CultureNorthernIreland Newsletter

May 6, 2010

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In this issue, read an extract from the Belfast zombie novel FLU and learn what inspires author Wayne Simmons to write about the undead. Go on the culinary Belfast Bred tour with Lee Henry and take a sneak peek at one of the songs from Red Lemon's new production, Dinner, an Edible Cabaret.

In pursuit of artistic excellence our reviewers take you on a dirty weekend in Scarborough, and chase love and spirits with 'Belfast Sink' winner Ciarán Hinds in The Eclipse. See what they made of the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, the sort of buskers you won't find on the streets of Belfast.

Finally, don't miss your chance to win a copy of FLU or tickets to see Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, 65 Days of Static and more.

Divine Comedy
Neil Hannon talks politics, a new album and award nominations ahead of his 'intimate' concert at CQAF.

Duke Special

Joanne Savage meets the avant-garde musician ahead of his new literary inspired tour.

My Cultural Life: Brian McGilloway
Derry crime author explains his homages to Bond and shares some inside info about his next novel.

Rising Star: Paul Milne
The Bandwidth.com illustrator on art college and his compulsion to draw Sophie Ellis Bextor.

AU Presents: Phil Kieran
Techno guru Phil Kieran tells Craig Sheridan why he hasn't moved to Berlin and on working till he drops.

A Fight You Can't Win

Filthy pop grungers talk to Peter Geoghegan about bad cider, good years and their debut album.

Life and Times of the Living Dead Author of zombie novel FLU and QFT's Susan Picken talk about the lasting appeal of the rapidly rotting monster. Dinner, an Edible Cabaret Patrick J O'Reilly puts sex on the dinner menu with Red Lemon's latest production. Belfast Bred Tour Lee Henry eats caviar and drinks ale and claims it is 'work'.

The Miser, Lyric Theatre at Elmwood Hall, Belfast, May 5-29. Dan Gordon's hilarious new adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy The Miser.

John McKeag, Craft Northern Ireland, Belfast, May 6-21. The owner of Firebox Ceramics shows what pottering about can do.

The World's Wife, Island Arts Centre Lisburn and Strule Arts Centre Omagh, May 7-8. Carol Ann Duffy imagines what the wives of famous men thought.

Fifth Annual Irish Pages Lecture, Belfast Exposed, May 7. Essayist Patricia Craig delivers the lecture 'To Scullabogue Backwards from Belfast'.

Don McLean, Belfast Waterfront, May 10. The singer-songwriter who penned 'Starry, Starry Nights' returns to the Waterfront.

The Wilders, Various Venues, May 19-23. Moving on Music brings the Wilders back for a fiddle/banjo/dobro/slapbass hoedown.

Belfast Children's Festival, Various Venues, May 21-30. The 13th Belfast Children's Festival puts on 10 days of exciting events for kids.

elfast Philharmonic Youth Choir, Ulster Hall, Belfast, May 23. The Phil Kids and the Phil Youth Choir in a concert conducted by Christopher Bell.


Win a signed copy of Wayne Simmons' Belfast zombie novel FLU. There are two tickets available for Out to Afternoon Tea at Queens. You can also win tickets to see Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and 65 Days of Static at the QUBSU and In Case of Fire and Nell Bryden at Auntie Annies.