Bluegrass news from Wales, Sept.-Oct. 2012

As events in Wales are often attended from Ireland, and because of interest in Cedar Hill in particular, we publish the following news - first, from Roland Emmanuel in South Wales:

As part of the Gower Bluegrass Festival 2012 we are presenting a special concert that will feature traditional music from both Wales and America. A similar theme to the 'Transatlantic Sessions' series broadcast on BBC4.

From America we welcome Cedar Hill, who made a great impression during their last visit in 2010 and featured on the Roy Noble show on BBC Wales. The main character of the band, Frank Ray, was inducted into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He’s a great raconteur and his band would really like to experience listening to and playing with Welsh musicians.

From Wales, Angharad Jenkins, Bethan Rhiannon, and Sam Humphries regularly feature in the excellent folk band Calan. These three outstanding musicians will perform a short programme of traditional Welsh music and will join with our American friends in this unique event. They will be supported by Ric-a-do (Mansel Kedward & Roland Emmanuel) who also play traditional and contemporary Welsh music.

The evening promises to be an exciting mix of traditions from both sides of the Atlantic! The concert will be held at Mynyddbach Chapel, Swansea, on Wednesday 5 September, to start at 7.00 p.m. This famous chapel has amazing acoustics and was the home to Daniel James - ‘Gwyrosydd’ – the author of Calon Lan.

Tickets for this unique event are available at £5 and can be booked in advance by contacting +44 01792 522672, +44 07811358475, or e-mail.

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And from North Wales, Tom Degney sends news of the weekend 19-20 Oct. 2012, which we've paraphrased here:

Friday 19 October is Open Mike Night for pickers at two venues: the King's Head, Rhuddlan, and Rhyl Folk and Acoustic Music Club, which meets in Rhyl Football Club, Belle Vue, Grange Rd, Rhyl LL18 4BY.

On Saturday 20 October there will be a Bluegrass and Folk evening charity concert and morning workshops in Rhuddlan Community Centre Hall, Parliament St., Rhuddlan, to help raise funds for Macmillan nurses. Instrument workshops for banjo, mandolin, Dobro, ukulele, and guitar will be held in the Hall from 10.00 a.m.; there is no set charge but donations are welcome.

The concert begins at the Hall at 7.00 p.m., featuring Stained Glass from Rugby, and two local bands: the Conwy Mountain Bluegrass Band and Tom, Dick, & Harry) with John on bass. Adm. £7 or (concessions) what you can pay. Local camping is available at the Sun Valley Caravan Park, Rhuddlan (01745 590841) and B&B at the Premier Inn, Rhuddlan.

Those who want to keep in touch with Wales events can e-mail Roland (south) or Tom (north).