2014. A big year..
2014 was a huge year for us in so many ways. Not only was it the centenary of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, but it was the also the culmination of 3 years of very hard work!!
In late 2011, over a few pints in a Swansea pub, a idea was formed that with the centenary of the poets birth fast approaching, and plans of grand international celebrations being reported in the press, there should be a fitting party worthy of the Welsh bard in his home suburb of Uplands.
Initially it was almost a fantasy. Yes there should be an event or even a series of events, but the how and the where and the who was a mystery. None of us had much experience of running anything let alone a festival, but what we did have was a passion for Dylan, a good knowledge of the local and Welsh cultural scene and plenty of enthusiasm.
The idea soon became a plan. A small festival over 3 days around the poets birth and death dates. Seems easy enough on paper. Get a few venues onboard, book a couple of acts and publicise it right? What we didn't know is just how hard it is! Soon we had 6 venues and over 30 acts booked, but with virtually no experience, we just learnt by trial and error. What we did have was a huge amount of goodwill amongst the people of Swansea, and in 2012 Do Not Go Gentle Festival made its debut. That first year will live long in the memory. The venues were packed, the atmosphere crackled and everyone asked when the next one was! We realised that we had created something quite special..
Over the next 3 years the festival has gone from strength to strength and taken on a life of its own. Its become known not just in Swansea but across Wales and beyond. We have gained the support of Dylan's granddaughter Hannah Ellis and welcomed the likes of Hollywood actor Rhys Ifans and intertionally known comedian Jo Brand, as well as acts from as far afield as Denmark, Ireland and Brittany. We have also linked up with the international Dylan Thomas Prize, Taliesin Arts Centre, Poetry Wales, Parthian Books, Dylan Thomas Bookbus, Elysium Gallery and Volcano Theatre. And of course we have always had the support of the people of Uplands and our fantastic venues - The Garage, Dylan Thomas Birthplace, Mozarts, The Chattery, Steam Cafe, Noahs Yard and St James Social club.
All in all it has been a wonderful ride. We are proud of what we have achieved, and we are excited about the years to come, but most of all we hope that Dylan is up there smiling and raising a glass to what we've done in his name...
HQ x
2014 was a huge year for us in so many ways. Not only was it the centenary of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, but it was the also the culmination of 3 years of very hard work!!
In late 2011, over a few pints in a Swansea pub, a idea was formed that with the centenary of the poets birth fast approaching, and plans of grand international celebrations being reported in the press, there should be a fitting party worthy of the Welsh bard in his home suburb of Uplands.
Initially it was almost a fantasy. Yes there should be an event or even a series of events, but the how and the where and the who was a mystery. None of us had much experience of running anything let alone a festival, but what we did have was a passion for Dylan, a good knowledge of the local and Welsh cultural scene and plenty of enthusiasm.
The idea soon became a plan. A small festival over 3 days around the poets birth and death dates. Seems easy enough on paper. Get a few venues onboard, book a couple of acts and publicise it right? What we didn't know is just how hard it is! Soon we had 6 venues and over 30 acts booked, but with virtually no experience, we just learnt by trial and error. What we did have was a huge amount of goodwill amongst the people of Swansea, and in 2012 Do Not Go Gentle Festival made its debut. That first year will live long in the memory. The venues were packed, the atmosphere crackled and everyone asked when the next one was! We realised that we had created something quite special..
Over the next 3 years the festival has gone from strength to strength and taken on a life of its own. Its become known not just in Swansea but across Wales and beyond. We have gained the support of Dylan's granddaughter Hannah Ellis and welcomed the likes of Hollywood actor Rhys Ifans and intertionally known comedian Jo Brand, as well as acts from as far afield as Denmark, Ireland and Brittany. We have also linked up with the international Dylan Thomas Prize, Taliesin Arts Centre, Poetry Wales, Parthian Books, Dylan Thomas Bookbus, Elysium Gallery and Volcano Theatre. And of course we have always had the support of the people of Uplands and our fantastic venues - The Garage, Dylan Thomas Birthplace, Mozarts, The Chattery, Steam Cafe, Noahs Yard and St James Social club.
All in all it has been a wonderful ride. We are proud of what we have achieved, and we are excited about the years to come, but most of all we hope that Dylan is up there smiling and raising a glass to what we've done in his name...
HQ x