MTV Europe presenter, radio DJ (Cool FM), writer, and music tastemaker, John Kearns is pleased to announce his new immersive art exhibition will be presented by the highly prestigious Gallery One, located on Belfast’s Lisburn Road from 24th October – 2nd November 2024. The exhibition will be presented over 2 floors with the upper level being a bespoke immersive experience featuring video, projections and music which has been written and recorded by John himself, the collection will also be available to view online.John’s extensive knowledge and love of music and travel has been a key source of inspiration for his paintings, which is displayed throughout his vibrant, abstract and alluring pieces. The exhibition follows on from John’s hugely successful debut art collection which was released last year and drew the attention of local and international buyers alike. Jana Haggan from Gallery One said; “The entire team is delighted to present The John Kearns exhibition this October. This spectacular collection of original abstract artwork and accompanying music composed by John is not to be missed.This is the artist’s debut solo exhibition so it’s very exciting!”
His work is influenced by his love of music (including the instruments he plays – guitar, bass and piano), as well as his experiences working with some of the biggest stars in the music world and the places to which he has travelled for filming and recording. John has produced a body of bold, vibrant and intensely individual works that are full of colour, intelligence and life experience. A first glimpse at his atmospheric and inspiring creations will allow the viewer to jump on the fast moving, upward trajectory of his highly creative career.John has been working on this new series of original pieces since January and is now delighted to release them.John Kearns said; “It’s great to have the new pieces for the exhibition out there in the world from the 24th October, both physically and online. I started this project back on January 1st of this year so to see the paintings and the accompanying music come together is very satisfying. I’d like to thank all at Gallery One for their hard work and dedication – they have been amazing to work with.”More info can be found here: https://www.galleryone.co.uk
Category: featured-2
NI Hospice’s Big Coffee Break aims for record year with support from Miss Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Hospice is brewing up its biggest Big Coffee Break ever this September, and Miss Northern Ireland Hannah Johns is lending a hand by raising a cuppa for the charity.
Miss NI joined NI Hospice staff to help launch the 2024 Big Coffee Break campaign at the charity’s Somerton Road site in North Belfast. Also attending were Hospice’s corporate partners and local business supporters, including ACA Models, Ulster Bank, Platinum Financial Planning, Santander, VANRATH, Carrickfergus WI, Clarendon Fund Managers, RiverRidge and Tourism NI.
The Big Coffee Break runs throughout September, with Hospice encouraging potential event organisers to sign up now for organising events as a fun and easy way to raise vital funds for the local charity, which provides care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses across Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the launch event, Trevor McCartney, Acting Chief Executive of NI Hospice, said: “With the economic challenges facing the charity, and the ever-increasing demand for our specialist palliative care services, this year’s Big Coffee Break is a particularly important fundraiser for us.
“This event is a wonderful way to connect with family, friends, or colleagues over a cuppa while making a meaningful impact. As one of our flagship fundraising events, the Big Coffee Break offers an easy and enjoyable way to support specialist palliative care services across Northern Ireland.
“Last year Big Coffee Break received fantastic public support from local communities across the country, as the public organised 88 events at home, work, or within the community and raised a whopping £35,000 for the charity in the process!
“Throughout this coming September we’re aiming for the highest total and largest number of events ever, and with the help of Miss Northern Ireland, and our incredible community, we’re confident we can achieve it. Join our movement and together, let’s make this year’s the biggest and most successful Big Coffee Break yet!”
The annual community fundraiser started in 1993, encouraging people across Northern Ireland to host their own coffee mornings. Each participant receives a free fundraising pack, complete with special recipes, posters, coasters, and a bag of Hospice Blend Coffee. All they need to do is brew a pot, collect a donation, and connect with friends, family, or colleagues over a cuppa.
To receive a free fundraising pack before you host your own Big Coffee Break event, simply sign up at www.nihospice.org/coffee or email events@nihospice.org for more information.
Summer of Creativity Ahead as ‘Bank of Ideas’ Recipients are Announced
Twenty nine schemes will share £50,000 from the “Bank of Ideas” to fund local creative projects across Belfast this summer and into the autumn, thanks to funding from Belfast City Council’s Belfast 2024 programme.
Belfast City Council is investing £5.9 million into Belfast 2024, which builds upon the council’s existing support for culture and arts and invites citizens to get creative, through a mix of new commissions and community-led programmes, all reflecting the city’s diversity and vibrancy.
