Ceri Shaw


 

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Welsh North American Association E-letter December 2012
In this issue
Thank you!
Support WNAA
Toronto 2013
Leave a Legacy
Diolch yn fawr!
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2012 North American Festival of Wales and 81st Gymanfa Ganu in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this year! We hope you all had safe travels and returned home with many happy memories.
Gymanfa 2012
Sunday's Gymanfa Ganu attracted a full
house to the lovely Elm Park Methodist Church and featured Cr Godre'r Garth from Pontypridd. The Sunday afternoon and evening hymn singing in Welsh and English was conducted by Gareth Hughes Jones from Caernarfon. David Enlow was the Festival accompanist. Photo Don Prytherch.
The Marketplace did a brisk business all weekend, as Festival-goers scooped up hard-to-find Welsh souvenirs, music, books, clothing, and gifts. Photo Mona Everett.
A very special thank you goes out to all the members of WNAA who volunteered an hour (or two or three) during the Festival at the Registration Desk, in the Marketplace, at the banquet-seating table, in the Tea Room, and wherever else there was a need. It is wonderful to be able to call on such willing and capable helpers!

market 2012
In addition, the Board of Trustees, appreciates the many volunteers who served on various committees last yearand assisted with the planning of the NAFOW.

We couldn't have done it without you!
Our Sponsors Made it Happen!

As always, the WNAA extends a warm thank you, to all our generous sponsors. Each year many individual members and Affiliated Welsh Organizations (local societies) make it possible for us to provide the quality entertainment and other features you come to expect at a NAFOWby makinggenerous contributions to the organization. We hope attendees took notice of the names of these sponsors on signs and banners ( such as this one in the photo ) placed throughout the hotel.

Why not consider making an individual donation NOW for 2013, or asking your local Welsh society members which sign they'd like your society's name on in Toronto? Just indicate your preference when you send in your donation, or ask WNAA International Headquarters for suggestions.
IRS
Charitable Donations May Equal Tax Savings for You
Please think about the WNAA now when you are doing your year-end tax planning. Contributions are tax deductible as provided by law. * Make your check payable to the WNAA and mail to WNAA, PO Box 1054, Trumansburg, NY 14886 USA. All donations will be acknowledged with our thanks and a letter indicating the donation was to a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Donations may also be made online, via PayPal here.

Many people choose to sponsor an event, entertainer, or prize, but all contributions of any amount are appreciated and help to keep us going and growing from year to year. If you would like to find out how to sponsor an event at next year's Festival in Toronto, you may call Dr. Megan Williams, our Executive Secretary, at 1-(607) 279-7402. She will be happy to answer your questions and discuss available sponsorship options.

You may also designate your donation for use in meeting this year's WNAA operating expenses, or have it added to the WNAA endowment fund to support our work in perpetuity, or divide it between both uses.The choice is yours!

* Only your tax advisor can give you tax advice. WNAA does not provide tax or legal advice and donors should refer all questions to their tax professional.

Toronto
Photo by Rob Sinclair (Toronto by Night Uploaded by Skeezix1000) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 )], via Wikimedia Commons
Join Us in Toronto!
Be sure your passport is current!
The 2013 NAFOW
Headquarters Hotel will be the fabulous Fairmont Royal York,
100 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Book your room reservation here. Festival ratesavailable August 28th - September 2nd. For extended stays, see details below.
When you choose to stay at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the North American Festival of Wales,you will be at the heart of festivities and will behelping us meet our contractual obligation to fill theroomblockreserved for Festival attendees.
NAFOW Room Rates (quoted and charged in Canadian dollars) :
Single/double occupancy -- $111CAN per night, plus taxes Triple/quad occupancy -- $141CAN per night, plus taxes
  • Children under 18 years of age are complimentary when accompanied by an adult,please advise reservation agent when making your reservation if children will be in your party.
  • Preferred Festival room rates are available for an extended stay4 days in advance and 4 days following the Festival dates, subject to room availability. Call Fairmont's Global Reservations Centre at 1 (800) 441-1414 for assistance with an extended stay reservation.
  • These Festival room rates available for booking until August 8, 2013, or until the Festival room block is sold-out, whichever happens first. After that date, the hotel will honor Festival rate only if group rooms are still available.
To make a room reservationby telephone call toll free: 1-800-441-1414 and provide reservation code "North American Festival of Wales 2013". The Fairmont's Global Reservations Centre is open 24/7.
Additional info on Hotel Amenities, Directions, Parking, Transportation, Internet and Telephone Access, and Airport and Train can be found here .

