Author: whatsonni

Human Chain, a performing arts project organised by cultural diversity charity ArtsEkta, will see more than 60 young people from diverse communities across Northern Ireland perform together at the MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 19^th March, 2019 at 7.30pm.

Using the poetry from Seamus Heaney’s last book as a springboard for conversations, Human Chain captures the experiences of these young people using drama, music, movement and visual art to explore what it is to be growing up at this time, in this place.  Their stories are full of joy, anger, frustration and hope, highlighting the complexities faced by our young people as they navigate through their formative years, trying to make sense of the world in their own unique way

Aoife Nic an tSaoir, Outreach and Engagement Officer, ArtsEkta who organised the event says:

“We wanted to provide a creative space for young people to explore and express their culture and their identity.  Seven groups from across Northern Ireland were selected for this initiative with initial workshops in January. This was followed by the development of short scenes that reflected the participants’ experiences. As well as these individual pieces, the groups have come together to create ensemble pieces where they have the opportunity to work with young people from different cultures and traditions, highlighting both the similarities and the differences that exist amongst the young people.” 

Matt Farris, Creative Director of this ArtsEkta project says:

 “It is the opportunity to come together and work alongside people from across Northern Ireland – to share stories, hear the stories of others and develop a greater understanding of the diversity that exists within Northern Ireland and the way in which this enriches everyone’s experience. It is the opportunity to showcase the work carried out during the workshops and to provide the participants with a platform on which to have their voices heard, their opinions acknowledged and feel that their views are contributing to the changes being made within their own communities and across Northern Ireland.

“Human Chain is young people telling it how it is for them as they navigate their way through these formative years of their lives – the challenges they face, the hopes they have, the changes that they want to make. It is by them, for them, and for those of us who maybe don’t have the opportunity to hear what the younger generation has to say about Northern Ireland in the past, present and future.”

The seven groups selected for this project which was funded by The Executive Office through the T:BUC Scheme – Together Building United Committees are:  

• Brownlow Community Hub, Theatre, Movement and Film group  – Craigavon
• Highfield Youth Club, Theatre and Music group – Shankill Road, Belfast
• Tides Training, Theatre and Film, Keady
• Colaiste Feirste – Theatre and Movement – Falls Road, Belfast
• The Braid, Dance and Movement – Ballymena
• Rainbow Factory, Dance and Movement – Belfast City Centre
• St. Theresa’s Youth Club, Visual Arts and Prop Making with Graffiti – Glen Road, Belfast

Members of the West Belfast Women’s Choir will join the young groups for a special finale. St Theresa’s Youth Club also worked with artist Eoin McGinn to create a striking backdrop for the performance and all the groups took part in cultural diversity workshops as part of this project.

Nisha Tandon, Executive Director, ArtsEkta said:

“The goal of this project is to give the participants the opportunity to participate in high quality artistic workshops, building their confidence and giving them a voice. Through their participation we have been exploring how they see themselves within greater society and how they relate to people from different backgrounds. We hope to break down barriers to relations between people from different backgrounds and encourage young people to strive toward a society where cultural difference are not only accepted but celebrated. We have worked with young people from various community backgrounds and a key message that is coming through is that they all experience the same issues and they all want the opportunity to be involved in projects where they can express themselves.

“Through the project, ArtsEkta has been able to strengthen existing partnerships and form new relationships with a number of organisations across the province. Throughout the project, the idea of ensuring a legacy to the project has always been at the forefront of the work, gaining a greater understanding of each of the groups that we are working with and ways in which they would benefit from further arts engagement. A true success for this project would be the ongoing and deeper engagement with each of our community partners and further education and celebration of the diversity that exists in Northern Ireland.” 

Human Chain by ArtsEkta at the MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 19^th March, Admission Free, but tickets must be pre-booked via https://themaclive.com/event/human-chain-showcase After the show there will be a reception with refreshments and a chance to meet the creative team and cast of community participants.

Antrim Live returns to the heart of Antrim from Friday 5 until Sunday 7 April. Antrim Town will be buzzing with activity during this weekend of cultural extravaganza.

Now in its third year, Antrim Live is a festival of fun with something for all ages to enjoy. Kicking off this year’s event on Friday 5 April, Nuala McKeever brings her new stand-up comedy show “Letting Go or Losing It” to The Old Courthouse, whilst the funfair arrives in town at the Castle Mall car park.

Take in the sights and smells and sample some of the culinary delights at the Artisan Market. Or join us for The Jurassic Loc Down and Fossil Hunt and dive into the world of prehistoric beasts! Jay the T-rex and his little sister Roxie will be stomping their way into Antrim Castle Gardens in a fully interactive show.  

Come be enchanted as we lead you on a tantalising treasure trail where an array of quirky characters will guide you and surprise you as they take you through our wonderful, Wonderland Wood! The Bop Bop Baby, storytelling with Mr Hullabaloo, street performers and funfair will provide the children with hours of endless fun.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael commented “Antrim Live is a great weekend of activities for the whole family to enjoy in the heart of Antrim Town. This event goes from strength to strength each year, attracting hundreds of visitors to our Borough, showcasing our fabulous Antrim Castle Gardens and other historical sites. I would encourage you all to come along and join in this festival of fun.”

The Long Now by poet Sam Burnside who was born in Antrim will be staged at The Old Courthouse on Saturday 6 April. The Long Now explores one man’s memories of growing up in County Antrim in the 1950s set against the ripples of external political, economic and cultural forces that were to impact so forcibly on life here during that time. Featuring Sam Burnside’s poetic language, The Long Now is an evocative exploration of memory,

Take a Tour of Pogues Entry the home of Dr Alexander Irvine on Saturday 6 April. Meet the Lady of the Chimney Corner and some of the characters who shaped Irvine’s Life and work. Antrim Live has a great line-up for the whole family to enjoy so come along and join us for a feast of festivities in the heart of Antrim Town.

