ISSUE 76 NOVEMBER 2018 www.bloommagazine.co.uk
Bloom Magazine Belfast
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CONTENTS Find us
04 Latest News
City East Business Centre, 68-72 Newtownards Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT4 1GW
10 Sustrans East Belfast Cycle Info
Contact us
12 Christmas Cocktails JAWBOX
Angela Campbell angela@bloommagazine.co.uk www.bloommagazine.co.uk 07719 104 862
14 Acting up for Christmas James McAnespy
18 Dekko Bird
Be Social Bloom Magazine Belfast @bloommag BloomMagBelfast
20
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Interior Styling
Beauty Advice The Secret Day Spa
23 Culture Vulture
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From your area
Lyndsay Malone
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NEWS
Urban beauty and skincare centre best in beauty business Urban Beauty and Skincare Centre, based on the Comber Road, Dundonald has been named Northern Ireland Beauty Salon of the Year at the Professional Beauty Regional Awards 2018. The prestigious Awards took place at the luxury Principal Hotel in Manchester with over 400 guests in attendance. Over 21 awards were handed out on the night to acknowledge the best beauty providers in the industry and celebrate excellence in the beauty industry. Helen Alcorn-Hayes, Owner of Urban Beauty and Skincare Centre , said, “It’s such an honour to receive this prestigious accolade from the professional Beauty Regional Awards. Over recent years we have developed our treatments for our customers to include the best in advanced skincare treatments and laser services and pride ourselves on excellent customer service. This would not happen without my fantastic staff and supportive family. This was a team effort and I’d like to thank my staff who go above and beyond to make Urban Beauty a success.” As winners of the Professional Beauty Regional Awards, Urban Beauty and Skincare Centre will now be put forward for the National Awards which take place at the end of February 2019. Pictured receiving their award is from left Lee McGregor, Catherine Magee, Helen Alcorn-Hayes and Grainne Dalzell-Sheppard.
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Innovation Factory shows young people jobs of the future Young people from across Belfast are being inspired to consider careers in the fast-moving tech industry through a series of handson workshops organised by Innovation Factory. Launched during Global Entrepreneurship Week, the innovative sessions will run through to March encouraging young people to look at new tech industries like gaming and coding, digital marketing, design and communications. “There’s a huge gap in digital and tech skills and it’s stopping SME growth in Northern Ireland. It’s imperative that we help children understand what tech is and the amazing opportunities out there for them,” explained Julie McGrath, a director with Graffiti Recruitment and the Tech Education Network, who delivers the workshops. “It’s hard for parents and educators to grasp that by 2030, 80% of the jobs we will work in don’t currently exist. We need to create a greater awareness that there are jobs out there that are hugely rewarding and there are exciting opportunities within SMEs and start-ups with that have huge potential,” she added. The workshops are being delivered as a partnership between Belfast City Council and Innovation Factory with schools and colleges including CBS Glen Road, Belfast Royal Academy, Boys Model, Ashfield Boys School, Malone College, Mercy College and BMC Futures Project. The workshops will include a session on creative thinking and design, programing and coding for game creation, digital marketing and advertising and influencing communication through vlogging and blogging. The students will also tour Innovation Factory and get a chance to see some of the prestigious businesses that are breaking new ground on the tech front. Innovation Factory is owned by Belfast City Council and operated on their behalf by Oxford Innovation. The £9.1m business hub was funded by Belfast City Council and Invest NI with support from the European Regional Development Fund. Customers include a range of start-ups and growing businesses in a variety of sectors including digital services, creative industries, business services, financial services and research and development. For more information on the Innovation Factory visit: www.innovationfactoryni.com
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NEWS
Festive mischief at the mac with its Christmas show ‘The elves and the shoemaker’ This Christmas, the MAC is delighted to announce it will once again be collaborating with awardwinning children’s theatre company Cahoots NI for a magical production of the classic fairytale, The Elves and The Shoemaker. Based on the much-loved story by the Brothers Grimm, The Elves and The Shoemaker is the uplifting story of a kind-hearted tradesman who has fallen on hard times and is assisted by a mischievous band of nocturnal fairy folk. Suitable for all ages, audiences will need to keep their eyes peeled for some of the fairyland’s best-known characters who just might pop up to make it Belfast’s funniest, festive family show. As ever with the MAC’s Christmas shows, expect a unique twist on the traditional fairytale format with a funny script co-written by Simon Magill and Stephen Beggs, under the direction of Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney, and an enchanting festive score from Garth McConaghie. Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC has said, “Simply put, this year’s Christmas show promises to be absolutely spectacular. With the inimitable Sean Kearns as our eponymous shoemaker and some stellar performances from the likes of Clare Barrett and Jolene O’Hara, we’re really excited to revive this classic story for a modern family audience.” Paul Bosco McEneaney adds: “We are very excited to be back at the MAC this Christmas after the huge success of Under the Hawthorn Tree in September. The Elves and the Shoemaker is packed with Cahoots NI’s signature magical touch and we cannot wait to welcome audiences into the Elfin world we have created!” The show will run from Tuesday 27th November until Saturday 6th January, but with tickets selling out fast, book now to avoid disappointment! Avail of discount prices when you purchase a Family Saver ticket, valid Monday to Friday, which will save you 10% when you purchase 4 tickets or more. This has been the busiest year for school bookings, with schools making a visit to the MAC an annual Christmas tradition. MACtile Tours, the MAC’s award-winning initiative to make the theatre a more relaxing experience for children with Autism Sensory Disorders, continues to bring the magic of theatre to more and more audiences. For more information about the show or to book tickets for your festive family trip to the MAC, visit themaclive.com.
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NEWS
It’s Christmas at the Lyric – Bah, Humbug Well-known Northern Ireland double act and writers Conor Grimes and Alan McKee aka Grimes and McKee return to the Lyric Theatre this Christmas (17 Nov 2018 - 05 Jan 2019) with Bah, Humbug!, a modern day Belfast take on the classic Dickens tale A Christmas Carol. Meet Ebeneezer Scrooge (Michael Condron). He is the richest property developer in Belfast and the most tight-fisted. Scrooge has an unsettling visit from his former ‘dead’ business partner Jacob Marley (Alan McKee) who along with three ‘scary biscuit’ spirits ( Sophie Harkness and Roisin Gallagher) show him the error of this ways. But why should Scrooge change his way just because of Christmas? Even poor Bob Cratchitt (Conor Grimes) is only getting one day’s leave (unpaid). Directed by Frankie McCafferty, Bah, Humbug! is a not-to-be-missed Belfast take on this classic festive tale featuring a few scary songs and a really really scary dance. Will Scrooge change and repent of his greed? Will he help the poor and destitute and become a better man? Or will he remain the same old capitalist pig that he always has been? Looking forward to the start of the show, Director of Bah, Humbug! Frankie McCafferty said: “ Bah, Humbug! is a brilliantly written play with music by the very talented duo Grimes and McKee. Not only have they written a modern day Belfast version of the Dickens classic Christmas tale, but audiences will also be treated to two fantastic performances from them. I am delighted to be back at the Lyric directing this show as part of the Lyric50 programme. With a fantastic cast and production team this cracker of a show is one not to be missed.” Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer of Lyric Theatre Belfast, added: “Bah, Humbug! is a brilliant addition to our 2018 Christmas programme and we are delighted to feature it as part of our ongoing Lyric50 celebrations. Audiences are in for a festive treat with this Belfast version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol written by the fantastic Grimes and McKee, with a star cast and an all-singing, all-dancing feel-good show. On behalf of all the team at Lyric Theatre we wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Bah, Humbug!” Bah, Humbug! runs at Lyric Theatre Belfast from 17 Nov 2018 - 05 Jan 2019 8pm (17 & 18 Nov: £15). Tickets: £22.50, Concessions (Students, Unemployed & Under 20’s): £15, | over 65’s any matinee: £15. For further information and bookings visit: https://lyrictheatre.co.uk
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Christmas at the Active Travel Hub, CS Lewis Square As Christmas fast approaches Sustrans is encouraging people to enjoy cycling, even during the colder autumn and winter weather. Wearing layers of clothing and gloves will help keep you warm and keeping bicycles well lit up, with front and back lights, is important to be seen during darker mornings and evenings. To find out more about our programme of winter cycling activities why not visit the Sustrans stand at the Christmas Fayre and lights switch on, at C S Lewis Square on Thursday 22nd November from 5pm to 9pm. The stand will have information on our 6 week women into cycling programme, couch to cycle in 30 minutes, bike maintenance and adult and children’s cycle training sessions. Our paint spinner bike will be in action and children will be able to make a unique Christmas decoration with the artwork they create. With bike cogs donated by East Belfast Mission visitors will also have the chance to make a cycling themed decoration with the addition of colourful ribbon.
