International Arts Festival Hosted Each November by the Queens University of Belfast

Fri, Sep 24, 2021, 09:00

Supplied by Belfast International Arts Festival

Salvage the dates: 6 October-7 November 2021

Compelling drama and trip the light fantastic, experimental genre-busting works, topical talks, the latest literary releases, classical music, toe-tapping folk and roots, contained picture show, contemporary visual arts, outdoor events – from October 6th to Nov 7th, more than 200 uplifting, joyous and idea-provoking events will be hosted beyond Belfast as #BIAF21 welcomes the return of live, in-person events. There will also exist a number of special digital events to enjoy from home, so check out the Digital Laissez passer.

Part of BIAF'southward Digital Pass is a special online screening of On Huckleberry Hill, written by Sebastian Barry, presented past Fishamble, and featuring Niall Buggy and David Ganly. Photo: Patrick Redmond

The impressive program connects NI, its artists and audiences with artistic practice from beyond the globe, exploring matters such as identity, race, gender stereotypes, legacy, social justice problems and, of course, lockdown.

BIAF21 opens on  6 October with the premiere of The Border Game. This coproduction by Belfast'southward Prime Cut Productions and The Lyric Theatre is a timely and powerful reflection on 100 years of the Border and how it has impacted those who live along information technology.

Ahead of COP26 is the Irish premiere of Sea Sick (16-17 Oct), laurels-winning Canadian science journalist Alanna Mitchell'southward acclaimed product on climate change and the country of the global ocean.

The stunning film projection Epilogue: A Dancer Dies Twice, past Eileen McClory and produced by Maiden Voyage Dance, takes its inspiration from a Martha Graham quote: 'A dancer dies twice – once when they stop dancing, and this first decease is the more than painful.' Photo: Conan McIvor

The first in a triple bill of headline concerts at the Grand Opera House is The Great Irish gaelic Songbook (21 Oct). Dervish, ane of the world's most renowned and imaginative interpreters of Irish folk music, volition exist joined by very special guests Glen Hansard, Eddi Reader, Cara Dillon, Brian Kennedy, Karen Matheson and the Open Arts Community Choir. The post-obit nighttime is an already sold-out Glen Hansard concert. On 23 Oct, festival favourites the Ulster Orchestra and the "Irish Queen of Game Music" – conductor Eímear Noone – join forces to take video game music to a symphonic level with Electric Arcade.

Hunter Filmed is a recycling of Oona Doherty'south previous works: the stage performance of Hope Hunt & the Ascension into Lazarus and the gallery installation work Expiry of a Hunter. Filmed in Belfast, it is free to admission online during BIAF21. Photograph: Luca Truffarelli

Dance aficionados are in for a treat with Uncle Ray (13-14 Oct), a touching new dance duet by David Bolger, and the reflective and emotive Epilogue: A Dancer Dies Twice (xi-13 Oct). Online audiences tin access two recent trip the light fantastic for screen works past leading NI choreographer and dancer Oona Doherty: Hunter Filmed and The Devil (9 Oct-seven Nov).

Expect to be entertained at The Grimm Hotel, Cahoots NI's ground-breaking new walk-through theatre experience that takes its inspiration from Grimms' Fairy Tales

In that location are besides 2 exciting world premiere interactive theatre events from leading NI companies. Cahoots NI's The Grimm Hotel (12-31 Oct) is an immersive spin on Grimms' Fairy Tales featuring close-upwardly magic and high-tech illusions in a walk-through theatre experience. And Big Telly boom together wink theatre and physical fiction in Section Story (20-31 Oct), a hybrid event in which an online audience colludes with a physical ane to shape what happens live.

Circus, comedy, parkour and hip-hop abound in the free outdoor family friendly double nib Roll Up Roll Upward and Routine at CS Lewis Square on (Sat 16-Sun 17 Oct).

Other spectacular music events at BIAF21 include Billy Bragg (ii Nov); Belfast Music Social club's Northern Lights Mini Festival; and The Bunting Collection (17 October), an exploration of Belfast's unique place in the history of harp music by Laoise Kelly and Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, narrated by Stephen Rea.

Nikesh Shukla and Musa Okwonga will disuss their memoirs on family, privilege, race and modern Great britain with host John Cocky on Saturday, October 30th at the Crescent Arts Centre

The BIAF21 Talks & Ideas strand brings together established names and newer faces to explore love, grief, mod life, exile and new beginnings across their fiction and non-fiction works. Amongst the 17 events are Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle, who paints a commonage portrait of these strange times living under lockdown; Northern Ireland'southward Lucy Caldwell and Jan Carson, who explore their latest collections of critically acclaimed brusk stories; Nikesh Shukla and Musa Okwonga, who talk over their powerful memoirs exploring race, racism, class, identity, and clearing; and Derek Scally and Susan McKay, who consider identity, religion, legacy and the potential futures of the Due north and Due south of Republic of ireland going forward.

Amongst the five visual art exhibitions is Paul Seawright's Beasts of Burden at Belfast Exposed, a powerful look at Rwanda post-conflict and the nature of trauma, reconciliation and customs.

Inspired by Jane Coyle's play Both Sides, the Walking with Beckett audio walking tour winds through Belfast'due south university quarter in the footsteps of the great Irish gaelic writer Samuel Beckett

The all-time manner to explore Belfast is past human foot, then check out the popular Cultural Walking Tours led past highly knowledgeable Blue Badge guides. New this year is Walking with Beckett, a self-guided audio walking tour of Queen's Quarter featuring some familiar and less-known characters and cameos from the works of Samuel Beckett.

In collaboration with Queen's Film Theatre, BIAF will celebrate the influence of Hong Kong cinema with a season of films by renowned director Wong Kar Wai.

Stay, relax and soak up the temper with luxury hotel group Hastings Hotels,  BIAF's official adaptation partner. Check out the special BIAF rate (bailiwick to availability), from £65pps double or twin including breakfast at the 1000 Central, and from £45pps double or twin including breakfast at the Europa Hotel. Use promo lawmaking BIAF.

BIAF's principal funder is the Arts Quango of Northern Ireland. It is besides supported by Belfast Urban center Quango, British Council, the Government of Ireland's Section of Strange Affairs, Tourism Northern Republic of ireland, and a range of project funders and sponsors.

So what are you lot waiting for? Book online 24/7 at www.BelfastInternationalArtsFestival.com or phone call Box Office at Visit Belfast Welcome Centre on 00-44-28-90246609

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Enhanced information and ideas on Plan Your Visit section https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com/plan-your-visit/. The BIAF team have picked out suggestions on where to eat, have a potable, and the must see and exercise activities. As well check out the suggested itineraries.

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Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/advertising-feature/belfast-international-arts-festival/belfast-international-arts-festival-returns-centre-stage-this-autumn-1.4681762