EastSide Arts Festival celebrates its 10th birthday this summer with a unique schedule packed with exciting events for all.
The celebrations, running from August 4-14 will feature over 100 artists across more than 80 events taking place in a range of venues in East Belfast including Strand Arts Centre, Vault Artist Studios, Banana Block, C.S. Lewis Square and many more.
Festival-goers will enjoy music, theatre, film, literature, and family-focused and community events for all ages.
William Leatham, Vice Chair, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: "Thanks to the National Lottery, the Arts Council, as principal funder, is proud to support EastSide Arts and this wonderful flagship festival.
"EastSide Arts continue to deliver their vision for the creative transformation of the east of the city, based on the power of great art to inspire people and bring us all closer together.
"Eleven amazing festival days - supported by 365 days of concentrated work behind the scenes, engaging local communities in the arts and building strategic partnerships with cultural organisations across the city.
"Happy 10th birthday! Enjoy the celebrations, everyone."
With the 10th birthday celebrations in mind, here are 10 of the key events not to be missed at this year’s festival:
- Hot House Flowers Thursday 4 th August, Banana Block, Portview Trade Centre - Having headlined the festival in 2018, EastSide Arts Festival is delighted to have this brilliant live band back to open the festival in their 10th birthday year
- OPTIMO Friday 5 th August, Banana Block, Portview Trade Centre - Optimo are regarded as one of the most important names in contemporary club culture, partly thanks to their seminal Sunday night party at Sub Club in Glasgow. Optimo will be joined by The Night Institute DJs for their first gig in east Belfast.
- Park Fest, Saturday 6 th August, C.S. Lewis Square and Orangefield Park - Get your birthday hats and party blowers at the ready for a day of family-friendly creative fun for all ages. Park Fest, delivered alongside EastSide Greenways, will include two family events at C.S. Lewis Square and Orangefield Park and animation along the Connswater Community Greenway linking the two main locations
- Otter Debauchery presents Peninsula, Friday 5 th August, Vault Artist Studios - This is a highlight of this year’s programme of events at Vault Artist Studios. Dan Leith/Otter Debauchery will present a new live musical comedy special filled with sardonic wit, honest anecdotes, crude humour, and catchy tunes. Tackling issues such as love, life, saving the planet and being from Belfast
- Hairspray [2007] Thursday 4 th August, Strand Arts Centre - This special screening will celebrate the 15th birthday of this hilarious comedy, with a special live performance from resident dance and drama school, Ni Stars
- David Hull Promotions Presents Cash Returns; The JohnnyCash and June Carter Tribute Show, Thursday 11 th August, C.S. Lewis Square - JP Mac (Johnny Cash) and Karen Martin (June Carter) have been hailed as the most exciting Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute in the UK, Ireland and beyond
- Dig with It magazine presents… New Pagans, LemonadeShoelace and Winnie Ama Friday 12 th August, C.S. Lewis Square - New Pagans, Lemonade Shoelace and Winnie Ama represent some of the most inspiring, alternative voices from the local music scene
- Billy Boy by Rosemary Jenkinson, Thursday 4 th August, Vault Artist Studios and Friday 5 th August Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich - A new play about bonfire culture by east Belfast writer Rosemary Jenkinson. Written in 2021 and inspired by interviews with young bonfire builders, performed by the amazing actor John Travers
- Young at Art’s Baby Rave, Sunday 7 th August, Banana Block, Portview Trade Centre - A family-friendly highlight of the 2015 festival, EastSide Arts Festival is delighted to bring back Baby Rave
- Maurice Jay’s Pleasuredome, Sunday 14 th August, C.S. Lewis Square - The Ultimate 80s Party night - pure 80s musical heaven closes the festival
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tina Black said: "It is wonderful to see our support for EastSide Arts Festival helping them to grow and thrive on their 10th birthday.
"Belfast is so proud of our cultural festivals as they bring so much vitality to the city – and encourage people to celebrate, share space and enjoy new experiences together."
Director of the EastSide Arts Festival, Rachel Kennedy added: "We are delighted to invite everyone to join us as at this year’s EastSide Arts Festival as we celebrate our 10 th birthday.
"As always, we are bringing festival goers a jam-packed programme of events that celebrate the people and places of east Belfast and encourage connection and celebration.
"The festival provides us with the opportunity to showcase the very best of east Belfast as a place of creativity, a place that is vibrant and a place that is welcoming."
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