Drama curtain “going up” at Central Library

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 10, 2012

A unique way of enjoying theatre and drama will take place on Friday, October 26 at Cardiff Central Library. Going Up – a promenade performance will see the audience moving around the library to watch extracts of different famous plays.

Working with event partner Drama Association Wales the audience will meet in the foyer of Central Library, which, for the night will become an airport. “Airport workers” will mingle with the guests, checking tickets, assisting with check in, scanning luggage etc

The audience will then travel around the library following the various scenes as it plays up the escalators and through the rest of the library. Extracts from the following plays will be performed,  Departures by John Godber, Lady in the Van  by Alan Bennett,, A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller,  Private Lives by Noel Coward, The Helper by Stephen James Quantick, Oh, What A Lovely War! by Charles Chirlton, Assassins  by Stephen Sondheim/ John Weidman

Cabinet Member for Education and Life Long Learning, Cllr Julia Magill said,” Central Library has never been used in this way before and the event will bring a new dimension to the library and how we use it as a community space bringing many parts of the library to life with well renowned literature and plays.

“The event is also a fantastic opportunity to showcase local talent from the Drama Association Wales and deliver a unique and exciting performance.”

Tickets, which cost £5, are available at the library

For more information on Cardiff Libraries visit www.cardiff.gov.uk/librarieswww.cardiff.gov.uk/libraries

Cardiff Story “opens doors” to mark heritage event

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 11, 2012

This September many of Cardiff’s historical and important buildings will open their doors for a special event that celebrates Wales’ history.

Open Doors is Wales’ biggest celebration of architecture and heritage and for the month of September a host of events will give people the opportunity to explore buildings, take part in walks, talks, visit historical sites and view exhibitions.

Cardiff Council will show its support by opening the doors to a number of council properties including the Mansion House, City Hall and the Barrage Control Room.

Alongside these special tours, The Cardiff Story Museum has organised a number of free events.

On the evening of September 18 Dr Glenn Jordan (Butetown History and Arts Centre) and Colin Heyman (Cardiff Reform Synagogue) will deliver a short talk about the Hineni exhibition, explaining how the project was put together. The Hineni Exhibition is an oral history and photographic project, which tells the life stories of 60 members of the Cardiff Reform Jewish community.

Cardiff public libraries are the focus of attention in events taking place on Saturday September 22 and Saturday September 29.

A unique talk delivered by Cardiff library staff will take a trip through the last 150 years of libraries in the city. Learn about the Carnegie buildings, find out some backroom secrets and hear how libraries have adapted to 21st century demands. Talks will take place on both Saturdays at 11am and again at 2pm.

Visitors can also take a fascinating guided tour of The Cardiff Story Museum to explore the Victorian Grade II listed building which was originally built as Cardiff’s first public library. They will be able to see the famous tiled corridor and discover the stained glass windows at the top of the spiral staircase.

The tour will include information on how the museum was created, how the galleries were put together and more about the future plans of the museum. Tours will take place on Saturday September 22 and 29 at 12 midday and again at 3pm.

Places for all these events can be booked by calling 029 2078 8334.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “Open doors provides an unique opportunity for people to explore their local heritage.

“The Old Library, which houses the Cardiff Story, is a fascinating building – not only for the great collection exhibited as part of the museum but also for its wonderful architecture, including the famous tiled corridor.

“The talks are an added bonus to getting behind the scenes of the museum.”

World book night celebrated in cardiff

Posted by Now Cardiff on Apr 19, 2012

Libraries across Cardiff will celebrate World Book Night on Monday April 23, with the event marked across the UK, Ireland, Germany and the USA

World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books, and sees thousands of people share books within their communities for people to benefit and enjoy. People from across the UK have registered to receive free books so they can distribute within their local community.

The night is a great incentive to encourage library users new and old to go along to their local library and find out about the great services and events on offer.

Operational Manager of Cardiff Libraries, Elspeth Morris, said:  “Reading a book can be a life-changing experience!  World Book Night is a great opportunity to celebrate and share the benefits reading can bring to people who may not be avid readers.

“Libraries are fundamental to reading so naturally we want to see everybody reading, not just on World Book Night, but every night!”

(more…)

St Paul’s gets library boost from Cardiff Council

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 22, 2011

The school library at one Cardiff primary has received a major boost.

St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary School has been presented with £500 to spend on books as part of Cardiff Council’s Reading Power campaign to drive up literacy standards across the city.

The Grangetown school earned the reward for being the school with the highest attendance at the Reading Power Roadshows last month. The roadshows were held at Channel View Leisure Centre in Grangetown, Eastern Leisure Centre in Rumney and Dusty Forge in Ely to encourage and support parents and carers to spend time reading with their children.

Hundreds of families attended the roadshows, where literacy specialists from Cardiff Council were on hand to provide advice, resources and support, with St Paul’s pupils coming out on top for attendance with their parents.

The prize was presented at the school assembly this week while the secondary school with the highest attendance at the roadshows, Llanrumney High, has already received £50 worth of books for their library.

The Reading Power campaign was launched last autumn and is fronted by the Power Readers, a duo of reading superheroes who encourage parents to give their children the power to read  because ‘Knowledge is Power’.

A website provides parents with information on how they can help their children, containing tips and advice as well as recommending books and links to other websites that promote reading as an enjoyable pastime, as well as an essential skill.

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway said: “Congratulations to everyone at St Paul’s Primary on this fantastic prize which will enable the school to buy many more books for the children to learn and enjoy. It was great to see so many families attending the Reading Power roadshows and taking a strong interest in their children’s learning.

“It’s very important the Council, schools and parents all work together on this, in a bid to drive up standards and ensure every child is equipped with the basic skills to succeed in their education.”

St Paul’s headteacher, Susan Jones, said: “A big thank you to all our parents who have been a great support helping us to raise standards of achievement in reading with their children. The money will be put to good use as we intend to restock our class libraries with some exciting new reading material requested by the children.”

An Irishman, an Englishman and a Welshman walked into a library…

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 12, 2011

This summer Cardiff Central Library will host comedy workshops to tickle the fancy of wannabe comedians aged between 15 and 19.

Laughing Matters comedy workshops will be held at the library from Monday, July 18 until Thursday 21.

The workshops are free and will run from 11am until 5pm.

During the workshops young people will learn essential stand up comedy skills, confidence boosting techniques and comedy writing skills.

The workshops have been organized by Cardiff Libraries in partnership with Cardiff Comedy Festival, which takes place in the city from July 13 -to 30 of July.

Those taking part in the workshops will also have the opportunity to compete for the chance to perform to a live audience at a unique comedy show taking place in the library on Saturday, 22th July 22 at 7pm.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Following on from the success of last year’s Laughing Matters, I am delighted that Central Library has once again teamed up with the Comedy Festival to run this workshop for young adults.

“It can be difficult to find things to do over the school holiday and this is the perfect way for teenagers to either learn a new skill or develop a keen hobby that they already may have.”