On Saturday 1 December Sustrans has lots of family fun in store at our Christmas event at the active travel hub, beside EastSide Visitor Centre at CS Lewis Square from 10am to 3.30pm. From 10am to 11am there is a Ditch the Stabilisers session for children and from 11.30am to 12.30pm level one cycle training for children, who can already ride a bicycle but would like to gain skills and confidence cycling. Both sessions are delivered by qualified cycling instructors. Later join us for a Santa themed cycle ride along the Comber Greenway, leaving the active travel hub at CS Square at 1.45pm and returning for 3.30pm. Wear something festive or decorate your bike for Christmas; there are some Sustrans goodies on offer for the best outfit and decorated bicycle! Children should wear helmets for the cycle ride. Sign up soon to avoid disappointment. Throughout the day we will have Christmas crafts for children, with a variety of colourful Christmas decorations to make and a treasure hunt around CS Lewis Square with prizes to be won. Remember that Jack CafĂŠ offers a pedal perk with 10 percent discount for anyone who arrives by bicycle. Our stand will also have information about our programme of cycling and walking activities. Booking is essential for the cycle training and Santa cycle. Email martha.robb@sustrans.org.uk or pamela.grove-white@sustrans.org.uk or Tel 028 9073 8513 / 07717 881207 www.sustrans.org.uk/chips Follow us on facebook and twitter @sustransni
From to cosy Decem Jawbox Gin h for every o
Jawbox Fireside Braemble
Jawbox Breakfast Martini
Ingredients
Ingredients
25ml Jawbox Gin 25ml Jawbox Rhubarb & Ginger 10ml Lemon Juice 50ml Cranberry Juice Egg White 2tsp Marmalade
35ml Jawbox Gin 15ml Braemble Gin Liqueur 10ml Rowse Honey with Cinnamon Orange Slice with Cloves Thumb Slice Ginger Boiling Water Method
Add ingredients to a hot toddy glass. Gently muddle ginger with the back of a spoon and top with hot water. Garnish with an orange slice and cloves.
Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry shake first, add ice and wet shake. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist or raspberries.
Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger Wassail Ingredients
50ml Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger , 120ml Tempted Sweet Cider 1tsp Rowse Honey with Cinnamon, Hot Water Method
Add ingredients to a pre-warmed hot toddy glass. Stir and garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange slices and cloves.
Christmas
m parties mber evenings by the fire, has six delicious cocktails occasion this
Christmas
Jawbox Flippin’ Delicious Eggnog
Ingredients
Ingredients
150ml Jawbox Gin 150ml Pineapple & GingeR 500ml Cranberry Juice, 50ml Honey 50ml Lemon Juice, 100ml Orange Juice 1 Lemon (sliced in wheels) 1 Orange (sliced in wheels) Handful of Cloves 2 Cinnamon Sticks, Pinch of Nutmeg
50ml Jawbox Gin 15ml Sugar Syrup 1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder 1 drop Vanilla essence 50ml Almond Milk 15ml Double Cream 1 egg Method
Jawbox Caribbean Christmas Punch
Add ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over ice into a rocks glass. Dust with nutmeg.
Method
Add ingredients to a saucepan and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour into a punch bowl to serve. Garnish with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.
