Performing Arts.
Don't think that culture and the performing arts are exclusively a city thing. Admittedly,
Swansea has its fair share of entertainment - its Festival of Music and the Arts
(the second largest music festival in Britain) and celebrity-packed Dylan Thomas
Festival, both in autumn, are part of a packed year-round programme that in August
2006 includes the Royal National Eisteddfod, Wales' most important cultural gathering.
But just up the road, in unassuming Pontardawe, there's a summer International Folk
Festival that showcases some of the best contemporary and rock music. The 'Ponty',
once a closely guarded secret, now attracts crowds of 40,000. And if you go to the
Gower Peninsula in July, treat yourself to glorious summer scenery and wonderful
music during the Gower Festival.
It's
hard to upstage Pembrokeshire's coastline but, the music performed in the soaring
spaces of St Davids Cathedral and the festival town of Fishguard comes mighty close.
St Davids Cathedral Festival attracts classical musicians of international repute.
It's held in late spring, along with the altogether more laid-back Fishguard Folk
Festival with its ceilidhs and gigs. Jazz, almost a permanent fixture in the pubs
of this musical town, takes over completely during Fishguard's famous Jazz Festival
each September. Haverfordwest, believe it or not, chills out to Caribbean rhythms
in summer when the Reggae Festival of Wales hits town.
Llandeilo's
Festival of Music and Flowers is another big summer event, with opera, jazz, virtuoso
performances - and flowers! Scratch the surface and you'll find things happening
throughout the region at local and grass-roots level too. Come along to village
eisteddfodau, celebrations of dance, poetry and song that embody the strong community
spirit of South West Wales.
Experience open-air Shakespeare and opera under the stars at castles, historic sites
and places like Lampeter House near Narberth, and Aberglasney, the Vale of Tywi's
magical 'garden lost in time'. Or enjoy a night out in theatres at locations from
Llandovery to Fishguard, Swansea to Milford Haven. Sometimes you don't even need
a ticket - just pop into the pub for a local band or friendly chat (talking is another
art form in these parts).