WAM (Words Art Music) "Under Milk Wood" Join us for this special "International Dylan Day" edition of our popular monthly WAM Night, featuring a presentation of excerpts from Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood" illustrated by incidental music from Croeso Singers Tickets are just 6 with Pay As You Feel tickets - where you choose the price you pay for admission - also available Refreshments are available, before, during and after the performance Further information on all WAM events to date is available at www.stelvans.com/wam-words-art-music

From Connecticut to Cynon! Yale University Concert Band with Lewis Merthyr Band Wednesday May 28th 7:30pm All the way from Connecticut, USA, don't miss one of America's finest symphonic wind ensembles, the fantastic Yale University Concert Band, performing here in the glorious surroundings of St Elvan's, together with Wales' own award winning Lewis Merthyr Band. A spectacular evening of music featuring over 100 musicians from Wales and the US! Truly an evening not to be missed Please note, as part of the VE Day 80 commemorations being held throughout this month, tickets for this event are FREE for current and former Armed Forces personnel

Thursday July 10th, 7:00pm Live On The Mez - The James Oliver Band with support from Mark Watkin Price The James Oliver Band returns by popular demand for another "Live on the Mez" gig, here at St Elvan's Come along and enjoy an evening of great entertainment with this true guitar great Support from Mark Watkin Price - songs of love, money, death and dog ownership Tickets: 8.50 advance | 9.50 at the door

Caradogfest celebrating the iconic Cr Mawr and Aberdare, Town of Song Cr Mawr Massed Choir with special guest Sophie Evans Friday July 4th 7:00pm Join us in the stunning surroundings of St Elvan's Church for our now annual celebration of Caradog and the Aberdare centred "Cr Mawr" massed choirs, with this year's special guest, musical theatre star Sophie Evans! Tickets are 15 for advance purchase, with concessions available for students and children For information on the wider Caradogfest events taking place throughout the weekend, visit www.caradogfest.com [http://www.caradogfest.com]

FREE Caradogfest Ukulele Festival Saturday July 5th 1:00 to 4:00pm Come along and enjoy an afternoon of FREE live music here in the glorious surroundings of St Elvan's, Aberdare town centre with Highly Strung Ukuleles and guests Admission to the event is FREE but optional donations are welcomed and advance booking is recommended Spires coffee shop will be open throughout the event

Caradogfest Twmpath! Traditional Welsh Ceilidh with live music from Celtic Spirit! Saturday July 6th 6:00 to 8:00pm Join us for the traditional Welsh ceilidh - a Twmpath! - here in the glorious surroundings of St Elvan's Church, as part of this year's Caradogfest - this year featuring LIVE music by Celtic Spirit! The event is open to all ages, and refreshments are available through the event from our in-house Spires coffee shop Tickets are flexibly priced, where you select the price you pay For information on the wider Caradogfest events taking place throughout the weekend, visit www.caradogfest.com [http://www.caradogfest.com]

St Elvan's are delighted to again be the host venue of the 2025 Oriana Festival. This annual one day celebration of the finest in contemporary Welsh classical music festival takes place this year on Saturday June 21st, and will once again feature the music of some of Wales' leading composers and performers. This year's event is themed "The Planets | Our Planet" This day long event features music and talks by Sylvia & Jonathan Gregory's "Our Space - Ein Lle Ni" project; an illustrated talk on the music of Welsh Guards' musician and composer Gareth Trott; plus a grand scale evening performance of Gustav Holst's epic suite "The Planets" featuring Rhondda Cynon Taf's own award winning Lewis Merthyr Band - plus, a new suite "Our Planet" dedicated to and celebrating Sir David Attenborough, composed by Gareth Trott Tickets for the evening performance of "The Planets | Our Planet" are priced at 10, while this year's daytime events and talks are FREE! Supported byOriana Publications Ltd [https://www.orianapublications.co.uk] Full Schedule Oriana Festival 2025 -"The Planets | Our Planet" From 10:00 Doors Open Refreshments available from Spires Coffee Shop 10:30 Festival Welcome & Introduction Festival Director: Christopher Painter Opening Session - "The Planets | Our Planet" Linda Agostini | Mark Brake | Barry Lewis | Craig Roberts 12:00 Lunch Spires Coffee Shop 13:00 Afternoon Recital "Our Space - Ein Lle Ni" by Sylvia & Jonathan Gregory A Dolby Atmos sonic exploration of our valleys featuring music by Cwmbach Male Choir, Lewis Merthyr Band, Ladies of the Lake - and more! 14:00 Coffee Break Spires Coffee Shop 14:30 "Brass Down The Bandstand" Filming Slaidburn Lewis Merthyr Band Main Space 15:00 FREE Illustrated Talk with Gareth Trott, Composer Mezzanine Gallery 16:00 Break 18:00 Doors Open 19:00 Evening Gala Concert The Planets | Our Planet Main Space Programme: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Strauss | Roberts) Planets Rising (Mills) Star Wars (Williams | Farr) Our Planet (Trott) - Introduction: Our Planet from Space - Into The Deep - Rumble In The Jungle - Tundra - Finale The Planets (Holst / Roberts) - Mars, the bringer of war - Venus, the bringer of peace - Mercury, the messenger - Jupiter, the bringer of jollity - Saturn, the bringer of old age - Uranus, the magician - Neptune, the mystic Tickets Evening Gala Concert Tickets - 10 in advance | 12 at the door Daytime Events - FREE!

FREE Caradogfest Cymanfa Ganu Sunday July 7th 5:00 to 7:00pm Come along and enjoy a traditional Welsh Hymn Singing Festival, our Caradogfest Cymanfa Ganu. Led by Father Hywel Davies, enjoy this FREE, fully bilingual event, accompanied by brass group and organ, here in the glorious surroundings of St Elvan's, Aberdare town centre Admission to the event is FREE but advance booking is recommended

FREE Concert - The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh Tuesday June 10th 7:30pm You've seen them performing the national anthems for the international matches at the Principality Stadium - now see them live in concert FREE! Join us on Tuesday June 10th, here at St Elvan's for a FREE concert with the celebrated Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see these wonderful musical ambassadors of Wales and the British Armed Forces, here in the glorious surroundings of St Elvan's