2.30pm Sunday 26 March, Aberystwyth Arts Centre: WOW Film Festival matinee
Come and watch A Home for My Heart, a sensitive documentary portrait of Suvana Sudeb, an Indian trans woman – her life with her family, friends, lover and fellow activists. Hour-long film directed by Sankhajit Biswas. Plus short.
After the film, Helen Sandler of Aberration will be chairing a Q&A in which the star and director will beam in from India to answer your questions!
Events in Cymru for ‘Long LGBTQ+ History Month’ involving Aberration or Queer Tales from Wales
March 2023 – Book now!
Tuesday 7 March, 5pm, National Library, Aberystwyth. Queer Tales from Wales present ‘A Moral Amazon: The Story of Miss Amy Dillwyn’. A novelist, industrialist and cigar smoker, Miss Dillwyn also loved her friend Olive with all her heart. ? https://www.library.wales/visit/things-to-do/events
Sun 26 March, 2.30pm, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberration will be part of a screening at WOW Festival of A Home for My Heart. This kind and moving documentary follows Suvana Sudeb, an Indian trans woman, through the ups and downs of life with family, friends, lover and comrades. With Q&A. https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/cinema/wow-home-my-heart-15-short-film-mirrors
February 2023 (past events)
Sun 12 Feb, 12 noon, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. LezDiff celebrates History Month with films, talks and performances. Queer Tales appear with both ‘Queen of the Lake’ and ‘A Moral Amazon: The Story of Miss Amy Dillwyn’. Also on the bill are our friends Behind the Lines and Norena Shopland. https://lezdiff.org/lgbtq-history-month-event/
Sat 18 Feb, 2.30pm, Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Aberration presents: Proud Writing Workshop with Norena Shopland – writing from history. Book early, limited to 15 places.
Saturday 26 March 2022, 5.30pm to 9pm, Aberration presents: Banners & Ballads, Aberystwyth Arts Centre Studio£10 / £8
[EVENT IN PAST]
Dathlu Hanes LHDT // Celebrating LGBT+ History
Fascinating and fun readings, talks, videos and surprises. Hear Jeffrey Weeks chatting about his radical youth in the Gay Liberation Front, Jane Traies reading from her sexy sapphic version of the French Revolution, and the first exclusive recording of a raunchy queer ballad from centuries ago, rediscovered in 2022!
Hosted by Helen Sandler in the Performance Studio (aka Round Room). We are trying to be covid-aware and expect about 30 people at distanced tables with windows open 🙂 We recommend everyone takes a covid test at home before attending.
Estimated timings 5.30pm to 9pm with long interval at 6.30 for you to buy a meal in the cafe or drinks in the bar and have a chat, plus: Meet the authors: Book signings. Raffle tickets in aid of AllOut, focusing on queer refugees from Ukraine https://campaigns.allout.org/ukraine-fundraiser
Programme
5.30 Choice of ice-breakers with our friendly crowd:
1. Queer Museum: bring an object you would put in a queer museum and meet curator Mark Etheridge.
2. Sloganising: If Aberration makes its own banner, what slogan should we use? (You can sit down with a felt tip if chatting’s not your thing.)
3. In the Pink: take a look at the mini banners we made in Sarah-Joy Ford’s workshop last month – if you took part then please bring your banner!
Welcome – host Helen Sandler
Pride is a Protest – the inspired folk who took part in the banner workshop say a few words about their artwork.
Liberty! – Jane Traies reads from her wonderful new lesbian historical novel Liberty (Tollington Press). ‘A compelling, spellbinding historical romance’ – VG Lee. Published under the name Jay Taverner – the pseudonym for Jane and her co-author Jacky Bratton. Their novels stretch across space and time, but all have a connection to Brynsquilver, an ancient cottage in the Shropshire countryside, close to the Welsh border. Liberty brings together sailor girls, French aristocrats and revolution. When Rebecca ‘Jude’ Wiston breaks from her puritanical family in Salem, Massachusetts in 1789, she little knows the passions and dangers that await her. @JayTaverner
Crossdressing women: Norena Shopland, author of A History of Women in Men’s Clothes (Pen and Sword) brings to life fascinating stories from the past with an illustrated talk. Norena is like the keeper of the LGBT+ history of Wales! @NorenaShopland
Billie-Gina Thomason (above) on queer ballads – a specially filmed talk about her analysis of queer ballads from England and the light they shine on undocumented lives. Billie-Gina is an academic at Liverpool John Moores University with a special interest in gender identity. She can’t be with us in person but we’re so glad we’ve found a way for her to share her work with you all. @Billie_Gina
The New Old Ballad: Norena tells how a queer ballad in the Welsh language, ‘Lanciau Bro Gwalia’, has been thrillingly rediscovered in the archives – with exclusive new recording by Cerys Hafana, plus new English translation, ‘Lads of Fair Walia’.
