Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s like when your houseplant sprouts a new leaf 😊

Have you all been making the most of the spring sunshine? We went to Marina Market and the Vintage and Makers Market last Sunday, and both were packed! That same afternoon, my son programmed LEGO robots at the National Waterfront Museum - lots of fun!

There’s loads of great stuff going on this week too - from talks by Pru Leith and Ben Fogle, to a Hunger Games book launch, Dog & Darts, and two very different springtime fairs.

Reply to this email to let me know what you’re up to, and I’ll catch you on Wednesday.

Andrew.

P.S. Something really strange happened this week - Swansea Scoop went viral on Instagram! 🤯 Read all about it below.

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

This week, I shared the story of Swansea’s Roy Roth AKA Leeroy, a master magician who amazed crowds the world over.

Read Swansea's World Class Magician 🪄

THE DIGEST 📰

🏗️ The renovation to turn Castle Cinema (former Lazerzone) into 30 flats and commercial units will begin this May.

🏆 The Bowen Arms pub in Birchgrove has won a competition to display both the men's and Women's Premier League trophies today (March 16th) from 12 - 4 PM.

🦖 Four giant model dinosaurs will be installed at Singleton Park's boating lake in Swansea as part of improvement works that also include silt removal, creation of an outdoor education area, and installation of wildlife information boards.

No poll this week, just a quick question. Can I ask you to forward this e-mail to one person who would also enjoy Swansea Scoop? :)

SWANSEA FOOD & DRINK

Looking for some fresh spots to eat and drink in Swansea this week? Try this lot out:

☕ Dark Side Café had its soft launch this week, serving cakes, coffees, snacks and baps from 8 AM. Find them on Park Street in the city centre, open 7 days a week.

🍽️ The Dark Horse in Mumbles has launched a new set lunch menu for £18.95 per person, available every weekday from 12 PM - 3 PM.

🍽️ From now until "some point after Easter", Little Valley Bakery won’t just be baking hot cross buns, but also hot cross croissant filled with mixed spice frangipane.

Easter Milkshakes have landed at Mumbles Pier, with flavours including Munchie Mini Egg, Malteser Bunny, Creme Egg, and Dairy Milk Caramel.

🥗 HQ Urban Kitchen is hosting its latest Vegetarian and Vegan Banquet on Friday, March 21st, with a selection of plant-based dishes served at one long table for £25 per person.

🍽️ The Shed in SA1 has been named one of the UK's best new restaurants by Condé Nast Traveller, describing its menu as "unpretentious and hearty, but also full of startling taste combinations."

@SWANSEA.SCOOP

Swansea Scoop went viral on Instagram this week! My phone did not stop pinging with notifications for days after I shared the post below - a tongue-in-cheek comparison between Shibuya and Swansea. Check it out and follow us @swansea.scoop

NEW! DAY TRIP IDEA

Of course, no one ever wants to leave Swansea, but there’s often really great stuff happening not too far away that makes for a fun day trip. Here’s an idea for this week:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Drone Light Show is being held at Glamorgan County Cricket Ground in Cardiff on Friday, March 21st - a 45-minute light show that brings Dorothy’s adventure to life.

WHAT’S ON

Shining a spotlight on everything fun Swansea has to offer this week, coming right up.

Monday March 17th

👩‍🍳 An Evening with Dame Prue Leith: Join the culinary legend and Bake Off star at the Taliesin Arts Centre for an evening of career stories, and iconic TV moments. Includes Q&A and book signing.
7.30 PM | £24

🎭 Kate Mosse Live: Enjoy a one-woman show at Brangwyn Hall celebrating the 20th anniversary of Mosse’s bestseller, Labyrinth, with music, imagery and film taking audiences on an epic journey through history and the Languedoc region.
7.30 PM | £26.50

👦 Swansea YOU Youth Club: There’s free weekly activities every Monday until April 14th at Barnardo's office in Penlan for ages 10-18 - a safe space to relax after school, with cooking, arts, crafts, exercise and wellbeing activities.
5 PM - 6.30 PM | Free

🎭 Daughter of Bala: A play at Pontardawe Arts Centre chronicling the extraordinary life of Welsh heroine Betsi Cadwaladr, from her humble beginnings to her clash with Florence Nightingale as a nurse in the Crimean War.
7.30 PM | £16.50 (Standard), £13.20 (NHS/Friends of PAC/Under 25)

Tuesday March 18th

🌊 Swansea Sea Hive Workshop: Join marine ecologist Ruth Callaway at Volcano Theatre for a hands-on craft workshop exploring the Mumbles Sea Hive project, eco-engineering, and biodiversity. Create a model and paint your own hive tile to take home.
11 AM - 2 PM | Free

📖 The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Launch: Celebrate the highly anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games series at Waterstones Swansea with activities, crafts, drinks, and snacks, plus a tote bag and goodies with book purchase.
6 PM | £20 (with book), Free (craft session) 

Wednesday March 19th

🎤 Tom Glover - Stand-Up Comedy: West Country comedian Tom Glover takes the stage at The Cross Keys, Swansea, with his sharp observational comedy, quirky accents, and hilarious storytelling.
8 PM | £16.20 (Standard), £6 (NUS Student)

🎡 Ystradgynlais Fun Fair: Enjoy thrilling rides and family fun at the Rugby Club car park with Studt’s Funfairs, until Sunday 23rd March. Free entry, with tokens for each ride.
 Weekdays 5 - 9 PM | Saturday 2 - 9 PM | Sunday 2 - 7 PM | Free