A further £250,000 has also been secured from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for ‘Our Future Heritage’ which will enable people to explore Belfast’s tangible and intangible heritage and its impact on our identity through ten Belfast 2024 projects.
The aim of the Belfast 2024 programme is to support jobs in the creative sector, create new opportunities for residents to enjoy and participate in the arts, and showcase the city as a global destination for culture, through its three key themes of People, Place and Planet.
The projects secured the highest number of votes at a special ‘creative market’ held at City Hall on Sunday 2 June, where they showcased their concepts to visitors who had the final say in which schemes received funding and will be rolled out across the city between June and October. See full list below of chosen projects.
“We’ve had a great response to our invitation for communities to bring forward their own ideas for what they’d like to see, and deliver, in their neighbourhoods as part of Belfast 2024,” said Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray. “Their concepts are all unique, and show how creativity can bring people together, encourage them to try something different and provide opportunities for everyone to get involved, no matter what their ability or background. “It has also unearthed people and new groups who are passionate about where they live and the kind of place they want to create.”
Also coming up this summer as part of the Belfast 2024 programme is Midsummer at the Lyric, a new take on the Shakespeare classic from 4-7 July and the first open air production to be held in the Lyric Theatre’s outdoor amphitheatre space.
Tickets are now sold out, but a waiting list is currently open at lyrictheatre.co.uk
Wild Belfast are holding a number of outdoor workshops through their Safari in the City series, inviting residents to learn more about the butterflies, wildflowers, bats and other biodiversity on our doorstep, while Show Some Love Green House – located at 171-175 Victoria Street in Belfast city centre – is open daily 10am-6pm, with events and workshops.
Ahead of Water Works on Saturday 3 August, which will see thousands of boats of all shapes and sizes launched along the River Lagan, arts organisation are also inviting visitors to call into their pop-up shop in CastleCourt every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to get involved in making their own boat.
Keep updated on all upcoming Belfast 2024 events and projects – including ‘The Bank of Ideas’ – at belfast2024.co.uk or follow @belfast2024 on Instagram and Facebook.
Voting for The Bank of Ideas in the IOPD (International Observatory on Participatory Democracy) Awards is open until 12pm on 1 July at https://participate.oidp.net/
The 29 ‘Bank of Ideas’ projects are:
- ArtsFest – ArtsFest3: Engaging – June 2024
A festival bringing together Belfast creatives at Arts for All, with free inclusive workshops to co-create art and exhibitions for under-represented artists to showcase and sell their work.
- Suicide Awareness and Support Group – Chill with Gill café and support for people with anxiety
A weekly support group for people with anxiety, run by a yoga teacher, with chats, deep relaxation, breathing techniques, and advice.
- Antoinette Campbell – Wonder Bubble Magic Show – June-October
Experiential and immersive workshops in hostels and with assisted living residents, culminating in a wonder bubble magic show.
- Tracey Tsang – Bee Wildflower workshops – July and August
Creative workshops for kids to make bee-shaped recycled paper and paper mache seed bombs, with a creative competition featuring an art exhibition and prizes.
- Belfast Massage Project – July-September
Accredited aromatherapy health massage training for members of the asylum and refugee communities, promoting self-care, teamwork and mental health.
- Sailortown Regeneration – A Brush with History – July-September
In collaboration with the local community, artists and the Belfast Archive Project, an initiative to re-animate areas of Sailortown with dynamic imagery of local heritage and culture from the area.
- Chris Lowry – Community Garden Open Day – July-October
An alleyway garden open day for anyone near the Ormeau Road, with a barbecue, wildflower mural creation and a travelling bike-propelled art gallery!
- Mark Cousins and Ross Anderson-Doherty – Disabled Cabaret performance – July
A disabled queer cabaret to raise awareness of the talent of disabled queer people in Belfast.
- Meadow Ladies of Bog Meadows – The Meadow Heart Project – July-August
Creation of a large, heart-shaped public art mosaic in Bog Meadows’ new community Wilding Garden, with 15 small pieces to represent the elements of the nature reserve the ladies love the most.
- Shannen McNeice – Between Galaxies (profound and multiple learning disabilities children’s show) – July
A multi-sensory theatre show for four young audience members with multiple and profound disabilities and three actors.
