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WIN 2 Tickets to Karl Jenkins 'Concert of Commemoration, Honoring the 10th Anniversary of 9/11'
By Ceri Shaw, 2011-07-22
We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Distinguished Concerts International have made available a pair of tickets for the forthcoming Karl Jenkins concert in New York ( A Concert of Commemoration, Honoring the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 ) at the Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on Sunday September 11th 2011. The concert will feature performances of 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' and 'For the Fallen: In Memoriam Alfryn Jenkins (US Premiere)'. Read our interview with Karl Jenkins here
We are offering these tickets as a QUIZ PRIZE on Americymru!
Just answer the three easy quiz questions below ( answers can all be found on Wikipedia ) and send them to us at americymrucontest@gmail.com ( all email addresses will be deleted when the competition closes ). We'll throw all the entries in a hat and pick the winner! Please email us by Wednesday, September 7th, no later than 9 PM ( Pacific Time ). Tickets will be ready at will call on 9/11 at the Avery Fisher Hall; the winner will just need to bring a photo ID. ( Only one entry per email address is permitted. Duplicates will be disqualified. You do not need to be an AmeriCymru member or logged into the site in order to enter this competition. )
Karl Jenkins Quiz
- What are Karl Jenkins middle names?
- When is Karl's birthday and what year was he born?
- At which Welsh university did Karl study music?
The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins
It has been an excellent month for blog content on AmeriCymru and we would like to congratulate all our contributors and our Top Blogger winners. We are not awarding discretionary points this month because we feel there has been little to distinguish our winners in terms of the quality and frequency of their postings. Diolch everyone and happy Fourth of July 
So without further ado here are this months winners:-
1. Gillian Morgan 81 points ( 81 ranking points View Gillian's blog on AC here )
2. Swansea Jack 42 points ( 42 ranking points. View SJ's blog on AC here )
3. Margo Lloyd Beckham 31 points ( 31 ranking points. View Margoo's blog on AC here )
Fabulous digital prizes will be awarded to our three winners today and Gillian is entitled to receive a copy of Jonathan Hicks', The Dead of Mametz . See next months Top Blogger prize below. To view the current weekly leaderboard and peruse the rules of the competition go to this page
If you would like to congratulate our winners please feel free to do so in comments on this page
Author Biography:
Jayne Joso is passionate about writing both fiction and drama. Her first play was commissioned in celebration of Chinas Childrens Day, and her first novel, Soothing Music for Stray Cats, published by Alcemi in 2009, was predicted by the Times Literary Supplement to be one of the great, eccentric London novels'. She is also author of the childrens book How do you Feel?, and has recently finished working on a new play for adults called I Fed the Birds. Joso has a huge fascination with Architecture which developed largely from her time living in Japan and China; she has written for publications such as Architecture Today magazine and German publisher, Prestel Art; she draws on her encounters with the world of the star architect for this, her second novel.
Further Information:
"A work of stunning orginality and deftness of prose in which Jayne Joso explores what becomes of the broken hearted with delicate skill and rare empathy." Cathi Unsworth
Set in the dazzling and eccentric world of star architects, Perfect Architect follows the journey of Gaia Ore, the widow of one of the worlds most famous and successful architects. Following her husbands death, Gaia finds a bundle of letters from another woman, Seline, and determines to find out more about her. This however, unwittingly opens out Gaias route to recovery from grief and from what she will later acknowledge was an empty and fruitless marriage. Through her friendship with an older woman she gradually regains her confidence and eventually decides to build her own dream home. Out of her own respect and passion for the work of great architects, Gaia embarks on a competition and invites a small number of her late husbands adversaries to bid for this commission.
Through the competition, the novel opens out onto a broad tapestry of architectural styles and cultures; we see each candidate designing in their home county, allowing the novel to flow between Spain, Italy, the US and the UK, and their own and varied influences: Oriental, Greek, Modern European. There is an intricately interwoven subplot involving Gaias postman Tom, who appears to have been one of the only close friends of her late, and highly misanthropic husband. Tom's family provides the necessary counter to the extraordinary lives of the Alpha male architects and adds to an already vivid array of characters, voices, and warmth. As Gaia finds her way to recovery, she enters her new vigorous role as architect of this grand competition. She finally emerges with her intellectual strength renewed and her faith restored in friendship and the kindness of others, most notably Tom, the older woman, and a particular architect with enough charisma for several.
By the end, and with the competition at its climax, a rather shy and unassuming Gaia is architect again of her own life, now mapping out a fresh curiosity and confidence in both the romantic and erotic.
With controlled shifting viewpoints not unlike Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, this novel moves towards an uplifting and celebratory ending. A life-affirming read filled with warmth, great characterisation and humour, about the nature of erotic and artistic obsession and the quest to find the right place, be that geographical, physical, material or psychological.
