Cardiff Life
Music
Christmas with The Rat Pack
This spectacular festive production celebrates the incredible singing talent of three world famous entertainers and performers – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr – and some of the finest festive music and songs ever recorded. With a talented cast and 15-piece orchestra, Christmas With The Rat Pack - Live From Las Vegas brings the music of these legendary characters to life again. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
13 JANUARY
The Poozies
As part of the Roots Unearthed season St David’s Hall welcomes one of roots music’s most exciting and best-loved bands. Original singer Sally Barker rejoins Patsy and Mary together with fiddler Eilidh Shaw and newcomer Mairearad Green on accordion and pipes. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
The Hollywell String Quartet
In this relaxing lunchtime concert the Hollywell String Quartet play Mendelssohn and Shostakovich. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
17 JANUARY
Orchestra of Welsh National Opera
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony is one of his greatest achievements and never fails to elate audiences. It is heard next to Brahms’ First Piano Concerto – one of the great virtuoso romantic concertos and a requiem in all but name following the tragic death of Schumann, the young Brahms’s mentor. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
20 JANUARY
Teddy Thompson
This British singer-songwriter has dueted (and considers them personal friends) with Rufus and Martha Wainwright and has been called a ‘deeply expressive singer, an incisive guitarist and a songwriter of uncommon eloquence and craft’ – all boxes thoroughly ticked then. The Glee Club; www.glee.co.uk
Old Tyme Music Hall
Join Stan and his Golden Gang for an afternoon of ‘proper’ Old Tyme Music Hall entertainment. You can really get into the party spirit and dress up in old-tyme music hall style – dig out your feather boas, hats and coat tails. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
22 JANUARY
Inaugural Concert
See two gala concerts to launch the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ new hall, opening with an orchestral showpiece by the man after whom it is named, Alun Hoddinott (until 23 Jan). WMC; 08700 402000
24 JANUARY
Jac Van Steen
Three great contemporary masterworks for orchestra from three modern masters conducted by Jac van Steen in Hoddinott Hall. WMC; 08700 402000 The Black Dyke Band The Black Dyke Band, formerly the Black Dyke Mills Band, is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world. The band, as we now know it, has been active since 1855 and has just won the British National Brass Band Championship 2008. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
25 JANUARY
Lord Mayor’s Concert
Cardiff YMCA proudly presents a thrilling show for all the family, showcasing the amazing dancing and singing talents of young people from all over Cardiff. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
A Tribute to Hans Hotter
One of the great giants of the last century, the baritone Hans Hotter dominated the stages and concert halls of the world with a voice of supreme nobility. Shen Yang, the winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2007, pays tribute to this great singer in the centenary of his birth. WMC; 08700 402000
26 JANUARY
Richard Thompson
Thompson’s uncanny genius is evident in his astonishing guitar technique which sees him juggling simultaneous lead, rhythm, and bass parts on the same six strings. Bringing his personal slant to all the songs, he presents an eccentric view of the last 1000 years of song writing. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
27 JANUARY
Bellowhead
With a heady mix of great tunes, innovative arrangements, rampant imagination and brazen front, the rousing, sharp-suited Bellowhead offer the ultimate thrilling live performance and were voted ‘Best Live Band’ for an incredible third time at the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
29 JANUARY
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block have reformed and are embarking on an eight-date UK arena tour in Jan. Back together for the first time in nearly a decade, the ‘kids’ have been met with great reviews in the US for their new album The Block. CIA; 02920 224488
Bella Hardy
The release of Bella Hardy’s debut solo album, Night Vision, marked the arrival of a major new talent in the world of British folk. As well as singing unaccompanied ballads, Bella will entwine her voice with her own fiddle accompaniment. The Norwegian Church Arts Centre; 02920 454899
30 JANUARY
Ray Gelato
With his own brand of swinging, feel good music, Ray Gelato continues the tradition of the greats – Cab Calloway, Louis Prima, et al. Ray brings his foot-stompin’ show to the Hall and promises to leave the audience feeling uplifted and inspired with a selection of truly classic numbers and as well as Ray’s original material. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.
In Tune
Enjoy the excitement and frisson of taking part in WMC’s first live In Tune broadcast on BBC Radio 3 of orchestral and choral music from Hoddinott Hall. WMC; 08700 402000
Pussycat Dolls featuring Ne-Yo
Two for the price of one. See American pop sensation the Pussycat Dolls with talented singer/ songwriter, Ne-Yo at the CIA; 02920 224488
31 JANUARY
Songs of Nick Drake
Keith James and Rick Foot perform songs of Nick Drake in a concert that is dedicated almost entirely to the work of the most beloved of all English acoustic singer/songwriters. The performance will also include the first screenings of a new documentary about Nick’s life and music. The Norwegian Church Arts Centre; 02920 454899
