You’ll have a ‘Wail’ of a time this summer at Stendhal

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The multi-award winning Stendhal Festival is back for its thirteenth instalment this July 6th to 8th and the organisers are guaranteeing the public that they will have a ‘Wail’ of as time as they revealed the first wave of musical acts set to perform at Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady, this summer.

Topping this years’ bill are a plethora of unique and exceptional musical talents including; The Wailers, Bell X1, Newton Faulkner, The Scratch, Cara Dillon, Turin Brakes and Yazz Ahmed.

Stendhal will of course continue its commitment to showcasing the very best and emerging Northern Irish talent and this year Ballymully Cottage Farm will play host to some unmissable home-grown acts.

Joshua Burnside, Roe, Sasha Samara, Fya Fox, Winnie Ama, No Oil Paintings, Red Eye Pariah and loads more will be taking to the Stendhal stages.

Stendhal will also showcase some of the best emerging and new acts from The Republic of Ireland and this year Sprints, ModernLove, Crow Black Chicken, Overhead, the Albatross and more, join headliners Bell X1 and the Scratch in making the journey over the border.

Stendhal debuts this year include; Manukahunney, Pinkslips, Claire Sands, Invaderband, Boy M5, Search Party, Tramp, Marion Hawkes, Cora Kelly, Emily McCormick, Polar Bolero, Edgy C and GG Carma and Baroda, so there will be ample opportunity to find your new favourite act at the festival this summer.

Dance and DJs are also on the agenda at the event with DJ sets from critically acclaimed ex-Portishead DJ Andy Smith and BBC 6 Music DJ the Fun Lovin’ Criminal himself, Huey Morgan.

Festival Director Ross Parkhill says he is thrilled with how the line-up is taking shape.

“As usual we have a fantastic mix of genres, we have legends like The Wailers and Bell X1, some of the hottest up and coming acts from all throughout Ireland, Ivor Novello Award winners, NI Music Prize winners and there is still plenty more to come,” he said.

“The Wailers are without question our most requested act to return ever following their sensational performance at the Karma Valley Stage five years ago and we can’t wait to see them again.

“We are delighted to finally be welcoming a couple of acts who we have wanted to play here for years in Bell X1 and Cara Dillon. Bell X1 will be performing an exclusive all electric show for us this summer having spent quite a while touring acoustically with a string quartet so that is really exciting and of course then having the Roe Valley’s very own songbird in Cara Dillon, finally playing her home festival, will be something special indeed.

 He added: “We are also so pleased to be welcoming back Turin Brakes for the first time since they headlined the event 13 years ago and we can’t wait to show them the progress that the festival has made over the years, in part thanks to them.

 “Throw in the Brilliant Newton Faulkner, The Scratch and Yazz Ahmed and our headline acts so far are a great mix of styles and have the broad appeal which we hope will see us have another successful year as we continue to recover.” 

Ross concluded by taking the time to say a few words of thanks: “To everyone who has bought their ticket already, thank you so much for your continued faith in us, it means the world to us.

He added: “We’d also like to thank Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Help Musicians NI for their continued support and for the first time this year we’d like to thank a brand new partner, Alchemy Technology Services from Derry/Londonderry. We greatly appreciate the support provided and wish you a warm welcome to our Stendhal tribe.”

Much more programming is still to be announced with more music, the comedy, poetry, family line-ups and more being revealed in the coming weeks.

For tickets and more information visit stendhalfestival.com 

SONGS FROM IRELAND AT THE MARKET PLACE

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Back by popular demand, Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden return to The Market Place Theatre with ‘Songs From Ireland’, an intimate, musical evening.

You can expect some well-known songs, some you may never have heard of, but they will all reflect the Irish spirit in its many forms; nostalgia, romance, emigration, politics, sentimentality, loss, regret, humour. The songs have all been selected because they say something that resonates with Pat and Dave musically and lyrically.

 

Between songs you will also be regaled with stories from their days in Ireland throughout the years.

The song selection will include those either written or sung by the likes of Paul Brady, Tommy Makem, The Fury Brothers, Christy Moore, Thomas Moore, Brian Kennedy, Bagatelle, Pete St. John, Shane McGowan, Phil Coulter, Mary Black, Jimmy MacCarthy, Van Morrison, Val Doonican, Richard Thompson, Dolores Keane, Christie Hennessy, Horslips, Johnny McEvoy, and many more.

