CRICKHOWELL’S CL ARENCE HALL
NEWSLETTER & WHAT’S ON
A musical journey!
Here comes Spring!
Last weekend, the EOS Wind Quintet took centre stage at the Clarence Hall’s Lunchtime Recital
The Quintet is an ensemble of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn, who play mainly light classical music and popular musical selections. The talented players are drawn from leading amateur orchestras across South Wales and the South West.
The Quintet were excellent, displaying their array of skills with a wide repertoire which took us on a musical journey from Spain to the USA via Cuba and South America.
We are so grateful to everyone who played with such talent and enthusiasm and for our appreciative audience who popped in to enjoy the performance.
Our next Lunchtime Recital will be a Piano Extravaganza on 30 March.
Always at the heart of the community, the Clarence Hall is set for a busy Spring! March sees Crickhowell High School returning to the Clarence Hall with their performance of Grease; an event to celebrate the launch of the Crickhowell District Archive Centre’s latest publication - Great Houses of Crickhowell; a spectacular evening of musical entertainment with the talented young musicians from Piano Orchestra South Wales; the return of the Vintage, Antique & Makers Market, organised by Mischievous Cow Events; and a Piano Spectacular Lunchtime Recital. April’s highlights include 'Crickhowell Raises the Roof', a music fundraising night organised by Treebeards; a fundraising concert with Abergavenny Borough Band and Phoenix Cantorion; and a Race Night!
All this, alongside our regular Bingo evenings, Line Dancing classes, Persian rug sales, ESOL/English for Speakers of other Languages classes, U3A meetings, Dance Beats classes and Cantorion Phoenix rehearsals. Keep an eye out for posters, social media updates and the What’s On page of our website to find out more.
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Bringing laughter to Crickhowell!
On 1-3 February, the Black Mountains Comedy Festival returned to the Clarence Hall, bringing light, laughter and warmth to Crickhowell, with its brilliant mix of comedians, slapstick theatre and an outreach programme. Similarly to the previous two festivals, evening audiences had the opportunity to enjoy performances by comedians seen regularly on our TV screens, alongside new talent. In addition, Saturday day time events for families and friends ensured that the festival catered for all ages while the outreach programme included a tour of care homes and a free walkabout show that reached the heart of the local community.
The festival started on Thursday night with a Fringe event curated by Huw Davies, founder of the successful Aber Laugh. Supporting and growing Welsh talent is close to the heart of the festival and Steffan Evans, Gareth Hunt (Welsh Jesus), Gilly Webb and Dan Coughtry also performed sets. One of the festival’s headliners, Hal Cruttenden, was joined on Friday night by the talented Sarah Bridgeman, Huw Davies and Leila Navabi. Saturday night saw Edinburgh Award winner Bridget Christie joined by Ross Smith, with Julia Stenton and Mike Reed completing the line up.
Alongside these evening events, the festival organised a free family day on Saturday with the hilarious Circo Rum Ba Ba. The troupe ran a circus workshop in the morning followed by a matinee performance of their spectacular show, The Dress Circle, with a BSL interpreter signing at the performance. Cardiff-based Kitsch n Sync also performed in a number of care homes in the locality as well as bringing their eclectic brand of humour to the town centres of Crickhowell and Abergavenny via free street performances.
Congratulations must go to the organisers for an excellent festival that provided us with the opportunity to enjoy some of the UK’s top acts right in the heart of the Black Mountains. Roll on next year!
Crickhowell Raises the Roof
Join Treebeards for Crickhowell Raises the Roof, a music fundraising night on Saturday, 6 April at the Clarence Hall. Get ready to enjoy some awesome live music while supporting three great causes - Ukrainian Refugees in Wales, Tenovus and the Clarence Hall Refurbishment Fund. Featuring Don’t Tell Billy, the Tenovus Choir and 99% Chimp.
Tickets £15 from Treebeards Bar in Crickhowell High Street or online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-crickhowellfundraising-music-night-tickets-843473019507
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Grease
Crickhowell High School return to the Clarence Hall from Wednesday, 13 to Saturday, 16 March with their production of Grease. This version of the well-loved film retains the funloving spirit and immortal songs that make Grease a favourite among rock and roll fans of all ages. For tickets, please call the School Office on 01873 813500.
Book Launch
On Sunday, 17 March at 7.00pm we celebrate the launch of the Crickhowell District Archive Centre’s latest publication – Great Houses of Crickhowell – an exploration of the histories of Cwrt y Gollen, Gwernvale, Dan y Parc, Llangattock Park and Glanusk. This event is sold out but copies of the book are available from https:// crickhowellarchives.org.uk/product/great-houses-ofcrickhowell/
Piano Spectacular
Join us on Wednesday, 20 March when the talented young musicians from Piano Orchestra South Wales will take you on a journey performing the greatest pop hits of the decades. Members of the Piano Orchestra, all aged between 10 and 15, plan to travel to Paris in October to perform at Eglise de la Madeleine. All proceeds from this evening will help to make this happen! Tickets £8.50 (no concessions) from https://www.themusicboxgilwern.co.uk/ online-store
Vintage Antique & Makers Market
The Vintage, Antique & Makers Market, organised by Mischievous Cow Events, returns to the Clarence Hall on Saturday, 23 March, 10am-4pm. There'll be lots of vintage and antique delights, as well as a brilliant selection of handmade artisanal creations to choose from. Entry is free. Hope to see you there!
Lunchtime Recital
Supporting local performing artists, our Lunchtime Recital Programme continues on Saturday, 30 March from 12.30-1.30pm with a Piano Spectacular featuring the Jeremiah family and other adult pianists. Admission is free with complimentary tea/coffee available, but there will be a collection for the Hall’s Refurbishment Appeal.
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Diary Dates @ Clarence Hall
Read & Remember - 4 March
Beginners’ Line Dancing Classes - 4 March
u3a Meeting - 5 March
Knit & Natter - 5 March
Rug Sale - 6-9 March
Read & Remember - 11 March
Beginners’ Line Dancing Classes - 11 March
Knit & Natter - 12 March
Crickhowell High School present Grease - 13-16 March
Crickhowell & District Archive Book Launch - 17 March
Read & Remember - 18 March
Beginners’ Line Dancing Classes - 18 March
Knit & Natter - 19 March
Pop Hits! - 20 March
Monthly Bingo! - 21 March
Vintage, Antique & Makers Market - 23 March
Read & Remember - 25 March
Beginners’ Line Dancing Classes - 25 March
Knit & Natter - 26 March
Lunchtime Recital - 30 March
Eyes Down!
Monthly Bingo returns to the Clarence Hall at 7pm on Thursday, 21 March to raise funds for our refurbishment project. Admission £10 which includes a bingo book of six games, a pen and your first drink.
More information at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk/ monthly-bingo-23/
Clarence Hall 500
Join the Clarence Hall 500 to raise funds for the Hall’s refurbishment and be in with a chance of winning monthly cash prizes. Results of the February Draw, as drawn by random number indicator: £50 - 134; £15 - 109; £10 - 3. Sign up at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk/jointhe-clarence-hall-500-2/
We will be issuing these newsletters periodically to keep our supporters up to date with events coming to Crickhowell’s Clarence Hall and also to tell you about progress with our plans to refurbish the Hall.
You can also keep yourselves informed by visiting our website at www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk where there is a What’s On Diary and News Page, or you can follow @clarencehallcrickhowell on Facebook.
Any questions, please email us on clarencehall@btinternet.com
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