Bank Holiday fun galore for Swansea revellers

REAL ale and world music fans should be licking their lips with excitement at what's in store over Bank Holiday Weekend in Swansea.

The Swansea Bay Beer Festival and World Party Weekend are among the events to have been organised to help entertain residents and visitors.

Other attractions include the ongoing Botanics in Bloom festivities that last until the end of the month.

A two-day jamboree of live music and activities featuring a variety of local bands, accomplished artists, arts and crafts, foods and displays has been organised for World Party Weekend.

A World Village event has been arranged for Saturday August 29 where groups will have the opportunity to showcase their respective cultures, cuisines and costumes in around nine marquees.

And representatives of the Chinese, Arab, Muslim, African, Filipino, Latin American, Brazilian, Bangladeshi, Barakah, Gurkha, Polish, Indian and Thai communities will be on hand throughout the day to run a series of workshops and offer visitors an insight into their countries and customs.

Menter Iaith Abertawe will also be present.

A Global Music day is taking place on Sunday August 30 where visitors can experience the sights and sounds of soothing jazz, absorbing African rhymes, energetic hip hop, Bollywood dancing and Samba percussion on the main stage.

Music legends Kasai Masai, the Klezmer Festival Music Band, D'taba and Muscovado have been confirmed among the line-up.

This year's event will be supported by the Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council.

Over 100 different real ales will also be on offer at the Brangwyn Hall as well as a huge selection of real ciders and perries during the Swansea Bay Beer Festival from Thursday August 27 to Sunday August 29.

Live music will come from the likes of the Ted Crook Blues Highway and Buttonsville and a selection of food will be available.

A boat safety awareness event is also being held at Knab Rock in Mumbles on Saturday August 29 and Sunday August 30 between 10am and 5pm.

This will include:

• A lifeboat equipment display.
• Lifesaving demonstrations.
• A lifeboat launch.
• A man overboard exercise involving the Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team, The Mumbles All Weather Lifeboat team and The Mumbles Inshore Lifeboat team.
• Stalls and information clinics.

The demonstrations will last from 1pm to 3pm on both days.

Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "August Bank Holiday Weekend effectively marks the end of the summer break for many people so it's important a selection of events are arranged to cater for everyone.

"World Party Weekend is something for the whole family to enjoy that's illustrative of how multi-cultural Swansea has become while the Swansea Bay Beer Festival is a treat for fans of real ale.

"Both outdoor and indoor activities have been organised to make sure there's something that will appeal to everyone despite what the weather may bring."

Other events and facilities at your beck and call over Bank Holiday Weekend include:

• The 72-seat Swansea Bay Landrider that's running daily between Mumbles and Blackpill between 10am and 6.30pm.
• The tropical haven of plants and animals at Plantasia in Parc Tawe.
• The selection of sports and activities at the Active Swansea Community Leisure Centre in Penyrheol, Penlan, Morriston and Cefn Hengoed, Bishopston Sports Centre and Swansea Tennis Centre.
• A detective trail for children and ongoing exhibitions at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
• The crime and punishment exhibition at Swansea Museum as well as the cabinet of curiosities and floating exhibits on the marina.
• The Saturday Lunchtime Theatre at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Dylan Thomas in America is being shown at 1pm on Saturday August 29.

Have a look at www.swanseabayfestival.com for more information.