For additional assistance contact Dr. Megan Williams, Executive Secretary ,Welsh North American Association, at 1-(607) 279-7402 .

centeredwnaa

The Legacy Society May Be For You

The Board of Trustees of the Welsh North American Association (WNAA) invites you to consider joining The Legacy Society, established to recognize and honor those who make bequests to WNAA in their estate plans. Gifts made through wills, trusts, insurance plans, or other estate plans will ensure the continued growth and vitality of the WNAA into the future.

Another goal of The Legacy Society is to continue to provide education for our members about financial planning and estate planning. At the North American Festival of Wales in Scranton, David Allen, our Treasurer, presented a seminar on " Tax Breaks & Investing in your Favorite Charities ". Other seminars will be presented at future Festivals.

If you have already included WNAA in your will, please let us know, so we can include you inThe Legacy Society.If you would like information about how to make out a will, or other estate planning issues, please print and fill out the lower section of this page and mail it to WNAA IHQ, Dr. Megan Williams, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 1054, Trumansburg, NY, 14886.

-------------------------------cut here------------------------------------

Please send me information about how to make out a will.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________

E-mail:____________________________

I have already included WNAA in my will. Please add my name to The Legacy Society.

In closing, we wish all of you a very Happy New Year! Look for more details about the 2013 North American Festival of Wales in upcoming e-letters and online.

Thank you for your support of Welsh culture in North America.
Quick Links...
Like us on Facebook
View our videos on YouTube
Contact Information
Welsh North American Association
Dr. Megan Williams, Executive Secretary
P.O. Box 1054 Trumansburg, New York 14886 USA
1-(607) 279-7402
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Ar gael ran!

Available Now!


Nadolig Llawen gan Sain
Happy Christmas from Sain
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See You at NAFOW :)


By Ceri Shaw, 2011-08-27
Ceri Shaw of AmeriCymru with
Ninnau editor Arturo Roberts
at the 2010 NAFOW in Portland
More details about NAFOW HERE
For the second year running AmeriCymru will be attending and exhibiting at the North American Festival of Wales in Cleveland. The AmeriCymru table will feature books from leading Welsh publishers and authors, AmeriCymru tshirts and of course the 2011 L.A. Lovespoon. In addition this year we hope to feature a collection of original artwork by Welsh artist Jeff Phillips.



Paul Child at the
Millennium Stadium
Both David Westerns Lovespoon and the 'Welsh Icons' collection by Jeff Phillips will be raffled to raise money to bring Paul Child ( official singer of the Welsh Rugby Union ) to America to headline the opening night of the West Coast Eisteddfod which is being held between the 23rd and 25th of September at the Barnsdall Art Park in L.A. AmeriCymru representatives will be on hand to discuss the Eisteddod, its past, this years event and tentative plans for the future. The draw for both these valuable and historic prizes will be held at the W.C.E.
Click on the links below for a slideshow of the Welsh Icons collection and front and back detailed views of the L.A. Lovespoon. Also for more dore details about the event itself.




West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts 2011 Barnsdall Art Park L.A.
( Donations qualify for an entry in the draw for the West Coast Eisteddfod Lovespoon by David Western AND Original Artwork by Jeff Phillips at a rate of one ticket per dollar donated )
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It's half way through the month and our inaugural Top Blogger contest is warming up. The Sheep of Excellence are getting restless in their digital pen . In just two weeks time we will be awarding the gold, silver and bronze prizes together with a copy of 'Wales: Land of Song' to the number one blogger. At the moment its developing into a close three horse race between Rhianne Griffiths, Swansea Jack and Lorin Morgan-Richards. Here are the current points and rankings:-

