What's on in Cardiff?

Culture in Cardiff

Cardiff is a hotbed of culture, but many residents and visitors barely get beyond the New Theatre and the Wales Millennium Centre. I do love a big budget production, with a glamorous cast and glitzy costumes, but as a student, it can only be an occasional treat. Plus, although everyone needs some escapism now and then, Cardiff has so much more to offer in terms of theatre that can open your mind to new ideas and experiences. I’m sadly soon to leave Cardiff, but before I do I want to share some of my favourite sources of culture in the city.

We are extremely lucky here in Cardiff to have such a vibrant cultural community. If you’re interested in the arts, you really will never be bored here. My favourite things about the city though are the cultural centres at the heart of the community, like Sherman Cymru and Chapter Arts Centre, which have become second homes for me. In the last few months since reopening, the Sherman has welcomed an incredibly diverse array of productions from French street dance to nineteenth century drama, as well as supporting local talent with unique in-house productions. Along with more conventional plays, they have brought in genre-busting, experimental, and challenging works like the Shock ‘N’ Awe Company’s production Muscle, which brought the stories of ordinary man from across Wales to life through nothing but some very talented performers, or Grid Iron’s Barflies, based on Charles Bukowski’s work, which was performed in a pub and featured simulated sex inches from the audience’s faces. This dedication to thought-provoking theatre is taken even further by Chapter, which offers an equally varied array of works. Theatre at Chapter not only often blends several genres or media together, but also never shies away from tough questions. Recent performances have asked questions about gender, equality, politics, morality and more. On 1 and 2 June 2012, for example, Fragments of Ash will ask what turns a loving mother into a serial bomber. If you’re looking for work that makes you think, look no further. Theatre is just a small part of what Chapter offers, as well as art, literature, dance, meeting spaces, and a cinema showing blockbusters, indie, classics and world cinema. Well worth a trip into Canton. What I love most about Sherman Cymru and Chapter though is that both centres share a commitment to bringing arts into the heart of the community, creating spaces not just to watch performances, but to come together, discuss and get involved.

Beyond the cultural centres, another great source of art and entertainment that is often overlooked is the contribution of local students. Of course, we are very lucky to have the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama here and I can’t praise their Richard Burton Company (made up of drama students) enough. As clichéd as it may sound, going to their performances feels like watching the stars of the future. But as a Cardiff University student, I have to highlight just how much our 30,000 students, including many international students, have to offer. We have twenty-four performing arts societies and eighteen cultural societies, who between them ensure you’re never short of something to see. It’s a real shame that people outside of the university know so little about what’s going on here. One of my favourite societies is Act One, the drama society. I’ve only ever known of drama societies putting on a few shows a year, but Act One work tirelessly to ensure we are never short of plays, putting on one almost every week throughout second semester. Their productions range from Shakespeare and musicals to original works by the students. Obviously, as they are amateurs, you can’t expect everything to be perfect, but I’ve been very impressed by the high standard of their productions, especially in terms of new writing. And for only a few pounds a time, it’s great value for money! 

As well as the many music and dance societies, some of the university’s cultural societies hold annual showcases celebrating their traditions. These have been some of the highlights of my year; as well as being great fun, they offer a fascinating insight into different cultures. These events are the highlight of the year for these societies, so incredible amounts of effort are put in to preparing them. Sadly these events never get enough promotion, but you can keep up-to-date with what’s going on through the Students’ Union calendar: http://groups.cardiffstudents.com/calendar

Obviously, it’s impossible to fit all of the great cultural events, groups and activities Cardiff has to offer into one post. What I’ve learnt from my time here is the more you look, the more you’ll find.

Guest post by Katie Brown, you can see much more from Katie on some of the many publications that she writes for as well as her private blog at katiebrownonculture.blogspot.co.uk

These days everyone is looking to try and save a few pennies here and there, none more than the student generation that make up a huge amount of the population of Cardiff and will soon see another increase in our already stretched budgets.

As a well established bargain hunter and money stretching student I thought I would share some of my tips with you to have a good but expense-less experience in our city!

The first, is the moment when you realise that you really do need a haircut. When your fringe is fully over your eyes or the split ends are getting too noticeable. You can ask someone like your housemate or someone you trust (a lot), to take ‘some off the ends’. Of course this could very well end in disaster (I once cut my sisters fringe perfectly wonky) but it would save you the sometimes, high, hairdressers fee.

If that idea doesn’t appeal to you, or you value your stylish mop, then I would recommend getting a student stylist. Their prices are often half or less and in some rare circumstances free, rather than someone qualified sniping away. They are supervised and in my experience quite a bit more trustworthy than a housemate and some rusty scissors!

