The age of electronic connection through email and other social media such as, Facebook and Twitter has made it so easy to stay in touch that it’s like having lots of penfriends all at once.

How easy it is to post a few words of greeting and short replies. No more letters, no more long landline telephone calls, no more calling round for a chat and now in some cases, why even send a birthday card whenever a Facebook message or Text or Tweet will do?

However, whilst social networking is a great tool, there’s a profound difference between an online social network and a real one.

The number of people we call ‘Friends’ on Facebook may be big on quantity but what about quality, and is time spent online diminishing our opportunity for true social contact?

Fundamentally technology and our use of it hasn’t brought the true social relationships and connections that we all crave and need, in fact in many cases it has done the opposite leaving us feeling more disconnected than ever.

Local woman Claire Hughes’ research has shown that this lack of opportunity for true social contact is a growing problem, particularly for those that are Unattached i.e. Single, Separated, Divorced or Widowed.

Her solution is her new company Soirée Society NI, an events company for unattached people, coined from the French word soirée meaning ‘an informal but elegant evening gathering’.

Claire Hughes, founder of Soirée Society NI states, “We are planning a fantastic range of events over the next 12 months. Our events offer members, across a range of ages, an opportunity to form real-life connections with like-minded people. It provides the solution for those who maybe don’t know where to go to meet people, or don’t have anyone single to go out with, or don’t like the idea of organised or online dating, or who maybe simply want a new social element to their lives. Our company mantra is to provide ‘Refreshingly Different’ experiences”

To launch the company a free introductory event is being held in Cookstown on Thursday 25^th September at Tullylagan House Hotel Cookstown at 8.00pm. The night will feature special guest Billy Dixon, one of the leading authorities and commentators on communication and team dynamics, who will entertain and inspire the audience with his topic ‘Let’s Get Engaged!’ Afterwards there is the opportunity to meet and relax with new-found friends with music provided by singer-songwriter Paul Hughes.

Due to popular demand, this event will also be repeated in Belfast on Tuesday 7^th October at 8.00pm at Holohan’s on The Barge, behind the Waterfront on the River Lagan. Holohan’s offers a quirky cosy atmosphere for people to meet, mix and mingle, with Paul Hughes again providing the music to help ‘rock the boat’.

Claire Hughes continues, “Our ‘Live, Laugh & Learn’ theme is unique. By going back to basics, we aim to help people to develop true connections through conversation, laughter and fun….without online devices!

So far, there has been good interest from both men and women, and we always welcome ideas for new events.”

Places are filling up quickly so remember to register now to secure your place:

www.soireesocietyni.co.uk/events/

https://www.facebook.com/SoireeSocietyNI

Whether you are looking for friendship, fun and maybe even love and romance: – set phones to silent, your status to busy and get ready to reconnect with Soirée Society NI.

The Burnavon, Cookstown has a real treat in store as in association with David Hull Promotions they present an intimate evening of music with Beth Nielsen Chapman, often considered the Carole King of this generation, on Friday 3rd October at 8pm.

Special guests are local star, and UK winner of BBC’s The Voice 2013, Andrea Begley and successful singer/songwriter, Ruth Trimble.

From writing hits for other artists to recording her own, twice Grammy-nominated songs, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Nashville based singer-songwriter has truly embraced musical diversity. A breast cancer survivor, environmental activist, teacher of workshops and lecturer on the magic of creativity, she’s penned numerous hits and written songs for many top artists including Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Keb Mo’, Roberta Flack, Waylon Jennings, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Bette Lavette and many more. Her music has been heard on ER, Dawson’s Creek, Providence, Felicity and in movie soundtracks, including The Prince of Egypt, Message in a Bottle, The Rookie, Where the Heart Is and Practical Magic. Mega-hit “This Kiss,” sung by Faith Hill and written by Beth, was ASCAP’S 1999 Song Of The Year, garnered a Grammy nomination and Nashville NAMMY’S 1999 Songwriter of the Year.

