The Belfast International Arts Festival event is back this year for its 59th edition and with an impressive range of events to check out across the city, everyone of all ages and tastes can enjoy Northern Ireland’s longest-running international arts festival.
This year’s mission is to be a leading progessive international arts festival within Northern Ireland which actively engages with global and local communities across the country.
Since 2015, the festival has been organised by an independent organisation which helped transform the festival into what it is today which covers an impressive range of contemporary art events such as theatre, visual arts and literature both in person and online.
For music lovers
Join singer and multi-instrumentalist Far Caspian on Friday October 22 at the Ulster Scots Club for an evening of chiming guitars, rich harmonic melodies and crisp rhythms.
Since starting in his basement home studio in 2018, Joe Johnston (Far Caspian) has managed to get two of his EP’s on BBC Radio 1.
To book tickets, click here
Next up is Electric Arcade where the Ulster Orchestra and acclaimed ‘the Irish Queen of Game Music’ conductor Eimear Noone have joined forces to create a memorable evening full of exhilarating symphonic sounds.
Come along to the Grand Opera House on Friday 23 October to witness the mastermind behind the popular video game soundtrack, Halo, Fortnite and Final Fantasy collaborate with the traditional sound of the Ulster Orchestra
So whether you love videogames or not, this is an event not to be missed.
To book your place, click the link here
For outdoor lovers
Grab your coat and walking shoes to take an audio walking tour through Belfast’s university quarter in the footsteps of famous Irish writer Samuel Beckett.
Originally born in Dublin, the writer was educated in Northern Ireland and then went to spend his life in France which Beckett featured in his plays.
The tour begins outside the Crescent Arts Centre and proceeds along the Botanic Avenue and adjoining Botanic Gardens. Visitors will be guided throughout the tour with commentary voiced by Hannah Coyle and will end up in No Alibis independent bookshop.
To take part in this tour, all visitors must have a smartphone own headphones.
For more information, click here
For poetry lovers
This innovative poetry, ‘Acts of Commission – The Spirit, The Psyche, The Body’ delivered by poet Ceila de Freine is the second of two major showcase events of poets in Northern Ireland.
Joined with spoken word poets Abby Olivera and Padraig Regan (they/them), each poet will take the listener on a journey delving deeper into topics such as being mixed race in a Caucasian society and an exploration of the unyielding spirit of women.
Part of IN-visible ID-entities 3, an on-going BIAF initiative encouraging cultural collaboration across the island and supported by the Government of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs
To secure your place at this online only event, click here
For film lovers
In a groundbreaking new walk-through theatre experience, The Grimm Hotel is perfect to keep the children entertained over the half term holidays.
Taking inspiration from the well loved ‘Grimm’s fairy tales’, Cahoots NI have produced a show full of magic, music and cutting edge technology to bring a story hundreds of years old to life.
Come along to Cityside Retail and Leisure Park park during the week up until the 31st October
All children under 16 must be accompanied with an adult.
Book your ticket here
Premiering at the Queens Film Theatre on October 28, Wong Kar Wai’s 2013 martial arts blockbuster, The Grandmaster is a must watch.
The action packed thriller biopic tells the story of Ip Man, the legendary trainer who become Bruce Lee’s mentor.
Wong Kar Wai is known for his lyrical flair captured in the impressive martial arts sequences making this film a magnificent visual experience for all.
To book your ticket, visit here
Please note this film is certified 15.
For more information about Belfast International Arts Festival go to: www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com