MBA Fundraiser: Press Gangers
MBA Fundraiser: Press Gangers
Friday, 30th January, 2026, 7:30pm. Doors 7:00pm
The Assembly Rooms, Presteigne
Who doesn’t love a shanty band? Established in 2022 and based in Presteigne, this salty crew of singers and musicians are regular favourites in the pubs and village halls around Radnorshire. With their varied repertoire of sea shanties, nautical songs, folk and Irish tunes they both entertain and raise money for good causes such as RNLI and Welsh Air Ambulance. This time, they are coming to Presteigne Assembly Rooms to help raise money for Mid Border Arts. Come and enjoy a relaxed evening of music and make good use of the MBA Bar. Donations only to Mid Border Arts.
MBA Sunday Session: Mowley Valley
What do a former garden designer, farmer, teacher and doctor have in common? The desire to restore and tend a parcel of land in Mowley Valley, five miles outside of Presteigne. Through slides and stories, they share their progress in helping to restore and create meadows along the River Arrow as well as facilitate habitat restoration and maximise biodiversity in this 160-acre valley.
MBA Presents: Cynefin
'Cynefin' (pr. kuh-neh-vin) is the creative vision of musician, grain grower and cultural historian Owen Shiers. Fascinated by music and history, it is a bid to give a modern voice to Ceredigion’s rich yet neglected cultural heritage.
Glitterball: The Non-Valentine Edition
We’ll be getting out the dance floor to make February 14th a night to remember. Come however you are – dressed to the nines or dead casual; alone or together; happy or sad. We hope to have some of your favourite dance tunes; to make sure this happens, why not send playlist suggestions to info@midborderarts.com
MBA Family Film: Lilo & Stitch
A live-action animated re-make of Disney’s 2002 film in which a young, parentless girl adopts what she thinks is a dog from the local pound, unaware that the creature is supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment. (2025 108mins U)
MBA: Swallow's Wings Puppetry: Anansi & The Lost Sun
One day Darkness covers the face of the Land. Lion appeals for someone to bring back the Light and save the World. Who will succeed?The Powerful Eagle? The Clever Monkey? Or Anansi the Spider and his mates?
MBA Presents: Ivan Moult with support from Jessica Rising & Jakey Boy Hughes
Cardiff-based indie folk singer-songwriter Ivan Moult returns with his most personal work to date, Stood Out In The Storm. The album follows the acclaimed Songs From Severn Grove (2023), which drew praise for its warmth, intricacy and timeless songwriting, cementing Ivan’s reputation as one of Wales’ most compelling contemporary voices.
MBA Sunday Session: Gabby Rivers
Gaby Rivers, Curator of the Judge’s Lodgings in Presteigne for nearly thirty years, will share some of the town’s treasures as well as the stories these treasures reveal about daily life in Presteigne, the town’s past and its place in the world. This will be an intimate meeting with the objects themselves; you will be able to examine them in detail – gloves provided!
MBA Presents: Toby Hay
Toby Hay is a guitar player and composer. Fascinated by the connection between landscape and music, he is inspired by the landscapes of the Cambrian Mountains where he lives, and is interested in the connection between improvisation and composition. Toby has toured all over the UK & Ireland performing solo, or collaborating with other musicians. He is the founder of Cambrian Records.
“One of the finest guitarists of his generation.” — KLOF
MBA Presents: Luke Wright - Later Life Letter
Later Life Letter tells the story of Luke Wright’s adoption – the life he leads, and the one he might have done. Wright navigates his audience through a warm and honest hour of poems and stand-up with the wit, pathos, and silliness that has made him one of the most popular live poets in England.
Expect raucous laughter, tear-stained cheeks, and a little smattering of drum n bass.
About Face Theatre:Just Visiting
Just Visiting is a heartening and humorous piece of theatre, intricately woven from real memories and explored through storytelling and puppetry, that examines loss and grief from different angles. About Face Theatre Company, are a professional learning disability theatre company.
MBA Presents: The Often Herd
Bluegrass band The Often Herd transcend the traditional boundaries of the genre. Although they might resemble an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, their vibrant, transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their surroundings; the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England.
MBA Film Night: The Ballad of Wallis Island
The film follows Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favourite musicians, estranged folk band duo Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer, back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig. A charming British comedy with folk songs!
MBA Family Film: Coco
A family favourite beloved by children and adults. Coco follows the story of Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician despite his family’s generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel travels to the land of his ancestors - the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead. (2017 105 mins PG)
MBA Presents: Germa Adan
Germa Adan is a Haitian-born composer, vocalist, and string musician whose music traverses Haitian, American, and British folk traditions, the rich sonic languages of the Afro-diaspora, and the improvisational spirit of jazz. Her acclaimed album Borderlines & Bloodlines was named one of Folk Alley’s Best Trad Albums of 2023. With performances at Manchester Folk, Sidmouth Folk, and Birmingham Symphony Hall, Germa creates immersive, soul-stirring music that resonates across cultures and generations.
MBA Sunday Session: Ursula Martin
Ursula Martin never thought she would walk 3,700 miles around Wales, but following a cancer diagnosis it seemed like the only reasonable thing to do. Her best-selling book One Woman Walks Wales, documented this journey, but it was only the start of Ursula’s ambition. In an epic test of stamina, Ursula has since embarked on a 5,550 mile walk from Wales to Ukraine and back again, stopping off in countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Italy, France and Spain. In her new book, One Woman Walks Europe, she brings to life challenging landscapes and the people she met along the way
The Velvet Violin
A relaxed, cabaret-style evening with special musical guests, a good dose of humour and an obscure musical quiz to keep you on your toes. While the content varies, The Velvet Violin delivers quality musicianship and a night to remember.
MBA Presents: The Remi Harris Trio
One of the UK’s most exciting guitarists, Remi Harris is joined by double bassist Tom Moore and rhythm guitarist Chris Nesbitt to present an enthralling evening of Gypsy Jazz and Blues. Combining musical virtuosity with passion and flair, the trio features Remi on a variety of acoustic and electric guitars playing an eclectic mix of original compositions, jazz standards and new arrangements of his favourite tunes.
MBA Presents: The Great Divinator
The Great Divinator: Touched by Spirits
Fake Moustache! Real Mindreading!
Expect impressive mind reading and outrageous audience participation in this unique evening of comedy Victorian seance and spooky paranormal happenings from multi award-winner and member of the Magic Circle Katie Tranter (The Magician's Table, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Doctor Who).
Winter Warmer: Classical Music for Piano and Cello
MBA Fundraiser
Sunday, 25th January, 2026, 3:30pm. Doors at 3:00pm
The Assembly Rooms, Presteigne
Come and enjoy live classical music for piano and cello to include works by Beethoven, Vivaldi and Pärt. David Stevens on piano and Hilary Summers on cello. Tea and cake available.
David Stevens studied music at Manchester University and piano and cello at the Royal Manchester College of Music in the 1960s. He spent his professional career in London, working first in music publishing and later as a researcher and multi-camera director in the Classical Music & Arts Department of BBCTV. Since moving to Presteigne in 2010 he has enjoyed the opportunity to rehearse and perform chamber music with friends and neighbours.
Hilary Summers grew up in Birmingham and studied music at UEA, Norwich and Birmingham Conservatoire. She has played extensively across the region both as an amateur and a freelance professional. Hilary is passionate about chamber music and plays in many different groups including Sounds Interesting String Quartet who provide music professionally at weddings and events. Arriving in Presteigne in 2018 Hilary met David Stevens the following year and they immediately started playing the Beethoven Cello Sonatas. Their repertoire has since expanded to include music from the Baroque to the contemporary.
There are no tickets for this event - Donations only to Mid Border Arts
MBA Film Night: Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Ethan Hunt and the IMF pursue a dangerous AI called The Entity that has infiltrated global intelligence. With governments and a figure from his past in pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.
MBA Sunday Session: Olivia Preye & Gareth Howell-Jones
We have brought together two artists whose varied practices seek to deepen our relationship with the living world: Olivia through music, improvisation and voice yoga, and Gareth through reason, words and walking. How might their philosophies and practices meet and combine?
MBA Presents: Home of the Free with special guest Chuck Micallef
THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT!
MBA Sunday Sessions: Rhiannon Hooson
Acclaimed local poet Rhiannon Hooson reads from a new cycle of poems which chart a course through the year. Her talk explores the process of writing and the ways in which close observation can lead to a connection with the natural world.
Ernie Kay Concert of Celebration
An evening of classical music to recognise Ernie Kay and his significant contribution to Mid Border Arts and Presteigne Assembly Rooms.
Mid Wales Opera: Trouble in Tahiti
Introducing Sam & Dinah. The perfect couple. The perfect house. The perfect… lie?
Sam and Dinah have it all… or so it seems. Behind their perfect suburban life lies tension, miscommunication, and a deep longing for something real. With a toe-tapping score that blends Broadway energy with biting social commentary, this opera is as relevant today as it was in 1951.
Yn cyflwyno Sam a Dinah Y cwpl perffaith. Y tŷ perffaith. Y... celwydd perffaith?
Mae gan Sam a Dinah bopeth... neu felly mae'n ymddangos. Tu ôl i len eu bywyd maestrefol perffaith mae tensiwn, cam-gyfathrebu, a hiraeth dwfn am rywbeth go iawn. Gyda sgôr bywiog sy'n cyfuno egni Broadway â sylwebaeth gymdeithasol frathog, mae'r opera hon yr un mor berthnasol heddiw ag yr oedd ym 1951.
MBA Family Film: Moana 2
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayward ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceana and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
MBA Presents: Benji Kirkpatrick
The songs of Jimi Hendrix like you’re never heard them before. Benji reprises his acclaimed 2015 album ‘Hendrix Songs’, reimagining material by the iconic musician to discover the songs beneath the sound in a unique and stripped back setting. Played on bouzouki, banjo and guitar.
“A rare chance to hear the songs stripped back to their atmospheric essentials” – Sunday Times.
Assembly Rooms: Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper, a.k.a. Chopper, is a story based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Sweden. Previously with Oysterband, Ray has released 5 solo albums and completed over 40 solo international tours. Ray's music straddles folk, Americana, world, rock and the singer-songwriter tradition, drawing on his wide experience in all these areas.
MBA Film Night: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Bridget is alone again, widowed for four years and a single mother to 9-year-old Billy and 4-year-old Mabel. She is stuck in emotional limbo, but friends and colleagues encourage her to forge a new path towards life and love.
MBA Sunday Sessions: Nicholas Murray
Nicholas Murray wrote the first biography of Bruce Chatwin back in 1993. Praised as a glittering stylist, Chatwin also attracted criticism from those who thought he had taken liberties when writing about places like Patagonia or Australia. In his talk, Murray examines the criticisms and offers an interpretation of Chatwin's personal philosophy.
MBA Family Film: Ratatouille
A delightful, comic tale in which a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French Chef in a five-star Parisian restaurant. Remy joins forces with Linguini, the restaurant’s garbage boy, causing extraordinary events that turn
the culinary world of Paris upside down.
MBA Presents: Matthew Frederick
Matthew Frederick fuses an early love of classic singer-songwriters with more recent influences to create a distinctive and timeless blend of Misery Folk, ballads and blues, plus a touch of Cymrucana thrown in for good measure.
MBA Presents: The Velvet Violin
The Velvet Violin returns with another fabulous cabaret evening of music and mayhem. Expect silly wigs and quiz questions, a classy bluesy guest star, and Little Rumba performing new material.
MBA Sunday Sessions: Kathy Biggs
Kathy Biggs is originally from Yorkshire. She took a summer job in Mid Wales in 1985 and never left. Her latest novel Attention all Shipping is a sweeping family drama, set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Her two previous novels, The Luck and Scrap, were published by Honno Press.
MBA Sunday Sessions: Ian Marchant
Ian Marchant's first novel in twenty-five years is set in Ian's East Sussex hometown of Newhaven, and in and around Bishop's Castle. It features sex, drugs, village halls, love, death, dogs, and breathing exercises…
MBA Film Night: A Complete Unknown
Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60’s, A Complete Unknown depicts 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan’s meteoric rise as a folk singer from concert halls to the top of the charts.
MBA Sunday Sessions: Jay Griffiths
From celebrated author Jay Griffiths comes a unique and heartfelt insight into the healing nature of our relationship with animals. Pet-owners and animal-lovers instinctively know that animals heal. This book offers the evidence, drawing widely on scientific discoveries, history, and Indigenous knowledge.
Assembly Rooms: Taradiddle
Don't miss this harmony-driven folk trio on a rare UK tour.
'A perfect balance of international, traditional and contemporary songs sung with intelligent, skilful ease and a blend of voices made in heaven. Taradiddle are a delight!' - Rick Kemp, Steeleye Span.
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.)
Assembly Rooms: Bob Dylan, words and music
Poet and novelist Jem Poster joins forces with guitarist and vocalist Stephen Ferron in a lively discussion and illustration of some of the ground-breaking songs penned by Bob Dylan in the 1960s.
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: Beat Club dance till you drop!
John Hymas spins the discs for a night of classic Northern Soul, funk and disco. It's time to strut your stuff under the glitter ball, and soak up some sounds from the golden age of popular music. Come along and be your most fabulous self!
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: Hits from the 60s and 70s
Join Presteigne Pop Choir for songs made famous by the likes of Dionne Warwick, Roy Orbison, Frankie Valli and the Walker Brothers.
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: Presteigne Sings!
Whether you belong to a singing group or only sing in the shower, come and be part of an instant choir - good for both body and soul. No experience necessary. Adults and children welcome.
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: Jukebox Live!
Elena Urioste and Tom Poster present their trademark eclectic selection of music, ranging from classics to Tom’s Great American Songbook arrangements, from 60s hits to brand new works. Audience members will be able to vote on what music they would most like to hear in this one-of-a-kind interactive #UriPosteJukeBox concert experience.
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: Junior Jukebox
Live music for younger listeners - classical gems, favourite movie themes, nursery rhyme medleys and the chance to help Elena and Tom create a completely new piece!
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: The Kid
A rare screening of Charlie Chaplin's classic silent movie suitable for adults and children.
Due to licensing requirements, we regret that this showing of The Kid will no longer have live piano accompaniment. The film will be shown with the original recorded soundtrack.
This event is part of The Happening: music for everyone, a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages.
Assembly Rooms: The Happening
Music for everyone. A non-profit community initiative showcasing a weekend of varied programming to suit all tastes and ages. Friday 29th August through Sunday 31st August.
Assembly Rooms: Calling Young Musicians
Mid Powys Youth Theatre is looking for young musicians to shape and perform the score for their autumn production: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Join a free taster session with easy music techniques, live instruments, vocals, loop pedals and tech. All abilities welcome; ages 14-24.
Assembly Rooms: Clint Bradley Band
The spirit of the Old West comes to Presteigne on Saturday June 21st, when the Clint Bradley Band roll into town. An all-acoustic instrumental line-up lends an authenticity to the famous Gunfighter Ballads of Marty Robbins and Sons Of The Pioneers. Support act for the evening will be Canadian singer-songwriter Chuck Micallef.