For a full programme of events please visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/antrimlive.

This Mother’s Day let Hastings Hotels take away the worry of how to spoil your mum with lots on the menu at the seven hotels across Northern Ireland including delightful lunches and Afternoon Teas.

Mother’s Day Lunch:

• Europa Hotel in Belfast – Table d’Hote lunch menu in the Causerie – £30 for adults with children’s menu available   
• Everglades Hotel in Derry~Londonderry – Grand Buffet Lunch – £30 for adults and £16 for children
• Stormont Hotel in Belfast – Grand Buffet Lunch – £38 per person and £15 for children
• Ballygally Castle in Co Antrim – Grand Buffet Lunch – £35 for adults and £18 for children
• Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle – Grand Buffet Lunch – £48 for adults and £25 for children or £30 for adults in the Percy French (kids menu will be available)
• Grand Central Hotel in Belfast – Seahorse a la carte menu – £50 for adults and £30 for children
• Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast – 5-course table d’hote with a glass of Pink Champagne – £55 for adults and £25 for children in the Mitre Restaurant and a Buffet lunch in the Cultra Inn is £35 for adults and £20 for children

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Saturday 30^th and Sunday 31^st March:

• Culloden Estate & Spa – £45 per person and includes a glass of Pink Champagne and ESPA gift
• Europa Hotel – £32 per person or £42 per person with glass of Prosecco
• Stormont Hotel – £22 per person or £32 person with glass of Pink Prosecco (also available Friday 29^th March)
• Ballygally Castle – £28 person or £38 per person with glass of Prosecco
• Everglades Hotel – £24 per person with a gift for every mum (also available Monday 1^st April)  
• Slieve Donard Resort & Spa – £30 per person with a gift for every mum or £40 with a glass of Prosecco (only available Sunday 31^st March)
• Grand Central Hotel – Observatory Afternoon Tea – £45 per person with a gift for every mum

And to show your mum just how much she means to you, a Hastings Hotels Gift Card is the perfect present as it can be spent in any of the seven hotels and redeemed against an indulgent Spa treatment, a delicious afternoon tea or a relaxing break away, there’s something to suit everyone and every budget which she can enjoy in the future.

For further information or to book Mother’s Day lunch in the hotel of your choice simply contact 028 9047 1066 or go to www.hastingshotels.com.  

An inclusive cycling session will take place at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney on Sunday 24^th March from 2pm-4pm.

The event follows on from a previous session delivered in January which proved a resounding success.

The inclusive cycling session will give participants a chance to come and try out a range of specialist cycling equipment available through the Disability Hub.

Organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Every Active 2020 Coaches, the event is tailored for all abilities and will provide an opportunity for people with a disability to experience the inclusive cycling initiative.

To register contact lisa.mullan@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk, for further information telephone Sports Development Manager Stephen McCartney on 028 7035 5048.

Further sessions are planned throughout the year at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney as outlined below:

• Sunday 28^th April 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 26^th May 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 16^th June 2pm-4pm
• Thursday 13^th June 7pm-9pm
• Thursday 4^th July 7pm-9pm
• Sunday 7^th July 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 28^th July 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 18^th August 2pm-4pm

Appropriately trained Every Body Active staff will be on hand at each session to offer guidance, equipment demonstrations and safety advice.

 C.S. Lewis Square has a new feature – the Poetry Jukebox. 

Only 52 jukeboxes exist across global locations and this is Belfast’s second ( the other location is Crescent Arts Centre).  The Poetry Jukebox is placed on street locations with the aim of making poetry accessible to all.

For the C.S. Lewis Square Poetry Jukebox, the curators Maria McManus  and Tade Ipadeola (Nigeria) put out a call for poetry based on the theme, ‘A Deeper Country’ which features in The Chronicles of Narnia by east Belfast-born author C.S. Lewis.

Over 100 submissions were received from around the world, but only 20 could be included.  The poets featured come from NI, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, US, Australia, Canada, Nigeria and Argentina. The project is supported by Arts Council NI from National Lottery Funds, EastSide Partnership, Belfast City Council and Connswater Community Greenway, and will be in place until 1^st April 2019.

To find out more, visit @poetryjukebox on Twitter

Australian comedian, Eleanor Conway returns to the MAC 5-6 April with her hotly anticipated sequel, Walk of Shame 2 (Reality Bites).

Fresh from the success of a 100 date, 10 country tour, Conway is back at the MAC with her award-winning sequel about what happens when you stop chasing the ‘perfect’ version of you and realise she’s been there all along.

Winner of the 2019 FRINGE World Weekly Comedy Award, Conway has been performing nationwide since 2014, appearing at Edinburgh Fringe, Glastonbury and the famous Comedy Store.

Her original show, ‘Walk of Shame’ sold out at the MAC last April, and part two is set to be just as popular. The perfect girl’s night out, expect more confessional life advice and laugh out loud anecdotes from this ex-party girl.

Make a night of it with a pre-theatre meze platter or cocktail from the MAC’s latest menus, launching this month in the Café Bar. The new menus offer a selection of tasty treats and tipples for guests to enjoy before and during the show. Beat the queue and pre-order interval drinks from the bar before the show begins or using the handy link in your pre-show text. 

Tickets for Walk of Shame 2 (Reality Bites) are on sale now at www.themaclive.com, or call the box office on 028 9023 5053.