If you are looking to keep up your appearance with your trends and not just your hair, I would recommend moving a bit away from the traditional high street brands, unless there is a sale on of course! If you do have the pleasure of a lovely student card then you can expect all the benefits of a nice percentage of discounts from nice retailers.

If not, I would recommend the little private businesses, a slight way out of the centre of Cardiff. I recently got a fantastic bargain at a small dress shop called ‘@ Fab’ just off Albany Road in Roath, and there are a few more little treasures dotted around- particularly in the petite arcades all around Cardiff. Something else I cannot emphasise more is the careful scanning of charity shops. If you have a fancy dress party coming up then these are full of plentiful of ideas at rock bottom prices. Also if you are prone to breaking glasses and/or plates and cutlery then charity shops are the ultimate at picking up the odd little bit to get you through. (My friend’s best ever buy, was her cereal bowl at a stunning 10p!)

Now my next tip applies to boys even more than girls. Learn to sew. This handy little trick means you can fix any holes or tears so you can keep hold of clothes rather than having to replace broken things and spend needlessly. There are some nifty sewing kits in Cardiff Market, and while you’re there, make sure you go and have a look at the tiny kittens in the pet store upstairs!

The next best place for sale shopping is in the supermarket. Sunday evenings tend to be the best for finding amazing ‘reduced’ food that can be easily frozen and kept for another time at a fraction of the price. Another tip is to bulk buy. If you have the luxury of a car then this isn’t so much of an issue for you but if not, you can always team up with your friends to order a home delivery so you save on time and the effort of shopping. ALWAYS check the offer leaflets, they too have secret charms hidden in them, and you all know we are waiting for the next time the Ben and Jerry’s goes on offer. Sometimes there are money-off coupons in the leaflets too!

Voucher collecting is priceless! Literally! The number of half price meals I have had in Bella Italia in the Brewery Quarter, lovely. If you have signed up to clubcard schemes then the points do add up and you can soon be enjoying some well earned rewards.
Some of the most fantastic places to eat in Cardiff do get over shadowed by the huge American giants that have landed in the beautiful St David’s 2 but do keep your eye out. If you are feeling a bit peckish after getting off the train at Cardiff Central then just pop over the road. There is a gorgeous cafe that does a mind blowing cooked breakfasts, or if that isn’t your thing then you can have a personalised baguette meal deal. Such low prices, it feels like a crime!

If you’d like to experience some more of Cardiff in the more student populated areas then there is a lovely bar with its own bumper car (yes you read it right) called Milgis Lounge on City Road, but if Shisha is more of your thing then you will be spoilt for choice on the same road. If you like traditional tea in a very fancy teapot or the idea of party-ring styled necklace then I would recommend ‘Tea and Cakes’ around the corner up on Wellfield Road. Or perhaps you would just like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city, you could pop into Bute Park and lose yourself in the trees or head north towards the gorgeous Roath Park and perhaps take a boat out to feed the swans?

Cardiff is a stunning city, and although you can spend as much as you like, there is a way of having a great time here by spending hardly anything at all.

Guest blog by Therese Wynn-davies

I have lived in both Swansea and Cardiff.  In fact, I still do.  On my days off I live in Cardiff with my partner.  When I am working, I live with a friend in Swansea, as it’s an easier commute to Carmarthen from there.

Which city is better, Cardiff or Swansea?  If you asked 100 people from Swansea, they’d say Swansea.  If you asked 100 people from Cardiff, they’d say Cardiff.  Of course, this is obvious.  Where it becomes interesting, is when you ask people from OUTSIDE these two places.  The majority of people I know prefer Cardiff.  The question is, why?  Is it purely because Cardiff is the Welsh Capital?  An obvious advantage yes, but I don’t think that’s the reason….

Cardiff has always seemed to have the upper hand.  They were granted city status in 1905, where as Swansea didn’t get this until 1969.  By this point, Cardiff had already been declared capital of Wales.

So is it a question of time?  Has it always been a one horse race?  By the time Swansea became a city, Cardiff had already hosted the Commonwealth Games (1958), and become the home of the Welsh Office.  This was soon followed by the Arts Council For Wales, and the Welsh Development Agency.

Swansea has been fighting an uphill battle.  Whilst Cardiff had its share of disaster during World War 2, Swansea was practically flattened.  Yet the people refused to be defeated.  Swansea was rebuilt from the ground up.  It’s this sort of thing that makes me proud to be Welsh.  As the song goes, “I get knocked down, but I get up again…”.

So whilst Swansea had to step back and start again, Cardiff was like a juggernaut… or was it?  Whilst making a name for itself in the political and sporting world, industry was struggling.  The East Moor steelworks closed in 1978, and Cardiff’s population dropped dramatically (5% over ten years).

