Quarter Beat | July 2013

SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE FOOD FESTIVAL | CQ VOLUNTEERS | PRIDE | SUNDAY TREATS | WHAT’S ON

QUARTER BEAT Monthly News & Listings for Belfast’s Cultural Quarter

www.thecathedralquarter.com

#6 ISSUE

JULY 2013

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Emma Blee

A group of restaurateurs and café owners have joined forces to organise an outdoor summer food festival in Saint Anne’s Square, showcasing the best of local produce and giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about food and the Cathedral Quarter area.

With so many new and exciting restaurants and cafes choosing Saint Anne’s Square as their home, the area is quickly becoming a hub of activity. Eager to build on the buzz, a group of forward-thinking business people are working together to organise a summer food festival, which they hope will help transform the square into the new “destination” for Belfast.

The festival, which will run from Friday 26th until Sunday 28th July, will include an interactive demo kitchen where visitors can watch celebrity chefs in action and also take part by whipping up some sensational locally sourced food.

One of the main highlights of the festival will be a knockout “Ready Steady Cook” competition between eight local chefs. Armed with a mystery box of local produce, they will be given the culinary challenge of creating a show-

stopping dish in a race against time.

There are also plenty of chances for visitors to get involved during the festival, with a kids interactive cookery demo being organised for families and the opportunity to buy and sample local food and produce.

The summer food festival is the brain child of the Saint Anne’s Square committee, which was set up by Tony O’Neill, owner of Thorny Hill Restaurant Group, in February 2013. When Tony decided to base his newest restaurant Coppi in the square he was keen to find out what type of events he could attract to the area to boost visitor and customer numbers.

Seven other businesses have now joined the Committee; the MAC, Canteen at the MAC, House of Zen, Ramada Encore, 4th Wall, Chopin Grand Café, The Potted Hen and Salt Bistro. The committee is already working with the Cathedral Quarter Trust, Taste of Ulster, World Police and Fire Games and Belfast Restaurant Week to come up with innovative events, which they hope will promote the square and the Cathedral Quarter area.

Speaking about the Committee, Tony explains: “This is a first for me; I haven’t formed a committee for any of my other restaurants. I really felt this needed Continued on page 2

TAKING PRIDE IN PRIDE Bright colours and bold statements is the theme for this year’s Pride Festival, in honour of the late PA Mag Lochlainn, a veteran gay rights campaigner who passed away last November. PA was a founding member of Belfast Pride, which started as a demonstration for equal rights and which has now become a ten-day celebration of Northern Ireland’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

“Freedom and equality are not gifts any man gives to another, but a basic and inalienable right belonging to every man” Quarter Beat June 2013, Issue 5 Published by Cathedral Quarter Trust 3-5 Commercial Court, Belfast BT1 2NB 028 9031 4011 | info@cqtrust.org Design by Rinky rinky.org Illustration by Stephen Maurice Graham 400facts.tumblr.com

said Mag Lochlainn. His human rights work, and the work of others making a difference within the LGBT community will be honoured at the Pride Awards, launching the festival on Friday 28 June.

The main event takes place on Saturday 6 July, with the parade leaving Custom House Square at 12 noon. This year expect a rainbow of colours and people from all walks of life as tens of thousands take to the streets to watch or participate. The Party in the Square will get underway after the parade, with headliner and X Factor finalist

Supported by:

Ruth Lorenzo, Ryan Jagger, Kamaliya and a huge supporting line-up of local music and dance talent. Entertainment and fun for all the family will be provided from 11am at the Pride Village beside Lagan Weir.

Bars and venues in CQ and across the city will be joining in the festivities.

