NewsID	54034
StoryDate
Headline
Strap
Body	<b>The programme for the 57th Belfast International Arts Festival has been launched by Festival Artistic Director, Richard Wakely and will this year feature over 200 events from the world of music, dance, film, visual arts, literature and theatre.</b> He revealed that Belfast has been chosen to contribute to two major international cultural celebrations, Japan-UK Season of Culture and FranceDance UK. Speaking at the launch event, he said: “The 2019 Belfast International Arts Festival will open on 15 October with the UK premiere of Median, a contemporary paring of choreography with digital projection and electronic sound from Japanese multi-disciplinary artist Hiroaki Umeda. Think of the most creative music videos by Radiohead and Aphex Twin, meets the stealth and intensity of The Matrix. Also featuring in the programme will be ASUNA, a wonderful young artist from Tokyo with his quirky, immersive sound installation, 100 Keyboards. It is an honour to have been selected to host some of Japan’s finest artists.” Richard went on to reveal another major arts first for the city: “Showcasing the best of international dance for Belfast audiences has always been one of my biggest goals for the Festival. I am especially pleased to announce that on the weekend of 25th and 26th October, Belfast International Arts Festival will be co-hosting the first ever all-Ireland dance conference, Co-Motion, in partnership with Dance Ireland, Dance Resource Base and Queen’s University Belfast. “That weekend’s Festival programme will include performances by Shobana Jeyasingh Dance performing an Irish premiere of Staging Schiele (the story of radical Austrian nude artist and self-portraitist, Egon Schiele) before it heads to Southbank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall for its London run; and acclaimed French company (LA)HORDE performing their high energy jumpstyle piece To Da Bone. This is a captivating, contemporary rebel-call to the social media generation, both in its narrative and in the way that the cast was crowd-sourced from across Europe, through an open audition on the internet. The work of (LA)HORDE will be recognisable from the multi-million-viewed music video for Christine and the Queens’ track Girlfriend.” This year’s Embrace FREE public events programme will be headlined by a breathtaking UK and Irish premiere performance by French all-female circus-arts troupe led by Chloe Moglia, called La Spire, which will take place in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October. This is a free, unticketed event, no booking required. In a typically surprising sidestep for the Festival, Belfast architects Hall McKnight will showcase an immersive large-scale installation at Ulster University for three weeks, which was originally presented at the prestigious Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition. Entitled Unique Instruments, Expectant Spaces, this critically acclaimed installation looks at the re-imagining of civic spaces – an interesting subject, as the Cathedral Quarter and University undergoes its own landscape re-imagining. Meanwhile, the eclectic musical offering in this year’s programme will feature two shows in the Grand Opera House by Glen Hansard, which have all but sold-out on pre-release, County Down-born Two Door Cinema Cluband Joshua Burnside, 70’s ska favourites, The Selecter and a host of classical performances including NI star pianist Ruth McGinley and violinist Darragh Morgan performing as a duo for the first time; and classical pianistLucy Parham, joined by Juliet Stevenson and Tim McInnerny, performing Beloved Clara which brings to life the love triangle story between Robert Schumann, his wife Clara and Johannes Brahms. In the field of theatre, and underscoring the continuing importance of cultural relations across the island, the Festival brings together some of Ireland’s finest, including Dublin-based Fishamble with Pat Kinevane’s searing solo choreography and theatre piece Before, which touchingly combines some of the best-loved songs from musical theatre with a family drama centred around the closing day in Dublin’s iconic Clery’s department store; and an edgy, of-the-moment