Opening a venue in Wrexham – our learning so far and a call to action

PROCUREMENT TENDER NOTICE

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:18:10 GMT

Supply, Delivery, Installation, and Training for Professional Sound Equipment

Date Issued: 25/09/2025
Closing Date for Submission: 10th October 2025

1. INTRODUCTION

Avant Cymru is inviting qualified and experienced suppliers to submit tenders for the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of professional sound equipment, including the training of staff on the operation and maintenance of the system. The full installation and staff training must be completed before December 20 , 2025

2. SCOPE OF SUPPLY

The successful supplier will be responsible for providing the following items and services:

2.1 Equipment Requirements

C-Rig Support / Flying Frame C-Rig
To include all necessary rigging components for suspension and secure mounting of the line array system.
PA System
C-208 Line Array Cabinets:
Quantity: [Specify Quantity]
Configuration: 2 x 8" drivers + HF
Power Handling: 600W RMS
C-118S Line Array Sub Cabinets:
Quantity: [Specify Quantity]
Configuration: 1 x 18"
Power Handling: 1000W RMS
Flight Cases
Custom-fitted road cases for all PA system components and accessories for safe transport and storage.
Radio Microphones
UHF or digital radio mic systems, including:
Handheld and belt-pack transmitters
Receivers with rack-mount kits
Charging stations
Required accessories (antennas, mounts, etc.)
Stage Decking (Deck)
Modular deck platforms suitable for small to mid-size performance staging.
Should include leg supports and joining mechanisms.
Cable Package
Full set of professional audio and power cables required for complete installation and operation:
Speaker cables
Power cables
Microphone cables (XLR)
Multicores/snake cables if required
Cable management accessories (e.g. cable ties, trunking)

2.2 Services Required

Delivery and Installation
Delivery to Y The Lab Wrexham
Professional installation of all sound equipment
Setup and testing to ensure full functionality
Staff Training
On-site training for up to [insert number] staff members
Covering system setup, operation, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance
To be completed no later than December 20, 2025.

3. SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS

Interested suppliers must meet the following criteria:

Proven track record in supply and installation of professional sound systems
Ability to complete project within the required timeframe
Qualified technical staff for installation and training
Warranty and after-sales support for equipment supplied

4. SUBMISSION DETAILS

All proposals must include:

Detailed quote for each item and service
Estimated delivery and installation timeline
Company profile and relevant experience
Warranty terms and support services
Evidence of relevant certifications or authorizations

Deadline for Submission: October 10th 2026
Submission Method: Email hello@avant.cymru
E n quiries Contact: Rachel Pedley

5. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Tenders will be evaluated based on the following:

Compliance with technical specifications
Delivery timeline and ability to meet the Christmas 2025
Price competitiveness and value for money
Supplier experience and references
Warranty and support services

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Avant Cymru reserves the right to accept or reject any or all tenders.
Late submissions will not be considered.
All prices must be quoted in [£] GBP and be inclusive of all applicable taxes and charges.
The successful supplier must enter into a formal contract prior to commencement.

Issued by:
Avant Cymru
hello@avant.cymru
www.avant.cymru

Hire Y The Lab

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:11:45 GMT

Venue Hire

Opening a venue in Wrexham – our learning so far and a call to action

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 07:20:56 GMT

Y / The Lab What will you Create?

We are so delighted to have finally opened a multi-art form venue, The Lab, at Eagle’s Meadows Shopping Centre, Wrexham. But it’s come at a cost. Times are hard for most people working in the arts. But for a group of neuro-divergent people, there are so many barriers to doing something ambitious and visionary. We will succeed – but here are some of the things we’re up against, and some of the things that have helped.

We hope this acts as a call to action for for funders, commissioners of services and sponsors to work with us to ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion extends to neurodivergent people too.

About The Lab

The Lab is a space for the whole community, offering a growing programme of activities and spaces for hire, including Breakin’ and Rapping workshops, Hip Hop jams, drama bootcamps, latin and belly dance sessions, open mics and more. There’s a café and bar area (with burgers and hotdogs from Notorious Eatz), a Hip Hop fashion and books shop and social, performance and creative spaces.

The Lab is an initiative of creative collective Avant Cymru in partnership with local creatives and businesses including Larynx Entertainment.

What has helped

A committed collective of trauma-informed, neurodivergent creatives, many who are volunteering their time and supporting each other through the highs and lows that setting up a venue brings. At the moment, one of our Directors is volunteering her time as creative producer, fundraiser, bar staff and cleaner!

The diversity of people we’re working with and the richness of ideas and strengths that brings - we’re part of, or working with, people from a range of marginalized communities – economically/socially deprived, neurodivergent, disabled, global majority, LGBTQ+.

Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre management being willing to offer us a space rent-free for an extended period of time.

SPF funding from Wrexham Borough Council.

Theatres Capital Refurbishment grant from Arts Council Wales.

Access Support for funding applications from Arts Council Wales – a worker to help us express our vision, our projects, and our needs.

Disability support, we are having to advocate every step of the way for Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia support. The amount of forms needed to be filled in are a huge barrier, how can these be made easier and is access to work accessible for freelancers?

Reduced business costs; with licenses, insurance, steps to jump through the costs to achieve opening are in the £1000's, how can these be managed better?

Investing in training that gives transferable skills for freelancers – including trauma-informed working, First Aid, Safeguarding, Food and Hygiene, SIA Door Staff, Barista Training. The above has been achieved but how to pay for ongoing CPD.

One funder who has listened to us and asked us to advise them on how to make their application processes more accessible for neurodivergent people. We would like more conversations like this.

What has hindered

Lack of funds – no surprise there! But as a tiny organisation, reliant on project-by-project funding, with very little funding available for core costs like project management, marketing and fundraising, this has stretched us beyond what we imagined. We estimate that so far, it’s cost £51,000 – and that’s without electricity costs. It’s a tiny amount for many organisations, but significant for us.

Unanticipated building costs – we were so pleased to be given a space, a disused retail unit to help realise our dream of having a venue. But it needed extensive work – cleaning, repairing damage, getting kitchens up and running, and improving the look, feel and comfort of the space for visitors. the unanticipated costs of refurbishing a venue are a constant worry and affect everything else.

Electricity – again, no surprise with the high cost of energy and there was no way we could estimate the costs of keeping the lights on, until we started delivering here.

Living below the poverty line – we haven’t had the time and resource to raise the money for the true costs of this ambitious project. So most of the time spent to make this happen is volunteered – and this is having an impact on us physically, and mentally.

Our working class and marginalised backgrounds – we see these as a strength we bring to our work. But we can’t ignore the fact that not having strong financial foundations means most of us are struggling to make ends meet while we build this ambitious project.

Staff costs – even though many of us are volunteering, we don’t expect this of others. We pay people fair wages – for Graffiti art, bar and café staffing, workshops. But to maintain the venue we need it to be open regularly and that needs bar/café staff, cleaners, event coordinators, workshop leaders and teachers, a technician, project manager/creative producer.

Lack of Access Support from most funders - most funders won’t pay for Access Support to help with funding applications. So because we find it hard to articulate our experiences, insights and needs in the way funders want us to (we’ve had help to write this blog), most funding is completely out of reach for us.

Funders’ application processes – the amount of reading and interpreting of guidelines and questions is overwhelming and unnecessary. If guidelines, processes and forms were created FOR neurodivergent people, everyone would benefit.

The future

We are already seeing our hard work pay off. We’re attracting like-minded creatives and socially-engaged practitioners, voluntary sector partners, and slowly building an audience and supporters, and a programme. We are listening to people’s hopes and dreams, and as is core to our vision, mission and values, we’re working towards a future where we and our communities create cultural opportunities with hope, pride and ambition. Where we remember the past, discuss the present and create the future, together. And where our experiences and imaginations inspire people locally, nationally and internationally.

Hip Hop Cymru Wales

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 20:59:23 GMT

Hip Hop Cymru Wales - Wrexham

WREXHAM is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop culture with a new interactive exhibition at Eagles Meadow.

