What’s happening this week in Belfast
Theatre is most definitely back with the reopening of and first touring production arriving in the Grand Opera House, and a new production starting in the Lyric Theatre. Also starting this week is the Belfast International Arts Festival with a live and digital programme to immerse yourself in. Elsewhere, new tours and exhibitions are popping up. Belfast is starting to buzz again!
The Border Game at the Lyric Theatre runs from 2nd-23rd Oct 2021 on the Main Stage.
The Border Game is a timely and powerful reflection on 100 years of the border and how it has impacted those who live along it. Inspired by 100 testimonies collected by the writers with real people living all over the 300-miles of the border.
Book now at https://lyrictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-border-game
SIX at the Grand Opera House runs 6th - 10th October.
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.
Book now at https://www.goh.co.uk/whats-on/six/
BIAF gets started from 6th Oct - 7th Nov
The stage is set, mics checked and curtains drawn as Belfast International Arts Festival officially gets underway this week.
Now in its 59th year, Northern Ireland’s largest contemporary arts festival promises a compelling programme of drama and dance, topical talks with the authors behind the latest literary releases, classical music, toe-tapping folk and roots, affecting independent film and contemporary visual arts.
Find out more of the full line up and book now at https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
Distortion - On Demand from The Mac
When a homophobic government minister resigns in disgrace, a brand-new political party fronted by a photogenic, yet shallow husband and wife team want his once-safe seat.
To secure it, however, they need a jaded electorate’s support.
Enter Jo Devine - out and proud PR guru - hired by the couple for the polish and sheen they need. But when careers collide with ego and conscience clashes with lies, who wins?
Watch on-demand until 11:59pm on Sunday 24 October.
More at https://themaclive.comfy/event/distortion
Exhibitions
Anne Tallentire - But this material…
This exhibition is the first significant institutional presentation of Anne Tallentire’s work since her career survey This, and Other Things 1999-2010 at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
But this material... brings together key works from the last decade as well as work which is re-imagined for the particular architectural and spatial qualities of the MAC galleries.
8th Sept - 21st Nov
More at https://themaclive.com/exhibition/anne-tallentire-but-this-material
In ‘Beasts of Burden’ at Belfast Exposed, Paul Seawright turns his attention to Rwanda. In the Rwandan genocide of 1994, members of the Hutu ethnic majority murdered an estimated one million people, mostly of the Tutsi minority in just 100 days. 25 years later a distinctive project, “Cows for Peace”, pairs perpetrators with their victims. Seawright’s images examine what is invisible within this space: the tension of the place but also the delicate nature of the caretakers when working with these animals.
7th October - 18th December
More at: https://www.belfastexposed.org/exhibitions/beasts-of-burden/
‘My Name is Maya’ by award-winning artist, Manon Ouimet. Tracking Manons conversion to Judaism with images reflecting her journey from spiritual desire to belong, through a calendar year of richly-grounding festivals, traditions and food.
7th October - 30th October
More at: https://www.belfastexposed.org/exhibitions/my-name-is-maya/
NEW in the City
The Linenopolis tour
Over a century ago, Belfast was the hub of the world’s linen trade, and the city was abuzz with warehouses, mills and shops producing, selling and trading the material. This guided tour aims to explore the trade which made Belfast an industrial power house, and takes in some of the buildings that were specifically built to accommodate this thriving and crucial period in the city’s history.
The Blue Plaque tour
Take a dander round the city centre and learn about some of the men and women who helped make Belfast the place it is today. The Ulster History Circle places commemorative blue plaques honouring those who made a significant contribution to society. This tour highlights the influential people who helped shape Belfast’s development.
Both tours takes place on the first Wednesday of each month (starting October 6), with the Linenopolis tour at 11am and the Blue Plaque tour at 2pm. They each last around an hour and are priced at £10 each. Those who choose to take part in both tours on the same day will only pay £15.
To book your place, contact Linenhall Library on 02890321707 or email info@linenhall.com
Heritage Inspired artwork arrives at Belfast Cemetery
130 children aged between 8 and 16 worked with local artists Frankie Maher and Robert Peters on the project, which involved the young people learning about the history and heritage of the cemetery and producing paintings inspired by it and the notable figures buried within its walls.
For more information on the City Cemetery Heritage Project, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/citycemeteryheritage
