Time: 2:45PM

Location: Museum of Science and Industry

Come and join us for a performance of Welsh music and dance in celebration of ‘Christmas Around the World’ - an annual event at the museum.  The Welsh Christmas tree will be on display in the rotunda.

Questions:  Contact Janet Walquist

The movie “Solomon and Gaenor” was shown at the Wilmette Public Library on Friday May 29th, 2009 at 6:30pm.  Ioan Gruffudd (Solomon) and Nia Roberts (Gaenor) star as two young lovers from widely divergent backgrounds.  The movie was set in South Wales in 1911.  Solomon, from an orthodox Jewish family that peddles fabrics door-to-door to Welsh households in the valleys falls in love with Gaenor, the daughter of strict chapel-going Welsh parents.  Their attraction for each other brings to a head deep seated feelings of prejudice and resentment and results in tragic consequences for the young couple.  Our own Winston Evans has a small part as the postman in the movie.

Thank you to everyone who came early and stayed late to enjoy a cup of tea, snacks and Welsh cakes before and after the showing.  Look for information about our next Welsh film night in the Fall.

If you have questions or suggestions for future movies please contact Dilys Rana or Barbara Jones.

NEXT WELSH FILM NIGHT: Monday, October 26th, 2009  at OAK PARK LIBRARY (details below)

‘COMING UP ROSES’ is a low-key comedy set in Aberdare, South Wales.  It is entirely in Welsh with English sub-titles.  Join us at 6 p.m. for tea and snacks; the movie starts at 6:30 p.m.  There is no charge for this event and it is open to the public as well as to our Welsh friends and members.  All are welcome - Croeso! 

PARKING is available on the lower level of the library; free for 2 hours, $1 for 2 - 3hours.  The library is located at 834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301 and is also accessible by Green Line CTA - 2 blocks from the Oak Park Avenue stop.

MORE INFO:  Contact Barbara Jones, 773-275-9789, barbarajones7717@sbcglobal.net

Editor:  Barbara Jones, President, e-mail barbarajones7717@sbcglobal.net

Synopsis of newsletter follows.  For a full report e-mail Barbara.

St David’s Day: Feb 28th, 2009 at the Carleton Hotel, Oak Park was a lovely affair.  Janet Walquist was awarded the Dewi Sant award.  The youngest attendee was 2 month old Colin Huber; the oldest Mrs. Mair Ropes, 97 years old. Musical entertainment provided by Carl and Mona Johnson.

Gymanfa Ganu: Sunday April 26th.  See full account elsewhere on this website

Summer Picnic: Saturday July 18th at Taylor Park in Oak Park.  Check the website for details and possible date change if we are unable to get a permit.

Welsh Film Night: On Friday May 29th we will show the 1999 movie ‘Solomon and Gaenor’ in the auditorium of the Wilmette Public Library (1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091) at 6:30pm.  Come at 6pm for tea and Welsh cakes.  Contact Dilys Rana for additional information.

NAFOW will be in Pittsburgh this year.  Go to their website for details.  See our ‘Links”.

Celtic Fest 2009:  Sept 12 and 13 in Grant Park.  Would you like to help man our booth?  Contact a Board member.

In addition to her work on the Christmas tree Janet has coordinated the staffing at the Cambrian booth at Chicago’s two day Celtic Fest in Grant Park for many years.  She is an accomplished folk dancer and has introduced a local dance troupe to Welsh folk dancing.  The Fermi Lab dancers, who were featured in the recent NAFOW event in Oak Brook, have learned a number of Welsh jigs at Janet’s urging.  Their delight in performing these lively traditional reels was very much in evidence at a choreographed perforemance at the Museum of Science and Industry in November 2008.

Over 70 people registered for this year’s St David’s Day luncheon at the grand old Carleton Hotel in Oak Park.  A sumptuous four-course lunch was followed by a harp and song performance by Carl and Mona Johnson.  Guests ranged in age from two month old Colin Huber, son of Board member Jay Huber, to a long tiome supporter of Chicago Welsh events, 97 year old Mrs. Mair Ropes, who came elegantly dressed and all smiles.  The mix of young and old, familiar and new faces, added to the overall ‘joie de vivre’ at the event.  An assortment of raffle prizes raised over $300 for future Cambrian sponsored events.  The spirit of ‘hiraeth’ generated by the assembled group sent us all home with full hearts and broad Welsh smiles.

Dilys Rana

Sept 12-13, Grant Park, Chicago

Every year we have a booth at this popular festival.  If you would like to help out on Saturday or Sunday by staffing the booth for a few hours and talking to visitors about Cambrian events and activities and of all the joys of Wales please contact Janet Walquist or any Board member.

Sept 12 and 13, 2009 at Grant Park, Chicago

How To Apply To Perform At The 2009 Celtic Fest Chicago
Every year the Mayor’s Office of Special Events accepts music submissions (bio, tapes, cds, photos, etc.) for consideration for Celtic Fest Chicago. All unsolicited music submissions for Celtic Fest Chicago must be submitted between November 3, 2008 to March 17, 2009 to be considered for the 2009 festival.