For more than 40 years we have promoted arts and educational activities, integrating them into the community of Presteigne and the surrounding area of mid Wales and the borders.
Our exciting programme of events includes performances by well known musicians, inspiring talks, films, and workshops for children and adults. BECOME A FRIEND OF MID BORDER ARTS
The Piano (1993) is a historical romance starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill with Anna Paquin in her first major role. The film tells the story of a mute Scottish woman who travels with her young daughter to a remote part of New Zealand after an arranged marriage to a settler. While the story echoes Jane Mander’s 1920 novel The Story of a New Zealand River, Jane Campion has also cited Wuthering Heights and The African Queen among the film’s inspirations.
It features a memorable soundtrack by composer Michael Nyman.
Classified 15 (suitable for those aged 15 and over)
Bright Star (2009) is a biographical romantic drama, based on the last three years of the life of poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and his romantic relationship with Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Jane Campion’s screenplay was inspired by the 1997 biography of Keats by Andrew Motion, who served as a script consultant on the film.
Classified PG (suitable for any age, but parental guidance is advised).
Carwyn Graves’ book, Tir, has been called a ‘love letter to the Welsh countryside’ and is a unique exploration of the deep connections between Welsh culture, language and landscape.
2026 Festival composer-in-residence Michael Zev Gordon discusses his life, career and music with conductor, singer and composer George Parris.
An unforgettable session of humour, history and hwyl (Welsh for 'fun' but also, curiously, for 'sail') where we will range through the centuries exploring the only former Roman colony to keep its own language, the tragic fate of the lost letter K, discover which English king was really called Harri ab Edmwnt ab Owain and how a lovebite changed the world.
Award-winning writer and broadcaster Myfanwy Alexander has just published her seventh novel. She won a Sony Radio Comedy Award for the long-running Radio Wales series 'The LL Files,' adapted her own novel 'Bloody Eisteddfod' into the first ever co-production between BBC Radio 4 and Radio Cymru and is half of the Wales team on Radio 4's 'Round Britain Quiz.'
Mike Sardina is a Vietnam veteran and mechanic performing covers on stages across 1980s Midwest America, dreaming of something big. He meets Claire Cartwright, a hairdresser and fellow covers performer with similar ambitions. While neither is a songwriter, they both revel in entertaining audiences, and form Lightning and Thunder, a Neil Diamond tribute experience.
The Velvet Violin returns with a relaxed, cabaret style evening with Whiskey Moon Face as well as Little Rumba, rather than just a picture of them on the website (sorry about that) and of course the legendary Velvet Violin Quiz.
Calling all local musicians and those who like to support them. Come and join us for an open mic night at Presteigne Assembly Rooms. All welcome to perform in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere – first come, first served.
Folk memory, legends, place names, the landscape around us -- all are whispered histories of our distant, deep past, not of our ancestors from one time alone but of all who have lived and left traces in history´s river, filling the time and space between their time and land and Radnorshire today. Silver from distant Suns is a programme of music and poetry that give voice to those ancient people -- today's folk legends -- and their times.
Described as “one of Wales’s leading composers” by Wales Arts Review, Claire Victoria Roberts is a vocalist, violinist and composer taking traditional Welsh song in a new direction.
In collaboration with virtuosic strings, she performs folk songs and traditional music from both Wales and Argentina (where, in Patagonia, there is a Welsh- speaking community.)
Oliver Bullough is an award-winning author and journalist who writes about financial crime. His latest book, Everybody Loves Our Dollars, tells the story of the world's efforts to stop money laundering, and the reason why they've failed.
Join BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner Maddie Morris, described by Jim Moray as “leading the next generation of socially conscious songwriters” on their autumn tour for an intimate and thought-provoking live experience.
As the year tilts toward winter and the clocks go back, join award-winning author/storyteller Daniel Morden for an afternoon steeped in folklore. Hear tales gathered from misty hills, moonlit crossroads, and the timeless storytelling traditions of these islands.
Still Life is a meditation in memoir and poetry contemplating the many aspects of loss which come when we love others.
Mid Wales Opera presents a full evening of Italian opera, opening with Puccini’s brilliant, one-act comedy Gianni Schicchi. Brimming with energy and including one of Puccini’s best-loved arias “O mio babbino caro” this jewel of a piece is followed by a second half feast of popular Italian music presented by MWO’s 15-strong company of singers and musicians.
Mae Opera Canolbarth Cymru yn cyflwyno noson lawn o opera Eidalaidd, gan agor gyda chomedi un act wych Puccini Gianni Schicchi. Yn orlawn o egni ac yn cynnwys un o ariâu mwyaf poblogaidd Puccini “O mio babbino caro”, dilynir y perl hwn o ddarn gan wledd yn yr ail hanner o gerddoriaeth Eidalaidd boblogaidd a gyflwynir gan griw o 15 o gantorion ac offerynnwyr OCC.
Two neighbouring Devon farmers, both called Derek, go to war over the future of their land in this funny and timely documentary.
Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. Their songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world. Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines) comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar.
