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Belfast’s Córas Trio set to represent Northern Ireland at WOMEX 24, Manchester, 23-27 October
9th July, 2024
What's on in the Arts
19th July, 2024
From festivals, to concerts, exhibitions and more. Here's your guide to What's On in the Arts....
Belfast Tradfest Summer Festival: takes place from 22-26 July 2024. The programme of events will be announced soon but tickets to the Summer School masterclasses are now on sale. The Summer School’s team of tutors is made up of internationally renowned performers with proven track records as teachers and educationalists. Whistle & Sing, Traditional Singing, Amhránaíocht, Sean-Nós Dancing and Set Dancing are suitable for all levels, including beginners. All other classes are designed for intermediate to advanced (minimum 2 years instrument experience) adults and children over 6 years of age.
Star-Studded Performances include:
The festival’s opening concert will set the tone for a week of spectacular performances. Headlining the concert is the legendary Clannad songstress Moya Brennan with her five-piece band. Known for their soulful renditions and masterful musicianship, they will be joined in the iconic Empire Music Hall by the dynamic duo of Zoe Conway & John McIntyre, whose innovative approach to traditional music has garnered them worldwide acclaim.
For 40 years, American all-female group Cherish the Ladies have won the hearts of audiences around the world, with their rousing blend of traditional music, captivating vocals, and propulsive step dancing. They have played from the White House to the Olympics, recorded 18 critically acclaimed albums and an Emmy award winning PBS television program, “An Irish Homecoming”. They will play the Mandela Hall for their Belfast TradFest debut.
Trans-Atlantic supergroup Lúnasa, described by MOJO as “The new gods of Irish music” will play their biggest Belfast show to date, in the Empire Music Hall. Featuring Cillian Vallely of the famous Armagh uilleann piping dynasty, the group also features Cookstown bass player Trevor Hutchinson who has played with The Waterboys & Sharon Shannon alongside Kevin Crawford, Seán Smyth and Ed Boydof Flook.
West Kerry songbirds Pauline Scanlon & Éilís Kennedy aka Lumiere return to Belfast with their brand of distinctly feminine sounds, where voice is the primary instrument and Ireland as motherland is re-imagined
Appearing for their debut performance at the festival are Cathal Hayden’s Bow Brothers, featuring some of the finest fiddlers on the planet, whilst also on the bill at The Empire Music Hall will be the legendary triumvirate of musical maestros Mary Dillon, Neil Martin & Dónal O’Connor. Featuring the voice of Déanta and older sister to Cara Dillon, this new trio promises to breathe new life into timeless Ulster songs and tunes, marrying Mary’s evocative vocals with the expressive interplay of fiddle, cello, harmonium & uilleann pipes
Described as a musical genius, Seamie O’Dowd is rooted deeply in the traditional music of Sligo but has also played in many genres of acoustic and electric music. He plays the Sunflower Folk Club for what will be a rare solo show.
County Tyrone singer Niall Hanna and Beoga’s Damian McKee are performing and releasing their upcoming solo albums for the very first time at Belfast TradFest this July in the Black Box.
With their debut album reaching #1 in the World Music Charts, Jiggy have gained a worldwide audience and are now in high demand at festivals across Europe. Mixing and melding Irish traditional music, world rhythms and cutting-edge dance grooves they will bring an electrifying energy to Mandela Hall alongside the brilliant trio of Tara Breen, Pádraig Rynne, and Jim Murray.
Making their debut Irish performance at Belfast TradFest, BIIRD are a brand new 11-piece, all female, superstar collective made up of some of Ireland's best traditional musicians and singers. Their members have won multiple All-Ireland titles, toured the world performing on shows such as Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, The Late Late Show & Electric Picnic, to name a few. Sharing the stage also at the Mandela Hall will be West Kerry sensation Pólca 4 who will excite revellers to dance the night away and surely raise the roof at the festival’s closing concert.
The Bunting Collection housed in Queen’s University Belfast, perhaps the most significant collection of ancient Irish airs extant, was collected at the Belfast Harpers festival on Donegall St. in 1792 by St. Anne’s Cathedral organist Edward Bunting. The annual Belfast TradFest ‘Belfast Harp Festival’concert will this year celebrate Bunting with a very special concert in the Crescent Arts Centre featuring Monaghan harper Eilís Lavelle, Co. Clare’s Aisling Lyons, Tin Whistle legend Mary Bergin and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Singer of the year Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, amongst others.
A special show entitled “Ceol na nGael / Wild music of the Gael” will showcase some of the most exciting performers of traditional music today in Áras Mhic Reachtain. Hosted by RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards nominee Diane Cannon, the concert will also feature TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year Derek Hickey and Composer of the year Ryan Molloy, County Monaghan Banjo player and member of The Blackwater Céilí Band George McAdam, outstanding exponent of the Co. Clare concertina style Lorraine Ní Bhriain and master uilleann piper Mick O’Brien from Dublin.
Legendary Belfast virtuoso fiddler Seán Maguire will be celebrated in The MAC with an annual fiddle concert in association with the Seán Maguire Music Society. This promises to be a spectacle of virtuoso fiddling by the likes of Tyrone legend Cathal Hayden of Four men & a Dog fame, Dundalk’s Zoe Conway, current TG4 Gradam Ceoil Composer of the Year Ryan Molloy, Tara Breen of The Chieftains, Lúnasa fiddler Seán Smyth, Belfast’s Conor Caldwell, current Fiddler of London River McGann and Seán Maguire pupil Johnny Murphy with some of his own fiddle students.
In association with Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, “Na Máistrí / Masters of Traditional Music” will feature the cream of traditional music talent, presented by Belfast composer and musician Neil Martin. Also on the bill will be Tyrone singer Dàibhidh Stìubhard, County Clare’s Tara Howley & Pádraig Rynne, member of Trans-Atlantic supergroup Cherish the Ladies Mirella Murray, world champion bodhrán player Aimée Farrell Courtney & Donegal guitarist John McIntyre formerly of Rock outfit The Revs.
Belfast TradFest prides itself on its cross cultural and cross traditions ethos and this year it will once again celebrate this work. ‘With Pipe & Drum’ concert in the Titanic Hotel Drawing Rooms in East Belfast will feature frontwoman of Cherish the Ladies and American-Irish legend of traditional music Joanie Madden, alongside the very best of Scottish & Irish traditions. Friends of Campbell College Pipe Band will be led by Belfast Highland piper Grahame Harris, also on the bill; County Down snare drummer and BBC presenter Mark Wilson, Mick McAuley a member of Irish-American ensemble Solas, Belfast’s own Gary Hastings, Mary Bergin who is considered to be the world’s greatest tin whistle player, World Champion Bodhrán player Aimée Farrell Courtney, Glengormley School of Traditional Music and Scottish Smallpipe legend Fin Moore. The concert will he hosted by Belfast TradFest vice chair, piper Andy McGregor.
In partnership with Belfast Pride, The Black Box will host one of the annual highlights of the festival Pride Céilí. This spectacle of dance, colour, excitement, fun and inclusivity that must be seen to be believed, is just one of the five Céilís that take place during the festival, hosted by world renowned Belfast Céilí dance caller Ronán Eastwood.
