www.thecathedralquarter.com

Monthly News & Listings for Belfast’s Cultural Quarter

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | BRILLIANT CORNERS | MY CQ: A KID’S-EYE VIEW | WHAT’S ON

QUARTER BEAT

KID’S QUARTERWords: Maeve O’Lynn, Illustration: Stephen Maurice Graham

As a genuinely shared space, one of things Cathedral Quarter offers visitors and Belfast residents alike is the opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together, socialise and interact. This doesn’t just apply to adults though, as Cathedral Quarter is very much young at heart and a city space open and welcoming to younger visitors. There’s plenty for families to explore in both the open air and great indoors, showcased this month in Belfast Children’s Festival (8-15 March). The festival, coordinated by CQ-based Young at Art is a genuinely Quarter-wide affair, involving a host of local artists and a variety of venues in the area.

I caught up with Festival Director, Ali FitzGibbon, to chat about the intriguing notion that space has inspired part of the visual arts programme in the Children’s Festival this year. You can hang up your moon boots, though as Ali clarifies, “It’s not outer space but how we move through the spaces of the city, how we play in it, how we share it. It’s also about using the city’s spaces, from the Waterfront to the Cultúrlann, small galleries like Belfast Exposed and new venues like the MAC.”

As someone who more often than not has a toddler in tow, needless to say I’m a Children’s Festival fan. I’ve handpicked a few highlights which really showcase the

ISSUE

# 2 FEB / MAR 2013

most innovative and interactive dimensions of this year’s event and invite us to revisit cultural spaces in Cathedral Quarter with a fresh set of eyes. Creche Course at Ps2 is an alternative playgroup for children (and, you will be pleased to hear, their accompanying adults) facilitated by locally-based artists Anne-Marie Dillon and Janice Steadman and designed to inspire creative play ideas.

The beautifully named Drawing on Dreams workshop at Belfast Exposed (BX) on Sat 9th March for 7 - 10 year olds, offers kids the opportunity to view and talk about artwork in Thresholds, a group show at BX which looks at storytelling, the imagination and fantasy within photography. Gallery Manager at Belfast Exposed and Thresholds curator, Ciara Hickey, contextualises the event saying, “Thresholds is an exhibition which encourages people to engage with the imaginative and fictional qualities of documentary photography. This area between truth and fiction is often where the best photographs are created. The artists included in the exhibition have each created series’ of work documenting a specific subject or site. Each of the resulting images pose a challenge to our expectations of reality and resonate with the realm of the imaginary. This workshop is perfect for children as they often have the most imaginative and free responses

to exhibitions at Belfast Exposed.” Drawing on Dreams focuses on kids being able to create their own artwork inspired by this exhibition. The artwork will then be displayed in the Exchange Space Gallery at BX from 15 – 22 March.

Ali FitzGibbon reasons, “Children should be encouraged to engage in the same exhibitions their parents experience, and start exposure to these spaces at an early age.” Well if there’s crayons available, then I’m sold. In addition to visual arts, the Children’s Festival also has a packed theatre programme of both international and local performances. The Northern Ireland showcase features a wealth of original theatre and dance created throughout Ireland, much of which will be performed in the MAC. Award-winning Cathedral Quarter-based companies taking part include Replay and Cahoots NI. A highlight of the programme is sure to be Egg, a delightful story of three madcap birds on a adventure of a lifetime, which unfolds on a tiny set, exquisitely constructed out of twigs, feathers and shell. ‘I came across this lovely book entitled Egg and Bird and developed ideas for the show from there,” says Cahoots NI founder and artistic director, Paul McEneaney. “It’s been conceived to

Continued on page 2

Quarter BeatFeb/Mar 2013, Issue 2

Published by Cathedral Quarter Trust3-5 Commercial Court, 2nd FloorBelfast BT1 2NB 028 9031 4011 | info@cqtrust.org

Design by Rinkyrinky.org

Illustration by Stephen Maurice Graham400facts.tumblr.com

THINGS TO DOFOR KIDS IN CQ The Quarter is awash with activities for families and children during the Belfast Children’s Festival in March, but many of the resident venues and organisations also host events, workshops and shows for kids all year round.