Among Beth’s own recordings, the ground breaking “Sand & Water,” released following the death of her husband from cancer in 1994, was performed by Elton John on his 1997 U.S. tour in place of “Candle In The Wind” to honour the memory of Princess Diana. Deeper Still was voted “Album of the Year” by BBC2’s Terry Wogan. Beth also released Look, co-produced with the legendary Peter Collins, featuring “I Find Your Love” written for the movie Calendar Girls with Patrick Doyle. Back to Love, released in 2010, spawned two hits on BBC Radio 2, and in 2012 Beth debuted, The Mighty Sky, a romping collection of songs about the wonders of astronomy that earned a 2014 Grammy nomination for “Best Children’s Album.”

On Beth’s new release, 2014’s Uncovered, she rolls out a batch of songs that have been covered by other artists, but she has never recorded herself. Most were Top 10 hits, seven of which topped the charts at #1. Recorded in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and her own “Tree House” studio in Nashville, Uncovered opens with a crystalline piano that gives way to an infectious groove on “Simple Things,” with backing vocals by Kim Carnes (of “Bette Davis Eyes” fame).

Other guest artists lending their talent to the project include legendary guitarist Duane Eddy on “Shine On Me,” a song Beth wrote with Waylon Jennings that also features backing vocals by Jessie Colter-Jennings; Vince Gill duets on “Here We Are,” a #1 hit she and Vince wrote for Alabama; and Darrell Scott sings and plays on “Maybe That’s All It Takes,” a stunning ballad that was a hit for Don Williams.

Chapman’s prowess at writing in a wide range of styles shines through on this collection. From the infectious pop sensibilities of “This Kiss” (Faith Hill) and “Simple Things” (Jim Brickman) to the strains of bluegrass and country in “Strong Enough To Bend (#1 for Tanya Tucker) and “Nothin’ I Can Do About It Now” (#1 for Willie Nelson), the true thread that runs through it all is a her great passion for the well written song. It is also clear that she has a whole lot of fun performing these songs, and has no trouble bringing them home and making them her own once again.

Tickets for this amazing concert are £20 and on sale now at the Burnavon Box Office at the Burn Road, by telephone on 028 8676 9949, or online at www.burnavon.com.

Ladies, get ready! It’s Girls’ Night Out at Theatre at the Mill in Newtownabbey as four of the hottest chick-lit authors take to the stage to discuss their writing on October 16^th.

Fans of female authors Cathy Kelly, Tasmina Perry, Katie Fforde and Jill Mansell will be treated to a night of romantic fiction, humour and wit.

The event is part of Conversations at the Mill, a new programme for the theatre in which popular authors have a chance to talk about their work with their fans.

The evening is divided into two sections: Katie and Jill will kick off the night at 7pm followed by a short break – a chance for refreshments or to browse through the authors’ books which will be available on the night – with Cathy and Tasmina to follow at 8.30pm. Tickets are available for both sessions or just one.

Sunday Times Bestselling author Katie Fforde will kick off the night speaking about her recent books The Perfect Match and A French Affair.

Katie, President of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, was born and brought up in London but has lived in Gloucestershire with her family for the last thirty years.  She started writing as a stay-at-home mother with three young children, after her mother encouraged her by giving her a writing kit.  There have been over eighteen novels since, and she adds also dogs, cats and some grandchildren!

Jill Mansell, winner of the Pure Passion Award, writes full time from her home in Bristol. She admits that she often puts off writing with activities like ‘watching TV, eating fruit gums and admiring the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house.’

She will be speaking about her work, including her soon to be published The Amazing Things About You. She will also speak about past work such as The Unpredictable Consequences of Love, which is set in the idyllic seaside town of St Carys, where Sophie is putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh arrives in St Carys to run the family hotel, he can’t understand why Sophie has zero interest in letting any man into her life

Cathy Kelly is published around the world, with millions of books in print. A No.1 bestseller in the UK, Ireland and Australia, her trademark is warm Irish storytelling about modern life, always with an uplifting message, sense of community and strong female characters at the heart.

She lives with her family and their three dogs in County Wicklow, Ireland. She is also an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland, raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDS.

She will be talking about her novel It Started With Paris.  At the top of the Eiffel Tower, a young man proposes to his girlfriend, cheered on by delighted tourists. In that second, everything changes, not just for the happy couple, but for the family and friends awaiting their return in Bridgeport, Ireland.

Tasmina Perry, author of eight Sunday Times best-selling novels including Daddy’s Girls, Kiss Heaven Good-bye and Private Lives, will conclude the Girls Night Out.  She is a former editor of InStyle magazine and still writes for a raft of newspapers and publications. Her novel The Proposal is due to be printed in paperback in the coming weeks.

