Gwyddbwyll demonstration

Gwyddbwyll is a game known from three of the Mabinogion tales: Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig, Peredur fab Efrawg and Breuddwyd Rhonabwy. Linguistically Gwyddbwyll is related to the Irish Fidchell in that both words literally mean 'wooden knowledge'. There is also some suggestion that Gwyddbwyll is related to anther game, Tallbwrdd which from a 1587 manuscript by Robert ap Ifan is played on an 11x11 board. In contrast, at least in terms of popular belief gwyddbwyll is played on a 7x7 board. This and the reflection of the game in the external events portrayed in Breuddwyd Rhonabwy where ravens do battle agains men may make gwyddbwyll more similar to the Irish brandubh (black raven). Try a hand at the game yourself, see if you can corner the opponents king! (The board is being created by Jerry and Karen Richards for the festival)

Mari Lywd appearance

The Mari Lwyd is unique to Wales. In its purest form the tradition involves the arrival of the horse and its party at the door of the house or pub, where they sing several introductory verses. Then comes a battle of wits (known as pwnco) in which the people inside the door and the Mari party outside exchange challenges and insults in rhyme. At the end of the battle, which can be as long as the creativity of the two parties holds out, the Mari party enters with another song. See the Mari Llywd for yourself and accompany in Welsh traditional songs!

Wake the Bard has become the most popular Celtic band in the Inland Empire. It began in 2003 when Pat and Sandi Huckaby, Celtic musicians from the San Fernando Valley, met folk musicians Mike and Stephanie Adams when they all moved to Green Valley Lake. They play in pubs, concerts, and parties throughout Southern California, and a time or two in Las Vegas.
The name, “Wake the Bard,” means to wake up the rich music tradition, poetry, mythology and culture that the bards, or poet-musicians, of ancient Ireland had always kept alive. It also has the double meaning, as in Irish wake, of mourning all that was lost of the bardic tradition when the English conquered Ireland and tried to suppress its culture and traditions. Wake the Bard is Pat Huckaby: guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and vocals, Sandi Huckaby on hammered dulcimer, Stephanie Adams on vocals, and harmonium, Mike Adams on guitar and bodhran, and Clare Bellefeuille-Rice on fiddle.

Enjoy Celtic sounds and traditional Welsh music performed by Wake the Bard on the outdoor stage!

On the Bards'dall Performance Stage -

Performance by Wake the Bard

http://www.wakethebard.com/

On the Bards'dall Performance Stage - Magic by Joseph Schneider

Hundreds of clients agree that Joseph is one of today’s finest close-up artists.

His unique blend of sleight-of-hand, mentalism, and card cheating demonstrations will leave the most discerning audience delighted and mystified. Joseph has performed in nearly every environment—train stations, bars, restaurants, hotels, schools, large-scale illusion stage shows, even private homes in Europe and the U.S. His talents have been acquired by dozens of notable organizations, including Tree People, USC, Ashley Furniture Stores, The Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, The Special Olympics, and First National Bank. He has appeared in feature stories in both the Orange County Register and the Seal Beach Sun, and is a member of the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle.

Be mesmerized by the talents of Joseph Schneider!

http://www.performancebyjoseph.com/

On the Bards'dall Performance Stage -

Nerys Jones, Vocalist & Harpist

Nerys Jones was born and educated in Mid Wales and studied at both the Royal Scottish Academy and Guildhall schools of music and drama.

Early soprano roles include Karolka Jenufa and Marzelline Fidelio for Scottish Opera with the American director Stephen Wadsworth and Norina Don Pasquale with Welsh National Opera on the BP Tour. In 1994 she joined English National Opera where she remained a company mezzo-soprano for six seasons, roles including Cherubino, Despina, Zerlina, Second Lady, Melissa Princess Ida, Bird Blond Eckbert, Proserpina Orfeo, Flora La Traviata, Pitti Sing Mikado, Mercédès Carmen, Nursing Sister Suor Angelica, Rosette Manon, Kitchen Boy Rusalka, Hansel Hansel and Gretel, Flower Maiden and Second Squire Parsifal, and Sister Mathilde Dialogues des Carmélites

She has performed with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Early Music Consort and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales at the National Eisteddfod. Recitals include the North Wales Music Festival with the pianist Malcolm Martineau, and a celebration concert for the composer, Geoffrey Bush, at St John's Smith Square, London.

Other appearances include Cherubino, Rosina and Dorabella for Grange Park Opera, Dryad in a concert performance of Ariadne auf Naxos at the Barbican Concert Hall conducted by Richard Hickox, Lisetta Il Mondo della Luna and Pippo La Gazza Ladra at Garsington, Stewardess Flight with Reisopera in Holland, Vlaamse Opera and the Adelaide Festival. The title role La Cenerentola for Opera Zuid and Pitti Sing The Mikado for La Fenice in Venice. Most recently Hansel with Reisopera in Holland.

