Immersive and thought provoking installation forms CNB21 offering

The creative team behind this year’s Culture Night Belfast installation have revealed ambitious plans to create a vast structural, lighting and sound show that will fill the Cathedral Quarter’s Writer’s Square.

Belfast artist Gawain Morrison and his team will turn Writer’s Square into The Ogham Grove, a monumental, immersive sculpture and accompanying digital trail which will create a whole new experience for Belfast. 

Susan Picken, director of Culture Night Belfast and the Cathedral Quarter Trust, said the plans Gawain has presented are “spectacular” and will “provide a very unique experience to each person who visits throughout the weekend”.

She added: “Gawain and his team of artists will transform Writer’s Square with a totally innovative and spectacular artwork that will invite visitors  to explore the relationship with our native woodlands and the environment. 

The Ogham Grove really tapped into our concern for the environment and the devastating impact of climate change. It also restates our commitment to support and work with our incredible cultural and creative sectors here in NI. 

This is a significant moment for CNB, not only is this our first large-scale artists’ commission but it also signals an exciting new format for the event as we move forward.”

The concept for The Ogham Grove takes inspiration from the ancient Celtic Ogham Tree Alphabet.

“Two monumental sculptures will be built in Writers’ Square, with themes drawn from our ancestral heritage and culture here on the island of Ireland” explained Gawain.

“The Tree Alphabet will act as the primer for learning about the Ogham characters, their meanings, and their tree associations while the Celtic Ogham Year Wheel signifies the links with our natural environment, living in harmony with it, and the awareness of our place in the universe, the lunar and solar cycles that drive the life on this planet of ours, and all of how life lives–in balance and together.

“The Ogham Grove offers a window into an alternative interpretation of the world around us, highlighting the importance that nature played in the societies of our ancestors, enabling us to reconnect with this heritage in a playful, thought provoking and visually stunning way, at a time when the natural environment and spending time outdoors has never been so important.”

Prior to the pandemic, Culture Night had been one of Belfast’s largest free events, a cultural celebration that attracted almost 90,000 local, national and international visitors to the Cathedral Quarter and Belfast city centre. The impact of COVID has led to a major review of the event however.

Susan said: “Culture Night 2021 will be much smaller in scale and scope and will take the form of an on-site installation that people can drop into and enjoy over the course of the weekend – this different format will allow us to focus on safety as well as making sure everyone has a great time.”

Gawain alongside his team, including artist and prop designer Dylan McCaughtry, designer, artist and engineer Neil Beattie, lighting designer Tomás FitzGerald and drum loop producer Damian Mills said the installation they are planing will leave visitors with “a monumental audio-visual experience that will be overwhelming both day and night.” 

He added: “The actual scale of the structure itself will be impressive. The fact that at night-time the lighting will come alive will give it a very different feel from the daytime and allow people to experience it in different ways.”

The 2021 edition of Culture Night will have a completely new format and a new approach designed for a COVID-safe, post-pandemic environment. A major difference this year is the decision to suspend the previous open submission programme and instead focus on creating one central experience working directly with artists.

“One of the biggest changes this year will be that we haven’t run an open programme for submissions as in previous years” said Susan. 

“There won’t be the usual on-street activity or pop-ups that people are used to. Instead, Writer’s Square will be transformed with an exciting monumental installation, The Ogham Grove, running from Friday September 17 to Sunday September 19. This extended running time will allow more time and space to visit and experience over the weekend.”

“This will be a unique and sensory experience for anyone attending and will make for great photo opportunities” added Gawain.

This year’s Culture Night Belfast is supported by Belfast City Council, Arts Council for Northern Ireland, Tourism NI, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Translink.

To keep up to date with all the CNB Presents The Ogham Grove updates go to culturenightbelfast.com or follow #CNB21 on social media.

Some of the country’s best known comedians are hoping to be pitch perfect celebrating a night of side-splitting comedy at Inver Park.