- Janine Cousins – Community Craft – Give It a Go embroidery – July
Beginner workshops to teach embroidery stitches which can be used in mending or upcycling clothes/fabrics, empowering people and connecting them together.
- Neurodiversity SPARK – Neurodiversity SPARK family fun day – August
A family fun day for neurodivergent parents and children, where parents and children can socialise with people like them, with arts stations, guitar lessons, creative writing sessions, quiet areas and food!
- Shared Reading at the Duncairn – Stories from the Shadows – 9 August
A summer of pop-up flash fiction encounters on the theme of shadows, culminating in readings at a celebration of the Irish short story at the 10th annual Scribes at The Duncairn writers’ panel.
- Black Moon DJ Collective – Mark Patty, Robert Whiteman, Steven Bradley & Deirdre McKenna – Pop-up Picnic Party – August
A music-filled, fun afternoon of creative community that is disabled-led, for all the family. Black Moon DJ will bring the music to get you dancing, with games and prizes. We invite you to join us and bring a picnic.
- Corrina Askin for Grow Community Garden/Cave Hill Conservation Dreamer’s Space – expanding the trail – August
Training volunteers to expand on an inspiring art trail recently installed in Grow Community Garden and inspire creativity and wellness for children and young people.
- SEN Reform Wellbeing Day for parents/Carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities – August
An initiative dedicated to amplifying the voices of neurodivergent youth. By showcasing personal stories through creative activities, it seeks to change attitudes and foster greater understanding of neurodivergence within society.
- Spectrum Centre – Ausume Rascal’s Art Explosion – August-October
Art club for kids with an autism spectrum diagnosis to work with an artist to create colourful dinosaurs to be displayed in Shankill Road shop windows and public spaces.
- Conway Education Centre – Threads of Empowerment: Transforming Lives through Sustainable Fashion – August-September
Sustainable fashion for refugee and asylum-seeking children, with a charity shop trip, upcycling training and guidance from a fashion designer and a professional photoshoot to showcase the outfits created.
- Adele Huddleston – Lower Oldpark Community Association Children’s Community Library and Book Club – September- October
Children’s Community Library will allow children free access to borrow books, their own book club for discussing chosen books and take part in book-themed art and crafts.
- Open Ormeau Community Collective – Ballynafest Community Fair – 7 September
Ballynafest will be a family-friendly event, showcasing local musical talent with circus performances, storytelling, community singing and family picnics where neighbours can meet and friendships can be forged at the heart of the community in Ormeau Park.
- Climate Craic Festival – 14 September
An inclusive event in Belfast that uses creative arts to engage the community with climate action, promoting sustainability and fostering strong community connections through workshops, performances, and interactive activities.
- Zara Birch – Belfast Women’s Circle – 21 September
A sharing circle for women and girls of all generations and cultures, coming together on World Gratitude Day to share stories, boost connections and mental health, with free yoga, meditation, mindfulness and writing workshops.
- Roma Support Hub (Forward South Partnership) – Cosmopolitan Cooking Club – September
Bringing the local community together to prepare food and eat it together.
- Meg Magill – The Wee Swap – September
A swap shop for children to swap and reuse clothing, toys and other items on the Newtownards Road with toy hospital, children makers’ space, embroidery station, rag mural and a clothes mender.
- Community Together Belfast – Cregagh and Woodstock Diversity Carnival – September
- A colourful, creative celebration of the many diverse cultures that exist on the Cregagh and Woodstock Roads, using dance, music, storytelling, visual art, food, and fun to bring people together.
- Platform Arts – East Belfast Late Night Art – September
- Creating a map of East Belfast arts locations for open gallery events on the first Thursday of the month, with a guided tour, talks and a shuttle bus.
- Pitt Park Residents’ Association – Pitt Stop caravan – October
Turning a caravan into a creative community hub in Pitt Park as a drop-in for all ages for a cuppa and soup or for children’s games, crafts, and community fun days.
- Ark Housing – Big Belfast Halal-o-ween Party – October
Inclusive celebration that re-imagines Halloween, making it more welcoming for Muslim families by blending cultural traditions, music and entertainment to create connections and showcase creativity and diversity.
- Belfast Print Workshop – C’mon and print Belfast – October
Communal print-making on 10m rolls of paper with colourful ink, mark-marking with hands, wheels and flowers and more.
