Latest Events in Belfast(March Updated)

Dear Participant, We hope you’re as excited as we are to announce the new date for the Centra Run Together event! Mark your calendars for Sunday, 13th April—we can’t wait to see you there for a fantastic day of fun and fitness. What You Need to Know: • All participants have been automatically transferred to the new event date. • If you’ve already picked up your t-shirt and running number, keep them safe—they’ll be used on the day! Can’t Make It? If you know you can’t join us: 1. Head to Eventbrite and request a refund—it’s quick and easy! Refunds will be available until Sunday 2nd March at 5pm. 2. Refunds will be processed within 5–7 days, and your ticket will then go back on general sale. 3. Name changes are not possible for the rescheduled event. Please request a refund for your ticket to be purchased by a new participant. Alternatively, if you’d like to donate your entry fee to support Action Cancer, simply email us at beth@pioneer-group.co.uk, and we’ll take care of the rest. We sincerely appreciate your patience while we worked to confirm this new date. Thank you for sticking with us—it’s going to be worth the wait! Kind regards, Centra Run Together Exciting news! Centra Run Together is back and better than ever! Lace up your running shoes and join us on Sunday, 13th April, at Ormeau Park in Belfast for an unforgettable 5K and 10K charity event. Not only will you have a blast getting fit, but you’ll also be supporting Action Cancer and helping keep its Big Bus mobile detection unit on the road. Centra Run Together has been going from strength to strength since 2016, raising a total amount of £103,516.27, providing 862local women with breast screening appointments. 2023 was our biggest event to date, welcoming 1600 participants to Ormeau Park and raising a phenomenal £33,000 for Action Cancer. With your help, we hope to surpass this figure this year and continue to support the Big Bus and the lifesaving services it provides in our local communities. For a small entry fee, with every penny going directly to Action Cancer, you'll get a whole lot more than just a race. Every participant will receive a free T-shirt, a goodie bag, a bespoke Centra Run Together medal, a free lunch, and a delicious Frank and Honest Coffee. Plus, enjoy food samples including Moo’d Ice Cream and much more. And don’t forget the fantastic family entertainment! Mark your calendars for Sunday, 13th April, and join us at Ormeau Park for a day filled with fun, fitness, and community atmosphere. By participating, you’ll be helping Action Cancer provide essential services like breast screening, skin cancer detection, and health checks to people across Northern Ireland. Ready to help? Visit Centra Run Together 2025 on JustGiving to donate or set up your own fundraising page. It’s a breeze to create a page where friends, family, and colleagues can support you. Personalize it with a photo, set your fundraising goal, and share your link on social media or via email and text. Here’s 5 steps on how to get started: 1 Go to Centra Run Together – JustGiving. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/centraruntogether2024 2 Click the orange ‘Start Fundraising’ button. 3 Enter your details and SIGN UP, or LOG IN if you already have an account. 4 Select ‘Taking part in an event’ and choose Centra Run Together 2024. 5 Name your fundraising page and click ‘create your page’. Prefer other ways to donate? You can send your contributions by: • Cheque: Payable to ‘Action Cancer’, sent to Mark Jones, Action Cancer, 20 Windsor Ave, Belfast BT9 6EE. • Cash: Drop it off at Action Cancer, 20 Windsor Ave, Belfast BT9 6EE, Monday – Friday, 9am-4:45pm, or bring it to the event. • Card: Call 028 9080 3344 (option 2) to make a payment over the phone. Race number collection is available at Action Cancer, 20 Windsor Ave, Belfast BT9 6EE, on the following dates: · Wednesday 16th October - 12noon -2pm · Thursday 17th October– 12 noon -2pm and 4-8pm · Friday 18th October- 12 noon -2pm and 4-7pm · Saturday 19th October- 9am – 12 noon When you collect your race number, you’ll also receive your timing chip and T-shirt. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event! Sign up today, get fit, have fun, and make a difference with Centra Run Together! Information Source: Centra NI | eventbrite

Join us for an evening with Robbie Fowler! Date: 21/03/2025 Time: 19:00 Location: The Devenish Comple Tickets: General admission £35 VIP £55 VIP Come and spend an unforgettable evening with the legendary Robbie Fowler! Get ready for a night filled with laughter, stories, and insights from his illustrious career. This in-person event will take place at The Devenish Complex, providing a perfect setting for an intimate experience with one of football's greats. Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet Robbie Fowler up close and personal! Information Source: Flash Promotions | eventbrite

Explore Ireland Women v France Women sporting information for 22nd March, as well as links for Rugby Union tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. Ireland Women's Women's Six Nations8 Union team, also known as the Irish Women's Six Nations8 Football Union (IRFU) Women, is the national women's rugby team of Ireland. The team competes in major international tournaments such as the Women's Six Nations Championship, Rugby World Cup, and Algarve Sevens. The team has had notable success, winning the Grand Slam in the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championship. They have also been runners-up in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup and were third place in the 2017 edition. The team boasts talented players such as Sene Naoupu, who was named Player of the Tournament in the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship. The team plays their home games at Women's Six Nations3, a state-of-the-art stadium located in Dublin, Ireland. The France Women's Women's Six Nations8 Union team, also known as Les Bleues, is a highly competitive and skilled team in the world of women's rugby. They have participated in numerous major competitions including the Women's Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup. The team has achieved great success, winning the Six Nations Championship multiple times and finishing as runners-up in the 2014 World Cup. Led by their captain Gaelle Hermet, the team is made up of talented and dedicated players such as Caroline Boujard and Safi N'Diaye. Their home ground is the Stade Marcel-Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, which has a capacity