June 15, time TBA
The Joy Formidable
Taste of Randolph Street
900 West Randolph Street, Chicago
Welsh band ‘The Joy Formidable’ headline the Taste of Randolph Street Fest in Chicago! More info visit: http://starevents.com/festivals/taste-of-randolph/
Dysgu Cymraeg Yn Elmhurst, Illinois/Come Learn Welsh In Elmhurst, Illinois
Cwrs Cymraeg, the weeklong intensive Welsh learner’s course comes to the Chicago area this summer.
Cwrs Cymraeg
July 14-21, 2013
Elmhurst College,
Elmhurst, Illinois
Cwrs Cymraeg (which simply means “Welsh Course”) emphasizes the spoken language, with classroom instruction at various levels ranging from absolute beginners to quite advanced. The teaching staff of experienced Welsh-speaking instructors is brought from Wales and North America. There are approximately 5 hours of language class each day, supplemented by further language and culture-related activities in the afternoon. Evening events such as singing, folk dancing, Welsh-language films, and a Noson Lawen (talent night) provide additional opportunities to relax while enjoying a Welsh-language atmosphere.
For further information, please visit: http://www.madog.org/gwefan/
Monday May 20th, 7:00pm
Marina and the Diamonds
The Riviera Theatre
4746 N Racine Ave, Chicago
Marina Diamandis (aka Marina and the Diamonds) that stunning & talented lass from Abergavenny is also back in Chicago! Her show at Lincoln Hall in 2010 was phenomenal, her show last year at Park West was even better. Canna wait to see her again at the Riviera! For tickets and more info visit: http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com
Currently my favourite Welsh artist! Lizzie Spikes is an artist who lives and works on the west coast of Wales. She designs original pieces of art fashioned from Ceredigion’s driftwood.
Some examples of her work are below.
Follow her on Facebook at tell her the Tafia sent ya! https://www.facebook.com/lizziespikesdriftwood
See more of Lizzie's work at http://www.driftwooddesigns.co.uk
Handcrafted British Tribute Cheeses from Harmony Specialty Dairy Foods in Stratford, Wisconsin include: Abergele, Caerphilly, Cheshire & Double Gloucester style cheese. Prices are fairly reasonable. For further details visit: http://www.harmonyspecialty.com/products.html
Having a party this year? Welsh it up a bit with this damn fine Welsh style cider from Madison, Indiana.
At $6.99 a bottle the price isn’t bad either.
For more info visit:
http://www.thomasfamilywinery.us/cider
The Chicago Tafia was born in 1999 as the result of a discussion between a couple of ex-pats wondering aloud, “why do the Irish and the Scots have some kind of setup in the States that they can turn to for help and settling into a new country and the Welsh don’t?” It dawned on us that maybe we should stop complaining and do something about it to help future Welsh ex-pats navigating the roads of Immigration and settling into the city of Chicago.
The Tafia has now been going for close to a decade, and has come a long way from its early roots. Our website offers helpful links for Welsh Immigration and Travel, local British Import shops, photos of recent events, and other Welsh Societies. Our group’s activities are wide-ranging with social get-togethers for pub nights, gatherings to watch Welsh sporting events, musicians & films, celebrating St. David’s Day, and promoting Wales at the Chicago Celtic Festival to name but a few.
Over the years, the Tafia has also been involved with the organisation of over a dozen concerts at prominent Chicago venues for Welsh male voice choirs, including: the Pendyrus, Penrhyn, Bangor, Black Mountain, Burlington and CF1 choirs.
The Chicago Tafia has also been involved with a number of other projects to promote Welsh awareness, including working with the Illinois General Assembly in the signing into law of Bill HR0149 that proclaimed March 1, 2007, and each year thereafter, as St. David’s Day in the State of Illinois and recognizing the Welsh contribution to the state. In 2009 & 2010, we partnered with the British Consulate-General in Chicago and Colliers B&K to illuminate the iconic Chicago Wrigley Building red, white, and green (the colours of the Welsh flag) on Saint Davids Day on Sunday, March 1.
Our events are as varied as the culture of Wales, and throughout the year we are sure to have something for everyone. From waking up at 7am on a Saturday to watch rugby or staying out until the wee hours to watch Welsh bands, to a Dylan Thomas poetry reading or a Welsh Choir performing at a Chicago Cathedral, the Tafia gathers wherever something Welsh is occurring. Just look for the dragons!
We look forward to seeing you soon as one of our many events.
Hwyl
Dave Parry
The Chicago Tafia Welsh Society
©2012 Chicago Tafia Welsh Society
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