She had always planned to be a lawyer but a chance meeting with Robbie Williams changed all that. “I’d just finished law school when I met Take That in a café in Manchester. I went up to Robbie (he looked the friendliest) and asked them if I could interview them partly because I fancied them but mostly because my secret dream – the thing I really wanted to do in life – was to be a writer.

“Two years later I had qualifed as a lawyer and Take That had become really, really famous. I heard about a job at a magazine and clutching my one and only interview with one of the world’s biggest bands – I got the job, and gave everything up I studied so hard for to be a journalist,” she said.

Tickets for the talks are available at www.theatreatthemill.com or 028 9034 0202. Conversations 1 includes Jill and Katie and Conversations 2 will be Cathy and Tasmina. Tickets cost £7/£6 for either session or £12/£10 for both.

Stars of the literary world will be descending on Bangor this week for the ever popular Aspects Irish Literature Festival which is running from September 25 – 28. Among the famous faces you can expect to see are Martin Bell, Fergal Keane, Simon Weston, Virginia Ironside and of the most famous mods of all time Paolo Hewitt.

Also on this year’s programme Tara West will read from her critically acclaimed novel ‘Poets Are Eaten As A Delicacy in Japan’ followed by a panel discussion on the challenges of mental well-being today’s society hosted by Nuala McKeever. For anyone interested in learning how to slow down and refocus, Ireland’s leading mindfulness expert Padraig O’Morain will be reading from his brilliant handbook “Mindfulness On The Go” and giving lots of advice on how to feel calmer and less stressed in everyday life.

Aspects will host a wealth of local authors too like Sheena Wilkinson who will be reading from her story ‘Each Slow Dusk’ which is part of the anthology of stories ‘The Great War,’ Rebecca Reid will read from her stunning new novel ‘Thickets Wood’ the second novel from the Thickets Wood trilogy and Tony Macaulay will read from his new book ‘All Growed Up,’ a funny and heart-warming sequel to his memoirs Paperboy and Breadboy. Belfast born David Park will also be appearing at the Festival reading from his latest novel ‘The Poet’s Wives.’

For poetry lovers, Damian Smyth will be reading from his latest poetry collection Mesopotamia at The Rabbit Rooms which will also hold The Aspects Poetry Slam, the first ever poetry slam held in Bangor, hosted by Poetry NI. Aspiring poets are invited to bring along their private collections of poetry and share them with the audience with the outright winner being crowned ‘Aspects Poetry Slam Champion!’ Local Poet Nathanial McAuley will be hosting a poetry reading with a difference – entitled simply “Adam,” McAuley takes on the story of Adam and The Garden of Eden through the medium of poetry, animation and live music.

On Saturday, September 27, in The Festival, actor and comedian Michael Smiley will be revisiting some of the stories about his childhood in North Down and his more recent experiences cycling around Northern Ireland for the BBC NI Series ‘Something to Ride Home About.’

And children are catered for too with the return of the ever popular ‘Young Aspects’ where young writers are invited to show case their talents. Then on Sunday 28 September, Flow Studio presents Dr Zeuss Storybook Yoga followed by a special QFT screening of The Cat In The Hat at North Down Museum. Also on Sunday 27, Paula McIntyre will be hosting ‘Food From Down’ in The Courtyard in The Museum, where she will host a number of local producers and chat to them about their food and demonstrate how their products can be used in delicious and easy to prepare recipes.

The programme also includes Bernie McGill reading for her collection of short stories ‘Sleepwalkers,’ The Aspects Book Club hosted by Marie-Louise Muir, “A Better Boy” a dramatic monologue performed by Game of Thrones star Ian McElhinney and lots more! We did say something for everyone! Don’t miss out on these fabulous events – book your tickets now!

To purchase a ticket or download a full programme, please go to:  www.aspectsfestival.com.

Tickets are available at www.aspectsfestival.com from the festival Box Office at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and from Bangor Visitor Information Office (028 9127 0069).

Comedy, drama and music – The Market Place Theatre in Armagh lives up to its reputation of offering something for everyone this weekend.

