Month: September 2020

Northern Ireland’s first ever outdoor forest school has launched a week-long spook-tacular Halloween Camp at Barnett Demesne in Belfast.

The Holistic Kidz Forest School Halloween Camp, which takes place from Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th October, promises lots of fun for children aged 4 to 12 including tree climbing, tepee creations, scarecrow building, magic wand and mud pie potion making, spooky stories, hot chocolate around the campfire and the Hogwarts nature trail.

Colette McCartney, Founder of Holistic Kidz said: “We are delighted to launch our 2020 Halloween Forest Camp. With children now settled back into school, we’re pleased to be able to help families continue with a routine during the half-term – and add a lot of fun and fulfilment at the same time. Our camp is all outdoors in nature and we are fully compliant with the current government regulations so parents can rest assured in the knowledge that their child is having a good time in a safe and nourishing environment.

Children are stimulated by spending time outdoors and there are so many proven scientific benefits including increased energy levels, improved mood and focus and running around breathing in the fresh air always ensures a good night’s sleep. Our ethos is very much built around nature and giving our Holistic Kidz the opportunity to learn new skills, build their confidence and emotional well-being, boost their creativity and imagination and develop essential problem-solving skills.”

“Our coaches are highly skilled and fully qualified in early years education and various holistic services and we keep our group sizes small to ensure each child has the chance to really make the most of their special time with us in camp. Sensible clothing is recommended as we love nothing more than climbing trees and jumping in muddy puddles – all the things that children love to do best when in the great outdoors!” Colette added.

A Weekly Explorer to the Holistic Kidz Halloween Forest Camp is £110 per child and a Daily Explorer is £27 per child.  There is a 10% discount for siblings. Places must be booked in advance.

For further information go to www.holistickidz.com or holistic_kidzni on Instagram.

Ground-breaking immersive digital show by children’s theatre company Cahoots NI set to delight Irish audiences

Children’s theatre company Cahoots NI has launched an immersive digital theatre experience with the aim of bringing the magic and joy of theatre to young audiences at home.

The University of Wonder and Imagination is an hour-long interactive digital theatre production that allows audiences to effectively direct the performance, based on their interaction with the performers. 

Opening on October 4 & 5 at Wainfest, Donegal the show will “tour” across Ireland stopping off at Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable’s Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival – Limerick (Oct 7 & 10), Baboro International Arts Festival – Galway (Oct 12-17), Linenhall Arts Centre – Castlebar (Oct 19 & Nov 7), Belfast International Arts Festival (Oct 22-25 & 29-Nov 1), Hawkswell Theatre – Sligo (Oct 28) and more.

In this ambitious and innovative undertaking, Cahoots NI will broadcast from an extensive, purpose-built set in Belfast, where magic and illusion have no boundaries.

Limited to pre-booked audience numbers per performance, guests will assemble with their fellow University students and, led by the mysterious Professor Bamberg, will embark on a journey where nothing is quite what it seems. 

Audiences will interact with lively lecturers, experience themed rooms filled with illusion and encounter problems and puzzles in an attempt to unlock magical powers and graduate with flying colours.

Speaking about the new production, Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney, Creator/Director of The University of Wonder and Imagination, and Artistic Director of Cahoots NI, said: “We are thrilled to be opening the doors of the University of Wonder and Imagination for enrolment.

“Now, more than ever, we want to capture the sheer joy and wonder that theatre and live performance brings young audiences, something we so desperately miss being able to provide at this time. We have worked hard to create an experience that would act as a first step to bridge the gap between young people and live theatre that can be enjoyed at home or in classrooms.  

“Developing this production has allowed us to explore a completely new channel through which to bring magic and illusion to children and their families via digital technology. The choices our audiences make live, during the event, will shape their unique theatre experience – and that’s hugely exciting for us.

“The technology we are using for the production is intricate, but it will be seamlessly blended with physical sets and magical illusions. Our audiences haven’t seen anything like this from Cahoots NI before, and we believe it will be a fun-filled, thrilling experience for children, for their families and for our cast and crew to be a part of.” 

