Tag Archives: Aberration

Off the Wall extravaganza

Aberration, Events, History, LGBT, ,

Off the Wall

An Aberration Extravaganza

Thursday 12 February 2026, 6.30pm drinks for 7pm start
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

For LGBTQ+ History Month 2026, Aberration presents a night of inspiring queer joy and performance inspired by the Portrait & Power exhibition
Jan Morris portrait by Michael Tomlinson; Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales
Jan Morris portrait by Michael Tomlinson; Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales
A fabulous Aberration takeover of the gallery after hours!

Noson arbennig! Off the Wall is a playful, fun, creative and celebratory evening of spoken word and performance to an audience of LGBTI+ people and allies. Inspired by the Portrait & Power exhibition, bringing the portraits ‘off the wall’, and asking ‘How do we want to be seen?’

So come along as YOU have always wished to be seen – a living self-portrait. Interpret it however you like: alter ego, future self or shadow self, femme, fairy, butch or bear, dressy or drag, fluid or fixed, or all of the above… or bring an object that’s important to you. Ending in a grand parade! (Wallflowers always welcome too!)

Aberration’s Out of the Frame evening at National Library, July 2025 (Anthony Pugh)
Draft Programme

Thurs 12 Feb, National Library of Wales: 6.30pm Gather for drinks and snacks, then lead into the Gregynog Gallery around 7pm for pop-up talks and performances from artists and our workshop group, followed by grand parade, instant portraits 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. Ticket link coming soon.

Includes new writing from group workshops – why not join the workshops too?

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 and sign up >>

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.

DEWCH I YMUNO Â NI!

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Off the Wall workshops

Aberration, Events, Workshops, , , ,

‘Off the Wall’ writing & performance workshops from Aberration

For LGBTQ+ History Month 2026, Aberration invites you to be part of a thoughtful, joyful group that will create new writing and performance pieces together

In these two linked workshops we’ll share our responses to the paintings and photographs in the Portrait & Power exhibition.

Two Saturdays: 31 January & 7 Feb 2026, 10.30am to 1.30pm National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

More information

In a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, we’ll create new writing and performance pieces together which will then become part of the programme at our fabulous Off the Wall Extravaganza Night.

These group workshops for LGBTQI+ people will be facilitated by Helen Sandler and Jane Hoy of Aberration, and community arts supremo Cath Rigler (who performs as Kitty O’Blitherin).

In the first session, we will visit the Portrait & Power exhibition in the gallery and discuss responses to the stunning paintings and photographs on display. Through writing exercises you can respond to a portrait (or portraits) with significance for you as a member of the LGBTQI+ community.

In the second session, we will shape our writing into short performance pieces for the upcoming Off the Wall evening (12 Feb). Individual and group pieces will magically emerge. Anyone who doesn’t want to perform doesn’t have to!

Helen and Cath at previous Aberration
Jane and Cath at last National Library event

SIGNING UP

Interested? Excited? Want to sign up or ask a question? Email aberrationcymru@gmail.com with the subject line Off the Wall Workshops.

You need to be available to attend BOTH workshops. There may be an additional rehearsal before the evening event.

Workshops are FREE (small expenses budget available). Limited places.

>> Make sure you read the main page about the Off the Wall extravaganza night here >>

Venue accessible for disabled people. Aberration is trans-inclusive, anti-racist, LGBTQIA+ run, and aiming for queer fabulousness!

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Out of the Frame 11/7/25

Aberration, Archive, LGBT, , , , , ,

ABERRATION @ NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES, ABERYSTWYTH

CYMRAEG >>

!!SOLD OUT!!

Friday 11 July 2025, 6.30pm, £5 (includes drink)

OUT OF THE FRAME: QUEER RESPONSES TO THE EXHIBITION ‘NO WELSH ART’

!!SOLD OUT!! If you have tickets and can't come, email post@llgc.org.uk for refund, in plenty of time. If you don't have tickets, you can join the waiting list on the 'TICKETS' link below.

TICKETS >> [WAITING LIST]

6.30pm Gather for drinks. 7pm Tour begins in gallery

Join us in this very special tour of the current exhibition in the Gregynog Gallery, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.

On the way artists and writers will take a fresh look at the art through an LGBTQ+ lens.  An exciting and creative evening programmed by Aberration.

Artists include Jane Hoy, Abid Hussain, Naomi Pearce, and Tomos Williams, each presenting their own unique take on the art, history and politics of Cymru, among the sumptuous artworks of the ‘No Welsh Art’ exhibition. Plus short queer tales performed by Simon Robson and Elin Haf; and alternative creative captions produced in an Aberration / National Library workshop.

Stories, sounds, performance and visions… all-round 360-degree queer fabulousness, for one night only. Grab your tickets now!

Click this link, then scroll down to the red ‘BOOK NOW’ button>>

🎫 TICKETS >>

About the Artists >>

About the Exhibition >>

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About the Artists

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OUT OF THE FRAME: Aberration has asked several talented artists and writers based in Wales to be part of this very special evening on 11 July 2025.

Naomi Pearce (pictured below) is a writer and curator; she is also a Lecturer at Aberystwyth School of Art and has helped to put together this event. For ‘Out of the Frame’ she will be presenting a piece of new writing inspired by one of the artworks in the exhibition, alongside a sculptural intervention created in dialogue with Catrin Webster. 

Abid Hussain is an emerging visual artist and a practice based researcher, based in Wales. He went to Aberystwyth University and completed his professional training as a practitioner at the School of Art there. Abid has exhibited at several locations including Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and the British Museum. His work often explores the relationships between bodies and spaces.

Abid writes: “My art practice is a living and breathing organism, that is guiding me in return for providing nourishment and protection. It lingers ‘outside’ or ‘in-between’ the established boundaries of installation, sculpture, painting, film and performance art. Currently I am particularly drawn to examine the relationship between ‘minoritised’ bodies and ‘majoritised’ spaces.”

Tomos Williams will present a new piece especially developed for Out of the Frame. Tomos is a Welsh artist and maker based in Cardiff. Trained as a musician, he has been focussing on his art practice since the early 2000s.

Tomos has made and exhibited relief prints (examples held in the collection of the School of Art, Aberystwyth University), animated text, book works and fabric work. In addition he has performed his writing at Chapter and at the Wales in Venice venue during the Biennale in 2015.

He is currently looking at Welsh quilts and Shetland Lace knitting and developing his ideas about the relationships between stitch and place.

Jane Hoy of Queer Tales from Wales will present stories about the characters beyond the frame of some of the artworks. Brought to life by performers Simon Robson and Elin Haf. And the Ladies of Llangollen will make an appearance in the guise of Jane and her partner Helen Sandler.

Jane is a writer and researcher of short stories and performances about Queer people from Welsh History. She is one of the programmers of Aberration and a latin and ballroom dancer.

ABOUT THE EVENT >>

TICKETS >>

[PAST EVENT] Queer Lit Quarterly 13/06/25

Aberration, Archive, Books, LGBT, , , , ,

Latest update on timings: Doors open at 6.30 pm, with talks starting from 7pm.

Friday 13 June 2025: Queer Lit Quarterly returns to Aberystwyth Arts Centre with four fascinating authors of fiction and non-fiction. Arranged by Gayberystwyth Books and supported by Aberration, this is the LGBTQ+ night for all you book lovers! £8 (inc booking fee)

Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, editor of Curiadau

PJ Ellis, author of We Could Be Heroes

Ellen Jones, author of Outrage

Joshua Jones, author of Local Fires

Tickets: https://aberystwythartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173662770

Each author will read from and talk about their books and take audience questions. You will also have the chance to buy signed copies of the books. An enjoyable evening in the company of fascinating writers and friendly book lovers.

Summer Flood book launch 20/06/25

Aberration, Archive, Books, LGBT, , ,

Friday 20 June from 5pm: Gayberystwyth Books (Aberystwyth Market Hall) present this special event. Mike Parker and Norena Shopland launch a new edition of a milestone in Welsh LGBTQ+ literature, The Summer Flood by Goronwy Rees.

Norena Shopland and Mike Parker will be here to talk about their work, research and contributions to this new publication of ‘THE SUMMER FLOOD’ by Goronwy Rees.

This is an exclusive opportunity to get your hands on this fascinating book PRE-PUBLICATION! (To be officially published July 2025 by Parthian Books).

Why is this book important in queer literature? As in the author’s own life, the characters in this novel by Goronwy Rees struggle with bisexual attractions at a time when they could not be open about their lives and loves. A new edition is a cause for celebration and reassessment.

The book with a foreword and critical analysis by Mike Parker and afterword by Norena Shopland will be available to buy on the night, pre-release (officially available early July).

Norena writes: “When Goronwy Rees published his novel The Summer Flood in 1932 it disappeared almost immediately, and original copies are rarer than hen’s teeth. Now, Parthian Books is republishing what has turned out to be an important work in queer literature.”

ABOUT THE BOOK >>

VENUE: Gayberystwyth Books, Unit 8, Aberystwyth Market Hall, Great Darkgate St. Open Weds-Sat. Gayberystwyth Books links >>

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Queer Lit Quarterly 11/4/25

Aberration, Archive, Books, LGBT, , , ,

Friday 11 April 7pm (doors open 6pm), Round Studio, Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Hosted by Gayberystwyth Books and supported by Aberration Cymru, Queer Lit Quarterly brings together writers and readers for a packed evening of readings, discussion and appreciation of LGBTQ+ literature.

Launching in style on 11 April, this first event will star four brilliant authors of fiction and non-fiction: Mike Parker (On the Red Hill), Norena Shopland (Forbidden Lives), JJ Lambert (Found Wanting) and Anthony Shapland (A Room Above a Shop). They will be giving talks, taking questions and signing books! If you love LGBTQ+ books and stories, this is the ultimate event for you.

Get your tickets now from Aberystwyth Arts Centre website >>

Or phone the box office: 01970 623232

Venue fully accessible.

WOW Film Festival: All Shall Be Well

Aberration, Archive, Film, LGBT, Women, , , , , ,

Special showing of ‘All Shall Be Well’ (12A) at WOW film festival 2025 in association with Aberration

Aberystwyth Arts Centre Cinema, Saturday 29 March 2025 at 5pm prompt (Doors open 4.45pm).

Tickets £7 / £6 from venue:

https://aberystwythartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173659071

Director: Ray Yeung Hong Kong (S.A.R of China), 2024, 93′ minutes, Cantonese with English subtitles

Angie and Pat are two women who have shared a life of love and resilience in Hong Kong for over four decades. When Pat suddenly passes away, Angie’s world is upended. Faced with mounting pressure from an unsympathetic extended family, she must navigate her grief and fight to hold on to the home that holds their cherished memories.

With poignant performances by Patra Au Ga Man, Maggie Li Lin Lin, and Tai Bo, ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a tender, heart-wrenching exploration of love, loss, and the quiet strength required to claim one’s place in the world.

This screening is co-hosted by Aberration (LGBTQ+ arts and community events in Aberystwyth). After the film there will be a short panel discussion chaired by Helen Sandler with Fran Jackson and Steph Jones and Q&A – a chance to reflect on the movie and its themes.

All welcome. Croeso i bawb. Part of WOW – Wales One World Film Festival: https://aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/wow-wales-one-world-film-festival/

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Crossing the Line: LGBTQ+ History Month 28/2/25

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, , , , , , ,

We are delighted to bring Aberration back to the magnificent Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth with ‘Crossing the Line’, programmed especially for LGBTQ+ History Month.

We’ve put together an amazing evening of stories and film, facts and fabulousness for you all. Programme below. Edrych ymlaen!

Aberration presents Crossing The Line

An evening for LGBTQ+ History Month, Friday 28 February, Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. Doors open 6.30pm, starts 7pm. Tickets: £8 early bird (plus booking fee) or £10 on the door.