The award-winning Quire Belfast LGBT choir, who will perform an eclectic mix of harmonious songs of love and pride at the MAC on Saturday 29 June. The Black Box will also host a number of events including Mr Bear NI on Saturday 6 July. The Kremlin has organising a party every night of the festival, including special guest Rylan Clarke. A village party will take place at Union Street with X Factor talent Lucy Spraggan, The Voice’s Barbara Bryceland and Northern Ireland’s own feisty girl band The Diva Dolls. Pride’s very own comedy club will launch on Wednesday 3 July at the Sunflower Bar on Union Street, or if trivia is your thing the Big Continued on page 2

Pride 2013 is dedicated to the late PA Mag Lochlainn, veteran gay rights campaigner.

CQ TRUST OFFICIAL LAUNCH

(L-R) Mayor Máirtín ÓMuilleoir, CQT Director Patricia Freedman, CQT Chairman Paul McErlean and DSD Minister Nelson McCausland MLA.

Congratulations to Max Carnson, winner of our #loveCQ Photo Competiton. Max’s fantastic stereographic shot of Buoy’s Park achieved nearly 500 ‘likes’ to win our public vote after being shortlisted amongst the many great entries showing as what they love about CQ. First prize was a ‘Perfect Day in Cathedral Quarter’ including afternoon tea at The Merchant Hotel, dinner & wine for two at The Potted Hen, tickets to a show at The MAC and a night’s stay at Four Corners Premier Inn. Many thanks to all our generous CQ resident sponsors!

Second prize and winner of pizza and beers for two at Black Box went to Brian Maguire’s nighttime shot of Commercial

DSD Minister Nelson McCausland MLA officially launched the Cathedral Quarter Trust and the Cathedral Quarter Strategic Vision and Development Plan in the Black Box last Thursday the 6th of June. The Minister is joined here by Mayor Máirtín ÓMuilleoir, CQT Chairman Paul McErlean and CQT Director Patricia Freedman.

Speaking at the event, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: “The Cathedral Quarter is one of the oldest and most historically significant parts of Belfast. As a location, it is ideally placed to embrace and celebrate Northern Ireland’s cultural diversity – providing a unique and authentic experience both for tourists and local people. The area has seen significant investment in infrastructure in recent years and underwent a major transformation to become an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric.

“Through the Strategic Vision and Development Plan, I am confident that the area will continue to grow and develop as we provide a strong vision for a sustainable commercial and cultural hub, right in the heart of the city.”

Court. The third prize of a mystery gift from The Wicker Man went to El PorterMcCullough’s black and white shot of artists in Writer’s Square.

Pride, Continued from page 1 Gay Quiz takes place at the Hudson Bar with funds going to the Rainbow Project. A series of short services of Christian prayer and reflection will take place each night of Pride at St. George’s Church, High Street, organised by Faith and Pride.

The festival is also about information and debate, and the annual Belfast Pride debate at the Europa Hotel on Tuesday 2 July offers a chance to question local politicians on hot topics such as the blood ban and equal marriage. On Thursday 4 July the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow MP, a well-known supporter of LGBT rights, will deliver the Amnesty International Pride Lecture on human rights and human wrongs.

Pride’s annual vibrant celebration shows how far gay rights have come in Northern Ireland, and this year the Belfast Lord Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has written an introduction for official programme for the first time. His words are particularly poignant and echo the aspirations of the late campaigner PA Mag Lochlainn. “Belfast is increasingly becoming a city where equality is at the centre of everything we do,” he said. “The old barriers - be they ones of religious or political belief, race, creed or sexuality, age or ability - are being broken down with increasing rapidity.

“Take Pride in Pride. Take Pride in what Pride has achieved- and will continue to achieve. There is still much to be done and a long road to walk.”

A listing of Cathedral Quarter Pride events is available on page 4. For full details and schedule of events, visit belfastpride.com

Saint Anne’s Square by night.

Food for Thought, Continued from page 1

work together as a group the more we can achieve for the City. I do believe that Belfast has such a wonderful food scene happening here at the minute, we’ve really come into our own and you only have to go to other cities to see that we are paving the way in the industry.”

