Belfast’s Crescent Arts Centre is to cap its biggest year yet with a jam-packed autumn programme and a decadent Masquerade Ball, designed to raise vital funds for its work providing a wide range of arts and cultural activities for all, it revealed today (Tuesday 17th September).
The centre – which reopened its doors after an extensive refurbishment and restoration in April – will also mark its 30th anniversary on September 4th by giving everyone the chance to win a full year of free classes and events.
Its new autumn programme of eclectic classes and workshops features African drumming, photography, belly dancing, flamenco, tap and ballet, as well as old favourites yoga, art, journalism and drama. Tots are looked after too, as ‘Baby Dance’, ‘Baby Art’ and ‘Play Acting’ make a welcome return.
Running from September 13th to December 19th, the jam-packed timetable offers everyone from Belfast and further afield a great chance to experience a wide variety of art forms including music, dance, verbal and visual arts in new, state-of-the art facilities.
Crescent Arts Centre manager, Keith Acheson, said:
“This autumn is already gearing up to be our busiest in 30 years and we can’t wait to welcome all our patrons – new and old – to this fantastic facility in the heart of the city. Demand for our classes and workshops continues to grow and we would encourage everyone to attend our Enrolment Day on September 4th to secure a place.
“Details of how to win a year of free classes and workshops are available in our new programme, which is available at the centre and at venues across the city, and we look forward to revealing the winner at our gala Masquerade Ball.
Crescent Arts Centre chairman, Dr David Hill, said:
“We are all proud of the organisation’s past and of our newly-restored building. However, even as we reflect on our history of 30 years of the celebration of life through art, we are firmly focused on the future of the Crescent.
“I believe the new programme takes the best of our previous programmes and builds on it with more special events and some entirely new classes. Our aim now, despite the economic challenges faced by the arts sector in particular, is to get the most out of the building and the most people into it!
“I hope everyone will join us soon and often, starting with Enrolment Day and the Masquerade Ball. If you can’t find anything to excite you, it’s time to check for a pulse!”
The Masquerade Ball will feature music from Katie and the Carnival and Kyron and the Strangels, as well as circus-style acts and burlesque dancing, courtesy of BelfastUnbound. A prize for the holder of the Best Mask is planned for this stylish event, which features a full buffet and refreshments. Dickon Hall Gallery, based at the Crescent, has donated a piece for a silent auction, in addition to the Crescent Townhouse Hotel, which had kindly donated a free night’s stay and restaurant vouchers for lucky winners on the night.
For details of the Crescent’s new autumn programme and the Masquerade Ball, log on to www.crescentarts.org, phone 028 9024 2338 or email info@crescentarts.org.