As part of this programme the Belfast TradFest Invitational Solo Highland Piping Competition will take place in the Deer’s Head, Belfast on Sunday, July 23 at 4pm. Five of Ireland’s top pipers compete to be crowned winner of the Belfast TradFest Solo Highland Piping Competition. Each piper will perform a 6-8 minute medley selection of their choice showcasing their unique playing styles. Competitors include; Alastair Donaghy, Alan MacPherson, Scott Wallace, Reece Doherty & Alan Glenholmes.
For full details visit www.belfasttradfest.com
37th John Hewitt International Summer School and Literary Festival: the Summer School will run at the Market Place from Monday, July 22 until Saturday, July 27. The John Hewitt International Summer School offers an exciting programme of events featuring a varied selection of inspirational and creative speakers who wield the power of language across the disciplines of literature, poetry, art , drama, music and politics. Whether you're an avid reader, aspiring writer, published writer seeking inspiration, or simply a lover of literature and the arts, there's an event tailored to your interests. This year's theme is entitled "To Live Among Strangers : Diversity and a Shared Future", a theme inspired by John Hewitt's 1966 poem," The Search". Join the festival for a week of culture and creativity that will explore and celebrate a diverse present and future.
No Alibis Bookstore Belfast will again provide their now familiar pop - up book stall during the week with the latest books by all the featured writers on sale. Full details of the programme are available online at johnhewittsociety.org or at visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre. Tickets can be purchased from the Market Place Theatre box office on 0330 056 1025, or by person or online at the above websites.
EastSide Arts: has revealed the programme for its annual EastSide Arts Festival, 25 July – 4 August 2024. Packed with music, workshops, comedy, tours, theatre, literature and visual arts, this year’s festival promises to be really special. Across 11 days, festival-goers can enjoy 60+ unique accessible and inclusive events spread across east Belfast, showcasing the vibrant cultural scene and creative talent in this part of the city, as well as welcoming legendary international artists. Programme highlights include:
WHISK(E)Y WARS Friday 26 July, 8pm, £18, Titanic Distillers
Tam Tully fights tragedy and treachery to save her Ulster family distillery from ruin - by crafting the perfect single malt. Laced with dry Northern Irish wit and casked in raw emotion, it’s a story you won’t forget. Written by and starring Joyce Greenaway.
A NIGHT OF CLASSIC COUNTRY MUSIC WITH THE BOONDOCKS, Thursday 1 August, 8pm, £15, Harland & Wolff Staff Club
Anthony Toner, Mark Crockard and Marcus McAuley have come together as ‘The Boondocks’ to play the old-school country songs by artists including Hank Williams, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons and John Prine.
THE SHORT STORY WRITERS’ TOOLKIT, Saturday 27 July , 10am, £25, EastSide Visitor Centre Gallery
Interested in writing short stories but struggling to know where to start and how to end? This interactive course, facilitated by Belfast-based writer Jan Carson, will guide you through the basics of writing imaginative and engaging short stories.
DRAGTASTIC CABARET WITH BSL INTERPRETATION Friday 2 August , 8pm , £15 , Shorts Sports & Recreation Club
Lady Portia, Cherrie Ontop and Miss Onya Becks will be joined by Californian glamor duo Deven Green & Handsome Ned, making an exclusive UK and Ireland guest appearance, and the incredible Miss Dora Belle who will provide BSL interpretation for this festival favourite.
THE NIGHT INSTITUTE PRESENTS: EASTSIDE ELECTRONICS: LIL’ LOUIS (THE FOUNDING FATHER OF HOUSE), Saturday 27 July, 5pm, £25, C.S. Lewis Square
The Night Institute celebrates electronic music with very special guest Lil’ Louis, international artist, producer, songwriter, DJ, author and director who celebrates 50 years in music this summer. DJs include Timmy Stewart, Jordan Nocturne, Ricky Chong and Kate Harahan.
JAZZIE B DJ SET, Friday 2 August, 9pm, £22, Banana Bloc
EastSide Arts Festival is delighted to welcome legendary UK artist and one of the most in demand soul and funk DJs on the circuit, Jazzie B, founder of one of the most iconic soul bands of all time, Soul II Soul.
PARKFEST Sunday 28 July, 12pm, FREE, C.S. Lewis Square & Orangefield Park
Enjoy a whole host of activities, performances and pop-ups for the whole family. With creative events in C.S. Lewis Square and games and environmental activities in Orangefield Park, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the day with friends, family and neighbours along the Connswater Greenway.
CIARAN BARTLETT’S COMEDY CLUB WITH COLIN GEDDIS, AARON BUTLER AND JAZMYNNE SIERRA, Saturday 3 August, 6:30pm & 9:30pm, £22, Banana Block
MC Ciaran Bartlett returns to Banana Block with a sensational lineup of Belfast's premiere comedians. It promises to bring you the funniest stories and most epic one-liners around.
THREE PAY DAYS Wednesday 31 July, £10, 5:30pm & 8:30pm The Sanctuary Theatre
Directed by Paula McFetridge, Three Pay Days is a riveting new play from Alice Malseed, author of The Half Moon. It’s a searing portrayal of the human cost of austerity within a rigged social security system.
TUMBLE CIRCUS PRESENTS ‘BANJAXED’, Sunday 4 August, 12pm & 4:30pm, £5, Malone Rugby Club
Come and experience hammer-smashing inspired circus crafted in Belfast by Tumble Circus: the Irish Cirque de Soleil - if Cirque de Soleil was hit by a bus. 35 minutes of death-defying aerial hula hoops, duo trapeze, slapstick, and loads of craic for the whole family.
Plus look out for Soultrane and Hotbox Entertainment championing music of black origin and MOBO-inspired artists, walks and talks exploring history, heritage, beats & bites, silver screenings with Strand Arts Centre at Connswater Shopping Centre, literary an poetry readings, board games, Shakespeare and much more! Visit www.eastsidearts.net
Féile an Phobail: is Ireland’s Biggest Community Arts Festival. Féile provides a programme of inclusive arts, cultural and community-based activities throughout the year, with its flagship festival, the August Féile being the highlight of Ireland’s festival calendar. The festival returns from 1-11 August 2024.
Highlights include:
The Art of Reconciliation, a partnership project involving Féile an Phobail, the Belfast International Arts Festival
Part 1 of this project involves three-days of events, involving performance, and Panel discussion on the role of arts in conflict and post-conflict societies, involving international delegates, artists, writers and audiences, at the newly built Black Mountain Shared Space Community Centre.
Part 2 of the partnership is hosted in October by Belfast International Arts Festival.
6th August, KABOSH PRESENTS ‘GREEN & BLUE’ BY LAURENCE MCKEOWN
An officer from the Royal Ulster Constabulary in his green uniform and Eddie from An Garda Síochána, resplendent in blue, communicate via crackly radios until an explosive incident forces them to meet across a field only farmers know the location of.
What is it like to be hunted when you’re protecting a man-made line on the ground?
The performance will be followed by a discussion.
7th August, KABOSH PRESENTS ‘THOSE YOU PASS ON THE STREET’ BY LAURENCE MCKEOWN
Those You Pass on the Street explores the complexities of dealing with the legacy of conflict, especially when that conflict is localised and personal. It contrasts party political positioning with individual needs. It challenges the view that any mechanism for dealing with the past is simply about ‘whose side gets what’.
The performance will be followed by a discussion.