1. Rhianne Griffiths 35
2. Swansea Jack 28
3. Lorin Morgan-Richards 21
4. Glyn Davies 19
5. Geoff Brookes 13

Will Rhianne ( pictured below on a mercy mission to drop emergency supplies of S.A. and Clarkes Pies to our man in St Louis ) maintain her lead or will one of the other top 5 contenders come up from behind in the home stretch. OR is there an as yet totally unknown contender waiting in the wings to steal the show? Win this competition three times and you will be in line for our 'special prize' ( details TBA ) :)


Check out Top Blogger HERE



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After his autobiography became the bests selling book in Wales last Christmas, Chris Needs is now publishing a second book this time about his comic creation: The Jenkinssssss: Waless First Family , and aims for similar success. The hilarious escapades of the Jenkinsssss are written through the diaries of the familys matriarch, our Gladys, and will be published this week.

The revealing autobiography, Like It Is, published in 2007 by Y Lolfa told of Chriss traumatic childhood, his showbiz and charity career as an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and his life more recently as an all-round celebrity.

However, this book is a completely different kettle of fish. In her riotous, humour-filled diaries, Gladys tells of her struggle to keep the familys crazy, mixed-up lives together. Mams task isnt easy though. Her husband Dai is work-shy, son Philllip has a handbag, daughter Shantelll is preggers and dog Christopher or is it Christine? has had puppies. Just as well Elsie next door is accommodating she agreed to an adjoining door so they only pay one TV licence.

Follow the family from their humble beginnings in the valley community of Ponty Pantin to the sun-kissed Mumbles Bay and foreign parts (including Western Super Mare). Crammed full of outrageous valleys humour, this is an ideal Christmas treat for all of Chriss fans and anyone else who needs a good laugh. The book is illustrated with eye-catching colour cartoons by Mark Davies.

Chris Needs is a much loved radio presenter with a high profile thanks to his popular weeknight music and chat show on BBC Radio Wales. His cult fan club The Garden has over 40,000 members worldwide.

See below for details of when you can catch Chris making personal appearances at book signings and events in the period leading up to Christmas.

Thursday 4 December 12.30-1.30 WH Smiths Merthyr Tydfil

Friday 5 December 11.30-12.30 WH Smiths Llanelli

Friday 5 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Carmarthen

Wednesday 10 December 12.00-12.45 WH Smiths Swansea

Wednesday 10 December 2.00-3.00 WH Smiths Neath

Thursday 11 December 12.00-1.00 WH Smiths Bridgend

Thursday 11 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Cardiff

Monday 15 December 1.00-2.00 Borders Cardiff

Wednesday 17 December 12.00-2.00 WH Smiths Pontypridd

Thursday 18 December 12.00-1.00 WH Smiths Caerphilly

Thursday 18 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Newport

Friday 19 December 12.00-1.00 Borders Fforestfach

Friday 19 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Swansea

Monday 22 December 1.00-3.00 Borders Llantrisant

Tuesday 23 December 11.00-1.00 Waterstones Abergavenny

Tuesday 23 December 2.00-3.00 WH Smiths Cwmbran




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Many of our readers will be aware that AmeriCymru is collaborating with Celticos to develop the AmeriCymru Trail Tour. We are also working together with Celticos and north Wales community group Golygfa Gwydyr to spread the word about the new Welsh Hill Farming Experience which provides an opportunity to experience this unique and challenging way of life.

We strongly urge our readers and supporters to help us in circulating the text below to any tourism offices or agricultural organisations that they feel may be interested. Please feel free to reproduce or repost this letter.


Re: Establishment of an International Community Tourism Network

On behalf of Celticos and Golygfa Gwydyr may I introduce our North Wales, U.K. based partnership promoting opportunities for community based tourism activities within a Welsh rural context. We are in the process of establishing key links with similar enterprises in the mid-west USA; we are looking to extend our links further with mutual benefits for all concerned

(See The Welsh Hill Farming Experience at http://www.celticos.com/welsh-hill-farming-experience )

I originate from Western Nebraska, spent my teenage years in Omaha, and relocated to London in 1984 and then North Wales in 2003. Since moving to North Wales, I was struck by the similarities of lifestyle between North Wales and the Midwest USA. Being from a farming background myself, I felt at home immediately. Knowing both areas as I do, I could see the life style was similar, with a sense of connectedness to the land, a pride of place and cultural heritage. It is this connectedness that we believe will attract visitors from North Wales to the USA and the USA to North Wales.