Blast Back to the Past: January 1989
Strike Liquid Gold: Belfast Barons Ball. New Years Eve 1988 at the Europa Hotel
Cinemagic Young Film Programmers’ Summer Scheme Launches for 2024
Cinemagic has launched its annual call for young film enthusiasts to take on the role of ‘film consultants’ this July, to participate in workshops and film screenings to help programme a series of films for the annual Cinemagic Festival that takes place in October 2024, supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen. The film consultants scheme runs in Belfast’s Ulster Museum and for the first time in Portstewart’s Flowerfield Arts Centre.
Participants in the 2-day programme will work in groups of 8 – 11-year-olds, 12 – 14-year-olds and 15 – 17-year-olds along with the Cinemagic team to discuss festival planning and to help steer the choice of films for the autumn, as they watch and critique films from around the globe!
If you are a budding film critic who would enjoy the opportunity to spend time with Cinemagic Film Festival, then this is a fantastic summer scheme opportunity to meet likeminded young people who love watching and discussing films, deciding on some of the content for the largest film festival for young people in the UK and Ireland. The programme is open to all young people in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Chris Shaw, Cinemagic Programmer, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming young film fans to our annual young film consultants panel, which has been one of the longest-running initiatives of the Cinemagic Festival since its inception. The film consultants will have the opportunity to watch and review international films guided by the Cinemagic team and there will be lots of opportunities for discussion and debate.”
TICKET BOOKING: https://tinyurl.com/mph7anjr
Young consultants will meet on the following dates and participants must be available for both dates.
Cinemagic Young Consultants 2024:
15 – 18-year-olds: Thursday 18th and Friday 19th July
10.30am – 3.00pm: Ulster Museum, Belfast.
12 – 14-year-olds: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July
10.30am – 3.00pm: Ulster Museum, Belfast.
8 – 11-year-olds: Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th July
10.30am – 4.00pm: Ulster Museum, Belfast.
8 – 11-year-olds: Thursday 25th and Friday 26th July
11.00am – 3.00pm: Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart
For more information, visit: www.cinematic.org.uk
Cinemagic Festival supporters:
The Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Belfast City Council, Film Hub NI, part of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from National, Department of Education (Ireland).
Down Ladies Netball Celebrates 40 years
On Friday 17th May, Down Ladies Netball Club celebrated their 40th Anniversary at The Mill at Ballydugan. Members, current and former, attended the gala ball, along with co-founders Ann Trainer and Eileen Ferguson and Colleen Morrison, NMDC Sports Development Officer and guest speaker. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal, followed by an awards presentation and dancing to celebrate.
For move coverage see our June Issue of Ulster Tatler
Joanne’s Fashion Pick of the Week
UT Woman Editor, Joanne’s Fashion Pick of the Week:
Organic Double Cotton Contrast Embroidered Maxi Dress, £159 – The White Company.
This light-weight dress is perfect for the summer months ahead (as long as we get the weather we are hoping for), or, if you are jetting off on holiday, you can pack it in your case for a look that can go from day to night.
Buckingham Palace Garden Party Marks 200 Years of Saving Lives at Sea
Volunteers from Bangor RNLI attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 23rd May in celebration of the charity’s 200th anniversary.
The RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party was held by HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vic Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and HRH The Duke of Kent.
The Duke of Kent has been President of the RNLI since 1969. Sir Tim Laurence is also a Vice President of the RNLI and former Deputy Chair.
The garden party brought together around 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving volunteers, staff and their families and also featured an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat in the palace grounds.
Among those attending from across the charity were Kevin Baird, John Bell, Captain Davy Eccles MBE, Andrew hedge, Johnny Gedge, Ewan Rathbone-Scott, Kyle Marshall and Gavin Mitchell from Bangor RNLI Station.
Speaking ahead of the garden party, RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, said: “We are incredibly honoured that His Majesty The King has granted permission for the RNLI 200th Anniversary garden Party to take place at Buckingham Palace in celebration of 200 years of saving lives at sea.
“Our hosts, The Princess Royal, The Duke of Kent and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, have been hugely supportive of our charity over many decades and it will be a huge honour and privilege for many of our volunteers and staff to meet them.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the RNLI and I am looking forward to being able to thank them personally, along with their equally dedicated families and our long-serving staff members, for their courage and commitment to saving lives.”
