What’s on in the Arts
Wednesday 3rd February 2021 at 12pm 0 Comments Circus & Carnival Arts , Community Arts , Craft , Dance , Drama , Literature , Northern Ireland Music , Visual Arts
Image: What's On in the Arts
As more and more artists and arts organisations from Northern Ireland go digital to connect with audiences at home, the Arts Council has rounded up just some of these fantastic cultural things to do online, all supported by the Department for Communities and National Lottery funding.
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WANDA: is an annual feminism & moving image event that began in January 2017 and returns from 4-7 February online covering four key areas: Industry Figures Today, The Feminist Archive, Global Lives and New Cinema.
This year WANDA opens with a conversation with Ita O'Brien, pioneer intimacy coordinator on productions like Normal People, I May Destroy You, Industry and It's A Sin. She is revolutionising the way intimate scenes are created by actors and filmmakers on set by ensuring conditions conducive to informed consent.
For 2021 they’re focusing on Dance on Film. As the pandemic has closed theatres and other performance spaces, choreographers and dancers are turning to the camera as a way to make work and reach audiences. WANDA will look at practitioners today with a panel discussion and a programme of recent work, including some made during lockdown, but also expanding this to reflect the long and rich history of dance on screen and its feminist connections with a Maya Deren Double Bill and a screening of Yvonne Rainer's Kristina Talking Pictures. As well as this they have films from two award-winning filmmakers working today who use dance within their work, Onyeka Igwe and Mairéad McClean.
They also have two fantastic documentaries in the programme. Arena: Putting Ourselves in the Picture is a fascinating 1987 film about the English artist Jo Spence, and Purple Sea is a poetic but hard-hitting work from 2019 shot on a waterproof wrist camera when the filmmaker was stranded in the sea with fellow passengers of a capsized boat as they made their way from Syria to Europe. As well as this there will be an industry discussion around job sharing in film and television between Raising Films and Northern Ireland Screen.
Their closing film is the Northern Irish premiere of Lingua Franca, a critically acclaimed film about immigration, identity and class struggles in Trump's America. To finish the festival, Dublin-based musician FEARS is bringing us a Zoom Dance Party to raise money for Women's Aid. Head over to their website to see the full programme of events www.wandabelfast.com
Jaipur Literature Festival: The greatest literature festival returns for 2021 online. Set to take place virtually between 19-28 February, the 10-day literary event will feature a line-up of speakers from across the world. Local writer, Paul McVeigh will be in conversation with Scottish writer, Douglas Stuart, discussing his novel, Shuggie Bain, winner of the Booker Prize. For full programming details visit www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org
IMBOLC International Arts Festival: The Winter solstice has passed and the return of light signals the coming of spring. Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin will present their IMBOLC International Arts Festival online with an exciting line-up of events including music, spoken word, workshops, films, poetry, photography & much more. They have put together a very special virtual festival for 2021 bringing great performances and events to festival audiences and friends in their homes from 5th February to 19th March 2021. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements at Imbolc International Arts Festival | Facebook
The Remembering Bunting Festival: will be held from 5 – 7th February bringing you an amazing line up of online events and musical performances to be enjoyed worldwide. Edward Bunting was a historical musical figure born in Co. Armagh Northern Ireland and began formal music studies in Drogheda at the young age of seven. By age eleven, he became organist apprentice at St. Anne’s church in Belfast whilst residing at the home of the famous Belfast McCracken family. At age nineteen, with the shared interests and support of siblings, Mary Ann and Henry Joy McCracken, he was hired to transcribe the music presented at the Belfast Harp Festival in 1792. From 1817 -1819, Edward was the church organist at St. George’s Church, High Street, Belfast.