BBC Blame Game Star Neil Delamere and Northern Ireland comedy sensation Paddy Raff will be taking to the stage this September as part of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s vibrant arts programme.

Council has teamed up with Larne Football Club to bring two nights of laughs to Larne as part of a new mini festival ‘It’s Good to Be Back!’

The event at Larne’s Inver Park stadium is covered so can go ahead whatever the weather and runs from Saturday 18 to Sunday 19September.

Saturday will see BBC star Neil Delamere headlining, support acts Teresa Livingstone of Soft Border Patrol and upcoming star Frazer Robb will get the crowds warmed up whatever the weather.

Sunday sees the SSE arena sell out star, Paddy Raff, take to the stage, supported by funny men Micky Bartlett and Paddy McGaughey.

Both gigs will be compered by Give my Head Peace’s very own Da, Tim McGarry and kick off at 7.30pm with refreshments available from the 1989 Club onsite.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Cllr William McCaughey said: “We are so pleased to bring some of the finest comedic talent seen on these shores to Larne. We’re so excited to be working with Larne Football Club to deliver a weekend of much needed humour after what’s been a tough year for most.

“The arts sector has suffered greatly during the pandemic with no live performances in over 18 months. It’s now fantastic to see light at the end of the tunnel and what better way to celebrate than bringing sport and comedy together, using football stadia to welcome audiences back in a safe environment. A huge thanks to Larne Football Club for working with us on this fantastic festival and it will be one filled with laughs, so is certainly not to be missed.”

Gareth Clements, Chairman of Larne Football Club added: “It’s great for the club to be working alongside Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on this fantastic event, for not only the town and borough, but indeed residents across Northern Ireland.

“One of our guiding principles since re-energizing the club four years ago, was to put Inver Park at the heart of the community and make it a hub for all things good.

“This event is a real cultural fit for what we are trying to achieve, and I believe this will be the first of many we deliver.

“Whether it be smiles on people’s faces leaving Inver Park with three points on a Saturday, or with tears streaming down their faces with laughter after a comedy evening.

“I’ll happily accept both; what’s not to like!”

This event is suitable for anyone aged 18+. Tickets are £25 (plus £1.50 booking fee per ticket) and are available online at https://www.larnefc.com

It is strongly recommended that anyone attending the event should take a Lateral Flow Device test (LFD) no more than 24 hours before they attend and on days two and eight after the event. If you have any signs or symptoms or feel unwell, you should not attend and should follow the advice found at the NI Direct website.

One Giant Weekend in partnership with the LCC Group, was One Giant Celebration of fun which took place across three of the Council’s iconic venues from Friday 3 – Sunday 5 September.

A celebration of Northern Irish music, culture, taste and traditions as part of the Council’s Northern Ireland Centenary programme ‘A Country’s Centenary for Our Community.’

V36 at The Valley was rocking on Friday night as the best of our local artists took to the stage including up and coming hip-hop star Jordan Adetunji and Newtownabbey Arts and Culture Network. The evening concluded with a spectacular Fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

At Antrim Castle Gardens, Carson and the Lady, a new drama by local playwright Michael Cameron funded by the Shared History Fund, took place on Friday and Saturday evening in the stunning setting of the castle ruins. This high society drama is a story about Lady Jean Massereene and her close friend and political hero Sir Edward Carson, amongst the audience enjoying this great drama was Lord Massereene. 

The award-winning Antrim Castle Gardens was a hive of activity for One Giant Picnic on Saturday afternoon, the crowds were in great spirits as they relaxed on the main event field with their culinary delights where they were treated to an afternoon of fabulous music from the Armagh Rhymers, Jordan Walker and Bjorn Identity-Abba Tribute Band. Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin had a captive audience as TV presenter Claire McCollum hosted a Q&A session where Diarmuid offered advice and tips on all things gardening, the gardening expert also launched Garden Show Ireland 2022 which will return to Antrim Castle Gardens from Friday 29 April – Sunday 1 May.  The Parterre Gardens was the perfect setting for more intimate performances from Northern Ireland Opera and Ronnie Greer. Mr Hullabaloo and Mr Bloom where also Giant hits with the children.

