Machynlleth on a wet market day in the seventies?
The image is by Hywel Harries who was a well respected artist and teacher in Aberystwyth.
The image is on the front cover of a book published by Machfringe featuring the work of local artists.
ART. The joy is in the making.
Dai Speake was a well known character in Machynlleth and was always ready to support art projects.
Dai is one of the artists in the project to transform some old hoarding that had been making the town look shabby.
With his help it became the Machynlleth Fantasy Emporium.
Amy Sterly led a project asking people to paint their view of Machynlleth.
The problem with art projects is ....what do you do with the art?
The answer is.... you move it from store to garage to loft for five years and then you dump it.
Ice does not have that problem. The ice has gone and so sadly is Dai Speake who was carving it.
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'Music of the valley' was a follow up to the book 'Artists of the valley'.
We recorded twelve local musicians and bands and were about to launch the album when Covid struck in 2020.
Most of the albums are in my 'What shall I do with this?' cupboard.
Art for me is imediate, I have no will to return to the project but it was fun recording and associating with the musicians.
Post Turkey Tango
Post Turkey Tango has raised thousands of pounds for many charities. The time and effort generously given by many artists has enriched all our lives.
The most common comment conveys the warmth, variety and spirit of these occasions.
The Balloon dance. Described variously as 'cringeworthy' 'hilarious' and 'high art'.
Three naked men and one in a naked suit.
Post Turkey Tango began around 2008. It was a winter pickme up, an unusual cabaret, full of surprises.
Some of these surprises might not have been entirley welcome, but others have said 'The best cabaret I have ever seen' - that's art.
Jules Riley on the left was one of the founding members of Mach Fringe
Peter Harper, Nick Mills and Bob Todd trying to work out how to sing like Barbers in a shop.
John Urry being shat upon by a blackbird.
Machynlleth wind band led by Sally Marshall
Party in the Plas
Party in the Plas was a millenium celebration, a failing generator, people climbing over the fence, bands arguing over their slots all added to the chaos , a learning experience and a day of stress and joy that turned out to be a great occasion. As I recall , this was followed by other events in Machynlleth Plas grounds, these photos are from those occasions.
Beatles nights
Beatles nights in the Tabernacle. Plays and stories, covers of Lennon Mcartney songs with lots of local musicians. This poster was done by photographing local people, getting the photos developed, cutting out the faces and sticking them on . Tell us your memories philfab1@gmail.com
Before the days of Photoshop, there were scissors and glue.
The Pink Snowball Film Awards were a huge succes over several years and saw the Tabernacle sold out. Films made by local people were shown and film making classes in local schools were developed by Emma Macey Storch who deveolped the Pink Snowballs into an oustanding example of community cohesion and creativity. The highlight of the event was a ride in a stretch limo (pink) accompanied by our MP Lembit Opic and stars of stage and screen.
The Pink Snowball Awards.
Here are two films made by Julia Gunn showing the event itself.
Julia Gunn Pink Snowballs 2006
Julia Gunn Pink Snowballs 2008
The sign above Machynlleth was first erected in 2006 and came as a surprise to the town.
Alex Randell, Jenny Hall. John Hedley and Mark Bloomfield had the idea and its making and erecting became part of a film they entered in the first Pink Snowball Awards film fesival.
The sign is now erected every year when Machynlleth Comedy Festival happens in early May each year.
Outdoor events
We love outdoor events.
Here -Juggling and music at the clock.
With the aid of a grant from The Arts Council of Wales, we arranged for the clock to be lit up in a spectacular fashion.
The genrator broke down and a fight broke out
As the Cambrian news says, 'well known Fakir 'Chef Roustabout' lays down on a bed of nails for arts sake.
Thanks for your support to all silly things Geoff Hill.
Culture and other projects.
The Impromptu Orchestra. Music made up on the spot.
The orchestra performed at Machynlleth comedy festival
(not because it was funny) Here's a short video
Celebrating the history of Machynlleth.
Machfringe were a big part of celebrating historic events, market charter celebrations, (celebrating 1291)
Also the begining of Owain Glydwr celebration day.
This involved dressing up in old curtains and hessian, Will Lloyd Williams had cattle in pens, the hounds, compost loos, medieval singing and dancing .
It was a great reminder of Machynlleths place in history.