 

‘Songs From Ireland’ will be staged on Wednesday 12 April at 8pm. Tickets priced £15 can be booked online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025.

Ballymoney gets set for carnival colour as Spring Fair returns

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Ballymoney Spring Fair is making a return to the town on April 21st and 22nd – with free family-friendly activities and lots of carnival colour to look forward to.

Organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, with support from Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce and FUSE FM, this year’s action-packed event is set to be the best yet, with new venues in the town centre and an even bigger choice of have-a-go attractions on offer.

Look out for vintage cars, live music, dance displays and a showcase of our best artisan produce or indulge in some retail therapy with many of the town’s independent boutiques and businesses offering Spring Fair special offers.

New additions to the programme this year include a Tea Dance in Ballymoney Town Hall on Friday afternoon (April 21st), and dog friendly entertainment and activities on Saturday (April 22nd). There’s also something special planned for Church Street on the Saturday – you won’t want to miss it!

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace said he was delighted to see the return of the two-day celebration: “Ballymoney Spring Fair has proven to be a very popular addition to our events calendar, and it brings a great atmosphere to the town. We would love you to join us this year and enjoy a great family day out with us.”

On Friday, FUSE FM will host live music and entertainment at Castlecroft Square featuring Causeway Trad and much more while Saturday’s highlights include performances from Jamie Sloan and Polar Bolero, along with displays from the Kelly Neill Dance Company.

The fun continues on Saturday with a range of family-friendly activities and entertainment. New for 2023 is the Church Street experience, where you can browse the shops while enjoying live music, children’s animation, walkabout characters and a variety of outdoor games.

Naturally North Coast and Glens Artisan Market will transform Castlecroft Square in the town centre from 11am – 4pm on both Friday and Saturday. A pop-up market will be on Church Street on Saturday, creating a new buzz at the top of the town. Previous winners of the UK’s Best Community Market, this collective of makers and creators offers everything from knitwear, jewellery, paintings, woodcraft and photography to some of the tastiest artisan food products.

Animal lovers can visit the free petting farm at Seymour Street car park, where attractions include a variety of interesting animals and creatures, while Riding for Disabled will offer horse and pony rides for a small fee. Take the opportunity for a close encounter with a range of birds of prey, with a fun falconry experience for the whole family to enjoy.

A Quiet Time session will run in the morning from 11am to 12noon, for children with additional needs.

At Castlecroft look out for balloon modelling, children’s craft workshops and Animated Street Theatre from 12noon – 3pm.

Visitors can enjoy a programme of performances from various dance troupes throughout the town. Live music will also feature at The Diamond.

To accommodate ever increasing visitor numbers, Seymour Drive will host the hugely popular free family games and activities on Saturday from 12noon – 4pm. Those feeling adventurous can try their hand at archery, bottle shy, horseshoe toss and rodeo sheep.

Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Vintage and Classic Car Show with Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club at Station Square from 12noon, showcasing a range of restored vintage vehicles, then joining the carnival parade at 3.30pm. Old time cars, tractors and impressive lorries from local hauliers will join the spring-themed spectacle of music and colour, setting off from the Town Hall and travelling along High Street, Main Street and Meeting House Street.

For more information about the event go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com and make sure to follow Causeway Coast and Glens Events on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Renewables Experts Everun Turning Tide In Saving Energy

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Revolutionary new motor Turntide tackling climate change

Renewables experts Everun are bringing a revolutionary new energy technology product to market that will help companies save on costs and help tackle climate change.

The Turtide Smart Motor System, developed in California, has been proven to save companies on energy bills and Everun’s Managing Director, Michael Thompson believes that it will be an essential part of the drive to save money.

“Electric motors are everywhere in business from pumping air to powering production lines,” he said.

“However, we are using technology for these motors that is more than a century old and is not efficient for today’s world.

“Turntide is a proven system that uses smart technology to make sure that companies have an efficient way to power the electric motors, and we are delighted to offer it to clients across the island of Ireland.

“Recently the Department for the Economy in their Energy Strategy – Path To Net Zero Energy indicated one of their objectives was to ‘deliver energy savings of 25% from buildings and industry by 2030’. Installing a Turntide system will provide businesses with a robust solution for attempting to achieve this objective.” 

The Turntide system is cloud-connected, with smart software that is certified to be up to 60% more efficient than traditional motors and is already in use across the United States.