While Tony would like to see the square firmly established on the tourist circuit like other European cities, he also wants it to be somewhere where locals can enjoy a coffee during the day or an evening out.

“I see St Anne’s Sqaure as a destination in its own right and think it has a very important role to play. The MAC is on your doorstep and we have such a diverse offering of restaurants and down the road

to work this way because Saint Anne’s Square is such a beautiful place and the whole Cathedral Quarter area is brilliant.”

He jokes that due to the fact the committee members are all in the same line of business “there’s always going to be a little bit of rivalry” but agrees that everyone has the same goal in mind.

“Everyone on the committee has been very positive, we’ve had about six or seven meetings and we’re pulling together our outdoor food festival in July. All the restaurants are going to offer some food outside, host some cookery demonstrations and showcase local produce. It’s about making Belfast a food destination and if we 2

we’ve got pubs and hotels. There is so much happening in that area, I think it is the new place to be in Belfast. “However, there is still an awful lot of work to do and that’s the main reason we started the committee.”

Maeve Lewis, Acting Head of Marketing and Communications at the MAC, sits on the committee and says that the working together with other businesses has been a very positive step forward for everyone involved with the square.

“Everyone is pretty much on the same page and our main focus is about driving visitors to Saint Anne’s Square. Obviously in the MAC we’ve had a great first year. But for Saint Anne’s Square as a destination it is still slightly on the outskirts of what is considered as City Centre so we are working hard on things like signage and how people find out about what is on. That’s our focus.”

Catherine Regan, who owns the Potted Hen, says the committee is a great motivator and is hopeful that the food market will be the first of many successful events in the square.

“On the committee we’ve had lots of different ideas, at Christmas we’d like to have an ice rink and this year we’re hoping to have a Christmas tree in the square. It’s not always food orientated, we just want to bring people down into that are of the town.

“We were the first restaurant in the square and for a long time it was just us there, so it is nice for us now to have others to work with. In the great weather at the start of June the square was just hiving with people and it is lovely to see it busy. That’s what we want; we want to have it like that all the time.”

The Saint Anne’s Square summer food festival will take place from Friday 26th July – Sunday 28th July.

VOLUNTEER MYSTERY and get to know the venue staff. You get an insight into the working of each venue too.”

All very well, but aren’t these black t-shirt clad assistants a harangued intruder in places of work? “Actually, you get as much respect as the paid staff,” she confirmed. “The surprising thing is how much I enjoyed the smaller, intimate venue shows compared to the large marquee events. “There are maybe two or three volunteers and you can have a wee yarn and watch the show. The bigger events may have all the stars but I prefer the small shows, where you feel more a part of the festival spirit.” Feeling part of that spirit is something that rings loudly with volunteers and it comes as no surprise then, that it is the less applauded moments are those that make volunteering an experience worth coming back to. “You can see when people arrive, they are all buzzing. They put their trust in you to have a good time. You stamp their hand they are ‘all biz’ and give a highpitched, ‘thank you!’.”

Emma also explained volunteering brings together a wide mix of people, from all ages and backgrounds “There’s students and retired people; people who have just arrived here and want to meet new people. “Or there’s people like me, who just want to get into unusual events for free!” Emma says, laughing.

One of these different people is Maria O’Hagan, a successful art teacher who returned to Belfast last year after building her career in England. Maria volunteered at Culture Night in September and was also given the task of carrying out evaluations as the audience exited events. Maria said she wanted to become a volunteer to be part of Belfast finally celebrating its creativity.

“It was a good opportunity to meet people with similar interests,” she said. “It was fantastic to speak with the public about

CQAF volunteer Emma Toner, sporting the much sought-after volunteer’s t-shirt.

Damien Whinnery Volunteers are a common sight during Cathedral Quarter’s myriad events and it is through their collective effort that many of these events take place at all. But why are so many willing to give over vast chunks of their precious time to Belfast’s most enigmatic of quarters, and to do so for free? Like a seasoned gumshoe detective, Quarter Beat dusted down the deerstalker and decided to find out on your behalf.

