Challas Spit Roast are worth a look if you are planning an event outdoors and need a caterer that will deliver with little fuss.  Worth checking out.

Check their website here.  www.challasroast.com

25 February 2009

Music lovers from near and far are being given the chance to explore Belfast`s incredibly rich and diverse musical heritage – in a single afternoon.

The Belfast Music Tour is a bus journey through the heart of a great rock and roll city, from Ruby Murray and Van Morrison to Snow Patrol, by way of Gary Moore, Stiff Little Fingers and David Holmes.

Delivered by the Oh Yeah music centre, the tour is one of a number of new initiatives to profile and promote Belfast reputation as the birthplace of great music, an art form that is defining the new mood of Belfast, a place enlivened by potential and bold gestures.

The city`s industrial heritage has inspired the vigorous style of many local rock bands, while Belfast`s history as a seaport has ensured the enduring influence of the blues and American roots music on local musicians. All of this is reflected in the tour.

As the experience of the likes of Liverpool shows, the love of music can be a primary reason for someone choosing to visit a particular city or country.

Recent research undertaken by Visit Britain shows that 21 per cent of potential visitors are inspired to choose a destination because of the music or bands of that region, and 49 per cent of visitors are very likely to go to live music concerts or events during their stay.

Music and musicians, solo artists and bands are often someone`s first introduction to the unique appeals of a country and Belfast City Council is aiming to capitalize on this by making the city`s music scene more accessible to visitors.

In partnership with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland, and supported by the Arts Council, the council has developed a number of music tourism initiatives, including the Belfast Music Tour, an MP3 tour, a dedicated website and the Belfast Music Exhibition.

The Belfast Music Tour takes place on Fridays, starting on 13 March, beginning at 3.30pm with a tour of the newly refurbished Ulster Hall and its unique new interpretative displays, telling the story of this historic venue.

The bus tour departs from the Ulster Hall at 4pm. Along the route, it tells the story of the founding members of Thin Lizzy and the legend of Pearly Spencer, shows the landscape that inspired classic Van Morrison songs and visits the venues that have made history with visiting acts like Led Zeppelin, The Clash and U2.

The tour finishes at the Oh Yeah music centre in Gordon Street, where, from the beginning of April, there is a chance to check out the Belfast Music Exhibition.

The first tour takes place on Friday 13 March. Tours then take place on Friday 20 March, Friday 27 March, Friday 3 April and Friday 17 April, and then weekly from May onwards, starting on Friday 1 May.

Tickets cost £8 and are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on 9024 6609, or online at gotobelfast.com

24 February 2009

Belfast has been invited to `take its seat` for the 9th Jameson Belfast Film Festival.

The Festival, which runs from 26 March - 4 April, was described by Lord Mayor Tom Hartley as “a cornerstone event in the city`s annual arts calendar”.

Film fans will be treated to more than 130 film screenings from more than 30 countries, as well as an eclectic mix of special events.

The Irish premiere of `Little Ashes`, a film which chronicles the life of a young Salvador Dali, will kick off the Festival at Movie House Dublin Road on 26 March.

Other stars lighting up the city as part of the Festival will include Sir Ben Kingsley and Nathalie Press, stars of `50 Dead Men Walking`, the Festival`s closing night premiere, and Rupert Grint - Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films - who stars in local feature film `Cherrybomb`, the Festival`s mid-week gala screening, alongside James Nesbitt.

Comedian Paul Merton will bring his homage to silent comedy, `Silent Clowns` to the Movie House, Yorkgate, and actor and film maker Crispin Glover will host a unique event at Belfast`s Queens Film Theatre.

The spotlight will also be shining on local talent, as Festival Director, Michele Devlin, explains:

“As the Belfast Film Festival grows each year, we are so proud of the fact that, as well as a strong selection of international and European films, we are able to showcase a burgeoning wealth of local film-making and acting talent.

“We have the eagerly awaited premieres of first features, the locally-made `Cherrybomb` and `Ditching`. We are also proud to be screening `Pumpgirl` starring local talent Samantha Healey and Geraldine Hughes and to be celebrating local legends including Davy Hammond, Brian Desmond Hurst and John T Davis, as part of the 2009 Festival.”

Regular festival-goers will notice some new additions to the programme this year, including the `Jameson Sound and Vision` strand, which will celebrate the role that music plays in film. Supported by Arts & Business, events in this strand will include renditions of the iconic soundtrack to `O, Brother, Where Art Thou?` by local bands at the Spring and Airbrake, and a unique screening of `The Hunchback of Notre Dame` to a live score in the stunning St. Anne`s Cathedral, to name but a few.

A series of discussion and panel events were also announced.

