Blogs
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 Chris Needs I want to leave Wales because people here have been really cruel to me After writing about being sexually abused in the best-selling Like It Is, the most shocking revelation in And Theres More, the second volume of autobiography from Chris Needs published this week, is the amount of vitriol he has received from his fellow countrymen (and women) regarding his sexuality. The legendary entertainer, charity fundraiser and BBC Radio Wales presenter has had abuse shouted at him in the streets, received hate mail in which some have questioned whether he should be allowed to have a godson, and even death threats.
Some people here in Wales have been really cruel to me, he says. I still get a lot of insults about my sexuality and this makes it much harder to hang on to the job. I love what I do in the radio studio, i.e. talking to people and, of course, the music. But is it worth it? Needs dreams of a new life in his beloved Spain with partner Gabe Cameron and no expensive petrol, no income tax, no chavs and no moaning old gits calling me a queer and, oh, no rain! I will probably retire to Spain. But I keep clutching straws that Wales will have its day, with cheaper prices, better weather, more liberal people I can live in hope. As well as his feelings towards his country, Needs speaks about bittersweet memories of his much-missed mother, why her will caused immeasurable trouble and damage to his family, his desperate desire to have children, and living with diabetes. On a lighter note, he also tells of starting out in show business and working with the stars, some nightmarish trips abroad, receiving a Lifetime Achievement award from the Variety Club, meeting The X-Factors Rhydian, and how Gabe and godson Sam help to make his life more bearable. The stories are funny, honest and warm-hearted much like the man himself. And Theres More (9.95) is published by Y Lolfa and includes extracts from Living with Chris Needs by Gabe Cameron. Chris Needs will be touring Welsh bookshops in December. Confirmed dates: Fri, 4th Dec (1.00-3.00) Borders Fforestfach Tues, 8th Dec (11.30-12.30) WH Smith Neath Wed, 16th Dec (11.30-1.30) Waterstones Carmarthen (more dates to be revealed on his radio show) |
| Caroline: The Welsh Choir of Southern California ( Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia), was founded in the Fall of 1997 by Michael J. Lewis, who was its first music conductor and director. The mission of the Welsh Choir of Southern California (Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia) is to bring the glories of Welsh music and culture to audiences worldwide through performance and recordings. Americymru: How many members do you have and how often do you all get together for rehearsals? Caroline: Currently there are about 30 members in the mixed-voice choir. We generally rehearse weekly on Sunday afternoons in West Los Angeles near LAX. Americymru: What is your typical repertoire? Do you perform in both Welsh and English? Caroline: We sing in both Welsh and English and our typical repertoire includes new music featuring contemporary Welsh poets and composers, as well as traditional hymns and folk songs. Our performances often include the contributions of of distinguished local musicians as well as guest artists from Wales. Americymru: What are the minimum qualifications for persons wishing to join the choir? Caroline: The minimum qualification for any person wishing to sing with the Welsh Choir of Southern California (Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia) is that they must love to sing.Loving Welsh music is also a plus. Knowing Welsh is not a requirement as language coaching is provided.
Americymru: Would you say that the choral singing tradition is alive and vibrant in the U.S.A. today?
Caroline: Yes the choral singing tradition is not only alive and well it is growing. As evidenced by the development of choirs and festivals and competitions.
Americymru: Is there anywhere online where people can go to hear the choir? Do you have any CDs available or planned?
Caroline: Im not certain if there are places on-line where you can currently hear us sing. It is my understanding that a couple of our performances have been put on YouTube but I havent checked recently. Also the performance at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C was archived but I dont know if it is still accessible. We have one CD that we released in 2002: Hearts Afire * Calonnau ar Dan We are currently working on a second CD. Grants for funding will be greatly appreciated.
Americymru: What would you say was your most notable performance or experience with the choir?
Caroline: It is very difficult to say which would be our most notable performance.I suspect every person in the choir would choose different ones for different reasons: Singing at the National Cathedral, May 2007 for California Day (we were chosen from over 60 choirs in the state who were considered).
Singing at Saint James Episcopal Church, March 2004 where the lines were so long we were almost an hour late starting and people had to be seated in the chapel; or,
Singing at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, Wales, July 3rd, 2003 for a packed crowded including rows of dignitaries and church officials.
Americymru: Do you have any plans to perform outside California in the near future?
Caroline: Yes we hope to return to Wales to tour possibly in 2011.In the summer of 2008 we sang in Vancouver and Victoria and have been invited to return. All possibilities.
Americymru: Can you tell us anything about your recent concert with Julia Bentham?
Caroline: Unfortunately Julia Bentham was not able to sing with us.She became ill the day before our concert and spent the week in a hotel room in Santa Monica. It was a great disappointment but we were gratified that she was able to return to London with her daughter and is now doing well.
Americymru: Any other message for the members and readers of AmerCymru?
Caroline: We would like to encourage you to experience the joys of Welsh music whether you participate by singing, playing or listening. Once you do you will never again know depression without hope, darkness without light, and you will understand why Welsh music is and has been the hallmark of Wales for 100s of years.
Pob Bendith.
Cariad Caroline, Chorister and Publicist |