of over 18,000 spectators. With a strong roster and a history of impressive achievements, the France Women's Women's Six Nations8 Union team is a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Explore Northern Ireland v Switzerland sporting information for 21st March, as well as links for Football tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. Northern Ireland's national football team has been a formidable force in international competitions since its establishment in 1880. The team competes in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and has participated in three FIFA World Cups and one European Championship. Led by manager Ian Baraclough, the team's top players include Steven Davis, Jonny Evans, and Stuart Northern Ireland4. Their home stadium is Windsor Park, located in Belfast, and has a capacity of over 18,000 spectators. The team has achieved numerous accolades, including reaching the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup and winning the British Home Championship four times. With their passion, determination, and skilled players, the Northern Ireland football team continues to inspire and unite fans around the world. The Switzerland national football team, also known as the Nati, has been a consistent force in international football for many years. Founded in 1895, the team has competed in numerous major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. Their strongest performance was in the 1954 FIFA World Cup where they reached the quarter-finals. The team is currently managed by Vladimir Petković and boasts a talented roster of players such as Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Yann Sommer. The team's home stadium is the St. Jakob-Park in Basel, which has a capacity of over 38,000 spectators. With a strong history and skilled players, the Switzerland team continues to make their mark in the competitive world of football. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

David Baddiel is a comedian, author, screenwriter, television presenter and activist, and has been a prominent name in comedy for over thirty years. As a stand-up comedian, he performed to a Wembley crowd of 12,500 in the UK's first ever arena comedy show in 1992 and was credited with turning comedy into The New Rock n Roll . David returned to stand-up comedy in 2013 with his critically acclaimed show, Fame: Not The Musical. In Spring 2016 David premiered My Family: Not the Sitcom, which ran on London’s West End for 15 weeks and was nominated for an Olivier Award. His latest show, Trolls: Not the Dolls, toured in 2020 and 2021. In March 2024, David performed all three of his stand-up shows again across three dates at The Royal Court Theatre which were filmed for TV specials. He began his career as writer and star of numerous hit comedy television shows including The Mary Whitehouse Experienceand Newman and Baddiel in Pieces. Alongside fellow comedian Frank Skinner, David later created and presented Fantasy Football and Baddiel & Skinner Unplanned. The pair went on to write the seminal football album Three Lions together with The Lightning Seeds, which has been a UK number one a record-breaking four times. More recently he has created and presented several acclaimed documentaries, including The Trouble with Dad (Channel 4), Confronting Holocaust Denial(BBC2) and Social Media, Anger and Us (BBC2). Following the publication of his bestselling polemic Jews Don't Count, David has been at the forefront of tackling antisemitism in the media, sport, and more broadly, the progressive left. The book became The Sunday Times Politics and Current Affairs Book of the Year, 2021 and enjoyed critical acclaim in the UK, Europe and US. He has been invited to speak on antisemitism for audiences in Berlin, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Sydney and around the UK. In 2022, the book was adapted into a documentary for Channel 4. His following book, The God Desire, was published in April 2023 and his most recent, My Family, is a searingly honest, funny and moving family memoir in which he exposes his mother’s idiosyncratic sex life and his father’s dementia to the same affectionate scrutiny. David has also published eleven hugely successful children's books as well as four critically acclaimed adult novels. William Crawley is a journalist and broadcaster with the BBC who presents TV and radio programmes on subjects as varied as news and politics, arts and science, and religion and ethics. His television work includes the landmark natural history series Blueprint, the interview series William Crawley Meets, and a three-part autobiographical series documenting life in Northern Ireland: Sorry For Your Trouble, Dying For A Drink, and Losing Our Religion. He presents the multi-award winning Sunday Sequence and The Book Programme on BBC Radio Ulster; Sunday on Radio 4; a variety of arts documentaries for Radio 3; and presents Radio Ulster’s Talk Back phone-in show. Doors: 7pm In association with Avalon Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

The Emo Festival is coming to Belfast! The Emo Festival is coming to Belfast! 💀🖤 The greatest tribute night to the music that was never just a phase… 🖤 TEENAGE NOSTALGIA featuring all your biggest emo songs in existence with A LIVE BAND & LIVE DJs spinning all the angst your teenage dirtbag heart desires all night long! LIVE Performers, confetti & much more! Put on your eyeliner, lace up your high-tops and get ready to rock to all your favourite nostalgic emo anthems! This event is strictly18+ . Please note this is a standing event! Information Source: The Emo Fest | eventbrite

Welcome to the Audacity Coffee Comedy Club! Get ready for a laughter-filled night at our cozy venue, where it's BYOB or coffee is available. Join us for a hilarious lineup of stand-up comedians including: Aaron Butler Alan Irwin Sara Jade Davidson MC'd by Ciaran Franco Information Source: Beehive Comedy Club | eventbrite