8th August, KABOSH PRESENTS ‘FEVER’ BY NICOLA MCCARTNEY AND ‘THIRD PERSON IN OUR MARRIAGE’ BY LAURENCE MCKEOWN
Two explosive short dramas. Fever examines the devastating impact of anti-social behaviour, challenging perceptions of class and the role of community justice.
In Third Person, a husband and wife are having a seemingly domestic conversation but there is a third person in the room – it asks if there is a timeline to victimhood. The performances will be followed by a discussion.
1st -11th August, 8pm ‘ANTHEM FOR DISSATISFACTION’ by Belfast-based Brassneck Theatre Group
‘Irish Twins’ Jamie and Sarah are about to hit 30… but before they do, they’re reliving their greatest hits; ‘Credit crunch’, ‘Austerity’ and ‘Free School Meals…’ Benefits Britain never sounded so good! Join us for this euphoric working-class celebration of the power of live music, teenage angst and sibling rivalry in this electric and hilarious coming-of-age anthem for the ages!
For more details visit https://feilebelfast.com/
To view the full programme visit https://feilebelfast.com/feile-events/
Clandeboye Festival: celebrates 25 years of Camerata Ireland, founded by world-renowned pianist Barry Douglas in response to the Good Friday Agreement. This year’s festival features a new commission by Belfast composer Greg Caffrey to celebrate 25 years of Camerata Ireland and will see 12 young musicians join Camerata Academy.
The orchestra has already embarked on a celebratory season, undertaking performances in venues from New York’s iconic Carnegie Hall to the National Concert Hall, Dublin. A major tour of China is planned for later in the year. To add to the celebration year, Camerata Ireland was honoured to hear that His Majesty King Charles would take forward joint patronage of the orchestra with President Michael D Higgins, carrying on the tradition started by his mother, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and President of Ireland Mary McAleese since 2004.
Camerata Ireland’s celebrations will continue in August when they return to perform at the Clandeboye Festival which takes place in the historical Clandeboye Estate on the outskirts of Bangor. Founded by Douglas in 2001 to showcase the very best international guest artists along with homegrown musical talent, the 2024 Clandeboye Festival, themed “Colourful Connections”, takes place this year from 17-24 August with a rich programme planned. As well as 2 performances by Camerata Ireland featuring Barry Douglas as soloist, the festival will showcase a stellar line up of internationally renowned guest soloists and homegrown talent, with 13 lunchtime, afternoon and evening concerts taking place in the unique and intimate setting of the Banqueting Hall and Chapel at Clandeboye. Visit https://www.camerata-ireland.com/clandeboye2024
Northern Ireland Opera/14th Glenarm Festival of Voice 2024: returns to the beautiful Co Antrim village of Glenarm from 23-25 August 2024. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival includes three free BBC Radio 3 recitals to experience, recorded live at the festival for national broadcast in September as four ‘Lunchtime Concerts’, an afternoon recital in The Londonderry Arms in Carnlough, and the weekend culminates in a thrilling vocal competition featuring five young opera singers selected from across the island of Ireland.
The Competition Finale, hosted by NI Opera Patron, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Sean Rafferty, showcases five singers selected from entrants from across the island of Ireland who compete in front of a live jury panel to win the Deborah Voigt Opera Prize and become the NI Opera Young Opera Voice of 2024. There is also a Song Prize award and the Kathryn Harries Audience Prize, voted for by the audience during a short interval on the night.
The BBC Radio 3 Recitalists this year are mezzo soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, tenor Liam Bonthrone, baritone Ben McAteer who will perform a recital each across the weekend, accompanied by pianist Michael Pandya. Tickets to attend these BBC Radio 3 Recitals are free but booking is essential via BBC Shows and Audiences – booking will open on July 15th.
Save the dates now for a weekend packed full of wonderful concerts and performances – details and booking links coming soon!
- Friday 23 August, 8pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm: Liam Bonthrone (tenor) & Michael Pandya (piano)– Free but booking essential from 15 July
- Saturday 24 August, 3pm: Afternoon Recital in The Londonderry Arms, Carnlough with soprano Anna Gregg – winner of last year’s Glenarm Festival of Voice Competition and pianist Tristan Russcher.
- Saturday 24 August, 8pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm: Ben McAteer (baritone) & Michael Pandya (piano) – Free but booking essential from 15 July
- Sunday 25 August, 3pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm: Niamh O’Sullivan (mezzo-soprano) & Michael Pandya (piano) – Free but booking essential from 15 July.
- Sunday 25 August, 6.30pm: The Glenarm Festival of Voice Competition Finale in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenarm – Finalist details coming soon
To book visit www.niopera.com
25th Scoil Samhraidh Mhic Reachtain festival (21 July – 2 August): Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain will celebrate their 25th Scoil Samhraidh Mhic Reachtain festival, commencing Sunday 21 July with music and guided walk from Belfast Castle to McArt's Fort, and will close on Friday 2 August with an Oíche Airneáil concert celebrating sean-nós singing and dancing. In between there are the best of pioneering, traditional and contemporary music at concerts, daily music sessions, literary events, lectures, Gaelic karaoke night, bespoke cultural culinary evening, international lunch, 2 x 5-day Irish-language courses, book stalls, and more. For more info and tickets go to www.mhicreachtain.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter, or call into Caifé Ceoil in Áras Mhic Reachtain 9283-289 Antrim Road, Belfast).
In between, there's a collaboration concert with Belfast Tradfest on Monday 22 July plus a Karaoke na Gaeilge night, Night of the Scribes, Pop Up Gaeltachts in Cassidy's Pub aswell as concerts featuring:
- Fri. 26.07.24; CLANN MHIC RUAIRÍ, JOHN SPILLANE, LONESOME GEORGE
- Saturday 27.07.24: experimental-hip-hop-pop-indie-trad-funk-jazz-electronic gig with IMLÉ, CIGIRE NA bPUNTAÍ, GROOVELINE, and FITE FUAITE DJs (IMLÉ pronounced IM-LAY; fite fuaite pronounced fit-cha foocha) ,
- MON. 29.07.24 new musical-literary project which has put music to one of Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's collections of poetry, IMMRAM (Eithne Ní Chathain, Lucia MacPartlin, Eilís Lavelle, and Neil Ó Lochlainn)
- Wed. 31.07.24: CÁIS, CEOL, 's ÓL ('cheese, music, and drink')Bespoke Irish tapas culinary-cultural evening in Caifé Ceoil, with 4-course tapas dishes prepared by our chef, and music throughout from Catríona Ní Ghribín, Miadhachlughain Ní Dhomhnaill, and Seosamh Campbell-McArdle.
- Friday 02.08.24: FEATURING: DOIMNIC MAC GIOLLA BHRÍDE, DIANE CANANN, NAOISE MAC CATHMHAOIL, BLÁITHÍN MHIC CANA, THE DEVANE BROTHERS, RÓISÍN CHAMBERS, BECKY NÍ ÉALLAITHE, CLAIRE FRANCES MCNEILL, AND IRIAL Ó CEALLAIGH, and guest musicians.