Belfast Community Circus School (belfastcircus.org) offers a range of classes from Itty Bitty Circus for 2-7 year olds, to a Youth Circus for 8-18 year olds. While the popularity of the latter means there is a waiting list to enrol, the Circus School also runs regular ‘Once A Fortnight’ Thursday classes and ‘Sunday Circus Class’ to give those waiting an introduction to circus skills. The annual Festival of Fools (2 - 6 May) also offers the chance to see the best in international street theatre popping up around CQ and across the city.

Young shutterbugs can develop their camera skills at Belfast Exposed, with youth-focussed courses throughout their training calendar. See belfastexposed.org/events for current opportunities. If film is more your thing Northern Visions (northernvisions.org) run a

Continued on page 2

is agreat place for live arts to really thrive, especially alternative comedy.”

Performing poetry, stand up, characters and MCing not being quite enough for Mr Keeley he has recently joined the improv group Wonderfrog who have a monthly show in The Black Box. “I had an interest in performing improv for a while and I first gave it a go when Frazer Robb of Wonder Frog gave an improv crash course as part of the Belly Laughs festival. A lot of the funnier stuff in stand up comes from when you take a bit of material in an unexpected way and find something great about it, which is generally harder to do when you’re sitting at home thinking it over and sobbing periodically. But I stand by my methods.”

Marcus is positive about the future of alternative comedy in the quarter, “Local people and visitors are really starting to take an interest in the comedy scene that’s emerging. People from other places are always impressed by the level of local talent, and that’s something we could all capitalise on.”

You can follow Marcus on twitter @MarcusKeeley for future gig news/general giggles.Wonderfrog appear at Black Box on Wednesday 20 March.

Continued from page 1

be a really magical experience, drawing children in close to the gorgeous little set and telling them a story of friendship and wonder and tender loving care.”

“Children should be encouraged to engage in the same exhibitions their parents experience and start exposure to these spaces at an early age.”ALI FITZGIBBON, DIRECTOR, YOUNG AT ART

Another highlight will be Babble, a vocal wonderland of live voices and video performed in a unique bubble space. I spoke to Anna Newell, artistic director of Replay, about the show and its unique performance space. Anna explained, “The decisions behind creating the Bubble performance space were both artistic and educational. The Bubble was created very much thinking about space, how we make spaces appropriate for particular audiences and how we can create a magical space wherever our audiences are. Our audiences in the development of this performance space have been children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties and our very early years audience - both of which are new audiences to Replay and both of which are audiences that are very much under catered for. We felt that the two audiences required intimate immersive experiences which called for an enclosed space that was every bit as magical and gorgeous as something that an audience in a theatre might experience”.

I caught an early studio production of Babble when it was in its development stage at the MAC last year and I can attest that the show is as captivating as its new performance space is set to be. Anna is keen to point out that it is also an educationally rich experience: “Babies need a quiet space to learn and the Bubble provides that. We’ve been working with a speech and language therapist on Babble to inform the vocal sounds in the new original music being written for the show by award-winning composer, David Goodall. The Bubble is comfortable and relaxing for both parents and babies and both

the singing and Conan McIvor’s charming animations take the audience on a shared journey of wonder.”

Throw in a toddler dance explosion at the annual Baby Rave and a rather sublime sounding Warhol-inspired Silver Foil Fun Factory at the MAC and there you have it in a nut shell. For messy, hands on, no holds barred, extremely raucous art-related family fun, be in Cathedral Quarter this month.

Visit www.belfastchildrensfestival.com for tickets and full programme information.

2

Annemarie Mullan

“I was fretting about it for weeks beforehand, trying to think of the most accurate way I could describe what a spide was to a room full of Parisians.”

So says local comedian Marcus Keeley of a recent gig in Paris. Whilst the words ‘local comedian’ may’ve already struck fear into the most open minded of you I am sure the idea of a gig in Paris did not. 

Marcus is not a comedian who deals in those cliches which would have us hiding behind the sofa, cringing, when archetypal Northern Ireland humour is rolled out and this is illustrated well in what led him to start his own comedy night, Voicebox, which he also MCs.

