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Arts Council unveils details of new artworks available through its lending scheme
13th March, 2025
What's on in the Arts
14th March, 2025
From theatre performances, to concerts, exhibitions and more. Here's your guide to what's on in the Arts....
Belfast TradFest is delighted to partner with Belfast City Council to programme and deliver St. Patrick’s Music Festival across March 14th – 17th as part the UNESCO City of Music’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The programme invites everyone to the city to enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor traditional arts events encompassing a diverse, cross-cultural and cross-traditions celebration in honour of St. Patrick.
Highlights include:
• Afro Celt Sound System have captivated audiences for three decades with their innovative blend of Irish and West African musical traditions infused with modern electronic beats. With original members such as N'Faly Kouyaté alongside new Irish members, MÚLÚ, Enda Gallery and Robbie Harris, the band continues to push musical boundaries while honouring the cultural traditions at their core. This electrifying show will take you on a musical journey from the rolling hills of Ireland to the vibrant rhythms of Africa and beyond in Mandela Hall on Saturday 15th March.
• Sunday 16th March in the stunning Ulster Hall will be an extraordinary celebration of traditional Irish music, featuring the iconic back-catalogue of legendary Galway accordion maestro Máirtín O’Connor. Reimagined and arranged by the acclaimed Monaghan composer Michael Rooney, this music will be brought to life by the extraordinary County Louth fiddler Zoë Conway and remarkable 100-piece Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan. cross-border youth orchestra encompassing young musicians from throughout Ulster. This cross-border orchestra embodies the spirit of unity and shared cultural tradition.
• Join the legendary Blackwater Céilí Band in Empire Music Hall on Friday 14th March for a Sets Céilí Concert with some stunning songs performed by award winning singer Cathleen Garland from County Down. No experience required – join in the fun as Belfast dance master Ronán Eastwood will be calling the dances.
• Friday 14th March in the Redeemer Central Church will be an evening of ancient psalms, reimagined with beautiful traditional Irish & Scottish melodies with Celtic Psalms, comprising Rev. Kiran Young Wimberly and the renowned McGrath Family from County Tyrone. Also on the bill is celebrated harper Ursula Burns who will bring her critically acclaimed album, The Secret Melodies of Trees to the stage.
• County Derry singer Cara Dillon brings her acclaimed ‘Coming Home’ show to Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall on Monday 17th March. Joining her are special guests Piaras Ó Lorcáin & Jack Warnock, two rising stars who will showcase the best of the new wave of Ulster traditional song.
• St Patrick’s night finale concert includes traditional music legends Mike McGoldrick, John Doyle, and John McCusker in The MAC on Monday 17th March. These masters of the tradition have shared stages and recording studios with everyone from Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler to Paul Weller and Joan Baez. Sharing the stage is Fermanagh singer RÓIS whose songs breathe new life into a forgotten Ireland. Family-Friendly Events.
• St Patrick’s Day Festival Village at Cathedral Gardens and Saint Anne’s Square, on Monday 17th March will host a FREE afternoon of music, dance and food with something for everyone to enjoy across two music stages, an all-day céilí, a food village, and a variety of family friendly activities. Live performances will feature McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle, Róisín Chambers & Ruairí Cunnane, Pure Blarney, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Glengormley School of Traditional Music, Highland Dancers & Irish Dancing, hosted by Declan Wilson and Jack Warnock.
• St. Patrick's Day Céilí in the MAC with Glengormley Céílí Band & set dancing master Ronán Eastwood on Monday 17th March. FREE family fun for all ages, there’s no experience or partner required with expert tuition on hand to help you join in on the fun.
• A variety of music and dance workshops and taster sessions will take place across the programme, featuring tutors of the calibre of Neil Martin, Michael McGoldrick, John Doyle, John McCusker, Mary McGuiggan, Ronán Eastwood and more.
• Belfast TradFest Solo Highland Piping Competition on Saturday 15th March in The MAC will see a selection of Ireland’s top Pipers perform a 6–8-minute Irish-inspired medley, competing for a place at the renowned MacCrimmon Trophy Competition at Festival Interceltique de Lorient 2025.
• St. Patrick’s Pilgrimage St. Patrick is now widely accepted as a common Christian saint who crossed the ford at the Farset river near the Big Fish, and made his way through what is now the Cathedral Quarter, to establish the “Church of St. Patrick of the White Ford”, which later became known as “The Old Church” or Shankill. Kiran Young Wimberley and Jim Deeds will lead St. Patrick’s Pilgrimage on Friday 14th March and Monday 17th March starting at The Big Fish and visiting sites linked to St Patrick’s story reflecting on how it can speak into our lives today, with moments for reflection, prayer and song along the way.
• Belfast Schools’ Traditional Music Performance in conjunction of Glengormley School of Traditional Music will celebrate keeping the tradition alive with primary schools performing live on stage at 2 Royal Avenue on Friday 14th March.
• Saturday 15th March at Cathedral Gardens and 2 Royal Avenue will see the Pipe Band Extravaganza celebrating pipe bands led by Pipe Major Grahame Harris who has performed with The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland for US President Barrack Obama during St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the White House.
• Traditional Music Seisiún led by Glengormley School of Traditional Music in 2 Royal Avenue on Sunday 16th March inviting musicians of all ages and listeners, to join for an afternoon of fantastic music and community fun. Everyone is invited to join the festivities to share the legacy and inheritance of St. Patrick through a range of events which celebrate the very best of our traditional arts. Find out more and book your tickets now at www.belfasttradfest.com
• Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin: presents Seachtain na Gaeilge. The coming of spring is always a time of growth, especially so for the Irish language in Derry, with a huge spread of events due to take place between the 1st to the 17th of March in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, the city centre Irish language and art’s hub!
As a festival centred on celebrating and promoting the island’s native tongue, this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge programme has just been launched and is open to all ages, abilities, and interests.