Sloganising aloud: sharing our ideas for Aberration slogans
Mark Etheridge of National Museum of Wales updates us on the queer collection he is gathering for the nation with help from the LGBT+ community of Cymru. @CuratorMark
Much-loved and inspiring writer Jeffrey Weeks chats about his packed life and his new autobiography Between Worlds: A Queer Boy from the Valleys (Parthian), with our homegrown historian Paddy O’Malley. Emerging from the intense and thrilling (and sexy) gay rights movement of the 1970s, Jeffrey brought radical sexual politics to sociology.
Paddy O’Malley
Jane Hoy introduces Ceredigion Museum’s story project and plays our Lesberados song, as recorded by Aberrationistas in lockdown!
Raffle draw for All Out Raffle in aid of AllOut with first prize of magnum of champagne generously donated by Bottle & Barrel bar. Scroll down to read about their exciting plans for the future! Plus more prizes including speciality gin, magnum of prosecco, and signed novels by Jay Taverner.
Aberration returns to real life with tonight’s packed bill. BRING CASH! You will want to buy raffle tickets and signed books!
A big thank you to our main sponsor, Prifysgol Aberystwyth University. This event wouldn’t have been possible without their generous support.
We would also like to thank Bottle and Barrel for the raffle prize. Bottle and Barrel are a craft beer bar located in Aberystwyth and are big friends of the LGBT community. They have just announced a new live music and events venue opening in Aberystwyth too, The Bank Vaults. This will be opening within the next month or so and we hope to do some fab collab events with them there in the future. Thank you to Zac and all the Bottle and Barrel team.
~ Spirit of Aberration ~
Come along in the spirit of Aberration – queer arts, activism, community and diversity. We are (of course) trans-inclusive and anti-racist. You are welcome whether you are lesbian, gay or bi, trans, genderqueer or non-binary, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual… or an open-minded ally! Yes that absolutely includes straight friends 🙂 so stop wondering and come along!
Aberration’s 2020 History Walk (Cath photographed by Heather Broster)
The Long LGBT+ History Month: an exciting programme of events – in real life! – in February and March 2022, organised by Aberration and/or our partner venues
PAST EVENTS
Sat 12 February 2.30pm Best of Iris short films, Aberystwyth Arts Centre cinema
Sat 12 February 7pm Rebel Dykes (18), Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn
A rabble-rousing documentary telling the story of a community of lesbians in 1980s post-punk London, and how they went on to change their world. Bring a photo of yourself in the 80s / early 90s (if you were around) and share your memories of how to be a rebel! Bar open before and after the film, with cocktail menu, and 80’s music on blast! Hosted by Helen & Jane.
Saturday 26 February 1–3pm Pride is a Protest – a banner making workshop, Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Tickets £5/3. Led by Sarah-Joy Ford (pictured)
A workshop inspired by queer activism, visual culture and community story telling.
In this workshop you will be able to tell your own queer story, share a memory, protest or idea, as you create your own mini LGBTQ+ textile banner which can be hung on a dowling rod ready to be marched with or hung up. You’ll be using heat bond applique, hand stitching techniques and tassel making. No previous experience necessary. Sarah-Joy is an artist and researcher – you can see her work at: www.sarahjoyford.com
A rabble-rousing documentary telling the story of a community of lesbians in 1980s post-punk London, and how they went on to change their world. Followed by discussion led by Helen Sandler of Aberration, with rebel dyke poet Jane Campbell (known to her friends as Maj) and subversive stitcher Sarah-Joy Ford (who is leading the above workshop before the film, ticketed separately).
FEBRUARY Sat 12 February • 2.30pm Best of Iris award-winning LGBT+ short films, Aberystwyth Arts Centre • 7pm Rebel Dykes film, Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn Sat 26 February • 1pm Aberration Workshop: Pride is a Protest – banner-making with Sarah-Joy Ford, Aberystwyth Arts Centre • 4pm Rebel Dykes film + Q&A, Aberystwyth Arts Centre MARCH Sat 26 March 5.30pm Aberration presents Banners & Ballads: an evening of talks, readings and surprises.
