Tag Archives: LGBT

Cabarration Returns!

19/11/22 Cabarration: Aberration’s sparkling LGBT+ cabaret night storms back onto the stage at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Comedy, music, dance, drag kings and more! All welcome. £14 (£10 concessions).

Tocynnau >> // Tickets on sale now from Aberystwyth Arts Centre >>

Starring: Sian Davies, Welsh Ballroom Community, Mr Brake Down, Misha & The Kings, Jane Campbell… plus raffle and surprises, all hosted by Helen Sandler.

ARTISTS

Sian Davies (by Andy Hollingworth)

Sian Davies is a comedian, MC, presenter and writer from the North West of England. We loved her show at L Fest and are delighted she accepted our invitation to come to Aberystwyth for Cabarration! Sian’s droll observational material puts an insightful spin on the everyday. She is the driving force behind sell out fringe phenomenons Best in Class and Comedy Queers. She is working class and queer, and fiercely proud of belonging to both communities.

“A very funny observational stand-up … imagine a queer Peter Kay with more emotional literacy and a quiff like young Morrissey.”

Welsh Ballroom Community

Welsh Ballroom Community put on a stunning show of dancing and voguing at the National Eisteddfod and we are thrilled that some of the troupe will be with us at Cabarration. You may have heard of queer ballroom culture via Drag Race or the TV drama Pose, or perhaps you are sufficiently seasoned to remember the 80s documentary Paris is Burning and the dancers in Madonna’s Vogue. But now, the revival has reached Cymru! The Welsh Ballroom Community has received international recognition since its creation in Cardiff during lockdown in 2020. Founded by Leighton Rees and supported by Kyle London Tisci from The Impeccable Haus Of Tisci, the community has evolved into a vibrant celebration of queer identity in Wales. Aberystwyth, get ready!

Read more: https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/55897/1/welsh-ballroom-community-scene-leighton-wall

Instagram: @welshballroomcommunity

Misha & The Kings

Misha and the Kings are a fabulous Aberystwyth four-piece rock band, ready to whisk you away to escapism in its truest form! They have firmly put their stamp on a few classics, sprinkled with their own brand of energy, attitude and sparkle. Expect to be surprised, expect to get dancing. Their recent gigs at Bank Vault proved they are not to be missed. Special guest appearance, Doja Deluxe. Facebook >>

Jane Campbell

Jane Campbell (known to her friends as Maj) is a familiar face to Aberration audiences after wowing us with her spoken-word performances before lockdown. Now she’s back with some spellbinding new work, having recently won the 2022 Disability Arts Cymru creative writing award. In 2021, Jane also won the Geoff Stevens Memorial Poetry Prize with her debut collection Slowly as Clouds published by Indigo Dreams:   www.indigodreamspublishing.com/jane-campbell

Jane’s poem ‘The Gardener’ was featured on BBC Wales programme Giants in the Sky, and she performed at the first-ever Powys Pride this summer. For the past twenty years, Jane has lived happily in a handmade home as part of an off-grid community in West Wales.

https://janecampbellpoetry.wixsite.com/mysite Insta jane_campbell_poet Twitter @maj_ikle

Mr Brake Down

Mr Brake Down is an AFAB drag king originally from Cardiff, who now resides in the beautiful city of Chester. When he’s not charming crowds with impersonations of obscure celebrities like Tom Waits and Joe Exotic, Brake can be found sporting sinister gothic fashions, glitzy showbiz get-ups and singing his heart out to lively crowds. Whether it’s comedy, hosting, music or merriment, Mr Brake Down has exactly what you need to drag up your life. 

Instagram: @mrbrakedown  Web: https://mrbrakedownbooking.wixsite.com/mrbrakedown 

TICKETS

Host Helen Sandler

Book your tickets now – limited numbers for this once-only show. Suggested age 16+ as there may be some adult material in our fabulous queer cabaret.