So was this the start of Cardiff and Swansea drawing even?  It’s no surprise that the 1980′s were a hard time for the whole of the UK.  Changes needed to be made.  Coming into the 1990′s, both cities had battled through the hardship, and came out fighting.  Swansea and Cardiff were among very few cities (outside London) that experienced growth in population during this decade.

Call centres brought much-needed jobs, a growing local economy saw town centres grow and flourish.  Things were on the up… for now.

There was a double-edged sword just around the corner… retail parks.  I LOVE retail parks.  All the shops I want, in one place.  Easy access and well designed road systems.  Generally away from the city centre’s, so traffic is lighter… and you can park right in the middle of this consumer paradise, FREE OF CHARGE!!!

For the consumer, this was brilliant.  For the High Street, it definitely wasn’t.  Another nail in the coffin was the dawn of the online shop.  The overheads for these companies is greatly reduced, allowing cheaper pricing.

This raises another question… Why is the centre of Cardiff still developing, whilst Swansea appears to have stalled?

In Cardiff, the recent development of the St David’s 2 shopping centre is very intriguing to me.  It’s a hybrid of sorts.  A shopping centre, with on site car park, in the middle of the city… retail park meets High Street…

I know what you’re thinking.  The Quadrant.  Swansea has had the Quadrant Shopping Centre for years.  With a multi-storey car park attached to Debenhams, and a central location, is this not the same thing?  Or is it that the stores within the St Davids Centre are slightly more cosmopolitan than those of the Quadrant? or is it my BIGGEST bone of contention…

ROAD SYSTEMS.

Swansea’s road system is shocking.  Abysmal in comparison to Cardiff.  Box junction after box junction.  Confusing one way systems.  Traffic congestion on an epic scale at times.  I’m not saying Cardiff has the perfect network.  Realistically, no evolving city can.  All I can say is that I am far more comfortable driving through Cardiff.  The road system seems more… logical.  When you are trying to get people into the city, this is vital. 

Tourism is vital to any cities survival.  Comparison is very difficult here. 

Swansea has the beaches of the Gower.  Fantastic views and great surfing conditions.  The Liberty stadium is attracting high-profile acts such as Pink and JLS.  The SA1 development, whilst in its infancy, looks promising.  Sadly, the recent recession was bad timing for SA1, but it’s not a lost cause yet… 

Cardiff has a growing city centre, with the St Davids Shopping Centre,and a multitude of lovely arcades.  The Castle provides wonderful multilingual tours.  The beauty of Bute Park is evident all year round.  The Millennium Stadium has become a world-famous stadium.  Then there’s Cardiff Bay… where do you begin?

I think Cardiff Bay is definitely the trump card in this debate.  There is no competition.  Techniquest is great for children. The Red Dragon Centre plays host to Capital FM, Odeon cinema, a casino, and various restaurants. Ikea is just around the corner. The Wales Millennium Centre, a hub of creativity and reasonably priced performances.  Roald Dahl Plass has become a popular amphitheatre.  The Norwegian Church is now a popular art centre.  The Pierhead building has been re-opened as a Welsh history museum. To top it off, a restaurant quarter with a diverse range of choices to suit all the family.

I love Cardiff Bay.  It’s so relaxed and welcoming.  It’s aesthetically pleasing.  It embraces modern living, yet retains its historical roots.

I think there will always be competition between Cardiff and Swansea.  Competition is healthy, it inspires creativity.  These two cities should be loved by all Welsh people.  They are equally important in our history, and will be as important in our future.  Sadly, this isn’t always a shared opinion. Competition can become aggressive.  A South Wales Derby football match between the Cardiff Blues and the Swans can result in violent and destructive behaviour.  Thankfully, this is a small portion of society.

In summary, I find that the question “Which city is better?” is not an easy one to answer.  Even as an outsider, it comes down to preference. These two cities have grown in different ways, and accommodate different things.  Cardiff wins for me.  It feels like home.  I like Swansea, but I love Cardiff. 

It’s up to you which you prefer, and your reasons will be just as valid as mine.  It’s about which one best accommodates your needs. 

People from Cardiff and Swansea will always have their differences.  Just remember one thing:

Both cities are a valid part of a well oiled machine.  That machine is Wales… and isn’t she beautiful?

Guest post by stuism who writes his blog here: http://stuism.wordpress.com/

Have you ever completed one of the hundreds of ‘Welsh citizenship tests’ or ‘Welshometer’ quizzes that ping back into the forefront of social networking sites in the run up to St David’s Day? Some of them are beautifully tongue-in-cheek. A personal favourite lists a possible answer to a Heritage section as “I was born in New Zealand, but the WRU say one of my grandparents might have been born in Wales, so I qualify to play for the national team.”