For more information visit https://mhicreachtain.com/
August Craft Month: The highly anticipated month-long celebration of Irish craft has officially launched! This year’s August Craft Month brings together an array of talented makers hosting nearly 300 events with representation in almost every county on the island of Ireland. August Craft Month celebrates a rich craft heritage with artisans keeping ancient traditions alive and new talented makers bringing real vibrancy to the scene. With events taking place across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, August Craft Month provides unique opportunities for people to get involved as well as supporting makers by buying products and learning more about their work. Supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI, the annual celebration is once again part of an island-wide summer programme. There is a packed itinerary of nearly 300 eclectic events, with craft disciplines including ceramists, textile makers, glassblowers, designer-makers and more all available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For events taking place in Northern Ireland, please visit https://augustcraftmonth.org/events-ni/
Belfast 2024: is an ambitious cultural celebration made by the people of Belfast and led by Belfast City Council. This programme will see the city come to life with creative projects, events and civic initiatives taking place across Belfast throughout the year. For more information visit https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast2024/home
Belfast International Arts Festival: returns from 16 Oct – 23 Nov 2024 and early bird shows are now on sale including:
28 October, A collective of supremely talented female musicians from West Africa, Les Amazones d’Afrique blend traditional African rhythms with gritty contemporary pop
29 October, BIAF presents blues legends Paul Jones and Dave Kelly, Irish singer-songwriter Freddie White, and special guests the Ulster Orchestra
24 and 25 Ocotber, North Star is an immersive live music performance, inspired by the historic speech given by writer and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass in Belfast in 1845. (Commissioned by Belfast 2024). Grammy Award winner Kaidi Tatham, poet Nandi Jola, rising stars Leo Miyagee and Winnie Ama, special guests Hannah Peel and Colin Salmon, and nearly 100 Belfast schoolkids, have created a spectacular showcase of music, art, and literature, deeply rooted in Black music and cultures, and delivered in spectacular surround sound.
10-18 August, Step into the new community garden at the Black Mountain Shared Space and experience ROOTS, a unique performance by Eileen McClory that blends dance, poetry and storytelling. (Commissioned by Belfast 2024)
31 Oct – 2 Nov, Cahoots NI presents The Vanishing Elephant. Cahoots’ moving story of friendship, belonging and adventure was named a ‘Critic’s Pick’ in the New York Times, which hailed it as ‘an alluring spectacle’.
Visit www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com for tickets and info.
City of Derry International Choir Festival: The 12th City of Derry International Choir Festival returns this autumn from the 23rd to 27th
of October and this year will see the largest ever number of participating choirs the festival has had since its inaugural year as part of the 2013 City of Culture programme. 91 musical groups will be bringing the world-famous City of Song to life across the five-day annual festival, which will feature, as ever, a superb programme of guest artist concerts, competitions for school, national and international choirs, as well as the audience favourites of pop-up choral trail performances and community concerts in venues across the city and northwest region. Choirs will be travelling from Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Germany, England, Scotland, Wales and from across the island of Ireland to be part of this exciting and major event in the musical life of Northern Ireland. Visit www.derrychoirfest.com
Féile, Derry’s biggest community arts festival, returns this August for the 32nd year. From August 10th - 17th, Féile 2024 will feature more than 120 events across the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, Bishop Street, Fountain neighbourhoods and Derry City centre.
The programme is now available to view https://issuu.com/gasyardfeile...
Kabosh: presents THREE PAY DAYS Wednesday 31 July, £10, 5:30pm & 8:30pm The Sanctuary Theatre as part of the EastSide Arts Festival. Directed by Paula McFetridge, Three Pay Days is a riveting new play from Alice Malseed, author of The Half Moon. It’s a searing portrayal of the human cost of austerity within a rigged social security system.
DU Dance: presents the following:
- Shoreline, a mass movement youth dance and music performance on the environmental crisis that will take place over 21st & 22nd August
- Craic Theatre in Dungannon will host a photography exhibition by Jim Corr on DU Dance’s youth engagement project’ Sutemos’, to mark the end of a great year of dance. The exhibition called ‘Seen / Unseen’ follows a group of young people from Du Dance, along with dance artist, Christine O’Neill, as they used dance to explore the important topic of what we see on the outside compared to what we don’t see going on in the inside. Their ideas originated from experiencing first hand that social media can dramatically affect how we perceive the world and crucially how by portraying a bright and vibrant online appearance often we don’t see the real and dark lives behind the screen. The exhibition is now available to view.
Visit www.dudanceni.com
High Points to bring world class dance to Belfast International Ballet Festival.
The first one is High Points Youth Ballet who are this year hosting Belfast International Ballet Festival in this city between 5-10 August 20 when they will bring together over 100 dancers comprising young students, adult students and professionals to celebrate the rich ballet community we have here.
The teachers will include principal guest ballet artist and educators from across the world with homegrown talent like Oona Doherty joining global ballet guru Yuri Tcvetkov, Master Teacher, ballet artist and educator who is an esteemed graduate of Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, and Sarah Maria Burton who is an international medalist and has performed globally too. There are a number of master class teachers who are from the local area including Belfast Newtownards and Portadown all of whom will be working with the adults and children on their dance techniques to create performances for three shows which will take place in the MAC Theatre between 9-10 August 2024, a lot in 5 days! Visit www.themaclive.com
Lyric Theatre: presents an exciting programme of events with highlights including:
- 2-4 Aug, All Growed Up
- 8-10 Aug, A Night at the Musicials
- 28 Aug- 1 Sep, Nuala McKeever, Truth, Love or Promise
- 5-22 Sep, The Man Who Swallowed a Dictionary
For further details on these and to view all events visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
Grand Opera House: presents an exciting series of shows including,
18-20 July: Sunset Boulevard
23 July- 3 Aug: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
23-27 July: Scaredy Fat
13-17 Aug: 101 Dalmations
19-24 Aug 2024: Grand Family Festival. Get ready for the Theatre’s Grand Family Festival taking place in August 2024 - for one week only! Tickets are now on sale for over 25 fun workshops and events. Create, learn and discover this summer with all the family at your Grand Opera House!
6 June 2025: Russell Kane: HyperActive
24 Sep 2025: Rob Beckett: Giraffe
31 Oct-2 Nov: Cahoots NI presents The Vanishing Elephant
For tickets and to view the full programme please visit www.goh.co.uk
Strand Arts Centre: visit www.strandartscentre.com
The Playhouse in Derry-Londonderry: presents a series of events with highlights including,
- Ulster Youth Opera workshops, 10 June, 8 July, 12 Aug,& 19 Aug
Visit www.derryplayhouse.co.uk
Linen Hall Library: the Linen Hall Library is a truly unique institution. Founded in 1788, it is the oldest library in Belfast. The library is free for all to enter and enjoy. The Linen Hall Library offers a year-round programme of arts and cultural events featuring authors, academics, historians, performers, and much more. To view the full events programme visit www.linenhall.com
Millennium Forum Derry-Londonderry: presents music, comedy, theatre and more with highlights including:
- Moves and Melodies. Moves and Melodies is an age friendly project in the Millennium Forum that includes song and dance workshops for 60 people. This project will be provided complimentary and will be held once a month in the Studio Theatre. The music facilitator is Fiona Logue and the dance facilitators are Claire Harkin and Emma Lindsay from Emma Lindsay Dance. There will be an opportunity to learn new dance skills and sing a range of song styles every month. 2pm – 3.30pm. For further information contact Lisa Heaney on 028 7127 2779 or email [email protected]
- 26-29 June, West Side Story
- 15-17 Aug, Sweeney Todd
- 16 Aug, Ulster Youth Orchestra Concert, Gulidhall
Visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk
THE MAC: presents a fantastic programme of theatre, comedy music and talks with highlights including:
Queer Set Dancing. Come along to a Queer Set Dancing class with Alexa Moore. Part of the MACtivate programme, in association with The Rainbow Project, the MAC’s fortnightly Queer Set Dancing class with Alexa Moore is specifically beginner-friendly. Join Alexa and the group for a fun class with no expectation of any prior dancing experience. The class is run by a queer woman and we aim to create a welcoming and friendly environment for LGBTQ+ people and allies to learn a new dance, have some fun, and meet new people. Come along when you can - you don't need to have joined from the first date to attend. All welcome.