TICKETS: https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/cy/music/cabarration-returns

ETHOS

Cabarration is a cabaret show to celebrate LGBTQIA* performers and community. As always, Aberration puts on welcoming and inclusive events, and aims for an anti-racist, trans-inclusive space, with good disabled access. Everyone is welcome as long as you love the big rainbow umbrella as much as we do! So in answer to a question we get asked, yes our straight friends and audience are very welcome. And so are those who are still unsure or don’t like labels. Do bring your friends and family and do have a great night!**

* lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual.

** Mwahhh we love you all dahhhlings!

Tickets >>

Summer Sizzlers

Aberration Summer Sizzlers:
Queer History Walk & Beach Picnic
Sat 20/8/22

Dewch i ymuno â ni – dau digwyddiad gwych yn Aber!

TWO GREAT EVENTS ON 20 AUGUST 2022

EVENING

BEACH PICNIC – JUST TURN UP!

7pm onwards on Aberystwyth South Beach near The Hut refreshment stand – look out for the rainbow flags and join the fun! Just turn up (no booking). Bring your own picnic. All LGBTQ+ people and their supportive friends and families welcome. If you are under 16 then your parent or carer needs to be with you.

Join the Facebook event page for updates >>

AFTERNOON

QUEER HISTORY WALK – SOLD OUT!

Manylion (Cymraeg) >> Wedi gwerthu allan!

Profits to AllOut – the grassroots campaigning charity for LGBT+ people worldwide.

Meet 2.30pm at The Bank Vault bar, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth for a guided walk around the town led by Jane Hoy of Aberration & Queer Tales from Wales. Fascinating stories of the queer history of Aber and the people who lived and worked here.

More info>>

Ceredigion Cwiar

Aberration yn cyfwyno Ceredigion Cwiar yn yr Eisteddfod Ceredigion: Tregaron, Dydd Gwener 5 Awst 2022. 6.30pm. Maes D {Scroll down for English}

Gyda’r awdur a’r darlledwr Mike Parker

Yn cynnwys…

Plethiad o ganeuon a straeon gan Nyddwyr Coll Tregaron

Holi’r Colofnydd Gofidau gyda’r bardd Cranogwen

Lleisiau Cwiar o Dregaron – gosodiad sain gyda Ruth Fowler a’i ffrindiau

Ailddarganfod baled o’r 1870au am ferched sy’n hoffi merched wedi gwisgo fel bechgyn…

Heb anghofio Mermerings – Izzey Rabey a Molly McBreen yn cyfuno Hip Hop, Pync a Gwerin

https://eisteddfod.cymru/

Cefnogir gan Prifysgol Aberystwyth

ENGLISH:

Aberration presents ‘Ceredigion Cwiar’ (‘Queer Ceredigion’) in Welsh at the National Eisteddfod Ceredigion: Tregaron, Friday 5 August 2022. 6.30pm. Maes D (Learners’ Tent)

With stories of the Lost Knitters of Tregaron, answers to your problems from the poet Cranogwen (played by Ruth Fowler, pictured), new short film of queer rural voices (dir. Amy Daniel), and live music from hip-hop / punk / folk duo Mermerings. Compered by writer and broadcaster Mike Parker. See you there!

https://eisteddfod.wales/

Supported by Aberystwyth University

Cabarration 2019

Barbara Nice crowdsurfs her way to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent

[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!

Edd Muir on pole

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

Shelf: “cool and relevant” – The Skinny

Event supported by Prifysgol Aberystwyth University and Over the Rainbow vegetarian guesthouse. Programmed by SpringOut and Enfys Aber.

Cabarration 2016

Aberration

CABARRATION

8pm 21 October 2016 (doors 7.30pm)
Aberystwyth Arts Centre – Great Hall
A cabaret night with a very queer bite!

Book tickets here>>

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AMAZING ACTS…

Jonathan Mayor

jonathanmayorgoldJonathan Mayor will be entertaining us with his cutting comedy – dressed up in glitter-storm Bollywood drag and delivered with twinkly chutzpah. Coming all the way from Gaychester just to entertain you.