With its close proximity to the Gaeltachtaí (Gaeilge-speaking regions) of Donegal, Derry boasts a long and rich connection with the Irish language. Local historian Mary Delargy will be leading a bilingual walking tour and booklet launch to uncover these links. Meanwhile, all are welcome to help shape the future of the language in the city with an open meeting to be held, focussed on gaining insights from residents on how an Irish language development officer could best benefit the people of Derry.
The demand for such a role is increasingly clear with the Waterside’s first Irish-medium school opening last September. As part of the festival, the growing Irish language community in the waterside will be coming together for a family day, featuring a bilingual spread of gardening, art, and live music. The afternoon is open to all and held in collaboration with Na Piarsaigh Doire Trasna CLG and Clooney Hall Methodist Church, where the event will be held. If the Cultúrlann is handier as a venue, their ever-popular Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations will also feature plenty of activities suitable for children, along with tasty bites from their café, and music from their music academy, Acadamh Ceoil.
For those looking to get stuck into the language, a weekend intensive course will be available, with separate classes tailored to beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. Bilingual yoga, conversation circles, short film screenings and a Pop Up Gaeltacht will provide plenty of informal opportunities throughout the festival to practise what you’ve picked up as well. To celebrate your efforts, there’ll be a Céilí led by Mary McGuiggan, with a bar available to quench any post-dance thirsts.
The full programme is available on the Cultúrlann website at www.culturlann.org/event
To keep up to date, you can follow the organisation’s social media at @culturlanndoire on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For any further queries, you can contact [email protected], call (+44) 028 7126 4132, and visit them at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James’ Street, Derry, BT48 7DF.
• Belfast Children’s Festival: 6-15 Mar 2025. Belfast Children’s Festival is not just for the young, but also the young at heart with local, national and international performances and events to entertain, surprise and delight. Highlights include:
• Der Lauf: An innovative performance from Belgium, blurring the lines between theatre and game, set to captivate audiences on 15th March at MAC.
• The Bench: A touching puppet theatre performance for children aged 6 upwards, exploring the magic of everyday encounters.
• Sandscape: A silent theatrical piece for ages 2-7 that immerses the audience in the beauty and essence of nature. From Nigeria.
• Velveteen Rabbit: Replay Theatre’s original musical adaptation of the beloved children's classic, running for two weeks at the Lyric Theatre.
• Murmur: An acrobatic sound theatre event for children aged 4 and up, featuring a landscape of speakers and murmuring backpacks.
• Fall and Float: A collaborative performance with artists from across Europe, at the Lyric.
• Beyond the Universe: A poetic sensory experience for neurodivergent audiences, exploring balance and harmony in the chaos of space.
• Moonlight Dreams: MVD's enchanting new baby show, premiering at Crescent Arts.
• CBeebies Musical Story: A delightful event featuring nursery rhymes with live classical music, accommodating hearing-impaired attendees on the weekend of 8-9 March at St Comghalls.
• Stuart Marshall Exhibition: A must-see visual arts exhibition showcasing his stunning models of the theatres of old Belfast.
The full programme can be viewed at https://youngatart.co.uk/
• Deaf Arts Festival: Cre8 Theatre are very pleased to announce the launch of Deaf Arts Festival NI 2025 at host venue MAC, Belfast, from 21 – 23 March 2025.
Developed to connect with d/Deaf communities across Northern Ireland and beyond, the boundary breaking festival creates opportunity, access, and inclusion to arts activity for integrated audiences. The returning festival sees an even BIGGER focus on its ethos of placing Deaf artists in central roles, showcasing the Deaf community who are leading creative work, and integrating deaf and hearing communities in diverse shared creative experiences.
This year the festival platforms gloriously in its third year building on existing relationships and partnering with new people, artists and organisations. Highlighting new connections with BSL Zone (soon to be Lumo TV) and Solar Bear, the bustling festival is bursting with carefully curated events for diverse audiences. From sign language workshops (Sign Source Learning) to family friendly workshops, to tours from local tour guides, to sign song performances from local artists to the headline programming of stand-up comedian, Ray Bradshaw, hot off a tour supporting John Bishop.
Building on the success of 2024, the 2025 programme offers even more enriched events for young and old, and even more accessibility with sign language interpreters across every festival event making it easier for hearing and deaf communities to come together in shared experiences. Tickets to all events at the MAC are available now via https://themaclive.com/your-vi...
• Incubate Festival: Tinderbox Theatre Company presents The Incubate Festival, 20th – 22nd March 2025, in association with The Mac, Belfast. Nine pieces of new theatre from the cutting edge of local theatre-making talent. Across three days in March, Tinderbox will present this new celebration of theatre-making in Belfast. Audiences will experience nine new pieces of theatre in motion, created and produced by Tinderbox Incubate Artists. These artists are the cutting edge of new theatre-making in Belfast and are presenting ideas which respond to our modern world; exploring contemporary and unique social issues with curiosity, comedy and creativity.