- 28 June, The Highstool Prophets Live
- 5-8 Aug, MAC Art Camp
- 22-24 Aug, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
- 28 Aug – 1 Sep, Shrek The Musical
- 6-7 Sep, Rachel Tucker, I’m Home
- 20 Sep, Christine Bovill: Piaf to Pop
For all this and more visit www.themaclive.com to view a full programme of events and exhibitions.
Crescent Arts Centre: presents a series of language, visual arts, craft, music, dance classes, and more plus workshops and events. Visit www.crescentarts.org for details.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace: View the full programme at www.seamusheaneyhome.com
Declan McConaghy Show: Newry based former BBC broadcaster, Declan McConaghy has created a new series of short films where he talks in-depth to creatives from Newry and the surrounding area who have made a contribution to theatre, music, dance and the performing arts in general. The view the films visit https://www.facebook.com/DMCSHOW ) or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaH9LxmhE8O1Af3Csk-k6vA
Ulster Youth Orchestra: presents their summer concert series in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry
- Fri 16 Aug, Guildhall, Derry-Londonderry
- Sat 17 Aug, Ulster Hall, Belfast
Visit www.uyo.org.uk
National Youth Choir Northern Ireland: presents their summer concert series,
- NYCNI Training Choir: Saturday 13th– Friday 19th July
- NYCNI Junior Choir: Sunday 14th- Friday 19th July
- NYCNI Senior Choir: Saturday 20th– Friday 26th July
Visit www.nycni.org
City of Derry International Choir Festival: The 12th City of Derry International Choir Festival returns this autumn from the 23rd to 27th of October and this year will see the largest ever number of participating choirs the festival has had since its inaugural year as part of the 2013 City of Culture programme. 91 musical groups will be bringing the world-famous City of Song to life across the five-day annual festival, which will feature, as ever, a superb programme of guest artist concerts, competitions for school, national and international choirs, as well as the audience favourites of pop-up choral trail performances and community concerts in venues across the city and northwest region. Choirs will be travelling from Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Germany, England, Scotland, Wales and from across the island of Ireland to be part of this exciting and major event in the musical life of Northern Ireland. Visit www.derrychoirfest.com
Northern Ireland Opera: Come and see artists from Northern Ireland Opera in action this summer at a whole range of free concerts and pop-up events. No need to book – just turn up and enjoy the performance. Performances include:
- 29 June, 3 to 4pm – free performance at the Foyle Maritime Festival, Derry/Londonderry
- 24 July, 1.15 to 2pm – free performance as part of the Summer Recitals Series at First Church, Rosemary St, Belfast
- 27 July, 12 to 1pm – ‘Springtime, Summertime and Mischief’ at the Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart
- 29 July, 12.30 to 2pm – free performance at Bankmore Square, Belfast
- 7 August, 1.15 to 2pm – free performance as part of the Summer Recitals Series at First Church, Rosemary St, Belfast
- 25 August, 12 to 1pm – free performance at the SoundYard, Maritime Mile, Belfast
Northern Ireland Opera/14th Glenarm Festival of Voice 2024: returns to the beautiful Co Antrim village of Glenarm from 23-25 August 2024. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival includes three free BBC Radio 3 recitals to experience, recorded live at the festival for national broadcast in September as four ‘Lunchtime Concerts’, an afternoon recital in The Londonderry Arms in Carnlough, and the weekend culminates in a thrilling vocal competition featuring five young opera singers selected from across the island of Ireland.
The Competition Finale, hosted by NI Opera Patron, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Sean Rafferty, showcases five singers selected from entrants from across the island of Ireland who compete in front of a live jury panel to win the Deborah Voigt Opera Prize and become the NI Opera Young Opera Voice of 2024. There is also a Song Prize award and the Kathryn Harries Audience Prize, voted for by the audience during a short interval on the night.
The BBC Radio 3 Recitalists this year are mezzo soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, tenor Liam Bonthrone, baritone Ben McAteer who will perform a recital each across the weekend, accompanied by pianist Michael Pandya. Tickets to attend these BBC Radio 3 Recitals are free but booking is essential via BBC Shows and Audiences – booking will open on July 15th.
Save the dates now for a weekend packed full of wonderful concerts and performances – details and booking links coming soon!
- Friday 23 August, 8pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm: Liam Bonthrone (tenor) & Michael Pandya (piano)– Free but booking essential from 15 July
- Saturday 24 August, 3pm: Afternoon Recital in The Londonderry Arms, Carnlough with soprano Anna Gregg – winner of last year’s Glenarm Festival of Voice Competition and pianist Tristan Russcher.
- Saturday 24 August, 8pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm: Ben McAteer (baritone) & Michael Pandya (piano) – Free but booking essential from 15 July
- Sunday 25 August, 3pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm: Niamh O’Sullivan (mezzo-soprano) & Michael Pandya (piano) – Free but booking essential from 15 July.
- Sunday 25 August, 6.30pm: The Glenarm Festival of Voice Competition Finale in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenarm – Finalist details coming soon
To book visit www.niopera.com
Eugene Onégin by Tchaikovsky. 14,17,19,21 September, Grand Opera House Belfast. After two consecutive sold-out productions, La Traviata in 2022, and Tosca in 2023, Northern Ireland Opera returns to the Grand Opera House with Tchaikovsky’s stunning operatic masterpiece, Eugene Onégin. Love, friendship and fidelity collide with devastating consequences in this story of passion, pride, a moment’s madness, a duel and a true love lost. Directed by Cameron Menzies, don’t miss your opportunity to see this award-winning national opera company’s new production of one of the most exciting stories ever set to music. Performed in Russian with English surtitles.
Visit www.niopera.com for details
Belfast Music Society (BMS): please visit www.belfastmusicsociety.com
Moving on Music: presents,
- 28-29 June, Phil Roson Organ Trio (Tour)
- 7 July, The Giulia Marro Trio
- 26 July, Róis + Córas Trio
- 2 Aug, Deerhoof
- 28 Aug, Matana Roberts & Guest
- 27 Sep, Seckou Keita
- 29 Sep, John Francis Flynn
- 16 Oct, Artifacts Trio
- 24 Oct, Rachael Lavelle
For tickets visit www.movingonmusic.com
Portico of Ards:
visit www.porticoards.com
Ulster Orchestra: presents
- 1 Sep, On Your Doorstep, The Hill of the O’Neill and Ranfurly House, Dungannon
Visit www.ulsterorchestra.com to book tickets.