Ryan Morris, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Turntide Technologies said the company was delighted to be partnering with Everun to exclusively offer the product across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

He believes that it Is essential that businesses grasp the opportunity offered by this system that is similar to upgrading from a landline to smartphone.

“Across the world it is estimated that almost 50% of electricity is used in electric motors,” he explained. 

“From air conditioning to powering elevators and assembly lines these systems are everywhere.

“The Turntide solution is part of our mission to upgrade as many of the outdated and inefficient motors with our Optimal Motor Systems. They are proven to work and provide substantial reduction on costs, with a return on investment of between 18 months and two years.”

Turntide’s electrical motor is based on the physics of electric generation using magnets and holds more than 100 patents for its intelligence-based system. Its three elements are the motor, the controller and the cloud that optimises every part of the energy produced, and precisely switches the current to the motor 20,000 times per second.

Mr Thompson said that Everun, in conjunction with UK partners Future Motor Limited, have exclusive rights to distribute the Turntide technology across the island of Ireland.

“These new systems can save you from 20 to 60 percent in your energy costs from those that have already installed it so far,” he said. 

“We’ve seen it ourselves but to put that into context plug in the Turntide motor system into your air handling units can save you almost twice the amount of energy that it costs to switch your lights on in a building.”

Mr Thompson added that Everun are confident in the motors as they have been proven in applications that require absolute reliability, fault tolerance and durability, such as nuclear power plants and hospitals.

“We know that it works, we have visited sites where it demonstrates what it can do,” he said.

“Large financial institutions, hospitals and universities are already seeing the savings that can be achieved by installing Turntide’ smart system.

“Amongst other early adopters are companies such as Andras House Group as well as a large number of hospitality, hospitals and manufacturing plants across the UK, who are delighted to see bills go down and make a positive impact on the environment.

“That’s why we are inundated with enquiries already, and why we are offering free consultations to show how this easily installed system can work for you, save money for you and reduce your carbon footprint.

“We at Everun are committed to a renewable future with our experience in windfarm, solar technologies, and Turntide is the latest way we can help you and help the planet.”

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES SERIES OF EASTER DOME SHOWS

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Family Friendly Events to Take Place on Site at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium From 5th to 16th April 2023

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced that a number of family friendly Dome Shows will take place on site during the Easter break, from 5th to 16th April 2023.

Visitors Enjoying a Dome Show at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

These will include:

The Astronaut George Toddler Dome Show. Running daily at 10:30am from 6th to 16th April, except for 9th April, this show is a perfect introduction to the planets in our Solar System for pre-school children.

This full-dome show sees Astronaut George investigate the best planet to live on and the dangers lurking on the surface of other planets in our Solar System.

The Perfect Little Planet Family Dome Show. This 30-minute show will run daily from 5th to 16th April at 11am, except for 9th April. Visitors will explore our Solar System from the perspective of a family from another star system who are seeking the perfect vacation spot.

Come fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known Dwarf Planet. Dive down the ice cliffs of Miranda, sail through the rings of Saturn, feel the lightning storms at Jupiter and walk on the surface of Mars.

The Our Solar System Dome Show. This live family dome show will run daily for 35 minutes from 5th to 16th April at 12pm, except for 9th April. The popular interactive show, produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, will allow visitors to sit back, relax and enjoy a tour of our Solar System. Come see the planets up close, safely gaze at the Sun and let your presenter guide you to where you want to go.

The Look Up! A Spring Night Sky Tour Dome Show. Produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, it is suitable for adults and children aged over 8, this live, presenter-led, 30-minute show will run daily from 5th to 16th April at 1pm, except for 9th April.

The show will take visitors on a seasonal tour around the night sky, as seen from Ireland. Its presenters will guide the audience through the beautiful sights and constellations that can be seen at this time of year. The show is ideal for anyone starting out in astronomy or interested in learning about what can be seen in the night sky.

The We are Stars Dome Show. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 6, this 30-minute show will run daily from 5th to 16th April at 2pm, except for 9th April.

Narrated by Andy Serkis, this show offers an immersive experience that perfectly balances scientific understanding with family entertainment. It seeks to answer some of the most profound questions of all time and explores the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, our explosive origins and the connection between life on Earth and the evolution of the Universe.

The Magic Globe Dome Show, which will run daily from 5th to 16th April at 3pm, except for 9th April. This 30-minute show is suitable for families.

