Eastside Arts Festival officially launched with wide array of events this summer

Connor Lynch

23 June 2024 at 3:24 am·3-min read

The Eastside Arts Festival will return again this year with an exciting schedule of shows, events and concerts throughout East Belfast.

The popular arts festival will take place from July 25 to August 4 and is promising to be better than ever as it aims to promote the wide array of talent and creativity throughout the east of the city.

It will feature everything from live music shows, local written plays, cabaret acts, comedy nights and family fundays, with the hopes of bringing people and communities together over the course ten days.

Belfast Lord Mayor, councillor Micky Murray, said that he was proud that the council was supporting the festival again this year, saying that it plays a vital role in bringing visitors to East Belfast.

He said: “EastSide Arts Festival continues to flourish, and Belfast City Council is delighted to fund it again this year. The festival plays a key role in providing a platform for local and up and coming artists and welcoming visitors into the east of the city. It is also pivotal in bringing the community together, with a great range of diverse entertainment on offer for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.”

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “EastSide Arts plays a pivotal role in promoting creativity in the east of the city and in attracting people from all parts to come and experience the vibrant arts and cultural scene which continues to flourish there.

"The annual flagship festival is always an outstanding event, and this year is no exception, showcasing the brilliant work of local artists, writers and performers in east Belfast. The EastSide Arts Festival shows everyone, proud locals and curious visitors, the best side of east Belfast, as a lively and entertaining place, full of character and creativity, and with something uniquely interesting to offer everyone. Enjoy the festival!"

EastSide Arts and EastSide Arts Festival manager Rachel Kennedy said she is looking forward to celebrating and showcasing the thriving talent in East Belfast and thanked everyone who has been able to make the festival a reality.

She said: "Each year we aim to showcase the extraordinary talent and creativity in this community. We celebrate this thriving, creative and diverse artistic hub, where people from all backgrounds, from home and away, come together and enjoy something very special.

"We are continually grateful for the support we receive from our core funders Arts Council of Northern Ireland through the National Lottery, Belfast City Council and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation; our Official Active Travel Partner, Translink, as well as the commitment and support from sponsors, funders, participating venues, artists and the dedicated festival team and volunteers. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!”

Some of the acts this year include;

WHISK(E)Y WARS, Friday 26 July, 8pm, £18, Titanic Distillers
A NIGHT OF CLASSIC COUNTRY MUSIC WITH THE BOONDOCKS, Thursday 1 August, 8pm, £15, Harland & Wolff Staff Club
THE SHORT STORY WRITERS’ TOOLKIT, Saturday 27 July , 10am, £25, EastSide Visitor Centre Gallery
DRAGTASTIC CABARET WITH BSL INTERPRETATION Friday 2 August , 8pm , £15 , Shorts Sports & Recreation Club
THE NIGHT INSTITUTE PRESENTS: EASTSIDE ELECTRONICS: LIL’ LOUIS (THE FOUNDING FATHER OF HOUSE), Saturday 27 July, 5pm, £25, C.S. Lewis Square
JAZZIE B DJ SET, Friday 2 August, 9pm, £22, Banana Block
PARKFEST Sunday 28 July, 12pm, FREE, C.S. Lewis Square & Orangefield Park
CIARAN BARTLETT’S COMEDY CLUB WITH COLIN GEDDIS, AARON BUTLER AND JAZMYNNE SIERRA, Saturday 3 August, 6:30pm & 9:30pm, £22, Banana Block
THREE PAY DAYS Wednesday 31 July, £10, 5:30pm & 8:30pm The Sanctuary Theatre
TUMBLE CIRCUS PRESENTS ‘BANJAXED’, Sunday 4 August, 12pm & 4:30pm, £5, Malone Rugby Club

For the full festival programme and ticket information visit www.eastsidearts.net . Tickets by phone and in person at Belfast Welcome Centre 028 9024 6609. Early booking is advised. Follow EastSide Arts festival on Facebook@EastsideArts and Instagram@eastsideartsbel #ESAFest24.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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