Hip Hop Cymru Wales is being run with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Exhibition records and celebrates Wales’ contribution to Hip Hop culture.

People coming along to the exhibition can see re-enactments events of rap performances, dance battles and paint jams.

- Paint Jam August 25th and 26th

- Reenactment Jam October 28th

They also learn to break with BBoy S'Mowg, draw, write and dance, leave lyrics on the lyrics wall and plug into podcasts from stories from across Wales.

50 years ago on 11 August 1973, DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell held a Back to School Jam in the Bronx, New York, where DJ Kool Herc played his Merry-Go-Round.

"We are celebrating that event and its heritage and Wales’ contribution to Hip Hop culture with Hip Hop Cymru Wales at Eagles Meadow. Please come along and find out about Wales’ rich Hip Hop culture and you can hear and see the stories of people and objects and photos from across Wales – we’re looking forward to seeing you and hearing your stories.”

Avant Cymru have been working with Hip Hop partners such as Larynx Entertainment Wrexham, Oner signs Swansea, Dime One Old Colwyn and community partners to build and deliver the Hip Hop Cymru Wales exhibition.

It launched on 10 August and is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 11:30 -5pm at Eagles Meadow, Wrexham LL13 8DG.

Cultural Contract

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 15:55:42 GMT

Download and influence our cultural contract.

Based on conversations we have had in the geographical community and with our communities of interest, we remain dedicated to developing our work with the community. Help shape our cultural contract. The summary document is currently being written, take a look at our findings so far.

Work made in collaboration with the Welsh Culture Alliance.

Lawrlwythwch a dylanwadwch ar ein contract diwylliannol.

Yn seiliedig ar sgyrsiau a gawsom yn y gymuned ddaearyddol a chyda'n cymunedau o ddiddordeb, rydym yn parhau i fod yn ymroddedig i ddatblygu ein gwaith gyda'r gymuned. Helpwch i lunio ein contract diwylliannol. Mae'r ddogfen gryno yn cael ei hysgrifennu ar hyn o bryd, edrychwch ar ein canfyddiadau hyd yma.

Gwaith a wnaed ar y cyd â Chynghrair Diwylliant Cymru.

Summer 2021 with Avant - a view from Gareth of Welcome to our Woods

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:49:47 GMT

Community Hip Hop Jam in partnership with Welcome to Our Woods, Treherbert.

In collaboration with Welsh Hip Hop artists, local Rhondda artists and UK Breakin', we bring you Hydro Jam. An eco friendly Hip Hop Jam, run off the hydro powerstation, powered from the river running from the mountain above. Outdoor dance floor and stages. the stage was made from wood and trees are being planted to replace the wood that was used.

I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of this amazing project over the last two months and seeing the benefits firsthand of putting on a festival like this in the woods.

The community and artists will be developing social skills and practical life skills to try and give them the best start in life.

Getting an opportunity to perform outside in a woodland they never knew existed. Blending the arts with the outdoors and a chance to display what they have learnt and gain important life developing skills. (Confidence, public speaking, performance, memory skills and physical activity.)

I hope you enjoy my journey ��.

Beatbox & Brass Band 5th June

https://fb.watch/v/1NN5FucQf/ (A piece of music and imagery from the day.)

Week one.

I thought I would put a structure of what happened on the first weekend and who did what!

As soon as I got there me and Ian put the bell tent up ready for any first aid attention needed over the day.

10am start, arrived and erecting Bell Tents, Gazebos etc.

One of the WTOW volunteers camped overnight at the stage site in a hammock. Had a lovely night’s sleep under the stars. Volunteers of WTOW with the full team on site making the day possible with 100% green power on site from the Hydro generator.

Organisers, brass band and beat boxers all arriving mainly on TFW.

The site is based over a 200m stretch of the woods with there being three main areas over the site. In the middle was a beautiful stream which powered the events through the hydro generator. Over this stream was a “pixie” bridge which grants you access to the main performance area and stage.

Before you get to the stream you can take a meandering right turn and end up at the Welcome to Our Woods woodland therapy/workshop area which is tranquil and serene place to spend some time. A beautiful place for families to run around, feel safe and enjoy fully.

During the Day t here were children playing around the pixie bridge in and out of bell tents engaging with their surroundings in the forest.

Meanwhile the Welsh national anthem is playing out over the forest into Treherbert town and over the railway. Spine tingling to hear a brass band in the valleys playing out. Reaching out to remember the history of Wales while putting on the event in a modern way with the use of renewable energy.

Modern twists kick in with the brass band playing classic pieces with the combination of three beat boxers over the top.

Drawing passers-by towards them and an impromptu show.

World environment day so Rhondda litter pickers have been in the woods picking away and cleaning the streams leading to the river. The local police also came to show their support and agreed to have a picture with me litter picking. Great to see they were aware of Rhondda Litter Pickers since it’s creation Feb 2021.

Incredibly special day to have world environment day coinciding with a green event (hydro generator) and the arts getting back on their feet after 18months of inactivity.

It is an Important day for the arts and environment coming together like this just shows how much the wider community supports such an event.

To display and showcase the talent of the Rhondda. Community sitting and relaxing enjoying the sun, green grass/biodiversity in a woodland surrounded by brass music and modern beat boxers. Behind them the power is being generated to power the site and promote ingenuity/new technologies to help to become carbon negative in the future.

I really loved the day and all the different people coming together in an awesome space sharing their skills with everyone and WTOW showcasing what they can do in a woodland.

Youth Improv Session & Ballroom and Latin 9th June

Week Two.

Ballroom And Latin & Youth Improv Session.

Great to see so many people travelling by train up to the woods today, giving us evidence of how you can get to the forests of Treherbert from the likes of Barry and Cardiff by just hopping on a train! As the community railway officer for TFW & WTOW it fills me with hope and optimism with what can be achieved!

A couple of brilliant youth dance groups from Cardiff came up to showcase their brilliant skills but also get some woodland therapy in the process.

They all travelled by train to help off-set any carbon footprint they may make. The group loved the surroundings and even a splash of rain did not deter them from getting a full experience.

After chatting with them for some time it was clear how appreciative they were for the event to be put on for them to showcase their skills to fellow professionals and a selected audience (Covid policies restricted attendees.)

To have a stage to perform on once more is a huge deal for people in the arts. But also forces us to think of new ways to perform with venues not currently being viable to perform in. These facilities that WTOW have made for the arts to perform in and around the forest have been a huge arm of support for the fellow arts scene in the Rhondda and further afield.

This is a first for WTOW and are now excited at the prospect of more events in the future of all different kinds as exhibited in these eight weeks! We were chatting about music, exhibitions, art installations, site specific shows and just a general exhibiting of Welsh talent in the woods.

The ballroom dancing was one of my favorites and I feel that the woodlands is the perfect place for some very skilled dancers to showcase their work, passion and enjoyment for such activities. I’d love to see a semi-permanent stage with a gentle canopy which would mean you could have activities all year round, from ball room to mountain bike trick events

Woodland therapy or forest bathing is a by-product of these activities, so people come away feeling calmer and more at one with nature with a re-connect through the sessions happening naturally.

Wonderful to see such little impact on nature can have huge benefits for all inside the woodland.

Ballroom Class, Sewing Session, Make Up Workshop 19th June

Week Three

Sewing Workshop, Make Up Workshop and Ballroom/Vogue Class

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLAiuexvAgE (Vogue Showcase.)

Week three felt like a slight ramping up of activities and a growing in confidence by both WTOW and Avant Cymru. The workshops worked really well in the woodland and to have 200M of space is a massive gift especially with covid regs.

Julie Taylor owner of “Julie The Stitch” is holding a sewing session in the woods today. Julie has a large group of people from the Avant Cymru community here to get involved in an embroidery session in the woodland. Under Marquees, on and around the woodland stage. Teaching new skills while all socialising together under the tree canopy. A new addition/challenge to the event is the added midges as the weather has been wet. Everyone coped incredibly well with this addition and made for some fun sudden gesturing.