Visitors will learn how a little girl called Mia accidentally discovers a mysterious piece of astronomical machinery whilst on vacation at her grandpa’s. They will also learn how Edmund, Mia’s eccentric uncle, attempts to trick the girl into using the tool’s secret powers to change the world’s seasons, with interesting consequences.

The Passport to the Universe Dome Show. Narrated by Tom Hanks and running daily at 4pm from 6th to 16th April, except for 9th April, this 30-minute show is suitable for adults and children aged over 6.

Visitors will embark on an incredible journey through the observable universe and fly beneath the rings of Saturn, into the heart of the Orion Nebula, and out into the vastness of space to experience stunning cosmic destinations.

Ria Mee, Education Officer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, says, “We welcome visitors to enjoy our Easter Holidays Dome Show programme.

“Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is a globally renowned centre for astronomical research, and we aim to inspire Northern Ireland’s next generation of STEM leaders. As such, we have created and curated a compelling series of Dome Shows to educate and entertain the whole family.”

All Dome Show tickets include exhibition entry. Children Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To book tickets for these events, visit: https://armaghobservatoryplanetarium.ticketsolve.com

Belfast Band RHINOS To Headline New Show At Oh Yeah Centre

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Renowned performers Paul Currie and Brendan Scullion, AKA RHINOS, will take to the stage at the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast next week for their first headline show in the city.

Comedian Paul and drummer/percussionist Brendan (NI Soul Troop) who formed the band in 2013 have teamed up with local promoter Smashing Buttons to bring fans a unique show “influenced by garage rock, heavy metal, dub, psychedelic rock, blues, punk rock, progressive rock, soul, jazz, experimental rock with a jamming approach and unusual song structures” said Tina Kelly of Smashing Buttons.

Supported by LipGloss and The New Normal the show on Wednesday, March 29 is set to be an explosion of garage punk and psychedelic rock with a wide range of influences from Dub, Reggae, Funk, Soul, Hardcore and Glam Punk.

Paul explained: “I’ve been playing in bands since 1991 in Belfast but this is 100% the best band I’ve ever played in. 

“There are only two of us but we’re creating the sound of four people on a stage, which is unbelievable. We’re just pulling together all our resources, the two of us.”

This new EP launch and showcase comes after Paul had been left without a drummer and almost gave up on music altogether last October, until by complete coincidence, through a friend of a friend, he met Brendan.

“I’d given up on any music and then along came Brendan who is not just a drummer but a percussionist and he has a humongous eclectic taste in music which is coming out in RHINOS. Previous drummers have just been heavy metal or rock drummers but Brendan is a completely different style of drummer and it’s really showing in the songwriting,” explained Paul. 

He added: “It’s because of Brendan’s skill as a percussionist and a drummer, as well as a songwriter in his own right and a singer. I’m also using my voice in different, unusual ways. We’re writing songs with unusual song structures but it’s all essentially garage punk and psychedelic rock with a big wide selection of influences that we’re channelling into this band of just two people.”

Throughout the night, audiences will hear music which explores Paul’s personal experiences with bullying, coming out and issues facing the LGBT+ community, all topics that are very important to RHINOS. 

He said: “A lot of the songs are written about me having been bullied a lot as a kid and coming out just last year as queer and bisexual. That’s what we are as a band. As the main songwriter that’s what I’m writing about and where the anchor and my anger is coming from. 

“I spoke about that in my standup comedy – about being Queer and Non-Binary and Bi and part of the whole LGBT+ community and it’s very important for me to stand up and talk about that openly now. Not be in the closet anymore and openly sing about that in my music.” 

Tina Kelly of Smashing Buttons said the show will launch the band’s self-titled EP Rhinos showcasing new music from the band as well as some old favourites.

She added: “RHINOS are one of Belfast’s most exciting bands, every show is full of vibrancy and energy. Not only will fans old and new get the chance to witness a unique and exciting show but they’ll get the chance to hear some fantastic support acts in LipGloss and The New Normal.”

RHINOS with support from LipGloss and The New Normal kicks off at 7.30pm, Wednesday, March 29 at the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Tickets for the event are £7 and are available from Eventbrite (bit.ly/3TJWIS8)

Investing In Electricity Grid Urgent To Meet Climate Change Goals

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By Brian Alexander, Renewables Business Development Manager, PAC Group

Northern Ireland stands on the cusp of major changes in how we generate our power, as global forces converge to shape a very different way of how we produce electricity for our homes and businesses. 

