Folk and fun for all the family
SESIWN FAWR IN HISTORIC SQUARE HAS MUSIC AND MORE
AFOLK festival for the whole family will take place in Dolgellau’s historic square on July 15-17.
The lineup for Sesiwn Fawr includes Talisk, one of the fastest rising bands on the British folk scene, Houdini Dax, Looe-based folk band Changing Room, which sings in Cornish and English, Sera, Yws Gwynedd, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, veterans Mynediad am Ddim, and many others.
The Sidh are a young and energetic band, always looking for new ideas and musical arrangements without forgetting their roots. Original and innovative, the result is a combination of highly contemporary and electronic Celtic music, made of whistles and bagpipes, keyboards and percussions, and hip hop and dubstep beats that are able to recreate atmospheres.
Ghazalaw, which comprises Mumbai singer Tauseef Akhtar and Welsh singersongwriter Gwyneth Glyn, celebrates the affinity between Indian Ghazal and the Welsh folk tradition by weaving the love poetry of their two ancient traditions together to the accompaniment of harp, tabla, guitar and harmonium.
Other events include a conversation with folk and Cerdd Dant singer Arfon Gwilym, and poet Rocet Arwel; and Y Stafell Ddirgel (the Secret Room), a conversation in the style of the TV and radio show Room 101; and a showing of the film Eldra, an enchanting tale about a Gypsy girl who lives in the grounds of the castle where her father is the gamekeeper, while her classmates are all from quarrying families.
There will be a host of events for children and families during the weekend, with all of Saturday afternoon being held on the square, with a twmpath dawns (similar to a ceilidh), a procession, following two local folk tales, storytelling sessions and more, and these will be free!
Camping for the festival is available at Dolgun Uchaf. Contact 01341 422269 or dolgunuchaf@aol.com to reserve your place. Shuttle buses will be running to the campsite between midnight and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights, or you can check the Discover Dolgellau website for a list of places to stay.
It is quite possible that you are not actually booked as one of the headline acts, but you do have a guitar, bodhran or fiddle at home, and want to show off your musical talents to an appreciative audience.
If so, never fear. There is bound to be a jamming session in some of the pubs, and there will also be a busking stage on the square, where you can play in front of the crowd.
You can find a lot of helpful information, including directions to the festival, where to eat, and more about the weekend’s activities on the website: http://sesiwnfawr.cymru.
Tickets for the weekend (or part thereof), can be ordered on the website, or by phone on 07860 934 722.