Julie is based in Pentre and has started her own business in the last few years with the support of the 5to9 club in 2020. Great to see a new business based in the Rhondda being supported by its own community. Showing a group of 20 people how to embroider and hopefully inspire creativity in a different skill.

Talking to the Avant Cymru community they tell me when they are performing on the woodland stage, they feel freer to make bigger and more emotionally committed moves compared to being in a studio. This is interesting as the stage is a lot smaller than their large studio spaces. They say because its less clinical and not a strict space, the air is never stagnant and so fresh. They have such large and beautiful surroundings they feel more connected to the space and can give the performance more gusto.

Professional make up workshop gets under way with the artist demonstrating a variety of skills and effects to this young audience. A small and personal session sitting on the woodland stage. Exhibiting tools, methods and techniques on how to achieve the best looks in the industry with very little effort or cost.

Dance class workshop, warm up in the wood’s was an intense session full of energy with good audience participation. Loads of energy in the canopy dancers sitting in the trees and swinging off the branches. Amazing to see the environment that this is all set in, and how the dancers are interacting with their natural environment. Inclusive feel.

By the end of the dance session, they finish with a vogueing session which caps off the day well with everyone feeling a general connectivity to one another. After the last 18months this is a very welcome distraction and a feeling of getting back to normality for some.

Just to finish the day off Gareth the CRP officer and Chris the woodland caretaker took action in another problem area in the woodland and cleared the whole site of litter and broken glass. Restoring it to beautiful woodland. It always upsets us when we see the woods being mis-used but when it is all cleaned up you get a large swell of pride that you are looking after mother nature.

A great day showcasing that you really can do everything in a woodland environment!

Art in The Woods 26th June

Week Four

Art In The Woods

Week four was one of the busiest and most engaging of the festival, probably one of the first times we saw the community since 2019 coming out and enjoying themselves. Quite emotional to see people feeling so relaxed and happy to be outside with other people.

Bagzy attended Hydro Jam! Showing the community how to print on clothing and how much fun you can have in the process! We had a one-of-a-kind print design made by Bagzy for the festival for everyone to enjoy and to take something home.

There were a plethora of designs and colours with people either being given a white t-shirt or people bringing their own clothing to have a print put onto. Was lovely to see Bagzy working with kids making their very own t-shirt and seeing them walking away chuffed to bits.

Below The Rhondda Creative Community Group brought a whole bunch of engaging activities to interact, watch and listen too. From a stained-glass workshop which lots of groups and people joining in on. Creating a beautiful piece of art representing the valleys and Welcome to our woods!

Bella Vista Coffee Club also joined us at the Rhondda Creative tent and played a gorgeous set of beautiful music. Thought provoking and skilful. Finally we also had a creative writing showcase with people sharing their work to an eager audience. Some emotional stories but with an inspirational edge. After 2020’s eventful year it was an honour to listen to such stories and written adventures.

Spray Paint: Lloyd the Graffiti artist joined the jam-packed Hydro Jam as well! Showing us his amazing skills hosting a spray workshop and demonstration. Taking inspiration from the woodland creatures at Welcome to Our Woods woodland HQ. The teenagers were like a moth to a flame when it came to Lloyd stretching his spray skills, A Saturday in the woods filled with activity for all ages and abilities!

Week four felt an incredibly special week. Covid regs meant we spaced the stages/creative spaces out over a wide area. Meaning we accidently created creative hubs for all different types of audience. The WTOW crew created a wood whittling workshop at the mental health well-being section of the woodland creating an incredibly special space with Nel taking the lead in the spoon carving.

Rhondda Creative Community Group were further away than most from the mainstage which worried me, but they created a very special space which needed to be tucked away as what they created needed that calmer feel. They held their own separate audience who really enjoyed what they had to offer.

A special mention also to Lee Williams who is one of the backbone volunteers of WTOW and all things good in the upper Rhondda. Since meeting Lee over a year ago she has inspired me with her community action and gun-ho attitude. Master photographer for all our events at WTOW and general activist for all the good things in Treherbert/surrounding areas. We thank Lee for being inspirational to her community and just a pillar of support to anyone she meets.

To finish off the tremendously successful Saturday there was the first of its kind in Wales experimental break dance freestyle competition. We had a live band in the woods too! Leading to a family friendly event with lots of ages coming together to showcase their dance prowess.

1st-3rd July Henry V – Shakespeare Theatre Performance

Week 5

Shakespeare comes to Treherbert!

I have only recently left my old position working in Theatre for over 13 years (backstage) so to see theatre alive and kicking in the Rhondda is a breath of fresh air! But also for me to see Avant Cymru doing a brilliant job from start to finish is just awesome and should act as a confidence boost for the arts in the Rhondda for what can be achieved. Special thanks to the Pen Y Cymoedd fund for seeing the benefits of this project.

A special evening performance for one weekend only, showcasing again the variety of artists in the Rhondda and what is possible in a woodland. To be able to put on a site-specific show is no easy feet but they more than pulled it off!

What an awesome evening in Cwmsaerbren woods. Avant Cymru staged their production of Henry V, and it was brilliant. The setting was perfect, the evening light was gorgeous and every member of the cast was outstanding.

Welcome To Our Woods stage held up to all the sword fighting and running around, and not even the gnats spoiled the enjoyment

Thanks all for a wonderful evening

It was all going on in Cwmsaerbren woods this morning

Avant Cymru were rehearsing for tonight's performance of Henry V, there was a film crew there filming the Welcome To Our Woods Woodland Therapy session, there was whistle making and tea and coffee drinking

Great to see spaces all over the Rhondda being used to put on a performance in the woodland. Using Porth/Dinas football pitch for rehearsals is a great way of getting the community behind these projects, showing what is possible with a little bit of imagination.

Showcasing Rhondda artists talents for all to see and share. I would love to see more of this spread all over the Rhondda to get as many communities involved as possible and engage with the whole valley. Even if the show is one place the creation could be spread over a wider area.

Breakin’ Competition & Pilates 10th July

Week 6

Breakin’ Competition & Pilates

The final day of events took place with planned larger audiences but in a controlled way with covid regs. Amazing to see the community support for the Hydro festival with audience participation eagerly awaiting to get involved!

I was unable to attend the last weekend as I was isolating but I made sure to get as much feedback as possible and have a good natter with people who performed there. I’ve included some audience feedback as well to give you a true flavor for the day.

To bring skilled individuals from all over to one location is inspirational for communities to show what can be achieved with a little dedication. Fingers crossed we will see in the future the same type of succesful professionals we have seen over the last two months in our own local communities.

"This is what today's #HydroJam in Cwmsaerbren woods was all about .

A fantastic family friendly event, with everyone having a blast in a wonderful setting.

Thanks Welcome To Our Woods and Avant Cymru for hosting this, all I can say is roll on next year"

"An amazing collaboration between Welcome To Our Woods, Avant Cymru and UK Breakin.

What an incredible event this was, and great to see it happening in Cwmsaerbren woods. The atmosphere was brilliant, it was a real family event, with the children being included in everything and made welcome on stage. Lots of hints and tips being given and gratefully received, and most importantly lots of fun and laughter.

And the music and dancing was pretty good too

Roll on next year"

Lovely to see the WTOW crew relaxing and enjoying the show after working hard setting up the event for the last time after two months of constant activity (Top left image). With WTOW volunteers and paid staff they are a phenomal bunch of community people.

I sometimes had my theatre hat on too much to see how easy things could actually happen with just some woodland knowledge and working with the woods and not against. It’s good to be shown how else to do the same job in a different environment. The WTOW crew were so relaxed and family orientated they were a true inspiration to me personally.

We are all excited to see what is possible next year with our confidence growing year on year for this project and the brilliant partner in Avant Cymru!

I’m sure everyone is already thinking about the next steps and how to make it bigger and more special next year. Fingers crossed WTOW new sites will all be online and we can spread the festival in even more exciting ways across Treherbert!

Thank you to everyone who was involved and came to Hydro Jam over the last two months it’s been an honor.