Oh Yeah Centre Belfast: presents a programme of music and tours with highlights including,
The NI Music exhibition at Oh Yeah is the only permanent exhibit for popular music in Northern Ireland. There is much to see, including a series of storyboards documenting and plotting the history and the stories of Folk, Punk, Rock, Jazz and more. Exhibition Opening Times, Mon – Fri: 10am-4pm, Sat: 12-5pm. To enquire about a visit, or for further info and group bookings please contact [email protected] or call 02890310845
- 28 June, Parker with Banshee & Penny's
- 2 July, Movements
- 13 Aug, Dean Friedman
- 17 Aug, United Bottles, Takers & Users, An Slua, Easy Company, Crackhead Company
- 31 Aug, Gazefest
- 22 Sep, Taylor Made - A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Visit www.ohyeahbelfast.com
The Black Box: presents a varied programme of music, comedy, street art tours and other arts events.For further information n visit www.blackboxbelfast.com
Scott’s Jazz Club: Scott's Jazz Club runs a weekly concert in Ballyhackamore club 1a Sandown Road every Friday Night from 9pm. The club provides a welcoming environment for world class jazz music to be experienced in a concert setting. For upcoming performances visit Scott's Jazz Club (scottsjazzclub.com)
ITMA: 'Drawing from the Well' is an online monthly ITMA series which connects artists with archival materials to inspire new art. To date, nine videos, podcasts and blogs have been created by leading traditional musicians, singers, and dancers, including Louise Mulcahy, Martin Hayes, Edwina Guckian and Cormac Begley. All episodes are free to view online at https://www.itma.ie/drawingfromthewell
Tommy Sands and Artsawonder: In this new online film series, legendary musician, Tommy Sands, films, sings, listens and learns from a singing five times world champion drum major Alan McBride, two young women, Jenna Stevenson and Wendy Graham Hanna, who initiate and drive an Arts hub shop, a rhythmic drum weaver rhythmic drum weaver Damien McKeown and a young woman Bronagh Kelly who lovingly echoes the poetry of her mother. To watch visit Media | Artsawonder (wixsite.com)
University of Atypical: presents an exhibition, Empty House – Christine Kernohan, June 4th - July 24th, 2024. Christine Kernohan received the 2023 University of Atypical Graduate Award. She is an Irish artist working in mixed media with a focus on textiles. She works with a direct method of weaving. This means that she constructs her own weaving loom and weaves the textile by hand. She also uses circular looms to explore repeating forms and spirals within the body.
Kernohan’s inspiration comes from the relationship between the mother and the child. She creates weaves that are intended to be wall tapestries or wall hangings, that could be draped around the mother-like figure to suggest a motherly protection or the protection of modesty for the child. Kernohan also works on the subject of generational trauma: trauma passed on through the womb across generations. She sees textiles as a way to create a safe environment for herself and others, as she uses her practice to work through her own personal trauma. She sees textiles and other art practices as a beneficial way for individuals to work through their distress. Christine graduated from the Belfast School of Art in 2021 with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art. She received a Master’s Degree in Fine Art in 2023. Visit https://universityofatypical.org/
Crescent Arts Centre: has a new term of classes to book and enjoy now. Fancy learning to speak some Italian before your holiday to Italy this year? Well now’s your chance! From visual arts, language classes, acting, dance, music making and more, there’s something to tantalise all tastes. Visit www.crescentarts.co.uk
Duncairn: presents live music from the following,
- 28 June, The Weaving
- 24 August, Brendan Mulholland CD Launch & Piaras Ó Lorcáin
- 23 Nov, Suaimhneas : Caoilfhionn Rose & Sammy Copley
Duncairn Player: all of the previous video projects can now be viewed from the Duncairn Player including The Duncairn Virtual Cabaret, Take 2, Carlingford and the Ring of Guillion Sessions. Visit Player — The Duncairn
The Duncairn also has a range of workshops and craft classes and courses. For further details visit www.theduncairn.com
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich: presents,
Irish Language Intensive Course. Intensive courses are a great way to boost your language skills in a short space of time. The course will be both motivating and informative and will take your confidence in the Irish language to another level. The levels we offer are: Bunrang|Beginner , Meanrang | Intermediate , Ardrang | Advanced . Please email [email protected] for more information
Yoga Classes with Dunla, 6:30-7:30pm, £5. No need to register, just pay on arrival.
For this and more visit www.culturlann.ie
Greater Shantallow Community Arts: presents Spill The Tae Youth Led Podcast from the young people at Studio2/GSCA. This amazing group of creative young people have launched their very own podcast and it can be found on Spotify or Apple Podcast. The young people plan, host, interview and edit the Podcast. To date they have interviewed some of their local MLA’s, Councillors, survivors and local Derry’s own Serena Terry, creator of Mammy Banter. As well as this they have a voice and a safe place where they can openly talk about mental health and what it means to them. You can find the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcast but also by clicking this link below.
https://shows.acast.com/spill-the-tae-youth-led-podcast
Eden Place Arts Centre: in Derry-Londonderry has an exciting range of courses and workshops to get your creative juices flowing including wood sculpture, Inner Landscapes, Abstract Art, Ceramics, Painting for Beginners, Contemporary Botanical Watercolours, Landscape Painting Life Painting, Spinning and Weaving plus Portrait Painting, among others. All courses are designed for adults aged 18+. Visit www.edenplaceartscentre.com
WheelWorks Arts: presents,
ArtCart: Unique to WheelWorks Arts (WWA) is their ArtCart community engagement and outreach programme, which brings creative and artistic activities to your community. ArtCart is also the name WWA gives to its bespoke vehicle that can travel across Northern Ireland and transform into a unique workshop space. ArtCart is available for hire at youth, community, education, and festival events, bringing artistic and creative activities to the community. The available inventive activities cover digital and traditional arts and can include animation, DJing/music making, arts & crafts, and digital arts using augmented and virtual reality. For further information and to hear about their special Art Cart offers over Christmas, visit https://www.wheelworksarts.com/artcart or email [email protected].
TS3 Programme: The Tech Studio Skills Share (TS3 programme) is a new initiative by WheelWorks Arts (WWA) that offers training to help people improve their creativity and skills in digital communication by harnessing the specialist artistic expertise of the WWA team. The staff team at WWA consists of professional artists and digital innovators who have a wealth of knowledge, talent, and experience in delivering creative activities. They are now offering a range of training opportunities to the corporate and commercial sectors. For further information, visit https://www.wheelworksarts.com/ts3-training.
TechStudio: This is a 60m2 meeting room and collaboration space available for hire at our office in Weaver's Court, close to Belfast city centre (BT12 5GH). The room is equipped with a range of digital and recording resources, including cameras, green screens, tripods, iPads, and an interactive whiteboard, all available for hire. For pricing and to book the TechStudio, please use our online booking system. For further information, visit https://www.wheelworksarts.com/room-hire or email [email protected] or [email protected].
ChangeMaker: This is a programme by WWA that connects people from diverse communities with varied identities within organisations, communities, or geographical areas. It encourages open dialogue, exploration, and recognition of differences to foster mutual inclusion, enhance interpersonal understanding, and ultimately boost inter and intra-community cohesion. The programme explores perceptions, stereotypes, and misconceptions that workshop participants may have, with a view to understanding other contributors' values, heritage, biases, and experiences, and why people may have certain views or stereotypes. It also highlights how many of these perspectives may be unintentional, unconscious, and often unchallenged. For more information, contact [email protected].
Streetwise Community Circus: 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. To take advantage of this opportunity all you have to do is email Streetwise on [email protected]. Suitable for participants who range in age from 8 to 80 plus.
