caniatau mynedfa i bopeth yn cynnwys y cystadlaethau. Digwyddiad yn bennaf yn Saesneg.
Join us to queer up the village show, as Aberration goes under canvas for the first time ever! Tickets cover the whole evening including competitions. Event mainly in English.
Gwisg ffansi – meddyliwch cabaret yn cwrdd â sioe’r pentref yn cwrdd â’n byd LGBTQIA+. // Dress with pizazz – think cabaret meets village show meets our LGBTQI+ world.
Ar y soffa gyda Andrew Logan – yr arlunwyr chwedlonol (dyfeisiwr y Miss Byd amgen a’r Amgueddfa Cerflunwaith ym Merriew) bydd yn sgwrsio gyda’n cyflwynydd Helen Sadler am ei fywyd disglair.
On the Sofa with Andrew Logan – the legendary artist (creator of Alternative Miss World and the Museum of Sculpture in Berriew) will be chatting about his glittery life with our host, Helen Sandler.
Quercus Burlesque – Alawon swmpus gan bumawd o glerwyr chwit-chwat.
Quercus Burlesque – stomping melodies from a quintet of maladjusted minstrels
Cortina Ford – burlesque ar y set gefn
Cortina Ford – burlesque on the back seat
Sioe Dalent Pentref Aberration – gair ar lafar, cwîns a hwyl y syrcas
Aberration Village Talent Show – spoken word, drag and circus acts strut their stuff
Coroni’r wisg orau / Best Costume – Crowning
Hwyl gyda lluniau gwisg ffansi / Dressing-up Photo Fun
Sioe Cŵn wedi’u stwffio / Stuffed Dog Show – bring your favourite toy pooch! The show will be in the interval – enter your favourite stuffed doggie, any age, size, shape. Prize for best in show. No live dogs permitted.
Tombola elusennol a mwy
Charity Tombola + More
Cyrraedd am 7:15y.h. er mwyn arddangos eich…
Fel y mae ym mhob sioe bentref lleol, mae meini prawf cystadlu llym yn berthnasol. Manylion>>
Arrive at 7.15pm to enter your…
As in all the best village fairs, strict competition criteria apply – click here for details>>
BOOK NOW AND LET’S MAKE THIS OUR BEST NIGHT EVER! // ARCHEBWCH RWAN!
TOCYNNAU>> TICKETS>>
Cefnogwyr: Mae Aberration ar daith yn ystod yr haf drwy nawdd hael Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, Llywodraeth Cymru, Y Loteri Genedlaethol, Prifysgol Aberystwyth a gwesty llysieuol Over The Rainbow. Rhaglenwyd y daith gan SpringOut ac Enfys Aber. Diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb!
Supporters: Aberration is on tour this summer with funding from Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, National Lottery, Aberystwyth University and Over the Rainbow vegetarian guesthouse. Programmed by SpringOut and Enfys Aber. Diolch yn fawr i bawb!