“I had been to The Empire and seen various comedy acts around Belfast, whilst they were very good and I was impressed, I felt the need to start something where the usual old stand-bys of ‘Catholic Vs Protestant’ jokes and blue humour wouldn’t be found. It’s a place where you can see seasoned local comedians and performers from elsewhere do anything they want. Some of the things that have happened have

been majestic triumphs and unadulterated failures, which is the whole point of the night. The guises that Ruaidhrí Ward alone has undertaken in the name of Voicebox have included a deranged, marker-faced talent agent named Harry Stilton, a Man-Monkfish and Ireland’s only Celtic Elvis impersonator, C’Elvis” 

There have been some ultimately unique moments as well as Marcus recalls “One particular night we used a picture frame which still had the photo of a rather dorky-looking man in it, set up a few candles and set up a bizarre shrine in the corner of the room with “Dolph Ziggler 1965 – 2010” affectionately scrawled on a bit of paper below. It was a bit unnerving to some folk in the audience so they made a collection for the fictional Dolph.”

Of course a very real and frustrating problem on the local comedy scene is that many people don’t even realise it’s there. Cathedral Quarter could of course help here as Marcus continues “Cathedral Quarter is getting quite a reputation for comedy in the past while. More so because of great acts like Simon Munnery becoming regular visitors at some of the festivals in the area. Local home grown comedy needs to become more organised and venues need to support them. I think Cathedral Quarter

CQ UNCOVERED

WHERE IS WERN STREET? Gary Potter, PLACE

Waring Street is a significant street within the Cathedral Quarter with restaurants, a grand entrance to the Great Room of the Merchant Hotel facing onto Cotton Court and listed warehouses that serve as managed workspaces for the Quarter. But did you know that it was once at the centre of commercial and trading activity in Belfast? Appearing as Broad Street in the early 1600‘s, it was renamed Waring Street in 1670 after a tanner from Toombridge named William Waring set up business in the area.

The Irish writer Jonathan Swift is loosely connected to Waring Street as he attempted for some time to win over Jayne Waring, the daughter of William Waring. It is during Swift’s time in Belfast - perhaps visiting Waring Street - that he is said to have been inspired to write Gulliver’s Travels’, fascinated as he was by Napolean’s Nose atop Cavehill.

A map of 1757 displays the street as ‘Wern Street’ – the cartographer had obviously been told the name in a Belfast dialect. At this time Waring Street provided a direct link from the docks and Lime Kilns near Albert Square through Rosemary Street and Berry Street to Smithfield. This of course being the Smithfield that CastleCourt now sits upon. 

By the 1850’s Waring Street was a vital trading hub in Belfast containing milliners, tailors, shipping agents, stationers, solicitors and printers. Marcus Patton notes that “in 1840, five out of six fish merchants listed in the Belfast street directory were in Waring Street”.

The street was also the central point were all distances from Belfast were measured (from the corner of the Exchange and Assembly Building at the end of Waring Street). The ‘four corners’ marker remained until it was removed during the Second World War, however, a surveyors mark remains across the street on the wall of the Northern Whig building.

The wealth accumulated within this narrow street can still be appreciated through the buildings that survived from the 18th and 19th Century. The Assembly Rooms, Commercial Buildings (Northern Whig), Ulster Buildings and former Ulster Bank building (Merchant Hotel) display the confident commercial might of Waring Street and Belfast as a prosperous and growing town.

Today the street is a vibrant corner of the Cathedral Quarter and continues to play an important economic and cultural role.

PLACE offer Architectural Walking Tours exploring the built environment. For more information visit placeni.org, phone 028 9023 2524 or email info@placeni.org.

FROM MAN-MONKFISH TO WONDERFROG

FOR THE LATEST CQ NEWS AND EVENTSl CQBELFAST f CQBELFASTTHECATHEDRALQUARTER.COM

Continued from page 1

variety of courses in all aspects of the filmmaking process, alongside a number of youth projects.

Seedhead Arts (seedheadarts.com) run a variety of events for children and young adults, including arts workshops at Black Box, training at Blick Studios and all manner of activity at their own pop-up venue, Open Source throughout the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (2 - 21 May)

Weekends at The MAC (themaclive.com) are an opportunity for kids to get involved with workshops related to the latest shows. The MAC also hosts The Den - a dedicated space created by and for young people. The Den Collective is currrently open to new members.

There are a wealth of opportunities for young dancers in CQ with resident company DU Dance (dudanceni.com) and schools Global Arts Studio and Clark School of Dancing offering courses in all styles of dance.

Oh Yeah Music Centre (ohyeahbelfast.com) offers a rare chance for young people to see live music in Belfast, hosting regular all ages gigs and showcases.

ALTERNATIVE COMEDYIN CATHEDRAL QUARTER

Egg’s story unfolds on a tiny, rustic set, exquisitely constructed out of twigs, feathers and shell.