Arts Care: has a wonderful range of arts activities available online on their Arts Care 4U Premium +, their online arts delivery channel that everyone can access. 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. New art, music, dance & exercise, drama, creative writing and clown doctor’s CDTV videos will be uploaded regularly and it’s all FREE. Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ85xLA2BlQQdrnWBhKw1hw
August Craft Month: The highly anticipated month-long celebration of Irish craft has officially launched! This year’s August Craft Month brings together an array of talented makers hosting nearly 300 events with representation in almost every county on the island of Ireland. August Craft Month celebrates a rich craft heritage with artisans keeping ancient traditions alive and new talented makers bringing real vibrancy to the scene. With events taking place across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, August Craft Month provides unique opportunities for people to get involved as well as supporting makers by buying products and learning more about their work. Supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI, the annual celebration is once again part of an island-wide summer programme. There is a packed itinerary of nearly 300 eclectic events, with craft disciplines including ceramists, textile makers, glassblowers, designer-makers and more all available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For events taking place in Northern Ireland, please visit https://augustcraftmonth.org/events-ni/
Craft NI: This year’s August Craft Month Exhibition, ‘Reaction’, opens at Craft NI Gallery on August 1st to Saturday, August 31st, 2024. The exhibition will welcome audiences with exciting work by talented local designer-makers, who have responded to this year’s theme, Reaction. Viewers are invited to follow striking trains of thought, and glimpse into the makers’ journey - from the creative spark to the finished piece. Renowned glassmaker Karl Herron’s ‘White Kintsugi Vessel #1022’ vessel mirrors volcanic eruptions that took place in the Arctic Circle four thousand years ago, and resulted in the creation of tephra (Greek for ash) - micro-shards of glass that exploded into the atmosphere, eventually falling to earth and coming to rest on peatlands across Ireland.
Céline Traynor’s body of work, ‘Destruction Construct’ is her response to the traumatic events in the middle east. It consists of 144 lapel pins, a number which comes from the pixel count of a standard sized 16:9 television screen. Each lapel pin is a 16mm by 9mm piece of silver with recycled off-cuts, randomly soldered on. Céline hopes some order and logic is achieved by placing the lapel pins in formation 16 across by 9 down, a construction that results in the overall piece.
Karena Ryan’s piece, ‘Mary Pauline’s Ribbon’, is a cyanotype of a never seen before black-and-white image of her mother, which the maker chose to print onto one of her linen napkins. The cyanotype process, with its chemical reaction of the negative image appearing on linen, is perfect for capturing her nostalgia and emotions.
Natasha Rollinson submitted a pair of minimal, sculptural jewellery designs which work in harmony bound together by the theme of action and reaction: The ‘Eclipse’ ring, crafted in alloyed 18ct ombre gold, signifies action - it flows outwards around a central black glittering druzy agate, while the ‘Gravitation’ brooch, made in 18ct yellow gold and black pearls, signifies reaction as it needs to be turned inwards, like a coil, when worn.
Material reactions are also highlighted; for instance, Caitlin Murphy has created a green window to her home in her wall piece, ‘Window’. She anodises the metal niobium, creating colour changes in blue and green hues, reflecting the fields of home she misses while away. Red Earth Design’s ceramic piece, ‘Baby Buoy’, is their reaction to environmental themes such as overfishing and human waste which affect the oceanic environment. Some makers chose to document their commitment to sustainability - Janice Gilmore used a small fragment of a Middle Eastern hand woven carpet which she transformed into a new piece of art with embroidery and beading, acting as a keeper and messenger of craftsmanship through time.
The works seen in the exhibition are bound to raise reactions in the viewer, whether these are consensus, discomfort, an inward smile - perhaps the recall of a similar experience or memory. We are looking forward to sharing this year’s August Craft Month exhibition with you and seeing what conversations around craft and its purpose emerge from this year’s theme!
Exhibiting makers: Anne Butler, Caitlin Murphy, Cara Murphy, Carla Pennie McBride, Celine Traynor, Cora Cummins, Corinne Price, Eleanor Wheeler, Fang Zhao, Hugh Cummins, Irene McBride, Jackie McMaster, Janice Gilmore, Joel Smyth, Karena Ryan, Karl Harron, Kathleen Walsh, Maya Todd, Natasha Rollinson, Pennie Metcalfe, Claire and Karen Gibson from Red Earth Designs, Ruth Osborne, Sarah Cathers, Stuart Cairns and Sue Cathcart. Visit www.craftnigallery.org
The Court House Bangor: presents DREAMLAND by Lisa Ballard. Exhibition available to view in the drawing room during events from 2 May – 21 July.
The MAC: presents, Mother Tongue, 26 April – 21 July 2024. This new group exhibition represents some of the most exciting contemporary practices in Northern Ireland. Featuring sculpture, installation, painting, photography, audio and film made over the course of the past six years, the exhibition illuminates the breadth and quality of contemporary artists based in this region. The diverse artworks in this exhibition are brought together under the title mother tongue, a term that evokes our relationship to language, and our (dis)connection to the land, belonging, family and our own bodies.
Curated by Ciara Hickey and Alissa Kleist, exhibiting artists include Brown&Brí (Rachel Brown and Brighdín Farren), Jane Butler, Myrid Carten, Mitch Conlon, Janie Doherty, Michael Hanna, Jacqueline Holt, Susan Hughes, Dorothy Hunter, Julie Lovett, Phillip McCrilly, Jan McCullough, Emily McFarland, Tara McGinn, Helouise O’Reilly, Robin Price, Jonathan H.S. Ross, Christopher Steenson, Thomas Wells, and Yasmeen Mohsen Zaher.
The 21 exhibiting artists participated in the Freelands Artist Programme, a UK wide artist development programme that took place between 2018 and 2023 supported by the Freelands Foundation, run by PS² in Belfast, and curated by Ciara Hickey and Alissa Kleist. Other host partners included Talbot Rice Gallery (Edinburgh), G39 (Cardiff), and Site Gallery (Sheffield). There will be a public programme to accompany the exhibition including talks, screenings and tours. This exhibition was made possible through the generous support of PS², the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, The Freelands Foundation, and Esme Mitchell Trust.
Visit www.themaclive.com
Belfast Print Workshop - buy framed prints by BPW members working across a range of techniques, supported by The National Lottery, www.bpw.org.uk
Queen Street Studios, Belfast: visit www.queenstreetstudios.net
Seacourt Print Workshop. Visit www.facebook.com/seacourtprintworksshop
Craft NI - visit www.craftni.org
Golden Thread Gallery: While they temporarily ‘go dark’, GTG is delighted that their programme of free workshops for all ages will also continue in collaboration with The Naughton Gallery at Queens. Starting from October, their workshops for families and kids, and for teens and adults, will take place in the Lanyon Building at QUB. As always, all materials will be provided, plus snacks. Dates and times may vary. Full details will be shared on the GTG website and social media in advance. Workshops are free but please book your place by emailing. And make sure you’re on their mailing list to be the first to know! For further information visit www.goldenthreadgallery.co.uk
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich: presents,
EXHIBITION | 'Torsos: Vulnerability and Resilience' with Janice Cherry – 13 June to 25 July
Janice Cherry's upcoming exhibition, ‘Torsos: Vulnerability and Resilience’, explores the concept of ancestral memory through representations of female torsos.