A legacy of under-investment has created problems that put at risk the ambitious aim to generate 80% of our power from renewable sources by 2030 and have a net zero economy.

Support from the Executive is desperately needed for NIE to have the resources and capacity to deliver on their own targets for upgrading and improving the infrastructure of the grid countrywide.

As well as the upgrading of the infrastructure at PAC we would be calling on NIE and the Executive to create a regulated industry body that protects not only the consumers but the companies providing the services. As with all innovative developments in industry it is important the regulations and guidelines are put in place, at present there are none in Northern Ireland. Whilst at PAC Group we operate very strict testing and quality control processes to ensure the longevity of a healthy operating system.

However, these are issues that can be resolved relatively easily with investment and education if the will is there from all.

The Ukraine crisis and other factors brought the price of energy into sharp focus for everyone, including individuals, investors, and business owners. At PAC Group we’ve seen an 80% increase in enquiries for both commercial and domestic applications and installations. The days when you could get a grant to assist with installing a solar photovoltaic panel are long gone. However, return on investment is now down to five-six years from what it would have been more than a decade ago with panels having a standard 25 year guarantee.

Of course, the rise in energy prices has been a factor in those applications, and while the energy cap will have helped to a degree, the reality is that power remains an expensive component in costs. At PAC Group, we have seen the difference it can make, with one recent installation reducing monthly bills by more than half, and sometimes even more.

While there is much discussion around the System Operator for Northern Ireland, NIE and politicians about interconnectors bringing in power from Scotland and elsewhere, with a combination of solar and wind we generate we can work towards almost complete self-sufficiency.

With a willingness amongst consumers, combined with the targets set in the Climate Action Plan, we need a serious discussion about the capabilities of the existing grid and when the Executive will offer support to NIE to deliver on the plan. Even NIE would agree that Belfast and Greater Belfast is desperately needing switchgear upgrades, and they are dealing with poor overall fault levels.

As a result of the difficulties NIE is being forced to tell some installations that whilst they are fully installed they cannot be switched on until 2025. This is unacceptable and we cannot expect our national grid operator to be able to provide a service to the country under these extreme resource and capacity constraints.

It is not the only case, unfortunately. There are other major sites facing similar problems. The need for investment in the grid as well as having the staff in place is clear to everyone involved. If the Climate Action Plan is to become more than a piece of aspirational paper, there will be an urgent need for significant investment.

There also needs to be a re-examination of the application process and the consideration of specific sectors, such as agriculture. Many farmers have a single-phase system when they need a three-phase with a higher-capacity inverter. It is clear that if a business has electricity bills in excess of £700 per month there should be allowances made to enable them to install the appropriate equipment and connect to the grid. For the agricultural sector to be competitive within the market they must find a solution to continually rising energy bills.

NIE are aware of these issues, however, they are hamstrung by the need for a financial injection from the Executive to jump start even more sustainable solutions into life.

The willingness is there, the understanding is there, but action is not being taken by our elected representatives who are still not working after nearly a year.

Where there is this vacuum, more people are involved in installing systems, and some companies say that they can install a PV system without the need to go to NIE. If you are storing all that is generated, that may be fine, but for all others, the connection to the network is needed. If NIE is not aware, the local grid may not be capable of taking over-generation.

Worse still, it can raise safety issues. For example, if there is a power cut and NIE is not aware of a property that is generating power the repair teams’ lives will be at risk. That is why the application process has to take place.

There is a way that this confusion can be avoided, with the creation of a feed-in tariff that is higher than the current rate. That would create an incentive to comply and reduce the need to seek electricity from outside Northern Ireland.

We can solve the various conundrums. We can move the climate agenda beyond the lofty statements and plentiful printouts of policies. Yes, it will require money, and it will require effort by all in the sector.

We may not be the ones sitting around the decision making tables, but we can become energy self-sufficient, we can be economically stronger, and we can play our local part in reducing carbon levels.

Celebrated artists to take the stage in Derry for Walled City Music Festival 2023

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The 14th Walled City Music Festival is taking place this week, and will bring an international line-up of guest artists to perform in Derry~Londonderry’s Christ Church venue.

Raphael Wallfisch, one of the most celebrated cellists performing on the international stage, will open the Festival along with Derry-born pianist Cathal Breslin (also co-artistic director of the Festival). Raphael and Cathal performed the very first Walled City Music Festival together in 2009, so this concert will be a special occasion. Their performance will include music by Brahms, Franck, Schumann, and Debussy.