Communications officer Emma Toner, from Belfast, started her veritable volunteering career in 2009. She decided to get involved after seeing a call out for

volunteers from the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. “I applied for a variety of reasons. I thought it would be a good way to meet new people and I wanted to expand my CV as I was working as an arts officer at the time. I had been to the festival over the years and liked the ethos behind it.”

These are admirable motivations for volunteerism, but what of the experience itself? “I worked at a few comedy gigs at first. You meet and greet people and take their tickets,” Emma explains. “You answer their questions, tell them where the toilets are and things like that. You’re the friendly face of the festival.” “All the volunteers share a real comradery,” Emma says. “You get to meet someone different at each event

THE CQ LOYALTY CARD

Have you got your CQ Card yet? Collect stamps and redeem for great discounts at a wide range of CQ venues. Cards are freely available at all participating venues. Check out the map below to see find out where

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1. Sunflower Public House Collect stamp: Buy a drink Redeem full card: Pint of local ale 2. Golden Thread Gallery Collect stamp: Visit gallery Redeem full card: 10% off bookshop/artwork

Like’ our Facebook page CQBelfast to receive regular information about volunteering for Cathedral Quarter. you can start collecting and what you can get with a full card. CQ Card is spearheaded by Local Tourism Champions Deirdre McKenna (Golden Thread Gallery) and Sarah Jones (Black Box). Happy collecting!

7. Digital Arts Studios Collect stamp: Hire equipment Redeem full card: Hire twice, get 3rd free 8. The Wicker Man Collect stamp: Spend £5 Redeem full card: Free gift 9. The MAC Collect stamp: Purchase show ticket Redeem full card: 10% off MAC shows

3. Belfast Print Workshop Collect stamp: Spend £10 Redeem full card: 10% off artwork, £20 off course

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4. PS2 Gallery Collect stamp: Visit gallery Redeem full card: Discount on publications

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creativity and be a part of experiencing Belfast in a positive light.” Maria’s role was the daunting job of interviewing the public, focusing on the views of young people.

“Students loved the diversity of projects and wanted to know how they could contribute.

I loved being part of something bigger than me and an experience that brings all types of people together.”

The hunt for the motive of volunteers is not over, however. Solving the mystery requires the employ of another Cathedral Quarter figure – CQAF marketing officer and “volunteer overlord” Joe Nawaz. “Every year there is a volunteer meeting. It’s become almost ceremonial. We hand out the t-shirts and hoodies and they are worn with a surprising amount of pride. Then we read out the list of events they’ll be assigned to – its become a real ritual affair. “The t-shirts themselves are now a real badge of honour.”

Ah, the t-shirt, a clue perhaps? Joe tells that within hours of our interview he had seen one of these famous hoodies being proudly sported by a volunteer he recalls from 2011. “We really get all sorts,” Joe continues. “We have people of all abilities, some can run entire events alone and others, well, everyone contributes.” Joe then tells a story of some of the more “officious” among the pool that have occasioned to take their role slightly too seriously.

“We had one night when singer songwriter Kenny Thompson arrived at his gig only to be turned away by volunteers. He was left standing outside the building and didn’t know what to do. He had to ring his agent to get in touch with the venue just so he could get in.”

Joe added that one thing he could say about volunteers is that they party “really hard”. “They are always the last ones to leave the show and are all great craic. “There’s people who come year after year, and wear their t-shirts as if they’ve been to Vietnam.

“There’s not much money in the arts these days, so our volunteers are essential,” Joe adds. “Hats off to them.”

