EVENTS
Out a nd about
In Iceland and beyond
Looking for things to do as the weather starts to chill? Check out our top picks for the coming months. TEXT: Sarah Dearne
PHOTO: Jez Tozer
Belfast, Northern Ireland 6–28 October
PHOTO: Sigmar Morkore
PHOTO: Loubos Houska
Eidi, Faroe Islands 12–15 October
Aberdeenshire, Scotland 26 October – 11 November
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
HEYSTFAGNADUR (AUTUMN FESTIVAL)
As the weather cools and the drizzle sets in, Belfast lights up with three weeks of culture and colour. The BIAF brings world-class international performers and creators to the city while showcasing Northern Ireland’s very own best and brightest. This year’s highlights include the Mariinsky Orchestra, which will be performing an all-Russian programme; the brilliant Donny McCaslin Group, who were David Bowie’s last band, collaborating with him on Black Star; and Celui Qui Tombe (He Who Falls), a fusion of dance and acrobatics that plays out on a spinning, tilting stage. And if you see nothing else, don’t miss the iconic Weeping Window installation, a cascade of ceramic red poppies that will move even the stubbornest contemporary art sceptic. →→ www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
Although the Faroes are known as a land of fishermen, it’s the scruffy native sheep that has their heart. A proud silver ram decorates their coat of arms, and the country’s name even derives from the Norse word for sheep – Foroyar, the Sheep Islands. This rich shepherding culture is celebrated at Heystfagnadur (Autumn Festival) in the village of Eidi. Harvest-themed events include a sheep market, butchering and sausage-making, followed by a downhome country ball with live music and carousing into the night. And if you’re not too stuffed with sausages to move, hike up to the nearby Eidiskollur cliff, which has astonishing views down to Risin og Kellingin (“the Giant and the Hag”), 70 m sea stacks with a curious folkloric past. →→ www.visitfaroeislands.com/ event/heystfagnadur
Sound is all about new music, showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary classical and jazz compositions in addition to hands-on workshops and cross-media exhibitions. Its magic lies in its openness to experimentation, setting up a sonic sandbox where composers can play and collaborate, uninhibited by stuffy conventions. This year’s programme sets out in pursuit of a “northern sound”, with panels and performances exploring how the region’s landscape and languages seep into compositions, intentionally or otherwise. There’s also a special focus on the bassoon, the Barry White of the woodwind family. You’ll find intriguing events in concert halls, bars, and even lighthouses all over Aberdeenshire. →→ www.sound-scotland.co.uk
8
SOUND MUSIC FESTIVAL