piece by Chalk it Down Productions, Spliced, a study of mental health and male identity in the uber-masculine sports world of gaelic games. On the lighter side, Forced Entertainment will bring its mesmerising and Beckett influenced hit play, Real Magic to the MAC; while Northern Ireland’s Big Telly Theatre Company will premiere The Worst Café in the World, a special for the Festival, in a make-believe pop-up café in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Here, the diners will become flies on the wall as reality theatre unfolds around them through a histrionic chef, a menu of real-life pathos, comedy and drama, and waiting staff who just, well, wait. With 8 performances from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 October this is chaos not to be missed and diners are advised to book a post-theatre meal elsewhere! The literary and film sections of the programme are packed with highlights and big names, including author Michael Rosen (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) and Booker longlisted authors Max Porter (Grief is a Thing with Feathers and Lanny) and Kevin Barry (Night Boat to Tangier), along with hotly tipped Kerry Hudson (Lowborn), Emilie Pine (Notes to Self), Meena Kandasamy (Exquisite Cadavers) the Octavia Poetry Collective and a special event on 30 October, the eve of Brexit, featuring journalist and author Gavin Esler talk about his latest book Brexit without the Bullsh*t. Perfect timing! Always seen as an important platform to profile some of Northern Ireland’s top artists, this year’s Festival season will close with a tour-de-force UK and Ireland premiere of Lady Magma by Belfast-born choreographer and dancer, Oona Doherty. In partnership with Prime Cut Productions, Oona will come, fresh from Edinburgh Festival, to perform this brand new ode to female strength and new femininity. Richard Wakely gave heartfelt thanks to Festival supporters and funders, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, the British Council, the Department for Communities, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and Belfast City Council, without whose backing the Festival would not be possible. Also speaking at the launch event, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor John Finucane said: “I'm delighted that Belfast City Council is continuing to invest in Belfast International Arts Festival. It not only attracts fantastic world-renowned international acts, but it also showcases home-grown talent and helps to position Belfast as a must visit cultural destination. It’s fantastic to see the festival go from strength to strength each year. I'd encourage everyone to check out this year's impressive programme and wish everyone involved in the festival the very best of luck." Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland added: “This is a programme of art of a truly international quality, carefully curated from around the world, the likes of which we would not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. “This is not just a boon for local audiences, but it raises Northern Ireland’s creative reputation at home and abroad and strengthens opportunities for cultural exchange between international artists and our homegrown talent. “The Arts Council is very proud to be the principal funder of this strategically and artistically important festival. We support it with Public and National Lottery funds which allow Belfast International Arts Festival to continue to deliver a hugely ambitious and inspiring programme of artistic excellence.” <i>57th Belfast International Arts Festival runs from 15 October to 03 November at various venues across the city. For more go to <a href= 'http://www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com' target = '_new'>belfastinternationalartsfestival.com</a>. </i>
Image	or False
Image Alt
Link 1
Link 2
Start Date

Image

D	54053	8th Annual Brilliant Corners	03/02/2020	03/02/2020	undefined_brilliantcorners2020.jpg	0x
D	54052	The Power To Change	22/01/2020	22/01/2020	undefined_niscifest2020.jpg	0x
D	54050	Gifting A Brand-New Visitor App	11/12/2019	11/12/2019	undefined_visitor_app.jpg	0x
D	54049	Power NI Enchanted Winter Garden	05/12/2019	05/12/2019	undefined_castlegardens.jpg	0x