A final shout out to Rachel and Jamie who organised the artisan/cultural side of the events and put on such an amazing showcase in the Rhondda for us. They were brilliant, calm, funny and most of all engaging to everyone they met! We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for inspiring a community. And being an awesome part of the Rhondda community.

To show my support I bought an Avant facemask and caught public transport wherever possible through the festival to keep my carbon footprint as low as possible.

ACW Support

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 20:56:47 GMT

Welsh Hip Hop Culture

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:48:18 GMT

Archiving Welsh Hip Hop Culture for the next generations.

Hip Hop Culture is young in comparisons with other art forms.

There a lots of discussions around when Hip Hop started, by who, where and what it has achieved in its existence.

It is a living art form that is practiced all over the world in visual arts, spoken word, dance, music and educational contexts.

In Wales the dance aspects have been around since the 1980's jams, training sessions, shows, events have taken place all over Wales and have engaged with thousands of people.

Hip Hop Teaches Peace, Unity, Love and Having Fun and was born out of a need to come together, after enforced segregation from political powers had divided communities.

The welsh scene is slightly segregated and all opportunities are supported by groups of individuals who are making things happen for their communities and their art forms. All bringing positivity to the people they engage with.

The Peoples Collection Wales is a great way for all involved in Hip Hop Culture in Wales to celebrate what has been achieved and to find a platform to showcase what how Hip Hop has been a valuable part of Welsh Culture for decades.

One of the elements of Hip Hop is knowledge, it is important we demonstrate to the next generation Wales's place in the global Hip Hop scene and help them develop pathways for the future.

All uploads onto the website, remain the copyright of the person uploading the information. The Peoples Collection Wales are "Welsh Government funded, and the three leading partners organisations are Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, National Library of Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales."

The collection holds everything from present day activity to Palaeolithic collections.

Hip Hop is currently under represented and we are looking to change this and would love for the Welsh Hip Hop Communities to share their stories, events, art, music, dance and community activity.

Here is a how to video, on how to upload your archive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQeafP_Pkag&t=8s

Visit Peoples Collection Wales to Get involved: https://www.peoplescollection.wales/

Open Art Surgery Wrexham

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 19:58:15 GMT

Breakin' Convention delivered OAS in Wrexham February 2020

It was a stormy day February 10th 2020, artists from North Wales joined Avant and Breakin' Convention for the start of Open Art Surgery. We had one week to create a 6 minuet piece to present to audience to hear what they though. Breakin' Convention describe Open Art Surgery as "Hip hop theatre dissected, examined and put under the microscope. It is about breaking down the fourth wall and showcasing raw talent and new work.

It offers hip hop theatre companies and performers, from dancers and musicians to emcees and visual artists, the opportunity to develop and experiment with new ideas, share new work publicly and receive mentorship from experienced hip hop theatre creators."

In wales we welcomed a rapper, and 5 dancers; one who specialised in Popping, one in Breakin; one who nearing 50 years old desired to create new work inspired by his son leaving for uni and finding himself as a solo act on stage for the first time.

During the week Larynx Entertainment, Glyndwr University and Dance Associates from Theatr Clwyd joined us in Ty Pawb to discuss Hip Hop Theatre and non verbal Conversation. We joined the youth club held by EYST and met young Hip Hop Artists, who then joined us at the show.

Artist were mentored by Jonzi D and Anthony Lennon. Jonzi D is an MC, dancer, spoken word artist and director, he is the foremost advocate for hip hop who has changed the profile and influenced the development of the UK British hip hop dance and theatre scene over the last two decades.

Since founding Breakin’ Convention in 2004 Jonzi has triumphed in raising the profile and giving a platform to hip hop disciplines, which has gained worldwide recognition as being at the vanguard of the development of the art form. Through professional development projects Open Art Surgery and Back to the Lab, Jonzi has supported hundreds of hip hop dance and rap/poetry artists on their journey to creating theatre.

His critically acclaimed works include 1995‘s Lyrikal Fearta, 1999’s Aeroplane Man, 2006’s TAG… Just Writing My Name, 2009’s Markus the Sadist and 2013’s The Letter: To Be Or To MBE? Jonzi’s has been featured in HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, had his short films Silence da Bitchin’ & Aeroplane Man screened on Channel 4, toured his work extensively all over the world and delivered his own TED Talk about the influence and evolution of hip hop culture. https://youtu.be/g10orKvya5o

Anthony Ekundayo Lennon is an Artistic Director he trained at Talawa Theatre Company completed Sept 2019. With a wealth of experience & a deeply respected reputation in the UK arts industry, (thirty-five years) I've been working as a theatre director, actor, delivered workshops (drama, directing or exploration of 'race', Identity and culture, UK and USA) & been a guest industry director at various drama schools nationally. Just completed directing Welcome to Thebes at St. Mary's Uni. I have a highly regarded history of delivering sessions related to personal growth and development. Strong media/communicational skills are a natural aspect of my working practice. Initial training took place at the Weekend Arts College, Old/Young Vic Youth Theatres, Lyric Youth Theatre, Carib Theatre and Double Edge Theatre. One of the proudest career moments so far is being the Assistant/Resident director for the Broadway to London West End transfer of Debbie Allen's historic Cat On A Hot Tin Roof production, (Novello Theatre) working with James Earl Jones, Sanaa Lathan, Phylicia Rashad, Adrian Lester, Nina Sosanya and Peter de Jersey. Also, being the Assistant/Resident director on Iqbal Khan's Royal Shakespeare Company production of Othello, featuring Lucian Msamati and Hugh Quarshie, (Stratford Upon Avon).

Through out the week Jonzi and Anthony shared ideas, creative ways of working to develop new ideas and their knowledge to help all the acts develop. Jonzi led the show Friday evening, hearing first hand from audiences what they thought of their first experience of Hip Hop Theatre, hearing they wanted more in Wales.

Open Art Surgery was the first activity as part of Avant's Rooting Hip Hop Theatre in Wales training and Development programme, supported by Arts Council Wales. We hope to re-connect with the dancers on following training activities and invite not only other Welsh professional performers, but teachers and the community to workshops and activities across Wales. Take a look at our Hip Hop page to find out more. Get involved!

Jamie Berry @ Avant Cymru wins Wales Creative Tutor of the Year 2020

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 20:22:15 GMT

Welsh Gov new department Creative Wales awards Jamie Berry @ Avant Cymru Wales Creative Tutor of the Year 2020

In Cardiff on 29th January 2020 Jamie Berry was awarded as Wales's Creative Tutor of the Year 2020.

Supported by Welsh Government, the Wales Creative & Cultural Skills Awards celebrates the exceptional work being carried out to develop learning and skills in the creative and cultural sector, ensuring the next generation have the skills they need so that the sector continues to thrive.

67 applications were received for the first year of this new series of awards, and the judges narrowed down the eligible applications to create the final shortlist. Winners of each category were announced on 29th January 2020 at the first Wales Creative & Cultural Skills Awards.

Sarah Hughes, Head of Partnerships, Wales and Nations Lead for Creative & Cultural Skills said, “I am delighted that so many applications were received for the first year of these Awards, and so many of them highlighted the excellent work in Wales ensuring that young people have the skills, confidence and knowledge to help them start working in the sector.”

Also announced on the evening was Creative Wales, who have the "mission to drive growth across the creative industries, build on existing success and develop new talent and skills –positioning Wales as one of the best places for creative businesses to thrive." https://www.wales.com/creative-wales

Jamie is working with Avant to deliver Breakin' for better mental health and well-being. Recognising that breakin' was an important tool for himself as a young person, he has trained in first aid for mental health and offers peer support to students in class, promoting conversation around better mental health. He has developed a sister crew to Grounded UK named Grounded Wales to guide able and gifted young people into new experiences including linking the young people with international partners.

Jamie and Avant work in RCT, we are supported by RCT Theatres as an associate company, by Nantgwyn, YEPS team and the Cymmer Club where we host regular sessions. This year he will be working with Comic Relief to run a summer experience for young people, email hello@avant.cymru for more information to get involved.

Rooting Hip Hop Theatre in Wales Conversation One

Sat, 09 Nov 2019 19:31:51 GMT

What does Wales need to Root Hip Hop Theatre in Wales?

