Acosta Danza Evolution | Review

By Amelia Field Coming all the way from Cuba, International ballet star Carlos Acosta brings his superbly talented company to the Wales Millennium Centre. To give background to the company, Danza started up Acosta Danza in his home Havana where dancers are scouted and enter the company at the age of 12 to undergo eight years of training before they are ready at the age … Continue reading Acosta Danza Evolution | Review

Into the Woods | Theatre Review

By Rachel Nurse Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Brothers Grimm hit the YMCA stage with an epic fairy tale about wishes, a witch and the wicked choices we make brought to life by Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Act One society. Laura Martin directs the well-loved musical ÔÇÿInto the WoodsÔÇÖ where a witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales … Continue reading Into the Woods | Theatre Review

Digging Out ‘American Dirt’: What This Controversy Tells Us About the Shortcomings of the Publishing Industry

By Luisa De La Concha Montes In early January, I woke up to find my Twitter feed flooded with very outspoken opinions about Jeannine CumminsÔÇÖ most recent book, American Dirt. As I started interacting with the two main writers that reviewed and criticised the book, Myrian Gurba de Serrano and David O. Bowles, I realized that I was witnessing something quite revealing, and potentially, something … Continue reading Digging Out ‘American Dirt’: What This Controversy Tells Us About the Shortcomings of the Publishing Industry

Cardiff’s Smut Slam: A Place Where Community, Self-acceptance and Sex Stories Connect

By Tabitha Jukes The open-mic storytelling platform is crafting safe-spaces in Cardiff to share, laugh and discuss inclusive sexuality, real-life sexual stories and experiences in an evening of inclusive entertainment.  So, what exactly is Smut Slam? Created by artist, performer and sex activist Cameryn Moore in February 2011, the first Slam took place in Boston. Zoom ahead nine years, and the ÔÇÿdirty-story telling open micÔÇÖ … Continue reading Cardiff’s Smut Slam: A Place Where Community, Self-acceptance and Sex Stories Connect

Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

By Tabitha Jukes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà As part of The OtherRoomÔÇÖs eight-week Spring Fringe programme, which champions native and non-native alternative theatre, and showcases innovative performance in Cardiff. I was able to enjoy CB4ÔÇÖs debut show Back to Berlin. The show does exactly what the grassroots and developing Cardiff- based theatre company intends: presenting theatrical storytelling, with a difference. It is informative, entertaining and … Continue reading Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

A Murder Is Announced | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Pathak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà NO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW There was a time when people would wait patiently, with unwavering curiosity, for the next murder mystery by Agatha Christie. Although that time has passed, the novels still generate similar interest, making them popular even today. As a result of this interest, even decades later, the novels are being adapted … Continue reading A Murder Is Announced | Theatre Review

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2020 | Preview

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is back for 2020 with a brand new selection of adventure films! With events all across the UK and Ireland until the 26th of May, the festival brings you the most inspirational stories told through stunning cinematography from the wildest corners of the planet. The short films are a must-watch for anyone who loves adventures, and every evening is ÔÇ£a … Continue reading Banff Mountain Film Festival 2020 | Preview

A Beginner’s Guide to Photography: Brief Glossary of Technical Concepts

One of the main reasons why people shy away from exploring photography is that the idea of finding the right equipment, and understanding how to use it can be quite daunting. From high prices to strange terms (what on earth does ISO stand for?), photography often seems too complicated. In this second article of our photography series, I will try to break down the practical … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Photography: Brief Glossary of Technical Concepts

Review: Nook, Cowbridge

Peter Wolinski kindly reviewed Nook for Quench. Browsing Tripadvisor is extremely entertaining. IÔÇÖve no idea what possesses anyone in their right mind to waste their spare time by navigating to the site, creating an account, and then writing one line of nonsensical, misguided drivel about some minor tourist attraction. But IÔÇÖm glad that something makes them do it… ÔÇ£We stayed for weekend was so nosey … Continue reading Review: Nook, Cowbridge

Beethoven, The 1808 Concert: A masterful journey to the past | Review

By Ana Beatriz Ferreira Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà On the evening of the 22nd December 1808, at the Theater an der Wien, Beethoven held a performance of absolutely remarkable proportions, displaying an orchestra, a chorus, vocal soloists and the composer himself as the pianist. The audience, reportedly freezing cold on that historic night, heard the premiere of the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, the Fourth Piano … Continue reading Beethoven, The 1808 Concert: A masterful journey to the past | Review