This event involves approximately a 20 minute stand up set followed by a 40 minute Fireside Chat with the BBC's William Crawley. Matt has toured multiple shows nationwide including, Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right in 2022, Inside No. 10 in 2023 and most recently, Matt Forde: The End of an Era Tour in 2024. Matt’s hit live podcast The Political Party transferred to the West End’s Duchess Theatre in 2021 after over 70 sold out shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, for a twice extended fortnightly residency continuing into 2024. Matt has hosted some of politics’ most powerful figures on the podcast, including Sir Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Nigel Farage and Gordon Brown to name just a few. He has received numerous nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards and the show is regularly highlighted as a top podcast pick in the press. Matt was one of the main writers and voice artists behind the revival of hit sketch series Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV), providing the voices of Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump among others. The show ran for two series before being adapted for a live stage show (Spitting Image Live: Idiots Assemble) co-created by Matt and Al Murray, originally at the Birmingham Rep before transferring for an extended run in London’s West End. Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two). In 2019 alone, Matt hosted the Alternative News Desk for Channel 4’s election night coverage, chaired the One Nation Conservative leadership hustings and debated Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with Tony Blair for the Institute of Global Change. Matt is the host of Absolute Radio’s Saturday afternoon Rock ‘n’ Roll Football alongside co-host Matt Dyson. He is also the co-host of Wondery’s flagship British Podcast Award-winning British Scandal alongside Alice Levine. Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020. William Crawley is a journalist and broadcaster with the BBC who presents TV and radio programmes on subjects as varied as news and politics, arts and science, and religion and ethics. His television work includes the landmark natural history series Blueprint, the interview series William Crawley Meets, and a three-part autobiographical series documenting life in Northern Ireland: Sorry For Your Trouble, Dying For A Drink, and Losing Our Religion. He presents the multi-award winning Sunday Sequence and The Book Programme on BBC Radio Ulster; Sunday on Radio 4; a variety of arts documentaries for Radio 3; and presents Radio Ulster’s Talk Back phone-in show. Doors: 7pm In assocation with Avalon Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

This event involves approximately a 20 minute stand up set followed by a 40 minute Fireside Chat with the BBC's William Crawley. Matt has toured multiple shows nationwide including, Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right in 2022, Inside No. 10 in 2023 and most recently, Matt Forde: The End of an Era Tour in 2024. Matt’s hit live podcast The Political Party transferred to the West End’s Duchess Theatre in 2021 after over 70 sold out shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, for a twice extended fortnightly residency continuing into 2024. Matt has hosted some of politics’ most powerful figures on the podcast, including Sir Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Nigel Farage and Gordon Brown to name just a few. He has received numerous nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards and the show is regularly highlighted as a top podcast pick in the press. Matt was one of the main writers and voice artists behind the revival of hit sketch series Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV), providing the voices of Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump among others. The show ran for two series before being adapted for a live stage show (Spitting Image Live: Idiots Assemble) co-created by Matt and Al Murray, originally at the Birmingham Rep before transferring for an extended run in London’s West End. Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two). In 2019 alone, Matt hosted the Alternative News Desk for Channel 4’s election night coverage, chaired the One Nation Conservative leadership hustings and debated Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with Tony Blair for the Institute of Global Change. Matt is the host of Absolute Radio’s Saturday afternoon Rock ‘n’ Roll Football alongside co-host Matt Dyson. He is also the co-host of Wondery’s flagship British Podcast Award-winning British Scandal alongside Alice Levine. Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020. William Crawley is a journalist and broadcaster with the BBC who presents TV and radio programmes on subjects as varied as news and politics, arts and science, and religion and ethics. His television work includes the landmark natural history series Blueprint, the interview series William Crawley Meets, and a three-part autobiographical series documenting life in Northern Ireland: Sorry For Your Trouble, Dying For A Drink, and Losing Our Religion. He presents the multi-award winning Sunday Sequence and The Book Programme on BBC Radio Ulster; Sunday on Radio 4; a variety of arts documentaries for Radio 3; and presents Radio Ulster’s Talk Back phone-in show. Doors: 7pm In assocation with Avalon Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Join former president of Sinn Féin and TD for Louth (2011-2020), Gerry Adams, as he talks about his new book Cage Eleven: Prison Writings from Long Kesh, which is his own account – sometimes passionate, often humorous – of life in Long Kesh. Long before he became President of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams was a civil rights activist who took part in sit-ins, marches and protests in Northern Ireland. Along with hundreds of other men, Adams was interned on the Maidstone prison ship and in Long Kesh prison – without charge or trial – during the 1970s for his political activities. At this event, Gerry will talk about Cage Eleven - his own account – sometimes passionate, often humorous – of life in Long Kesh. Written while Adams was a prisoner, the pieces were smuggled out for publication Former president of Sinn Féin and TD for Louth, Gerry Adams has been a published writer since 1982. His books have won critical acclaim in many quarters and have been widely translated. His writings range from local history and reminiscence to politics and short stories, and they include the fullest and most authoritative exposition of modern Irish republicanism. Born in West Belfast in 1948 into a family with close ties to both the trade union and republican movements, Gerry Adams is the eldest of ten children. His mother was an articulate and gentle woman, his father a republican activist who had been jailed at the age of sixteen, and he was partly reared by his grandmother, who nurtured in him a love of reading. His childhood, despite its material poverty, he has described in glowing and humorous terms, recollecting golden hours spent playing on the slopes of the mountain behind his home and celebrating the intimate sense of community in the tightly packed streets of working-class West Belfast. But even before leaving school to work as a barman, he had become aware of the inequities and inequalities of life in the north of Ireland. Soon he was engaged in direct action on the issues of housing, unemployment and civil rights. For many years his voice was banned from radio and television by both the British and Irish governments, while commentators and politicians condemned him and all he stood for. But through those years his books made an important contribution to an understanding of the true circumstances of life and politics in the north of Ireland. Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