Watch the first conversation activity here

Avant at Notorious IBE

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:21:36 GMT

Linking Full Circle Jam with Europe

Follow https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/avantcymru/full-circle/e-yoqqqp to get your tickets for Full Circle 2019.

Hip Hop

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 13:41:53 GMT

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Open Art Surgery 1

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 13:14:11 GMT

Sadlers Wells in the Valleys, the development of a New Theatre Scene in Wales - Hip Hop Theatre

"Great art should belong to everybody".
Sadler's Wells History: "In 1683 Richard Sadler built a music house, by the beginning of the 18th century, visitors to Sadler’s Wells could see entertainments that included jugglers, tumblers, ropedancers, ballad singers, wrestlers, fighters, dancing dogs and even a singing duck.
In 1765 Thomas Rosoman had the theatre rebuilt for the first time so that it could mount high-calibre opera productions. However, it wasn’t long before the beer brewed from the spring waters became the primary attraction."
The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy was built 209 years later began its life as a working men's library and institute. The workers of the Park and the Dare Collieries funded the building by a donating a penny from each pound of their wages. Similarly to Sadlers Wells featured a bar it was a place where the miners could meet and socialise and engage with literature.

Since 1898, Lilian Baylis had been presenting drama and opera at the Old Vic at popular prices. Motivated by a profound belief that great art should belong to everybody, in 1925 she began fundraising to rebuild Sadler’s Wells so that the people of north London could enjoy the same opportunities as those in the south.
Then Baylis met Ninette de Valois, a striking young Irish woman who deeply impressed her. After their interview, Baylis’s secretary, recorded her saying: “Miss de Valois is going to run her school with the Vic and when we have Sadler’s Wells she’ll run a wholetime ballet company for us.” A theatre opened 1931, managed by women and focused on dance.
The Park and Dare have the people at its heart, the theatre is used by community and armature groups, touring companies and it is also now home to companies of professional Rhondda and Wales based theatre makers who also believe that "GREAT ART IS FOR EVERYONE".

In 2003, Jonzi D had the dream of creating a festival to bring together the best hip hop dance theatre performers from around the world on London's doorstep. In 2004 Sadler's Wells helped make that dream a reality as Breakin' Convention ', the international festival of hip hop dance theatre, made its debut on the 15th May 2004.
Breakin' Convention now tour the world showcasing the best in Hip Hop Theatre and offering training and advise.
Artist Associate Jonzi D and Breakin' Conventions Ivan Blackstock are coming to the Park and Dare to work with the emerging Hip Hop Theatre scene in Wales.

Bringing two theatres together that were built for the people to socialise and discuss culture. Come join in a creative conversation and have a drink with us. March 22nd 7pm.

Jonzi D workshop Tuesday 19th March 6pm Park and Dare Theatre

Forget Me Not - Get the Chance Review

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Review by Roger Barrington - http://getthechance.wales/2018/11/12/review-of-forget-me-not-at-pontypridd-museum-by-roger-barrington/

****

A timely reminder of the supreme sacrifice that people from the South Wales valleys made during World War 1 is reenacted at Pontypridd Museum.

Written and presented by Avant Cymru the company’s intention is to inspire the valley’ communities by recalling the past, to discuss the present and create the future.

Pontypridd Museum, itself currently showing a WW1 exhibition and its many links to the social history of the area, proves to be an ideal setting for performing this play.

The action begins by Reverend Richards (Matthew Bool) conducting a service, which basically provides the opportunity to sing perennial favourite Welsh Hymns such as “Calon Lan” and “Cwm Rhondda” and the English hymn, “Abide with Me”. Accompaniment is provided by David Hutchings playing the fine organ in situ. Thankfully there isn’t a collection. The Reverend then provides a brief firebrand sermon reminding the congregation forcefully and passionately about their responsibilities at this time of great social turmoil. He turns on young mother Catrin Williams who it seems had a boy aged thirteen attacking her moral behaviour,

The action continues at different locations around the museum. You witness the recruiting sergeant, (Yannick Budd), and the issues that prevented some men from enlisting. The urging by Catrin that her son lie about being under-aged so that he could be safer fighting at The Front compared to the inevitable going down the mines.

The action moves downstairs to re-enact a scene at the Front Line, although I don’t think the men depicted would have lasted very long at that place, failing to keep their head under the parapet.

The scene is very loud which is as it should be because it was the incessant shelling and gunfire, (sounds that carried from the trenches to South-East England), that was the reason why many of the soldiers succumbed to neurasthenia, (shell-shock).

Emerging from the depths the final scene takes place at the local post office run by Emily Davies, (Cler Stephens) reveals the anxieties of families awaiting news of their loved ones from The Front.

The mixed professional and amateur actors play their characters with conviction and production values are high with realistic costumes and excellent sound.

I watched the performance in the well-behaved company of primary school children from two local schools. I noted that the boys were in their element when they were being drilled by the sergeant and at the scene at The Front, whilst the girls seemed a little nervous and distracted there but were more engaged with the Post Office scene. A nice touch was to present the entire audience with a red poppy at the end which you then pressed on to a board near the exit, so that you could pay your respects to your ancestors and remember all who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Patient research by the production team has revealed diaries and poems that were written by local soldiers and this provided a strong connection to the audience, by its Welsh flavour.

This hour-long play is a brilliant way to convey the terrible time that any war brings to local communities particularly to children. It’s intentions are magnificent and I cannot praise it enough.

Roger Barrington

The play has finished its short run.

Further details about the company can be found here.

https://www.avant.cymru/

Full Circle

Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:15:17 GMT

Full Circle is a way of paying homage to Welsh hip hop of past, showcasing the talent of the present and inspiring the generation to come.

This 2 v 2 breaking competition will be hosted by international host Swifty (Flawless Forms) and Wales very own Maple Struggle (Sony Records).

Fresh off playing Warsaw Challenge; international DJ KhanFu (Mad Dope Kru) will be hitting the wheels of steel and spinning for the dancers. If you want a get a feel of his skill level and mixtapes head over to: https://www.mixcloud.com/khanfu/stream/

Keeping the Full Circle concept in mind our judges are spread from multiple generations of breakin; Bgirl Sun Sun (Floziac/GroundedUK) has been break since the 1980s with over 30 years dedicated to this culture she will be offering extensive knowledge of this beautiful dance, Dr Gabs one of the elder members of UK's very own Soul Mavericks crew has gained valuable knowledge from competing at the highest level of international competitions over the last 10 years giving all that knowledge to the judging table, Bboy Sdido (Flexflav) hailing from Italy is representing a newer generation of breaking having also competed at the highest level Sdido focus' on high level intricacies in all areas of breakin and groove, Wales' ground powermove superstar Bboy Chaos (Illumination/H2O) will bring his knowledge of 80's and 90's breakin techniques with his 00's application and finally Tommy Boost (Illumination/H2O/Avant Cmyru) also a welsh native; with his 15 years of hard work dedication to this dance, has competed globally; will be offering his knowledge with focus on competitors being all rounded.

With a £1000 prize up for grabs, competitors are expected to come from all over; nationally and internationally.

Linking with local Welsh Rappers and Beatboxers this event will also showcase talents from every area of Hip hop.

links:
https://www.instagram.com/sir_swifty/
https://www.maplestruggle.com/
https://www.mixcloud.com/khanfu/stream/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rMLSU5bjFI
http://soulmavericks.com/crew/DrGabz_SoulMavericks.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l6izALhfao
https://www.instagram.com/richard.rising/
https://www.instagram.com/tommyboost/

People Picture Power Perception Programme

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 13:35:26 GMT

Work Experience with Avant Cymru

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 20:31:11 GMT

Work Experience Student Rhian from Treorchy School

My name is Rhian. I am in Year 10 and I go Treorchy Comprehensive School. The GCSE options I am taking are Media, Drama and French along with the core subjects. I chose to go with Avant Cymru during my work experience week because I wanted to see what was behind the scenes of a drama company and how they prepared themselves for upcoming projects.