The artists presenting work include Colm McCready and Fergus Wachala-Kelly (Scardey Fat, winner of CQAF Bursary Awards and Infantes Terrible Award 2023), Aoibh Johnson (Daughters of Roisin), Ashton, Jane McKeever, Richard McFerran, Carley Magee (longlist for Women’s Playwrighting Prize 2023), Mary O’Loan, Matthew Sharpe, and Louise Parker. Visit www.themaclive.com
• Echo Echo Festival of Dance & Movement: The tenth edition of Echo Echo's international festival takes place from 6-21 March featuring a range of performances, workshops and events in Derry-Londonderry. The wonderful celebration of dance features local, national and international dance artists. View the full programme at www.echoechodance.com
• Feel Good Festival: The historic Portico of Ards in Portaferry is set to come alive with vibrant music, arts and cultural events as the much-anticipated Feel Good Festival, 1 – 31 March 2025, prepares to awaken your senses and welcome in Spring with five weekends of sumptuous sounds. The Feel Good Festival programme features: Nordic choral sensation Sjaella; New York’s finest chamber ensemble The Calidore String Quartet; Motown magic from the 60s and 70s with The Iconettes; Come on and Sing, Get Happy! workshop with Una McCann; DJ Reductio presents The Mashup Dance Event; organ recital with Peter Stevens from Westminster Cathedral; new and acclaimed local (NI) pop/rock band The Breeze; Sound Bath Journey with Tessa Ann; comedy with Paddy McDonnell: Dagger and 50 Years of Hits with Foster & Allen. For further information on booking festival tickets and accommodation offers visit www.porticoards.com
• Belfast XR Festival presents: In Pursuit of Repetitive Beat, the UK’s biggest immersive VR experience comes to Belfast in 2025. Taking place at Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast from 24 February – 26 March. In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats, the internationally acclaimed, award-winning interactive VR adventure that transports you into the heart of the Acid House movement is coming to Belfast in 2025 at the stunning Carlisle Memorial Church venue. The VR experience, produced by East City Films and created by Darren Emerson, will visit eight cities across the UK from Belfast and Cardiff to London. The tour is jointly supported by Arts Council England and BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund.
The experience will take audiences back in time to the beginning of the Acid House movement and the creation of UK rave culture telling a multicultural story of collaboration and unity that celebrates music, friendship, and the joy of youth. ‘Beats uses Virtual Reality (VR) technology to fully immerse audiences in a one-hour multi-sensory interactive experience that is awash with meticulous period detail. It surrounds participants with the sounds, senses, and the thrill of being young (again).
Tickets are now on sale for In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats at Belfast’s Carlisle Memorial Church, here: https://www.belfastxrfestival....
• Walled City Music Festival: Get ready for an extraordinary musical extravaganza as the Walled City Music Festival returns 13 - 16 March 2025, bringing world-class music once more to the heart of Derry. This year’s festival promises four days of incredible music, featuring internationally acclaimed artists, stunning collaborations, and guaranteed breathtaking performances in the intimate Great Hall at Ulster University. Celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend in style at the Walled City Music Festival. View the full programme at www.walledcitymusic.com
• Imagine Festival of Ideas and Politics: The Imagine! festival takes place 24-30 March and presents a unique way of imagining the future of this great city — and the wider world. The festival presents high-quality showcases for the discussion of contemporary political and societal issues including new ideas on politics, culture and activism from some of the world’s leading contemporary thinkers. But it’s not all brain-melting policy discussions: there’s something for everyone in the form of exhibitions, humour, family events, music, theatre, tours, workshops and film and whatever else they can find to fire your imagination. https://imaginebelfast.com/
• Féile an Earraigh: presents a spring festival that promotes Irish language, traditional music and culture through the arts from Saturday 1 March to Monday 17 March 2025. The festival attracts diverse audiences and culminates in St Patrick's Day celebrations.
The festival in 2025 includes:
• the Féile Trad Trail – part of their St Patrick’s Day celebrations
• concerts
• community events
• tours
• events celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge (the annual international Irish language festival).
For festival updates go to www.feilebelfast.com
Lyric Theatre presents a variety of exciting theatre this spring with highlights including:
• 14-30 March, The Velveteen Rabbit. A Lyric Theatre & Replay Theatre Co-production. A boy, his favourite toy, and how love makes us real. Replay’s new show is an original musical adapted from the children’s classic The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. It’s a nostalgic, fun and tender tale of a boy, his favourite toy and how being loved can make us real. A story about growing up and figuring out where you fit in. With a brand-new script by celebrated writer Jan Carson and music from Duke Special, this show brings together the very best of Northern Irish talent in a theatrical feast for all the family.
• 19-30 March, In the Window. After the success of Truth, Love or Promise, Nuala McKeever is back with her smash hit – In The Window – a dark comedy that has delighted audiences from Ireland to Edinburgh and from India to the USA.
• 8 April-4 May, Our New Girl. From the writer of the hit series The Dry comes her latest heart-pounding thriller, Our New Girl. Beneath the polished facade of Hazel Robinson’s pristine home lies a world of fractures and hidden tensions. With her husband Richard on a humanitarian mission to Haiti, Hazel is left to juggle the pressures of a struggling business and her deeply troubled son. Just as Hazel begins to feel the weight of her life closing in, a young and confident nanny, Annie, unexpectedly arrives at the door. But as this poised stranger integrates herself into Hazel’s household, it becomes chillingly clear she isn’t just there to help—and her arrival may upend Hazel’s world in ways she never imagined.
• 30 April-10 May, Nell Gwyn. Presented by Lyric Theatre Drama Studio. Suitable for 14+. Nell Gwynn charts the rise of an unlikely heroine, who became one of Britain’s most celebrated new ‘actresses’ and the mistress of the King. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, can her charm and spirit protect her from the dangers of the Court. Jessica Swale's exhilarating take on the heady world of Restoration theatre premiered at Shakespeare's Globe, London, in September 2015, before a successful run in the West End.
• 14-16 May, Reply Theatre Company presents, PRISM, suitable for 7+. Inter-dimensional travellers, Dawn and Dusk, have been stuck in an empty void dimension for far too long. When Dusk devises a radical solution to their problem it hurls them into our dimension and has catastrophic consequences for their onboard guide and best friend, PRISM. PRISM, written by Gary Crossan, is immersive sci-fi theatre for audiences of all abilities and backgrounds. Packed full of adventurous retro-synth vibes, exciting leaps into unexplored virtual dimensions, and extraordinary personal discoveries, the twists and turns of PRISM will delight child and adult alike.