This free ticket is to attend the launch event. The full exhibition continues to run during the festival, and you can pop in to see it at anytime without any need for a ticket! Brave Belfast Cailíní is a youth-led campaign that empowers young women and girls to support one another in understanding healthy relationships, consent, and how to set boundaries through open and honest conversations. In Northern Ireland, violence against women and girls is a pervasive issue. A 2023 report revealed that nearly 98% of women surveyed had experienced some form of violence or abuse in their lifetime, with 70% encountering it in the past year. Alarmingly, half of these women had experienced violence before the age of 11. Domestic abuse statistics further highlight the severity of the problem, with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reporting over 33,000 domestic abuse incidents in the year ending June 2022 – the highest on record. Women disproportionately bear the brunt, making up 69% of those affected in 2020/21. These figures underline the urgent need for initiatives like Brave Belfast Cailíní. The campaign is a collaboration between NSPCC Northern Ireland, Footprints Women’s Centre, and young women aged 12-16. Together, they are developing resources to define what a healthy relationship looks like and explore how young women and girls (or cailíní) can support each other to build a safer, healthier future. Healthy relationships are vital for everyone, yet many young people are unsure of what they should look like. This campaign centres young women as the experts of their own experiences, ensuring their voices are at the heart of creating change. By working with young people, Brave Belfast Cailíní helps to foster mutual support and promote a culture where every girl feels valued and respected. This exhibition celebrates their powerful messages, showcasing artwork and ideas from the young women involved. It highlights how being a girl’s girl —supporting and uplifting one another—can transform the lives of young women and girls across Northern Ireland. Visitors will also have the opportunity to create their own artwork, leaving messages of encouragement for young women and girls in the city. Additionally, the exhibition offers information on how to get involved in the campaign and join the movement to build healthier relationships for everyone. By promoting healthy relationships and addressing issues like consent and boundaries, Brave Belfast Cailíní aims to challenge the societal norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls. The campaign also aligns with wider efforts to tackle gender-based violence in Northern Ireland, such as Stormont's Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), which recognises the need for a comprehensive response to this widespread issue. At its core, this campaign is about more than just education—it’s about empowering young women and girls to be agents of change in their own lives and communities. It’s about fostering solidarity, resilience, and the confidence to stand up against unhealthy behaviours. Together, we can create a society where every girl feels supported, understood, and safe. To learn more or get involved, please email northernirelandcampaigns@nspcc.org.uk Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

As part of my fieldwork into sonic archives in post-revolutionary Tunis, I tried to access sites of state archiving, including the archive of the National Radio, and that of the National Phonothèque. On both occasions, I was directed by employees of these institutions towards a book: Initiation à la Musique Tunisienne. Published in 2004, the book amounts to a set of transcribed radio broadcasts from the 1950s, during which musicologist Manoubi Snoussi lectured listeners on the theoretical principles of ‘Classical’ Tunisian music. Why, in 2019, was this book considered so important for a Western researcher to read? What is its relationship to the state sonic archives that I was trying to access? In this presentation, I’ll explore meanings and significances of the state sound archives in the post-revolutionary environment of Tunis. I’ll suggest that the aforementioned book is one of multiple media objects through which the state archive is scattered in the contemporary city. Whilst its politics seems initially to be at odds with newer post-revolutionary initiatives within state institutions – such as the new radio station Panorama, which states that its mission is to promote the popular music of marginalised regions – I’ll suggest that both phenomena actually maintain a similar relationship with the ‘aural public sphere’ (Ochoa, 2006). Both render certain sounds ‘modern’ and others ‘vulgar’, and draw legitimacy from the notion of a special relationship with material records that are recorded and housed in state institutions. I’ll finish by exploring some ways in which the status of the official archive is undermined in the city – by the very infrastructures through which it is mediated. The presentation aims to open up questions on sonic modernity, its archives, and its relationship with differently positioned listeners (including the researcher). This event is organised in collaboration with the Centre for Creative Ethnography. Information Source: Anthropology Research Seminar Series | eventbrite