Jawbox Rhubarb Fizz Ingredients
35ml Jawbox Rhubarb & Ginger 150ml Prosecco Method
Build in a chilled flute glass. Garnish with a rhubarb ribbon, raspberries, cranberries, and powdered sugar.
“Jackalope has taken on a real cult following in the city, probably because it was something different - I played a murderous villain, with an obsession with rabbits! I keep getting asked about the ‘rabbits film’!”
Local actor and writer James McAnespy loves the opportunities that present themselves at this time of year, as everyone gears up for Christmas. “In all walks of life there are opportunities for people to get jobs etc, but particularly for actors and performers. Aside from the obvious pantomimes that take place across the province, there are Christmas performances in grottos, and late evening shows where people are starting to get merry with the sherry!” The versatile actor has a long history of taking Christmas jobs as diverse as Santa Clause at Castle Coole’s hugely popular winter grotto to performing as Dougal in a tribute to the legendary sitcom Father Ted at the Grand Opera House! “Everyone loves it when I play Dougal - it was my nickname in Uni in London, and I host a Father Ted Podcast, so I’ve embraced the character fully!” As well as Christmas comedies, James has been widely praised for his gut-wrenching dramatic performances in plays like Playboy of the Western World, and off-kilter films like Jackalope.
He’s continuing to go from strength to strength on screen, featuring in hard-hitting drugs ads and in a variety of roles in films that are due to hit the screens soon. “I’m really excited about The Lep - a mythic tragedy set during the Irish Famine. The famine was, of course, a relentless period of suffering in Irish history, and the inclusion of Irish mythological folklore will resonate with audiences. We’ve seen the success of Black ‘47, and there is an appetite to bring the famine stories to the screen.” James is also playing a major role in Marion McDowell’s horror noir Dark and Stormy, where the would-be victim Scream Queen turns the tables on her tormentors. “We’ve all seen the old cliché where the young blonde gets killed in the first ten minutes and nobody cares, so it’s great to be a picture that upends that. Imagine if the people in the movies could hear and respond to the narrator that is describing their death.” James is sure to be busy over the next few months, so keep up to date with his Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/ jamesmcanespy
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NEWS
Local Charity ‘Steps In’ to Help Mitchell House Mitchell House School is celebrating after receiving a new treadmill for their physiotherapy department, having successfully been awarded funding from the Energy for Children Charity, to aid rehabilitation for all pupils. Mitchell House School is a special school in East Belfast for children with physical disabilities, ranging from nursery age up to senior pupils aged 19. Along with their physical disability the pupils have associated learning and medical needs. Mitchell House School provides a coordinated educational and therapeutic approach for pupils, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of teachers, support staff and therapists. Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, Kathryn Mulligan, explains, “Mitchell House School’s goal is to improve quality of life and social well-being by providing support and advice to children and carers throughout their time with us. “Currently many of our pupils attend regular physiotherapy sessions to increase strength and maximise functional abilities and the benefits of physiotherapy can really be seen within both the school and home environments. Many of our pupils begin school life unable to walk and our physiotherapy department aims to help these children achieve assisted walking and even independence. As the children grow, the skills they have learned through physiotherapy can be difficult to maintain therefore we were keen to purchase a treadmill for the school to allow children of all ages and future school pupils to maximise their walking opportunities. Since its formation, the trust has helped over 9,000 local children and every month continues to help those who need it most. For more information on the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, visit www. phoenixnaturalgas.com/about-us/phoenix-group/corporate-responsibility
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Home Styling & Decor News
With Christmas around the corner, now’s the time to get that room makeover you’ve been procrastinating over into action! However, to ensure your decor project’s an on-budget success and not a financial drain, you’ll need to undertake a little project planning first, so here are some guidelines to get you started… Before buying any larger items of furniture, sketch a scale plan of the room onto graph paper. This simple step catches any potential space planning issues early on (like squeezing in that huge corner sofa you spotted in the sales!) and helps to simplify your shopping choices. Once you’re happy with how it looks, measure everything TWICE, taking account of spaces around furniture, too. This will ensure new items can fit around existing furniture and that the room layout flows well. Keep a file of ideas for your room, either on a Pinterest board or on websites like Houzz.com. Alternatively, collate pages torn from magazines, newspaper home supplements and catalogues and stick them onto an A4 board. This will go a long way in streamlining your ideas and help you stay on track with decor decisions. It will also help the final scheme to remain coherent and save you a lot of overspend and stress caused by impulse purchases down the line.