11. Ramada Encore Collect stamp: Any spend in bar or hotel stay Redeem full card: 10% off bar or hotel stay

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5. Arts & Disability Forum Collect stamp: Spend £5 Redeem full card: Free beverage 6. Belfast Exposed Collect stamp: Visit gallery Redeem full card: 10% off in bookshop

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13. Flow Studio Belfast Collect stamp: Purchase 6 or 10 class card Redeem full card: 15% off 6 or 10 class card

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10. House of Zen Collect stamp: Spend £10 Redeem full card: 2 course lunch £10

14. The Black Box Collect stamp: Buy a drink Redeem full card: Free pint and pizza slice

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15. Oh Yeah Centre Collect stamp: Buy a drink Redeem full card: Free beverage and muffin 16. The Potted Hen Collect stamp: Purchase any meal Redeem full card: Free glass of wine with purchase of meal

8 Look for venues displaying the CQ Card logo:

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WHAT’S ON JULY EXHIBITIONS Late Night Art: 4 July Galleries open until 9pm Russian Dolls 27 June − 3 August Golden Thread Gallery, 84-94 Great Patrick Street BT1 2LU goldenthreadgallery.co.uk Papergirl Belfast 28 June - 6 July PS2, 18 Donegall St, BT1 2GP pssquared.org Parenthesis Works by Karen Daye-Hutchinson & Helen Paisley 4 - 31 July Belfast Print Workshop Gallery Cotton Court BT1 2ED, bpw.org.uk Term Time- Art in Prison 8 − 20 July PS2, 18 Donegall St, BT1 2GP pssquared.org The Air They Capture is Different 19 July - 13 October The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, themaclive.com Volunteers Curate 19 July - 9 August Belfast Exposed, 23 Donegall Street BT1 2FF, belfastexposed.org Madeline Graham, Christopher Whiteside 22 July - 10 August PS2, 18 Donegall St, BT1 2GP pssquared.org Northern Ireland - 30 Years of Photography 10 May - 7 July The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ, themaclive.com

WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAYS Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com Open Mic at The John Hewitt Free, 9.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com Monopollie @ Ollie’s Nightclub £3, 10pm, olliesclub.com TUESDAYS Brogue at The John Hewitt Free, 8pm, thejohnhewitt.com Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com WEDNESDAYS Traditional Session @ McHughs Free, 7pm, mchughsbar.com Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com THURSDAYS Ollie’s Rocks @ Ollie’s Nightclub £5, 9pm, olliesclub.com Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com Sweet Trev & The Blue Notes @ The John Hewitt Free, 9.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com FRIDAYS Das Vibic @ Black Box Free, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com Feelgood Fridays @ 21 Social Free, 4pm, 21social.co.uk Traditional Session @ Whites Tavern Free, 7pm, whitestavern.co.uk Panama Jazz Band @ The John Hewitt Free, 8.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com The Golden Years @ The Duke of York, £5, 9pm Lipstick @ Ollie’s Nightclub £5, 10pm, olliesclub.com Famous Fridays Free/£5, 10pm, myntbelfast.com

MONDAY 1 JULY

SUNDAY 14 JULY

Dimebag DJs Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

BELFAST PRIDE FESTIVAL Faith & Pride: 15 Minutes with Christ St. George’s Parish Church, High St. Free, 6pm, belfastpride.com

FESTIVAL OF FOOLS: SUNDAY TREATS Edwin Longbottom Cotton Court, 2pm | Saint Anne’s Square 4pm free, foolsfestival.com

SUNDAY 28 JULY

TUESDAY 2 JULY

MUSIC Scorpion Jack Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 2pm, blackboxbelfast.com

BELFAST PRIDE FESTIVAL Faith & Pride: 15 Minutes with Christ St. George’s Parish Church, High St. Free, 6pm, belfastpride.com Building Workshop Here NI LGBT Centre, 9-11 Waring St. Free, 7pm, belfastpride.com

WEDNESDAY 3 JULY BELFAST PRIDE FESTIVAL Faith & Pride: 15 Minutes with Christ St. George’s Parish Church, High St. Free, 6pm, belfastpride.com