On the first day of my work experience I took part in a meeting focused on the upcoming project “FestyPorth”. We had people from all different types of businesses attend the meeting and 150 people who couldn’t attend the meeting showed interest in getting involved. We had writers, poets, dancers, performers, artists and many other people who worked around the arts come up with ideas and events for FestyPorth such as a murder mystery trail, a talent show and a writing challenge. We even had ideas of how to make the location look visually attractive to the public. After the Festy' meeting, I attended a youth dance class and took part in learning beginner hip hop dance and learnt some choreography to a song written by Rufus Mufasa.

On Tuesday, we started the day by making a PowerPoint on information about FestyPorth. We included information such as where the festival would take place and where the main focus of the event would be in Porth. We also included information about which businesses are supporting and involved in the project and we talked about some events taking place leading up to October, such as the canvases done by local artists being put up in cafes in Porth. We then went to Radyr Comprehensive to do a talk about Avant for their careers week. We talked to Year 12 students both interested in pursuing drama as a career. We talked about what Avant has done in the past and also upcoming events for the future. We also told them ways to get connected better to people who often branch out to actors needed to help them get involved in what is going on.

On Wednesday, we were in the Park and Dare carrying on the FestyPorth presentation and adding more information. We added individual slides on the events that will be happening and stating how much each part of the event will cost. We wrote down the ideas gathered from the meeting, making sure we covered everyone’s input. I also helped by interviewing Amelia for her meeting with National Theatre Wales which she was not able to attend.

On Thursday, we finished the Festy Porth presentation ready to send to the council and worked out how much each event would cost and put all the final costs into an excel spread sheet and worked out how much it would all cost and worked out our budget for the event. We then attended the Getting Porth Connected meeting in Porth. The meeting was about getting all the businesses in Porth together to about what themes we could use and who we could work with for Rhondda Road.

On my last day Friday, I helped Rachel write up some notes for her meeting later that day. We then created a to do list for the Punk Rock performance held by Theatre Tri. We worked out which scenes we hadn’t blocked yet and which we should do in upcoming rehearsals. Rachel couldn’t attend the Punk Rock rehearsals, so she gave me the notes to take with me. During the Punk Rock rehearsals with Theatre Tri, we blocked the last scene where all characters were involved in. It was a productive rehearsal and the last scene was going to be the hardest we blocked but we all stayed focused and finished the last scene.

Forget Me Not Review

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 00:07:54 GMT

There are three tiers to this production 1 community 2 comradeship 3 compassion Souls, like links in a unique necklace, are precious, never to be forgotten

Forget me Not a ww1 performance by Avant Cymru at Pontypridd Museum

The night is dark and damp, the building is old and severe the welcome is sincere. As you enter the venue you are invited into the warmth of the hallway by ladies dressed in the attire of the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen; they are precise and earnest stating that the Service is about to start, the Reverend is on his way. Many are enjoying the hymnal musical notes issuing from the mighty musical organ which has pride of place in this vast area. A young boy is beside the organist; there is a solitary glance as he seeks his Mother mingling in the assembled throng, there is a rustle as the Reverend walks audibly in; people make way for him as one woman approaches him with thoughts for the Relief Fund.

“ There is more work to be done ” Reverend Richards’s statement is short and to the point.

The Order of Service in the Parish of St John’s begins with the congregation, as one, singing

Hymn Number 72 Calon Lan

Reverend Richards is sombre, his faith is plain to see, but his thoughts are shrouded; he has a decision to make and it is one that will perhaps rip the very heart out of the community. With as strong a voice as he can muster, he asks the assembled people to pray. His Sermon is sincere, there is more work to be done but, with Faith, there will come answers. A collection plate is passed around; the people give what they can. The Service continues

Hymn Number 14 Abide with me

“Men of the Valleys – you are needed at The Front” comes a strident voice from the uppermost part of the building, it is almost like God has summoned the attention of the many. Sergeant T. Harper stands tall and upright, he has a military stance as he walks forcefully along the main gallery row. His view of the assembly is shrewd, he can gauge how many men he could muster as he explains that the Army needs more men, prepared to fight for their King and country. The men in the congregation look at each other for a reaction. The young boy pretends to stand taller than his height warrants, he wants to be noticed. There is a call for men of 19 years of age and over to make a valid point as the battle against evil continues. By the time the Sergeant has reached the main area there is an orderly queue awaiting his attention.

Two brothers are the first to stand in line. They are Morgan Morgan and Samuel Morgan. Morgan appears to be the eldest, he stands sturdy and bold he wants to fight, but once the Sergeant is informed that he is a Miner, the offer of enlistment is withdrawn. Miners are needed to supply the coal that will help win the war. Morgan is bereft.

Catrin Williams, a young widow nurtures her young son James, making sure his attire is neat, and that his hair is tidy in the way only a Valley’s Mam would act, with pride and compassion. Her innermost thoughts are that her only child and son should not go down the mine, that his life would be safer in the Army. Catrin encourages him to enlist, but when James is asked his age by the Sergeant, he is informed that he is too young to volunteer, to come back in a few years’ time.

Samuel Morgan, the slighter of the two brothers, announces his intention to join the Army, he is a teacher in a local school. Samuel is accepted, the brothers are at odds with each other but the decision has been made. Further men are interviewed, as the Reverend makes his announcement that he, too, wants to enlist.

Catrin tidies James’s hair, places a ‘dai’ cap upon his head, and instructs him to lie about his age to the Sergeant; she believes that he will be too young to be on the Frontline that he will be employed as a messenger, believing he will come to no harm. The Sergeant recruits the young lad, linking up with Samuel, the Reverend and the men who have enlisted from the queue, they are given Army uniforms. Sergeant Harper commands “ATTEN’SHUN” as they march out of the building.

Hymn Number 22 Cwm Rhondda guides them on their way

Emily Davies, a woman who seems to know her own mind and with the wisdom of faith, encourages the assembly that they must now look after each other and the community as she guides them out of the area.

It is gloomy the little light that is apparent makes one feel that you are a fly caught in a spotlight, sounds rumble, there are strident calls and we find ourselves witnessing the battlefield. It is eerie, there is no sense of time, no bird song, and all is too sombre. The trench and its borders are stacked on one side; men are lined up ready to take their positions. Mortar bombs crackle through the air, stirring up a maelstrom of Dante’s Hell. There is the smell of cordite in the air as Sergeant Harper instructs his men. The former Reverend of St. John’s lies trapped in an underground tunnel, light strikes out from all sides as the bombardment continues. It reaches a crescendo as James, the young messenger rushes in. It is the worst scenario; dynamite has to be laid to clear the tunnel, the men have to move forward into no man’s land. Samuel gives the gift of an Oxo to James as he knows that it is something that he can take away from the hellhole of war, the Reverend offers the remains of a shell case to take back to the community. Inevitably, the men take their last salute from their commander as Samuel remains to ignite the explosives. James is reluctant to leave the two men known to him, as they encourage James to take their messages back to the people of their Valley, to remember them and all that they had stood for. The war has become a knot too complicated to untie. A cacophony of unabated noise drowns out any further thoughts and emotions. The men march on.

A small post office has now been established in the valley town as the years have passed. Emily Davies is the lady that knits the veins of the community, it isn’t that she is nosey she just likes to know everything – sometimes even before anyone has thought of it! Emily deals with the daily routine in a quiet manner, she is desolate realising that the many brown envelopes awaiting delivery, bear bad news. Emily remembers how her life has been, opening the curtains to see

“The sun coming up over the mountainside like an aged hunched man” Would life have been different if there had been no war, she longs for her husband who had died in the Zulu campaign. She never thought that there would be another war, and that within a generation, men would have to leave the valley to fight for their country.