Michele continues: “In the wake of the Eames/Bradley report, our socio-political discussion strand, `Memory Truth and Transition`, will provide a timely catalyst for debate. Films screening within this section include `Pray the Devil Back to Hell`, which honours the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia.

“As part of our `Spotlight on India` we are thrilled to welcome to Belfast Adoor Gopalakrishnan, one of India`s finest contemporary film-makers, who will host a panel discussion and present some of his films to the local audience.

“Our Jameson Short Film Competition, which highlights local film making talent, received the biggest level of entries to date this year and we look forward to screening the shortlist. Previous finalists of the Jameson Shorts competition include the recently Oscar-nominated `New Boy` by Steph Green, and Connor Clements` `Jame`s, which screened at this year`s Sundance Film Festival.

“Furthermore, documentaries from across the globe will be showcased as part of our international Maysles Brothers Documentary competition.

“Our aim is to bring a celebration of local and international cinema to life in the city of Belfast through a programme of entertaining, educational, informative and enjoyable events.”

Full information is now available through the Official 9th Jameson Belfast Film Festival programme, distributed at key venues around the city or online at www.belfastfilmfestival.org

Tickets for the 9th Jameson Belfast Film Festival are available for purchase online at www.belfastfilmfestival.org, by phoning the Festival Box Office on 028 9024 6609 or from the Belfast Welcome Centre at 47 Donegall Place, Belfast.

9 March 2009

Thousands of people are expected to pour into Belfast city centre for the annual St Patrick`s Day celebrations, organised by Belfast City Council.

Some 5,000 tickets for the centrepiece concert, featuring teenage singing sensation Eoghan Quigg, were snapped up in just a few days.

However, revellers can still enjoy the St Patrick`s Day atmosphere in Belfast city centre, with the spectacular carnival procession.

Exploring the theme of `Legends, Myths and Stories`, and featuring hundreds of participants from all corners of Belfast, it will leave the City Hall at 12 noon next Tuesday afternoon.

The carnival will make its way along Donegall Place to Castle Junction into Castle Place, then along High Street and Victoria Street, into Custom House Square.

The main concert, once again compèred by Pete Snodden of Cool FM, will start at 1pm. The first half of the bill will feature Celtic fusionists Bréag, Belfast-based traditional Irish five-piece At First Light and pioneering percussionists Torann.

The headline pop act will be Dungiven teenage singing sensation Eoghan Quigg, star of the last series of `The X Factor`.

With all tickets allocated, it must be stressed that admission to the concert site is by ticket only. No more tickets are available and no more will be released. All other standard Belfast City Council terms and conditions apply.

This is the fourth year that Belfast City Council has organised a spectacular carnival procession and free concert.

Lord Mayor Tom Hartley said:

“Over the past number of years, St Patrick`s Day has become one of the undoubted highlights of Belfast City Council`s events calendar, and this year will see the event continue to grow.

“The council has worked extremely hard to make the event fully inclusive, so that it appeals to all sections of the community, and this work definitely has paid off, to make St Patrick`s Day an occasion which can be enjoyed by all the people of Belfast, and visitors alike,” said the Lord Mayor.

Later that evening, two more special concerts will round off St.Patrick`s Day in style. The Ulster Orchestra will be giving their now traditional concert at the Belfast Waterfront, while the newly reopened Ulster Hall will be hosting `Sham-Rock`, a tribute to two of Ireland`s music greats, Rory Gallagher and Thin Lizzy.

Belfast City Council also has funded a wide variety of community groups across the city, to help people celebrate St. Patrick`s Day in their own neighbourhoods. Almost 100 organisations have received a share of £30,000 in grant aid from the council`s Good Relations Fund.

On the Saturday 14 February, St George`s Market will be briefly transformed into St Patrick`s Market, with traditional music by `Toss the Feathers` on Uilleann pipes and flute, Irish dancing by the Cathy O`Connor School and a cookery demonstration of traditional Irish fayre by Oxford Exchange restaurant.

For details on all events on and around St Patrick`s Day, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events

10 March 2009

The City of Belfast once again is preparing to commemorate and celebrate the world`s most famous ocean liner, the RMS Titanic.

Each weekend in March and April, beginning on Saturday 14 March, a series of special tours will bring the story of Titanic, and the people who built her, back to life.

Bus and boat tours will explore the Belfast of the Titanic era, telling the story of the mighty ship and her two sisters, Olympic and Britannic, in the way only Belfast can – at first hand.

The free bus tours will leave from the front of Belfast City Hall at 11am and 2pm each Saturday and Sunday – with daily tours operating at the same times daily between Saturday 11 and Sunday 19 April.

The tour will take in all of the key locations associated with the Titanic story, including the Drawing Offices, where the plans for Titanic and hundreds of other ships were conceived and developed, and the Thompson Dry Dock, which was built especially for the Olympic class liners.