ET

“I like the cobblestones everywhere because it’s like being in the olden times.”Jessica, age 11.

Bouys Park“The big shapes beside the art college. I don’t really know what they are but sometimes they look like they could be different things depending on the light. From far away they look spongy and when you go up close they’re all hard metal.” Jessica, age 11. Tomb Street Post Office

“The big glass building near the big fish is cool because it’s like being looked at by loads of people with big square red-rimmed glasses.”Jessica, age 11.

Custom House Square“Behind the Albert Clock there’s the mini fountains. Well, I like watching them and getting my feet wet, running through them and trying to dodge them but that’s not recommendable.”Jessica, age 11.

MY CQ:A KIDS-EYE VIEW

3

Albert Clock“I like the Albert Clock because it was built for the king but then he didn’t go there. It’s a bit funny. ”Miranda, age 7.

The MAC“I remember there’s a statue outside the MAC. My cousin thought it was a lady and we said it was a statue. And then he saw a man in the window of the MAC and said there’s a statue and we had to tell him it was a man.” Miranda, age 7.

Garfield Street“The big building you can see from the car park with all the leaves growing out of it and the red bricks is haunted. We call it the Spooky house.”Miranda, age 7.

Belfast Circus School“I used to go to the Circus School and that was really fun. Rory, age 11.

“I like all the colours and there is a cat on the roof !“ Jim, age 4.

Saint Annes Square“I like the way there is a big square and the long things which hold it up around all the cafes.” Celia, age 6.

Hornby

To a listener of more left field musical forms, a promoter like Moving on Music is a godsend; however, to a performer of more left field music, a promoter like Moving on Music is an integral lifeline.

Open, unafraid and actively wanting to be challenged, Brian Carson and Co. are following the same gut desire which pushed them to start the company in 1995 as they now set aside their 17-year-old namesake festival to introduce ‘Brilliant Corners, a Festival of Jazz in Belfast’.

The original Moving on Music Festival sought to showcase bands and music that represented the company and gave an overview of what they did as a promoter. With Brilliant Corners they now want to focus their not insignificant light on jazz, and its related forms. A genre often overlooked in a live setting in Northern Ireland.

The festival will encompass everything from bold re-imaginings of Duke Ellington pieces by Ellington in Anticipation (March 21, the MAC) to the modern urban jazz mix of David Lyttle + Interlude (March 22, the Black Box).

Speaking to Brian recently he said that despite the genre’s under-representation,

BRILLIANT

audiences are taking chances. “It is a minority interest to a certain extent, but there is an audience. We know this is because the recent jazz concerts we’ve done, especially here in our new home The MAC, have been really well received.”

Since moving to The MAC in April 2012, the company has been busier than ever with multiple successful shows both there and in the Black Box. Brilliant Corners will be small but intense in its first year, with nine performances in three days. Brian’s main goal this year, aside from showcasing some of NIs own most forward thinking jazz acts, is to spark a new interest in this versatile genre.

“A lot of people think that jazz is dead, however I think it’s taken some very interesting turns in the past number of years. Musicians aren’t just playing standard repertoire, although there’s nothing wrong with that, they are taking it in new directions. It’s vibrant, it’s exciting, it’s challenging, and I think those three words sum up what we’re trying to do.”

Hornby is Editor of The Big Listthebiglist.co.uk

Brilliant Corners runs from 21-23 March movingonmusic.co.uk

CORNERS

THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY

COMMUNITY ARTSCity (Re)SearchesWriter’s SquareFree, various timescomartspartner.org

MUSICHenry Priestman, Rae Morris, Jarrod DickensonBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£6, 6pm, belfastnashville.com

Karima FrancisBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£8, 9pm, belfastnashville.com

Farmer’s Folk ThursdaysBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LAFree, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY

COMMUNITY ARTSCity (Re)SearchesWriter’s SquareFree, various timescomartspartner.org

MUSICBrett James, Chris Young, John FarryBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£12, 6pm, belfastnashville.com

Kristian Bush, Bob DiPiero, Gary QuinnBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£12, 9pm, belfastnashville.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY

COMMUNITY ARTSCity (Re)SearchesWriter’s SquareFree, various timescomartspartner.org

MUSICJohn SpillaneBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£10, 6pm, belfastnashville.com

BAFARCBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LAFree, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

Otis GibbBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£10, 9.15pm, belfastnashville.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