“I hope you’ll not forget me, I always think of you, and remember all the happy times we’ve often had we two. I want so much to see you. I miss you such a lot, but I’m content if you promise that you’ll forget me not”

Catrin Williams has become a nurse tending to the men returning from the war, she worries about her young son, James, still believing that he has been kept out of the danger areas. Emily and Catrin talk about the people in the valley, sensing that as the years have passed, times have changed. Women are now doing some of the main jobs that only the men used to do. They exchange comments that people are walking the Pilgrims Way up on ‘our mountains’ to Penrhys to the ancient well, concluding “Those Catholics taking our water!”. Catrin shows Emily the book of poems that some of the patients from Llwynypia Hospital have written.

“Tell me THAT one again…”Emily pleads as Catrin blushes on opening the book

“Tulips” is the title with some reference to the flora of the bouquet, but its ending causes more commotion “But two lips when they meet that’s electrifying”

Emily hands her a letter from James, wherein he states that everything is well with him, but that he would like some new socks, the ones he has have been worn for several weeks. Catrin is bereft, as both women decide that they must start a women’s group and knit more socks to be sent to the men.

Morgan Morgan enters the room bringing vegetables from his allotment. Emily busies herself weighing the items and putting them into brown bags ready to hand out to the many in need. Morgan tells them of the words of A J Cook spoken at a recent meeting, and wonders what the future will hold. Emily gossips about the ‘goings on’ in the village stating that a certain person was dressed in black one day having lost her husband, only to be seen with her brother in law. Emily’s most startling observation is that the lady in question was wearing pink the next day!

“Ah! There’s a nice pink coat Mrs …. “Catrin states to a lady in the room interrupting Emily’s tale, as she takes correspondence from Emily and delivers them to the people assembled offering them varying encouragement, with some vegetables she informs one man that the items will be good for his water problems. Within the brown envelopes felt hearts are discovered.

“Here’s a letter for your Mam, Morgan” Emily hands over the brown envelope to him. Morgan reads the letter which informs them that his brother, Samuel has been killed; the details are such that his death came about whilst tunnelling.

“He hasn’t been down the mine since he was 18!” Morgan cries as they realise that this war is not a sabre brandishing one, it is a mechanised battle with scars that speak of human endeavour and sacrifice.

“Whether at the front or at the coal face, you were both doing dangerous jobs” Emily is quick to respond to Morgan’s lament that it should have been him not Samuel who went to War. Emily reads another letter addressed to the community, which announces the death of the Reverent Richards’

“James shouldn’t have gone!” Catrin screams, “I must write to the authority. He must come home”

“MAM ” there is a sound from the doorway as James enters his arm bandaged from an injury sustained. Catrin runs to him and embraces him, as he tells of his experience and of the last time he saw the two men. James puts the shell case on a shelf, they will remember them.

“It’s not the man who has the most who gives the most away” Morgan states as history unravels a century on. People are lead outside to place the felt hearts on a mounted wreath. Each heart has the name of a loved one lost in ww1. “The Last Post” is sounded and silence is observed, with only the gentle sound of the flowing of the River Taff being heard in the background.

This was a play by AVANT CYMRU telling the story inspired by the community of a time when society could be divided, yet united in one cause. The Valleys ww1 Story was typified with its community and social ideals. The effects were tremendous as experiencing being ‘under fire’ left you with spine tingling goose pumps. The trench added to the atmospheric effects being from the Winding House at Tredegar. At times it was poignant, emotional, and passionate, there was laughter; there were calls to arms, religion and war, eloquent monologues and above all the belief of telling a story. It was interactive so that you were invited into the cauldron of the revivalist years of religion, the beacon of trade unions, and the horrors of war. It’s about taking people to where you are and getting them to experience it. It is living history, but then, will we ever learn?

Reverend Richards Matthew Bool

Sergeant T. Harper Yannick Budd

Morgan Morgan Dan Rochford

Samuel Morgan Alan Humphreys

Emily Davies Cler Stephens

Catrin Williams Rachel Pedley

James Williams Jack Wyn White

Organist David Hutchings

Sound Designer Ben Tinniswood

Technician Ian Glover

Costume Abigail Gould

Production Team Angela Gould, Alan Humphreys and Rachel Pedley

There are three tiers to this production 1 community 2 comradeship 3 compassion

Souls, like links in a unique necklace, are precious, never to be forgotten

You certainly won’t forget this production; it was interactive, courageous, emotional, passionate and articulate.

A space to create

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 23:28:38 GMT

Research day in Bristol

Avant have a fantastic opportunity to rehearse shows in the beautiful Park and Dare. However trying to organise meetings and office space on a day to day basis is a challenge, as there is limited space for this type of activity in our rehearsal home. We often find ourselves running around to find reliable wifi. We also regularly look for spaces to teach dance, spaces we can train on a regular basis, spaces where we can play music and that has a suitable floor.
To be as productive as possible we need an office space, a place where we can hold meetings and a place where we can invite potential partners and community members to work with us.
But space costs money, as individuals we don't have large pockets and we know that public funding is hard to gain. So if we are to have a space to call home (when we are not rehearsing) we need to make the space sustainable. But how do we do this?
Today Tommy, Ahmed and Rachel (part of the 'Blue Scar' Crew) took a trip around Bristol. We went to visit four dance studios in different buildings to see what they offer and how they are sustainable.
One thing we remarked is that in Wales's (or at least in the Rhondda) our rundown, unused buildings are done, but Bristol really know how to make their rundown, unused building fun! 70's office blocks, old factorys, old fire stations turned into community venues - which showcase professional artists work and create areas to train and network.
The amazing thing is that the Bristol venues do this with energy, colour and with out of the box thinking. The results are that walls become art space, tables become places to play, seats places you can swing on, pianos and unused items all accessible for sharing. In a couple of venues they had pop up shops for emerging artists to sell their work, there were galleries, cafes, health centres and bars, sharing office and dance studio space - all independent businesses and artists under one roof helping each other.
At Avant we love collaboration, for example we are working with Afon Community Dance, Break It Down and Illuminations dance to run classes and workshops. We have been working with Rufus Mufasa and Millimagic to promote Rufus's new album. If we were to find a suitable home we would want it to be a joint home for these artists, new artist friends/colleagues and our community. A space where we can come together to create, learn and celebrate the art work in the valleys.
We have been busy writing a business plan with our mentors at Promo Cymru, thanks to Enterprising Solutions and Interlink. Today has given us plenty of food for thought and has been inspiring. We may not have large pockets, but we have passion, planning and potential and an artistic space for us to call home, feels a large step closer.
Thank you Bristol.

Forget Me Not

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:22:27 GMT

A play that remembers the stories of the valleys from WWI.

It is now possible to buy your tickets for 'Forget Me Not'.

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FEGLEI

We have worked with the community to hear stories from WWI, residents from the Rhondda and Pontypridd shared family stories, photos, postcards, letters and more to help inform us to write a script based on what the people of valleys did during WWI.

We will be sharing these stories through a play, performed at Pontypridd Museum, January 25th, 26th and 27th 1:30 and 7:30pm.

Join us and share your stories, to remember the people of the valleys and what they did for the war effort 100 years ago.

Development Programme - DAY THREE

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 13:33:25 GMT

Evaluation and Resilience

Day Three.

We got to discuss evaluation today, one of my favourite things, mixed with an idea to create an excel document to monitor the feedback, I suddenly feel right at home. Evaluation is such a powerful tool, we use it often in Avant to be able to influence the shows and events that we produce.

However today I started to consider how I share this evaluation with others, I often create conclusions from the data I gather and I am able to plan the next steps due to gathering this data, but I am not very good at sharing this process with others. Well until now, I can see that I will be creating a few excel documents over the next week so that the aims and objectives of 'Rhondda Road', 'Blue Scar' and 'Forget Me Not' are clear for all in the team. I often get told to delegate, however I worry that through delegation Avant's vision and missions will be lost, a clear document which sets out to achieve Avant's aims will help me to inform and empower colleagues to take on more roles for Avant.

Second thought of the day is the difference between marketing and outreach. We love outreach, we believe that engaging in new theatre audiences is important, we are starting to reach new theatre audiences. However, and I apologies for this, we have neglected those who are already interested in theatre by not marketing to you.

How can we improve our marketing?