On Saturday evening Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland headlined One Giant Concert at Theatre at The Mill with a sensational musical performance to an invited audience who were dazzled by Northern Ireland’s world class talent.

Spinning Yarns at Mossley Mill brought One Giant Weekend to a close on Sunday with a marvellous range of Market traders, demonstrations and workshops celebrating the wonderful world of all things associated with wool and linen. A great line up of music including Ballyduff Silver band and Campbell College Pipe and Drum Band added to the ambience of this colourful event.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb said “One Giant Weekend was a Giant success, bringing our communities together. This three day festival was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the best of Northern Ireland talent across the Borough. It was great to see so many people enjoying and supporting the diverse and inclusive programme that had so much to offer for young and old alike”

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is celebrating Good Relations Week 2021 with outdoor screenings of the animation Gnomeo and Juliet in Portstewart and Limavady.

The free screenings will take place on Saturday 18th September at 2pm at Drumceatt Square outside Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, and on the outdoor terrace at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart on Saturday 25th September at 2pm.

Billed as a comical re-boot of Shakespeare’s play, the popular animation takes place in the world of warring red gnomes and blue gnomes, separated by a garden fence.

Bring your own seat, a picnic and remember to dress for outdoor weather. The events are free but ticket numbers are limited. Social distancing restrictions will apply. 

To book tickets for the screening in Limavady visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-outdoor-film-screening-gnomeo-juliet-limavady-tickets-168705120557

To book tickets for the screening in Portstewart visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-outdoor-film-screening-gnomeo-juliet-portstewart-tickets-168708500667

Registration for both will be live from Friday 3rd September.

For more information go to  www.roevalleyarts.com or www.flowerfield.org or contact karen.smyth@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

These events are supported by the Executive Office, through the Together: Building a United Community, District Council Good Relations Programme and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. 

Further information about Good Relations Week can be found at www.goodrelationsweek.com.

The Portico of Ards in Portaferry is well known for delivering a fantastic range of concerts and has become a big draw for tourists as well as locals, but did you know it’s run almost exclusively by volunteers?

The charity that runs Portico has just one employee who manages a team of dozens of local people and it is these volunteers that come together to bring arts and music events to the Ards peninsula.

After 18 months of being forced to close due to the Covid restrictions, the Portico of Ards in Portaferry has finally been able to open its doors to live audiences again, but with more than 50 concerts rescheduled over the last year and a half, there’s a jam packed schedule between between September’s Comedy Arts Festival and Christmas. With at least one concert every weekend, this is wonderful news for lovers of live music and comedians, but it’s turned into a bit of a headache for Portico’s Manager Dr Verity Peet.

“It’s great that we’re so busy, and we love having audiences back at Portico, but we’d really like some new volunteers to get involved. We ask people to commit to at least one evening each month but there’s plenty of choice in what kind of gigs they can help out at and what roles they can do. Quite frankly, we’re really grateful to our volunteers – they are the lifeblood of this place. Without them, we simply couldn’t survive. Volunteers do so much here, from gardening to fundraising, but at the moment we especially need more help with ushering at concerts on Friday or Saturday nights.”

So what does it take to be a volunteer at Portico? Local artist Sara Brown has been volunteering at Portico for several years and loves it. “I’m more than happy to support a venue on my doorstep because it brings great events to Portaferry and is so much easier than travelling to Belfast. It’s really easy work and there’s always great craic. I’ve met new friends, discovered new kinds of music and got a social life for free! What’s not to like?”