Cahoots NI is at the forefront of Irish theatre and is the leading professional theatre company producing work for children in NI. Since beginning operations in 2001, Cahoots NI has produced original, critically acclaimed work for children including Under the Hawthorn Tree, Secrets of Space, Shh! We have a Plan and has toured its work internationally including in China and the USA.

For more information go to cahootsni.com or follow Cahoots NI on social media #UniversityofWonder #CahootsNImagic

Belfast will be the only UK city to host interactive art installation

NEXT month will see Northern Ireland join a number of European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Greece to host The Disappearing Wall, an interactive art installation that celebrates Europe’s diversity of languages and ideas.

Belfast is the only city within the UK to host the installation which is based on an idea proposed by Maria Jablonina in a workshop carried out by the architect and engineer Werner Sobek and initiated by the Goethe-Institut.

The Disappearing Wall, which will be on display on the roof of Castlecourt Shopping Centre from October 1-12, consists of a plexiglas frame which will host 6,000 wooden blocks showing original and translated quotes collected by the Goethe-Institut earlier this year via local contests across Europe.

Visitors to the Wall are invited to take home a block which will contain one of a wide range of quotes, from the likes of Albert Einstein, Adorno, Rosa Luxemburg, Sartre and Jonas Mekas, to Beatles’ lyrics and lines from Winnie the Pooh or the film Amélie.

As more and more blocks are removed, the Wall will ‘disappear’ with only the clear Plexiglas grid that held them remaining.

Other cities to host the The Disappearing Wall include Antwerp, Barcelona, Brussels, Gdansk, The Hague, Madrid, Milan, Namur, Nicosia, Poznan, Segovia, Thessaloniki, Turin, Vilnius and Warsaw.

Katharina von Ruckteschell-Katte, Director of the Goethe-Institut London, commented: “We are delighted to bring the Disappearing Wall to Belfast. This installation will not only celebrate Northern Ireland’s diversity but also the potential to symbolically overcome borders visible and tangible.”

Goethe-Institut London has commissioned Belfast-based Urban Scale interventions (USI) to bring The Disappearing Wall to life in Belfast with Claire Hall, USI Projects Producer, commenting: “We are proud to help bring The Disappearing Wall to Belfast as it is an important project for NI as we celebrate our country’s diversity. Encouraging visitors to take away inspirational and thought-provoking quotes and therefore destroying the wall to leave a clear view across the city symbolises how we can come together to destroy any barriers that are holding us back.”

Mirroring the project’s aims of celebrating the diversity of Belfast and Northern Ireland, Belfast arts collective Catalyst Arts is running a programme of workshops that will engage with the community through sharing stories, experiences and history.

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Thomas Wells of Catalyst Arts said: “Over the next couple of months, Catalyst Arts will develop and present a series of engagement events looking at a re-mapping of the city beyond geography by inviting participants to share lived experiences of Belfast. The outcome of which will be shown as part of an ongoing engagement with the installation of the Wall in Castle Court Shopping Centre kicking it off”.

The Disappearing Wall is one of several projects that the Goethe-Institut is carrying out for Germany’s EU Council Presidency and as part of the Federal government’s cultural programme in Europe.  With different topics and target groups, the projects are devoted to the overarching question of what will constitute Europe in future and how the European community and cohesion can be strengthened.

The Disappearing Wall is backed by the Federal Foreign Office with special funds for the German EU Council Presidency 2020.  In Northern Ireland, the installation is supported by Catalyst Arts and Urban Scale Interventions.

More information on The Disappearing Wall with dates and locations can be found at www.goethe.de/disappearingwall. 

In fact, anxiety is estimated to affect at least 40% of autistic individuals and is a prevalent problem for autistic children and young people.

According to Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing there’s no doubt the world can be a confusing place for children with ASD. 

She said: “Whether it’s dealing with social situations or unfamiliar surroundings, children with ASD can often have difficulty working out what others are thinking or trying to anticipate how others will react to certain situations. 

“As a result, they can feel anxious and stressed. To make matters worse, they may often find it difficult to tell parents or others that they’re feeling anxious and instead begin to display challenging behaviour.”

Challenging behaviour

According to Meta, circumstances that can lead to challenging behaviour can include:

• Changes in environment – from the most simple changes such as furniture in the home being moved, to new equipment in the local park – all are capable of leaving a child with ASD feelings of being unable to cope
• Changes in routine – this can often be one of the biggest challenges for a child with ASD. If, for example, a piano teacher is unwell and unable to hold the weekly lesson, the child can become extremely upset and anxious
• Unfamiliar social situations. Even something as simple as a friend’s birthday party, while generally enjoyable, can create anxiety as a result of the new noises, bright lights, unfamiliar foods etc
• Worry created by familiar situations such as going to the toilet, vacuum cleaners etc

Separation anxiety is another source of extreme anxiety. While typically developing children can often express anxiety or nervousness in such circumstances, children with ASD can be particularly affected by social anxiety. From fear of being separated from parents and caregivers to worries over homework or health issues, children with ASD can be affected by a range of issues.

Anxiety UK suggests imagining anxiety as a bucket of water: an accumulation of small, everyday stresses will eventually fill the bucket and, on occasion, make it overflow. It’s essential therefore to spend time on trying to work out your child’s personal causes of anxiety and identify strategies to relieve – or even avoid – the ‘overflow’ of anxiety.

Fortunately there are things that you can do to help alleviate or ease your child’s anxiety and encourage them to manage their anxiety levels on a daily basis.

Symptoms of anxiety

While children are affected by anxiety in different ways, there are a number of symptoms that are common in anxious children. These include: 

• Trouble sleeping
• Meltdowns or temper tantrums
• Withdrawal from or avoidance of social situations
• Increasing insistence on routine and ‘sameness’
• Actions designed to hurt themselves, such as head banging, scratching skin or hand biting
• Increased ‘stimming’ behaviour such as drumming fingers and rocking back and forth

Meta explained: “Many children with ASD also experience internal sensations of tension, including a racing heart or palpitations, sweating, nausea and stomach pains. There may also be feelings of fear, dread or irritability and hypervigilance.”

How to help your child

“One of the first ways in which you can help your child is by reading your child’s signals and working out what makes them feel stressed” said Meta, adding: “It can also be very helpful if you explain to your child what anxiety is, how it feels and what they can do to help themselves.”

Visual techniques

Visual aids can be a great help to your child. If, for example, your child becomes anxious when you’re dropping them off at school, you could provide them with photos of what you’ll be doing while you’re not with them – such as driving home, going shopping and reading along with photos of what they’ll be doing – sitting in class and playing sport.

Similarly, if your child tends to become anxious if there’s a change in their routine, then visual schedules can help to prepare them for the change. School holidays, for example, can be a source of anxiety, so providing a schedule that shows in advance that there will be a change in the daily schedule can help to alleviate the anxiety.

Bear in mind, however, that while some children find it helpful to be warned about a change a day or two in advance, others can find too much advance warning another source of anxiety.

Rehearse stressful situations

“For many children with ASD, preparation is the key to alleviating anxiety” said Meta. “The simple act of rehearsing or practising situations that your child finds stressful can help them to not only understand the situation in a visual way, but can give them the added bonus of physical preparation.

“If, for example, your child finds going to the dentist or hairdresser worrying, then go for a practice run. Make the hairdresser or dentist aware of your child’s anxiety so that they’re fully prepared to make your child feel as comfortable and as relaxed as possible. 

“Make sure too that when you’re practising different scenarios with your child you give them constant praise so that they become comfortable and at ease with the situation.” 

Use relaxation and calming strategies

Of course, you can’t always be with your child when they become tense and anxious, so it’s a good idea to give them strategies that can help them to calm themselves down when they feel themselves becoming tense. Among the most successful strategies are:

• counting slowly up to ten
• taking five deep breaths
• running around the garden or playground five times
• reading a favourite book
• closing their eyes for a few moments

Provide forms of diversion

Diverting your child’s attention can often be a perfect solution for alleviating your child’s anxiety. In the same way that writing your worries down in letter format can reduce your anxiety, allowing your child to write their troubles down on a piece of paper can prove a very positive move.

“Products such as Worry Eaters, which we sell at Spectra Sensory, allow your child to rid themselves of their woes. Recommended by psychologists and teachers, these comforting bedtime toys act as a ‘waste bin’ for all your child’s worries from the day” said Meta.

“By using a Worry Eater, your child can simply write or draw their troubles on a piece of paper and feed them into the zipped mouth of their Worry Eater. You can then retrieve the note or drawing in the Worry Eater’s tummy, and talk to your child about it. This not only helps them to come up with solutions, but is particularly good for non-verbal children. And, when the problem is resolved, your child can simply cuddle up to their Worry Eater for bedtime snuggles.

“Worry Eaters – the perfect solution for alleviating your child’s anxiety.”

Find out more about Spectra Sensory’s range of sensory clothing and autism aids at spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk

To purchase a Worry Eater go to spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk/product-category/autism-aids 

The normal Belfast Culture Night extravaganza may not be packing the city’s streets this year but six hours of the best of the arts will be broadcast across multiple channels tomorrow (Friday 18).

Rising to the challenges of these unprecedented times Culture Night Belfast is determined to keep the show on the road.

Streaming across a number of virtual platforms, Culture Night Online 2020 aims to be accessible to those who would attend in-person each year as well as those who have yet to experience the best of Northern Ireland’s arts and culture scene.

Susan Picken, Director of Cathedral Quarter Trust (the charity behind Culture Night Belfast) said that the 2020 programme will be a spectacular online display of talent.

Susan urged those going online on Friday to remember the difficult times the arts are going through.

She said: “Culture Night Belfast was originally started over twelve years ago to support and promote arts and culture in the Cathedral Quarter. Without the talent and dedication of our local arts community, Culture Night Belfast wouldn’t exist and we want to do everything we can to support them at this difficult time.

“Each year tens of thousands of us go out and enjoy, for free, the unique experience that Culture Night Belfast offers. All we are asking is that you enjoy our online programme this year in the comfort of your own home and donate the price of a pint (or maybe two!) to support the amazing artists, performers and venues who have made Culture Night Belfast into one of the best-loved nights of the year.

“A number of cultural and creative charities have been chosen who will be the beneficiaries of all donations made. These include charities who work to support those in the arts, culture and creative sectors as well as key local institutions including St Anne’s Cathedral and The MAC. 

“The charities selected are Help Musicians NI and Theatre and Dance NI – Membership Assistance Programme, Music Venues Trust and theTheatre Artists’ Fund.”

This year’s core programme of commissioned pieces will see venues such as Belfast Cathedral, the Black Box, the Oh Yeah Centre and The MAC act as the backdrop to what is set to be an exciting evening of entertainment.

This will also include a specially commissioned piece by filmmaker Will McConnell called We’re Still Here.

The six hours of arts programming will be on: YouTube live; Facebook Live; Twitch; Twitter via Periscope; Instagram Live; and, on NVTV (Freeview 7 (greater Belfast) and Virgin Media 159 (across Northern Ireland), programming also available for download at nvtv.co.uk.

Simon Wood, NVTV Chairperson said the station was committed to supporting the arts in any way it can.

He added: “Northern Visions is delighted to support the many artists, musicians and creators who have come together to ensure that Culture Night 2020 can be celebrated in these challenging times. There will be a dedicated broadcast on NVTV throughout the day and night”.

“Community arts has been at the core of Northern Visions work since it was established in 1986. 

“Northern Ireland’s community artists are amazingly resilient, we’ve seen it all, the recession and inflation of the 80s, boom and bust in the 1990s, the financial crisis of 2008 and years of austerity. As we look to recover from the ravages of Covid-19 and how we might build back better, let’s ensure that this time, the most vulnerable in our society, those in our poorer neighbourhoods, are truly able to access the arts and participate in enhancing the innovation and creativity which will drive the recovery”. 

This year’s Culture Night Belfast Online programme has been supported by the Arts Council NI, Belfast City Council, Department for Communities and Belfast Harbour.

For more information on this year’s programme or to donate go to culturenightbelfast.com or follow #CNB20 #CNBonline on social media.

The Market Place Theatre’s full programme of interactive workshops is back to bring a bit of sunshine to Autumn 2020.

It’s time to get out, get creative and get happy! With full safety measures in place and limited numbers, you’ll need to be fast to secure your place for what has fast become the most popular interactive experience around.

Bake Off fans will be delighted with the tasty range of baking experiences on offer from learning how to create bespoke children’s birthday cakes to decorating an in-vogue drip cake. Or why not allow the kids take part in decorating their own range of Christmas cupcakes, piped and decorated with a selection of seasonal decorations.

Wanting to create a unique piece for your home? Then you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of imaginative workshops enabling you to produce beautiful items of homeware. Why not make your own super-cute dog-shaped cushion, or learn how to weave stunning, contemporary coasters. Use winter foliage and greenery to produce a gorgeous willow door wreath to add the wow factor to your home. Or design, construct, carve and decorate your own Moroccan styled ceramic lantern.

If looking after yourself and your appearance is more your thing, then you can join one of our make-up masterclasses, and gain confidence in perfecting your look. Or you can learn old style tailoring by designing and stitching a gent’s tweed necktie. There’s a superb opportunity for youngsters to learn how to create an item of clothing from scratch with The Great British Sewing Bee’s Angeline Murphy. Or you can accessorise after completing your very own bespoke leather wallet or belt, hand-crafted to your specifications.

These are just a selection of the amazing workshops on offer, with many more to choose from this Autumn and Winter, so get the creativity flowing again, and come along and immerse yourself in one of these hugely engaging experiences.

Tickets for these, and many more incredible workshop experiences, can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

Keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Streaming across a number of virtual platforms on Friday September 18th, Culture Night Online 2020 aims to be accessible to those who would attend in-person each year as well as those who have yet to experience the best of Northern Ireland’s arts and culture scene. 

Following the release of a packed seven hour programme, here are 11 acts you don’t want to miss: 

1. CNB 2020: Film – We’re Still Here

The times are far, far from normal and the future is very uncertain but, despite this, our art goes on. This year’s CNB Film is both a love letter to the strength and endurance of all who are part of our brilliant arts and culture community and a message of hope – We’re Still Here and together we will get through this.

Featuring Cherrie on Top.  Written and directed by Will McConnell. Will McConnell is a filmmaker and visual artist from Belfast. He works as an independent self-shooter and his clients have included, amongst others, the British Council, Culture Night Belfast, the British Museum, Universal Music Group and Diageo.

2. Trocaire Documentaries

Two short documentaries from Trocaire, followed by an interview with their creator, Emmet Sheerin.

Sumud: Everyday Resistance a film about life under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank through the stories of Palestinian women. It takes its title from the Palestinian concept sumud (‘steadfastness’).

Women in their Place: A short documentary about women in Honduras struggling to defend land and environment from exploitation by big business and facing criminalisation, assault and murder.

3. NIHRC: Film + Discussion – It Seems 

Join the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for the debut screening of its short film, It Seems – featuring Belfast-based poet, Niamh McNally. 

The film’s focus is on the issue of climate change, and it raises important questions about its impact on our human rights. 

Following the screening, these issues will be discussed by a panel of experts and will be chaired by NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby. 

The screening will include an introduction by poet Niamh McNally. It Seems was developed by the NIHRC, in partnership with Amnesty International, Sustainable NI and Climate Northern Ireland.

Chair: Les Allamby, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Panel: John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy, Queen’s University Belfast, Patrick Corrigan, Head of Nations & Regions, Amnesty International, Grainia Long, Commissioner for Resilience, Belfast City Council, Géraldine Noé, Head of Environmental Sustainability, Business in the Community

4. Oh Yeah Presents

From the rooftop of the Oh Yeah centre live music blasts out across Belfast city centre.

Music from local band Charles Hurts and Becha.

5. Black Box Presents

Coming to you from Hill Street, Belfast the Black Box presents a night of performance.

Music from Susie Blue and performances from Sinead O’Donnell and tenx9.

6. Ulster University Graduate Show at The Mac

A guided virtual tour around the Mac’s new exhibition featuring work from this year’s MFA Fine Art Graduates from Ulster University’s School of Art.

This show highlights the work of a selection of recent MFA and BA Graduates from Ulster University, curated by Deirdre Robb. 

The BA Fine Art course reflects and supports the diversity of contemporary art practice including Painting, Video, Photography, Sculpture, Drawing, Performance, Printmaking, Time-based work, and studies in History and Theory. 

7. Ulster University Graduate Show at Belfast Exposed

A guided virtual tour of Belfast Exposed’s new exhibition ‘Anthropology and Human Condition’ highlighting the work of a selection of recent MFA and BA Graduates from Ulster University, curated by Deirdre Robb.  

Anthropology highlights the work of a selection of recent MFA Graduates from Ulster University. The works presented are universally human and deeply personal navigations of current climates and a response to exactly this moment in time. The exhibition sits with the process of grief and walks along the borders of small towns and fallen cities.

Human Condition highlights recent graduates from the BA in Photography and Video at Ulster University. The works presented are a broad exploration of human existence plunging into topics from water quality to fluid gender expression and roles. Further observations on mental health spanning youth to retirement, isolation, healing, and recreational space. 

8. The All New Family Friendly Fun Time Video Hour!

Join your host, Stephen Beggs, for 60 marvellous minutes of storytelling, magic, mischief, mayhem and silly songs.

Featuring top local performers Paul Currie, Rachael McCabe, George Firehouse and Mary McGurk.

9. Essential Journeys Live from Bounce Culture at Belfast Cathedral

Bounce Culture brings together some of the most talented musicians they know, to have fun with loops and sounds in Belfast Cathedral.

Playing for the first time together this event features: Úna Monaghan (Harp, Composer/Researcher/Sound Artist), Kaidi Tatham (Keys/Flute/Percussion/Composer/Music Producer), Rick Swann (Trumpet Player/Music Producer), Dena Anuksa (Singer/Songwriter/Vocalist/Music Producer) and Kwame Daniels (DJ/Host)

10. Swing Survival with The Swing Gals

Swing out sisters! 

Long-time Culture Night favourites, the Swing Gals, perform an uplifting mash-up of songs of survival and hope from the plush surroundings of the Bullitt Hotel’s new Rattlebag Bar.

11. Ronnie Greer’s Blues Band at the Grand Central Observatory

Northern Ireland’s blues legend Ronnie Greer will perform some of his best known hits at the Grand Central Hotel in Linen Quarter, exclusively for culture night.

Ronnie is one of the country’s best known blues and jazz guitarists who has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business including Dr John, Luwll Fulson, Phil Guy, Johnny Mars and many more.

Ronnie’s Chicago Blues with a twist is sure to delight all music aficionados.

For more information on this year’s programme go to culturenightbelfast.com or follow #CNB20 #CNBonline on social media.

If you’re a creator and want to submit your event to Culture Night Belfast this year simply fill out the submissions form at culturenightbelfast.com/cnb-online 

Antrim Castle Gardens has been awarded Tourism Northern Ireland ‘We’re Good To Go Certificate.

Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) working in partnership with Visit England, Visit Scotland and Visit Wales have developed this standard to ensure a common approach across the UK to provide reassurance that safe working guidelines in relation to COVID-19 have been adopted. 

Antrim Castle Gardens has been a safe haven for locals and more recently visitors as lockdown restrictions have relaxed. With additional visitor services now available at the award-winning Gardens a number of COVID-19 secure measures were put into place to ensure that Executive guidance on the operation of visitor attractions during recovery was fully complied with.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Jim Montgomery said “I am delighted that Antrim Castle Gardens has received this accreditation allowing visitors to feel confident about the management and operation of this attraction during recovery. It is so important for our health and wellbeing to enjoy the freedom of open spaces and with record numbers availing of the Gardens during this pandemic our focus on public safety is paramount.”

Businesses operating within the visitor economy including accommodation, visitor attractions, restaurants and pubs, business conference and events venues and tour and coach operators are currently eligible to apply for the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard.

County Down-based music producer James Mountstephens has released the stunning track Drop The Bomb under the performance name of Synyx.

Fans of EDM, and progressive melodic techno pop, will want to be ready for this release, which was produced in James’ Dromore studio.

Using the song as a mirror of how relationships can turn sour James captured the mood of the times.

“I feel it is quite an original track,” he explained. “It has a melodic progressive vibe, aggressive bass synths, a lot of feeling around the issue of negative relationships.”

Inspired by his friend and fellow producer Alex Holmes James developed the track from an initial concept by toplining melody to create a drive in the release.

Drop The Bomb is the latest creation under the name of Synyx.

Originally from Birmingham, the married father of two has been living in Northern Ireland for 12 years, after establishing his reputation in the Midlands.

“After learning how to mix vinyl a I was fortunate enough to establish DJ gigs at prestigious clubs such as Miss Moneypennys and Fuel as well as establishing residences at top Midlands clubs,” explained James.

The Synyx moniker, and associated Monkey branding, was developed by James to better reflect on the direction of his music.

“I wanted to create a strong brand character to coincide with my music that fans can engage with, something a bit more than just me as a producer,” he said. “A fictional character that can maybe bring good change to the world through music and my own beliefs and learnings, my own perception of truth.

“Synyx was really a twist on the word cynical at a time I found myself questioning more and more of the mainstream narrative.

“To further merge all this I needed a lead character so I had the idea of a chimp that was lost in space and then intercepted by an advanced god like alien race. He was genetically enhanced with the ability to travel the galaxy. His cause, to bring truth, peace and unity to the universe.”For more information go to synyx.co.uk. Drop The Bomb is out now.

Northern Ireland-based children’s theatre company Cahoots NI has launched an immersive digital theatre experience with the aim of bringing the magic and joy of theatre to young audiences at home.

The University of Wonder and Imagination is an hour-long interactive digital theatre production that allows audiences to effectively direct the performance, based on their interaction with the performers. In this ambitious and innovative undertaking, Cahoots NI will broadcast from an extensive, purpose-built set in Belfast, where magic and illusion have no boundaries.

The show will have it’s Northern Ireland premiere as part of this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival running from October 22nd – 25th and 29th – November 1.

Limited to pre-booked audience numbers per performance, guests will assemble with their fellow University students and, led by the mysterious Professor Bamberg, will embark on a journey where nothing is quite what it seems. 

Audiences will interact with lively lecturers, experience themed rooms filled with illusion and encounter problems and puzzles in an attempt to unlock magical powers and graduate with flying colours.

Speaking about the new production, Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney, Creator/Director of The University of Wonder and Imagination, and Artistic Director of Cahoots NI, said: “We are thrilled to be opening the doors of the University of Wonder and Imagination for enrolment.

“Now, more than ever, we want to capture the sheer joy and wonder that theatre and live performance brings young audiences, something we so desperately miss being able to provide at this time. We have worked hard to create an experience that would act as a first step to bridge the gap between young people and live theatre that can be enjoyed at home.

“Developing this production has allowed us to explore a completely new channel through which to bring magic and illusion to children and their families via digital technology. The choices our audiences make live, during the event, will shape their unique theatre experience – and that’s hugely exciting for us.

“The technology we are using for the production is intricate, but it will be seamlessly blended with physical sets and magical illusions. Our audiences haven’t seen anything like this from Cahoots NI before, and we believe it will be a fun-filled, thrilling experience for children, for their families and for our cast and crew to be a part of.” 

The University of Wonder and Imagination is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “Despite the enormous challenges presented to the Arts as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cahoots NI continues to offer audiences world-class children’s theatre with their latest show, The University of Wonder and Imagination, this Autumn.  

“With their trademark ingenuity and wizardry the Cahoots team are managing to bring the essence of stage magic and theatrical spectacle to life through new technologies. Cahoots’ work is not only multi award-winning and internationally acclaimed, but also a firm favourite with family audiences at home and abroad. 

“This latest show promises to be a wonder to behold! The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is hugely proud to support this terrific production which will be enjoyed by many online, helping to bring great art to everyone.” 

Cahoots NI is at the forefront of Northern Irish theatre and is the leading professional theatre company producing work for children. Since beginning operations in 2001, Cahoots NI has produced original, critically acclaimed work for children including Under the Hawthorn Tree, Secrets of Space, Shh! We have a Plan and has toured its work internationally including in China and the USA.For more information go to cahootsni.com or follow Cahoots NI on social media #UniversityofWonder #CahootsNI