Let’s take pART
TAKE pART is an annual arts and science weekend, now in its 10th year, for 0 to 18-yearolds and their families.
The largest event of its kind in Wales, there will be hundreds of individual workshops, drop-in sessions, masterclasses and performances taking place under one roof at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on January 12 and 13.
Philip Reeve, the author of Mortal Engines – recently adapted into a blockbuster film by Peter Jackson (Lord of The Rings) – will be at the festival on the Saturday talking about how he comes up with his stories and characters, and fans of his work will also be able to ask him questions.
X-factor star Lloyd Macey will be doing a Musical Theatre workshop and Q&A, whilst Dr Ronx, the newest presenter on the hit CBBC TV show ‘Operation Ouch’, will be appearing on both days, talking about her journey from deciding to become a doctor and working in a busy emergency department to being followed around by a film crew.
Official Lucasfilm artist and official BBC Dr Who Comic cover artist JAKe will be leading workshops on drawing Star Wars and Dr Who characters.
JAKe, who illustrated the cult Star Wars book ‘How To Speak Wookiee’ will also be helping budding artists to make their own superheroes come to life.
The Rock Project will be teaching young musicians how to play guitar, bass and drums, whilst BBC National Orchestra of Wales are holding a series of workshops and Welsh National Opera, which has a base at Venue Cymru, will be running their pop-up opera performances ‘Access All Arias’ with professional singers from WNO Chorus.
They’ll also be running taster sessions for their Youth Opera.
Celyn Jones, North Walian actor / writer / producer, will be teaching scriptwriting and acting for the big screen and there’ll be more TV magic with visits from the Rownd a Rownd and Cyw teams.
Sarah Ecob, Artistic Programmer of take pART, said: “We are very excited to welcome such a stellar line-up to the take pART 10th anniversary weekend, which will conclude each day with a performance by the amazing SPARK! drummers, back by popular demand.
“We’ve got something for everyone from storytelling for babies to a Q&A with Jim Parkyn Senior Model Maker with Aardman Animations. We hope to see you there!”
This year, the event is funded by Arts Council of Wales Lottery, Conwy County Borough Council, Llandudno Town Council and Conwy Arts Trust, with Horizon Nuclear Power sponsoring the main Arts & Science Tent.
Other highlights will include Oscar®-winning Aardman characters, ‘Wallace and Gromit’.
Senior model maker Jim Parkyn will be leading Gromit modelmaking sessions and children will also have the opportunity to make their own model of ‘Hognob’ from the studio’s latest animated film ‘Early Man’.
Aardman will also be leading storyboard sessions, with budding artists getting the chance to create their own storyboard and learn how pencil drawings can be used to create an ‘animatic’ – the animated storyboard used to bring drawings to life.
Local schools are also joining in the take pART fun through a special bunting competition.
They are working in conjunction with Dylan’s Restaurant in Llandudno to make birds out of recycled plastic, which will be used to decorate the interior of Venue Cymru for the weekend.
Many of the events at take pART are free to join in, but some have ticketed admission.
Tickets can be obtained in lieu of a donation towards Conwy Arts Trust. For tickets and more information visit www.venuecymru.co.uk and the full programme for the weekend can be viewed at https://venuecymru.co. uk/take-part-2019