Entertainment

Culture Night Belfast promises a feast of dance, music, song and art

Now in its eighth year, Culture Night has become Belfast's most successful cultural celebration, with around 65,000 people attending last year and yet more expected tomorrow. Joanne Sweeney offers a taste of what will be on offer

Culture Night 2016 is expected to attract around 80,000 people to central Belfast tomorrow, with events taking place from 10am until late
Culture Night 2016 is expected to attract around 80,000 people to central Belfast tomorrow, with events taking place from 10am until late Culture Night 2016 is expected to attract around 80,000 people to central Belfast tomorrow, with events taking place from 10am until late

UP TO 80,000 people are expected in Belfast city centre tomorrow for Culture Night 2016 with more than 250 music, dance and visual arts events being staged in 100-plus venues spanning out from Donegall Street in the Cathedral Quarter from as early as 10am.

There's not a hotel room to be had as the reputation of the night extends beyond the city – and at least 5,000 revellers will be able to enjoy some tasty vegetarian curry free of charge.

Culture Night has been serving up a feast of free culture and events for the past few years but free curry is a first for 2016. Programme manager Adam Turkington said 'Feed the 5,000' at the Big Table along Donegall Street was born of rejection.

"The idea was inspired an old folk story about a woman who brings an empty pot into the village and soon all the villagers are giving her small bits and pieces to make a soup and soon it brings all the village together to share a meal," he explained.

This year more than 5,000 people will be fed for free at The Big Table, to be set up along Donegall Street in Belfast city centre Picture: Matt Bohill
This year more than 5,000 people will be fed for free at The Big Table, to be set up along Donegall Street in Belfast city centre Picture: Matt Bohill This year more than 5,000 people will be fed for free at The Big Table, to be set up along Donegall Street in Belfast city centre Picture: Matt Bohill

"There's a real link between culture and food as it brings people together and we are asking people to sit and break bread, basically. That's what Culture Night is for us, that's why we do it – to bring the community and people together.

"We made an application to be part of the Year of Food and Drink to do the Feed the 5,000 event but it was rejected. We liked the idea so much we still wanted to do it, as did Belfast Harbour, our main sponsor, so we decided to go ahead with it.

"Belfast Food Network also wanted to do a Big Lunch so we combined the two ideas and got the Feed the 5,000."

While food adds an extra dimension to this year's Culture Night, its heady mixture of music, song, drama, dance and art – performed live by street artists – can be enjoyed by all.

There are about 60 events taking place during Culture Night Picture: Matt Bohill
There are about 60 events taking place during Culture Night Picture: Matt Bohill There are about 60 events taking place during Culture Night Picture: Matt Bohill

Adam's best advice to revellers is to come early and make a day of it. He adds: "I would always say that Culture Night is the sum of its parts; it's not about one event so I don't like picking out favourites. You are better picking out three or four things at the most that you really want to see.

"Come early as there's about 60 events taking place in the earlier part of the afternoon. Once you get into the evening, just wonder around. People always say to me afterwards that their favourite experience was the one that they didn't expect, where they walked around the corner and something mad was happening.

"And just let the rest of the magic happen throughout the night."

  • See culturenightbelfast.com; for public transport info visit translink.co.uk

Culture Night: TAKE 5

  • Feed the 5,000

This massive undertaking to feed the 5,000 (and more) with vegetable curry made up from donated surplus vegetables on The Big Table along Donegall Street is expected to start from 1-2pm and likely to go on all day. There's much more than the curry to enjoy at the Big Table – if you can't get a seat to eat, you can still enjoy live music throughout the night starting with Lurgan pop starlet Emma Horan at 4pm, City of Belfast School of Music and the Sing for Life choir followed by the ever popular Belfast Community Gospel Choir from 8.30pm.

  • Iain Archer

Live performances in St Anne's Cathedral start at 2pm with Ivor Novello winner and ex-Snow Patrol member Iain Archer taking the stage at 4pm followed by soothing Choral Evensong from the Cathedral Choir at 5.30pm before the Ulster Youth Jazz Ochestra finishes the set from 8pm.

  • Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Come down the rabbit hole into Alice's world at the Arc car park in Donegall Street and make mad hats, bow ties and teapots to make the party complete. This workshop is suitable for three-to-11-year-olds and everyone young at heart.

Colour and character is the name of the game for Culture Night
Colour and character is the name of the game for Culture Night Colour and character is the name of the game for Culture Night
  • The Pantomime Horse Race

Starting at 6-6.30pm in the city's main retail street Royal Avenue, dozens of panto horses will be competing, with Julian Simmons of UTV compering.

  • David Hockney

For the art lovers or those who recognise a great arts opportunity when they see one, an opportunity to see David Hockey first major exhibition in Ireland: I draw, I do is a must see for Culture Night. It's on at the MAC in St Anne's Square.