Welsh Storytelling Corner-

Welsh Storytelling by Peter Anthony Freeman

Take a seat and listen to traditional stories and poems of Wales with Welsh storyteller Peter Anthony Freeman.

Peter Anthony Freeman was born in Wales, and left school at the age of 15 to experience life, never looking back. Early on he worked on farms and construction sites until he finally took to work at a local bus company, South Wales Transport. Beginning a career in busdriving.

Now living in California with his wife who is Apache, and two wonderful sons, he focuses on writing to fullfill his lifelong dream of being an author.

Freeman writes about a variety of subjects, but his main interests lie in Myths and legends from the past and opinions about the "shenanigans" of today.

His latest project is telling the old Welsh legends the way they were always told with the poetry. The tales were meant to be listened to, not read, studied and analyzed. They are here to be enjoyed and my aim is to tell them before the old ways are lost forever.

http://themagicneverends.blogspot.com/

 

Outdoor Classroom -

Beginner Welsh language classes

with Jason Shepherd of Learn Welsh Podcast

Based out of Swansea, Jason Shepherd creates and hosts The Learn Welsh Podcast, a fortnightly audio podcast that teaches people the Welsh Language. The Podcast's website is for the listeners (as well as any other Welsh learners), to come together and share their learning experiences. The site also focuses on History and Culture of Wales and to practice writing and speaking in Welsh with other learners. Jason is also an accomplished artist that enjoys painting the Gower Peninsula and other scenic Welsh areas.

http://learnwelshpodcast.blogspot.com/

Genealogy Corner with Annie Lloyd

Annie Lloyd has been doing Welsh genealogy for almost 30 years. She is a Welsh consultant at the Los Angeles Family History Library. Annie writes the "Climbing the Family Tree" column for the Welsh-American newspaper, NINNAU. She is also a columnist with the Welsh-American Genealogical Society (WAGS) and the British Isles Family History Society - U.S.A. where she is leader of their Welsh Study Group. An author of several books on Welsh genealogy, Annie has lectured in the USA and internationally and has done on-site research in Wales. Annie Lloyd will also be representing the Welsh Presbyterian Church.

http://lawelshchurch.com/

On the Bards'dall Lecture Stage -

Crwth Lecture and Performance

Listen to a lecture and performance by accomplished Welsh Crwth player and professor of musicology Dr. J. Marshall Bevil!

Dr. J. Marshall Bevil is a native of Houston, where he also currently lives. He is both a string music educator and a musicologist (B.Mus. with honors, Oklahoma Baptist University, 1970; M.Mus. - Musicology, University of North Texas, 1973; Ph.D. - Musicology, University of North Texas, 1984) with specialization in the history of bowed string instruments, oral-aural musical transmission, British and British-American folk music, and British academic music of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Important links relating to Dr. Jack Bevil
http://home.earthlink.net/~llywarch/cth01.html.htm (M.Mus thesis abstract)

http://home.earthlink.net/~llywarch/cth04.html (list of references)

Dr. Bevil demonstrates the crwth in this following song entitled Diniweidrwydd - play it clicking here

Outdoor Classroom - Workshop by Llwyn Swynedig, Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids

Llwyn Swynedig is a group of bards and ovates associated with the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, and this particular seed group is located in the Central San Joaquin Valley -- the general Fresno, California area. If you would like to get together with us in a casual small group setting, we periodically have a meeting open to any interested person to discuss topics of interest related to druidry.

http://llwyn-swynedig.org/

Outdoor Classroom - Peter Paddon - Workshop on Visceral Magick

Welsh instructor Peter Paddon offers a truly unique workshop on Visceral Magick. This workshop explores a set of basic experiences, ideas and techniques that used to be at the heart of every magical Tradition, which are frequently overlooked or ignored in modern times. But they are the very things that breathe life into magical systems, the secret key that makes the magic actually work.

Peter Paddon, author and Witch, lays out exercises and practical applications that enable us experience magic as a manifest force in our life. Instead of visualizing energy in your crafting, feel it raise the hairs on your neck.

http://www.pendraigpublishing.com/

On the Bards'dall Lecture Stage - Reading and Workshop by R. Merlin

R. Merlin, a working Druid, laser artist, and occult initiate with a passion for the Eleusinian Mysteries, will be speaking on how contemporary Pagan thought and practice will be affected by our migration out into the planetary ecliptic.