‘A self-obsessed glittery queen with a larger than life personality who arrives onstage in a bamboozling mix of innuendo’ – Manchester Evening News
‘Very funny’ – Michael Palin
‘Marvellously wicked’ – Sarah Millican

www.jonathanmayor.co.uk
Twitter: @jonathanmayor

Lynette Frances

lynettefranceswebLynette Frances is a hit wherever she plays, from L Fest to an intimate bar, combining an amazing voice with a love of entertaining. She will play a range of rock and country covers to get us in the Friday night vibe. Later in the evening, Lynette will be teaching us all a line-dance so get your dancing shoes on!

Lynette lives on the south coast of England and has been performing since the age of 12. She runs the Way Out Country Facebook group for LGBT lovers of country music and line-dancing.

lynettefrances.webs.com
Twitter: @LynetteFrances

Ashleigh Owen

ashleighturnAshleigh Owen will be performing an extract from her one-woman show, ‘The Rise and Fall Of The Hamburger Queen’, which can be seen in full at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool, as part of Homotopia.

Ashleigh’s mum wouldn’t let her dance, because dancing killed her dad. ‘He went down into the splits and never got up again.’ She danced in secret until the day came to break the news to her mother: she was leaving for London to become a famous dancer. Bright lights, big city, wide-eyed Scouser… what could possibly go wrong?

www.ashleighowen.co.uk
Twitter: @AshleighPOwen

Sparkles Hoop Troupe

sparkles2Hula-hoop dancing from Cardiff’s amazing Sparkles Hoop Troupe. This community troupe is fully inclusive and hooping crazy.

‘The funniest, finest and most dynamic act in Cardiff!’ – We Are Cardiff Press

sparkleshooptroupe.simdif.com
Twitter: @sparkleshoop

Ernie Sparkles

sparkles7Fun ‘boylesque’ (male burlesque) from Ernie Sparkles. Cheeky in every way!


Bois y Fro

boisAberystwyth’s own vocal quartet, Bois y Fro, have been singing together off-and-on for 10 years and more. With a repertoire ranging from folk to classical to modern (and a lot of things in between) in both Welsh and English, there’s sure to be something for everyone when these guys take the stage.

Twitter: @boisyfro

Plus…

Hosted by Aberration favourite Helen Sandler, with raffle and bar. The evening has an LGBTQI+ theme (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex, and all-round inclusive). All open-minded people are welcome at this fun and friendly night. “You don’t have to be queer to be here.” Dress to impress!

Subscribe to our Aberration mailing list




Join our event on Facebook for updates>>

Book your tickets now through Aberystwyth Arts Centre>>

Aberration is brought to you by SpringOut and Enfys Aber, in partnership with Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Without the financial and practical support of the Arts Centre, this year's Cabarration could not take place (or not unless we charged three times as much for the tickets) so please come along, show your support for the biggest queer-themed night in Mid Wales and have a fabulous night. Diolch yn fawr!

 

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New acts at Aberration

{archived posts follow from previous events}

New acts

More fab performers at Aberration: Out for Summer

Aberration recently put out a call for new performers and we had a terrific response. We are delighted to have two new acts at Aberration Out for Summer on 27 May.

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Leonie Campbell is a poetry slam winner and a student on the creative writing MA at Aber. She has won two ECWS poetry slams and been published in The Wait anthology and in Wales Within.

Jess Jones is a singer-songwriter based in Wales who plays melodic, emotional original ballads, and covers a wide range of pop and rock music. Come along and see Jess and Leonie perform at Aberration Out for Summer!

More info

Book through Aberystwyth Arts Centre

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Aberration: Out for Summer

Aberration

OUT FOR SUMMER

THEATR + CERDDORIAETH + GAIR LLAFAR // THEATRE + MUSIC + SPOKEN WORD

A hot night of Aberration music, theatre and spoken word with Tom Marshman, Kedma, Mike Parker, Helen Sandler and new acts! Champagne auction for Ugandan safe house for LGBT people. Event in English. Tickets on sale now at £7.50 from Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

miniflyeroutweb

RHAGLEN

{scroll down for English}

Bydd Tom Marshman yn cyflwyno detholiad o ei sioe newydd, Kings Cross Remix, fel gwaith ar y gweill. Gwau at ei gilydd o straeon y bobl a brofodd yn llaw gyntaf, mae sioe ‘un dyn’ Tom yn dathlu lleisiau aflafar o Lundain y 1980au.

