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Writing Out: A Scratch Night of Queer Writing in West Wales This Year’s Theme: Coming Out in the Country We’re looking for work that captures the joys, challenges, and vibrant experiences of queer life in rural Wales. Whether tender or triumphant, poetic or playful – we want to hear your stories. What We’re Looking For We’re accepting submissions across a range of art forms: Short Plays (up to 3 characters) Spoken Word & Poetry Monologues Short Stories Music (up to 3 songs per submission) Pieces should be no more than 10 minutes in length. Key Info Event Date: Saturday 27th September 2025 Location: Narberth Submission Deadline: Sunday 14th July 2025 Submit To: info@span-arts.org.uk Successful applicants will receive mentoring and professional feedback ahead of the sharing. On the day, pieces will be rehearsed and performed in front of a supportive live audience – with optional feedback to help shape the next stage of your creative journey. FAQs What is a scratch night? A scratch night is a platform for new, in-progress work to be performed for the first time. Writers see their words come alive, gather feedback, and build confidence – all in a welcoming, creative atmosphere. Do I need to […]

How do we truly experience a culture? https://span-arts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lv_0_20250716114746.mp4 At the heart of Persian Tour sits collaboration and cultural exchange. The project features the work of five contemporary Iranian poets and artists, alongside performances by two dancers and contributions from three artistic mentors. A multilingual catalogue with Persian poetry translated into Welsh and English will accompany the exhibition, bridging cultures and languages. Saki’s work is rooted in reimagining spaces: creating environments where art transforms the familiar into something new, where audiences are transported elsewhere, and where different cultures can meet and connect. Her past projects, including Persian Murals (2021) and Off the Wall (2022), have captivated audiences with their innovative approach to Persian heritage and contemporary art. #PersianTour builds on this foundation, offering Welsh audiences a deeper, more immersive encounter with Iranian culture. In the words of Persian poet Hafez: “در ازل پرتو حسنت ز تجلی دم زد / عشق پیدا شد و آتش به همه عالم زد” “At the dawn of creation, the radiance of Your beauty shone; Love was born, and it set the whole universe aflame.” Through #PersianTour, Saki invites audiences to step into this radiance – to experience, feel, and connect with Persian culture in a way

SPAN’s Big Sing! SPAN’s Big Sing brings Songs of the Land and Street Art Opera films to the Saundersfoot harbourside schooner! Event Details: Date: 24th of May Time: 7:30pm onwards Location: Saundersfoot Harbour Price: FREE. No booking required. Please contact info@span-arts.org.uk to discuss access requirements. Join us for SPAN’s Big Sing at Saundersfoot Harbour on the 24th of May. In this celebration of music, performance and song, we are joined by Music Theatre Wales with their new Street Art Opera films, and composer James Williams with the final massed choral performance of his Love Stories to Nature Commission, Songs of the Land. Songs of the Land is the final performance for SPAN’s most recent Love Stories to Nature Commission. In this project, James Williams has composed a choral piece of music that celebrates the coming together of stories gathered from choirs across Pembrokeshire, reflecting our changing relationship to the land. In this massed choral performance, all of the choirs who contributed to James’ composition will perform the final piece at Saundersfoot Harbourside for the first time. Stay with us until after dark, where Music Theatre Wales’ new Street Art Operas will enliven the Saundersfoot Coastal Schooner with large-scale, cinematic projections. These new

Join us on 28th May for a relaxed and welcoming evening at SPAN Arts, as we gather local artists, creatives, and freelancers for a chance to connect, share ideas, and spark future collaborations. Whether you’re a maker, performer, designer, writer, or simply someone passionate about the creative arts, this is your opportunity to find out what’s happening behind the scenes at SPAN – and how you can be part of it. Date:  28th May 2025 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: SPAN Arts, Narberth Expect drinks, snacks, and good company as we ease into the new season together. You’ll also get a sneak peek at some of SPAN’s upcoming projects and find out how to get involved in shaping the creative year ahead. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, start something new, or just fancy an inspiring evening with likeminded folks – we’d love to see you there.

Swyn: A Spellbinding Outdoor Circus and Dance Show Celebrating Women, Ritual and Rural Life Comes to Pembrokeshire this Summer BOOK NOW This August, SPAN Arts is proud to present Swyn, a breathtaking new outdoor performance from Collective Flight Syrcas, staged in the heart of the lush and tranquil Colby Woodland Gardens. Surrounded by towering trees, birdsong, and the magic of the Pembrokeshire landscape, this unforgettable show invites audiences to pause, gather, and connect. Event Details: Location: The Meadow, Colby Woodland Gardens, Pembrokeshire Date: Saturday 2nd August 2025 Times: Performance 1 – 1pm | Performance 2 – 4pm (each approx. 45 minutes) Tickets: Pay What You Can – starting at £5 For ticket holders who need access support to attend, we offer a free ticket for their companion, carer or personal assistant. Contact 01834 869323 to book your carers ticket. Swyn (the Welsh word for “spell” or “charm”) is an atmospheric, multi-sensory experience that honours the women and the work that came before us. Through a powerful fusion of contemporary circus, acrobatic dance, bilingual storytelling, and original song, this performance evokes themes of memory, ancestry, and belonging. The show is performed on an outdoor aerial rig, surrounded by symbolic props—pails of