We have already trialled the Welsh Hill Farming Experience with two ranching families from Western Nebraska in 2010. The attraction for tourists from rural communities in the USA was instant, so much so, that my first guests have become part of our exchange for tourists from the UK wanting to experience the same style of community tourism in their locality.

(See testimonials http://www.celticos.com/welsh-hill-farming-experience )

.
We are now in discussions with a number of tourism businesses and tourism offices to promote farm based tourism experiences in Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana and our tours here in North Wales, UK and Europe. We are inviting you to join us to form a business network and marketing opportunity for mutual benefit.

About us

.

Celticos Ltd is a company specialising in Guided Tours and Rural Tourism, based in the Snowdonia region of Wales, UK. Following a long and successful career in sales and marketing employed by high profile companies such as 3M, Alwyn the director has now returned to his roots in North Wales where hes been emulating the working philosophy of 3M by being both innovative and creative in meeting customer needs and expectations, applying these principles to Celticoss activities. Celticos have established excellent links with AmeriCymru , an online Welsh community based social network based in North America.

.

Golygfa Gwydyr is a community group established in North Wales, UK in 2004.We are a social enterprise and all profits are invested back into community projects. Our aim is to increase social, environmental and economic well-being through sustainable community based projects.If you are interested in more information about our project, or to discuss any potential benefits for your organisation please do not hesitate to contact.

Email: lizn@golygfagwydyr.org

Yours sincerely

Elizabeth Davies


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Little Eris - So Many Nights


By Ceri Shaw, 2012-11-27

little reis so many nights , cover So Many Nights the debut single released by Little Eris on 14th December 2012 is a mini masterpiece of experimental space-age psychedelic pop which hopes to make a big bang in the universe. The track is produced by Charlie Hoskyns known for his work with Irish folk band The Popes, and has been mastered by Pete Maher at Topfloor Music, whose recent credits include Patti Smith, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and U2 to name but a few. The single will be available from the 14th of December via Original Human as a digital download (from Amazon, iTunes and Spotify for 0.89p) www.originalhuman.co.uk To be released physically in January 2013, followed by full length abum from Little Eris.

Little Eris is a collective formed around Eris Kaoss (aka Bronwen Davies, former vocalist and bass player with Freaky Fortnight ) and her inventive catalogue of quirky spaced-out songs have quickly become a firm favourite of Adam Walton s BBC Radio Wales show and his listeners, who have a keen ear for emerging Welsh musical talent from the UK underground music scene. The first official release featuring these cosmic sounds launched from the depths of cyberspace has already been gaining rave reviews from those in the know, catching the attention of the likes of Jona Lewie , who had a number one Christmas single with his hit record Stop the Cavalry.

Little Eris is a solo female artist, this has not stopped collaborations with others, such as comedian Johnny Nigma , who has provided videos, visuals and audience interaction during live events. Past concert appearances have included impromptu performances by audience members suddenly chosen from the crowd to temporarily join the band to sing song lyrics, guest musicians and vocalists performing live.

Performances at various festivals and events around the UK has expanded the bands line-up to include several extra musicians and dancers, and providing main support on the 2010 UK comeback tour for Viv Albertine from the original all-girl punk band The Slits . In 2011, Little Eris toured the UK with The Great Wreck and Roll Cirkus alongside festival veterans Here & Now and Eat Static . Her recent cultural activities include founding The Unemployed Daytime Disco events and webstreaming to a live audience at the Tate Modern oil tanks.

Little Eris has been on the scene since 2008 she previously released a 13 track debut album Molecules R Us comprising a collection of demos available as a free download in the spirit of providing music for the masses and to circumvent the credit crunch, which was also released as limited edition CDs featuring personalised DIY artwork.

"Music with personality....it is people who are complete individuals like Little Eris who make this role so rewarding, and truly exciting" Adam Walton, BBC INTRODUCING WALES

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Seren News - April 2011

Welcome to the all-new Seren News! In this issue we bring you an insight into our latest titles. Find out where your favourite Seren authors will be reading in the next couple of weeks.

Ruth Bidgood Shorlisted for Roland Mathias Prize!