• 31 May-29 June, The Important of Being Earnest. Step into a world of wit, charm, and sheer hilarity as The Importance of Being Earnest takes centre stage at the Lyric Theatre. Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies in the English language, Oscar Wilde’s sparkling masterpiece is a riotous satire of Victorian manners, packed with razor-sharp dialogue, tangled romances, and plenty of mistaken identities. Follow the mischievous Jack and Algernon as they navigate secret identities, meddling aunts, and scandalously misplaced handbags, all in the pursuit of love and social standing. But as their carefully crafted lies unravel, chaos reigns—leading to revelations as uproarious as they are unexpected. This vibrant new production brings Wilde’s iconic characters and unforgettable one-liners to life, offering a fresh take on a play that continues to captivate audiences over a century after its debut.
For further details on these and to view all events visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
• DU Dance, Unanimous - 17 April. In association with the MAC, DU Dance (NI) presents UNANIMOUS - a powerful and energy packed event for families, young people and anyone with an interest in dance. Eleven of the best youth dance theatre groups from across the island of Ireland will perform in this celebratory, non-competitive event. This year we are delighted to include the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland and for the first time, Mannin Youth Dance Company from the Isle of Man. Come along and see the dancers of tomorrow, here today. visit www.dudanceni.com
Grand Opera House: presents an exciting series with highlights including,
• Chicago, 17-22 March
• Give My Head Peace, 24-29 March
• Myra’s Story, 1-5 April
• Danny Tango, 4-5 April
• Thursdays with Elvis, 7-12 April
• Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors, 24-26 April
• Horrible Histories, Awful Egyptians, 24-26 April
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 29 April – 3 May
• Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, 6-24 May
• Six the Musical – 10-14 June
• NI Opera Morning Melodies, 11 June
• Kinky Boots the Musical, 17-21 June
• Only Fools and Horses The Musical, 23-28 June
For tickets and to view the full programme please visit www.goh.co.uk
Strand Arts Centre: The Strand Arts Centre is undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment. Visit www.strandartscentre.com
The Playhouse in Derry-Londonderry: presents
• 27 March, Dr. Strangelove
• 28 March, The Murder of Michael Collins
• 1 May, Jazz Festival, No Citation
• 18 May, Murder for Two, a new musical comedy
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 at this wonderful library visit www.linenhall.com
Millennium Forum Derry-Londonderry: presents music, comedy, theatre and more with highlights including:
• 16 Mar, Cara Dillon Coming Home
• 27 March – 27 November, Dementia-Friendly Tea Dances
• 27 March, Thursdays with Elvis
• 28 March – 12 December, Energy of Light Discos, 15+
• 28-29 March, Myra’s Story
• 9-12 April, Oklahoma
• 18 April, Ryan McMullan
• 19 April, Meatloaf by Candlelight
• 17 May, Wicked Sing-along
• 28 May, The Snapper by Roddy Doyle
• 30 May, UB40
• 30 May, Diona Doherty
• 2-4 June, Christy Moore
• 18-21 June, Annie
• 18-23 August, The Rocky Horror Show
The Millennium Forum also has a number of regular accessible events including:
• Act Your Age, Age Friendly Drama Group – 2 sessions a month
• Moves & Melodies, age friendly song and dance workshop – monthly event
• Dementia Friendly Tea Dance – monthly event
• Energy of Light 15+ Disco – monthly disco
• Sensory Musical Theatre – weekly event
View all events at www.millenniumforum.co.uk
THE MAC: presents a fantastic programme of theatre, comedy music and talks with highlights including:
• 19 March, Suzie Scott - The Art of Flowers in the Georgian Era (talk)
• 21 March, Sign Song Session with the Deaf Arts Festival
• 22 March, Children’s BSL Workshop with the Deaf Arts Festival
• 22 March , BSL Gallery Tour with the Deaf Arts Festival
• 22 March, Ray Bradshaw - Deaf Comedy Fam, 14+
• 5 April, Incubate Festival with Tinderbox Theatre Company
• 17 April, Unanimous, In association with the MAC, DU Dance (NI) presents UNANIMOUS - a powerful and energy packed event for families, young people and anyone with an interest in dance. Eleven of the best youth dance theatre groups from across the island of Ireland will perform in this celebratory, non-competitive event. This year we are delighted to include the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland and for the first time, Mannin Youth Dance Company from the Isle of Man. Come along and see the dancers of tomorrow, here today.
• 24 Apr-11 May, Murder for Two by Bruiser Theatre Company, a new musical comedy. Bruiser Theatre Company and the MAC present a hilarious high-energy musical whodunit - Murder For Two is a madcap murder mystery with a twist. Two actors play thirteen characters… and the piano. They put the LAUGHTER into MANSLAUGHTER. A loving homage to the canon of murder mystery plays, Murder For Two is a hysterical blend of music, mayhem and murder.
• 20 March to 4 September, 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.
• 5-7 June, Anthem for Dissatisfaction by Gina Donnelly. Irish Twins Sarah and Jamie 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! And in 2023 everything’s going wrong again, the bills keep going up and the opportunities keep going down. Sarah and Jamie aren’t two kids in one bedroom anymore, the future is uncertain and there’s only so long you can hang on to the past. A euphoric, working-class celebration of the power of live music, teenage angst, sibling rivalry and love in this electric and hilarious, coming-of-age anthem for anyone who ever wanted more. Winner of the Solas Nua Award at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2024.
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. Highlights include:
• 25 March, Imagine Festival: Jo Caulfield - The Funny Thing About Death
• 27 March, Imagine Festival: Erin Fornoff Hymn to the Reckless Poetry Performance
• 28 March, Imagine Festival: Words as Weapons, Words as Medicine
• 28 March, Imagine Festival: Glimmers: A Writing Workshop with Erin Fornoff
• 29 March, Imagine Festival: Lemn Sissay - Let the Light Pour In
• 5 April, Stripped Down: Polar Bolero & RUÁ
• 26 April, All The Best: A Tribute to John Prine
• 2 May, Super Connected. Is it time to break up with our phones. A return of the stage adaptation of the critically acclaimed album by Tim Arnold, The Crescent is delighted to bring to Belfast Super Connected: An art rock Black Mirror-esque show fusing film, live music, and theatre about the ticking time bomb of social media and big tech. As the film rolls, Arnold performs on stage and screen accompanied by pianist Sarah Kershaw. With the scale of Radiohead and panache of Bowie, Super Connected is a digital age take on the silent movie. With narration by Stephen Fry. Full of wit, wisdom and terror, the show explores a family’s struggle with technology addiction.
