Tag: Quench Magazine

Culture

Fill Your Ears with Culture: Top 10 Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

By Elly Savva Modern Love: Nursing a Wound with Jake Gyllenhaal The podcast that has grown from the popular New York Times column documents modern tales of “love, loss, and redemption.” Whilst the world feels scary and uncertain, this show provides the perfect antidote of humanity and love. Some of the stories are incredibly moving, but they’re all uplifting and life-affirming at a time when … Continue reading Fill Your Ears with Culture: Top 10 Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

Elly Savva
Culture

The Age of Shifting Gender Stereotypes and the Culture of Gender

By Sarah Harris When I think about how much the culture of gender has evolved in my 22 years of life, itÔÇÖs evident that weÔÇÖve come a long way as a society. I come from a South Asian background in which an integral part of our culture is the role of the female as a homemaker. As a child, it was cultivated in me that … Continue reading The Age of Shifting Gender Stereotypes and the Culture of Gender

Contributing Writer
Culture

Graphic Novel Review: Thoreau and Me

By Sofia Brizio Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà TalingÔÇÖs debut graphic novel Thoreau and Me is the compelling tale of a Parisian painter who, after reading ThoreauÔÇÖs Walden and becoming more aware of consumerism and the climate emergency, begins to question his life choices. Incorporating original quotes from Walden into the story, the author masterfully depicts our everyday anxieties around capitalism and its effects on the … Continue reading Graphic Novel Review: Thoreau and Me

Sofia Brizio
Culture

The Hothouse | Theatre review

By Saoirse O’Connor Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà There is a moment towards the end of The HothouseÔÇÖs first act where it feels like youÔÇÖve suddenly started watching a different play. Moments previously the audience were rolling in the aisles and with the flicker of a red light (and some well-placed electrodes) they sat transfixed as a man writhed in agony mere centimetres away. It is … Continue reading The Hothouse | Theatre review

Contributing Writer
Culture

My Wales | Exhibition Review

By Cinzia Appetecchia Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà In the heart of Cardiff, the MADE art gallery recently hosted a photography exhibition by a local artist and photographer, Kyriacos Asprou, to which I had the pleasure to be invited to see his work. I found a collection of pictures taken during a long trip around the country to frame the essence of what Wales has to … Continue reading My Wales | Exhibition Review

Contributing Writer
Culture

An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

By Lewis Empson Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà J. B. PriestlyÔÇÖs staple of the whodunnit genre is as pertinent as ever within todayÔÇÖs society. Watching it unfurl on stage with social commentary still as relevant as its debut in 1945 is an engaging and thought-provoking experience. We are first introduced to a dirty, dimly lit street inhabited with impoverished children, contrasted with the decadent home of … Continue reading An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

Contributing Writer
Culture

On Budgeting and What Makes a Good Photographer with Ieuan Berry | A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

In the previous instalment of our photography series, I guided you through all the jargon you need to know when approaching photography. Today I will talk about budgeting and how to navigate the plethora of equipment on offer, another tricky aspect for beginners. To facilitate your journey through photography, I also interviewed the photographer Ieuan Berry, who works in the shop Camera Centre, located in … Continue reading On Budgeting and What Makes a Good Photographer with Ieuan Berry | A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

Luisa De la Concha Montes
Culture

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

Contributing Writer
Culture

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

Contributing Writer
Culture

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

Luisa De la Concha Montes
Culture

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

Contributing Writer
Culture

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

Contributing Writer
Culture

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

Sofia Brizio
Culture

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

Sofia Brizio
Culture

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

Luisa De la Concha Montes
Food

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

Contributing Writer
Culture

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

Sofia Brizio
Food

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

Lauren Stenning
Culture

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

Sofia Brizio
Culture

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

Sofia Brizio