Early bird tickets from Outsavvy: link.outsavvy.com/crossing

Aberration will be taking a journey around Ceredigion and beyond, including queer and trans Celtic history and mythology and some of the characters and events on our Ceredigion LGBTQ+ timeline. We are also proud to be hosting the Wales launch of a new book, 3000 Lesbians Go to York, about a much-loved national arts festival. The evening ends with a new film celebrating Aberration’s own contribution to Welsh LBGTQ+ culture and arts over more than ten years.

PROGRAMME

6.30    Doors open: Come and have a look at the Ceredigion Timeline and add your stories.

RAFFLE: Bring cash for raffle tickets in aid of All Out – lots of great prizes from local businesses and friends of Aberration including Bottle & Barrel, Medina cafe-bar, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and our authors!

7pm Welcome from your Aberration hosts, Helen Sandler, Jane Hoy and Ruth Fowler

Cheryl Morgan: In Search of Trans Celts

Cheryl will look at evidence from archaeology, Roman writers, and Arthurian legend, to see what we can tell about how our ancestors saw gender.

7.30pm   Queering the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi: power, resistance, and desire

This talk by Colin Audigé-Soutter, based on his MA thesis, illuminates the potential queer undercurrents pulsing through one of Celtic literature’s most enigmatic narratives.

8pm  INTERVAL  Refreshments and Bar, Raffle for All Out with amazing prizes, and another opportunity to add your story to the Ceredigion Timeline.

8.30   The Ceredigion Timeline: an interactive journey

Jane (L) and Norena

Norena Shopland describes the background to the Timeline – a project to record the LGBTQ+ history of every county in Cymru. Jane Hoy introduces some of Ceredigion’s queer characters and events, with friends of Aberration reading their words.

9pm   3000 Lesbians Go To York

Jane Traies will launch her lavishly illustrated new book, 3000 Lesbians Go to York (Tollington, 2025) about the arts festivals that drew massive crowds in the Noughties. Aberration’s own Helen Sandler, publisher of the book, will introduce Jane’s talk about the legendary weekender.

9.30    Aberration: a celebration

FILM PREMIERE! Ruth, Helen and Jane of Aberration will screen Amy Daniel’s new short film about Aberration’s fabulous first decade.

10pm (approx) Ends

Early bird tickets from Outsavvy: link.outsavvy.com/crossing

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[PAST EVENT] Kaan & Aitch share a stage 14/11/24

Aberration, Archive, LGBT, , , , ,

Aberration returns to the Bank Vault bar in Aberystwyth on the evening of Thursday 14 November. Doors 6pm, onstage 7pm. £6 on the door (cash / card / phone)

Kaan K will perform spoken word from their brilliant collection If I Were Erol (published by Fourteen Poems) AND a brand new book just out (see below)! We are delighted that Kaan, who had a short slot at last year’s talent night, will tonight take you on a journey through their moving work. Books available to buy on the night, with author signings.

Sharing the stage is Aitch, the comedian alter ego of your regular host Helen Sandler. Aitch will perform new material especially written for tonight. She’s even been on a course!

A magical queer night! Drinks available from the well-stocked bar including a range of craft beers. No pressure to drink alcohol, as there are lots of great soft drinks on sale too. Please support our friendly venue.

KAAN’S FIRST FULL-LENGTH POETRY COLLECTION

Rosewater

Raw, sexy, vulnerable and challenging, Rosewater asks what it means to embody a border.

‘The land isn’t binary and neither am I’
Kaan K dives deep into their Cypriot heritage, pondering their connection to an island with the world’s only divided capital city. They reflect on the divisions in their personal life – cultural, spiritual, sexual.

Rosewater is a homage to trans tenderness, a cry for connection and a search for hope, joy and change. Follow Kaan on Instagram @dream.with.kaan

AITCH’S FIRST PROPER COMEDY OUTING

Tales of the Village

Come with Aitch on a journey. Around the village and back. Perhaps she’ll get a nice little part-time job along the way. What could possibly go wrong?

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