Y Gair #9
The Dyddiau Du newsletter
It’s Aries season freaks and geeks! You know what that means, time to get out and thrive. Here at Dyddiau Du, we’ve got a fat stack of bits and bobs for you to do just that.
But first, It’s Featured Poem and Book of the Month time.
Featured Poem
“Eglwyswrw is a village in Pembrokeshire where it rained for 85 consecutive days. It feels like it has been raining for 85 consecutive weeks in Caerdydd recently; soft boot soles, gaping puddles and cracked umbrellas abound. The joy in this poem comes from the celebration of such a soaking, which I think is a peculiar feeling in Wales. Yes, we may be constantly sodden, but oh boyo when that slight slice of sun peaks out from behind a cloud, glorious glorious glorious. Something about balance, rain makes way for sun, bad for good, etc etc.”
— Rhys Shanahan
That Lone Ship is available from Parthian here. And as ever, can be found in our stunning library.
Here, a few days early (you lucky things), is April’s Book of The Month:
“This memoir occupies such an important space. Wedged somewhere between Queer and Welsh History. Not only is it chocked full of first-hand testimony from someone who lived through the late twentieth century as a queer man, a testimony that an epidemic robbed us of. It also contains a slice of Welsh working-class life that is often overlooked. You will be moved to tears, inspired, and bursting with laughter, and that’s just in the first chapter.” — Rhys Shanahan
Jeffrey Weeks was born in the Rhondda in 1945, of mining stock. As he grew up he increasingly felt like an outsider in the intensely community-minded valleys, a feeling intensified as he became aware of his gayness. He has had a long career in academia. From the early 1970s he was actively involved in the new gay liberation movement. He is the author, co-author or editor of some twenty-five books and numerous articles.
Between Worlds is available to buy from Parthian here or available for loan in our library.
Coming up
This month there is so much juicy DD action to sink your teeth into we couldn’t possibly fit all of it into one Newsletter but hell! there will be another one coming in a few weeks, you greedy so and so’s.
First, the hardest working writer in Wales, Lucy Smith, has not one but two writing workshops based around our much mentioned library. The first on Saturday 1st April, then another on Saturday 8th April. So no excuses not to come really.
Then, the laziest writer in Wales, Rhys Shanahan, will be hosting a Creative Writing Workshop — Monday, April 3rd. This workshop will be getting weird with scissors, sharpies and old books. Not as sinister as it sounds. Books, scissors and pens will be provided. Bring your own weirdness.
Of course, Cardiff Collage Club will be back for another session of cool and fun collage and chatting.
Book now on Eventbrite.
Last but far from least:
Our Next Exhibition
RUGRAT INC presents: FRIENDS + FAMILY
A mixed media art exhibition with a diverse curation of artists hailing from Cardiff/Bristol/London.
5pm - 10pm, Friday 7th April
I expect to see every one of you there enjoying some fantastic and varied art and shaking your booties to some laid back music provided by SAMBINO, LUSKO and more.
This is one not to be missed folks.
Anymore for anymore?
Tonnes!! But I’ll let you get anyway and start messaging your pals so you can organise who you’ll be bringing along to all of our exciting events this month.
Keep a keen eye on your inbox for the next newsletter. There’s a Durre Shahwar-run autofiction workshop, our monthly open mic, TAC’s monthly meet-up, a bookswap and a Q&A hosted by Resonant.
At this rate there’s a chance to get your Dyddiau Du fix at least once a week, sometimes more.
Remember we’re open to the public Thursday - Sunday (opening times below). Come for a read, knatter, coffee or company.
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Thank you for reading and we hope this Aries season is full of joy and excitement for all of you.
Joshua, Rey, Rhys & Lucy x
Dyddiau Du
Thurs-Sat 11-6pm, Sun 11-4pm
Capitol Centre, Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 2HQ
dyddiaudu@gmail.com
Twitter & Instagram: @dyddiaudu
Buy us a Kofi, so we can afford to stay open!