Each bus tour is free, but tickets, available from Belfast Welcome Centre, are needed. The tour lasts around two hours, and appropriate footwear and clothing are recommended. The bus tour is not suitable for children under seven years of age.

The ever popular Titanic Boat Tours also continue throughout March and April, leaving Donegall Quay at 12.30pm and 2pm each Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Additional tours also take place during the Easter week (Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 April), at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm and 5pm daily.

Once again, each boat tour takes in the key landmarks associated with the Titanic story – including the Hamilton Dock, Alexandra Dock and Thompson Dock - this time from the waters of the River Lagan and Belfast Harbour. Tickets for the boat tours are on sale at the Lagan Boat Company ticket office, Donegall Quay, between 11.30am and 3pm on tour days. For enquiries call (028) 9033 0844 or visit www.laganboatcompany.com

Saturday 14 March also sees the welcome return of the `Titanic: Designed and Built in Belfast` exhibition to W5 at the Odyssey.

The exhibition, which continues until Sunday 19 April, is a dynamic celebration of Belfast`s rich and illustrious maritime past and takes a unique approach to the well-documented tale of the ill-fated liner, examining Titanic in the wider context with a collection of memories that have been key to the ship`s eternal appeal for generations. For full details, visit www.w5online.co.uk or call (028) 9046 7700.

The exhibition will form the centrepiece of the ninth annual `Titanic Made in Belfast` festival, organized by Belfast City Council, which begins on Saturday 11 April and continues until Sunday 19 April.

Further information, booking details and tickets can be obtained from the Belfast Welcome Centre, by calling (028) 9024 6609, by e mail from events@belfastcity.gov.uk, or online at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/titanic

10 March 2009

Family fun is very much `top of the bill` at the newly restored Ulster Hall on Sunday 15 March.

The Grand Dame of Bedford Street reopened on 6 March, following her £8.5 million facelift. She is the first of a number of iconic Belfast buildings to open again this year after major renovation programmes.

As part of the refurbishment, the Ulster Hall now tells her own story through an intriguing new audio tour, which brings the famous old venue to life through a multitude of personal stories and recollections.

A series of poems inspired by archive material and reminiscence evoke special memories of the building itself. The poems are displayed on glass surfaces around the building.

The new Carey Gallery allows, for the first time in more than 200 years, visitors to come face to face with one of Belfast`s most prized art collections – the unique and fascinating Carey paintings, which were specially commissioned for the Ulster Hall before it first opened and depict historic scenes of the city. The collection has been restored to its original splendour and is now on permanent display for everyone to enjoy.

Highlighting the Ulster Hall`s new accessibility to everyone, there will a Family Open Day on Sunday 15 March, from 11am – 4pm. There will be guided tours, workshops and lots of other fun events, including juggling culchie mayhem, courtesy of the Magiligan Family Circus.

Many events are free of charge, but places for tours and workshops will be limited so advance booking is needed. Email Roisin Whyte at whyter@belfastcity.gov.uk for more information and to make bookings.

Also on Sunday, the Ulster Hall hosts its first ever Baby Rave.

For children aged 0-4 years and parents, this is a real rave – complete with DJ, music, lighting and projections (but child-sized) for both children and adults. Floor areas are partially covered with soft materials and carpets, and hanging decorations and sensory toys will add to the experience. Trained dance facilitators will encourage participants to experiment with rhythms and beats.

There are three Baby Raves during the day, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Tickets are £4, with family tickets available at £12.

The Ulster Hall`s Free Fringe festival is also in full swing in the former Group Theatre, now the Group Space. `Sunday Service`, at 6pm, puts the spotlight on a series of history-making anti-establishment speeches, by recreating them. Women`s rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst is the focus for Sunday`s speech, while music is provided by Feile Women`s Singing Group.

Full details are available on the Ulster Hall website, www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ulsterhall

12 March 2009

The traditional art of linen weaving is to be revived in a special demonstration at Belfast`s St George`s Market.

Linen has been `back on the Market` at St George`s for the past year – and now one of Ireland`s few practising weavers is to show how she has successfully brought her art back to life.

The demonstration will be given on Saturday 21 March by Marion Baur, owner of the Flax Mill traditional craft shop in Derrylane, just outside Dungiven. She will be using an all wooden handmade weaving width handloom, which itself is more than 100 years old.

Marion, who is originally from Germany, normally shies away from public demonstrations of her craft, and turns down numerous invitations to appear at fairs and markets. However, she found the invitation from Belfast City Council just too difficult to resist.

“Weaving linen in the ambience of a beautiful, historic Victorian Market is something I just couldn`t reject” said Marion.

Marion will be demonstrating her craft at St George`s Market on Saturday 21 March, between 9am and 3pm.