There’s a distinctly South Walian bent to all this, and a distinct absence of any mention of the Welsh tongue. It’s very easy to be left with the impression that to be Welsh is to be from the valleys of South Wales, obsessed with the rugby and the bridge toll. The Wales beyond the M4 corridor is a hidden realm, occasionally referred to as a holiday destination or the home of prettier sheep. I am as guilty as any of referring to South and North Wales, as though they were East and West Germany, rather than the southern and northern halves of a single country.

I lose points on any ‘Welsh’ test, having grown up in the Far East (to Welsh parents, I hasten to add – my childhood was studded with St David Day balls where I was dressed in national costume in order to hand out silk leeks to guests). Since returning to Wales to live I’ve attempted to learn the language and acquired a moderate Cardiff accent (“tuth” and “sospan” have replaced “tooth” and “saucepan” in my lexicon).

More than this though, I’ve really fallen in love with the country. We’ve spent a good few days tramping around Pontneddfechan and plan to spend much more time in the Brecon Beacons. We’ve walked a lot of the coast along the South made extensive use of our CADW membership around Chepstow, Caerphilly and Caerleon. As a Cardiff resident I’ve been able to apply for a Cardiff Castle pass, which means I can walk down in my lunch break to eat my sandwiches in the keep.

I can spend hours singing the praises of Wales’ capital city: the stadium, the Welsh Millennium Centre, St David’s Hall, the CIA, the Food Festival, the Cheese Festival, the Fringe Festival, the walk across the barrage to Penarth in the sun, the joy that is St Fagan’s, the quaint delight of Castell Coch... And yet beyond this vibrant city there is so much more.

We went to North Wales on honeymoon and spent a week gazing at stunning landscapes surrounded by delightfully friendly people. They have some pretty impressive castles up north, a rather extensive network of steam railways and plenty of places to buy firewood so you can have a blazing fire roaring in your rental cottage. I can’t wait to go back.

So this St David’s Day, when you’re buying your daffodils and planning your cawl and lamb, put down the leek and the welsh cakes for two minutes, think about all the places you haven’t yet explored yet in Wales and decide on one to get to this year. It may be visiting the Gwynt y Ddraig brewery to taste the best perry in the world, or travelling to Abergavenney for their food festival, or watching the Roman cavalry units perform in Caerleon this summer. Whether it’s Dyffryn Gardens or Beaumaris, Cader Idris or the Waterfront Museum, make a pledge on March 1st this year to visit somewhere new in this amazing country. You’ll love it.

Dydd Dewi Sant Hapus!

Guest post by Alys Kowalik who writes a Cardiff based food blog here: http://cfchef.wordpress.com/

I'm not a massive fan of Valentine's - maybe because I'm an old married woman now and think that doing the washing up is a more romantic gesture than buying flowers. Perhaps because I briefly worked in catering and think of it as the night that teenagers with disposable income and old couples without anything in common anymore but their long-flown-from-the-nest children pay over the odds for chef's lazily constructed special menu that has been tripled in cost due to the calendar date. Anyway, I do still believe in romance, and there's nothing to stop you from making that gesture on February 14th - so long as it doesn't mean that the other 364 days are a dearth of affectionate behaviour.

The main thing is to get away from the intolerable tedium of champagne, chocolate and roses. Or overbooked restaurants. I won't even mention the disaster that is 'saucy' underwear bought in the wrong size and an outrageous colour. It's classier to clumsily paw at your girlfriend than buy them hooker's workwear and pretend that it isn't a present for you. 

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
Show your lover that you love them with all your senses, and buy a small gift for each of theirs - taste, touch, sight, sound and smell. It's so simple to do (truffles, a silk scarf, a book they'll enjoy, a CD and a bath bomb). Boots don't do it, you can't buy it from Tesco, there's no package set from play.com. It shows you've thought about them and what they'd like. 

Taking it long term.
Flowers die, chocolate gets eaten in days (hours?) and wine is gone in no time - try getting something that you'll look back at in September and remember Valentine's. Potted plants or silk flowers. A cookery book with promises to cook from it. Matching wine glasses (it's so nice to have a good set - or wine charms are lovely) to accompany a nice wine. And do think about getting a rose - there are some really gorgeous pink wines out there at the moment that are lighter than reds and less dry than whites.

Sacrifice
Sometimes there's something that your partner loves (heavy metal concerts, morris dancing competitions, professional badminton tournaments) that just really isn't your bag, but they wouldn't really want to go to on their own. Buy the tickets and suck it up - this won't work if you fidget right the way through. Think about taking them to the opera/ballet/ferret-juggling and make sure that they have the best possible time. It's only a few hours of your life.

Whatever you do, take five minutes away from the commercialised nonsense of the whole shebang to appreciate each other. It doesn't cost a thing and it makes you realise how rich you really are.

Guest post by Alys Kowalik who writes a Cardiff based food blog here: http://cfchef.wordpress.com/