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The opening ceremonies at Wales’ newest arts centre opened with a bang & grew from strength to strength. The key to unlock the culture house had already travelled around the world before arriving by boat in Cardiff where it was passed through the hands of a “human-chain” of around five hundred people. This took the key right up to the front door where Janet Thickpenny mother of two and celebrating her fortieth birthday, finally unlock the venue for the first time. That same evening the opening night concert was held for which tickets were obtained through a ballot. Over eight thousand people entered to try to win one of around a thousand tickets. It was the most celebrities that Cardiff had seen throughout its hundred-year history. The following day the centre was open to the public. There was plenty of free entertainment including the Wonderbrass band from Pontypridd. That evening an open-air family concert took place in the Roald Dahl Plass with Owen Arwel Hughes conducting the Corry band playing pieces including Singing in the rain and You’ll never walk alone. Following the concert there was a series of spectacular pyrotechnics, which were all set to music, including the national anthem. The fireworks were launched from the centre and the waterfront, launching the whole sky into a bright array of colours. It was a real treat for the whole family to enjoy and everyone who braved the weather to make their way to the event felt a part of the opening celebrations but more importantly of the Wales Millennium Centre as it attracts all people from different backgrounds, ages and abilities sharing an interest in the arts. On Sunday the queen came to officially open the centre, along with the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles. Other celebrities also came such as Bryn Terfel, Charlotte Church and Shirley Bassey. The concert gave a taster of the performances soon to take place there. It was a great success and is a great resource for the whole of Wales. Let’s hope that it’s as successful as the Sydney Opera House- I think it will be and hope to visit it regularly! The Wales Millennium Centre is described as being “the most exciting cultural initiative happening in Europe today.” according to their website. Based at the centre are a number of arts centres: Academi- the National Literature Promotion Agency & Society for Writers; Diversions- The Dance Company of Wales; Touch Trust- therapy for children & adults with disabilities; Hijinx- award-winning theatre company; Ty Cerdd- a one-stop Music House; Urdd- one of Europe’s largest youth organisations; WNO- produces world-class opera. Cirque Eloize are coming to the WMC in December with “Rain” for a month To book tickets visit www.wmc.org.uk |
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Tuesday, November 30, 2004 |
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