Cardiff
Entertainment

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Cardiff is well-served for entertainment of all types. From the world-famous National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera to the various professional and semi-professional theatre companies centred in the city, from large scale pop concerts to solo performances, there is something to suit every taste. Being a multi-ethnic city, you can also find entertainments from different cultural traditions—Japanese drummers, Chinese musicians, Indian dancers. And if you prefer to be an active participant rather than a spectator, there's a multitude of city centre clubs and pubs that have dancing into the small hours. Some of them even offer dancing classes so you can brush up on your technique before hitting the disco floors.

Classical Music, Opera & Ballet
St David's Hall is the obvious choice. Home to the National Orchestra of Wales it features a full programme of classical concerts including the Welsh Proms in July and the Cardiff Singer of the World competition every two years. There are also regular visits from ballet and opera companies, and top class orchestras and soloists from all over the world have played here. Opera lovers should give the New Theatre a ring. Tickets for the Welsh National Opera seasons always sell out very quickly, though it's sometimes possible to get tickets at short notice if you don't mind where you sit. Recent years have seen operas by Britten, Janacek and Tchaikovsky as well as the much-loved Verdi and Mozart offerings. The Sherman Theatre also has occasional opera and operetta productions—the Cardiff Gilbert and Sullivan society perform here.

For something a little more unusual try the Norwegian Church Arts Centre or the Point in Cardiff Bay. Baroque ensembles, guitar soloists and international groups make regular appearances.

Ballet lovers have less choice, but St David's Hall stages ballet performances every Christmas, the Northern Ballet makes regular appearances at the New Theatre and Diversions Dance Company may be seen at the Sherman. Also look out for modern dance performances at Chapter Arts Centre.

Popular Music
For the big pop concerts you'll have to go to the Cardiff International Arena or the Millennium Stadium, and be prepared to book well in advance. There are, however, some smaller venues that are surprisingly good. The Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay has several featured acts. Live Jazz is on offer at the city centre's Jazz Cafe and Riverbank, which overlooks the Millennium Stadium. St David's Hall also features some popular music on its programme, though it tends towards easy listening, folk and country.

Welsh speakers and learners are always welcome at Clwb Ifor Bach, a pub and club that acts as a showcase for up-and-coming Welsh bands and soloists as well as featuring groups from other parts of the British Isles. Indeed, many of the city centre pubs have regular live music nights—check out the local publications for full details of what's happening on any night.

Theatre
From classical to contemporary, there's plenty of choice. The New Theatre is Cardiff's largest stage and features a mixed programme of West End and Broadway hits, Shakespeare, Ayckborn and Oscar Wilde comedies, contemporary drama and family pantomimes. Close by, the smaller Sherman is more experimental in nature and features youth theatre productions in the smaller studio theatre and comedy, small-scale opera and off-beat drama in the main theatre. Many Welsh writers are showcased here, so come along if you want to sample some local talent. Chapter Arts Centre also offers experimental drama, including works by the students at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, while in the summer months there are open-air productions of Shakespeare and popular comedy dramas at venues such as the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, Castell Coch and Cardiff Castle.

Cinema
There is a twelve-screen UCI Cinema in Cardiff Bay (pictured above), which has a full programme of all the latest films. Chapter Arts Centre is the premier 'Art House' cinema and runs an annual film festival that features the best of world cinema.

Comedy
Cardiff Bay is a prime spot for comedy with the Glee Club. Cardiff's first dedicated comedy venue, it features some of the biggest names on the UK circuit. St David's Hall and the Sherman Theatre both feature performances by new and established names (acts from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival often turn up in the Sherman). Many of the city's pubs also host comedy slots. See the local newspapers for details.

Daytime Entertainment
There's plenty to see and do in Cardiff during the day. You could spend a whole day in the National Museum & Gallery. One of Cardiff's best known landmarks, it has several large art galleries and exhibition rooms and, unusual for a museum of this size, entry is free. For a taste of Welsh history take a trip to the open air Museum of Welsh Life. Again, entry is free and there are often special events in the summer and on public holidays. Children, meanwhile, will love Techniquest, the 'hands on' science centre in Cardiff Bay. Back into the city centre, Cardiff Castle houses a small museum and a guided tour is recommended to anyone with an interest in history, architecture or interior design. Follow this up with a meal in one of the many city centre restaurants and a trip to a concert, show or club, and your time in Cardiff will fly by.