THURSDAY 4 JULY BELFAST PRIDE FESTIVAL Faith & Pride: 15 Minutes with Christ St. George’s Parish Church, High St. Free, 6pm, belfastpride.com Men of the North Welcome Night Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 8pm, belfastpride.com VISUAL ART The Real Sketchy Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 9pm, blackboxbelfast.com

FRIDAY 5 JULY BELFAST PRIDE FESTIVAL The Friday Pride Show Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £5, 7pm, belfastpride.com Faith & Pride: 15 Minutes with Christ St. George’s Parish Church, High St. Free, 6pm, belfastpride.com Lesbian-themed Film Night Here NI LGBT Centre, 9-11 Waring St. Free, 7pm, belfastpride.com Men of the North Pride Party Deers Head, Garfield St. £7, 9pm, belfastpride.com MUSIC Vibic Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 9pm, blackboxbelfast.com

SATURDAY 6 JULY BELFAST PRIDE FESTIVAL The Big Pride Breakfast Northern Whig, Waring St. 10am, belfastpride.com 23rd Annual Belfast Pride Parade Custom House Square Free, 12pm, belfastpride.com Pride Party in the Square Custom House Square Free, Opens 11am before Parade, Party from 1.30pm, belfastpride.com Bears in the Box Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 2pm, belfastpride.com Mr. Bear Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA 9pm, belfastpride.com

SUNDAY 7 JULY

SATURDAYS The BIG John Hewitt Early Session Free, 5.30pm, thejohnhewitt.com Dana Masters Jazz Sextet @ McHughs Free, 5.30 − 7.30pm, mchughsbar.com Trad Session @ Whites Tavern Free, 8pm, whitestavern.co.uk Bert’s After Hours @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 9pm, themerchanthotel.com Secret Society @ Ollie’s Nightclub £10, 9pm, olliesclub.com Club Eclectic @ The Duke of York £5, 9pm Radio K @ McHughs £5, 10pm, mchughsbar.com Rewind Saturdays Free/£5, 10pm, myntbelfast.com

FESTIVAL OF FOOLS: SUNDAY TREATS Dansko Gida Cotton Court, 2pm | Saint Anne’s Square 4pm free, foolsfestival.com

SUNDAYS Social Sundays @ 21 Social Free, 5pm, 21social.co.uk Live Jazz @ Bert’s Jazz Bar Free, 12pm & 9pm themerchanthotel.com

COMEDY Colin Geddis: Comments Disabled Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £5, 9pm, blackboxbelfast.com

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FAMILIES & WORKSHOPS Storytime at the MAC The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ Free, 11am, themaclive.com FAMILIES Green Room Summer Sundays Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 2-5pm, blackboxbelfast.com MUSIC Jazz Jamboree Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £10, 3.30pm, blackboxbelfast.com

SATURDAY 13 JULY DANCE Fiesta Flamenca Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

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MONDAY 15 JULY MUSIC Buskers Bizarre Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 7pm, blackboxbelfast.com

TUESDAY 16 JULY COMEDY Michael Legge: Free Wifi Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £5, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

WEDNESDAY 17 JULY MUSIC John Fairhurst Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £7, 7.30pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THURSDAY 18 JULY MUSIC Farmer’s Folk Thursday Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

FRIDAY 19 JULY MUSIC Vibic Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 9pm, blackboxbelfast.com

SUNDAY 21 JULY FESTIVAL OF FOOLS: SUNDAY TREATS Yodel Cotton Court, 2pm | Saint Anne’s Square 4pm free, foolsfestival.com

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MUSIC Jessica Eldin Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 2pm, blackboxbelfast.com Mike Donaghy Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com FAMILIES, FOOD & DRINK Black Box Bazaar Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 1pm, blackboxbelfast.com

MONDAY 22 JULY COMEDY Mary Bourke: Muffragette Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £5, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com MUSIC Moxie & Reel It In Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £8.50, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

THURSDAY 25 JULY MUSIC Chicks With Picks Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