FAMILY, WORKSHOPSPop PortraitsThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£5, 2pm, themaclive.com

COMEDYMy Favourite Waste of TimeBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£TBC 7pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY

COMEDYRobin InceBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£13, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £12, 8pm, themaclive.com

WEDNESDAY 27 FEBRUARY

MUSICGerry O’Kane with Jim UprichardBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£5, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY

MUSICOver The Hill Music CollectiveOh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon St. BT1 2LGFree, 8pm, ohyeahbelfast.com

WORDS & IDEASTenx9 StorytellingBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LAFree, 7.30pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY

THEATREClub Punk Black BoxBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£TBC, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

MUSIC Chicks with PicksBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LAFree, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

FRIDAY 1 MARCH

WORDS & IDEASNIEA Public Lecture: A Tale of Stained Glass NIEA, Waterman House, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LAFree, 1pmni-environment.gov.uk

MUSICStray From The PathOh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon St. BT1 2LG£12, 8pm, ohyeahbelfast.com

COMEDYTerry AldertonBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£14, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

SATURDAY 2 MARCH

MUSICSwim DeepOh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon St. BT1 2LG£11.50, 6pm, ohyeahbelfast.com

Moxie & Super CeiliBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£15, 8pm - Late, blackboxbelfast.com

Studio 54The MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ9pm, themaclive.com

COMEDYThe Mix UpBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£3, 2.30pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THEATRE Planet BelfastThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£12, 8pm, themaclive.com

SUNDAY 3 MARCH

MUSICCiaran Lavery Album LaunchBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£5.50, 8pm , blackboxbelfast.com

Meiosis, David McCann & Andy TrainBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LAFree, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

TUESDAY 5 MARCH

MUSICBlack Moon DiscoBlack Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£TBC, 7.30pm , blackboxbelfast.com

THURSDAY 7 MARCH

MUSICGetting To Know You: Ryan VailOh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon St. BT1 2LGFree, 8pm, ohyeahbelfast.com

FRIDAY 8 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSOpen HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 3−6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | MUSICMelonheadThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£6, 5pm & 8pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

MUSICBelfast City Blues Fundraiser Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA£10, 8pm , blackboxbelfast.com

Le CarouselThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£10, 9.30pm, themaclive.com

SATURDAY 9 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP£3, 10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Drawing on DreamsBelfast Exposed,23 Donegall St. BT1 2FF, £3, 11ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am −6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Silver Foil Fun FactoryThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£5, 11am & 4pm, themaclive.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm & 4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | THEATREBabbleThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

EggThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

MUSICListening LoungeThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, Free, 12 − 3pmthemaclive.com

Déjà Vu VuBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£TBC, 8pm , blackboxbelfast.com

Le Carousel, DJs Andrew Weatherall & David HolmesThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, 9.30pmthemaclive.com

SUNDAY 10 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP, £3,10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am −6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Silver Foil Fun FactoryThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £5, 11am & 4pmthemaclive.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm &4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | THEATREBabbleThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£6, 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

EggThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 2.30pm & 6pm belfastchildrensfestival.com

MONDAY 11 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP, £3,10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am - 6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm,belfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | THEATRE BabbleThe MAC10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ£6, 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Hop!The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 6pm belfastchildrensfestival.com

FILMLa TraviataSaint Anne’s Cathedral, Donegall St. BT1 2HB, £8, 7.30pmbelfastfilmfestival.com

TUESDAY 12 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP£3, 10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am −6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm & 4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | THEATRE BabbleThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 11ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

LifeboatThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 7.30pm belfastchildrensfestival.com

WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP£3, 10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am −6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm & 4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | THEATREMe, MollserThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 7.30pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

MAGICMidweek MagicBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£4, 7.30pm, blackboxbelfast.com

MUSICPS² Gallery FundraiserBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£TBC, 7.30pm , blackboxbelfast.com

THURSDAY 14 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP£3, 10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am −6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm & 4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | THEATREMe, MollserThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £6, 7.30pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

COMEDYMatt ParkerBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£TBC, 7.30pm, blackboxbelfast.com

FRIDAY 15 MARCH

BELFAST CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL | WORKSHOPSCrèche CoursePS² Gallery, 18 Donegall St. BT1 2GP£3, 10ambelfastchildrensfestival.com