In exploring these topics and others, and with readings from his novel, “Ariel & Electra” R. Merlin will address such questions as what Ritual might be like in freefall, how our attitudes about the Earth will be affected when we can no longer return, and how the widespread acceptance of shamanic substances, practices, and temple drama will affect the evolution of societal consciousness.

http://iondrivepublishing.com

 

Welsh Cuisine by Alex Catering

Festival Menu

Small Plate
Welsh Omelet (Bacon, Mushroom, Leek) $6
Welsh Cawl (Lamb, Potato, Leek Stew) Bowl of Soup $8
Toasted Welsh Rarebit (Cheese, Leeks and Beer on Toasted Bread) $5

Plates with Sides
Glamorgan sausage with Fries and Peas $7
Grilled Liver and Onions with Stwns $8
Pork, Leek and Chive Sausage with Stwns (mashed roots) $8

Vegetarian Curry $7

http://alexcateringonline.com/

Welsh Cakes by The Welsh Baker

Flavors include classic (plain), raisin, cranberry, blueberry, cinnamon, chocolate chip, lemon poppy, pecan and walnut maple!

Welsh Baker is America's premiere purveyor of Welsh Cakes. Founded in 2009 by Denise Carbone, formerly Denise McCarthy of Llantwit Major, Wales.

Welsh Cakes will be available for Purchase!

http://www.welshbaker.com/

 

Oberon's Three-Penny Tavern

A wide selection of beers and wines will be on offer at the 'Welsh Pirate Bar' and organizers hope to organize a full program of pub style entertainment including:-

1. An AmeriCymru drinking team 5 a side 'Boat Race' challenge.

2. A 'Welsh ( Male ) National Costume Competition'. It is hoped that this event will feature an appearance by guru, raconteur, actor, poet and international fashion model David Garland Jones. Participation by members of the general public and Eisteddfod attendees is welcome.

3. Tom Jones karaoke with 'live' panty throwing. Panties will be provided by the Esiteddfod organizers and will be made available to bar patrons at no charge!

http://oberonstavern.com/

 

 

On the Gaming Grounds - Los Angeles Rugby Club

Meet the players and learn about Wales favorite pastime, the game of rugby

Competing continuously for 50 years, The LOS ANGELES RUGBY CLUB is the second oldest club in the Southern California Rugby Football Union. The Club was founded in 1958 as the Universities Rugby Club. Founding members included Al Williams and Dick Hyland, members of the Gold Medal winning 1924 USA Olympic Rugby Team.

Los Angeles Rugby Club (LARC) has contributed extensively to the development of the game of Rugby Union Football on the Pacific Coast and the USA. Many teams can trace their beginnings to the direct effort of the LARC or to former members who have relocated and founded clubs in their respective areas.

Also be sure to stop by their booth at the Vendor Marketplace!

http://www.larugby.com/

On The Bards'dall Lecture Stage - Author Jude Johnson

Jude Johnson is a writer with a passion for historical research and details. The smell of parchment, old leather, and glue bindings makes her giddy. It is her attention to accuracy that infuses her stories with authenticity, letting the reader step into those dusty streets of Tombstone or onto the pitching deck of a frigate of Nelson's Navy.

Granddaughter of a curandera, a Mexican healer who uses herbs, psychology and a little bit of mysticism, she incorporates a bit of family legend into her Dragon & Hawk series. Currently, Book One, Dragon & Hawk, is scheduled for ebook release by Champagne Books in April 2011, with print publication following. Rest assured, Books Two and Three are already written.

Jude loves adventure, action, romance, and fantasy to spirit her readers into a different time and place. She has studied the Welsh language—Cymraeg—enough to order beer, swear, order pancakes, and ask for the facilities. Trips to Britain to capture the cadence of the melodic Welsh accent and attitude allowed her to infuse her Welsh immigrant characters with realism. Jude also speaks fairly bad border Spanish.

Before becoming a proud author with Champagne Books, Jude has been an independent publisher with Scorched Hawk Press in Tucson, as well as e-publishing with Alinar Publishing of Great Britain. She has been interviewed by BBC Radio Wales personality Roy Noble numerous times. She is a member of Gecko Gals Ink, LLC, a fabulous group of five authors in Tucson who are "differently expertised." Read the Gecko Gals Ink BLOG. Jude also contributes regularly to The Writers' Vineyard, a group blog of Champagne's authors.

http://jude-johnson.com

On the Bards'dall Lecture Stage -

Segni Pembroke Welsh Corgis

On the Bards'dall Lecture stage learn about this beautiful breed and meet the enjoyable Corgis in person.

Also be sure to visit their booth at the Vendor Marketplace!

http://segnipembrokewelshcorgis.com/

On the Barnsdall Grounds on Sept 24th and 25th

Meet Ye Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon of Wales), give our Welsh friend a warm welcome!