A showcase of short films from the Iris Prize and creative writing from the Write It Out community project. Featuring the premiere of our own Aberration film, Avocados Are Not the Only Fruit.
This is a free event to mark IDAHOBIT Day (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia). Come and celebrate our LGBT+ fabulousness through community stories, poems and films!
Made possible by: Iris Prize, Literature Wales, SpringOut, Enfys Aber, Aberystwyth University and Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
7yh ar 17 Mai yn Stiwdio Canolfan Y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth
Ymunwch â ni! Straeon cymunedol, barddoniaeth a ffilmiau. Mae’r digwyddiad hwn yn rhad ac am ddim, am Diwrnod Rhyngwladol yn erbyn Homoffobia, Thrawsffobia a Biffobia.
Cefnogir gan Wobr Iris, Llenyddiaeth Cymru, SpringOut, Enfys Aber, Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chanolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth.
{English version>>} Rydym yn galw ar holl actorion, cyfarwyddwyr, pobl camera, ysgrifenwyr sgript, technegwyr sain ac unrhwyun sydd am godi ymwybyddiaeth am y problemau sy’n wynebu pobl LDHT.
Mae Aberration wedi ymfalchïo o gael eu dewis fel un o’r grwpiau a fyddai’n cydweithio gyda’r tîm profiadol o Iris yn y Gymuned er mwyn creu ffilm fer sy’n cynnwys cefnogwyr Abberation. Os nad ydych wedi clywed son am y prosiectau o’r blaen, caiff Iris yn y Gymuned ei ariannu er mwyn cydweithio â chymunedau yng Ngymru i godi ymwybyddiaeth o’r matterion mae pobl LHDT yn eu gwynebu gan alluogi pobl i ddatblygu sgiliau yn niwydiant y cyfryngau.
Mae Iris yn y Gymuned yn gyfle gwych a hwylus er mwyn creu ffilm fer ein hunain sy’n dangos cefnogwyr Abberation mewn ffordd gwbwl newydd. Yn ogystal, mi fydd Tîm Iris yn cydweithio gyda chi er mwyn dethol ffilmiau o Archif Gywl Gwobrau Iris a chyflwyno gwyl ffilimiau ein hunain (gan gynwys premier ein ffilm ni) i gynulleidfa o gefnogwyr, gwestau a ffrindiau.
Rydym yn lansio’r prosiect hon yn ystod Mis Hanesyddol LHDT gyda’r teitl: Creu Hanes Ni Ein Hunain. Mae croeso i wahanol syniadau.
Os hoffech fod yn rhan o’r prosiect, mae’n hanfodol eich bod ar gael ar gyfer y dyddiadau canlynol. Lleoliad: Prifysgol Aberystwyth Dydd Sul, 25ain o Chwefror, 10:00 – 16:00 Dydd Sadwrn, 24ain o Fawrth, trwy’r dydd, mi fydd oriau yn cael eu penodi
Mi fydd te a choffi ar gael, dewch a chinio eich hunain.
Nid yw’n bosib cymryd rhan am ran o’r prosiect gan ei bod hi’n hanfodol i weithredu fel tîm cyflawn, lle mae pob unigolyn yn hanfodol.
Mi fydd y cyfarfod cyntaf gyda Thîm Iris ar y 25ain o Chwefror yn penodi cysyniad y ffilm fer ac felly rydym yn chwilio am unigolion creadigol i ymuno a chyflwyno syniadau er mwyn helpu ysgrifennu’r stori. Mi fydd hyn yn cael ei gyflawni o fewn rhwng 5 a 6 awr gan gynnwys egwyl ar gyfer cinio. Ar y 24ain o Fawrth mi fyddom yn symud ymlaen i ffilmio’r cysyniad.
Os rydych am fod yn rhan o gynllunio ein Gŵyl Gwobr Iris Bychain a dethol o archif Gwobr Iris, dewch a mynychu cyfarfod rhaglennu ar y 18fed o Ebrill gyda’r hwyr. Y dyddiad darpariaeth ar gyfer y Gŵyl Gwobr Iris Bychain yw Dydd Gwener y 18fed o Fai. Cysylltwch â Jane Hoy cyn gynted â phosib er mwyn cadw lle neu am fwy o fanylion: janehoy99[at]gmail.com
Calling all budding actors, directors, camera people, script writers, sound technicians and anyone who would like to raise awareness of issues faced by LGBT people.
