A very special diolch yn fawr/Thanks to everyone that came out to the Welsh Festival!
The 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts has wrapped up a beautiful weekend at the Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood, California. We expected a large turnout and we got it with close to two thousand in attendance over the course of September 23-25. According to many Welsh-Americans this was the largest gathering in the United States for such an event. It was also a historic occasion as it had been over 75 years since the last Welsh Festival in Los Angeles. The Welsh festival also attracted some notable guests; including actor Henry Thomas (Legends of the Fall, Gangs of New York, ET), and grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Overall the festival was a major success on many levels and there were many old and new friends made.
As the lead coordinator/curator, my goal was to center the festival on celebrating Welsh identity and expression, and to foster positive self-esteem and creativity for the benefit of the greater community. The public participated in classes and competitions displayed in the Welsh tradition, and Welsh Americans benefited from learning about their culture through ongoing workshops and activities. The Festival also brought about reflection. Several attendees said how they were reminded of home and tears of joy were shed by many including myself.
One the major successes of the festival was the Welsh mythology and legend art show and making of my poetry book 'A Welsh Alphabet' featuring over 30 artists from Wales and Americas. Each letter of the alphabet correlates to a character in Welsh mythology and legend and these were illustrated by different artists, along with special notes by Welsh author Peter Anthony Freeman. This book was exclusively made for the festival and can be previewed here: A Welsh Alphabet
All for now,
Hwyl!
Lorin Morgan-Richards
The Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation is partnering with AmeriCymru and A Raven Above Press to bring you the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts, which encompasses art competitions, film festival, outdoor marketplace and much more. To learn more about this festival navigate through the buttons above.
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Opening Ceremonies with performances by:
Beginning the evening we will have a Druid blessing by Brian y Tarw Llwyd and Garan Gwyn. Also Opening Night of the Welsh Mythology and Legend Art Show!
Eisteddfod: Prize Competitions in Poetry, Voice, Comedy, and Storytelling.
Featuring Vocalists: George Angelo, Jr., Timo Standing Buffalo. Storytellers: John McGee, Laura Wolfe-Bosworth, Harrison Lowe, Michael D McCarty, Anthony Burcher. Poets: Tiger Moon, Daniel Morales Leon, Karina Dominguez, Janice Ann Johnson, Chris Chandler. Comedians: Jeannette Rizzi, Brian Whitaker, Christi Waldon, Carlos Escobar.
Film Festival: Film Festival and Lecture screening Otherworld, Eldra and the Quarryman. Special guest host Aparna Sharma, Assistant Professor of Dept of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA (with expertise on Welsh Cinema), will be introducing each film with a brief commentary on its importance.
Authentic Welsh food by Alex Catering, Welsh Cakes by The Welsh Baker, Sir Nathan's Red Dragon Lemonade (a charity stand to raise money for childrens cancer needs), and alcoholic refreshments by Oberon's Welsh Pirate Bar.
Tour the legendary Hollyhock House, designed by Welsh American Frank Lloyd Wright, residence of Aline Barnsdall and built in 1919-1921. The Hollyhock House will be open for tours on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm. Prices for tours are $7 for General, $3 for Seniors, and $2 for Youth (17 and under) or if accompanied by an adult – free.
Welsh Games, Vendor Marketplace, Crafts, and Classes, including Language instruction by Jason Shepherd of the Learn Welsh Podcast, Magic Show by Joseph Schneider, Welsh Storytelling by Peter Anthony Freeman, traditional Music by vocal/harpist Nerys Jones and ‘Wake the Bard’, Crwth demonstration, contemporary music by Tom Jones tribute band ‘Sexbomb’. Appearance by the Mari Lwyd, demonstration of Gwyddbwyll. Genealogy corner with Annie Lloyd. Workshops and lectures by Jude Johnson, Sam Wenger, John Gower, Joe Praml, Llwyn Swynedig, Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, R. Merlin, Jymie Darling, Segni Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Los Angeles Rugby Club, and Peter Paddon.
Come and see the traveling exhibit 'Welsh in America': Learn about Welsh-American history with this special exhibit on loan from the Welsh Assembly Government.
Participants in the Vendor marketplace include: Welsh Choir of Southern California, Dreamsinger Music, Ion Drive Publishing, A Raven Above Press, AmeriCymru, Pendraig Publishing, Welsh Presbyterian Church, Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation, Faire Ladies Faire Lords, Segni Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Gotham Press, Alex Catering, Aileens Art, Welsh Baker, Pan Pipes Magickal Marketplace, Los Angeles Rugby Club, Three Geese in Flight Celtic Books, DragonMarsh, Singletree, Inc., Faery Mysterium, Fischer Enterprises, Kids Books for Adults, Alteryears, Celtic Art Studio, Celtic Arts Center, O'Keeffe Irish Imports, Gotham Press, BlackHeart Metals, Celtic Jackalope, MacNeith Productions, Noemi Co., The Red Dragon of Wales, Pyschic and Tarot Card Readings by April, and more!
Welsh Mythology and Legend Art Show featuring over 30 artists: Jen Delyth, Monica Richards, Casey Ruic, Frankie Babylon, John Charles, Gina Turcios (rabbit), Phresha Le Vandale, David Richardson, Adrien Burke, Spinestealer, Nicole Josephian, Kelly McCartin, Gaabriel Becket, Nicolas Caesar, Rick Dienzo Blanco, Meiling Chen, Nichola Hope, Chris Mann, Andrea Gutierrez, Calan Ree, Kimberly Wlassak, Sarah Hope, Jo Mazelis, Rochelle Shelly Rosenkild, Michele Witchipoo, Lorin Morgan-Richards, Rhys Jones, Liam O'Connor, Jeremy Cross, and Jason Shepherd.
Welsh-Canadian artist and master lovespoon carver David Western has created a special Welsh Lovespoon in recognition of the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts in Los Angeles and David's work will be on display during the event. Visit his West Coast Eisteddfod Lovespoon blog.
Festival Major sponsors are AmeriCymru, A Raven Above Press, Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation and Tom LaBonge 4th District Councilmember.
Festival Community Sponsors are The Green Man Store, Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project, Wymore, Nebraska, AmByth Estate, The Welsh Baker, Learn Welsh Podcast, Cambrian Homecare, Alex Catering, Welsh Choir of Southern California, Storyforge Studios, The Seventh Quarry, Cinnamon Press, David Western Lovespoons, Sexbomb (Tom Jones Tribute Band), Tebot Bach, Cymdeithas Madog: The Welsh Studies Institute in North America, Paul and Nola Becket, Karen and Jerry Richards.
Friend of the West Coast Eisteddfod Sponsors are The National Library of Wales, Valley Stream, Music Wales LTD, Celtic Attic.
Also made possible through a grant received from The National Welsh-American Foundation.
The festival is to celebrate Welsh identity and expression. In doing so, it fosters positive self-esteem and creativity for the benefit of the greater community. The public will be encouraged to participate in these classes and competitions displayed in the Welsh tradition. Welsh Americans will benefit from learning about their culture through ongoing workshops and activities.
Download the 2011 event poster:
