Author: whatsonni

It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing the rescheduling of the 20th Belfast Film Festival. 

To slow down the spread of COVID-19 and protect our guests, audiences, staff and volunteers, the festival, which was due to start on April 1^st, will now be postponed until the autumn.  

We considered the ‘social distancing’ and digital models but yesterday, at an emergency board meeting, we decided unanimously that halfway measures would not work. 

Just over a week ago we launched our 20^th anniversary programme to a room packed with hundreds of excited film lovers, and we have already sold 2,000 tickets.  

We want to respond imaginatively to this difficult time.  In order not to disappoint people too much, we will offer a few treats to our audience to thank them for their patience. A selection of online events will be available free for our audience, including legendary film producer Jeremy Thomas in Conversation with Mark Cousins; the Short Film Competition and Official Selection Shorts; and others to be confirmed. Key special events from the 2020 programme will be rescheduled as soon as it is possible. 

We are also delighted to announce a one-off collaboration with our colleagues at Foyle Film Festival in November. We are all in this together and we think that film culture will be stronger from such co-operations. This partnership shows the true spirit of collaboration and will lead to innovative film events in both Belfast and Derry this autumn.

When people self-isolate at home, what is one of the things they’ll do?  They’ll watch films.  Classic movies and new work. Film isn’t a fair-weather friend.

In the next few days, we will process refunds for all tickets and passes purchased. Keep an eye on our website www.belfastfilmfestival.org for further updates.

We thank our customers, our staff, volunteers, guests, funders, sponsors and venues for your support, and look forward to the clear weather once the storm has passed.

The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh is hosting Desmond Kinney’s exhibition, BUILE SHUIBHNE ‘SWEENEY ASTRAY’.

Northern Ireland born international artist Desmond Kinney is best known for his revival of the technique of working with mosaics, through various large-scale murals and public art works mainly focused on Irish myths and legends. In the 1980’s he started illustrated calligraphy, working on Seamus Heaney’s translation Sweeney Astray, creating paintings in the medium of watercolour. The Home of Saint Patrick Festival 2020 and The Market Place Gallery are delighted to exhibit sixteen of Kinney’s stunning illustrations which have never been exhibited publically before.

Buile Shuibhne, in English ‘The Madness of Sweeney’ is an old Irish myth immortalised in verse composed during the 12th Century. The poem inspired many writers, including Seamus Heaney, who made his own translation of it, published in 1984. Heaney’s friend, artist Desmond Kinney, enamoured by the work, turned it into a series of watercolours featuring his personalised calligraphy.

Desmond Kinney also transformed the Buile Shuibhne into a large mosaic frieze which is situated at the University of Limerick. The mosaic made in Venetian vitrious glass features quotations from Seamus Heaney’s text. The poet and the painter remained lifelong friends.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can 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.

The Market Theatre in Armagh has a packed Bank Holiday weekend of events for all the family starting off with ‘The Hedgehog Prince’ on Saturday 14 March.

It tells the story of a couple who long for a child, be it as beautiful as a snowdrop or as prickly as a hedgehog! The storyteller spins a tale bursting with magic and enchantment; of a boy bewitched, a giant cockerel, a king lost in a forest and a promise never to be broken. The Hedgehog Prince is based on an old traditional folktale and uses puppetry, object theatre and original music, which will enchant young and old alike. Suitable for children aged 5+.

On Sunday 15 March, The John O’Connor Writing School presents a reading of ‘Come Day, Go Day’. John O’Connor’s novel ‘Come Day, Go Day’ is a loving evocation of Armagh’s Mill Row, of a people, a time, and a place long gone. From the poignancy of Teasie’s story, to the exhilaration of the Bullet Match, to the tragedy of Vincent Kelly and his dog Gyp. Come and celebrate this unique and wonderful work, adapted and read by Armagh-born actor and writer Karl O’Neill.

Then on Monday 16^th March, we have a film screening of the documentary ‘The Peacemaker’. A New York Times Critics’ Pick and multi-award winning film, ‘The Peacemaker’ is an intimate portrait of international peacemaker Padraig O’Malley – who helps make peace for others but struggles to find it for himself. The film takes us from Padraig’s isolated life in Cambridge, Massachusetts to some of the most dangerous crisis zones on Earth, as he works a peacemaking model based on his recovery from addiction. We are delighted that Padraig O’Malley will be joining us for a short Q&A after the screening. This is a free event although tickets should be pre-booked.

Tickets for all events can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

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.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is playing host to a stunning line-up of music and drama over the coming weeks to celebrate the City’s St Patricks Festival.

The drama kicks off on Saturday 7 March with ‘Dream, Sleep, Connect’, a bold new comedy about disconnection in the digital world, which takes a timely ‘swipe’ at online dating and appoholics.

Chris is working on a technological solution for the Irish border under the beady eye of his boss, Lucy, when he realises he has no one to invite to the office do. He joins Tinder only to find he’s met his match in more ways than one… But before long, Chris begins to ask the ultimate question: Who is watching who?

Then on Thursday 12 March, join us for ‘A Sharing of Traditions’ as Cavan meets Antrim in a unique coming together of traditional music, song, yarns & humour. Antrim’s own Willie Drennan and Cavan’s Martin Donohoe will show us all how there is much more binding our cultures together than driving us apart.

The Rapparees, a 5-piece folk and traditional band, are about as exciting an act as you’re likely to encounter on the circuit. Coming to The Market Place on Friday 13 March, their unique brand of folk music combines vocal harmonies with lashings of fiddle and banjo, which will have audiences on their feet singing and dancing along. They arrive at The Market Place with a bang, with their new album ‘Recharged’. Join us for an evening of foot stomping belters and heart-warming ballads.

The Walled City Music Festival is just around the corner and as part of this year’s event a major new piece has been commissioned by the Festival, with support from Arts Council Northern Ireland, from Derry-born composer Christopher Norby.

The piece is entitled ‘Some Day: A Piece about Civil Rights’ and will be premiered in The Glassworks on Saturday 7 March by international chamber ensemble Trio Festivale (Sabrina Hu, flute; Gerald Peregrine, cello: Cathal Breslin, piano). 

‘Some Day’ presents civil rights movements as an ongoing struggle for equity over time. Within this larger context is the story of the civil rights movement in Derry – the precursor to it, how it was influenced by movements in the Southern States of the USA, and how it was eventually overshadowed by a violent Nationalist struggle. The piece also examines the changing role of communications in the modern world – from connecting people in the past to its capacity to divide, polarize and influence political discourse in the present.

In addition to the music, the performance of ‘Some Day’ will featurea film montage of incredible photography and footage from iconic figures such as Eamon Melaugh and Barney McMonagle in Derry, Spider Martin in Selma, Alabama, and contemporary TV footage from local news journalist Leona O’Neill. All of these historic materials have been crafted by motion designer and illustrator Michael Boddy into a visual accompaniment to the newly-composed music that will be shown in The Glassworks on 7 March.

Matthew Greenall, Executive Director of Walled City Music, commented “Commissioning has become a regular feature of Walled City Music Festival’s programme in recent years, and we are delighted to present Some Day, our most ambitious commission to date. Chris Norby has revisited and made fresh the live issue of civil rights in our society, and his striking new work will encapsulate both the ongoing importance of civil rights and the relevance of contemporary art works to that struggle.”

Tickets are now available for all concerts via the Millennium Forum Box Office or online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk. For more information visit www.walledcitymusic.com.

Wellness From Within 2020 aims to tackle growing mental health crisis

TWO of Northern Ireland’s leading Wellbeing Advocates have launched the province’s first ever local wellness summit which aims to help tackle the growing mental health crisis.

Annette Kelly, Founder of the inspirational wellness brand, Little Penny Thoughts, and Tyrone GAA player, Richard Donnelly have joined forces to create Wellness From Within 2020 which is taking place on Sunday 29^th March in the Crowne Plaza Belfast from 10am – 5pm.

The full day event will include talks and workshops from some of Ireland’s top thought leaders in the health and wellness industry, ‘Real Life, Real Stories’ panel discussions with an inspiring line-up of individuals who have all faced personal challenges and overcame adversity.

Speakers at the event will include Performance Nutritionist and Author, Daniel Davey; leading Personal Trainer and cystic fibrosis hero, Ben Mudge and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and mental health activist Caroline McMenamin.

Co-Founder of Wellness From Within 2020, Annette Kelly said: “We are proud to launch Wellness From Within 2020, an event with a difference that will help open up conversations surrounding our own personal wellbeing and mental health.

With Northern Ireland’s current mental health crisis, we are eager to help others and let people know that there are ways to build resilience and coping skills. Mind-set, fitness and nutrition play a major role in boosting wellbeing and overall health which is why we have created this unique event and we hope people will leave feeling empowered, educated and inspired.”

Richard Donnelly, Co-Founder added: “We’ve put together an amazing line-up of speakers who were selected because of their incredible knowledge and expertise, uplifting nature, courage and bravery and secured Event Partners from some of Northern Ireland’s top businesses leading the way in the health and fitness industry. Wellness From Within 2020 is a day suited for everyone and we are encouraging people from across Northern Ireland to come along, take some time for themselves and learn the importance of self-care.”

Event Partners include Bank of Ireland, Gym Co, Tony & Jen’s, Move Your Mind, B&L Productions and Natur & Co Vitality.  Tickets are priced at £60 and include lunch and a wellness pack to take home. For further information or to purchase tickets go to www.littlepennythoughts.com