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| Cyfle arbennig i chi gael y ffilm unigryw hon iw chadw ai thrysori gan bawb yn y teulu. Cawn weld hanes Iesu trwy lygaid y ferch ifanc Tamar , syn gweld bywyd, y dyn, Duw , y llon ar lleddf, y farwolaeth eithaf, ar gogoniant mwyaf. 9.99 | A film to be treasured by the whole family. Jesus story is told through the eyes of a young girl Tamar who sees life, the man, God , the good and the bad. 9.99 | |||||
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Cynigion Pasg - Easter Offers | ||||||
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Gwyn Hughes Jones - Canur Cymry, Cyfrol 1 | ||||||
| Bwriad y casgliad hwn y cyntaf mewn cyfres gobeithio yw adlewyrchu neu gynrychioli peth or diwylliant lleisiol cyngherddol sydd wedi llunio traddodiad y canu Cymraeg, a thraddodiad y tenor Cymreig yn benodol. 12.98 | This album which is designed to be the first in a series sets out to present the vocal concert culture which has helped form the Welsh singing tradition, with the emphasis on the Welsh tenor solos. 12.98 | |||||
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Rhys Meilyr | ||||||
| Does dim dwywaith fod ganddo lais a hwnnwn un soniarus a chwbwl unigryw, ond mae ir llais yma rhyw gyfrinedd syn mynnu eich sylw or nodyn cyntaf ac yna maen lapio amdanoch fel blanced gynnes, gyfarwydd ac yn eich swyno. 12.98 | His attractively sonorous voice is Rhys main asset, a strange mix of innocence and maturity, breathing new life into the songs he sings, bringing a fresh and different voice to the scene which makes one sit up and take notice. 12.98 | |||||
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Al Lewis Band - Ar gof a chadw | ||||||
| Mae rhain meddu ar y ddawn o gyfansoddi caneuon melodig a fydd yn cael eu cofleidio gan gynulleidfaoedd. Mae rhain meddu ar y ddawn o ganu fel eos. Dengys Ar gof a chadw , albwm newydd sbon Al Lewis Band, fod y bachgen lwcus hwn yn meddu ar y ddau. 9.99 | Some people can effortlessly compose melodic songs that audiences will lap up. Others can sing beautifully with no effort. Ar Gof a Chadw , Al Lewis s latest album proves that some people have it all. 9.99 | |||||
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| Tn yw albwm hir disgwyliedig diweddaraf y gantores ryfeddol Lleuwen . 9.99 | Tn , the Welsh and Breton word for fire, is the eagerly awaited new album from acclaimed Welsh singer Lleuwen . 9.99 | |||||
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Llongyfarchiadau - Congratulations | ||||||
| Enillydd tocyn gwerth 50 o nwyddau o wefan Sain yng nghystadleuaeth mis Mawrth oedd Myfanwy Williams o Ynys Mn - llongyfarchiadau mawr iddi hi a diolch i bawb a fentrodd gystadlu. Cwestiwn: Ateb: | The winner of the 50 voucher for goods from the Sain website in our March competition was Myfanwy Williams from Anglesey - congratulations to her and a big thank you to all who competed. Question: Answer: | |||||
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Cynigion arbennig - Special offers | ||||||
| Os yn chwilio am fargen mae na ragor o CDs ar bris o 5.99 wedi eu hychwanegu ar ein tudalen cynigion arbennig! | There are even more bargain CDs at 5.99 on our special offers page! | |||||
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| Cynnyrch amrywiol Cyw ar gael - Tegan meddal - 4.99 Jigso - 6.49 Cadw-mi-gei - 5.99 Mwg - 5.99 Crysau-T - 6.99 Babygro - 8.99 Newydd . . . . . . . . . | Cyw merchandise items available - Cuddly toy - 4.99 Jigsaw - 6.49 Money box - 5.99 Mug - 5.99 T-shirts - 6.99 Babygro - 8.99 New . . . . . . . . . | |||||
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Taflenni cerdd - Sheet music | ||||||||||
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Cyhoeddiadau diweddar eraill - Other recent releases | ||||||||||
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| - Am y newyddion diweddaraf - For the latest news and updates - | ||
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With the recent announcement that Paul Child will be leading the singing of the National Anthem at this year's West Coast Eisteddfod plans for this exciting event took another important step forward. Watch this space for further announcements in the coming weeks and months.
Meanwhile, we are appealing for small donations to our kickstarter appeal . A successful outcome for this appeal is essential if we are to secure our venue and carry out initial promotion for the event. here is what you gain by contributing:-
- For a mere 20 bucks you get 2 tickets to selected Eisteddfod theater events ( your pick ) If you are coming to the Eisteddfod you will effectively be buying your tickets in advance and ensuring the event goes ahead as planned.
