News from one of our members
A new album by Minneapolis composer David Evan Thomas was released on the Centaur label on September 1, 2023. Transformations: Music of David Evan Thomas presents the composer’s solo piano music for the first time on recording, which features the elegant virtuosity of Sonja Thompson, beloved Twin Cities performer.
This Centaur recording (CRC 4028) will stream on all major platforms, including the Naxos Music Library. It will be available for download on Apple Music and Amazon . It will also be available for purchase online from the composer’s web site: davidevanthomas.com, where the $20 price includes tax, shipping and handling.
Would you like to take a class? Our friends at Celtic Junction offer classes on Celtic topics. Check them out at https://celticjunction.org/college/
The Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project is offering books on Welsh American history for research and geneaology. You pay only for shipping.
Early History of the Welsh in the Proscairon District of Wisconsin
History of the Welsh in Minnesota
Hanes Cyrmy America (1872) A History of the Welsh in America
All are translated by Martha Davies or Phillip and Martha Davies. If interested, contact gcolgrove@neb.rr.com
Video of a schoolhouse in Wymore, Nebraska for Welsh-American students
The St. David's Society of Minnesota was formed to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Welsh immigrants to Minnesota. To these ends, St. David's Society members celebrate and cultivate all things Welsh - in literature, history, music, dance, art or ideas, traditional and contemporary.
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 1:00 - 3:00 pm on Zoom
Poet Chris Martin, St. David’s Society of Minnesota Foundation Grant recipient, will share details about his visit to Wales, discoveries about his Welsh ancestors, and connections made with Welsh poets.
Well-Read Dragons Book Group
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm on Zoom
The Elected Member, by Bernice Rubens. Amazon paperback $13.99
Join us to discuss the book and chat with other members. You do not have to have read (or finished) the book to participate. Contact Ilene Alexander at ilene.dawn@gmail.com for more information.
From Amazon: "Norman is the clever one of a close-knit Jewish family in the East End of London. Infant prodigy; brilliant barrister; the apple of his parents' eyes... until at forty-one he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia."
"For Norman, his committal to a mental hospital represents the ultimate act of betrayal. For Rbbi Zweck, Norman's father, his son's deterioration is a bitter reminder of his own guilt and failure. Only Bella, the unmarried sister, still in her childhood white ankle socks, can reach across the abyss of pain to bring father and son the elusive peace which they both desperately crave.”
Other Books Selected for 2024-35
Dec. 7: A Celtic Miscellany: Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)
Feb. 1, 2025: Wales: The First & Final Colony by Adam Price
Apr. 5: Braids of Song: Weaving Welsh Music into the American Soul by Mari Morgan
Jun. 7: Sugar and Slate by Charlotte Williams
Aug. 2: Clear by Carys Davies
Photos of Wales
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 pm on Zoom (Changed from Oct. 5th, the same time as the book club)
Janice Barbee will show photos from her recent trip to North Wales, including Beddgelert, Bodnant Gardens, Ynys Llanddwyn, the Big Pit Mine, and the Great Orme Copper Mine.
Sgwrs Cymraeg, Welsh Conversation
Any learners or would-be learners welcome to any or all of these classes. ALL held via Zoom, starting in the fall on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Contact conversation facilitator: Laurel Bradshaw, llawryf@yahoo.com for Zoom link and more information.
Our First Member Interview: Ellis Jones! On November 1, 2021, one of our board members, Hywel Roberts, interviewed our long-time member and past president, Ellis Jones. Click hereto read the transcript of the interview. We will eventually create a video of excerpts from this and future interviews.
Did you know the on-line game Wordle was invented by a Welshman? Read about his story here.
Today's Harlech: Our member Ryan Evans has produced a recording of Welsh-Minnesotans singing the folk song Tros Y Garreg (Over the Stone) set to his original electronic music accompaniment. He has also created a website with this music and stories and poems written by and read by our members about their Welsh heritage. (Click on the title above to get to the website.)
History of Wales links: Scott Lloyd, one of our Welsh speakers over Zoom,has generously shared many links to learn abour Welsh history and ancient sites.
Contact us at mailto:stdavidsofmn@gmail.com or visit and "like" our Facebook page to learn more about the Welsh and Wales at local, national, and international levels: Go to facebook
