Promo for Sexbomb's appearance in Portland Oregon at Head Bang for Head Cancer ( ok so the venue is wrong but apart from that it's cool ) They will also play a few numbers at ' Night of The Living Bards' on Thursday night ( The Buffalo Gap 5-12 pm Oct 7th.) Click the link below if you dare!!!!

A quick reminder that there is just over one day to go before the deadline for submissions for the Left Coast Eisteddfod Poetry, Short Story, Image and Video competitions. If you are planning to submit please do so in the twenty four hours. Here are the competition submission pages for anyone who wants to browse the current entries:-

We have included links to the main competition pages below. The rules can be found on these pages. A link on the competition pages will open a discussion page where you can post your entries.The organizers are pleased to note that the quality and quantity of submissions has increased this year and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our current contestants and anyone considering submitting the very best of luck.

Diolch

Left Coast Eisteddfod Organizing Committee

AmeriCymru has been invited to circulate copies of 'Aged To Perfection' at NAFOW and Wordstock by Age Cymru. Age Cymru is the largest charity working for older people in Wales and it organiszes the annual Gwanwyn Festival which offers opportunities for greater participation by older people in the arts. Age Cymru describe the publication in the following terms:-

'This book is different from other books in two ways. Firstly writing can be a solitary pastime, however, this book enlisted the help of writing groups from all over Wales and the results illustrate the benefit to writers of sharing, nurture and support from their peers. We ignore the social isolation of older people at our peril.

Secondly it is intended that this book travels as far afield as possible, you will see the pass it on logo throughout the book. Please enjoy this book and pass it on to your friends so that as many people as possible can enjoy its contents. The book has its own Twitter page and we'd love you to Tweet us or email us with details of where you found it and what you thought. We'll be charting the books progress on the Gwanwyn website. '

We presented a copy to Tom Owen, President of the Welsh Society of Portland ( see pic below ). Tom said:-

'Alexander Solzhenitsyn in his Nobel address said that " literature is how a country talks to itself". What we have here is a way for an age demographic to talk to itself. Not that any of us are getting any older of course This is a good way to share the experience.'

Each of the books is numbered and Tom's copy is number 1023. Tom promised to pass his copy on when he has finished with it and for our part we will be sure to Tweet and blog each time we present someone with a copy of the book. Check back in the coming weeks for further reports.

In closing we should mention that if you are not lucky enought to come across a 'hard' copy of 'Aged To Perfection' all the stories in the book can be read on the Gwanwyn website here:- 'Aged To Perfection'

"On his eighteenth birthday, Lleu's world is shaken by the news that he is adopted. On the same day, his friend Rhiannon thinks that she may be pregnant, and Dan, who lives in his big brother's shadow, is as scatty as ever.

They all put their problems aside for the day when they come together to celebrate Lleu's birthday. Venturing on a boat trip along the coast they suddenly see a change in the water. They realise that, on May Eve, they have found the golden doorway to the Otherworld, which can be seen shining deep beneath the waters.

Being an independent and stubborn girl, Rhiannon doesn't think twice before plunging into the sea, and the other two are not far behind. As they swim deeper and deeper and get closer and closer to the golden gate, they are transported many centuries ago to the incredible world of the Mabinogi."..... more

"The musical score is arranged by John Cale , formerly of the Velvet Underground, in conjunction with the National Orchestra of Wales.

Ioan Gruffudd (Hornblower, The Forsyte Saga), Matthew Rhys (The Graduate stage adaptation), Jenny Livsey, Daniel Evans, Phillip Madoc, Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Paul McGann (Withnail and I) are just some of the famous names who have contributed to the film."..... more

7.00 -7.30 pm Readings by Featured Authors at the Wordstock Festival

Niall Griffiths , Harrison Solow , Chris Keil , Peter Griffiths

World Premier Niall Griffiths will be reading for the first time from his forthcoming book in the 'New Stories From The Mabinogion' series. Niall was commissioned by Seren ( one of Wales' leading publishing houses ) to write a modern adaptation of two tales from the ancient text:- 'The Dream of Macsen Wledig' and 'The Dream of Rhonabwy'. The resulting title 'The Dreams of Max And Ronnie' will be published in mid October. Advance signed copies will be available for purchase at the event together with other titles from the series. The project is introduced in the following terms on the Seren website:-

"In this series commissioned by Seren, the old tales are at the heart of the new. Each author reinvents a story in their own way: creating fresh, contemporary tales that speak to us as much of our own world as of events long gone."

9.20 -11.00 pm Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Live' Narrative Competition

A live narrative competition for which we will be looking to recruit 10 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. If you wish to compete please email americymru@gmail.com to arrange.

7.30 -9.10 pm Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Live' Poetry Competition

A live poetry competition for which we will be looking to recruit 10 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. If you wish to compete please email americymru@gmail.com to arrange.

11.00 -12.00 pm Halley Weaver Portland's very own 'Zero Emissions Harpist'

...will be performing selections from The Mabinogion Suite and other works.