Republican News · Thursday 24 July 2003

Festival Highlights - North and West Belfast

This year's New Lodge Festival in North Belfast and Féile an Phobail in West Belfast are packed with things to do and people to meet. The Festivals are for kids and adults alike, and the line-up includes talks, music, dance, poetry, art and photography exhibitions, film-making for kids, and trips and tours. Be sure to pick up both programmes to check the entire range of events on offer.

Here's just a few of the highlights:

NEW LODGE FESTIVAL:

Sunday 3 August

Family Fun Day (beside the Waterworks)

Fame Academy's Sinead Quinn will be performing live for one day only. She will be joined by the Chevys and DJ Slick, and the Flying Gorillas - a troupe of professional musicians and dancers from London. Lots for the kids to do!

Monday 4 August

Evening of Celtic Poetry and Song with Brian Kennedy (St. Patricks Chapel, Donegal Street)

In one of the true highlights of this year's festivals, singer Brian Kennedy will perform alongside special guests Juliet Turner, Sinead Morrissey, poets Michael Longley and Cathal Ó Searcaigh, and dance duo áine Rooney and Conor Maher, who toured with Riverdance.

Brian will also be joined in his performance by his very special guests from four North Belfast school choirs. For the first time, students from two Catholic schools and two Protestant schools will accompany Brian in a celebration of song.

Tuesday 5 August

A Community Remembers (174 Trust - Church at top of New Lodge Road)

A panel discussion and the viewing of two important and memorable films about the South African post-conflict experience, with special guests Paula McBride and William Voerwoerd, who both worked on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The McMahon Family Murders (174 Trust)

Talk hosted by local history buff Joe Baker about the 1922 murders of the McMahon family at the hands of a police unit comprised of high ranking officers.

Wednesday 6 August

Let's Talk Drugs (174 Trust)

Alcohol and drug abuse discussion.

Let's Talk Suicide (174 Trust)

Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in Europe and 18 people have taken their own lives in north Belfast since Christmas. In response to this shocking increase, the New Lodge Festival will be hosting a panel discussion with local community workers to provide information, support and advice.

Thursday 7 August

The History of the Belfast Prison - The 'Crum' (174 Trust)

Mickey Liggett will host this facinating talk about the history of the Crumlin Road jail.

Saturday 9 August

Trip to Kilmainham Jail, Dublin (Assemble outside Ashton Centre, 10am)

The Glenravel Project will be hosting this day trip to Dublin to visit historic Kilmainham Jail. Places are limited, so book soon! Contact Joe Baker at the Ashton Centre, (90) 742255.

WEST BELFAST FéILE AN PHOBAIL

Friday 1 August

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives (BIFHE)

AfroCelts (Féile Marquee)

Saturday 2 August

The End of Spanish Democracy: Conflict and Civil Rights in the Basque Country (An Cultúrlann)

Sunday 3 August

Ska Extravaganza with Nevile Staple and his Band (Féile Marquee)

Monday 4 August

City Cemetery Tour (Meet outside City Cemetery Gates)

Roy Greenslade - A Failure to Report (Falls Library)

Frank Cahill Memorial Lecture - The Life and Times of Joe Cahill (Conway Mill)

nual Comedy Night - featuring Dara Ó Briain, Ann Gildea, Kevin Gildea, and Jeremy Hardy (Féile Marquee)

Tuesday 5 August

The Revolutions - politics in Latin America, journalist Michael McCaughan (Falls Library)

Palestine - The Way Forward (St Mary's University College)

Danu and Grada (Féile Marquee)

Wednesday 6 August

West Belfast Talks Back - Hosted by Noel Thompson (St Louise's Comprehensive College)

International Music Night - With orchestra Baobab and Bréag (Féile Marquee)

Thursday 7 August

Scribes at the Rock Bar - Featuring Pete Hamill, Duke Special, Gearóid MacLochlainn and our own Danny Morrisson. (Rock Bar, Falls Road)

Black Taxi - Play by West Belfast writer, Brian Moore (BIFHE)

Friday 8 August

nual Prisoners' Day (Cumann na Meirleach/Felons)

Bobby Sands Freedom Awards (Poleglass pitches)

Saturday 9 August

Mairéad Farrell Camogie Tournament (Corrigan Park)

nual Poc Fada (Rossa Park)

PJ McGrory Lecture - Death in Gibralter (St Mary's University College)

Irish Folk and Rock Night - with Brush Shiels and Tuan (Féile Marquee)

Sunday 10 August

Féile Finale with Dreadzone (Féile Marquee)

The Greater New Lodge Festival runs from 2-9 August and Féile an Phobail from 1-10 August. For more information and a full programme of all the festivities, contact the Greater New Lodge Festival at (02890) 742255, or Féile an Phobail at (02890) 284028 www.feilebelfast.com