• 23 August, Belfast Guitar Festival 2025 Songs in the key of Fleetwood Mac
Visit www.crescentarts.org for details.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace: View the full programme at www.seamusheaneyhome.com
Dumbworld presents: How We Stand, How We Breathe, a Series of New Music Interruptions/Performances for Orchestra and Mixed Societies. 26,27,28 March, Ulster Orchestra, Townsend Street.
The world is shifting, and with it, a new kind of world order is emerging. Amidst the tumult of change and the overwhelming sense of “wrongness”, people continue to gather, forming collectives in unexpected spaces—industrial estates, old churches, community halls, and more. These micro societies, united by a shared love of creation and expression, are symbols of resistance, hope, and joy.
Devised by composer Brian Irvine and writer-director John McIlduff, How We Stand, How We Breathe is a series of musical works that are the result of an extensive period of collaboration and co-creation with many diverse groups and collectives across Northern Ireland. These include poets, hip hop artists, adult carers, teenagers and schools from all corners of Northern Ireland, Sean-nós singers, LGBTQ choirs, migrant communities and improvisers; including Hotbox Studios, Anaka Collective, Cedar Lodge Special School and Quire Choir.
In this ambitious multi-movement work the collective experiences of the participants merge into a sonic exploration of individual worth, culture, democracy, race, gender, and belonging. The works will be recorded, filmed, and made available on various streaming platforms. Over the course of three days, six sessions will be recorded at Ulster Orchestra’s new home on Townsend Street and although the primary output will be video /music recordings available to stream at a later date (echoing the concept of NPR’s popular Tiny Desk Concerts).
Produced by Dumbworld in association with the Ulster Orchestra, this event promises to be a one-of-a-kind celebration of creativity, collaboration, and cultural expression. Visit www.dumbworld.com
BBC Northern Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Young Musicians’ Platform Classical Winners Concert: will take place on 20th March at Belfast Cathedral with the Ulster Orchestra.
Join BBC Northern Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland as it celebrates the 3 classical winners of their NI Young Musicians’ Platform Awards: a biennial scheme offering monetary development awards and broadcast opportunities.
Soprano Zoë Jackson, harpist Rosie Murphy and violinist Sam Kane make their debuts with the Ulster Orchestra, with music by composers including Puccini, Lehar, Handel, Debussy and Sibelius. This dazzling showcase will be introduced by BBC Radio Ulster’s John Toal and will also feature set works from the GCSE and A-Level syllabus. Among them:
Bernstein: Three Dances from On The Town
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.55 (Eroica), 4th movement
John Williams: Superman March
The Ulster Orchestra will be conducted by Stephen Bell, who is currently Associate Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Zoë Jackson (soprano)
Rosie Murphy (harp)
Sam Kane (violin)
Ulster Orchestra
Stephen Bell (conductor)
Tickets are free but must be booked at https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsand...
David Lyttle Live at the MAC: Celebrated jazz musician David Lyttle hosts a weekly series at the MAC every Saturday from 2:30pm featuring acclaimed international performers, next generation NI talent and the unique Jazzlife Jam for under 18s. Born in Co. Armagh, David has brought his projects to almost 50 countries and received nominations in the MOBO Awards and Urban Music Awards for Best Jazz Act. He has collaborated with cutting edge jazz icons of today from Joe Lovano to Kurt Rosenwinkel, as well as unique studio projects in hip-hop with Talib Kweli and spoken word with Liam Neeson. Closer to home he founded the Jazzlife Alliance charity in 2018 and in 2021 established its flagship jazz improvisation programme Jazz Juniors, which now operates nationally in three NI hubs.
David will perform in the MAC’s upstairs cafe space from 2:30pm every Saturday until June with special guests from six countries scheduled and up-and-coming NI talent featured regularly. Free to the public thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and The MAC, the event’s second half will see under 18s from Jazz Juniors and beyond take to the stage for the Jazzlife Jam in association with Jazzlife Alliance.
For David Lyttle on social media for news and updates.
Saint Patrick’s Music Festival with Belfast Tradfest: includes the following concerts,
• 15 March, Afro Celt Sound System, Mandela Hall, Belfast
• 16 March, McGoldrick, Doyle, McCusker, The MAC, Belfast
• 17 March, Zoë Conway, Máirtín O' Connor & the Cross Border Folk Orchestra, Ulster Hall
• 17 March, Cara Dillon Coming Home, Ulster Hall
This St. Patrick's Music Festival will see an extraordinary celebration of traditional Irish music. For tickets go to www.belfasttraditionalmusic.co...
Northern Ireland Opera presents:
• 3 April: La Voix Humaine, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
• 18 April: Music for Good Friday, R. Strauss Metamorphosen & Haydn The Seven Last Words Of Christ. Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ is a deep, contemplative drama based on the events leading up to the crucifixion and the earthquake that marked the moment of Jesus’s death. The music pulls us into an ominous and unsettled world; a lament at the foot of the cross. Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen for strings is another lament, this time for the destruction wrought in Munich in World War II and the shattering of cultural life as the composer knew it. Full of loss and anguish – but also serenity and majesty – this is music for meditation and reflection this Good Friday.
