| When you are looking for an interesting art filled night | | | | performance space in the centre and there is also a |
| out, the Wales Millennium Centre for the performing | | | | full recording studio and a dance house available to |
| arts in Cardiff is the best place to go. With its | | | | them. |
| romantic location on the waterfront of Cardiff Bay, | | | | The Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and |
| this centre gives a whole new dimension to the | | | | Society for Writers is also known as the Academy. It |
| traditional "dinner and a show night out". Here are a | | | | organizes events such as the Book of the Year |
| few reasons why a visit to the Wales Millennium | | | | Award, the Writers on Tour Scheme, festivals, |
| Centre is the best way to spend your evening. | | | | readings, book launches, stage performances and |
| Ever since it was opened in 2004 the centre has | | | | workshops and it also publishes several magazines. |
| housed numerous performances of dance, ballet, | | | | On a more personal level the company helps writers |
| opera and musicals, all of the highest quality. Aside | | | | with manuscript preparation and offers advice for |
| from its two theatres, the main Donald Gordon | | | | anyone in the literary world. |
| theatre with a capacity of 1900 people and the | | | | The Diversions Dance Company of Wales delivers |
| second Weston Studio theatre with a capacity of | | | | demonstrations and workshops to dance groups |
| 250, the Wales Millennium Centre also offers several | | | | from local schools and colleges and it also |
| shops for a fun shopping trip and bars and | | | | commissions works of famous choreographers like Bill |
| restaurants with a spectacular view of Cardiff Bay. | | | | T. Jones, Toni Mira or Kenneth Kvarnstrom. The |
| The architecture and interior design, the work of | | | | company's resume includes several tours across |
| talented local architect Jonathan Adams, provide a | | | | Wales and abroad in countries like Australia, Germany, |
| unique atmosphere to this building. The structure | | | | Spain, Russia or Japan. |
| features an immense dome in a bronze like colour | | | | The Hijinx Theatre produces exciting plays, mixing |
| that is meant to make the place look even better | | | | drama and music and bringing them to communities |
| with age. Another unique feature of the centre are | | | | across Wales and England every year. A special |
| the two lines of text, a Welsh poetic line and an | | | | project of the Hijinx Theatre is the Odyssey Theatre |
| English poetic line both by Gwyneth Lewis, inscribed | | | | project that involves the participation of the |
| on the top of the dome, the lettering of which is | | | | community and results in two productions every |
| formed by the upstairs bar area windows. Because | | | | year. More than a quarter of the participants in this |
| of its impressive architectural design, wide variety of | | | | project have learning disabilities. |
| performances and services offered, the Wales | | | | Touch Trust is a unique company providing therapy |
| Millennium Centre is sure to provide an interesting and | | | | for children as well as adults that suffer from severe |
| fun filled visit. | | | | disabilities or autism. The therapy consists of dance, |
| The Wales Millennium Centre is a place to visit even | | | | music and massage and the programs are designed |
| only for the beauty of its architecture and interior | | | | individually for each person. A very special feature |
| design. Jonathan Adams from the local architect firm | | | | that the company plans to add to its program is a |
| Capita-Percy Thomas has outdone himself with this | | | | comforting room filled with sensory stimulation, from |
| unique structure. The bronze-like dome is meant to | | | | textures to lights, called the "snoozleum". |
| be both functional as well as beautiful. The copper | | | | T? Cerdd is the Wales music information centre for |
| oxide treatment will make it look better and better | | | | amateur and professional musicians and it brings |
| as it ages, while the steel underclothing means to | | | | together associations like National Youth Arts Wales, |
| shield it from the harsh conditions of Cardiff's | | | | the Composers of Wales, the Welsh Music |
| waterfront. The building is clad in slate of several | | | | Information Centre and the Welsh Amateur Music |
| colours and in natural wood, both materials coming | | | | Federation. The services it offers include an |
| from Wales. Special features of the building are the | | | | extensive library of performance scores, listening |
| two lines of Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis: "Creating | | | | booths, a recording studio and information points. |
| truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration" and | | | | Urdd Gobaith Cymru is an association for Wales' |
| "In these stones horizons sing", that are written | | | | youth that provides sporting and cultural activities, |
| above the main entrance using the windows of the | | | | workshops and performances in residential centers of |
| upstairs bar area. At night the letters are illuminated | | | | the highest quality. |
| making them reflect on the Cardiff Bay waters most | | | | Wales National Opera has a permanent home at the |
| brilliantly. | | | | Wales Millennium Centre, including rehearsal space, |
| The inside of the Wales Millennium Centre hosts | | | | performance space and offices. The company is |
| several shops, restaurants, bars and two theatres. | | | | made up of principal singers, chorus and orchestra |
| The interior design of the Donald Gordon theatre also | | | | plus the technical and administrative staff and has |
| makes it one of the most beautiful and interesting | | | | toured across Wales as well as abroad. |
| European theatres with its mix of different coloured | | | | A visit to the spectacular Wales Millennium Centre for |
| wood and irregular terracotta walls. In addition to the | | | | the performance arts will bring you a night filled with |
| theatres the Wales Millennium Centre is also home to | | | | art, whether it be ballet, opera or a musical, If you |
| seven arts companies including the Welsh National | | | | would prefer, you can just go shopping in the many |
| Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers, | | | | shops the centre has to offer, or you can simply |
| the Diversions Dance Company, the Welsh National | | | | enjoy a refined dinner in one of the restaurants |
| Opera and many more. Each of the resident art | | | | overlooking the beautiful Cardiff Bay. |
| companies has its own office space, workspace and | | | | |