Mae Tom yn artist perfformiad sy’n trawsnewid cyfrifon bob dydd i mewn i theatr. Mae gwaith blaenorol yn cynnwys ‘Move Over Darling’.

“Un o’r pethau mwyaf cyffrous am waith Marshman yw ei allu i ddewis pwnc sy’n ymddangos yn fach ac edrychwch drwy’r haenau i ddatgelu rhywbeth annisgwyl a dwys” – Big Issue

GWEITHDY Bydd Tom hefyd yn cynnal gweithdy cyn Aberration, am addasu cyfweliadau am sgript. Yn addas ar gyfer pawb, os ydych yn gwybod am theatr neu beidio. Chi jyst angen i fod hyd am gymryd rhan! Manylion.
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KedmaMae Kedma yn leisydd proffesiynol o Aberystwyth sydd wedi graddio yn ddiweddar gyda Gradd Dosbarth Cyntaf Anrhydedd o Sefydliad Cerddoriaeth Fodern Prydain ac Iwerddon (BIMM) sy’n cael ei ystyried yn eang fel ysgol flaenllaw Ewrop ar gyfer cerddoriaeth gyfoes.

Mae hi bellach yn gweithio fel cerddor sesiwn gigio yn helaeth fel prif leisydd a chefnogaeth ar gyfer lleoliadau o fri, teledu, radio, llong fordaith ayyb. Yn fwyaf diweddar bu’n perfformio fel egwyddor ganwr yn ‘The Ballroom Bloomsbury’ ar gyfer lansiad y sioe arobryn “London Never Dies”ar gyfer y Clwb Cabaret Llundain. Yn lleol, efallai y byddwch yn adnabod hi o berfformiadau gyda “Elinor Powell’s Sgarmes”.

Mae ei llais yn gyfoethog ac yn llawn enaid ac mae ei pherfformiadau yn gwbl hudolus.

www.kedmamacias.co.uk

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Mike Parker yn sôn am ei lyfr newydd, The Greasy Poll (Y Lolfa, Mai) –  y dyddiadur am ei ymgyrch rhwystro i gael ei ethol yn Aelod Seneddol dros Geredigion.

Fel Sais hoyw, nid oedd llenor Mike Parker y dewis amlwg fel ymgeisydd Plaid Cymru yn eu sedd targed o Geredigion yn yr etholiad cyffredinol 2015. Diolch i’r afluniadau gwarthus y wasg, daeth yr ymgyrch yn frwnt  fel un o’r gwaethaf yn hanes yr ardal; gan alw ar hiliaeth, homoffobia, creu Stormydd ar Twitter a chyfraniad gan yr heddlu. The Greasy Poll ydi dyddiadur “ddoniol, cyffrous a brawychus” (Patrick McGuiness) Mike o’r ymgyrch a’i gwersi ehangach ar sut mae ein system wleidyddol yn ein methu. Byddwch un o’r rhai cyntaf i glywed Mike yn darllen o gofiant doniol a ddeifiol.

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Nid yw Helen Sandler yn un o’r tîm Aberration yn unig, mae hi hefyd yn awdur. Bydd Helen yn darllen i ni oddi wrth ei nofel nwydus newydd, ‘The Wishmistress’, am ddwy fenyw yn ceisio peidio â chael affêr.

HEFYD Ocsiwn Bwced Siampaen ar gyfer y tŷ diogel a gefnogwn yn Uganda ar gyfer pobl LHDT. Mae Bar Rummers wedi rhoddwyd yn garedig i ni magnwm o Siampaen. Byddwn yn arwerthu i ffwrdd mewn ffordd arbennig – cael gwybod mwy ar y noson a dod â rhywfaint o arian parod!