We’re excited to hear your creative ideas for new work that responds to the prompt ‘The Environment’ with consideration towards reducing feelings of climate anxiety. We invite working in any art form to explore environmental themes in fresh, innovative ways and contribute to a wider conversation on the importance of our natural world. Please read the full brief for the 2026-27 commissioning series Join Us for a Group Open Session: Tuesday 24th March & 26th July 2026, ahead of the submission deadline for round 2. We’ll be hosting an ‘open group session’ led online by the SPAN team, where you can connect with other creatives, ask questions, and get feedback on your ideas. It’s a great chance to share your vision and gain insight into how your work could fit into this environmental commission. How to Submit: You can share your idea with us through a written or video submission. The commission comes with a budget of up to £2,500 to support the development and realisation of your idea. Deadline for commissioning round one: 6 April 2026. A further submission window will open later in the year with an August deadline. We anticipate commissioning up to 2 of the 3-5

Theatr Soffa is back! Immerse yourself in a new story from the comfort of your home!  Are you ready to connect, create, and perform—all from the comfort of your own home? Theatr Soffa, our online community theatre company, invites individuals from across Pembrokeshire to join us for an inspiring 12-week creative journey. Perfect for anyone who may feel isolated or simply wants to try something new, Theatr Soffa offers an opportunity to connect with others, develop new skills, and create something extraordinary together. Key Details 📅 Dates: Thursdays, 9th January – 27th March 2025 ⏰ Time: 7:00–9:00 PM (via Zoom) 📍 Where: Your Sofa! What’s Involved? Over 12 weeks, participants will work together to bring a play to life, learning acting and technical skills along the way. No experience? No problem! The project is open to everyone, and we’ll provide technical support if needed. Directed by Bethan Morgan and Mabel Mckeown, the journey will culminate in a recorded presentation of the play—a chance to showcase your hard work, creativity, and collaboration. Why Join? Be part of an exciting, supportive community. Explore your creativity and build confidence. Connect with like-minded people from the comfort of home. Sign Up Today! Don’t miss

We are thrilled to announce that SPAN Arts has been shortlisted for the prestigious Welsh Charity Awards 2024 in the Use of the Welsh Language category! These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of charities, community groups, and volunteers across Wales, and we are honored to be recognized for our efforts in promoting and using the Welsh language in all aspects of our work. The Welsh Charity Awards, organized by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), shine a spotlight on organizations that are making a positive difference in their communities. From grassroots initiatives to large-scale campaigns, the awards recognize the remarkable impact of those working to improve the lives of people in Wales. Being shortlisted for this award reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the Welsh language, and we are grateful to our team and community for helping keep it a central part of our events, outreach, and artistic efforts.   The awards ceremony will take place on 25 November 2024, and we are looking forward to celebrating with our fellow finalists. To follow our journey and the excitement of the event, join us on social media using #WelshCharityAwards and #GwobrauElusennauCymru.

Get ready to be swept away by the enchanting melodies and captivating harmonies at the Narberth A Cappella Voice 2024 Concert. Set to take place on Saturday, March 2nd, at The Queen’s Hall, this exclusive event promises an evening of extraordinary performances and soul-stirring song. Being Wales only a cappella festival, the concert boasts a diverse line-up of artists and genres, ensuring there’s something to delight every musical palate. From the haunting melodies of Ar ôl Tri to the mesmerizing storytelling of Stacey Blythe & Phil Okwedy, and the harmonious sounds of The Inner Voices, attendees are in for a treat. Ar ôl Tri, the award-winning ensemble from Cardigan, has garnered acclaim at the National Eisteddfod and beyond, captivating audiences with their stirring performances rooted in Welsh tradition. Phil Okwedy, a Welsh-Nigerian storyteller, joins forces with Stacey Blythe to weave tales of heritage and memory in their performance, “Matriarchy,” supported by an Arts Council Wales grant. The Inner Voices, a vocal harmony a cappella group from Cardiff, promise a polished yet raw experience that showcases the beauty of the human voice like never before. From pop hits to emotional ballads and folk tunes, the concert guarantees an unforgettable musical journey

In February half term there will be three days of creative arts sessions with Bill Taylor-Beales and Kelly Marie Howlett. They will happen: Tuesday 13th FebruaryThursday 15th FebruaryFriday 16th February From: 11am – 4pm Sessions are completely free and there will be drinks, snacks, lunch and a chill-out area for you to use. If you need transport to help get you here, just let us know. We understand there may be things that make it difficult to come along to a session. Please let us know if there is anything else that we can do to make this easier for you. It will be great to have you along to every workshop, but know this might not be possible – just come along as much as you are able to 😊 Email or call Bethan on 01834 869323 or info@span-arts.org.uk if you plan to come, have any questions, or you would like to chat about anything beforehand .They will be in Narberth, at this address – SPAN Arts, Town Moor, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 7AG. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TLq5eYr1Ss

  As 2023 draws to a close, we wanted to take this opportunity to look back at the brilliant year we have had at SPAN. We want to say an extra special thank you to all our volunteers, funders and each and every person who has come along to one of our events, your continued support means so much to us!   The first quarter of the year kick started off with a variety of workshops, performances and projects including: Co-creating with young people in Ysgol Preseli Hosting a hi-hop, writing workshop with Fio for their production of House of Jollof Partnering with Milford Haven Port Authority to develop artist-led Health and Safety video with artist Gemma Green-Hope Sign and Share sessions facilitated by artist Pip Lewis Narberth A Capella Voice Festival 2023 Wales’ only a cappella festival kicked started with a singing feast. The Saturday concert showcased diverse genre performances, ensuring something for everyone. The impressive triple-bill included award-winning quartet 4 in a Bar, the exceptional Lviv soprano Khrystyna Makar, and the duo Camilo Menjura & Molara, blending Latin American grooves with choral music.Along with the feast and concert a variety of workshops took place over the weekend and the

  Theatr Soffa will return in January 2024 and meet online on Thursday evenings. If you are interested in joining our community company please contact Bethan by emailing info@span-arts.org.uk