• 5 June: La Voix Humaine, The Everyman, Cork
• 11 June: Morning Melodies – The Golden Age of the Musical
• 22-24 August: The Glenarm Festival of Voice
• 13-20 Sep 2025: Follies, Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. Northern Ireland Opera’s next major production at the Grand Opera House is ‘Follies’, winner of 7 Tony Awards on its debut on Broadway in 1971. Set in that same year, the girls of Weismann’s ‘Follies’ are returning with their partners to the decaying theatre on Broadway which holds so many memories for them for one last time before it is demolished. Time may have moved on, but inside the theatre old connections stir, rivalries flare and ghosts of the past are woken. By the time they all leave the theatre for one last time, their world’s will have shifted and nothing will be the same again. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Goldman, this legendary work features unforgettable songs including ‘Broadway Baby’, ‘I’m Still Here’, ‘Could I Leave You’, and ‘Losing My Mind’. ‘Follies’ will be directed by Cameron Menzies, Artistic Director of Northern Ireland Opera.
Visit www.niopera.com for more information on all events.
Moving on Music presents:
• 22 Mar, Junior Brother, Black Box
• 23 Mar, Brigid Mae Power + Bill MacKay, Black Box
• 11 Apr, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháín & Ultan O’Brien, The Duncairn
• 14 May, The Necks, The Empire
Visit www.movingonmusic.com
Portico of Ards presents:
Feel Good Festival: The historic Portico of Ards in Portaferry is set to come alive with vibrant music, arts and cultural events as the much-anticipated Feel Good Festival, 1 – 31 March 2025, prepares to awaken your senses and welcome in Spring with five weekends of sumptuous sounds. The Feel Good Festival programme features: Nordic choral sensation Sjaella; New York’s finest chamber ensemble The Calidore String Quartet; Motown magic from the 60s and 70s with The Iconettes; Come on and Sing, Get Happy! workshop with Una McCann; DJ Reductio presents The Mashup Dance Event; organ recital with Peter Stevens from Westminster Cathedral; new and acclaimed local (NI) pop/rock band The Breeze; Sound Bath Journey with Tessa Ann; comedy with Paddy McDonnell: Dagger and 50 Years of Hits with Foster & Allen. For further information on booking festival tickets and accommodation offers visit www.porticoards.com
Ulster Orchestra:
• 22 Mar, presenting Essentially Broadway, Waterfront Hall. Take a journey from nostalgic musicals such as Oklahoma!, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera up to more recent productions with songs from Wicked, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, Waitress and many more.
• 4 April, April in Paris, A celebration of jazz and symphonic music. Fiona Monbet conducts and performs her own work, Faubourg 23, written for jazz ensemble and orchestra; a celebration of both jazz and symphonic music that sits in a lineage that flows from Stephane Grappelli and is effervescent, uplifting and full of the joys of spring in Paris!
• 18 April, Music for Good Friday, R. Strauss Metamorphosen & Haydn The Seven Last Words Of Christ. Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ is a deep, contemplative drama based on the events leading up to the crucifixion and the earthquake that marked the moment of Jesus’s death. The music pulls us into an ominous and unsettled world; a lament at the foot of the cross. Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen for strings is another lament, this time for the destruction wrought in Munich in World War II and the shattering of cultural life as the composer knew it. Full of loss and anguish – but also serenity and majesty – this is music for meditation and reflection this Good Friday.
• 2 May, Take the Stage, This concert shines a spotlight on music filled with sumptuous drama. Strauss’s incidental music for Ariadne auf Naxos gives more than a flavour of its protagonists flitting across the opera stage. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.24 just pre-dates Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro and it too brings all the poise and characterful drama of opera to the concert stage. Our second half moves from the world of opera to ballet, as Tchaikovsky finished his Third Symphony before writing Swan Lake and this work pirouettes with the kinetic energy of the corps de ballet.
• 10 May, Epic Film Scores, Hans Zimmer and John Williams, Hans Zimmer and John Williams are two of the greatest film music composers of all time, creating epic scores for some of the most iconic films ever made. Experience this incredible symphonic celebration of music from blockbusters such as Gladiator, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Superman, Batman Begins and of course Harry Potter and re-live your memories of hearing and seeing it for the first time.
• 16 May, Grand Masters, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff are three giants of Russian music, and this concert foregrounds all their exceptional talents. Arensky uses one of Tchaikovsky’s Sixteen Children’s Songs to capture a range of moods and character, while Stravinsky’s Concerto for Violin is a feisty, joyful romp for the instrument, full of cheerful melody and musical wit. To close, a second visit to the no-holds-barred emotional world of Rachmaninoff’s symphonies (though you’ll have to wait until 2025/26 for Symphony No.3!) and the achingly beautiful, flamboyantly majestic Second.
• 30 May, Act of Defiance, Was it, or wasn’t it, an act of defiance and bitter retort to Stalin’s displeasure? Shostakovich’s life was so utterly and constantly in peril that he could never publicly declare whether his Fifth Symphony was simply ‘a Soviet artist’s reply to just criticism’ or a satirical puncturing of the dictator, deliberately hollow but dressed as adulation. But either way, it’s a phenomenal piece of music – playful, poignant and magisterial, it’s a blockbuster end to the Season. Walton’s lyrically romantic Cello Concerto sets the scene for Shostakovich’s dramatic fireworks.
Visit www.ulsterorchestra.com for the full programme.
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
• 21 March, Boston Manor
• 27 March, NEW DATE: I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning: Anniversary Gig
• 28 March, BILK
• 30 March, Imagine Belfast presents: Songs of Freedom featuring The Vibes
• 5 April, Back To The 80s: Over 30s
• 8 May, Screening of Poitín with Bán Poitín Tasting & Talk
• 28 Jun, Girls with Guts Fest 2025
Visit www.ohyeahbelfast.com
The Black Box: presents a varied programme of music, comedy, street art tours and other arts events with highlights including:
For further information 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/drawingfro...
A combined male voice choir concert: Friday 28th March at Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast in aid of The Prostate Cancer Centre of Excellence QUB. The concert features the Queen’s Island Victoria Male Choir, The Boys Brigade Centenary Male Voice Choir, and Ballymoney and District Male Voice Choir. Doors 6:45, concert starts at 7:30pm. Suggested donation £10.