In addition to organising a second festival in 1813, Bunting went on to become a prolific collector of traditional songs and tunes. His three volumes of the Ancient Music of Ireland, were published in 1796, 1809 and 1840 respectively. Lost for many years, these collective works of approximately 250 items have preserved precious history and heritage in addition to invaluable clues and commentary that would reveal the living art practices and perceptions of the day. Bequeathed to Queen’s University, Belfast in 1916, by his grandchildren through Charlotte Milligan Fox, Secretary of the Irish Folk Song Society, his contribution to traditional music cannot be understated and his story, our story, continues to live on through the music of today both knowingly and unknowingly! For programme details please visit:
Twitter: @CeolBuntingFest
Facebook: @RememberingBuntingFestival
Website: www.rememberingbuntingfestival.com
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich: will present Clár Imbolc, a virtual festival to celebrate the beginning of Spring. They have a range of virtual events you can enjoy from the comfort of your home, including their Coirnéal an Cheoil music sessions, the reading circle or art tutorials for young people. Time to put those resolutions into practice, whether that’s returning to Irish classes after a long absence or beginning something new like yoga. Whether young or old, there is something for everyone. With a varied and multi-art form programme of events, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich is proud to celebrate the Celtic calendar here. They have St. Brigid’s Cross workshops to officially welcome the Spring, along with a concert guaranteeing the best in traditional music on Friday 5th February and also a two day intensive language course, among many other activities. For full details visit Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich | Béal Feirste | Baile (culturlann.ie)
Belfast Children’s Festival: The Belfast Children’s Festival returns this March with an extended online programme from 5-14 March 2021. A full programme will be revealed soon at www.youngatart.co.uk
Live Music Now: Live Music Now provides music sessions for thousands of school children every year and now they have introduced a new series of Facebook Live concerts for schools & families at home every week. Join them on their Facebook page every Thursday at 2pm for online concerts performed live for early years and key stage 1 aged children. Concerts last between 35-40mins and each week a different Live Music Now musician will perform a varied programme with opportunities for joining in. It’s a great opportunity to learn about different instrument and types of music. Visit https://www.facebook.com/livemusicnow/live/
Live Music Now provides music sessions for thousands of older people every year and now they also are offering free online concerts for older people at home and in residential care homes. Join them on their Facebook page every Wednesday at 2pm for online concerts performed live for older people. Each week a different Live Music Now musician will perform a varied programme with opportunities for joining in.
Northern Ireland Opera: present, the Rosemary Street Sessions, six short films made in October and November with Northern Ireland Opera's Associate Artists. Northern Ireland Opera will be releasing one each week featuring songs, lieder and opera arias each Tuesday at 8pm over on their YouTube channel. So far two films are available, soprano Catherine Donnelly performing Philip Martin's arrangement of the WB Yeats poem, 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' and mezzo, Sarah Richmond, performing Franz Schubert's, 'Die Nebensonnen', from his song cycle, 'Winterreise', his setting of poems by Wilhelm Müller. This link takes you to the playlist for the series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpW0wdBur-HkJLtFzPEVmPWm3v0o-xVI8
Ulster Orchestra: The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to announce the release of a new recording, Our Songs, Our Place, which features nine songs by local songwriters developed through the Orchestra’s Your Song Now project. With the live music industry thrown into disarray with the Covid-19 restrictions closing venues across the country, musicians have been forced to find new ways to express their creativity. Composer and arranger Paul Campbell approached the Ulster Orchestra in April 2020 with the idea for a project that sought to curate a musical response to the first COVID-19 lockdown.
This became the Your Song Now project, which invited songwriters at any stage of their career to submit a song that spoke to their life and experience of the lockdown. From 69 entries, nine songwriters were selected to work on their songs with mentors Duke Special (2007 Choice Music Prize nominee), Kitt Philippa (NI Music Award Best Album winner in 2020) and Paul Campbell, culminating in this recording, an album that crosses genres and generations, while exploring the common experience of lockdown and how it has changed all our lives.
Our Songs, Our Place is available for purchase digitally from all major online retailers and in CD format from www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/oursongsourplace at a cost of £10 plus package and postage.
Belfast Music Society (BMS): Belfast poet Michael Longley celebrates BMS's centenary. Michael Longley, one of Belfast's most cherished and renowned creative artists, has had a lifelong passion for classical music. During his time at the Arts Council, he developed a firm friendship with the then Music Director, Pamela Rogers, who was Chair of BMS for many years and a staunch supporter of the society until her death in 2008.
