Aberration goes Off the Wall
Thursday 12 February 2026, 6.30pm drinks for 7pm start,
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
For LGBTQ+ History Month 2026, Aberration presents a night of queer joy and performance inspired by the Portrait & Power exhibition
A fabulous Aberration takeover of the gallery after hours!
Noson arbennig! Off the Wall is a playful, creative, thoughtful and celebratory evening of spoken word and performance to an audience of LGBTI+ people and allies, at The National Library of Wales. Inspired by the Portrait & Power exhibition, bringing the portraits ‘off the wall’, and asking ‘How do we want to be seen?’
Latest news! Unique presentations from exhibition artists Denver K Shai and Morgan Dowdall especially for you! 🎉 Plus amazing brand-new performance pieces from radical cabaret artists Poppy Cock and Penny Comequick! Queer Tales from Wales (Jane Hoy with Colin Audigé-Soutter and Simon Robson) zhoosh up a story from the history books, and Kitty O’Blitherin brings the art ‘off the wall’. With new queer performances emerging from our recent workshops (presented by The Off the Wallers – Alex, Avi, Hannah, Inge, Mila, Miles), music from Elaine Turnbull & Amy Ellen, and your host Helen ‘Aitch’ Sandler guiding the way through these delights.
PROGRAMME: At 6.30pm we will gather for drinks and snacks, then lead into the Gregynog Gallery around 7pm for the tour with pop-up talks and performances, followed by fun activities, sketching by Hilary Reed and more. A chance to look round the whole Portrait & Power exhibition at the end. Finish around 9pm. Event mainly in English with some Cymraeg.
Everyone is welcome to come along to watch and listen.
Tickets just £5 (includes wine or soft drink). Book now! >>
Take Part
If you’d like to be more involved, we’re playing with the theme ‘How would you like to see yourself in a portrait?’ So you can bring an object you would like to include if someone was painting YOU, or dress up as a living self-portrait! Or come in your civvies and just enjoy the ride!
Tickets just £5 (includes wine or soft drink). Book now! >>
Evening includes new writing from group workshops (now fully subscribed). See below…
Off the Wall workshops
Sat 31 January & Sat 7 Feb 10.30am to 1.30pm: Two inspiring linked workshops for LGBTQ+ adults where we will respond to the portrait exhibition with new writing and performance. Click to see details >>
With thanks to NLW/LLGC for their enthusiastic partnership working & financial support.
About Aberration
Aberration is a series of exciting events with an LGBTQ+ theme. We aim for a friendly community space. Everyone is welcome at our public events including open-minded straight friends and allies. (Some smaller group workshops are specifically for those who are / think they might be LGBTQ+) Events are very much trans-inclusive as well as highlighting lesbian, gay and bi lives and culture, and other queer identities – all under one rainbow! Your friendly hosts are Jane Hoy, Ruth Fowler and Helen Sandler. For Off the Wall we are joined by talented creative practitioner Cath Rigler (who performs as Kitty O’Blitherin).
DEWCH I YMUNO Â NI!
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