EXHIBITION | 'What Held You Back?' with Dominic McKeown - 13 June to 25 July
“What held you back” will present a new body work stemming from the on-going engagement of working with materials from the past and present experiences, public and private spaces.
Visit www.culturlann.ie
Belfast Exposed: presents,
Gallery 1: Belfast Stitched, 4 June – 27 July 2024
Leon Krige is a South African photographer and architect on a mission to capture the intricate urban landscapes of major cosmopolitan cities. His unique photographic approach predominantly involves high-resolution photography, primarily conducted during the night time hours.
Krige employs long exposure techniques, with a single shot sometimes spanning up to an hour, during which the cityscape slowly revolves around his fixed lens. This meticulous approach allows him to unveil a remarkable precision in capturing the subtle interplay of various luminous elements, from the warm glow of residential interiors to the sodium orange hues that define infrastructure and control
Gallery 2: Degrowth Utopia,4 July – 3 Aug 2024
Kicking off the Belfast Exposed Emerging Curator Programme, 'Degrowth Utopia' borrows the economic concept of ‘degrowth’ (a project of voluntary societal shrinking of production and consumption aimed at social and ecological sustainability) as a departure point to explore an alternative future where ecological sustainability replaces the system of capitalism.
Many economists believe that the age of capitalism is coming to an end, but what system will replace it? 'Degrowth Utopia' functions as a tool to re-imagine capitalism’s replacement through the medium of photography and facilitates a space in which radical hope can exist.
Mark Fisher argues in his text Capitalist Realism: is there no alternative? (2009) that capitalism is untenable and inconsistent but that our representation of war, poverty, and climate disaster reinforce the belief that it is an inevitable part of the societal process. Utopianism perforates this process to re-imagine an alternative world that centres the natural world, social justice and well-being.
The social significance of Belfast Exposed as a venue for this show cannot be understated. Belfast has been a place in chronic flux, confronting ongoing tensions and mediating complex identities therefore prompting its communities to constantly re-imagine their futures. Belfast’s capacity to rebuild, self-reference and persevere allows it to act as an open space for renewed thinking - what comes after capitalism?
Belfast Exposed also offer a series of photography classes and workshops for all levels of experience. Visit www.belfastexposed.org
VOID Art Centre: presents, Nyctalopia, Adrián Balseca, 22 June – 21 Sep 2024.
Void Art Centre is delighted to announce ‘Nyctalopia’, an exhibition by Adrián Balseca. Adrián Balseca’s ‘Nyctalopia,’ his debut solo exhibition in Northern Ireland, is a commissioned research project at Void Art Centre in Derry. This two-part multimedia installation critically examines the impacts of car culture by offering alternative perspectives on the ongoing ecological crisis. “Nyctalopia,” or “night blindness,” symbolizes a collective condition in post-neoliberal economies, characterized by an inability to clearly perceive the current environmental crisis. Visit the VOID website for full details at www.derryvoid.com
BLACKOUT at Platform Arts: an upcoming exhibition hosted by 'Nua Collective,' at Platform Arts, Belfast. The event will showcase the works of 13 Irish artists who live around the world and will be held at Platform Arts, Connswater Shopping Centre, Belfast. Visit www.nuacollective.com for more information.
CCA: presents, RECIPROCAL RESIDENCY SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2024, 13 Apr 24—29 Jun 24 featuring artists Ieva Kotryna Ski and Roisín McGuigan.
CCA Derry~Londonderry presents two solo exhibitions by Roisín McGuigan (NI) and Ieva Kotryna Ski (LT), participants in the third iteration of the biennial Reciprocal Residency programme, a partnership between CCA, Lithuanian Culture Institute and Kaunas Artists' House. The exhibitions feature new work by the artists following their participation in the residency programme.
Roisín McGuigan
/nɪˌɡəʊʃɪˈeɪʃn/, /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn/ (negotiation, conversation)
Roisín McGuigan’s exhibition comprises a selection of works from a broad enquiry into the prevalence and importance of negotiation and conversation in our lives using installation, print and sculpture. The table as locus for both domestic and political dialogue plays a central role in this exhibition. The table is the place where difficulties are wrangled through heartfelt discussions, redrafted documents, misinterpretations, clarifications, compromises and agreements: the dining table and the boardroom table are considered equal here. Other references such as political treaties and agreements, an 18th century marquetry table, and the power of tea and cake to facilitate a good chat, merge in the resulting works that consider the role and impact of negotiations past and present, and the persistent relevance of dialogue to our collective futures.
Ieva Kotryna Ski
faults and folds
The exhibition faults and folds presents mostly new works by Ieva Kotryna Ski that consist of video, prints and installation. During her stay in CCA Ieva Kotryna embarked on the journey through Northern Ireland landscape looking for geological dykes. In the exhibition her ongoing interest in these igneous intrusions and geological processes intertwines with the threads that appear along the way.
Faults in geology are fractures between two blocks of rock in the Earth’s crust, which allow formation of oceans and continental drifts. But here faults can also refer to defects, broken camera or faulted eyesight. Local stories and parallel narratives stitch into the folds of rocks. Insubstantiality of matter refers as much to our own fragile state as to a brittle layer of the visual perception.
Visit www.ccadld.org for more details.
Queen’s University Belfast: presents, Translating Age: Exploring the experiences of older migrant women, using the arts. Translating Age explored the experiences of older migrant women in Northern Ireland, using arts-based approaches and co-research approaches, where the women created their own arts projects.
The project has brought together from a wide range of cultures and places, including China, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malta, South Africa. Each woman has her unique story. Over 20 women enrolled and some 13 created their own projects. The project was coordinated by Professor Tess Maginess (Director, Open Learning Programme) and Dr Federica Ferrieri (Public Engagement Officer, CESR). The artist-facilitators were film maker, Karen Kinghan; creative writing tutor, Louise McIvor, and literature creative writing tutor, Tess Maginess.
The project had a steering group which included representatives from Age NI, Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), University of the Third Age Northern Ireland Region (U3A NI), The Commissioner for Older People (COPNI) and the Nerve Centre. We are most grateful for the generous support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), The ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (ESRC IAA), Engaged Research and Public Engagement Funds, within Queen’s University. Visit https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/translating-age/projects/
F.E McWilliam Gallery & Studio: F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are delighted to present two new exhibitions focusing on the work of talented women artists. Scottish Women Artists: 250 Years of Challenging Perceptions and Congruent, a solo exhibition by North Coast based sculptor Sara Cunningham-Bell, will run at the Banbridge Gallery from the 8 June to 2 September and promise to provide a great day out for locals and visitors to the Borough.
Scottish Women Artists: 250 Years of Challenging Perceptions, brings together the work of over 40 artists. The exhibition highlights key women artists who have changed society’s view over the centuries of what women should and could do, and the significance of work by women artists in Scotland’s cultural history.
Scottish Women Artists, is the second collaboration between the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and The Fleming Collection. Running in conjunction with Scottish Women Artists is Congruent a fascinating new body of work exhibited in the F.E McWilliam sculpture garden, by Sara Cunningham-Bell. Based in her studio on the North Coast of Ireland, Cunningham-Bell works with storm-felled local timber including larch, maple, beach and oak, combined with upcycled lead and steel, GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), concrete and bronze. Made through a variety of processes including carving, casting and sanding Cunningham-Bell’s sculptures often reveal the layered traces of their creation.
Both exhibitions are free entry and will run throughout the summer to 2nd September 2024. Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm.