FRIDAY 26 JULY SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE FOOD FESTIVAL Various events All day, Saint Anne’s Square FAMILIES & WORKSHOPS Sculpture Fun Day The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ £10, 10am, themaclive.com MUSIC The Ollam & DSNT The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ £12, 8pm, themaclive.com Vibic Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 9pm, blackboxbelfast.com

SATURDAY 27 JULY SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE FOOD FESTIVAL Various events All day, Saint Anne’s Square MUSIC Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot) Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £10/8, 9pm, blackboxbelfast.com

SAINT ANNE’S SQUARE FOOD FESTIVAL Various events All day, Saint Anne’s Square FESTIVAL OF FOOLS: SUNDAY TREATS Trap Cotton Court, 2pm | Saint Anne’s Square 4pm free, foolsfestival.com

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COMEDY My Favourite Waste of Time Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £5, 7pm, blackboxbelfast.com MUSIC Keegan McInroe Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA Free, 2pm, blackboxbelfast.com

MONDAY 29 JULY DANCE Dance Summer School The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ £90, 29 July - 2 Aug, 9.30am - 3.30pm, themaclive.com

TUESDAY 30 JULY DANCE Dance Summer School The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ £90, 29 July - 2 Aug, 9.30am - 3.30pm, themaclive.com

WEDNESDAY 31 JULY DANCE Dance Summer School The MAC, 10 Exchange St. West BT1 2NJ £90, 29 July - 2 Aug, 9.30am - 3.30pm, themaclive.com COMEDY Wonderfrog Black Box, 18-22 Hill St. BT1 2LA £5, 8pm, blackboxbelfast.com

NEW IN CQ

SUNDAY TREAT

If you’re the kind of person who likes to laugh and loves a bargain you would be a fool to miss out on Sunday Treats, brought to you by Festival of Fools. 8 weeks of hand picked delights await you, with the finest and funniest street theatre every Sunday afternoon in Cathedral Quarter. After teaming up with some of the finest restaurants and bars in the area, the Festival of Fools is ready to bring you a fabulous feast of free shows and meal deals for the whole family.

With artists coming from as far afield as New Zealand, USA and the Kash Republic you can enjoy a global taste of variety and comedy with live acrobatics, juggling dexterity, mime, horseplay and even boxing! Dansko Gida gets the party started with his surreal comedy escapades on Sunday 7th July. You can expect to be charmed by vaudeville’s finest Edwin Longbottom, stupefied by Yodel, and revel in the mayhem caused by Trap. Shows in July are at 2pm Cotton Court and 4pm Saint Anne’s Square. It’s double the treats in August with 4 shows per Sunday.

For the past 9 years, Festival of Fools has been bringing Sundays to life in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Tens of thousands of people have enjoyed the cream of street theatre performing hundreds of free shows. If you’ve never made it down before, it’s time to give it a try. Give yourself and the family a Sunday Treat. You know you want to.

Check out foolsfestival.com for the full programme

The smell of the BBQ greats you as you enter House of Zen’s new outdoor eating space, The Zen Garden, new for the summer in CQ. The garden boasts a full robata grill menu including juicy ribs, chicken skewers and fresh sea bass as well as an outdoor-only lite bites menu. Wash it down with some special Chinese teapot cocktails and you can almost imagine you are on your holidays! Kick back and relax in The Zen Garden from 12-8 Thursday - Saturday and 1.30 − 8 on Sundays. houseofzen.co.uk

CQ PIONEER RETIRES After 24 years in business, Nick’s Warehouse owner Nick Price has announced his retirement and closure of the resturant at the end of the month.

Established in a relative wasteland in 1989 and having led both Belfast’s culinary revival and regeneration of Cathedral Quarter, Nick can now take things easy, satisified that he leaves behind a proud legacy in what is now the rich and diverse cultural hub of the city. We wish Nick well in his new venture producing artisanal food and look forward to welcoming the exciting new pub and music venue which will step into his place!