To mark BMS's centenary this year, Michael has written a beautiful poem in memory of Pamela. Titled 'Key-Changes', it is published in his latest collection, The Candlelight Master, (Cape, 2020). Late last year, Michael kindly agreed to record a reading of the poem, and went on to chat about his love of music and the many memories he has of concerts in Belfast over the years. To watch the video visit (3) Michael Longley reads 'Key-Changes' - YouTube
Belfast Music Society (BMS): Violinist Michael Trainor explores Bach
in a new online series. Michael Trainor – whom BMS were delighted to present with the Piatti Quartet last October – is bringing in the new year with an exciting series of three online programmes dedicated to JS Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas.
The series will include guest appearances by other freelance creatives from around Northern Ireland: artist Sharon Adams, dancer Mayte Segura and composer Áine Mallon. There will also be talks on Bach’s life and compositions to accompany each episode.
Michael has been able to put the series together thanks to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Artist Emergency Programme, set up in response to the COVID-19 crisis last spring. Visit J.S. Bach, D minor Partita | Michael Trainor (bandcamp.com) for the first programme, which features Bach's Partita No. 2, BWV 100.
Live from the Ulster Hall: Live from the Ulster Hall is a new, innovative digital event experience, proudly supported by The Arts Council for Northern Ireland and the Department for Communities through their Organisations Emergency Programme. Visit www.ulsterhall.co.uk
Scott’s Jazz Club: Scott's Jazz Club is based at Ballyhackamore Club, 1A Sandown Road. The club was formed by Cormac O'Kane, Colin Harper, Scott Flannigan and Karen Smyth and is a dedicated jazz concert environment featuring amazing sound, lighting and projection mapping. Keyboard virtuoso, Scott Flannigan, is the club's musical curator and host. The gigs will feature the best of Irish Jazz talent in upcoming performances that will be live streamed online. Find out more at www.scottsjazzclub.com and https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=676917186352325&id=107191574457823
Armagh Pipers: The Armagh Pipers present a series of concerts in their Fonn Friday’s Concert Series 2020-21. Visit www.armaghpipers.com
COMMUNITY ARTS / ARTS & HEALTH
In Your Space Circus: has a series of workshops and classes available online. Current projects include:
Project 1: Circus Together. Circus Together an opportunity for groups in the Derry area to come together (via zoom initially) to learn about trust, respect, difference and commonality, all through the medium of circus!
Project 2: Every Day Circus. IYSC are hosting daily Youth Circus classes in specific skills so participants can pick and choose which disciplines they want to skill up in! This project is also open to new participants.
Project 3: Seedlings Circus Online! The gang at IYSC have designed a new series of digital classes for your little ones (aged 4-8) to get them up and moving in the morning, and to focus on unwinding and mental wellbeing in the afternoon. New participants welcome!
Visit www.inyourspaceni.org and www.facebook.com/inyourspacecircus for further details on all of the above and more.
DU Dance: DU Dance Youth Dance Classes are back for four weeks online. If you know a young person who loves to dance or wants to try something new in 2021 then look no further. For details and to book classes visit dudanceni.com
Island Arts Centre: in Lisburn is encouraging young people to send a little sunshine by creating and sending a postcard to brighten someone’s day. All the instructions to make a postcard can be found at https://islandartscentre.com/news/discover-little-posties-and-stay-connected-in-lockdown
Duncairn: has launched a brand new fortnightly arts magazine show called Take 2. Take 2 explores the uniqueness of our Belfast through music, poetry, imagery, artistry and insightful interviews. The fortnightly programme airs on alternate Saturday evenings at 8pm on YouTube and Facebook. You can watch the latest shows back and subscribe to Duncairn’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8vA0LnFDwumD_oGo2FwqQ?sub_confirmation=1
Streetwise: Fancy learning how to juggle and other circus skills?! In response to Covid 19 Streetwise Community Circus has developed a team of tutors who are now working via Zoom to reach out to those who can no longer participate in workshops. Following the latest round of restrictions we are now offering free zoom coaching to anyone who feels isolated or would just like to use the opportunity to learn something new under the guidance of some of Northern Ireland's most experienced circus street entertainers. To take advantage of this opportunity all you have to do is email Streetwise on streetwiseathome@gmail.com. Suitable for participants who range in age from 8 to 80 plus.