Ruth Bidgood's Time Being has been shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Prize 2011. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Ruth Bidgood, who lives in Powys, has published twelve volumes of poetry. Her descriptions in Time Being are credited as Sharp and memorable, tending to a cool accuracy.

The Award Ceremony for the Roland Mathias Prize 2011 will be held at The Guildhall, Brecon on Friday 8th April 2011.

Latest Titles

The Colour of Grass by Nia Williams

Helens family is falling apart. There are no answers from her husband. She can't communicate with her daughter. So she turns to other relatives: the ones who are dead and gone. Straightaway she finds herself floundering in a new world of friends, secrets, enemies and family history enthusiasts. A story about families, past and present, and lifes unexpected connections.

Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115393

Poor Mans Parliament by Martin Shipton

Did you vote 'Yes' for the new law making powers in the National Assembly? Read this incisive account of the first 10 years of the Welsh Assembly. Its packed with eye-catching drama those who think that nothing happens at the Assembly will read Poor Mans Parliament and wonder how they could be so wrong.

Paperback 12.99 ISBN: 9781854115164


Sound Archive by Nerys Williams

The strikingly original first collection of poems from Nerys Williams. Using formal strategies similar to modernist painting: abstraction, dislocation, surrealist juxtaposition, the poet conjures a complex music, intriguing narratives, and poems full of atmosphere that query identity, gender, and the dream of art as a vehicle for emotion and meaning. A thoughtful, subtle and fascinating first collection.

Paperback 7.99 ISBN: 9781854115386

Coming Soon

The Dragon and the Crescent by Grahame Davies

In the early twenty-first century, the relationship between the West and Islam has, due to recent political events, become the subject of intense study, curiosity and tension. But to understand contemporary anxieties, we need to trace their historical roots. Grahame Davies' The Dragon and the Crescen t does this for one small European nation, revealing for the first time, the full and surprising story of the Welsh relationship with Islam.

Publication April 2011

Paperback 12.99 ISBN: 9781854115577

Noteworthy by Bruce Cardwell

Music makers are the focus of Bruce Cardwell latest book of black and white reportage and portrait photography. Practitioners of acoustic and vocal music folk, gospel, opera, choral, classical and ethnic in Wales over the last decade of the twenty first century, make a rich and diverse gallery of talent.

Publication April 2011

Hardback 14.99 ISBN: 978185411540

Meet the Author

Monday 28th March, 7.30pm. Martin Shipton, author of Poor Mans Parliament , talks at the London Welsh Centre. Lower Hall, London Welsh Centre.

Friday 1st April, 7 pm. Ruth Bidgood will be reading at Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown with Jan Fortune-Wood.-Ruth's most recent collection Time Being is shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Prize.

Saturday 2nd April, 12pm. Bruce Cardwell exhibits his new book, Noteworthy: Images of Welsh Music at Moma Wales. Mavis Nicholson will open the exhibition.

Tuesday 5th April, 5.30pm. Nia Williams launches her latest novel The Colour of Grass at George & Delila Caf, 104 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JE

Wednesday 6th April, 7 pm. The Other Room reading series with Carrie Etter, author of The Tethers , Ken Edwards, Alec Finlay, and, by live stream, Derek Henderson, The Old Abbey Inn, 61 Pencroft Way, Manchester M15 6AY. Free admission.

David Hurn and John Fuller present Writing the Picture :

Thursday 7th April, 7.30pm at the Media Point Room, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff and Tuesday 12th April, 7.30pm at The Drill Hall, Chepstow. Entrance to both events is 2.00 (redeemable against the price of the book)

Competition

Seren have five proof copies of Daniels Beetles by Tony Bianchi to give away!

What is the key to happiness? Is it a job at www.happinesstheexperience.com ? Daniels Beetles , out at the end of April 2011 is an absorbing, unnerving novel about memory and forgetting, stories and lies.

Send an email with 'Daniels Beetles' in the subject line to seren [at] serenbooks [dot] com for your chance to win. Closing date 4th April 2011 Terms & Conditions

Follow Seren

If you like Seren News and you think that some of your friends would too, why not forward it on to them? Just ask them to email us so we can include them on the next monthly newsletter, keeping up to date on all events, prizes, new titles and news from Seren.

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