The Eastside Arts Festival will be held from 19th August to 31st August and its organisers said this annual event will highlight the “journey of revival” currently East Belfast is experiencing. The festival will feature 33 free events of the 78 events, that includes workshops, talks, movies, theatre, comedy, music and exhibitions. The festival will also be hosting a wide range of readings, poetry, lectures, film-screenings and heritage events.
There are many highlights in this year’s programme. East Belfast star Van Morrison will perform 2 concerts on 31st August at the Cyprus Avenue. Soak, the Londonderry star and Duke Special of east Belfast will be in concert with Malojian. The programme includes partnership of show by 2 city centre venues. One is the comedy “Fly Me to the Moon” by Marie Jones, at the Lyric Theatre and the other a musical, “Dancing Shoes”, at The Grand Opera House. There are many more interesting performances and free events lined up over the days.
Caral Ni Chuilin, Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure, said she was pleased to support the EastSide Arts Festival, which continues to grow in stature each year. It also reflects the growing diversity and cosmopolitan nature of this part of the city, she added. EastSide Arts Manager, Anthony Toner believes that they have a programme showcasing and deepening the vision in their Arts Strategy for East Belfast. Over the 12 days people will have fun, be inspired and see the East of the City as full of creativity, colour and above all, one that is on a journey of renewal, he added.