Wheelworks: is offering a jam-packed programme of online arts and craft activities to keep you entertained at home. Visit www.wheelworksarts.com
Arts Care: Arts Care’s new dedicated online arts and well-being workshop resource, ‘Break-Time’, accessed via their website to support the mental, emotional and physical well-being of children and young people through the Arts. All the videos are built on the ‘5 Steps to Well-being’ themes and key funders include Children in Need at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
This new online programme aims to support parents/teachers/play specialists/carers to engage children and young people in the Arts to support their well-being during Covid-19. New art, music, dance & exercise, drama, creative writing and clowndoctor’s CDTV videos will be uploaded regularly and it’s all FREE and will give additional much needed creative support for parents, teachers, healthcare staff, play specialists and carers during this difficult time http://www.artscare.co.uk/
VISUAL ARTS - please continue to check each gallery’s website for details on opening as they are subject to change due to the current Covid-19 regulations.
Belfast Exposed: presents Street View. Street View provides a multimedia exhibition experience to increase the accessibility and visibility of photography on the streets of Belfast. Street View is a large digital window display, complimented with audio narratives, that showcases contemporary artwork by internationally renowned and local emerging photographers to an external audience on the streets of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
Until 27th February, Street View will present, Tristan Poyser, which features two projects - The Invisible In-between: An Englishman’s Search For The Irish Border and Masked: a Portrait of Amazon - by artist Tristan Poyser. The two projects share a commonality, in that they both explore political, cultural and social issues at a time of great uncertainty. In both projects, Poyser engaged with the public to 'encompass their opinions, hopes and desires about their unique socio-political situations. As a collective, their voices amass an account which is representative of precarious times. Each respondent was invited to tear a print in ‘The Invisible In-between’ to make the invisible visible then to share a written comment about their thoughts on Brexit. In a similar manner, a subset of photographs from ‘Masked’ is a series of 130 Amazon employees asked to write and display their introspections.'
Tristan Poyser’s project The Invisible In-between: An Englishman’s Search For The Irish Border, which exhibited at Belfast Exposed in 2019, began as a response to the results of the UK’s Brexit referendum. Poyser spent two years travelling and photographing the full length of the 510 km Irish border.
Poyser's most recent project Masked: a Portrait of Amazon, is a series of performative portraits and still life photographs of the 64 face masks and ephemera he was provided with whilst working at Amazon, during the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The photographs are a reflection of his doubts, frustrations, anxieties, the change in identity, the lack of control over lockdown and decisions made. For more information visit www.belfastexposed.org
Source Photographic Review: is celebrating their new issue - Issue 103 - ’Life Stories’ - with an ONLINE LAUNCH on Thursday 4th February 6.30pm GMT via Zoom. Free to attend and all are welcome. Featuring special live interviews between editor Richard West, featured photographer Nik Roche and regular contributor Dr Annebella Pollen, with Q&A opportunities. In association with Gallery of Photography Ireland. Booking required. All details and registration available at this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/450589515939442/
Seacourt: Online Relief Printmaking Workshop with Clinton Kirkpatrick
Cost: £35 (online workshop) or £50 (online workshop + materials box)
Suitable For: Beginners
Clinton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to facilitate a pre-recorded Lino printing workshop, for you to partake in, from the comfort of your own home. The workshop takes you through 4 steps towards printing your very own Lino print. Perfect if you are looking for some time to escape or learn a new skill in the midst of what has been a tumultuous year. You can stop and start the workshop at your own leisure, offering flexibility to your workshop.