Irish artists, mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty and pianist Fiachra Garvey join forces on Friday 24th, bringing a programme of beautiful art songs by Grieg, Debussy, Stanford and Elgar.

In the final evening performance of the Festival, Belfast-born pianist Barry Douglas will perform a programme of Schubert and Beethoven for solo piano. Barry has established a major international career since winning the Gold Medal at the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition. As Artistic Director of Camerata Ireland, the only all-Ireland orchestra, and the Clandeboye Festival, he continues to celebrate his Irish heritage whilst also maintaining a busy international touring schedule.

During the week of Festival, Walled City Music will bring together Young Artists from Northern Ireland Opera, the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Walled City Music Piano Festival to take part in a series of education projects, culminating in a Festival-closing performance by the students in the beautiful surroundings of the Great Hall, Ulster University Magee. This concert will continue the Festival’s tradition of inspiring local young musicians, and placing upcoming Irish talent at the heart of its programming alongside established, world-class artists.

Cathal Breslin, Co-Artistic Director of the Festival, said “The 14th  Walled City Music Festival will be one of the most special Festivals so far. It is all about returning home, but now returning in-person and musically is especially important post-pandemic. The theme of “return” is marked from the Festival opening with incredible cellist Raphael Wallfisch, who performed with me to open the very first WCM Festival in 2009. The theme continues with pianist Barry Douglas returning to the Festival to perform a solo recital. Our ongoing promotion of great Irish artists is represented by singer Sharon Carty and pianist Fiachra Garvey, and we are delighted to continue our ongoing collaboration with NI Opera, and to combine that with a pianist from our Piano Festival is our opportunity to showcase some of the best young talent in Ireland. It will definitely be one of the most memorable Festivals we have ever experienced in Derry.”

Full details of the Walled City Music Festival programme can be found on the WCM website. Tickets are available on Ticket Source. Keep an eye on the WCM social media channels for updates.

Intergalactic Weekend of Music and Arts to Celebrate the Final Weekend of Our Place in Space

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Oliver Jeffers book signing, art and Minecraft workshops, samba band performances and a two-day showcase of artists and composers in Bangor’s The Court House will mark the closing weekend.

Our Place in Space, a recreation of our solar system as an 11.8 km sculpture trail designed by artist Oliver Jeffers, astrophysicist Professor Stephen Smartt and a creative team led by Nerve Centre, will conclude its year-long UK tour this weekend (25–26 March) with an epic programme of free events.

Central to the celebrations is a two-day showcase of Constellations of Noise, a programme of artistic intervention delivered across Northern Ireland by Dumbworld as part of the Our Place in Space project.

Constellations of Noise saw eight musicians, including Rory Friers, Áine Mallon, Dee Isaacs, Steve Davis, Rose Connolly, Úna Monaghan, Aidan O’Rourke and Jamie Thompson, work with a diverse range of communities to create a cosmos-crossing set of sound and visual experiences. Traditional music, opera, free-form improvisation, film, song, extraterrestrial radio, poetry and theatre have collided for this unique spectacle.

For one weekend only, the artists’ work will go on display at The Court House in Bangor, featuring alien language radio stations, immersive sculpture and audio installations, film screenings, interactive operetta, and live music. The venue will be open from 11am–6.30pm on Saturday 25 March and from 11am–5pm on Sunday 26 March for the public to visit.

A free evening of live music featuring Rois, Steve Davis and Shane Latimer, and Aidian O’Rourke and Brìghde Chaimbeul will also take place at The Court House on Saturday 25 March.

Elsewhere, Oliver Jeffers will take part in a free book signing event at the Ulster Transport Museum on Saturday 25 March from 1pm where fans can meet the author and get their favourite book signed. Copies of Meanwhile Back on Earth, the intergalactic new book from Oliver Jeffers and inspired by Our Place in Space, will be available to purchase on the day.

Bangor will also play host to a programme of workshops during the closing weekend including Minecraft adventures with Nerve Centre’s Creative Learning Centres, Messy Mornings with Boom Studios, postcard creation with Seacourt Print Workshop and samba performances with Beat n’ Drum.