Open HouseUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 11am −6pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Tea & TalesUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 12pm, 2pm & 4pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

Sos agus ScéaltaUniversity of Ulster, York St. BT15 1EDFree, 1pm, 3pm & 5pmbelfastchildrensfestival.com

COMEDYFNT LiveBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LAFree, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

DANCE, WORKSHOPSWayne McGregor | Random Dance Weekend Dance LabThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ. £10, 5.30pmthemaclive.com

SATURDAY 16 MARCH

DANCE, WORKSHOPSWayne McGregor | Random Dance Weekend Dance LabThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £10, 5.30pmthemaclive.com

SUNDAY 17 MARCH

St. Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade & ConcertCustom House Square, Free, 1 - 3pm, belfastcity.gov.uk/events

TUESDAY 19 MARCH

FILM, COMEDYFound Footage FestBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LAFree, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

COMEDYAlan Irwin: The Idiot WindBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£5, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH

FOOD & DRINKSpanish Wine DinnerThe Potted Hen, Saint Anne’s Square, 11 Edward St. BT1 2LP£45pp, 7.30pm, thepottedhen.co.uk

COMEDYWonderfrogBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£TBC, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THURSDAY 21 MARCH

COMEDYHenning Knows BestThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £9.50 - £22, 7.45pmthemaclive.com

BRILLIANT CORNERS FESTIVAL | MUSICThe Continuous Battle of Order & DecoyBlack Box, 18-22 Hill Street BT1 2LA£10, 8pm, movingonmusic.co.uk

BRILLIANT CORNERS FESTIVAL | MUSICEllington in AnticipationThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, £12, 9pmmovingonmusic.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS

Late Night Art: 7 MarchGalleries open until 9pm

UU Annual Students Show21 Feb - 21 MarBelfast Print Workshop GalleryCotton Court BT1 2EDbpw.org.uk

Thresholds 15 Mar - 26 AprBelfast Exposed, 23 Donegall Street BT1 2FF, belfastexposed.org

Imagined Communities21 Feb - 13 AprGolden Thread Gallery, 84-94 Great Patrick Street BT1 2LUgoldenthreadgallery.co.uk

Bacon, Butter, Belfast7 Feb - 28 FebRed Barn Gallery, 43b Rosemary Street BT1 1QB, redbarngallery.co.uk

DECKED7 Feb - 28 FebBlack Box, 18-21 Hill Street BT1 2LAblackboxbelfast.com

Andy Warhol8 Feb - 28 AprThe MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, themaclive.com

A Natural Order18 Jan - 8 MarBelfast Exposed, 23 Donegall Street BT1 2FF, belfastexposed.org

WEEKLY EVENTS

MONDAYSLive Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com

Open Mic at The John HewittFree, 9.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com

Monopollie @ Ollie’s Nightclub£3, 10pm, olliesclub.com

TUESDAYSBrogue at The John HewittFree, 8pm, thejohnhewitt.com

Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com

WEDNESDAYSTraditional Session @ McHughsFree, 7pm, mchughsbar.com

Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com

THURSDAYSOllie’s Rocks @ Ollie’s Nightclub£5, 9pm, olliesclub.com

Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com

Sweet Trev & The Blue Notes@ The John Hewitt Free, 9.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com

FRIDAYSTraditional Session @ Whites TavernFree, 7pm, whitestavern.co.uk

Panama Jazz Band @ The John HewittFree, 8.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com

Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com

The Golden Years @ The Duke of York, £5, 9pm

Lipstick @ Ollie’s Nightclub£5, 10pm, olliesclub.com

Famous Fridays Free/£5, 10pm, myntbelfast.com

SATURDAYSThe BIG John Hewitt Early Session Free, 5.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com

Dana Masters Jazz Sextet @ McHughsFree, 5.30 − 7.30pm, mchughsbar.com

Trad Session @ Whites TavernFree, 8pm, whitestavern.co.uk

Bert’s After Hours @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com

Secret Society @ Ollie’s Nightclub£10, 9pm, olliesclub.com

Club Eclectic @ The Duke of York£5, 9pm

Radio K @ McHughs£5, 10pm, mchughsbar.com

Rewind SaturdaysFree/£5, 10pm, myntbelfast.com

SUNDAYSLive Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz BarFree, 12pm & 9pmthemerchanthotel.com

Traditional Session @ Whites TavernFree, 6pm, whitestavern.co.uk

WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY/MARCH