New Year’s Foodie Resolutions

Quench couldn’t let the turning of a decade go by without setting some extra-special foodie resolutions. Words by Ellie Hutchings For the last couple of years, Veganuary has had a surge in popularity. As a vegetarian already, it seemed only natural that I give it go. I know a handful of people whoÔÇÖve become full-time vegans after trying Veganuary and, for me, thatÔÇÖs all the … Continue reading New Year’s Foodie Resolutions

Cinderella: The Fairy Godmother of All Pantomimes | Theatre Review

By Laura Dazon and Mary Stephanie Israel Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà As an international student in the UK, I have been surprised many times by aspects of the British culture (seriously, please stop putting beans everywhere). But if anyone had told me about pantomimes before, I would have been a much happier person. The bright blue posters for the show are everywhere on the streets … Continue reading Cinderella: The Fairy Godmother of All Pantomimes | Theatre Review

The Godmother | Theatre Review

By Devika Sunand Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà This pantomime will take you on a roller coaster of fun, laughter and entertainment with its amazing storyline and perfect mix of music, lights, costumes and yes, not to forget, the super cool audience. A must-watch show written, directed and performed by the talented members of Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Act One Drama Society, ‘The Godmother’ takes us back … Continue reading The Godmother | Theatre Review

How do you stay creative? 8 Tips to Find Your Inspiration Again

By Rhiannon Humphreys ItÔÇÖs a timeless struggle for all creatives ÔÇô how does one stay inspired and motivated on the days where your mind seems to be blank and your ideas run dry? ItÔÇÖs hard enough when your art is just a personal (unmonetized) passion, but even harder when your job requires you to pump out content on command. IÔÇÖm a poet, and lately IÔÇÖve … Continue reading How do you stay creative? 8 Tips to Find Your Inspiration Again

Behind The Label | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Pathak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà During this festive time, where everything is about joy, love, lights and hope, the performance of ‘Behind The Label’ at the Wales Millennium Centre took us away from all the sparkle and glitter for a few hours. The 120-minute show by Theatre Versus Oppression sheds light on the harsh reality of the lives of homeless people. While traditional festive … Continue reading Behind The Label | Theatre Review

Book Review: Impeccable

By Will Humphrey Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà If you are a fan of Ronan BennettÔÇÖs gritty, unpredictable crime thriller Toy Boy, then I would highly recommend Jameel SandhamÔÇÖs crime novel Impeccable. SandhamÔÇÖs narrative follows a similar road to BennettÔÇÖs exploring the dark underworld of drug dealing ÔÇô thriving on the highs and trying to survive in a world of enemies.   The story draws on the … Continue reading Book Review: Impeccable

Anonymity In Art | For and Against

In a world dominated by social media, where everything seems to be public and privacy is a tricky subject, where should we stand in regards to the anonymity of well-known artists? Transparency can be key to building a relationship with fans, but what happens when anonymity is the key to success? Our contributors Molly Sedgemore and Sabrina Sherchan discuss both sides of the debate.┬á   … Continue reading Anonymity In Art | For and Against

The Girl On The Train | Theatre Review

By Elly Savva ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Although following the classic murder mystery story arc, what really entices the audience into this particular story is the venture it allows you into the messiest parts of peoples lives. From just the 12th to the 16th of November, The Girl on The Train is stopping at the New Theatre in Cardiff. Under the direction of Anthony Banks, the story has … Continue reading The Girl On The Train | Theatre Review

Hela | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Patak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Hela, by the up-and-coming playwright Mari Izzard, is the closing segment in the Other RoomÔÇÖs Violence Series. It gives a glimpse into a dystopian world, and is the most violent indeed since it involves children. Its themes, visuals, characters and wordplay are certainly not for the faint-hearted. The two characters Hugh, played by Gwydion Rhys, and Erin, played … Continue reading Hela | Theatre Review

Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review

By Elly Savva ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà As somebody who was infatuated with Henrik IbsenÔÇÖs Dollshouse, I jumped on the opportunity to watch the Sherman TheatreÔÇÖs production of its darker sister play Hedda Gabler. Under the vision of Chelsea Walker, the production takes a new stylistic direction, leaving the audience dazzled and spellbound. It is not the type of performance that you can enjoy from the comfort of … Continue reading Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review