Do you already attend theatre? What can we do to sell (yes sell) our shows and opportunities to you? We know that we are creating high quality shows that appeal to those who enjoy theatre, we know this from our evaluation, but we are not reaching you at the moment.

We know we need to gain your trust so please do give us a chance, come and chat with us and let us know what you think about our marketing.

It has been a productive three days, I have spent time reflecting and getting our first business plan draft on paper (well I say paper, but it is 2017 so I mean on a computer programme, but it doesn't sound so good)! I have gained a new strategic action plan for our projects and Alan has been briefed, he will be receiving a number of excel document shortly! Finally I have made meaningful connections with other arts practitioners and we have all had a valuable experience.

Thank you AMA digital for your course and Thank you Arts Council Wales for supporting Avant to have this time to get the business in order so that we can focus on creating high quality, professional, relevant, dance and drama.

Small-Scale Development Programme - DAY TWO

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 20:29:16 GMT

BRAND

Day two on the AMA course which we have been supported to attend by Arts Council Wales to attend.
We worked alot on brand today and on what is important to us. We are passionate about our community and the stories it has to share and we want to be the leading theatre company creating these performances in the valleys, performances that speak to and for our community. We have always wanted to celebrate the valleys rich past, discuss the issues that are in the present and look to create real change and ambition in the future. We believe we have taken the right steps to achieve these aims and today has been a great opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and what is still left to do.

We'd love to know what you think about our social media output, our website and our posters that are around town. Why not follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, youtube and Snapchat, keep in touch and tell us what you think.

Patrick Thomas designed our Rhondda Road poster, Patrick is an 18 year old from Treherbert, he came to work with us on the Blue Scar project and designed the logo for the show. We want to nurture local talent and by creating paid opportunities to local talent and we want to be able to support other young creatives in the same way. But here's the question... did you know this? Are we shouting out about our commitment to area enough? Do you want to see the Rhondda's stories shared in local productions and in national/international tours? How can we involved you to help champion our work?

I got to sit next to other touring companies today and discuss who to market to new audiences in new locations, I heard from a playwright whose play reflects British/Trinidad culture, the response for the play sounded amazing, it engaged with new and current theatre audiences who wanted to engage with a new culture through theatre.
It is something we consider alot, especially with Rhondda Road and people concerns that a soap opera will shine a negative light on the valleys, so we would love to hear from you. What do you want to see? Do you know about Blue Scar and Forget Me Not, if not want can we do to make sure the news reached you?

In reflection after today, if our brand is to truly reflect the valleys we need you guys, so please do talk to us and tell us what you think about what we are doing and what you would like us to do. We are a 'Forward Thinking Theatre Company' and we want to think with you.

Right back to the business plan!! Until tomorrow, goodnight all.

Small-Scale Development Programme - DAY ONE

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:39:42 GMT

Vision and Mission

Rachel has been offered a bursary from Arts Council Wales to attend an AMA course to create a strategic plan. Avant was two years old this year and we are growing but we want to continue to grow so that we can sustain ourselves and be producing even higher quality work. We are passionate about our community and the stories it has to share and we want to be the leading theatre company creating these performances in the valleys.
The three day training is helping create time, space and assistance to get this plan in order. We have also signed up to Enterprise Solutions training to make sure we have as much advice as possible to create the best plan and we are always grateful to The Park and Dare and Angela Gould who is a constant support. It doesn't stop there, we also want to hear from you, our current and potential audiences, so please get in touch and offer your thoughts.
DAY ONE
So today we evaluated our mission and vision statements, this is something we wrote over a year ago and the message is very much the same, however we have fine tuned the sentences today and you can check these out on our website https://www.avant.cymru/about
It was really interesting to speak to the other dance and theatre companies in the room to reflect on how we are similar and how we differ. In reflection Avant's commitment to the valleys is our USP. The stories that come from the valleys are diverse and we are free to use all kinds of performance styles and educational experiences to share these stories, this is evident in our 2018 programme with 'Blue Scar' (a hip hop dance production) and 'Forget Me Not' (a semi immersive play). They are distinctive to our company as they reflect the valleys, however they are very different performance styles and we are proud of our versatility in being able to showcase these styles with talented Avant casts.
Today had reaffirmed that we are on track and the mission and vision statement have confidently been added to our business plan.
Word of today : Confidence, why because Avant are on mission and heading towards our vision. Looking forward to tomorrow when we can analyse how we can share this mission with more audiences and at a variety of venues.

Rhondda Road

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:40:42 GMT

Reviews and News

Rhondda Road has kick started at the Park & Dare thanks to Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm funding.
We have performed two episodes and are in the planning stages for Episode 3.

We were featured in Wales Online and in the Rhondda Leader, and we had a lovely review from Ann Davies through Get The Chance, why not give them a read:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/theres-new-soap-opera-life-13663801
http://getthechance.wales/2017/09/28/rhondda-road-new-soap-opera-rhondda-ann-davies/

Next Episodes are November 14th, 4pm Park & Dare and December 5th, 4pm Park & Dare.
You need to call to reserve your free ticket otherwise there is a £2.50 booking charge online.

Review: Killer Cells

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 09:41:39 GMT

Five Stars *****

For anyone who has struggled to have a child, Killer Cells is a must-see show. It’s a true story of life, loss, resilience and hope; its humour and authenticity is demonstrated in the love that the characters show each other, and the isolation of each person’s private pain. Writer and director Sarah Lewis tackles the play with great sensitivity, wit and insight – something that's only possible because it is her story. The knowledge that actors in the play have also suffered miscarriages and the loss of a child gives them the power to speak directly to your heart.

Central character Bec says early on: “I learned there is a fine line between joy and fear; trust neither.” Bec is lost in a labyrinth of grief, and yet she holds herself together – suffering with quiet dignity, like many other women walking the path of pain alone before and after her.

Bec's partner Jamie has a past. Family memories inform and, to some extent, haunt him in his present struggle. Adding to his own grief, he is forced to watch Bec battle consecutive losses and physical pain alone - and though Bec tries to protect Jamie from her anguish, he suffers as he watches her withdraw. All he really wants is to be allowed to love her and make her happy, a happiness the couple once took for granted. “I think she’ll crumble in my hands if I try and help her,” he says.

Some much-needed humour and compassion is injected by Grace: she is the friend of 20 years at the end of the phone, always available for a cuppa, who resolutely stands by her friend, especially when Bec is silent. And then there is the yoga instructor.

For me, this play stands head and shoulders above other performances at this year’s Brighton Fringe. If you like Gavin and Stacey, you’ll like its approach; it’s a true story, wholesome, and without self-pity. It shows that you can tackle an inconceivably painful subject without resorting to darkness and torment. It makes you believe that although life is sometimes unfair, love and friendship can help you turn the corner into a new dawn – and it encourages its audience to find the courage to share their own loss, and find healing.

I wish I had seen Killer Cells earlier in the run, because I would not hesitate to recommend it. It's not just for would-be young mothers, but for anyone who hopes for or cherishes someone to love.

http://brighton.fringeguru.com/reviews/brighton-2017/killer-cells

Successful Summer School

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Valley dance artist collaborate to lead a fun dance school over the summer.

Avant, Afon Community Dance and Break It Down collaborated the summer of 2017 to lead a dance week at the Factory in Porth.
The young people took part in breakin, contemporary, jazz, african, ballet and lindy hop workshops and prepared a show for their family and friends.
We had young people aged 7 to 18 taking part in the week and not only did they work hard but they supported each other in learning the different styles and in preparing for their show. This was a really success for the dance communities in the valley and we hope to do one again next year.

Cylchlythyron

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 10:11:45 GMT

Mae lansio ein gwefan newydd yn golygu y bydd cylchlythyron yn cael eu postio ar-lein o hyn ymlaen ac yn cael eu rhannu ar ein sianeli cyfryngau cymdeithasol.

Cymerwch olwg ar ein cylchlythyron blaenorol isod:

Previous Newsletters

avantton@gmail.com (Avant Cymru) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The launch of our new website means that all future newsletters will now be posted online and shared across our various social media channels.

Please take a look a look at our previous newsletters below: