Deaf Gathering Cymru 2024

Deaf Gathering Cymru is a deaf-led festival in Cardiff created by Chapter Arts Centre and deaf artists and creative access consultants Jonny Cotsen and Heather Williams. Taking place from 5-8 September 2024 and open to everyone, the four- day celebration builds on the success of last year’s Deaf Together and offers a dynamic programme of culture and conversation with deaf perspectives at the centre.

This event is by and for deaf people, but hearing people are also warmly welcomed. The programme is supported by BSL, live captions and simultaneous translation from BSL to English.

Deaf Gathering Cymru brings you four days of events, activities, conversations and performances, with everything from yoga to theatre, a symposium to open mic comedy night! Most of the events are free to attend as we want to keep this festival accessible and welcoming to everyone!

On Thursday 5 September, we kick off the celebrations in the evening with a drumming performance in our caffi bar. Following last year’s sell-out show we’re also delighted to welcome back comedian Gavin Lilley who’ll deliver his hysterical stories about language, life and culture through the beauty of sign language. With live captions and voice over interpretation, Gavin’s cheeky humour can be enjoyed by deaf and hearing audiences alike.

On Friday 6 September, we’re hosting Deaf Gathering Symposium, providing an opportunity to share conversations about why inclusion matters, deaf wellbeing, the importance of Welsh deaf role models and more. Key notes will be presented by Sara Rhys Jones, Ruth Montgomery, Shaun Fitzgerald and Levi Slade.

Day two also features Chapter MovieMaker, a showcase of short films made by deaf filmmakers. In our Seligman Theatre, The Rest of Our Lives by Jo Fong & George Orange, tells the story of an old clown and an old dancer who are negotiating middle-life together with humour, tenderness and outlandish optimism. The performance features integrated BSL interpretation with Katie Fenwick.

Saturday 7 September sees a busy day with our deaf-led marketplace, audiovisability workshop with Ruth Montgomery, BSL-led gallery tours with Our Visual World, Gavin Lilley comedy workshop, Deaf Cinema Club hosted by Heather Williams, and your chance to try your hand at live comedy in our Open Mic Night. We’ll round off the evening with DJ Tyler in our caffi bar.

Sunday 8 September takes a mellow approach with the chance to participate in a range of relaxing, creative activities including Sarah Marsh’s book club, Deaf Yoga with Emma Callaghan, art workshops with Alex Miller and Vicky Barber Crime, a fantastically messy and hilarious performance from OftheJackel Theatre! and much, much more...

Tickets are added weekly. To stay in touch, please follow Deaf Gathering Cymru on socials @deafgatheringcymru or sign up to Chapter’s newsletter.

Explore the Deaf Gathering Cymru Season

Deaf Gathering Cymru is generously supported by Arts Council Wales, SignHealth, Cadwyn, CCHA, Eversheds Sutherland, Linc and Tai Pawb.