D	54047	Eastside Community Christmas Fayre	21/11/2019	21/11/2019	undefined_eastsidexmasfaye.jpg	0x
D	54046	Bushmills Whiskey And Cheese Tasting	19/11/2019	19/11/2019	undefined_bushmillscheese.jpg	0x
D	54044	Northern Ireland Open	28/10/2019	28/10/2019	undefined_nisnookeropen.jpg	0x
D	54043	Closing Week Of BIAF	28/10/2019	28/10/2019	undefined_biafclosingweek.jpg	0x
D	54042	COMPETITION: HamsandwicH At Abbey Hotel	28/10/2019	28/10/2019	undefined_hamsandwich.jpg	0x
D	54041	Bushmills Supper Club	15/10/2019	15/10/2019	undefined_bushmills.jpg	0x
D	54039	Haunting Halloween...	02/10/2019	02/10/2019	undefined_crum19.jpg	0x
D	54038	Aspects 2019 Highlights	01/10/2019	01/10/2019	undefined_aspects2019.jpg	0x
D	54036	Snow Patrol To Be Given ‘Legend’ Award	30/09/2019	30/09/2019	undefined_splegendaward.jpg	0x
D	54035	2020 Arenacross Tour Back In Belfast	30/09/2019	30/09/2019	undefined_arenacross.jpg	0x
D	54034	57th Belfast International Arts Festival	27/09/2019	27/09/2019	undefined_biaf19.jpg	0x
D	54033	BCM Call For Volunteers	25/09/2019	25/09/2019	undefined_bcm2020.jpg	0x
D	54032	TICKET GIVEAWAY: Let's Rock Belfast	24/07/2019	24/07/2019	undefined_letsrock_comp.jpg	0x
D	54031	Farmers Bash Live At The Beach	17/07/2019	17/07/2019	undefined_farmers_bash_19.jpg	0x
D	54029	20 Years Of Blues On The Bay	07/05/2019	07/05/2019	undefined_bluesbay19.jpg	0x
D	54028	Hollywood Star At Huge Country Gig In Portrush	01/05/2019	01/05/2019	undefined_farmersbash.jpg	0x
D	54027	Flash Harry Live	18/04/2019	18/04/2019	undefined_flash_harry.jpg	0x
D	54026	Crumlin Road Gaol Launches New Troubles Tour	18/04/2019	18/04/2019	undefined_crum_tour.jpg	0x
D	54025	Nest Fest At Springhill	15/02/2019	15/02/2019	undefined_nestfest.jpg	0x
D	54024	Ruby! To Premiere At Lyric	11/02/2019	11/02/2019	undefined_ruby.jpg	0x
D	54023	Shelter NI Film Festival	04/12/2018	04/12/2018	undefined_shelter_film_fest.jpg	0x
D	54022	A New Moon Rises	04/12/2018	04/12/2018	undefined_crescent_moon.jpg	0x
D	54021	Carl 'Tuk' To The Streets For Harp's New Look	21/09/2018	21/09/2018	undefined_frampton_harp.jpg	0x
D	54020	ASH Announce Limelight Show	04/09/2018	04/09/2018	undefined_ash_limelight.jpg	0x
D	54019	Fleadh Cheoil Drogheda 2018	24/07/2018	24/07/2018	undefined_fleadh_cheoil.jpg	0x
D	54018	'The Danger Tree' At Titanic Belfast	24/07/2018	24/07/2018	undefined_dangertree.jpg	0x
D	54017	Ulster Fleadh Coming To Castlewellan	18/07/2018	18/07/2018	undefined_ulster_fleadh.jpg	0x
D	54016	Beyond Skin Clinic Celebrate 2nd Birthday	20/06/2018	20/06/2018	undefined_tbl_beyond_skin.jpg	0x
D	54015	Fundamania Is Back	12/06/2018	12/06/2018	undefined_fundamania_18.jpg	0x
D	54014	Kevin & Karen Dance - The Live Tour 2018	30/05/2018	30/05/2018	undefined_kandkdance.jpg	0x
D	54013	Big Dog’s Gonna Rock...	21/05/2018	21/05/2018	undefined_blues_2018.jpg	0x
D	54012	Moira Calling Announce Festival Line-Up	10/05/2018	10/05/2018	undefined_moira_calling_2018.jpg	0x
D	54011	Festival Of Fools 2018	02/05/2018	02/05/2018	undefined_fools2018.jpg	0x
D	54010	Competition: Belfast Vital Tickets	15/03/2018	15/03/2018	undefined_vital2018.jpg	0x
D	54009	Steps Grandslam At Stormont	13/03/2018	13/03/2018	undefined_steps_stormont.jpg	0x
D	54008	NISF: Out Of This World	17/01/2018	17/01/2018	undefined_nisf.jpg	0x
D	54007	Arenacross 2018	10/01/2018	10/01/2018	undefined_arenacross18.jpg	0x
D	54005	Ireland's Largest Music Conference Returns	02/01/2018	02/01/2018	undefined_output_tbl.jpg	0x
D	54004	Mark Thomas Gambles on the Future	05/12/2017	05/12/2017	undefined_markthomas17.jpg	0x
D	54002	Competition: The Spectacular Aladdin Tickets	21/11/2017	21/11/2017	undefined_aladdincomp.jpg	0x
D	53999	Competition: Sleeping Beauty Family Tickets	21/11/2017	21/11/2017	undefined_sleepingbeauty.jpg	0x
D	53998	Competition: Tumble Circus	16/11/2017	16/11/2017	undefined_tumble_circus.jpg	0x
D	53997	CS Lewis: Surprised By Joy	15/11/2017	15/11/2017	undefined_cslewis.jpg	0x
D	53996	Tumble Circus Returns	13/11/2017	13/11/2017	undefined_tumble_circus.jpg	0x
D	53995	Shine Presents: AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR	08/11/2017	08/11/2017	undefined_asiwyfa.jpg	0x
D	53994	Accidental Theatre Presents: FAKE I.D.	02/11/2017	02/11/2017	undefined_fakeid.jpg	0x