‘Wilde Without The Boy’ is solo theatrical presentation of, ‘De Profundis’, Oscar Wilde’s bitterly reproachful and, at times, exquisitely-beautiful letter, written from his prison cell in Reading gaol to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, after Wilde had been imprisoned for acts of gross indecency. Spend an hour with a chastened – but still hilarious – Oscar Wilde in his prison cell. See into his astonishingly brilliant mind and beautiful, bruised soul. ‘Wilde Without The Boy’ will be staged on Thursday 2^nd October at 8pm. Tickets are priced £10 and £8 (concession).

‘Beoga’ is a five-piece band based in County Antrim, Ireland. Formed in 2002, they have become one of the most popular and influential ensembles in modern Irish music. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordions of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley, four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and Niamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, on vocals and fiddle. Beoga will perform for one evening only on Friday 3^rd October at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 each.

Tony Jameson takes his hilarious sell-out Edinburgh Festival show on the road. ‘Football Manager Ruined My Life’ focuses on Tony’s apparent mid-life crisis [he’s only 33, though] and a realisation that he has spent 20 years playing the same video game. He thinks he’s achieved some good things in his life, but could his life have been any better if he had applied his energies elsewhere? With a warm, amiable and conversational style, Tony brings a mixture of silly stories and references to footballers you may | may not have heard of. Tony will perform on Saturday 4^th October at 8pm with tickets costing £12 or £10 (concession). Tickets for all performances are available through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

And 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 Fresh Waters campaign is asking local people and visitors to the Drumaheglis, Belturbet, Portglenone and Kilrea areas to capture their adventures along the Lower Bann and River Erne on film, and be in with the chance of winning a digital video camcorder worth up to £200.

Whether it is by bike, trekking around the walking paths, on a boat or among your local amenities, Fresh Waters wants you to capture the natural beauty, stunning landscapes and key attractions within the four Fresh Water towns.

This is a chance for you to showcase the unique features within your local area and encourage locals, tourists and the wider community to come and visit. Capture up to 5 minutes of your adventure on your smartphone or video camera and email through to freshwaters@rumourmillpr.co. Alternatively, you can submit your photographs accompanied with details of your adventure. The best videos will appear on the official Fresh Waters You Tube channel and one lucky winner be selected.

One reporter, producer, presenter and director, who knows what the Bann has to offer is Darryl Grimason. Speaking about his recent filming antics along the Lower Bann he says: “I know the Lower Bann really well, as an angler and small boat owner. It is an astonishingly powerful river, particularly in winter, when Lough Beg swells with floodwater and thousands of wildfowl, fleeing the frozen north.

“It’s simply spectacular then but I got to know the entire river even better this summer while making Riverland: a new three-part series for BBCNI. Riverland follows the Lagan, Blackwater and Bann from source to sea – in the company of people, places and creatures that make each river so unique.”

To find out more information about this competition, please log onto to The Fresh Waters Official Facebook page Facebook.com/thefreshwaters or follow @the_freshwaters on twitter. Fresh Waters is part-funded by the EU INTERREG IVA Programme.

Due to popular demand, more tickets have been released for the incredibly popular Virginia Ironside and Alf McCreary events at this year’s Aspects Festival which is taking place in Bangor from 25 – 28 September.

Virginia’s hilarious one-woman show is based on her book ‘Growing Old Disgracefully.’ The show, which is taking place at the festival marquee on Friday, 26 September, arose from performing at literary festivals to publicise her book, ‘No I Don’t Want to Join a Book Club!’ and in it, she explains why unlimited free drugs, fun funerals, grandchildren and sex – or even better, no sex – make the sixties the best and funniest time of your life.  Directed by Nigel Planer, this show guarantees to be a laugh a minute so hurry and buy your tickets before they sell out again! Tickets cost £10 / £9 concession.

Popular local journalist Alf McCreary has also had his Aspects event capacity increased due to demand!  At this event, taking place at Bangor Library on Friday 26 September, Alf will read from his newly released autobiography “Behind The Headlines,” a highly personal account of the renowned journalist’s life, from his birth and family ties in Bessbrook during the 1940s, through his long, distinguished and sometimes turbulent career in the Northern Ireland media. Tickets for this event cost £6/£5 concession.

