CultureNorthernIreland Newsletter

April 22, 2010

Greetings!

In this issue, we walk the line between Law and Disorder. Crime-writer Gerard Brennan

reimagines Celtic myths with some of Ireland's leading crime writers, whilst former marijuana smuggler turned author and raconteur Howard Marks prepares for the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

Andrew Johnston risks musical whiplash by reviewing Jedward and Dropkick Murphys. Meanwhile, Joanne Savage isn't sure she wants to salute Sam Hanna Bell's latest book and Fionola Meredith wishes Rock Doves hadn't gone for the easy laugh.

Finally, don't miss your chance to win tickets to see 1and Symbol at the QFT as part of the Belfast Film Festival, and a tantalising selection of CQAF events.

CQAF: Howard Marks
The notorious marijuana smuggler and author of the bestselling memoir Mr Nice gets ready to visit Belfast.

Gerard Brennan

'The first thing my agent said was "It might be difficult to sell a novel about granny-mugging."

English Touring Opera
'Belfast's Grand Opera House is my favourite venue and its acoustic is ideal for all types of opera.'

Size Matters: The Mulholland Organ
Philip Hammond gets the low down on the Mulholland Grand Organ at the Ulster Hall.

Remembering Jeremy Henderson
'My first memory of him was of an intense, blue eyed, soft spoken, beautiful man...'

Fight Club

Go head to head in the White Collar Workers Fight Club.

Tim Brannigan The author talks about growing up black in Belfast and being adopted by his birth mother. The Crescent Arts Centre What can £7.2 million do for a 135-year old building? Emma Jordan Prime Cut bring theatre to St Anne's Square: 'The actors are terrified!' Festival of Fools Watch an NVTV video from the launch of the 2010 Festival of Fools.

Don't Die Wunderin, Burnavon Arts Centre, Apr 21-24. Bittersweet comedy set in the Forget-me-Not Nursing Home.

Midsummer Night's Dream, Grand Opera, Apr 24. Fairies tangle lovers' knots and strange dreams create monstrous romances.

Jimmy Carr, Belfast Waterfront, Apr 22-25. Rapier wit from the deadpan, blackly comic comedian - sans actual rapier.

By the Neck, Strule Arts Centre, Apr 29 - May 2. The sometimes comic, sometimes tragic story of hardened drinkers seen through the bottom of a beer bottle.

Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue', Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Apr 30. Some of Ireland's leading musicians perform 'Kind of Blue' by Miles Davis. With Linley Hamilton.

The Life and Times of the Living Dead, QFT, Apr 30- May 2. A squishy salute to the undead in all stages of putrefaction.

Soldiers, Supper and Swing, Spectrum Centre, Apr 30.Who said war was hell? Rations, sirens and genuine wartime props inspire this entertainment.


Win tickets to Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival events, including Reginald D Hunter, The Divine Comedy, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Howard Marks, Eliza Carthy and Three Women. We also have tickets to the Belfast Film Festival's showing of1 and Symbolat the QFT.