Take pride despite Covid
Log on to get involved with your favourite annual gathering
ALTHOUGH Wales might be creeping back to some sort of (mask-wearing) normality as coronavirus cases ease off, there’s still a huge part of our social lives that will stay on the backburner for weeks to come yet.
Going to festivals, be they music, comedy, food fests, are part and parcel of a Welsh summer.
But with big gatherings of people not on the agenda quite yet, some have been inventive about their event and moved to online.
So here’s a quick rundown of some of the coolest events coming up – including two big draws taking place this weekend – that you don’t want to miss...
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The Big Cheese: Today until Sunday
Caerphilly gets cheesy every summer with a fantastic array of events, reenactments, music, stalls, cookery displays and, of course, cheese tastings.
You can even enter the Virtual Big Cheese Race.
For that you have to submit a picture of your team completing the race and the times will be totted up.
That “race” takes place on the Big Cheese’s social media platforms today at 6.30pm.
Don’t forget, you can also buy cheese from the visiting producers, too.
How do you join in?
To see all the performances, demonstrations and everything else, visit The Big Cheese Festival’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/TheBigCheeseCaerphilly
■ Wales-Wide Virtual Pride: Tomorrow and Sunday
With the usual Prides not being able to light up our towns and cities this summer, LGBTQymru is bringing the party to your home, virtually.
There are some cracking panels, including UK Black Pride, Being LGBT+, Life’s a Drag, Quizzes, DJ sets, choirs and Owain Wyn Evans, Jess Fishlock and many more acting as hosts across the weekend.
Get more information on the event at www.facebook.com/LGBTQymru
How do you join in?
Watch the whole fabulous thing live at www.facebook.com/LGBTQymru
■ Friday Night Comedy from Chapter: August 7
Robin Morgan and his pals bring a line-up for which you’ll definitely have a front-row seat thanks to the awesome Zoom technology, you’ll also be part of the show. Not in a horrible way!
Joining Robin on the virtual line-up are Live at the Apollo and QI panellist Jessica Fostekew and Clint Edwards who’s been on Mock the Week and is the organiser of the monthly comedy show, Drones, at Chapter.
How do I join in?
Buy your ticket at www.chapter.org, and then you can join in in two ways.
You can be on the front row which means that you will be in the Zoom call with the performers and other audience members.
Or, if you prefer to watch the show anonymously you can tune in and enjoy the evening’s entertainment without being visible to the performers
On the day of the show you’ll be sent a Zoom code, and best to “take your seat” – by logging onto the meeting – at around 7.45pm.
■ Dino Night Sleepover: August 22
Are your kiddies dino-lovers? If so then this home event is for you.
All you have to do is build your den at home, then be taken on a virtual, torch-lit tour of the museum, create a dino-mask and watch the dino-movie before bed.
The event starts at 3pm.
How do I join in?
There’ll be a download-able essential sleepover guide available when you book your free ticket – visit www. museum.wales for details – and the joining in information will be available once you book.
■ St Fagan’s Food Festival: September 12-13
The foodie fest has gone digital this year but it will still be serving a whole host of family friendly activities, foodie treats, musical performances and festival fun.
The digital Food Festival will continue to celebrate and showcase the very best of Welsh produce, all of which is available to order online or directly through the producers.
On the Saturday and Sunday you’ll be able to visit the new virtual market, where you can browse the wide range of digi stalls, chat to traders, and even pick up some exclusive event deals.
That’s not all, there’ll also be a festival takeaway menu from some of the street food vendors involved, bringing dreamy grub right to your doorstep.
How do I join in?
Details of how to join in aren’t live yet, but keep an eye on museum. wales/whatson/food-festival-2020 for up-to-date information.
■ North Wales International Music Festival: September 12-26
Further afield, for the first time in its 49-year history the international music festival will not be held at St Asaph Cathedral, but virtually.
Among those lined up to star as part of the festival in September are Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, Australian guitarist Craig Ogden, stunning vocal group Voces8, piano virtuoso Luke Jones from Wrexham, the festival’s orchestra in residence NEW Sinfonia and the renowned trio Awen Celtica with folk band VRi.
The launch of this year’s festival, a concert with sopranos Castor Voices, has gained an audience from across the globe.
How do I join in?
The full line up and the broadcasts of the 2020 festival will be available on the festival website at www.nwimf. com/2020-virtual-festival.
Welsh events you can already tune into online
THESE brilliant festivals have already taken place but are definitely worth tuning in to.
■ Merthyr Rising
A cracking music, art and debate event celebrating the history of radicalism in the South Wales Valleys, every spring in Merthyr.
See umpteen sets from local talent and more at www.facebook.com/pg/merthyrrising
■ Wales Airshow
A huge highlight in the Swansea diary and the Airshow will be back in 2021, but for now check out all the interviews with the Red Arrow pilots and never-seen footage from the show on the airshow’s Facebook page.