This product also comes with the option of an additional Materials Box, with everything you will need to partake in the hour long workshop. The roller, ink and lino tools can also be used after the workshop, as you continue your printmaking journey. Sign up: https://www.shop.seacourt-ni.org.uk/online-courses
ArtisAnn: Throughout January the ArtisAnn Gallery, on Belfast’s Bloomfield Avenue, celebrates those people who have left their own homes to come to Belfast to make it their home. Artists from across the UK, Ireland and Europe will be showing work that has been inspired by Belfast, the place that is now their home. This international exhibition features artists Magdalena Blazejewicz (Poland), Wilhelmina Peace Covington (France), Lenka Davidikova (Slovakia), Valerie Giannandrea McKeag (Italy/Scotland) Santa Leimane (Latvia), Jolita Jarutiené (Lithuania), Gary Shaw (Australia), and Anka Sikora (Poland). This is an exhibition by seven artists who have chosen to make Belfast their home.
Also at ArtisAnn is the exhibition, On the Shoulders of Giants, by Professor Harry McMahon as part of Northern Ireland Science Festival 2021 from Wed 3rd February to Sat 27th February 2021. This exhibition is presented online and in the gallery (subject to Covid regulations).
On the Shoulders of Giants is a tribute to the pioneers of science such as Leonhard Euler, Dorothy Hodgkin, J.S. Bell and William Campbell. Each painting celebrates a significant example of humankind’s attempts to bring conceptual order to what might otherwise be seen as an incomprehensible, chaotic world. The show should be of interest both to art lovers and to those interested in the history of science.
Professor Harry McMahon’s first degree was in physics; his most recent, after he retired, was in Fine and Applied Art. In “On the Shoulders of Giants”, escaping from his long-term practice in landscape painting, he overlays diagrammatic references to science and mathematics on complex, near-chaotic, painterly backgrounds. Based on the work of Greek philosophers like Thales and Eratosthenes, mathematicians like Leonhard Euler and William Rowan Hamilton, and 20th and 21st century scientists such as Dorothy Hodgkin, Belfast-born J S Bell and Ramelton-born William Campbell, this is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in science and art. Visit https://www.artisann.org/now-on.html
CCA: in Derry-Londonderry are pleased to welcome you back to CCA with Jan McCullough’s Tricks of the Trade, a solo exhibition that explores spaces of construction through sculptural installation. The works installed across CCA’s galleries reference elements found in spaces such as workshops, garages, factory floors and sheds – that the artist has encountered and photographed over the last decade. Read more about the exhibition at CCA Derry~Londonderry | Jan McCullough (cca-derry-londonderry.org)
Catalyst Arts: presents Common or Garden
Chris Alton | Jérôme Bel | Bloomers | Emmet Brown | Victoria Brunetta & Kate O’Shea (Durty Books) | Just Books | Aidan Wall | Fiona Woods
Catalyst Arts Gallery, 5 College Court, Belfast, BT16BS
Common or Garden uses the gallery as a space to propose and foster approaches based on the model of the commons in which resources, ideas and knowledge are shared and distributed democratically. By exploring processes of exchange, collaboration and learning, it asks: can we build practices rooted in collectivity?
The exhibition will include works by Chris Alton, Jérôme Bel, Emmet Brown and Aidan Wall. It will also host a zine library, curated by Bloomers, and The Library of Common Knowledge, featuring books donated through an open call which will be open for visitors to use and share throughout. The associated programme includes contributions from Chris Alton, Bloomers, Victoria Brunetta & Kate O’Shea (Durty Books), Just Books and Fiona Woods and facilitates discussions on topics such as self-publishing, activism, commonist aesthetics and DIY culture. See https://www.catalystarts.org.uk/whatson for more details of upcoming talks and events.
VOID: VOID gallery is still continuing to run activities online and their artist educators have planned some great activities for the whole family. They will be updating their social media pages with workshops regularly over the coming weeks so make sure you are signed up to get access!
Make you own kaleidoscope
This activity allows you to make your own kaleidoscope from some simple materials. We have 30 packs available so send an email with your name and address to get yours! Email hello@derryvoid.com
Blind drawing with Zoe McSparron
Explore your own environment through Blind Drawing on Saturday 27th February at 11am.
Mindful drawing with Stephanie Gaumond
Tap into your creative mind and practice deep breathing with short mindfulness drawing meditations that allow you to to take a break and relieve stress. No fancy supplies are needed - just paper and a pen. It’s easy for beginners and fun for experienced artists. These sessions are devised so that they can be accessed at any time – during a break from school work, first thing in the morning as part of a mindfulness practice, or in the evening time with the whole family.
