By Chloe Langton Halloween has had its turn, it’s time for the countdown to Christmas to begin and what better way to begin festivities than attending your local Christmas lights switch on? Everyone is in high spirits as our cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland light up and come together to celebrate the start […]
12 Christmas light switch ons still to light up across Northern Ireland Read More »
With contemporary dance based on the theme of hope, a ‘part Lord of the Flies, part Animal Farm’ theatre performance set in a post pandemic future, and an exhibition that explores the magic of everyday items found in the home, the line-up for Belfast Children’s Festival 2021 feels very much like art imitating life. Young
Play In A New Way At The 2021 Belfast Children’s Festival Read More »
Ciara O’Neill is an indie folk singer songwriter from Portadown, now living in Belfast. The 35 year old performer started in the music industry at a very young age singing in her school choir. After being classically trained she sang in a folk band at university. Shortly after Ciara began singing and collaborating with other bands
Songwriter, musician and guitarist Anthony Toner is best known for his song Sailortown. The song was played countless times over the years by the late Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Anderson helping to make it Anthony’s best known track. Anthony is originally from Coleraine but now lives in Belfast. How did you get started in the industry? I
The 16th Annual Out To Lunch Festival is back to brighten up an otherwise dull January. Supported by Arts Council NI, The Out To Lunch Festival includes a special Culture Night Belfast showcase in association with The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels of talented artists on Tuesday January 19 at 1pm. The
10 Amazing Out To Lunch Festival Events You Can See Online This Month Read More »
Louis is a 65 year old Artist from Carrickfergus. Let’s find out more about her, shall we? How did you get started in the industry? Art College, Advertising and Design Agencies. What genre / style do you create in? Oil painting. What would you be best known for? General landscapes and palette knife street scenes.
Aaron Hickland is a 27 year old Actor and Clown from Loughinisland, County Down. Aaron first got his love for acting when his drama teacher, Siobhan O’Toole cast him as Private Gar in the school’s production of Brian Friel’s,’Philidelphia, Here I Come!’. Aaron was hooked, he went on to perform in London Old Vic Tunnels with
Ro Owens is a 26 year old Multidisciplinary Artist from Lurgan, but currently living in Belfast. Ro’s art focuses on performance and mainly on Illustration. Ro studied Drama at Queen’s University where she was introduced to performance art and also a great friend, Emily Foran with who she founded The Movement Collective, a devising social
Colin Dardis is a 40 year old man from County Tyrone. Colin is a man of many talents, a Poet, an Editor, an Arts Coordinator and a Creative Writing Facilitator. Colin has been writing poetry since primary school and started reading in front of live audiences back in Arcadia Coffeehouse in North Street Arcade in
Natalie Smyth is a 30 year old Poet and children’s book Author from Belfast. Natalie began writing as a teenager and her love for words grew and she hasn’t stopped writing since. What genre / style do you create in? Poetry. What would you be best known for? My love for writing. What would you
Amy Rose Esdale is a 29 year old Singer, Song-writer, Actor and Screenwriter from Belfast. Amy has been singing since the age of 3 years old. Amy’s mum is a singing teacher and she learnt classical and Irish traditional music to begin with. Amy wrote her first song at the age of 11 years old
Joe McStravick is a Film and TV Director from Moira, County Down. Joe studied Graphic Design and Photography at college and soon realised that he was more interested in photography than design. Once Joe finished college he decided to pursue Film Production and so he studied a degree in Digital Arts, Photography and Film Production
Fleur Mellor is a 40 year old Theatrical Producer and Choreographer from Northern Ireland. Fleur started in the industry as a dancer and is well known for her work with Peter Corry Productions. What genre / style do you create in? Ooh all kinds of styles, just as long as it’s live. What would you
Trisha McCluney is a 38 year old tribute artist to musical sensation, Cher. Trisha has been performing from a young age when she used to steal the show at her parent’s local residents club. Trisha took her love for Cher and her love for performing and turned it into a legendary Cher tribute act. What
Zara Jackson is a 26 year old photographer from Belfast. Zara took up photography after her friends and colleagues who work in the film and media industry in Northern Ireland needed headshots for modelling, acting, CVs and extra work. Zara steadily built up her own network by reaching out to them and hasn’t stopped since.