Prison Arts Foundation presents:
The Imprisoned Imagination Exhibition, 7-30 March, 2 Royal Avenue Belfast. This exhibition showcases the inspiring and powerful artwork created by incarcerated individuals, offering a unique perspective on creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of the arts.
Circusful presents:
• 2025 marks 40 years as Belfast Community Circus School / Circusful. They will be celebrating throughout the year and will be partnering with two other organisations that also celebrate 40 years in 2025: Waterford Youth Arts and Sorin Cirkus, Finland - watch this space for exciting updates. As part of our 40th Birthday Celebrations, they welcome Jennifer Dempsey to Belfast for a fantastic, highly acclaimed show about her experience, taking place on 24th and 25th March. For tickets go to https://www.citizenticket.com/...
• Circus Explored - an all-Ireland project delivering events on 7th June for Crinniu na n'Og (day of children's creativity) and an ongoing collaboration between 6 youth circus organisations across the island of Ireland - Circusful, Galway Community Circus, Circus Factory Cork, Dublin Circus Project, Cloughjordan Circus Club and In Your Space Circus Derry.
• Circusful is looking forward to celebrating St Patrick’s Day on 17th March when their professional Premiere Circus acts will be entertaining at events across the country, including the Belfast parade, organised by Belfast City Council. In Belfast they will also be joining the celebrations with members of their Adult, Youth and Itty Bitty classes walking in the parade and showcasing their circus skills - rehearsals and costume plans are well underway and they are excited to put on a spectacle!
• Circusful also currently have some class spaces available for 2-3 year olds (attending with a parent/guardian) and 12 -15 year olds. To find out more or book a spot for your young person, get in touch with them at [email protected]
Visit www.circusful.org for information on all of the above.
Young at Art Children’s Fest
Always a highlight in the Belfast events calendar, the Young at Art Belfast Children’s Festival returns in March and features two exciting circus shows this year including:
• Murmur - an immersive sound theatre experience, with murmuring backpacks, a landscape of scattered tiny speakers and an acrobatic composer. Age 4+, Duration 50mins, Crescent Arts Centre. Sat 15 March - 2pm, 4:30pm - Tickets £12.
• Der Lauf - Vélocimanies Associés (Belgium). Welcome to the surreal world of Der Lauf, where nothing is quite as it seems. Two circus performers compete in a series of bizarre challenges as they juggle blindly, spin plates wildly and stack glasses wearing enormous boxing gloves. As the stacks of glasses rise, so do the stakes. Expect the unexpected in this series of absurd games played in an offbeat cabaret style that will enthral young and old alike. Age: 6+, Duration 60mins, MAC Downstairs. Sat 15 March - 2pm, 5pm - Tickets £12
• Also join the free family fun in Cathedral Quarter on Saturday 15th March!
• 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:
• 21 Mar, Polar Bolero + Rua Rí
• 22 Mar, DUG
• 28 Mar, Salt House
• 29 Mar, Connor McCann & The Heroine Choir
• 4 Apr, Conor Caldwell & Ryan Molloy
• 11 Apr, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháín & Ultan O’Brien
• 17 Apr, Buí
• 25 Apr, Jinx Lennon + Rare Witch
• 26 Apr, Zoé Basha - Gamble Album Launch
• 1 May, Carsie Blanton
• 9 May, Alannah Thornburgh - Shapeshifter Album Launch
• 18 May, Genticorum
• 23 May, Lewis McLaughlin
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.
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... 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....
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... 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.
Late Night Art Bangor: LNA Bangor is an initiative that aims to share Bangor’s amazing arts and cultural venues and showcase the creatives who live and work there. On the last Thursday of every month from 6-9pm you can enjoy open house across the city centre. LNA is about encouraging collective effort. All you need is to share the goal of creating a vibrant arts community. Visit www.latenighartbangor.com
The MAC Belfast: presents, I see his blood upon the Rose, 8 Nov 2024 - 30 Mar 2025, a major MAC exhibition across all three galleries that traces the history of the flower in art, its evolution from botanical illustrations to the opulent still-life paintings of the 17th century, their adoption as symbols of political influence, revolution, and human control over nature. Visit www.themaclive.com
Craft NI: presents a new exhibition, ‘Makers Who Teach: ME. HERE. NOW.’ Dates: March 6 – May 2, 2025; exhibition opens March 6 at 6pm. Building on the success of the first ‘Makers Who Teach’ exhibition which took place in 2023, Craft NI are pleased to present the 2025 edition of this unique event. This year’s theme, Me. Here. Now, highlights the creative practices of makers who teach others as part of their overall practice, whether it’s in classrooms, workshops and communities. The show focuses on their current creative endeavours and it shines a spotlight on their recent works, ensuring they are seen and appreciated not only as teachers, but also as makers.
Exhibiting makers: Aisling Higgins, Alison Gault, Andrea Hayes, Clare Bowe, Heather Burgess, Helen Hancock, Jonathan Williams, Justine Bonenfant, Louisa McCartney, Maggie Napier, Natasha Duddy, Nichola Dalton, Patrick Colhoun, Ruzica Ruane, Sandra Kerr, Scott Benefield, Shauna McCann, Theresa Kelly, Tracey Johnston. Visit www.craftni.org
Seacourt Print Workshop: Seacourt is a friendly open-access print workshop based in the seaside town of Bangor, Northern Ireland. They offer membership, courses and resources for all, as well as our self-arranged residency programme and exhibitions. Visit https://seacourt-ni.org.uk/#
Golden Thread Gallery: Belfast's leading contemporary art gallery, located at 23-29 Queen Street, BT1 6EA. Free Entry.