Now in its 23^rd year, this year’s Aspects programme has something for everyone.  Other festival highlights include; Falkland’s War Veteran Simon Weston OBE in conversation with Gerry Kelly, actor Ian McElhinney will perform a dramatic monologue ‘A Better Boy’ Paolo Hewitt in conversation with celebrity hairdresser Paul Stafford, broadcaster Martin Bell in conversation with Gerry Kelly and so much more!

For the full line-up, please download a programme at www.aspectsfestival.com.

Tickets for these events are now on sale at www.aspectsfestival.com or from the festival Box Office at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and from Bangor Visitor Information Office (028 9127 0069).

• Ballynahinch Harvest and Country Living Festival, Montalto Estate, Co Down, September 27-28.  Enjoy this bustling festival where you and the entire family can get involved in living history re-enactments celebrating the famous Battle of Ballynahinch, international clay shooting and a medieval jousting tournament along with many more activities. You can also delight in the fine food festival that brings together select artisan food and drink producers.
• History Takes Time, Fermanagh Living History Weekend, various locations, Co Fermanagh, September 26-28.  Bring family and friends and learn a thing or two about Fermanagh’s historical past with a weekend full of events.  Take a tour of Belleek Pottery, visit the Marble Arch Caves and step back in time at Florence Court.  With something for everyone it’s sure to be a great weekend for all.
• Belly Laughs Belfast Comedy Festival, various locations, Belfast, Co Antrim, September 24 – October 05.  The Belly Laughs Belfast Comedy Festival returns with a packed programme of fun and humour including comedy bus tours, musical cabaret, sketch shows, improv, comedy poetry, music hall seminars, storytelling, comedy writing workshops, kids events, silent comedy films – something for absolutely everyone who likes a laugh.
• Larne Loves Food, Narrow Gauge Road, Larne, Co Antrim, September 27.  Come see and taste what Larne has to offer at the Larne Loves Food event.  There is lots to entertain people of all ages including food demonstrations by chefs from local restaurants, food stalls with local food retailers and producers, family entertainment and special promotions by local restaurants and cafes.
• Irish Golf Expo, Kings Hall Complex, Belfast, Co Antrim, September 22. Get up close and personal with golf professionals who will offer expert advice through live demonstrations and interactive workshops. There will be golf simulators and a driving range to tee off on as well as an outdoor kid’s golf area.
• Game of Thrones Archery Experience, Clearsky Adventure Centre, Castle Ward Estate, Downpatrick, Co Down, September 28.  Step into Winterfell and take aim where young Bran was taught archery by Jon Snow. Have a go at archery in the very place where the BAFTA award winning TV show was filmed – in Clearsky Adventure Centre courtyard aka ‘Winterfell’.
• Teddy Bears Picnic, Portstewart Prom, Townhall, Portstewart, Co Londonderry, September 28.  Kids are invited to bring their bear along to Big Telly’s Teddy Bears Picnic from 2-5pm for an afternoon of furry fun and delicious delights.
• Cultural Crafts with Thai Arts NI, An Creagan, Barony Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, September 27.   Explore arts and crafts from across the world at An Creagan where a programme of workshops will be delivered by ethnic artists.  Workshops are FREE but have limited availability and suitable for ages 16+.
• Cajun Bluegrass Club with Wookalily, The Market Place Theatre, Market Street, Co Armagh, September 27.  Featuring the best of Bluegrass and Cajun music with timeless songs and food that is as spicy as the music with ‘Honey Island’ chicken Jambalaya and Cajun and garlic potato wedges highlighting just a ‘taster’ of the menu.

• Canoe Tours on the River Lagan, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, Co Antrim, until September 30.  Enjoy a relaxing paddle to explore the beautiful Lagan Valley, visit the secret garden at Minnowburn and maybe afterwards call into the Lockkeepers for coffee and cake.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking.

ULSTER BANK BELFAST FESTIVAL AT QUEEN’S SHOWCASES LOCAL AND EMERGING TALENT FROM ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND

Local artists and organisations from all over Northern Ireland will be taking part in Ireland’s leading contemporary international arts festival, the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, as they join the impressive line-up of Europe’s top theatre directors and internationally acclaimed artists in dance, film, theatre and music, filling venues all over Belfast from 16th October – 1st November.