The Red Dragon of Wales will have a booth celebrating Wales and providing kids materials; including crayons and coloring books!

The Red Dragon of Wales is an educational and cultural experience for all ages. Shrouded in the mists of time; fabled in poetry. Deeply rooted in our Celtic Ancestry, the Red Dragon of Wales lives!

For more info about their wonderful mission goto:

http://www.thereddragonofwales.com/

On the Barnsdall Grounds on Sept 24th and 25th:

Sir Nathan's Red Dragon Lemonade is named for a young man who is an inspiration to us all for his love of dragons, his art, and bravery against cancer. The Lemonade stand will be the exclusive non-alcoholic vendor of drinks at the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts! Wales of course is known for its Red Dragon.

Money raised at the stand will go to children's cancer needs!

On the Bard'sdall Lecture Stage and Classroom on Sept 24th and 25th:

Jymie Darling, owner of Panpipes Magickal Marketplace and practitioner of the sacred arts of the Occult for over 20 years will be conducting a hands on, interactive lecture and workshop in Alchemy and the art and science of blending as well as the working to the enlightenment of the self. Working in both societal and individual blending, Jymie will teach you how to create the elixir that you need to not only advance the lower self needs but also the higher self needs and balancing. Jymie has been teaching this course for 14 years creating classically trained alchemists and occult practitioners. This is a must for any foundation in all the philosophies within the Pagan/Occult religions.

http://www.panpipes.com/

Be sure to also visit the booth for Panpipes Magickal Marketplace!

Panpipes Magickal Marketplace is the Nation's oldest Occult store and the original Apothecary in Los Angeles. Panpipes has been a Hollywood tradition for over 50 years. Panpipes' serves all traditions and has one of the largest apothecaries that have classically trained Alchemists and Occultist to serve your needs. Panpipes', Jymie Darling and Vicky Adams have been featured in over 10 television shows, movies and over 30 articles about the Occult. The store also does a radio station that teaches all the philosophies and brings in artists from around the world for free. Jymie Darling will be teaching courses over the two day event and both her and Vicky Adams invite you to stop by the shop's booth for the some rare, wonderful and interesting item as well as to continue to talk to two of the world's most classically trained Occultists.

On the Bard'sdall Lecture Stage on Sept 24th and 25th:

Sam Wenger, knowledged historian and proprieter of Three Geese in Flight Celtic Books, will be giving a special talk about the mystery and legends of Prince Madog and King Arthur.

Three Geese in Flight Celtic Books has been in business selling antiquarian, used, and out-of-print Celtic and Arthurian studies books since 1976.

Besides the folklore, mythology and history of Celtic Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany, Three Geese in Flight Books specializes in the history, literature, fiction, and scholarly study of the Arthurian legend. We also feature Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Megalithic books.

We are also proud to offer books on Iroquois, Woodland Indian, Mound builder History, Archeology, and Legend, American Revolution/French and Indian War, along with the history of Early Dutch New Netherlands Colonial New England, Pre-Columbian voyages, and Cultures, as well as the Folklore of the Americas.

http://www.threegeeseinflight.com/

Just for kids -
(On Saturday and Sunday) L.A. Municipal Art Gallery youth craft tables - make and paint your own family crests!

(On Saturday) Welsh Choir leader Caroline Roper-Deyo instructs Ysgol Eisteddfod to teach and bring out the vocal arts in poetry, song, comedy and storytelling!

(On Sunday) Artist Rochelle Shelly Rosenkild teaches how to make your own Welsh Dragon Puppet!

Joe Praml reads Dylan Thomas & Other Classic Welsh Poets on the Lecture Stage on Sept 24th from 4pm to 5pm!

Joe Praml is a graduate of the University of Minnesota; Shubert Fellow UofM Graduate School of Theatre; McKnight Foundation Humanities Award for Drama; stage plays produced in London and US.

Praml moved to London in 1970; lived there 14 years working in film, TV, radio and stage, as actor, writer and director, including freelance journalist at London's "Time Out" magazine. Acting credits include BBC production of John Le Carre's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People with Alec Guinness and Patrick Stewart. Long Service Member of British Equity.

In Los Angeles, worked as actor in television and film, including 'Fletch', 'Matlock', 'Hardcastle and McCormick' among others. Theatre activities include Hollywood Drama-Logue Award for directing Mary O'Malley's 'Once a Catholic' at the Celtic Arts Center. Awarded Eugene O'Neill Centennial Memorial Commendation by the City of LA for directing Eugene O'Neill's 'Bound East for Cardiff' and 'The Long Voyage Home'. Recently directed Equity-waiver production of Hugh Leonard's 'The Au Pair Man'. Also a member of Screen Actors Guild and the Dramatists Guild of America.