Taking the 80th anniversary of World War 2 as its inspiration, Reverberation is a performance of songs, stories and poetry that explores the theme of conflict both internal and external. Through looking at the fundamental causes of conflict and war, this performance looks at what we have learned, asks if we evolved and how we move forward. The performance features musician/choir leader Una McCann and musician/songwriter Matt McGinn, bass player Nick Scott and drummer Chip Bailey hosted by The Enthusiasts Choir. The Enthusiasts are a choir made up of singers from Brain Injury Matters, members of the Ormeau Community Choir and led by Una McCann. Meeting every week, everyone shares a common interest in singing and the positive effects it has on one’s well-being. The group enjoy a lot of banter and fun with everyone leaving refreshed and energised. In the Brain Injury Matters ‘EveryBODY sings’ concept, singers may sing, use instruments, move to the music or simply and powerfully provide the rhythm of their heartbeat! Everyone is invited and ‘The Enthusiasts’ want to pass on the good vibes and everyone can join in however they wish to! For more information, please email ciara@braininjurymatters.org.uk or telephone 07516 629 856. Brain Injury Matters (NI) was established in 2013 as an independent regional third sector organisation supporting, promoting and empowering those individuals and families affected by acquired brain injury. Una McCann is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland where she works as a choir leader, singer, songwriter and musician. She has been leading choirs professionally for 13 years, and works with 5 community choirs and well-being choirs as well as running singing holidays and song leader trainings. Una loves nothing more than inviting our natural voices out to play. Una is a member of the Natural Voice Network. Matt McGinn is a singer, songwriter & producer from Hilltown in Co. Down. His 5th and latest album release ‘Time Well Spent’ was RTÉ Radio 1 and BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Album of the Week’ at the beginning of 2022 and features a wealth of incredible musicians like legendary fiddle player Eliza Carthy MBE and award wining folk singer Aoife Scott. Matt was named ‘one to watch’ in 2020 by Hotpress Magazine, and rightly so. Since then he had 4 singles top The BBC Radio Ulster and RTÉ Radio 1 radio airplay charts. His album ‘Lessons of War’ received much acclaim. The lead track ‘Bubblegum’ ft. Ciara O’Neill, which was written with Mick Flannery, prompted BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson to ask the question “now wasn’t that just extraordinary?” Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Voted ‘Comedians’ Comedian of The Year 2022’, Jo Caulfield is “quite simply, a damn funny woman.” (The Guardian) Jo has appeared on Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, The John Bishop Show, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The Royal Variety Performance, and Richard Osman's House of Games. Nominated as “the best female Stand Up in the country” (Chortle) and “one of the Top 100 Comedians” (Channel 4), Jo is a regular on Radio 4 and a returning guest on Breaking The News. Jo’s first book, “The Funny Thing About Death” was published in August 2023 and is featured in her lunchtime talk during the festival also on 26 March. From stories about arguing with strangers on trains to dealing with over- enthusiastic supermarket staff, and trying to recapture the magic in a long-term relationship to “helping” organise her newly divorced friend’s dating life, this is pure stand-up, delivered with nothing more than a microphone and a bad attitude. What the reviewers have said about “Here Comes Trouble”… Packed with brilliant lines, embarrassing anecdotes and hilarious insights, Here Comes Trouble “will have you absolutely helpless with laughter.” - The Herald Sharp-witted urban comedy that goes down a treat... like a sociology textbook but with jokes” - The Times “One of the finest female comedians at work” - The Observer “An evening of perfect comedy” - The Metro ★★★★★ “One of UK’s smartest comics” - The Herald ★★★★★ “Here Comes Trouble is akin to spending a joyous evening with a pandemic-neglected friend. Albeit one who constantly critiques nearly everything about you. To your face.” The Recs “Packed with gags and stories in her accustomed style, slightly caustic about some, bitingly sarcastic of others, but laugh out loud funny throughout….” One4Review “The laughs keep coming, thick and fast … all skewered with her trademark caustic wit. Her onstage persona is blisteringly impatient.” Bouquets and Brickbats Age guidance: 16+ Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Taking the 80th anniversary of World War 2 as its inspiration, Reverberation is a performance of songs, stories and poetry that explores the theme of conflict both internal and external. Through looking at the fundamental causes of conflict and war, this performance looks at what we have learned, asks if we evolved and how we move forward. The performance features musician/choir leader Una McCann and musician/songwriter Matt McGinn hosted by The Enthusiasts Choir. The Enthusiasts are a choir made up of singers from Brain Injury Matters, members of the Ormeau Community Choir and led by Una McCann. Meeting every week, everyone shares a common interest in singing and the positive effects it has on one’s well-being. The group enjoy a lot of banter and fun with everyone leaving refreshed and energised. In the Brain Injury Matters ‘EveryBODY sings’ concept, singers may sing, use instruments, move to the music or simply and powerfully provide the rhythm of their heartbeat! Everyone is invited and ‘The Enthusiasts’ want to pass on the good vibes and everyone can join in however they wish to! Brain Injury Matters (NI) was established in 2013 as an independent regional third sector organisation supporting, promoting and empowering those individuals and families affected by acquired brain injury. Una McCann is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland where she works as a choir leader, singer, songwriter and musician. She has been leading choirs professionally for 13 years, and works with 5 community choirs and well-being choirs as well as running singing holidays and song leader trainings. Una loves nothing more than inviting our natural voices out to play. Una is a member of the Natural Voice Network. Matt McGinn is a singer, songwriter & producer from Hilltown in Co. Down. His 5th and latest album release ‘Time Well Spent’ was RTÉ Radio 1 and BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Album of the Week’ at the beginning of 2022 and features a wealth of incredible musicians like legendary fiddle player Eliza Carthy MBE and award wining folk singer Aoife Scott. Matt was named ‘one to watch’ in 2020 by Hotpress Magazine, and rightly so. Since then he had 4 singles top The BBC Radio Ulster and RTÉ Radio 1 radio airplay charts. His album ‘Lessons of War’ received much acclaim. The lead track ‘Bubblegum’ ft. Ciara O’Neill, which was written with Mick Flannery, prompted BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson to ask the question “now wasn’t that just extraordinary?” Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Join us for an engaging evening of stories, history, and thought-provoking discussion as we celebrate the launch of Dr. Dónall Mac Cathmhaoill's new book, Theatre and Politics in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland (University of Exeter Press, 2025). Dr. Mac Cathmhaoill, a lecturer at the Open University, will take us on a fascinating journey through the intertwined worlds of theatre and politics in Northern Ireland, from the early days of the peace process to the present. Discover how different communities—republican, unionist, loyalist, LGBTQ+, and even newer migrant groups—have used theatre as a powerful platform to voice their struggles, champion their rights, and reimagine their futures. From performances that challenged the status quo during the conflict to productions that helped bridge divides in its aftermath, the stories in this book highlight the surprising ways art can influence politics and bring people together. Dr. Mac Cathmhaoill’s research reveals the profound impact of theatre and the arts in shaping how we understand our shared history and envision the path ahead. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast, a history buff, or just curious about the role of culture in creating change, this event promises to inspire and spark meaningful conversations. Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Erin Fornoff, described ‘as close to music as poetry gets’ and ‘entrancing, and often very funny’ by the Irish Times, will perform a selection of her work in a dynamic performance spanning Appalachia to Ireland and beyond. Erin Fornoff has performed her poetry at hundreds of events including three times at Glastonbury Festival, RTE Culture Night at Dublin Castle, national Irish tours, and shared stages with James Taylor, and Hozier. As our ‘Artivist’ in Residence, Erin will deliver a number of workshops for us and a lunch talk about her practice. She has published a poetry collection Hymn to the Reckless (Dedalus Press) shortlisted for the Shine/Strong Award as well as a chapbook Folk Heroes (Stewed Rhubarb Press). She has featured on BBC3 and her poems have been included in Best New English and Irish Poets 2016. Her essays have been featured in The Journal, The Irish Times, Architecture Ireland, and Winter Papers. The Irish Times said of her work 'Erin Fornoff is blazing a trail as the non-traditional poet. She wrote and performed We Are An Archipelago in Dublin Fringe Festival 2022, a poetry show set to a live score, which received a four-star review in The Irish Times, which called it ‘entrancing’. The text of the play will be published as a poetry collection in late spring 2025. She is finishing her first novel, a satire based in the nonprofit sector. Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Is this a real knife? Is this just fantasy? Fresh from glowing reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, enjoy Shakespeare's spooky tragedy like never before - as six actors deploy wittily rewritten pop classics, uproariously silly comedy and multiple highly questionable props to recount the saga of Scotland's most murdery king. Expect queens and witches, Queen and B*Witched, ABBA, stabbers, and much more besides! With gloriously repurposed numbers from Broadway, the charts, and the golden oldies, Macbeth: The Musical is a hilarious ride, suitable for buffs and beginners, wee ones and wizened ones, and Scots and Sassenachs alike! Doors will open half an hour before the show. No bagpipes were harmed in the making of this musical. Reviews forMacbeth: The Musical **** laugh-out-loud - Broadway World **** psychotically upbeat - The Wee Review Reviews forJulius Caesar: The Musical **** gleefully deranged - The Wee Review Highly Recommended Show all-action ... sublime - The Fringe Review Information Source: eventbrite

Poetry has profound uses and potential – this multimedia talk looks at this ancient art form and explores how it is being used to make genuine change. From the Hot Poets movement, which puts poets on the ground at top UN climate meetings, to youth programmes which use poetry to help kids take emotional risks, to viral campaigns, to testimony from the rubble of Gaza, poetry can speak – and allow people to listen – in ways normal language cannot. Our Artivist in Residence Erin Fornoff offers this look at the power of poetry. Erin Fornoff has published a poetry collection Hymn to the Reckless (Dedalus Press) shortlisted for the Shine/Strong Award as well as a chapbook Folk Heroes (Stewed Rhubarb Press). She has performed her poetry at hundreds of events including three times at Glastonbury Festival, RTE Culture Night at Dublin Castle, and national Irish tours. She has featured on BBC3 and her poems have been included in Best New English and Irish Poets 2016. Her essays have been featured in The Journal, The Irish Times, Architecture Ireland, and Winter Papers. The Irish Times said of her work 'Erin Fornoff is blazing a trail as the non-traditional poet. She wrote and performed We Are An Archipelago in Dublin Fringe Fest 2022, a poetry show set to a live score, which received a four-star review in The Irish Times, which called it ‘entrancing’. The text of the play will be published as a poetry collection in late spring 2025. She is finishing her first novel, a satire based in the nonprofit sector. In her role as our Artivist in Residence, Erin is delivering a number of events during the festival including an evening performance on 27 March and another workshop on 29 March. Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Join us for this event with the award-winning Sinéad Morrissey in conversation with the Art Council’s Damian Smyth about her forthcoming memoir and the synergy between politics and culture. Raised in a Communist family in Belfast during the Troubles, Sinéad’s latest work explores belief, alternative narratives and the relationship of sudden endings to poetry. Sinéad Morrissey is Professor of Creative Writing at the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, Newcastle University. She is the author of six collections: There was Fire in Vancouver (1996), Between Here and There (2002), The State of the Prisons (2005), Through the Square Window (2009), Parallax (2013) and On Balance (2017). Her awards include first prize in the UK National Poetry Competition and the E M Forster Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Both Through the Square Window and Parallax received the Irish Times Poetry Prize. She was the winner of the TS Eliot Prize in 2013, the Forward Prize in 2017 and was awarded the European Poet of Freedom Award in 2020. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Dr Damian Smyth is joint Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Pick a word, any word. Prompted by audience suggestions, Inua Ellams will search through his extensive archive of work and perform a reactive and spontaneous selection. Each show is unique and special. A man walks into a room with his life in his hands. He is the internationally acclaimed artist and playwright Inua Ellams (Barber Shop Chronicles, The Half God of Rainfall) and he has filled thousands of pages in an ongoing attempt to be heard, to give his genius wings that can travel. Every word he’s ever written is captured, all the poems and plays and essays, the drafts of projects abandoned and works as yet unknown, indexed, rendered as binary, and waiting patiently within the confines of the electronic tablet he’s holding even now. Search Party is an act of call and response that hearkens back to the birth of storytelling. At this uniquely futuristic and puckishly chaotic interactive event, the artist couldn’t be more present. He’s inviting you to join the work. What do you say? Written and performed by Inua Ellams. Born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother in what is now considered by many to be Boko Haram territory, in 1996 Inua left Nigeria for England aged 12, moved to Ireland for three years, before returning to London and starting work as a writer and graphic designer. He is a fellow of The Royal Society of Arts and The Royal Society of Literature, and board member of The Royal Society of Literature, The Poetry Translation Centre, Complicite Theatre and Cheltenham Literature Festival. In 2023, He was honoured with an MBE for Services to the Arts, and an Honorary Doctorate from University of the Arts, London. Quotes “Like his theatrical work, Search Party shows Ellams’s versatility and fearlessness as an artist who’s willing to take risks, especially in a show like this, which by its nature will never be the same twice.” - Theatre Mania “He impressed us with his talent as a performer, with his genuine love of theater, and his unique gift of bonding with an audience.” - Theatre Pizzazz “Welcoming, soft-spoken, ultra-casual… but Search Party is… the work of an immensely erudite, multifaceted, and busy artist... His poetry is thoughtful, tender, and muscular.” - Vulture. “It’s a luxury to hear Ellams… I highly recommend. Go hang with him.“ - New York Times Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Explore Ulster Rugby v Stormers sporting information for 28th March, as well as links for Rugby Union tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. Ulster Rugby is a professional rugby union team based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. They compete in the Guinness Pro14, the top tier European rugby competition along with teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa. The team was founded in 1879 and has a rich history of success, having won the Pro14 title three times in 2006, 2012, and 2019. They also have several domestic titles to their name, including four Irish Inter-provincial Championships. Ulster Rugby's home stadium is the iconic Kingspan Stadium, which has a capacity of 18,000 and provides a lively and passionate atmosphere for fans. The team is known for producing top-quality players, with some of the current stars including Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale, Iain Henderson, and John Cooney. With a strong fan base and a dedicated team, Ulster Rugby continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of rugby. The Stormers are a professional Rugby Union team based in Cape Town, South Africa. The team was founded in 1998 and competes in the international Super Rugby competition. They are known for their dynamic and attacking style of play, making them a force to be reckoned with on the field. Over the years, the Stormers have garnered an impressive list of accomplishments, including reaching the Super Rugby final in 2010 and the semi-finals in 2011 and 2012. The team boasts a talented roster of players, including prominent Springboks such as Siya Kolisi and Steven Kitshoff. The Stormers' home ground is the iconic DHL Newlands Stadium, which has a capacity of over 50,000 spectators. With a strong fan base and a history of success, the Stormers are an exciting team to watch in the world of rugby. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Bbeyond has been meeting in public for sixteen years once a month for an open session of Performance Art. Join this open session in Art Gallery 4 of the Ulster Museum, amidst the backdrop of the . Join an open session of Performance Arts with Bbeyond in Art Gallery 4 of the Ulster Museum amidst the backdrop of the BEUYS: 50 Years Later: Action, Society, Performance and Change exhibition. Everyone is welcome -no experience needed, just bring your curiosity, openness, and willingness to play! Bbeyond is an arts organisation, based in Northern Ireland that focuses on Performance Art. Our membership includes over 40 multidisciplined artists from many locations. We are involved in local, national and international projects. Bbeyond is committed to promoting the practice of performance art and artists in Northern Ireland and further afield. Our aim is to raise people’s consciousness of live/performance art as being integral to the world in and around us, inspiring reflection and enriching lived experience. We host artists of international reputation throughout the performance art world and encourage newer artists to experience performance art practices for themselves. Bbeyond encourages greater access to and appreciation of this visually based art form, through facilitating modes of active private/public participation, allowing people from all sectors of society, not just the traditional arts, to experience and enjoy performance art directly. In 2025 we are celebrating 50 years since Alistair MacLennahan stepped onto the streets of Belfast in 1975 with students from Belfast School of Art to perform Live as part of the Belfast Festival at Queens – now the Belfast International Festival. About the BEUYS exhibition in the Ulster Museum On the 18th November 1974, the German artist Joseph Beuys gave a performance lecture, or ‘Action’, in the Ulster Museum Fine Art Gallery. As was his practice, he illustrated the lecture on blackboards that have been in the museum’s collection since that day. Beuys proposed the idea of art and creativity being at the centre of all aspects of society. Presenting this as his concept of ‘social sculpture’ and inciting the potential for mass societal change through creative thinking. The lecture became a key moment in the history of Belfast art. This exhibition takes the opportunity to look at the ideas discussed and their impact on the creative community of Belfast over the last 50 years. In order to bring these ideas into the present the museum has worked with current practising Belfast-based artists. Taking the two primary focuses at the heart of Beuys work – performance and drawing. The BEUYS: 50 Years Later: Action, Society, Performance and Change exhibition runs in Ulster Museum Art Gallery 4 until 18 May 2025. Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA nominated author, activist, performer and Sunday Times number one bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE as he takes to our festival stage with this brand-new show. Every morning for 10 years Lemn has written four lines and shares them on his socials with no explanation and no title. After catching the public’s attention, they have been transformed into murals, quoted in books, made into songs and even tattoos. He chose the best of them for Let the Light Pour In which became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller – and now a live show. With live readings from his books, Lemn will unravel some of the original stories behind the poems, and how they have been used in people’s lives and his own. Expect the unexpected. A night bursting with light to stave off the dark. With the unique chance to pepper Lemn with questions, this thought-provoking and entertaining show on the power of creativity can’t be missed. An evening full of truth, humour and hope, Lemn will allow us into his morning poetry practice and show us all how he lets the light pour in. I will build an embassy In your heart over time There is a plot of land inside me Build one in mine Lemn will be signing copies of Let the Light Pour In and additional bestselling titles will be available for purchase at the show. Lemn Sissay is a BAFTA-nominated, award-winning writer and broadcaster. He has authored collections of poetry and plays and his memoir My Name Is Why was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. His Landmark poems are visible in London, Manchester, Huddersfield and Addis Ababa. He has been made an Honorary Doctor by the universities of Manchester, Kent, Essex, Huddersfield and Brunel, and in 2019 he was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize. He received an MBE in 2010 and an OBE in 2021 for services to literature and charity. In 2023, Sissay was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. He is British and Ethiopian. Praise for Lemn Sissay: ‘Outstanding’ Matt Haig ‘So powerful’ Elif Shafak ‘One of the most original, challenging poets writing in Britain today’ Daily Mail ’His name is magic; his poems are songs on the street’ Independent ‘Sissay is a passionate and powerful voice’ Kae Tempest Previous titles: For Adults Tender Fingers in a Clenched Fist; Rebel Without Applause; Morning Breaks in the Elevator; The Emperor's Watchmaker; Listener; Refugee Boy; Gold from the Stone; My Name Is Why For Children Don't Ask the Dragon Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite

Explore Belfast Giants v Fife Flyers sporting information for 29th March, as well as links for Ice Hockey tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. The Belfast Giants are one of the top professional ice hockey teams in the United Kingdom, based in the lively city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Competing in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the Giants have established themselves as one of the most successful teams in the league, winning numerous competitions such as the Challenge Cup and the Elite League Championship. The team has also been awarded with several individual accolades, with players recognized for their skill and talent on the ice. Home games are played at the stunning SSE Arena, which boasts a capacity of over 9,000 seats and provides an electrifying atmosphere for fans. With a roster of talented and dedicated players, the Belfast Giants continue to be a dominant force in the world of ice hockey. The Fife Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. They compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League, which is the top tier of ice hockey in the United Kingdom. The team was founded in 1938 and has a rich history of success, with five league championships and six conference titles to their name. The Flyers also hold a record for the most British Ice Hockey Association Cups won, with 21 victories. Some notable players who have represented the Fife Flyers include former NHL player Johnny Orr, and current team captain, Paul Crowder. The team plays their home games at the Fife Ice Arena, which has a capacity of over 3,000 spectators. The arena is known for its electric atmosphere and has been recognized as one of the best hockey venues in the UK. With their impressive track record and dedicated fan base, the Fife Flyers are a force to be reckoned with in the world of ice hockey. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Unleash your creativity with blackout poetry! Drop in anytime, choose a poem, and transform it into your own unique artwork. We provide the source material—you bring the imagination. Faerie Press is an independent publishing press based in Belfast. Started in 2023 by a small group of LGBTQ+ people, we’re the first organisation of our kind on the island of Ireland. In this workshop, we’re giving people the opportunity to try Blackout Poetry. Blackout Poetry is a type of poetry created by blacking or crossing out certain sections / lines of pre-existing poetry pieces. It gives new meaning to old texts, and it's a wonderful way to see how people interpret different pieces. Blackout poetry is not just created from poems, it can also be created from old books, newspapers or magazines! We would be doing a workshop where people are free to drop in as they please, pick out a piece of poetry we have provided, and interpret it however they wish! There are no limits on what people can make. Faerie Press website - https://www.faeriepress.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/faeriepress/ X (Twitter) - https://x.com/faerie_press Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/faeriepress Information Source: Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics | eventbrite