Fans of classical music should look out for local rising stars, Soprano, Emma Morwood, described by The Sunday Times as a ‘radiant Pamina’ for her role in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and up and coming conductor, Eugene Monteith.  Eugene who hails from Strabane, will take charge of the baton at the Emerging Conductors lunchtime concert with Ulster Orchestra, following an intense week of masterclasses for emerging conductors led by Guest Principal Conductor Jac van Steen.

Be transported back to the golden age of the romantic Parisian salon with the fabulous, Quercus Ensemble, who are offering up a wonderful  evening of songs, games and dances at the Café De Paris featuring a specially commissioned work by Northern Irish composer Patrick Brennan.  Quercus Ensemble is a dynamic mixed chamber ensemble founded by Kim Vaughan (cello) from Derry and featuring many of Northern Ireland’s top young professional musicians.  This event is part of the Northern Lights Mini-Fest presented with Belfats Music Society in an annual showcase of outstanding young classical musicians from Northern Ireland.

World-renowned pianist and star Barry Douglas performs with the Ulster Orchestra in the concert, A Fanfare to Fate, an evening which also celebrates the work of local composer Simon Mawhinney, with a performance of ‘The Pot of Pulgarve’.

Richard Wakely, Director, Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, said, “The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s aims to bring the world’s leading artists and performers to Belfast, but we also aim to bring Belfast to the world, by offering a platform to the outstanding, home-grown talent we are fortunate to have in the region.  From showcasing the more established professionals such as world-renowned pianist Barry Douglas, the Ulster Orchestra and the award-winning Kabosh theatre company, to the array of emerging talented singers, musicians and dancers, the Festival provides an opportunity for Belfast and Northern Ireland to stand up and be proud of our artists and thriving arts sector.”

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music at the Arts Council, commented: “As one of Northern Ireland’s premier arts events, the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, offers the ideal platform for the very best local and emerging artists to showcase their talents, alongside top international acts. It’s a wonderfully eclectic programme which provides genuine excitement and enjoyment to audiences, helping to bring great art within the reach of everyone.”

Belfast based dance company, Maiden Voyage, will premiere their 20^th original production, Neither Either, in a cross border collaboration with Liz Roche Company, Dublin.  The dance workshop, aimed at schools, takes its inspiration from the writings of the great Seamus Heaney and is a free workshop with the aims of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

Kabosh’s new production, 20, reflects on the 20th anniversary of the 1994 IRA Ceasefire in this unique multi-sensory experience of Belfast which takes place in the enchanting setting of the Dome, Victoria Square.

If you’ve ever wondered how artists work, wonder no more as Belfast Open Studios open their doors for a glimpse into the creative processes that result in the artworks often shown in galleries and museums.  Studios taking part include, Flax Art Studios, Creative Exchange, Paragon, QSS Bedford Street and Platform Arts.

Other local highlights includes;

• Brassneck Theatre’s hilarious new comedy, The Holy Holy Bus, is a bittersweet Belfast comedy which follows four females on their pilgrimage to the holy sites of Ireland.  This performance is produced by the producers of A Night With George and Man In The Moon.

• Aisling Ghear’s futuristic and multi-lingual new play, Makaronik, written by Dave Duggan, is set in the year 2084 and if futuristic yet set in tradition – think if Beckett’s Endgame and Ridley Scott’s Bladerunner.

• Replay Theatre Company presents ‘Tiny’ a new show for babies which comes with its own magical theatre space with sounds, lights and textures and is performed to just a few babies at a time.  This show is now sold out.

• More than a Flag, is a world premiere from Dan Gordon and Happenstance – which involved Dan working with 18 young East Belfast bandsmen to create a special performance commemorating the part East Belfast played in WW1.

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s presents great and diverse works of art from home and abroad, bringing audiences something very special that they cannot see elsewhere, all combining to deliver one unique festival which runs throughout the city from 16 October – 1 November.  The 2014 festival features 110 events with performers from 18 different countries and 26 premieres, covering classical and contemporary music, film, dance, theatre, talks and visual arts.

The festival would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and public sector funders including Title Sponsor, Ulster Bank, Principal Funder, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Queen’s University, Belfast City Council, British Council, O2 International Sim, Belfast Harbour, Arts & Business NI and Department for Social Development, plus, the many venues, performers and partner organisations whose commitment and passion bring the arts to life for all to enjoy.

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s box office is now opens with some shows now sold out.  Check-in at www.belfastfestival.com for details and tickets.