The Comedy Arts Festival coming up at Portico starts on Friday 17 Sept and includes stand up comedians Paddy Raff and Neil Delamere, sketch show Our Jimmy, operetta The Pirates of Penzance, Motown tribute band The Iconettes and a family show featuring live organ and piano duets with silent animation. The festival is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. After that there’s Ryan McMullan, The Bjorn Identity, The Shamrock Tenors and lots more. If these are the kinds of events you’d like to volunteer at then get in touch with verity@porticoards.com or to see what events are coming up visit porticoards.com

Taste Ards and North Down – Autumn Food Festival: Dates for your Diary

Beginning on 4 September and running right through to 21 October 2021, our Autumn Food Festival gives you the opportunity to savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the boroughs finest food and drink.

With ticketed experiences for the dedicated foodies, as well as a fantastic FREE Tide and Turf family-friendly event in Portavogie on 11 September, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste!

Enjoy amazing food showcase events at Saltwater Brig, Lekker Kitchen Cafe, Alexander’s & Co, Grace Neills, Irelands Oldest Pub Est. 1611 , No 14 Restaurant and The Salty Dog

Find out more about the Taste Ards and North Down Autumn Food Festival https://bit.ly/AutumnFoodFestival

#VisitAND #TasteANDEnjoy

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is taking part in this year’s Food & Cider Festival by playing host to some foodie-themed cinema and interactive kids craft activities.

On Friday 10 September, the venue will screen the charming film, ‘Chocolat’, a cinematic love letter to chocolate (and to love itself) on. ‘Chocolat’ stars Juliette Binoche as a captivating chocolatier who brings intrigue, along with her magical confections, to a small French village. Come along and enjoy the movie as well as some chocolate treats which are included in the ticket price.

The kids can get in on the action with one of the weekend’s hands-on workshops. What better way to bake with the famous Co Armagh apple than getting creative with yummy apple cupcakes. Join the cupcake decorating workshop on 11 September which will introduce you to the skills and techniques to create amazing cupcake designs every time. You’ll get hands on experience decorating a box of twelve cupcakes to take home with themes from Disney Descendants. Learn to pipe buttercream like a pro and handle and colour using florist paste. Colour and cut sugar paste to top your cupcakes for a domed finish then complete your creations by sculpting mini apples of various colours, miniature trees and leaves from icing and to complete the look add a sprinkling of coloured sugar for a sparkling finish.

Or if cosmetics are more your thing, come along and create your very own apple themed cupcake bath bomb on 11 September. You will make a fizzy, apple green base before using the secret recipe frosting to pipe a fluffy cupcake swirl using a piping bag and nozzle. Imagination will be required as you decorate your masterpiece with an array of pretty apple themed toppings and sprinkles. Your finished product will be placed in a pretty cupcake case with a red or green ribbon and carried home in a protective dome.  The only thing you have to decide is ‘Is it just too pretty to use in the bath?’

All performances will adhere to current social distancing requirements, and with full safety measures in place, you can sit back and relax as you escape from it all this Summer. Tickets for these, and many more experiences, can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

Ards and North Down Borough Council is gearing up for an autumnal celebration of local food and drink across the Borough. Throughout September and October, you will have the opportunity to savour seasonal produce, experience some of the boroughs finest food and drink at our foodie experiences and purchase directly from local producers and suppliers at our Taste Ards and North Down food markets.

Highlights include;

• Tide and Turf, Portavogie

Saturday 11 September, 12noon – 5pm

Join us for the main event on Saturday 11 September for a celebration of fantastic local produce and lots of family fun.

It will be foodie heaven, with the chance to feast on delicious treats, see live demos from great chefs, and meet our local food and drink heroes.

With great music, entertainment and lots of fun kids activities – it will be a perfect day out for foodie families! 

FREE

• Foodie Experiences

Enjoy unique autumn experiences celebrating seasonal tide and turf produce and showcasing some of the borough’s finest local food and drink. 

Tantalise your taste buds and take a look at our mouth-watering programme and see what foodie experience you fancy, see visitardsandnorthdown.com/events/autumn-food-festival-foodie-experiences.