Caitlin is a 23 year old Writer and Director from Belfast. Caitlin’s dad is an actor, Sean Kearns, and he introduced her to the wonderful and magical world of the theatre. Caitlin originally wanted to become an actor, but then decided that working as a writer and director, helping to make the stories you see
Conor Finn is a 22 year old content creator from Co. Armagh, but currently living in Dublin for work. In 2018 Conor secured his first paid role in TV working as a production assistant for Waddell Media on a broadcast concert (Oiche na mBain) in the Empire Belfast. Conor applied for the role last minute
Kat McLean is a 38 year old Metalsmith and Jewellery Designer from Belfast. Kat took an exciting course last year and has been playing and experimenting with metal and gemstones ever since. What genre / style do you create in? I’m not sure I fit into a genre, indie business maybe? What would you be
Scarlett Skye is a 25 year old record producer, singer songwriter and performing artist from Bangor. Scarlett was always creative from a young age. As a child Scarlett attended 3 stage schools, Dream Catchers, Star Shine Stage School and Sarah Muskett Performing Arts. Scarlett’s love for performing stayed with her and she is still passionately
Francine Montgomery is a 25 year old photographer and videographer from Ballinderry. Francine studied Moving Image Arts in secondary school for A Level and she’s always been a movie buff. Francine took her love for film further and studied a HND in Creative Media and finished off her degree in Ulster University. Francine now runs
NAD is a 24 year old Pop Singer-Songwriter from Belfast, but currently living in Bangor. NAD grew up around music and always felt like it was her true path to take in life. NAD’s parents were singers and her dad was a musician. Growing up NAD was introduced to a lot of different genres, including soul
Lauren McGee is a 31 year old photographer from Portrush. Lauren bought her first DSLR 4 years ago when she was suffering from Postnatal Depression. Lauren has always loved taking photos and she put all of her energy into getting out and taking photographs of her kids and local landscapes. Lauren honed her craft before
Shane McCaffrey is a 48 year old Actor and Performer from Ballymena, but currently living in Antrim, Northern Ireland. When Shane’s son Brandon was 9 years old he told his dad he wanted to be an actor, Shane being a typical Northern Irish dad replied with, “aye no problem son”. However, Brandon was persistent and
Danni Simpson is a 28 year old Australian Illustrator and Mural Artist currently living in Belfast. A few years ago Danni picked up a pencil and started drawing Mandalas to deal with her anxiety. Eventually the drawings got bigger and bigger and she was asked to do a mural at her local bar where she
Staying at home never felt so good with the W7 Stay At Home Self-Care Pack. This skincare range from W7 has left my skin feeling fresh throughout lockdown. My skin has been prone to breakouts lately with wearing face masks daily and the constant everyday stresses of lockdown, however, the one thing I look forward
During lockdown I really wanted to up skill and learn something new, like perhaps learning a new language? Or, developing my business skills? I didn’t really have “graduated from a University of Wonder ” down on the to-do list but thanks to CahootsNI’s new online show, ‘The University of Wonder and Imagination’ I graduated with
David O’Reilly is a 41 year old Broadcaster, DJ and Novelist from Newcastle, Co.Down, but currently living in East Belfast. During his time at Queens University in Belfast, David decided that he just had to be involved with the music industry in Northern Ireland. Relentless enthusiasm led him to writing pieces for his local paper
Susie Blue is a 27 year old musician from Derry, but currently living in Belfast, who started off performing in local cafes at open mic nights. Susie’s music is a blend of indie and alternative pop. What would you be best known for? Being a queer artist. What would you consider your biggest achievement? Playing
Lesley Allen is a 57 year old author from Bangor. As well as her love for writing, Lesley is also a freelance festival programmer, event manager, and press officer, predominantly for The Open House Festival. Lesley’s debut novel, The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir was published in 2016 by Bonnier, and was recently bought and
Susi Pagel is a 19 year old Pop Singer and Songwriter from Carrickfergus. Susi was brought up in a family heavily involved in the industry inspiring her from a young age to perform on stage. Susi started posting original songs on soundcloud and a close friend heard them and asked her to open a gig for
Ross white is a 24 year old Actor, Writer and Director from East Belfast. Having taken part in youth theatre with the Belvoir Players and Ravara Productions, Ross decided to pursue performance professionally and began auditioning for London drama schools. Ross was fortunate enough to be offered a place at the Guildford School of Acting, where he
Racquel McKee is an individual of many talents, from storytelling to poetry to acting and singing she’s no stranger to the limelight. Racquel lives in Antrim but is originally from Jamaica. Racquel has had an interest in the arts for years and started writing from a young age. Racquel got her professional break when she
Rachel Grace is an 18 year old singer/songwriter from Wexford. At the age of 10, Rachel started out performing at pub gigs with her Nanny’s Trad group and then went solo at the age of 12. Rachel loved performing on her own and she started to write her own songs where she developed her own
Lata Sharma is a TV and Radio Broadcaster from Bangor. Lata’s talent doesn’t stop there, she is also an actress, singer and has most recently turned her hand to writing a play and a televised short story. Lata began singing from an early age with the support of her father, she performed at local classical
Garth McConaghie is a 42 year old Composer, Sound Designer and Musical Director originally from Ballycastle but currently living in Belfast. Garth is best known for his work as Musical Director for the hit TV show Derry Girls. How did you get started in the industry? Word of mouth and hard work. What genre / style
Sean Kearns is a 55 year old Actor originally from Newry but currently living in Belfast. As a teenager Sean was a member of Newpoint Players and Newry Musical Society, during this period he auditioned for The Ulster Youth Theatre and as a result appeared in Godspell, Grease, West-Side Story and The Boyfriend. This then
Caolan Mc Bride is a 37 year old Professional Magician from Armagh. Caolan has been performing magic since he was thirteen years old , around the time he got his letter for Hogwarts! Caolan pursued his passion by going full time and as if by magic, he was snapped up by Cahoots NI in several
Synyx is the alter ego of 45 year old music producer James Mountstephens who is the co-owner of Astute Staffing. Originally from Birmingham but currently living in Dromore, James got his first set of decks at the age of 15 after swapping some old clothes with a friend of his, Ken Fan, (who is now
Meet Gaynor Kane, a writer from Belfast. At 40 years old instead of buying a sports car, Gaynor started a degree with the Open University. At age 46 she finished her degree with a creative writing module and has carried on poeting ever since. Gaynor never imagined herself as a poet, she grew up in
You must be logged in to post a comment.