Saturday 19 July 2014

Abergavenny’s wall2wall Jazz Festival returns!


Black Moutain Jazz


Abergavenny’s wall2wall festival is back! With a stunning line up, this year’s event is bigger than ever with two packed days of music over the weekend of 30th and 31st August.

On the back of the success of wall2wall’s inaugural year, and the chance to play against the stunning backdrop of the Black Mountains, the festival has managed to secure some of the biggest names in the UK jazz.

These include the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Famed for unique tours which take them across the globe, they promise to give their trademark spectacular performance and with their alumni including Guy Barker, Mark Nightingale and Amy Winehouse they are definitely ones to see to spot the stars of the future!

Also confirmed is chart-topping Jacqui Dankworth, who will be on tour with her latest album Live to Love. She will be performing in the Borough Theatre and offers a wide ranging performance for all to enjoy.

In addition there will be over 26 acts including the likes of 606 Gospel Singers, Arun Ghosh, John Etheridge’s Sweet Chorus, the Basin Street Brawlers, The Three Belles, Tony O'Malley, Brass Jaw and Digby Fairweather to name just a few.

To accommodate all these acts there are four different venues, allowing guests to experience not only a variety of music but a flavour of the town itself.  Abergavenny’s famous Borough Theatre, with its amazing acoustics, will be our festival box office and also host to four major concerts.

Our stroller programmes are accommodated at three unique venues which ticket holders will gain exclusive access to. The first is the town’s ancient castle which will provide a magical backdrop - with the festival stage set within the ruins of the Great Hall and set against the famous Blorenge Mountain.

The Kings Arms, Abergavenny’s oldest pub, which also handily has a grand reputation for fine food and ales, will be the second venue.

Then last, but in no ways least, will be our third stage located in the courtyard of the medieval priory where participants can sample not only world class jazz, but the best of the area’s local produce at the adjacent Tithe Barn CafĂ©.

Abergavenny will be in full festival fever over the weekend with free street entertainment in the centre and a unique ‘treat’ stroller will be offered – allowing ticket holders to graze the many cafes and restaurants with discounted offers.

With world class jazz, fine food, stunning views and a range of accommodation, this is one festival not to miss.

For more information and to take advantage of the early bird ticket sales head now to http://www.blackmountainjazz.co.uk/ or contact Ruth at ruthecoulthard@gmail.com / telephone 07528225751.



School's out- What's on for the children this Summer

With school finishing and the kids looking forward to the summer, it's down to the parents to find some activities to keep them busy. Well, look no further, we've got it all lined up ready for you to join in in Abergavenny!

Abergavenny Museum and Castle is holding some wonderful events over the next few weeks which can be seen below, set within the beautiful castle grounds it will definitely put a smile on their faces this summer!

Wednesday 23rd July 10am-12pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm
Drop in family craft activity - sketchbooks and scrapbooks
Create wonderful sketchbooks and scrapbooks to record your holiday memories
£2.00 per child

Sunday 27th July 10.00am-4.00pm

Festival of Archaeology
Staying warm and well fed in 1087. Join us for Medieval cookery and spinning and weaving demonstrations, family craft activities, costumer, medieval objects and more.
£2.00 per child. Drop in event.

Tuesday 29th July 2.00pm- 4.00pm

Teddy Bears Picnic
Join us for an afternoon of stories, songs, craft activities and a bear hunt. Bring your teddy and a picnic and have lots of fun in the castle grounds.
£2.00 per child. Booked event

Wednesday 30th July - 10.00am-12.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm

Drop in Family craft activity - teriffic toys
Explore toys and games through the ages and make some of your own to take home.
£2.00 per child

Wednesday 6th August - 10.00am - 12.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Drop in family craft activity - Treasure boxes
Museums are home to lots of treasures. Discover what's in Abergavenny Museum and make a  beautiful box to keep your own treasures in.
£2.00 per child

Friday 8th August 10.00am-4.00pm
Medieval Mayhem
A spectacular day of medieval fun for all the family. Have a go at mechanical jousting and archery, meet a 'medieval' archer, cook and armourer, have a go at heraldry and more.
£3.00 per child. £5.00 per adult and £15.00 for a family ticket

Friday 8th August, 3.00pm
Illyria Theatre Company presents Robin Hood
Illyria's production comes straight from the 14th century Robin Hood Ballards - which makes it as authentic as Robin Hood legends come. Written in fast moving, easy to follow verse, and introducing all the well-loved characters such as Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian and King Richard, the play is a collection of tales featuring camaraderie, swashbuckling action, and riotous comedy.
suitable for all ages 5+
Tickets £7.50 or £28.00 for a family of four, contact boxoffice@boroughtheatre.co.uk

Wednesday 13th August - 10.00-12.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm
Drop in family craft activity - lovely landscapes
Have fun creating landscapes with different materials, inspired by our Sites of Inspiration exhibition
£2.00 per child

Wednesday 20th August - 10.00-12.00 and 2.00 - 4.00pm
Wonderful wildlife
Explore paintings in our new exhibition and make puppets and mobiles based on the animals in the images
£2.00 per child

Wednesday 27th August - 10.00 -12.00 and 2.00 - 4.00
Here be dragons
Design and make your very own dragon then take your new pet for a 'fly' in the castle grounds.
£2.00 per child

To book a place on any of these fun filled events or for more information contact Karin Molson, Heritage Learning, Monmouth Museums Service on 01600 710630 or email karinmolson@monmouthshire.gov.uk or Rachael Rogers on 
01873 854282 or email RachaelRogers@monmouthshire.gov.uk


 

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Abergavenny in Four Hours

There are lots of things to do in Abergavenny however if you ever only have a few hours to spare Abergavenny can offer you a fun filled few hours! With lots of shops, history and views there is something for everyone.

In four hours the top things to do are:
  • Discover the wonderful distinctively independent shops Abergavenny has. See the range of shops here 
  • Have afternoon tea at the Angel Hotel, for more information visit here
  • View the beautiful scenery, to get an idea of the views around Abergavenny visit here
  • Visit the Abergavenny markets that take place in Abergavenny Market Hall, for more information visit here http://www.abergavennymarket.co.uk/

Rainbow in Abergavenny on 4th May