Entertainment

EastSide Arts Festival bringing Moments of Joy to Belfast next month online and live

At CS Lewis Square, east Belfast, Gemma Mae Halligan and Jude Quinn from Amadan who will perform at the festival
At CS Lewis Square, east Belfast, Gemma Mae Halligan and Jude Quinn from Amadan who will perform at the festival At CS Lewis Square, east Belfast, Gemma Mae Halligan and Jude Quinn from Amadan who will perform at the festival

EASTSIDE Arts Festival presents an 11-day programme of events featuring music, theatre, literature, storytelling, visual art, talks and tours under the theme, Moments of Joy next month.

This year’s events, which take place from August 6-16, can be enjoyed online, outdoors in person, or in a small number of east Belfast locations as part of a live, socially distanced audience.

Highlights include The King of East Belfast, a live socially distanced drama from Kabosh Theatre Company about ‘Old Godfather Clark’ aka well-known and popular east Belfast bookie Clark Groves.

Amadan Theatre Company's production The Old Curiosity Show is designed specifically for an online audience, while you can follow The Travelling Cycle Circus on their outdoor adventures along the Connswater Community Greenway.

EastSide Sessions at Portview will premiere new recordings by musicians Gareth Dunlop, Edelle McMahon, Dani Larkin and Arborist, in the Portview Trade Centre, while the Strand Arts Centre will provide socially distanced cinematic treats in their beautiful art deco building including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) and Green Book (2018).

The festival also sees the launch of the EastSide Lives Heritage Trail, whie you can catch a virtual CS Lewis or Yardmen Tour in which you can experience all the sights and sounds of Belfast from the comfort of your sofa.

There'll be Zoom poetry and painting workshops, socially distanced Street Art Walking Tours, drag queens telling stories online and much more.

:: Full programme and ticket information at eastsidearts.net; follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #ESAFest20