Aberration is really excited to have been selected as one of the groups to work with the experienced team from Iris in the Community and make a short film featuring supporters of Aberration. If you’ve not heard of the project before, Iris in the Community is Big Lottery Funded to work with communities across Wales to raise awareness of issues faced by LGBT people and to enable people to develop skills in the media industry.
Iris in the Community is an exciting and fun opportunity to make our own short film featuring supporters of Aberration as they’ve never been seen before. The Iris Team will also work with you to select films from the Iris Prize festival archive and deliver our own film festival (including the premiere of our film) to fellow Aberration supporters, guests and friends of our choosing!
As we are launching this project in LGBT History Month the working title will be Making Our Own History. Other ideas welcome.
If you would like to be involved you must be available for the whole of both the following dates. It is not possible to be partially involved as we are working in a team and everyone is important.
Venue: University of Aberystwyth Sunday 25 February 10-4pm Saturday 24 March all day but hours to be decided.
Tea and coffee available. Bring your own lunch.
Our first meeting with the Iris Team on Sunday 25 February will be to come up with a concept for our film and we are looking for all you creative types to come along and chip in with your thoughts and help us write the storyline. This will take around 5-6 hours but there’ll be a break for lunch. On Saturday 24 March we’ll then move on to film the concept.
If you are also interested in getting involved in planning our own Aberration mini-Iris Prize festival and selecting from the Iris Prize archive, then you should come along to our programming meeting on the evening of Wednesday 18 April. The provisional date for the mini film festival is the evening of Friday 18 May.
Please contact Jane Hoy as soon as possible to book your place or to find out more details. janehoy99[at]gmail.com
Special Screening of new film The Handmaiden, with book discussion and post-film Q&A
Aberystwyth Arts Centre cinema 20 June 2017
5.30pm Book Club: discuss Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Led by Jane Hoy. In Aberystwyth Arts Centre bookshop, with a glass of wine or fruit juice. Try to read the book beforehand and bookmark your favourite bit.
7pm movie: The Handmaiden film: “Park Chan-wook’s adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith, relocated to 1930s Korea, is an erotic triumph – with a whiplash twist” – Guardian. Book through the Arts Centre as usual.
Q&A at end of film with our resident experts Tasha Alden and Stephanie Jones. Chaired by Helen Sandler.
This a public event with Aberration magic sprinkled all over it!
The Old Market Hall Cinema, The Square, Shrewsbury (Donna Deitch, 1985. USA. 1hr 36 mins) Certificate 18
Desert Hearts
In 2016 the appeal of Desert Hearts may be less in the story and more in the landmark staging of the first lesbian love story on-screen that didn’t end up in suicide or ménage à trios! A true love story, considered very risqué at the time, Desert Hearts was the first to portray lesbian relationships as multi-dimensional and real, rather than a caricature or somebody’s wet dream. Having said that, Donna Deitch’s film is a passionate, beautifully controlled drama about making choices and exercising the heart.
If you want a taster of the story … imagine Reno. It is 1959 and a 30-something teacher from New York turns up in search of divorce. She has an up-tight bun and a bunch of nerves when she encounters a younger woman – sexy, capable and living on a ranch with a Patsy Cline soundtrack! This is brilliant, beautiful and not-to-be-missed!
We asked a few women to comment:
Desert hearts! There’s a blast from the past. One line that has always stuck in my head….she just reached in and hung a string of lights round my heart….. Classic
I think the woman on the door thought I was too young to be watching such a salacious film!
I was asked my age when I went to see this at the MAC in Cannon Hill Park, back in 1985. I was 24 at the time!
Summertime (La Belle Saison) (Catherine Corsini, 2015. France / Belgium (subtitles). 1hr 46 mins)
In 1971, Carole, Parisian teacher and feminist campaigner and Delphine, rural farm worker and practical problem-solver – meet and fall in love. They luxuriate in each other’s company in a symbiotic relationship, which combines a sexual awakening for Carole and a political awakening for Delphine.
When Carole follows Delphine back to her family farm, experiencing rural life at its most sun-dappled and sweaty, the two find lesbianism and feminism are not as easy in the countryside.
From vibrant scenes of civil unrest on the streets of Paris, to the lushly photographed rural landscape that make up the latter section of the film, Director Catherine Corsini has crafted a beautiful and sensual film about two women in love, and the reminder that “We can’t turn back. We can only move forward”.