• Local Food and Drink Markets

Ards and North Down is well known for our wonderful local markets which have been a tradition for over 100 years. From Bangor to Comber, Newtownards to Portaferry, throughout September and October there will be lots of opportunities to join us and taste Ards and North Down’s seasonal fayre.

Foodie events are topping the menu this autumn in Ards and North Down so make a date in your diary and see visitardsandnorthdown.com/Taste for more information. There’s never been a better time to Taste Ards and North Down.

• All providers will operate with COVID-19 measures in line with current government guidance.
• Help us to stop the spread of COVID-19. Regular rapid lateral flow testing is strongly recommended prior to attending this event. For more information see www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/lateralflowtests   

Starting this month, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has launched a series of Legendary Telescopes Tours. The tour takes you on a journey through the Armagh Observatory, giving you a fascinating insight into see its historic telescopes.   

Armagh Observatory opened in 1790 and is now a Grade A listed heritage building in which astronomers still undertake fundamental research, and the oldest observatory in the UK and Ireland continuously in use for its original purpose.  Inside the Observatory there are four generations of historic telescopes that remain in their original settings, as well as one modern telescope still used today.  

Each tour is undertaken by an expert guide who will tell you about these telescopes and how they were used for pioneering science in their day.  

Heather Alexander, Senior Education Officer at Armagh Planetarium and Observatory says: “Our new Legendary Telescopes Tours provides a great opportunity for people to gain a wider understanding around the work our astronomers today continue to carry out on site. We have a vast amount of unique stories to share and discover along the way. You can get your picture taken with the Grubb 10 inch and get up close and personal with the century-old Calver telescope.   

“We hope these new tours will extend our visitor experience and demonstrate how much history is housed here. Plus, how the history of tomorrow is still actively being discovered and defined here in Armagh.”

Tours are running now until the 5^th of September with an exclusive summer rate of £15pp. Groups are limited to 5 people plus 1 tour guide. Extras include 20% off products in Café and 10% off selected products in the Gift Shop. Book tours today via: https://www.armagh.space

The Get Wet Campaign, which kicked off this summer, is an initiative designed to get more people into watersports across Northern Ireland and encourage participants to join local water sports clubs.

The campaign has seen a range of water sport clubs based all over Northern Ireland offering local people an opportunity to ‘Have a Go’ in a variety of water sports for free or at a significantly reduced cost! 

From a 5-day Sailing Summer Scheme by East Antrim Boat Club; yachting for beginners delivered by Rodger’s Quay in Carrickfergus; to St Ayles Skiff Rowing for Beginners in Killyleagh Harbour, there is something for everyone, catering for all abilities. More events launching in September.

Speaking on the campaign, Mike McClure from SportNI said: “With people looking for ways to improve their physical and mental health, water sports such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, open water swimming and recreational sailing have all seen a sharp increase in take up since restrictions have eased. 

“This campaign is a fantastic opportunity to try out a water sport for the first time in a friendly environment under the guidance of competent coaches and instructors, and subsequently find out how you can continue to enjoy it by becoming part of a local club. It aims to encourage sustained local participation and to raise awareness of the amazing water-based recreation opportunities in Northern Ireland.

“The events offered as part of this campaign are suitable for anyone looking to get into a water sport in their area. No experience is necessary, and we have seen more and more people not traditionally associated with water sports dipping their toe into these fantastic sports.”

Some events are subject to minimum or maximum requirements specified by the event organiser: e.g., age, health, height, or weight. This is outlined in the information provided in the ‘Suitability’ section of each event. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they conform to the minimum requirements.

A current list of events planned can be viewed here: http://getwetni.com/events  

Get Wet is funded by SportNI with support from a range of water based National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The NGBs involved in this campaign are the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland, the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland, British Sub Aqua Club Ireland, Angling NI, Rowing Ireland, Irish Kite Surfing Association, and the Irish Water ski and Wakeboarding Federation.

The 2021 campaign is funded by Sport NI’s Build Back Better Project: Re-boot.