Filling the Squares- a drawing meditation for beginners
20th February, 11am
Dragon Puppet Workshop
Join artist Sinead Crumlish to make your own dragon to celebrate Chinese New Year on Saturday 13th February at 11am.
Once uploaded, all the workshops are on VOID’s Vimeo channel so you can go back and forth to them as many times as you would like. Find it on our website www.derryvoid.com on Facebook & Instagram IGTV @derryvoid and Vimeo www.vimeo.com/derryvoid/
Craft NI: Visit http://www.craftni.org/ for updates.
The MAC: has a series of new exhibitions across all three galleries - Peter Liversidge, In a Rainbow of Coalitions and Frederic Huska.
The MAC Art at Home: Unlock your imagination with The MAC’s Art at Home activity pack. The MAC has teamed up with six local artists to create their Art at Home activity pack to help lift your spirits and spark some creativity. Free to download, these sheets are for anyone to enjoy, whether you are looking for inspiration for home-schooling, would enjoy time out to yourself, or some fun with your family or maybe even your pet. Designed to enjoy at home, or in a place you call home for now, tucked up in bed or maybe in the great outdoors. Some of the sheets you can work on straightaway, others like the colouring-in are best printed. Visit www.themaclive.com for updates.
The MAC also present, HOME - Noli Timere, a series of short films as a collective artistic response to our lives in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. As announced in the summer, HOME - Noli Timere, has worked to collate the photos, videos, lyrics and literature which have inspired hope in lockdown life. Translated as, ‘don’t be afraid’, Noli Timere was the final text sent by Seamus Heaney to his wife, Marie. The sentiment is equally powerful and appropriate in the context of the current pandemic. Submitted to the project by members of the public and artists alike, these artistic responses to the ongoing pandemic have been transformed into a series of short films that we have released as Facebook and YouTube premieres. For links to the films visit www.themaclive.com
Golden Thread Gallery: is offering fun online workshops with artist and volunteer, Sophie Daly. Current workshops includes:
Mini Chest of Drawers: this workshop will show you how to make your own miniature chest of drawers out of a cardboard box. The most fun part of making your own mini furniture is painting it however you please – this week’s theme looks at what makes us happy. Available online until 9th February.
Littler Plastic Family: make your very own little version of your family out of plastic bottles. Plastic is a really difficult thing to recycle, but it is also something that is super hard to avoid using. Let’s have a look at upcycling them instead! Each member of your family probably has their own personal empty bottles lying around, it could be shaving foam, makeup, your baby brother’s ear medicine, anything at all. They will be sure to love their own little Mini-Mes! Children will also have a little chat about how recycling plastic works. Have fun! Available online until 6th March.
To access the workshops and keep up to date with new ones visit www.goldenthreadgallery.co.uk
An Cultúrlann: as part of their 30th anniversary celebration programme of events for 2021, An Cultúrlann presents an exhibition of a selection of the artwork bought by An Chultúrlann or donated to them over the years. Paintings, drawings and prints are on display in Dánlann Dillon, the gallery on the first floor that was added to the building in 2011. Although COVID-19 restrictions mean the public can’t access the gallery for now, you can still have a look at the amazing artwork in this beautiful video put together by Gráinne Holland and Frainc Mac Cionnaith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsbZ8cOPBA&t=14s
Belfast Print Workshop: is launching three online workshops this week by three of their members as part of Belfast's Festival of Learning's online festival. The workshops are supported by Belfast Learning City. Each workshop is suitable for a different level but all are possible to practice at home, with some equipment required. Workshops include:
1. Printing from a Suitcase and Hand Monoprinting by Josephine McCormick
2. Printing with Card and a Variety of Household Materials by Coby Moore
3. Cyanotype Print Tutorial by Jonathan Brennan
The projects will be launched Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week at 10.30am on all of their social media platforms:
• @belfastprintworkshop Instagram
• @BPW_studio on Twitter
• @BelfastPrintWorkshop on Facebook
Once launched, these workshops will remain online for anyone to access. For full details visit https://www.bpw.org.uk/
Seamus Heaney HomePlace: Former US Poet Laureate opens ‘In Conversation’ series from Seamus Heaney HomePlace . Tracy K Smith, United States Poet Laureate (2017-2019), is to open a new virtual ‘in conversation’ programme at Seamus Heaney HomePlace this month (from 22 February) which features Pulitzer Prize winners and three Booker longlisted authors. Taught by Seamus Heaney at Harvard, the Pulitzer prize-winner and author of four acclaimed collections, will be discussing her work with Daljit Nagra, poet in residence at BBC Radio 4, in the first of six online events.