Current exhibition: History of The Present: Maria Fusco and Margaret Salmon, 15 Feb – 29 Mar 2025. Together with the Golden Thread Gallery, Maria Fusco and Margaret Salmon present History of the Present, an exhibition based around the critically acclaimed work of the same name, History of the Present (2023). This 46-minute experimental opera-film was made collaboratively by Fusco and Salmon, featuring new compositions by Annea Lockwood, libretto by Maria Fusco and improvisational vocal work by Héloïse Werner.
Made on 35mm film and video on the streets of Belfast, in the Ulster Museum, and the Royal Opera House in London, History of the Present observes how defensive architecture defines movement to enforce intersectional histories and identities within daily experiences in conflict and post-conflict zones on an international level.
Visit https://goldenthreadgallery.co...
Belfast Exposed presents:
Healing Through Photography. Northern Ireland’s leading photography centre announces Healing Through Photography: Trauma & The Art of Recovery; a unique two-day event investigating the powerful role of photography in improving mental health and wellbeing. On 7 and 8 April 2025, hundreds of mental health practitioners, clinicians, leading academics, educators, photographers and those with lived experience of mental health issues will gather at Belfast’s MAC theatre, as Belfast Exposed hosts its second “Healing Through Photography” conference.
Designed to inspire and equip attendees with practical tools and meaningful insights into the potential of therapeutic photography to heal trauma, the event will be hosted by award-winning comedian, BBC presenter, and TEDx speaker Emer Maguire and will feature world-class speakers, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking panels.
Highlights of the conference will include keynotes by global authority on PhotoTherapy techniques, Judy Weiser, and renowned artist-photographer and pioneer of re-enactment phototherapy, Rosy Martin. With two packed mornings of speakers and panels, the afternoons offer a chance for attendees to join experts and practitioners to get hands-on experience of techniques in a range of iconic settings including the Maritime Mile, the Belfast School of Art, Belfast’s peace walls, and the Ulster Folk Museum. For early risers, there will also be a sunrise walk at Cavehill.
Belfast Exposed will also host special exhibitions at their gallery in Donegall Street from 3 to 25 April, giving conference-goers a chance to experience work by Northern Irish photographers who have used photography to reflect on their mental health. This will include a compelling collection of work by Ballymena’s David McKinney which aims to foster awareness, dialogue and stigma reduction around suicide, following the loss of his three friends to suicide and his own personal experience of being a missing person with suicidal intent.
Visit www.belfastexposed.com for tickets.
Yvette Monahan: Fibre – Nature-friendly Flax Farming
Dates: on now until 22nd March 2025
Venue: Belfast Exposed
https://www.belfastexposed.org...
In collaboration with The Gaia Foundation’s campaign “We Feed The UK”, Belfast Exposed presents “Fibre” by Yvette Monahan.
We Feed The UK is a nationwide environmental storytelling campaign from The Gaia Foundation. To disrupt the dominant narrative about farming, they have paired photographers and poets with the UK's best custodians of soil, sea, and seed.
At Mallon Farm in County Tyrone, Helen Keys and Charlie are not just resurrecting the tradition of flax cultivation but doing so with an awe-inspiring resilience. Their 'wee blue blossom' is chemical-free, hand-harvested, retted in rainwater, scutched on a restored turbine, and woven into local supply chains.
Photographer Yvette Monahan's year-long journey to capture the flax growing and production process at Mallon Farm has been a testament to the beauty and significance of this age-old tradition, bringing it to life through the seasons.
Portrait of Belfast: Part II
Dates: On now until 22nd March 2025
Venue: Belfast Exposed
https://www.belfastexposed.org...
Belfast Exposed presents Portrait of Belfast: Part II, an original photographic project and exhibition that celebrates the people who make up contemporary Belfast.
Portrait of Belfast: Part II features over 300 black and white images that include staged studio portraits, environmental street photography and images submitted by members of the public. These beautiful examples of noir-style portraiture evoke a strong sense of the city’s diverse communities and the people behind its stories.
Within the images that make up Portrait of Belfast, you’ll find musicians, writers, comedians, politicians, activists, artists, teachers, social workers, carers, parents, children and more. People from all ages and backgrounds. The resulting collection is a portrait of the people who make up Belfast today, reflecting both the city's history and future.
VOID Art Centre presents:
• 19 March, Visual Artists Collective, Sketch Book Meet-Up. All levels welcome. Come along for a chat and a sketch. This is a free event. For more information: @visual_artist_collective
• 26 March, Queer Writers Circle, 5:30-7:30pm, free event. Come along for a chill evening of writing, discussion and feedback with fellow queer writers in an accessible space. Any skill level is welcome, be that if you’re a complete newbie at writing or fully fledged in your field! Feel free to bring old pieces, new pieces, or just yourself.
• 27 March, Silver Tongued Deviance, 6.30 – 8.30pm, free event. Hosted by Frank Rafferty, Silver Tongued Deviance is an open mic platform event, where performers, writers, poets and musicians are invited to come along and perform. You are welcome to perform old work, test something new, or try out something experimental. You are also very welcome to attend if you would rather just watch and enjoy.
Visit the VOID website for full details at www.derryvoid.com
Platform Arts: Visit www.nuacollective.com for more information.
CCA presents:
Take Hold. An exhibition guest curated by Rachel Botha at CCA Derry~Londonderry
Launch: 28 March, 7—9pm
Duration: 28 March — 7 June 2025
Take Hold is a group exhibition curated by Rachel Botha, as part of New Curating 2025 at CCA Derry~Londonderry. Take Hold explores "hope as a practice" in the face of crisis through diverse artistic mediums. Featuring works by nine artists, it reimagines hope as a tool for resistance, interconnectedness, and action. Visit www.ccadld.org for more details.
Market Place Arts Centre:
25th Anniversary Exhibition, 28/03/25-10/05/25
A group exhibition of up to 25 works from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland I Collection selected by the Market Place, celebrating the work of artists from the ABC borough held in the Collection across disciplines and also those who have previously exhibited in the centre in its 25-year history.
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