Tickets are now live for Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT) which is taking place later this year. The four-day event is set to have all sorts going on, with some activities that you can even do for free.
From an outdoor cinema to comedy club as well as live music, there is something for everyone at the festival which takes place from June 20 - 24. The festival will take place at various locations including the likes of Ystradfechan field and the library. Tickets went on sale on April 24 and you can find out more here.
The theme for this year's festival is 'Rhonnda Valley: The Centre of the Universe' which is meant to evoke the idea that the valley has everything that you could need and is home to some of Wales' biggest talents, is rich with history but is also looking to the future.
Read more: Glastonbury tickets can be won if you are a Co-op member
Here is everything you need to know about the Rhondda Arts Festival including dates, events, lineups and how much tickets are.
Tuesday, June 20
A night of storytelling
Taking place at Clwb Coffee, this event will include a licensed bar for people to make the most of, as the award-winning storyteller Deb Winter shares a selection of entertaining stories from around the world. She is known for telling Welsh, African, Irish or Inuit tales but also throws her own original stories into the mix, including her "Refried Fairy Tales".
Price: £6
Time: 7pm-11pm
Thursday, June 22
CORY BAND presents Dr Who Live
The World’s number one Brass Band perform in their home town of Ton Pentre. They will be entertaining people and taking them on their Dr Who adventure in the second half of the concert.
Price: £14 (adults), £8 (children)
Time: 7.30pm-9.45pm
Friday, June 23
ENCANTO - Rhondda Summer Nights Outdoor Cinema
People will be able to enjoy a screening of one of Disney's big hits, Encanto, which is all about a family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. Every child apart from one holds their own magic, until they become the family's only hope when they are all put in danger. Anyone attending the screening is advised to bring a picnic blanket or camping chair and wrap up warm.
Price: £10 (adults), £6 (children)
Time: Doors open at 8pm, and film starts at 9pm
An 80s LGBTQ+ Kid in the Valleys – A Memoir
Christopher Anstee is the author of the bestselling LGBTQ+ Memoir, Polish the Crown. This is an impactul collection of his work, including poems and illustrations that portray what life was like for him in his younger years, growing up under the shadow of Section 28- the prohibition of the "promotion of homosexuality" in Rhondda Valley in the 1980s.
At this event, he will be discussing his book and the ways in which he overcame adversity he has been faced with.
Price: This event is free, all you need to do is reserve your place on the RAFT website so they know you are going.
Time: 3pm-4pm
Saturday, June 24
Radio Platfform Podcast Workshop
This exciting workshop might be music to your ears if you're into editing audio, or were wondering how to break into the radio and podcasting industry. People will get to learn the basics of how to create and produce a podcast.
The idea is also that they will tackle themes that they are passionate about and build on their interpersonal skills. The age range fpr this event is from 11 to 25.
Price: This event is free, all you need to do is reserve your place on the RAFT website so they know you are going.
Love Treorchy Market
Love Treorchy are a group of 110 businesses who have come together for the benefit of their community. The whole ethos of Love Treorchy is to “invest together to improve our community” and they will be bringing their positive energy to the festival with various stores for people to enjoy.
Treorchy Cluster of Schools Choir
The Treorchy Cluster of schools will be performing in the festival tent on the Ystradfechan field to perform some songs.
Price: This event is free, all you need to do is reserve your place on the RAFT website so they know you are going.
Time: 3pm-4pm
Contemporary Dance Performance
A specially commissioned dance duet exploring the theme of the festival. The festival describes the dance on their website as being "high-energy" and contemporary.
Price: This event is free, all you need to do is reserve your place on the RAFT website so they know you are going.
Time: 10am– outside the Parc and Dare/ 12pm Outside The Lion/ 2pm Stretch tent Ystradfechan Field
Cynefin Day
There is plenty to get involved with at this family fun day. There will be activities, workshops and displays as well as curriculum areas showcasing students’ work.
There will also be transition opportunities for Year 5 and 6 pupils, and fundraising and social action.
Price: This event is free, all you need to do is reserve your place on the RAFT website so they know you are going.
Time: 11am-1pm
Rhondda in Colour Photo Exhibition
This unique photo exhibition is currently on display all throughout June at Treorchy library. Taken by the talented photographer, Eli Thomas, his photos are designed to show off the natural beauty and different cultures in South Wales that he wants to show the world.
HAIRSPRAY – Rhondda Summer Nights, Outdoor Cinema
Rhondda Arts Festival is also presenting the musical classic, Hairspray. The film which is all about a dance-loving teen, Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) who auditions for a spot on "The Corny Collins Show" and wins, with her life changing drastically as a result.
Price: £10 (adults), £6 (children)
Time: Doors open at 8pm, and film starts at 9pm
Twmpath & Calennig Band
People are set to be treated to a fun night of raucous folk music and dance led by local Welsh band, The Calenigg Band, which is a Welsh version of a ceilidh or barn dance. You'll learn the steps as you go and all ages can join in.
The band is led by concertina and spoons player Pat Smith who is acknowledged as one of Britain’s most entertaining callers and she has taught Welsh dances and called Twmpaths from Auckland to Aberdeen. She is accompanied by a pool of regular musicians Mike Kennedy (bass), Iolo Jones (fiddle), Peter Davies (whistles, recorders, oboe, bagpipes and bombarde) and Ned Clamp (guitar, mandola and harmonicas).
Price: £5
Time: 6pm-8pm
MakeIT RCT Young Performers tent
Make It! Emerging Artist Network is presenting a family friendly variety show, showcasing the ever-exciting and multi-talented up-and-coming creatives who are the Make It! Network. Anyone attending is set for an afternoon of music, dance, theatre, art and more.
This event will be in the festival stretch tent on Ystradfechan field.
Price: £5
Time: 5pm-2pm
Live music – Rhosyn Jones and Wet Paint Ltd
There will be two local bands kicking off the weekend of the festival as they play in the festival stretch tent on Ystradfechan field. Food and drink vendors on the field will be open.
Price: £5
Time: 5.30pm-7.30pm
The Lions Den Comedy Club
This exciting event will feature stand up comedy from a selection of the best comedians in the UK comedy circuit. It will take place at The Lion.
Price: £6
Time: 4pm-5.30pm
Other dates
The Big Bash
Kicking off Rhondda Arts Festival in style from 3.30pm an afternoon of local song, with Rhondda Radio Karaoke, Cwm Farm Shop Open Mic, The House Band Open Mic and a special guest appearance from "More than a song" community choir. The afternoon session is free.
From 7pm, the Semantics Slightly Dozy 12 piece band, local rainbow, lonely hearts and more. Tickets are £10 and include a free CD, available from Cwm Farm Shop. To find out more information, you can contact andycoleman030@gmail.com.
Price: £10/free
Time: June 17, 3pm-6pm (free) and 7pm-11pm (£10)
A Midsummer Night's Dream - Avant Cymru
Shakespeare was influenced by the Welsh Fairy Pwca when writing the fairy characters, naming Puck after the Pwca. The version of this Shakespeare classic takes this influence a step further and all characters will have a welsh mythological link.
Price: Pay as you feel
Time: June 30 and Saturday, July 1 (various)
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are available from the festival website here.
READ NEXT:
