The 2011 North American Festival of Wales will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, September 1 4 at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, right downtown, near the Lakefront. It is a great location, within walking distance of several museums, the Cleveland Browns Stadium, and the pier where you can get boat tours.

The Grand Concert will feature the male voice choir Hogiar Ddwylan, from the Menai Strait area, North Wales. They have won many first prizes at the National Eisteddfodau. Their Director, Ilid Anne Jones, will also conduct both sessions of The National Gymanfa Ganu. The soloist at the Banquet will be Megan Morris, a native of Ohio, who has won the David G. Morris Memorial Award in both 2005 and 2009. She went on to place second in the mezzo soprano category at the National Eisteddfod in Wales in 2006 and 2010.

Rooms at The Crowne Plaza are available at the special reduced rate of $115 per night for a single or double room when you use the code WNGGA. Call 216-771-7600 to reserve your room. Reduced parking rates will also be available for those who drive.

Details about tours, seminars and other activities will come later.

Barbara M. Jones

Local Venue Co-Chair for 2011