The best of what’s on this Summer

Saturday 10th August 2019 at 1pm 0 Comments Circus & Carnival Arts , Dance , Drama , Literature , Northern Ireland Music , Visual Arts , Community Arts

Image: 31 days of summer - up and coming events

1. Grand Opera House Trust/Summer Youth Project presents, Bugsy Malone, www.goh.co.uk, 1-3 August
Based on the 1976 film Bugsy Malone, this gangster comedy musical, tells the story of two gangs. Professionally directed and choreographed with a full live band, this action packed production features one hundred and fifty talented 10 to 18 year olds - a guaranteed feel-good musical feast.

2. Féile An Phobail Summer Festival, Belfast, www.feilebelfast.com , 1-11 August
Hailed as Ireland’s biggest arts festival, this year’s annual Féile An Phobail will be headlined by pop giants Boyzone.  Other highlights to look forward to include Phil Coulter at Clonard Monastery, and a showcase of music and poetry with members of Women Aloud NI.

3. Open House Festival Bangor, www.openhousefestival.com , 1-31 August
Now in its seventh year, Bangor is set to open its doors again for the Open House Festival. With 140 events spread across 40 different venues, this festival boasts an exciting mix of international artists and the best home-grown talent.

4. Brassneck Theatre Company presents Belfast Blues, Lyric Theatre, www.lyrictheatre.co.uk, 6-11 August
The brilliant Geraldine Hughes will be at the Lyric this August performing her one-woman show Belfast Blues. A true coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of 1980s Belfast.

5. EastSide Arts Festival, Belfast www.eastsidearts.net, 1-11 August
This eleven day cultural festival features a wide array of events, inspired by the landscape, culture, heritage and people of East Belfast. A brilliant cultural celebration for locals and visitors alike.

6. Cahoots NI presents Sshh We Have a Plan, The MAC, www.themaclive.com, 14-18 August
Based on Chris Haughton’s charming story, this enchanting stage show will delight young audiences with Cahoot’s trademark magic and humour. 

7. Clandeboye Festival, Clandeboye Estate, www.goh.co.uk, 16-21 August
Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland return with its annual Clandeboye Festival, celebrating world-class music set against the stunning backdrop of Clandeboye Estate. A certain highlight will be the Young Musicians of the Future Concert on Tuesday 20th August, featuring some of our brightest young up and coming performers.

8. Ryan Vail and Elma Orchestra ‘Borders’, Stendhal Festival, Limavady, www.ryanvail.com, 17 August
Uniting two of Northern Ireland’s most forward-thinking musical propositions – Eoin O’Callaghan AKA Elma Orkestra and Ryan Vail – ‘Borders’ is a singular collaborative project. Spanning symphonic ambience to widescreen electronica, it’s a genre-warping meeting of the minds from two of the country’s most innovative artists.

9. BBC Radio 3 Words and Music,  St Patricks Cathedral Armagh, www.ulsterorchestra.org, 22 August
As part of the annual Charles Wood Festival in Armagh, the Ulster Orchestra will be joined in the city’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral by the Charles Wood Singers, conducted by David Hill. The Most Reverend Eamon Martin and The Most Reverend Dr Richard Clarke will introduce the evening’s programme, along with readings by Gloria Hunniford.

10. Carnival of Colours, Brooke Park , Derry-Londonderry,  www.inyourspaceni.org/carnival, 31st August- 1st September
This riot of colour, fun and energy is a great day out for the whole family, featuring international street artist, family cabaret a youth arts zone and even circus workshops for the bold and the brave.

11. Glenarm Festival of Voice, www.niopera.com, 30th August-1st September
Northern Ireland Opera returns this month to the historic North Coast village of Glenarm.  Five bright young talents from across Ireland will be competing for the title of Northern Ireland Opera’s Voice of 2019 in a weekend-long programme of recitals and performances.

12. The Belfast Mela, Artsekta, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, www.artsekta.org.uk, 25th August
Belfast Mela is the city’s annual celebration of global cultures when thousands of visitors come together to celebrate our people and diversity to transform Belfast’s Botanic Gardens into a hub of activity with great food, music, dance and culture.