📖 Hollie McNish - Lobster: The Paperback Tour: The award-winning poet brings her sharp, funny, and deeply honest work to Taliesin Arts Centre, reading from her latest collection Lobster and fan favourites. Includes book signing.
7.30 PM | £13 (Standard), £5 (Under 26s/Students)

Thursday March 20th

🌍 Ben Fogle - Wild: Join adventurer Ben Fogle at the Brangwyn Hall as he shares uplifting and thrilling stories from his global explorations, from the jungles of Honduras to the mountains of Nepal.
7.30 PM | £32

🎶 Bach Reimagined: A fusion of dance and live music at Taliesin Arts Centre, blending contemporary choreography, heavy metal cello, and a choir to bring the life and work of JS Bach into modern times.
7.30 PM | £14 (Standard), £5 (Under 26s/Students)

🏔️ Hari Budha Magar – No Legs, No Limits: An extraordinary and inspiring talk at Pontardawe Arts Centre from the world’s first double above-knee amputee to summit Everest, sharing his journey from Nepal to the world's highest peak.
7.30 PM | £21.50 (Standard), £18.50 (Concessions)

🎭 Lord of the Flies: A gripping stage adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel at the Dylan Thomas Theatre, performed by the Senior section of Swansea Little Theatre’s Young Players.
7 PM | £15 (Standard), £12 (Concessions)

🎨 Paint & Sip with Tipsy Kahlo: A relaxed and creative evening at Albert Hall where you’ll follow step-by-step guidance from artist Rose to create your own masterpiece - while enjoying a cocktail on arrival.
7 PM - 9 PM | £28

Friday March 21st

🐶 Dogs and Darts: Enjoy a fun-filled evening at The Gower Inn with darts, a country buffet, and even doggy sausages for your furry friends, all in support of The Pettifor Trust.
6 PM | £15

🤼‍♂️ Welsh Wrestling: Get ready for an action-packed night at The Welfare Ystradgynlais as the Welsh Wrestling roadshow brings high-energy bodyslams and entertainment for all ages!
7 PM | £12 (Adults), £10 (Children)

🎻 BBC NOW - Fireworks of Passion: A thrilling evening at Brangwyn Hall featuring Grace Williams’ Penillion, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony, conducted by Tadaaki Otaka with violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing.
7.30 PM | £10 - £20

Saturday March 22nd

🎤 An Evening with The Inbetweeners' Joe Thomas: The actor behind Simon Cooper discusses The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat, White Gold, and TaskMaster, plus audience Q&A and meet & greet at The Taliesin Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £21 (Standard), £10 (Under 26s/Students)

🌸 Killay Spring Fair: Celebrate the season at Killay Precinct with market stalls, live music and street theatre, face painting, and food vendors.
10 AM - 3 PM

🛁 Mother's Day Bath Bomb Workshop: Create a limited-edition Edamummy Bean bath bomb at LUSH Swansea, perfect for a Mother’s Day treat!
12 PM - 3 PM | £5

🌲 March in Clyne Gardens: "Know Your Conifers": A guided walk with head gardener Teifion Davies exploring the world’s largest and longest-lived trees.
11 AM - 12:30 PM | £3

🎨 Spring Craft Market: Browse local handmade goods, from jewellery to ceramics, at Trallwn Community Centre, all in support of Kids Cancer Charity.
22nd - 23rd March, 10 AM - 5 PM | Free Entry

🎭 Tom Stade: Risky Business: The no-holds-barred comedian takes on today’s world with his signature sharp wit and storytelling at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
8 PM | £23.65

💃 Dance, Movement & Choreography Workshop: Join Jess Lerner for a guided movement class exploring body awareness, improvisation, and relationships with space, based on her project Knitting Fog, at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.
10.30 AM - 3 PM | Pay What You Can (£3.50 - £7)

Sunday March 23rd

🔮 Witches Market & Spiritual Fayre: Explore Swansea’s first Witches Market at the Brangwyn Hall, featuring over 60 stalls filled with mystical, magical, and spiritual treasures.
11 AM - 4.30 PM | £2.88 (General Admission), Free (Under 16s)

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday March 17th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Plough & Harrow, Brynhyfryd | Seb Hawley | 7 PM

Tuesday March 18th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday March 19th
The Swigg | The Hush | 8.30 PM

Thursday March 20th
Hippos | Open Mic | 4 PM
Waterloo Stores | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7.30 PM

Friday March 21st
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
The Oyster House | Friday Night Live | 8 PM
Gower Inn | Live Music Night | 7 PM
Swansea Arena | Coffeeshop Sessions | 12 PM - 2 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre | John Adams | 7.30 PM
Cu Mumbles | Li Harding Band | 8.45 PM
The Environment Centre | The Balkaneers + Laila Woodward + Parson Howl + DJ Chronic | 7.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | Chop Suey + Slip-Not + The Violent Inzident | 7.15 PM

Saturday March 22nd
HQ Urban Kitchen | Saturday Sessions | 1 PM
Hangar 18 | Z Machine + King Goon + Cities | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | The Total Stone Roses and Oaysis | 7 PM
Elysium | Mosh For Madungu w/ Only Fools & Corpses + The Shunkos + More | 7 PM
Sin City | The Luke Combs Experience | 6 PM
XP Gaming Bar | Rooftop Brunch with live music from Tusker | 2 PM
The Swigg | This River | 8 PM
The Purple Badger | The Worried Men of Gower | 7 PM
The Cross Keys | The Cover Lover | 9 PM

Sunday March 23rd
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
Sin City | Shaman's Harvest & Blacktop Mojo - About Time Tour | 7 PM
Poison Apple | James Rees | 5 PM


Got a gig coming up that you want me to include? Reply to this email to let me know!

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THANKS 😊

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend who would find it useful as well.

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

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