The 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts which celebrates Welsh identity and cultural expression takes place at the Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California from September 23 to 25.
A free outdoor festival on Saturday and Sunday includes Welsh food and drink, traditional and contemporary music, lectures, crafts, classes including Welsh language instruction, a Celtic marketplace, demonstrations in rugby, Welsh Corgis, genealogy, storytelling, a Welsh Mythology and Legend Art Show featuring over 30 artists, a Welsh-American traveling exhibit, and tours of the Hollyhock House created by Welsh-American Frank Lloyd Wright.
The opening ceremony is on Friday September 23 on the Barnsdall grounds and the Theatre from 6pm to 9:30pm with performances by Paul Child, Michael Aston of Gene Loves Jezebel, Monica Richards/InfraWarrior. The evening begins with a Druid blessing, followed by choral music from the Welsh Choir of Southern California. Also opening is the Welsh Mythology and Legend Art Show.
The Eisteddfod Prize Competitions in Poetry, Voice, Comedy, and Storytelling take place Saturday, September 24 in the Barnsdall Theatre from 3pm to 9pm.
The Film Festival and Lecture screens ‘Otherworld’, ‘Eldra’ and the ‘Quarryman’ Sunday September 25 in the Barnsdall Theatre from 1:30pm to 6:30pm. The special guest host is Aparna Sharma, Assistant Professor of Department of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA.
Every day there will be authentic Welsh food by Alex Catering, Welsh Cakes by The Welsh Baker, Sir Nathan's Red Dragon Lemonade (a charity stand to raise money for children’s cancer needs), and alcoholic refreshments by Oberon's Welsh Pirate Bar.
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