Ar ôl y digwyddiad aros i sipian coctels gyda’r artistiaid yn y bar Canolfan y Celfyddydau ac ar y teras.

ARCHEBWCH EICH TOCYNNAU NAWR!

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PROGRAMME

Tom Marshman will present an extract from his new show, Kings Cross Remix, as a work in progress. Woven together from the stories of the people who experienced it first hand, Tom’s one-man show celebrates the raucous voices of 1980s London.

TomMarshmanWebXTom is a performance artist who transforms everyday accounts into theatre. Previous work includes the acclaimed Move Over Darling.

“One of the most exciting things about Marshman’s work is his ability to pick a seemingly small subject and peel back the layers to expose something unexpectedly profound” – Big Issue

WORKSHOP Tom will also run a workshop before Aberration, about turning interviews into a script. Suitable for everyone, whether you know about theatre or not. You just need to be up for taking part! Details.
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Mike Parker will read from and talk about his new book, The Greasy Poll (Y Lolfa, May) – the diary of his thwarted campaign to be elected as MP for Ceredigion last year.

As a gay Englishman and a writer, Mike was not the obvious choice for Plaid Cymru candidate. Thanks to the outrageous distortions of the press, the campaign became the filthiest in the area’s history, invoking racism, homophobia, Twitterstorms and police involvement.

GreasyPollWebThe Greasy Poll is Mike’s “funny, thrilling and terrifying” (Patrick McGuiness) diary of the campaign, and its wider lessons on how our political system is failing us. Be one of the first to hear Mike read from this hard-hitting and humorous memoir.

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Kedma is a professional vocalist from Aberystwyth who has recently graduated with a First Class Honours Degree from The British & Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) which is widely regarded as Europe’s leading school for contemporary music.

She now works as a session musician gigging extensively as a lead and backing vocalist for prestigious venues, TV, radio, cruise ship etc. Most recently she performed as a principal vocalist at The Bloomsbury Ballroom for the launch of the award-winning show London Never Dies for The London Cabaret Club. Locally, you may recognise her from performances with Elinor Powell’s Sgarmes.

Her voice is rich and soulful and her performances are completely captivating.

www.kedmamacias.co.uk

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Helen Sandler is not just one of the Aberration team, she’s also a writer. Helen will be reading to us from her sultry new novel, The Wishmistress, about two women trying not to have an affair.

PLUS Champagne Bucket Auction for the safe house we support in Uganda for LGBT people. Rummers Bar have kindly donated a magnum of champagne. We will be auctioning it off in a special way – find out more on the night and bring some cash!

After the event please stay to sip cocktails with the artists in the Arts Centre bar and on the terrace.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Aberration, 1st feb Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Photo by Daryl Ras Gdalya Jemmott

Aberration workshop: Turned Tales

Aberration workshop

Turned Tales – Creating a script from interviews

A special workshop on the magic of turning interviews into scripts, arranged by Aberration

5.30 to 7pm Friday 27 May. Meet at 5.15pm at Aberystwyth Arts Centre box office to go to the room (Creative Unit 5 & 6). £5, book in advance, limited to 15 places

TomMarshmanWebCrop

Tom Marshman is a performance artist who transforms everyday accounts into theatre. For his Kings Cross (Remix) theatre project about 1980s gay London (pictured), Tom went through a process of having group chats over tea, then more intimate one-on-one interviews, which were recorded and transcribed before being worked into a script.

In this workshop, Tom will give an insight into his process, share tips, and talk about the issues of working with other people’s stories. He hopes to inspire people to start to collect stories and see that everyone has a fascinating tale to tell, even if they don’t know it yet.

Workshop tickets £5 from Aberystwyth Arts Centre box office.

After the workshop, Tom will be performing an extract from Kings Cross (Remix) at Aberration: Out for Summer – an evening of theatre, spoken word and music with an LGBT theme.