For more information and to secure free tickets for any of these events visit: https://ourplaceinspace.earth/whats-on

The weekend is also the final opportunity to visit the complete Our Place in Space sculpture trail which has already been experienced by more than 1 million people across the UK. Free to visit and beginning in the grounds of the Ulster Transport Museum at Cultra, the trail weaves its way onto the North Down Coastal Path and ends at Pluto in Bangor.

Stretching over 11. km, the installation features scale models of the Sun and planets, recreated as contemporary art sculptures. Colourful arches house each planet with an arrow and the name of the planet lit up in Las Vegas style lights. At a scale of 591 million to one, the Sun is 2.35 metres across, Earth is 2.2 centimetres and Pluto just 4 millimetres.

Our Place in Space invites participants to consider how we might better share and protect our planet in future and what is the difference between ‘us’ and ‘them’? The project aims to bring our solar system down to Earth and send us soaring into the stars to find new perspectives and reconsider what it means to live life on our planet.

The trail is accompanied by the free Our Place in Space augmented reality app, available on Apple and Android, which allows users across the world to take a journey through the solar system, experiencing the planets in augmented reality and considering 10,000 years of human history on Earth. On the trail, users are invited to collect space souvenirs, including characters from the world of Oliver Jeffers, as well as launch a personalised star into space.

After 26 March, the first half of the sculpture trail will remain a permanent fixture at the Ulster Transport Museum where visitors will still be able to journey from the Sun to Mars. The Our Place in Space app can be used by visitors to complete the journey along the coastal path using augmented reality to view the outer planets as they journey through space.

David Lewis, Executive Producer at Nerve Centre, said: “The public response to Our Place in Space during the last 12 months has been extraordinary — from those visiting the trail and gaining a sense of perspective to an epic events programme featuring leading voices in STEAM and digital and creative workshops for tens of thousands of young people across the UK. We’re excited to mark the final weekend with the opportunity to experience the work of artists from the Constellations of Noise music programme and to cap off a truly cosmic year of activity.”

Our Place in Space is commissioned by Belfast City Council. Led by Nerve Centre, the project is a collaboration between Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, National Museums NI, NI Science Festival, Big Motive, Taunt, Microsoft, Jeffers & Sons, Dumbworld, Live Music Now and Little Inventors.

Our Place in Space was originally conceived through a research and development project and presented as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, co-commissioned by Belfast City Council. UNBOXED was designed to celebrate creativity and innovation, with funding from the Northern Ireland Executive, UK Government, Scottish Government and Welsh Government.

 

Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics Begins!

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­-One of Belfast’s most innovative and thought-provoking festival returns this week

 

The Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics kicks off this week (20th – 26th March) and will explore the theme, ‘Brain Food: A Feast of Ideas for A Better World’ with a programme of film, humour, talks, music, poetry, theatre, exhibitions, tours, discussion and workshops.

Now in its ninth year, the week-long festival has over 130 in-person and online events. Most events are free and will take place online and in venues across the city.  Keynote speakers include the world-renowned intellectual Noam Chomsky; American political scientist Francis Fukuyama; British environmentalist Jonathon Porritt; Belfast poet Medbh McGuckian; campaigner George Monbiot; visual artist Colin Davidson: journalist Sally Hayden and satirist Oliver Callan.

Commenting on this year’s programme, Festival director and founder, Peter O’Neill said: “This year’s programme is jam-packed with a diverse range of events that will cater to a variety of tastes.  Our events will nourish the mind and provide food for thought in this volatile world. We aim to put the fun into politics with lots of humour, performance and discussion, so please join us for this feast of ideas and view the events at https://imaginebelfast.com/.”

There are many notable events in the programme including a politics quiz, a poetry and politics pub tour, and a special ‘Poetry and Politics’ performance, hosted by William Crawley, where local politicians will talk about their favourite poems.  Owen McCafferty’s new play, ‘Agreement’ premieres at the Lyric Theatre and examines this landmark moment in the history of Northern Ireland.  Other new productions include Five Days – a new play by Joe Nawaz, and the premiere of Reunion by Julie Dutkiewicz and Kabosh Theatre.

Musicians include legendary performer, John Otway; alternative punks, Wood Burning Savages; the acclaimed Australian song writer, Robert Forster; and a talk by Paul Gorman on the rise and fall of the music press. Comedy is well represented with Tiff Stevenson and Fin Taylor alongside poets such as Henry Normal, Luke Wright, and Clare Pollard taking to the stage.

Tickets and further info are available from: https://imaginebelfast.com

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