‘For air and friendly talk’- a series featuring writers in conversation, a title which takes its inspiration from the poem ‘Twice Shy’ where Seamus Heaney recalls a riverside walk with his wife Marie in the early stages of their courtship, will also feature some of Ireland’s foremost novelists, Colum McCann, Donal Ryan and Kevin Barry along with writer Cathy Rentzenbrink and another Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Paul Muldoon. Leading the discussions will be the journalist and writer John Self, writer Jan Carson, broadcaster John Kelly, Emma Warnock and Paula Shields.
Please note, each individual event will be available for a limited time only and T&Cs apply. Visit: http://seamusheaneyhome.com/ for further information. (Please note this event is not funded through the Arts Council).
Fighting Words NI: Fighting Words is asking young authors aged 7-12 to send them stories about animals. In this celebration of creativity, ALL the stories will be published on the Fighting Words website and several of the stories will be animated by their team of volunteers! There are so many ways to tell your story! Here are some questions to think about and help you get started:
• Is the animal a pet, a wild animal or a fantastical creature?
• Where does this animal live? Who does the animal live with?
• Does the animal have any magic powers?
• What journey or adventure will the animal go on?
• Does the animal have any friends?
• What is the animal’s greatest wish or greatest fear?
You can send a story, a poem, a comic, an illustration or a song! The stories will be published on the Fighting Words website in April 2021.
Opening date for submissions: Tuesday, 26 January 2021
Closing date for submissions: Friday, 19 February 2021
Visit the website for more details https://www.fightingwords.ie/animalproject
Tinderbox: Due to new lockdown restrictions, Tinderbox has radically re-directed their Creativity in Motion tour to a series of online creative workshops and online performances called E-Motion 21 to help and entertain during periods of isolation. The E-Motion project aims to offer creative programmes as tools to develop a sense of play as well as invite audiences to engage with performances specifically created in this current lockdown. Two essential components to the E-Motion programme is their Creative Bubble workshops and performance Bubbles of online comedy performances throughout January 2021.
Creative Bubble Workshops: From 11th January to 5th February 2021, Tinderbox will deliver a variety of online workshops for artists and participants to use creativity as a source of inspiration and well-being during the lockdown. The content for the workshops range from dance, creative writing, music, physical theatre, mental health and laughter yoga and will be delivered by professional facilitators. These workshops will operate on a Pay-What-You-Can initiative to ensure as much accessibility and engagement as possible.
Performances Bubbles: Every week from the 15th January to 5th February 2021, Tinderbox will premiere on social media platforms and our YouTube channel a collection of Burlesque and satirical vignette films based on four characters who are discovering the meaning of life during the 6 week Covid-19 lockdown.
For full details visit https://www.facebook.com/tinderboxtheatre
Strand Arts Centre: With its latest temporary closure due to lockdown restrictions, Strand Arts Centre has teamed up with film distributor Dogwoof to begin virtual screenings. The first film on offer is resonant new documentary MLK/FBI, uncovering the extent of the FBI's surveillance and harassment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Based on newly discovered and declassified files, utilizing a trove of documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and unsealed by the National Archives, as well as revelatory restored footage, the documentary explores the government's history of targeting Black activists, and the contested meaning behind some of our most cherished ideals.
Featuring interviews with key cultural figures including former FBI Director James Comey and directed by Emmy® Award-winner and Oscar®-nominee Sam Pollard, MLK/FBI tells this astonishing and tragic story with searing relevance to our current moment. MLK/FBI is available to view from now at www.strandartscentre.com
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