Teenagers are being invited to pitch their tents and enjoy a night of ‘creepy’ camping at the MAC as the Belfast arts venue hosts its first ever sleepover next month. Fright Night is one of a series of creative events for young people taking place during the week-long MADE festival, proudly supported by Coca-Cola, which begins at the MAC on 7th October.
Returning for a second time after a hugely successful debut last year, MADE sees the MAC being handed over to 14 to 18-year-olds for a host of fun activities, ranging from live performances and gigs to craft workshops and film screenings. The festival will take place from 7th – 13th October and has been organised with help from the DEN Collective, a team of 14 to 18-year-olds who help shape what happens for young people at the MAC and lead the popular dedicated youth space – The Den.
Taking place on Saturday 12th October, Fright Night will see Halloween come early to the MAC as teenagers gather for a double bill of cult horror films, Blair Witch Project and Hitchcock’s Psycho, then take part in a ‘creepy’ backstage tour before camping with supper around a virtual campfire on the top floor of the building.
The MAC has teamed up with a host of talented local partner organisations to deliver a fantastic festival line-up, which also includes workshops with renowned Irish sculptors Ursula Burke and Karl Burke, currently on show in two different exhibitions in the MAC’s galleries. MADE also welcomes the Volume Control team back to the MAC, with their monthly all-ages gig on loan from its usual home in the Oh Yeah Music Centre, for a night of back-to-back mini gigs organised and managed by the teenagers involved in the Volume Control team.
Gillian Mitchell, Director of Programmes at the MAC, said:
“The MAC is an arts venue for all ages to enjoy and we are very proud of the offering we provide for young people. We are delighted to once again launch MADE, a festival dedicated to teenagers which offers them the opportunity to attend live events, take part in workshops or simply hang out with their friends and enjoy the many free activities taking place during the week. Fright Night should be lots of fun and we can’t wait to host the MAC’s first ever sleepover.
“We welcomed over 1,500 young people through the door during MADE’s debut in 2012 and our Den Collective team has helped to once again produce a fantastic line-up and a programme full of innovative activities. Large groups of young people always bring an exciting dynamic to the MAC and we are confident many festival-goers will learn new skills and perhaps be inspired to forge a career in the arts.”
Other events taking place during the festival include ‘Not So Ceili’, a Ceili with a twist led by bodhrán player Eamon Murray, who is currently producing the Not So Trad series of music events at the MAC, and Busk the MAC – which will see Belfast’s best young busking talent invited to perform for an afternoon in the MAC foyer. Tickets start at just £3 with lots of free activities also available.
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented:
“It’s great to see the return of MADE, the MAC’s innovative and varied festival for 14 to 18-year-olds. As principal funder, the Arts Council is fully supportive of the MAC’s work with local young people through education and outreach programmes. We welcome all opportunities to make the arts accessible to the youth of today, regardless of background, and to give them the chance to experience and enjoy all that the arts have to offer – the MADE festival is the ideal vehicle for doing this.”
Zoe Cunningham, Communications Manager for Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland, sponsor of the festival, added:
“At Coca-Cola we are committed to supporting initiatives which enhance our local community and encourage youth development. We are very proud to be involved with the MAC’s MADE festival and can’t wait to see the musical, artistic and creative talents of the young people of Northern Ireland showcased during this innovative and inspiring programme of events.”
The MADE festival runs from 7th-13th October. To find out more about the festival and ticket offers visit themaclive.com or call 028 9023 5053.