Head of Volunteering at the RNLI, Donna McReath, said: “I would like to thank each and every one of our incredible volunteers.
“We couldn’t do what we do without their vital support and the time and effort they generously dedicate in a wide variety of roles, from lifesaving crew to fundraisers and those who volunteer in our shops, museums or by sharing our water safety messaging.
“They are all lifesavers and this special Garden Party is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the joy and impact of volunteering for the RNLI. We are always looking for new volunteers to join our charity to help us continue saving lives at sea.”
Since the RNLI was founded on 4th March 1824, the charity has saved more than 146,277 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.
Inst Annual Leaving Ball (June 1993)
In June 1993, The Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst) held their annual leaving ball.
Belfast Book Festival 2024
Belfast Book Festival 2024 will take place over the course of 8 days in June (Thursday 6th – Thursday 13th) with a vibrant range of events and activities for adults and children in the Festival’s Hub – The Crescent Arts Centre.
Festival highlights include Margaret Drabble in conversation with Wendy Erskine and Colm Tóibín in conversation with Festival Patron Lucy Caldwell.
Other writers at the Festival include Sinéad Gleeson, Kevin Barry, Elaine Feeney, Martin Doyle, Paul Lynch, Louise Kennedy, Fergal Keane, Suzi Ronson, Nicola Tallant, AC Grayling and Eimear Ryan.
As well as this, there is a brilliant line-up of writers for children on Saturday 8th June: an audience with Jacqueline Wilson; readings with Martin Waddell alongside an exhibition celebrating his picture books; and launches of new work from Northern Ireland talent Ashling Lindsay and Colleen Larmour.
The poetry programme features celebrated US poet Marie Howe; and Belfast’s Dawn Watson and Scott McKendry; and there’s a special live edition of RTÉ Sunday Miscellany with new writing from a line-up that includes Jan Carson and Glenn Patterson.
Alongside bookable events, there’s a range of free activities including film poem screenings and a Poetry Jukebox. For the 3rd consecutive year the Festival is operating a Pay What you Decide Model.
For the full programme of events and to book tickets, visit: belfastbookfestival.com.
Caravaggio in Belfast
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s (1571 – 1610) ‘The Supper at Emmaus‘ (1601) is on display at Ulster Museum as part of the bicentenary celebrations for the National Gallery, London, and in a first for Belfast, has been reunited with his painting ‘The Taking of Christ‘ (1602), as part of the National Treasures exhibition.
Friday 10th May marks 200 years since the opening of the National Gallery in London and to mark the occasion, the National Gallery is loaning ‘national treasures’ from their collection to 12 museums and galleries across the UK.
‘The Supper at Emmaus‘ (1601) from the National Gallery and ‘The Taking of Christ‘ (1602) from The Jesuit Community in Dublin, with the support of the National Gallery in Dublin, will be displayed in the Spotlight Art Gallery from Friday 10th May until Sunday 1st September.
Both paintings were painted for the same patron, Ciriaco Mattei, and were originally displayed in the same family palace in Rome. Both paintings rarely travel and have hardly ever been seen together since the first quarter of the 17th Century.
The exhibition does not require any bookings and is free to attend.
To learn more, visit: www.ulstermuseum.org.
Lord Mayor’s Fun Day at Marrowbone Millennium Park
A fun day and football tournament event will take place at Marrowbone Millennium Park on Saturday 25th May in support of one of the Lord Mayor’s charities this year – Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI).
The event from 1pm – 4pm will feature free activities for all the family including arts and crafts, bouncy castles and street entertainers.
TAMHI in North Belfast is one of the Lord Mayor’s chosen charities for this year. The charity uses sport to raise awareness of mental health and promote positive mental fitness.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “TAMHI provide incredible support for young people and organisations right across the city and beyond, and I’m delighted to have chosen them as one of my charities to support while in office.
“I’m honoured to launch and join this wonderful event at Marrowbone Millennium Park on Saturday afternoon and hope many people can come along and support the day as well as TAMHI.”
Mickey Meehan from TAMHI, said: “Being chosen as the Lord Mayor’s charity this year was massive, knowing that our work isn’t going unnoticed and giving our whole staff a boost.
“We can’t thank the Lord Mayor enough for his support but we can promise him that we will continue to strive to raise awareness of mental health issues and teach learnings with sports clubs, schools and the local community.”
For more information on TAMHI, visit: www.tamhi.org.