- Also , every dollar you spend entitles you to one ticket in the prize draw for this magnificent collection of original artwork donated by Jeff Phillips:- http://americymru.net/photo/albums/win-original-artwork-by-jeff We will also be announcing details of this years Eisteddfod lovespoon shortly and your donations entitle you to one ticket per dollar in the lovespoon draw as well!!!!! ( Here is last years model:- http://americymru.net/profiles/blogs/portland-lovespoon-2010 ) SO you stand a chance of winning not one but TWO unique works of art.
- PLUS of course you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did your bit to ensure that we can bring a little bit of Wales and promote Weslh culture on the West Coast this year
All donations are pledged in advance and will not be deducted from credit cards until March 5th.
PLEASE HELP US FLY THE FLAG IN LA THIS SEPTEMBER - DONATE TO THE WEST COAST EISTEDDFOD!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1345265992/2011-west-coast-eisteddfod-festival-welsh-arts-sho
ONLY 33 DAYS REMAINING - $845 TO RAISE - EVERY LITTLE HELPS
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If you only buy one book about Snowdon in your lifetime make sure it's this one!
It is clear throughout that the author has enjoyed a peculiarly intimate lifelong relationship with Eryri and never more so than when he recounts his plan for a trip around the mountain in the opening chapter:-
"The late Showell Styles, one of this mountain regions most ardent and articulate devotees, in a charming, knowledgeable,garrulous book,The Mountains of North Wales, proposed that you should do just this as a rapid, minds-eye journey,a girdling of the mountain at a distance of a mile or a mile and a half (no kilometric nonsense for old Showell) more across them. When I started to plan this book, Showells idea grew on me.Why not follow the circuit of the peak not just rapidly and in the minds eye, but lingeringly and in reality?"
Starting out from the Miner's Track the author circumnavigates the mountain describing its many faces as he goes. It quickly becomes clear that he is familiar with every path and rock face along the way, indeed we learn that he has been visiting and climbing Snowdon since he was a boy. But the account never descends into mere personal reminiscence as we are regaled with details about the mountain's topography, wildlife, history and folklore and there are constant allusions to the delights which await in later chapters. It also becomes clear that Jim Perrin enjoys a comprehensive knowledge of the climbing routes to Snowdons summit, a theme which is explored more fully in the books final chapter 'Colonising The Vertical'
Chapter Two delves into the rich mythology and folklore which wraps its mantle around Snowdon like an ancient mist. Here we learn about the 'Lady Of The Lake', a story common to both north and south Wales, which hints at early and tragic encounters between Bronze and Iron age cultures. We are also introduced to the 'afanc' of Glaslyn, the giant 'Rhita' and the cave of the hairy man (Ogof y Gwr Blewog ). The account of this 'triad of grotesques' is supplemented with Arthurian legend and tales of Merlin and Dinas Emrys.
The Snowdon massif was the final and most formidable bastion in the concentric array of mountain ranges which guarded the granary of Ynys Mon and the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Its importance as a natural fortress in the cultural consciousness of the Welsh people is discussed in Chapter Three.
Subsequent chapters examine the mountain from the perspectives of antiquaries, cartographers, artists, art historians and modern tourists and local inhabitants. The final chapter deals with rock climbing routes on Snowdon and the history of their discovery and development. It should come as no surprise that Jim Perrin gives us an authoritative account here, since he has written extensively on rock climbing in Britain and with particular reference to the Welsh mountains and Snowdon ( see this page - Jim Perrin search results - for further titles )
Jim Perrin's treatment of these themes is richly detailed and massively engaging throughout.
This is truly 'the story of a mountain'. The next best thing to being there!
How they celebrate St Davids Day in the USA and Canada
By Roy Norry:
"I n Wales we wear the daffodil to mark St Davids Day and we hold services and events, but not many realise that in America and Canada, ex-pats have lined up events in many regions and there are some great ideas amongst them."
read more here;- St David's Day USA
You may have heard of the plans to build 2500 homes in Bodelwyddan. There is absolutely no local requirement for these homes, but they have to be built somewhere because of the stipulations of the planning system. We know, of course, that they will mostly be bought by commuters who can buy cheaply in Wales, and commute over the border.
On Saturday 2 nd June, there will be a rally held outside the County Hall in Rhuthun, organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith. Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM will be addressing the rally - this Assembly Member has called for the ending of the rules which force councils to encourage developments which only appeal to incomers. This is your chance to raise your voice against this ridiculous plan.
And finally, Arfon Jones, Plaid Cymru Councillor in Wrecsam, asks for your help:
"The Statutory Consultation on the proposed new school in Gwersyllt has opened and this is the last step in the process prior to the Minister of Education making a final decision. There is however a danger that supporters of the school believe that the school is a reality, this is not the case and we cannot take it for granted, there is a NEED for everyone to respond to this consultation. You can do this on-line at http://stwnsh.com/gwersylltwelsh or in writing to Dafydd Ifans, Senior School Improvement officer, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham LL11 1LG by the 8th September 2011. "
Thank you for your support, and for standing firm for Wales.
