LOCAL WELSH expats wishing to celebrate St. David’s Day on Sunday should head down to the Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, for a special ticketed St. David’s Day Grand Concert beginning at 2pm with a Druid blessing, followed by a screening of the rare 1962 short film ‘Dylan Thomas’ starring Richard Burton.
Following the movie there will be a performance by the Welsh Choir of Southern California, Paul Child, and in her debut North American appearance – Welsh soprano and harpist Siobhan Owen. Siobhan was born in North Wales to a Welsh father and Irish mother, and moved to Australia when she was 2 years old. A classically trained singer from the age of 9, Siobhan also turns her haunting soprano voice and gentle harp playing to a repertoire of traditional Celtic songs. She has received prestigious awards for both her classical and Celtic singing.
Outside the concert from 10am to 6pm visitors can enjoy a free Celtic Marketplace, Welsh food, languages classes by Swansea-based instructor Jason Shepherd of the Learn Welsh Podcast, Celtic workshops, Welsh Corgi lecture, Kids Crafts, and the LA Eisteddfod featuring poetry, storytelling, readings and performance. The event will also promote artists from both Wales and the US in a special book release party on Welsh Nursery Rhymes written by Llanelli-born author Peter Anthony Freeman and published by A Raven Above Press. Designed by Welsh-American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Barnsdall art park is nestled atop a shaded hill and away from the city bustle, with a clear view of the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park (named for Welsh philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith).