Follow my blog at www.dekkobird.com |
Dekko Bird
Once you have a clear idea of the decor look you want, it’s a useful step to keep a scrapbook or file with fabric swatches, paint chips and wallpaper samples that you can easily refer to whilst shopping for other accessories for the room. Carefully consider your budget, however this doesn't mean buying cheaper items over the ones you truly love. If you can’t walk away from something, invest in it and trim the budget elsewhere. You won’t regret it years down the line when that coveted item still causes your heart to skip a beat! Don’t be afraid to move existing furnishings elsewhere in the home to accommodate new pieces or consider whether reupholstering a chair or painting a cabinet could help it blend into your new scheme. Finally, it’s ok to ask for help! Interior professionals are keen to help clients get started on the right track and can help in sourcing items, providing complimentary paint colours and save you making costly mistakes. Pop over to my website on the link below to find out the type of services I offer to help you with your decor projects.
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presents...
Fri 23 rd - Sat 24 th November 2018
Waterfront Theatre, Belfast Box Office: 028 9033 4455 or book online at waterfront.co.uk
MUSIC BY
Matthew Sklar
BOOK BY
Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin
LYRICS BY
Chad Beguelin
Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International
Discover your inner elf !
Culture uMraloene t l u V Lyndsay
October was a flurry of festival fun with yoga, theatre, music and architecture. The inaugural East Belfast Yoga Festival helped launched the month with offers of free and varied yoga classes, I availed of the chance to “relax and chill” in the At One Studio at Portview Trade Centre. A beautiful space with therapy rooms and studio space available for hire. Opening the Belfast International Arts Festival was Dear Arabella at the Lyric Theatre from Marie Jones. Three women that unknowingly touch each other’s lives through three intertwining tales. I was enveloped in the worlds of Jean, Elsie & Arabella which Katie Tumelty, Laura Hughes & Lucia McAnespie relayed so vividly. Also on the theatre front I had an immersive experience with Three’s Theatre Company and their current production Date Show: After Dark at Bullitt Hotel. We were taken through the courtyard, the cafe, the toilet, the stairwell, the bedroom and the rooftop bar! From first dates to break-ups and everything in between the experience was really good fun with very natural performances, I felt I was just out on a regular night earwigging on other people’s conversations! Three’s Theatre Company will be at the Mac with 3 Stories 3 Performers, 3 Experiences, 1 Choice. The Place Open House architectural festival also featured this month. I heard of the history of the Harland & Wolff dock, toured the north of city with the North Belfast Heritage Cluster visiting historical gems like Carlisle Memorial Church, Clifton House and Clifton Street Cemetery, and had a virtual reality www.LyndsayMalone.com
tour of North Street showing the possible future of it and the rest of the city. For upcoming events of the Heritage Cluster follow GreatPlace North Belfast on Facebook. This month I’ll be on the blustery North Coast for the gigs and free music trail of Atlantic Sessions in various venues including the Arcadia and Babushka in Portrush, Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae and Harry’s Shack in Portstewart. In line with these intimate live music events I’ll also be enjoying Joshua Burnside at the Duncairn Arts Centre which has a fantastic programme of music these upcoming weeks.
November Festivals:
Belfast Design Week - 6th - 11th
This year’s theme is Future Heritage, asking what next for Belfast? Discussions, workshops and fun parties!
Sound of Belfast 8th - 15th Music mart, trails, tours and showcases all culminating in the NI Music Prize in the Ulster Hall, a celebration of music from the North.
Outburst 8th – 17th Exhibitions, poetry, theatre, film, all sorts! “It’s a queer arts and ideas playground. Come hang out.”
C.S. Lewis Festival 3rd – 7th This year’s theme is Of This and Other Worlds featuring an evening of music and literature in Campbell College and Wonder Tales with Jane Talbot in Skainos.
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