Spanning the decades and centuries of Cardiff’s most multicultural corner
Tiger Bay Presents brings together a fringe festival programme celebrating the legend that is Tiger Bay. Drawing together a selection of iconic music, authentic stories and local talents, Wales Millennium Centre’s Tiger Bay Presents shares the stories of the area, its historical significance to both industry and the arts and the passion of the people.
Working with The Heritage & Cultural Exchange and Cardiff based design company, Ongl Design + Make, Wales Millennium Centre’s public spaces have been transformed to reflect the mighty coal industry of Tiger Bay.
Local chef Geraldine Trotman has been commissioned to serve up a menu to reflect her Tiger Bay and West Indian roots. Her recipes are steeped in the multicultural heritage of Tiger Bay, where she grew up. Her grandad was a baker from Barbados who moved to Cardiff and opened up a boarding house and cookshop for seamen. Geraldine’s menu will be available in Ffresh between 13-25 November.
There will be something for everybody in the spaces – from family activity to tasty treats in Caffi and Ffresh to a playlist of the sound of Tiger Bay through the ages. Alongside this there is a whole host of events throughout November to reminisce, share stories and celebrate the now.
Here’s a rundown of what’s on:
GLANFA FOYER- Pop Up Museum
A temporary exhibit, inspired by the theme of Growing up in Tiger Bay. Whether visitors are from the docks or beyond, they can bring an object or image to share about their very own childhood playground and learn about the adventures of growing up in the wondrous and infamous Tiger Bay.
This event is free
BUTETOWN PAVILION- Tiger Bay Presents: RATS Rhythm and Arts Take Soul
Tuesday 31 October
RATS is a small tale about a young Rat who is about to go through her family’s traditional initiation and encounters other Rats that show her what freedom is all about. Incorporating masks, dance, hip-hop, rock and rhyme Kyle Alonzo Legall has reworked his theatre comedy, RATS, for a young audience this Halloween.
This event is free
CAFFI- The Human Library
Saturday 04 November/ Saturday 18 November
Join local community legends for intimate storytelling and conversation for a Tiger Bay take on the global Human Library. Just like in a real library, a visitor to the Human Library can choose a book from a range of titles. The difference is that books are people, and reading is a conversation.
This event is free
THE EXCHANGE HOTEL- Tiger Bay Presents: Mi Casa
Friday 10 November
Through a series of stories, photos, DJ set and live music, Mi Casa will bring yesteryear back to life in a celebration of Tiger Bay’s vibrant musical legacy set in a very special venue of the The Exchange Hotel.
Tickets £10
FFRESH- Li Harding
Saturday 11 November
Hailing from Butetown, Li Harding is one of Wales’ most dynamic jazz and blues singers. The program will include songs from many of the great divas including Etta James, Diana Washington, Dakota Staton, Ruth Brown, Wynnona Carr and many more. She will be accompanied by the Gary Phillips trio.
Tickets £15
PRESELI ROOM- Young, Free, Religious
Sunday 12 November
The Young, Free, Religious project brings together young people of different faiths across Cardiff. Inspired by Tiger Bay’s historic multi-religious heritage the youth led Young, Free, Religious event will culminate the project as part of National Interfaith Week, offering young and contemporary outlooks on wider social contexts.
This event is free
FFRESH- Leroy Brito: Butetown’s Finest
Friday 17 November
Since his debut in early 2011, Cardiff-based comedian Leroy Brito has quickly developed a reputation as one of the rising stars of Welsh Comedy. Leroy wrote and starred in the BBC’s Great Welsh Brexit Road Trip and had a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Tickets £15
THE BUTETOWN COMMUNITY CENTRE- Tiger Bay Presents: Bricks and Mortar
Thursday 23 Nov
A new drama in progress, Bricks and Mortar explores the bonds of friendship between two men from the Caribbean as they adapt to life whilst working on the redevelopment of Tiger Bay during the early 1960s.
This event is free
FFRESH- Heart and Soul
Friday 24 November – Saturday 25 November
Heart and Soul is a night of comedic Cardiffian storytelling mixed with classic and contemporary soul music, R’n’B and Vocal Jazz. Performed by Kyle Lima, a Cardiff born and bred singer, actor and writer, Heart and Soul explores a number of characters inspired by different generations of Kyle’s family.
Tickets £15
https://www.wmc.org.uk/Productions/2017-2018/DonaldGordonTheatre/TigerBay/