Creativity Month Programme 2016

Creativity Month 2016 A celebration of Creativity and the Creative Industries in the north of Ireland

www.creativityni.org #CreativityMonth

Creativity Month is a celebration of Creativity and the Creative Industries in the north of Ireland every March.

‘You can’t use up creativity.

The more you use, the more you have.’

Maya Angelou

An initiative of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Creativity Month is held to stimulate new thinking and help creative people, creative ideas and creative businesses emerge and flourish.

For the full programme of more than 100 events, the latest news and creative opportunities, go to www.creativityni.org

Creativity Month 2016 will showcase the work of a diverse range of organisations, across government, business, education and the community and voluntary sectors, who are developing creative and innovative solutions to societal challenges.

Join the buzz: #CreativityMonth Facebook.com/CreativityNI Twitter.com/Creativity_NI

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Creative Centenaries The Abbey Rebels of 1916 March 3 Newry City Library Talk by Dr Fearghal McGarry, Reader in Irish History at Queen’s University, exploring the experiences, hopes and dreams of the remarkable Abbey Rebels of 1916.

Train The Trainer Session March 4 PRONI, Belfast Opportunity to get hands on with some of the resources developed for the 1916 commemorations and learn how to deliver workshops in your community.

According To Their Lights, Stories of Irishmen in the British Army at Easter 1916 March 8, 12 Downpatrick Library Banbridge Library Talk by Neil Richardson exploring the stories behind ‘forgotten soldiers’ – Irish men who fought and died for the British Army during the Easter Rising.

© Linen Hall Library

Women’s Work Through the Years – Afternoon Tea and Exploration March 7 PRONI, Belfast HMS Caroline, PRONI and the Northern Ireland War Memorial host an afternoon tea and the opportunity to explore the role of the Wrens, HMS Caroline and the women of Belfast during the First and Second World Wars. Objects, costumes, archives, photographs, film and more will all be on show.

Belfast: Reflections on 1916 Exhibition From March 8 Belfast City Hall Belfast City Council’s Decade of Centenaries Exhibition, exploring the Rising and the Somme.

Fermanagh 100 Years On: Remembering 1916 March 12 Westville Hotel, Enniskillen Conference from Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Museum Services focusing on local, personal stories.

North Belfast Remembers March 19 HMS Caroline, Belfast Inter-generational project combining history and arts. Participants will set sail glass bottles with LED lights and details of individual men and women from North Belfast who served in the First World War.

What Did, and Does 1916 Mean Now?

‘The Shame of Easter Week’ – Unionist Responses to the Easter Rising

March 18 Linen Hall Library, Belfast

March 24 St Mary’s University College, Belfast

The Open University will lead a conference examining the significance of 1916 and its context across Britain and Ireland with historians Philip Orr, Dr Marie Coleman and Irish News Editor Noel Doran.

Talk by Jason Burke on Edward Carson’s and other Unionists’ responses to the Rising, in particular the reaction of political Unionism, the Protestant churches, and grassroots Unionist sentiment. Organised by Féile an Phobail.

For more centenary events during March go to www.creativecentenaries.org

Highlight Festivals Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival March 2 - 6 Various, Belfast Annual music festival celebrating the art of songwriting in a series of concerts, showcases and music events.

Belfast Children’s Festival March 4 - 9 Various, Belfast One of the leading children’s arts festivals in the UK and Ireland, offering up a feast of cultural treats for ages 0 to 14.

Ulster Festival of Art & Design

FĂŠile an Earraigh

March 8 - 11 Ulster University Belfast Campus

March 21 - 28 Various, Belfast

The eighth Ulster Festival of Art & Design includes some of the most creative and inspiring minds from the film, fashion, music and business worlds.

Belfast’s Spring Festival returns with the very best music, spoken word, debates, discussions as well as a series of stunning musical headlining nights at Writer’s Square.

Imagine 2015: Festival of Politics and Ideas March 14 - 20 Various, Belfast A week-long festival celebrating the role of the citizen in local political and cultural life through workshops, film, comedy and lively debate.

Libraries NI Libraries NI celebrates Creativity Month March 1 - 31 Libraries across NI For the fifth successive year, Libraries NI is participating in Creativity Month. The programme offers the opportunity to participate in what promises to be an exciting and diverse range of free events in libraries across Northern Ireland, with something for everyone. Events and activities will include a Community Drama residency, two Writersin-Residence delivering creative writing programmes, Storyteller-in-Residence, author visits to reading groups based in libraries, Decade of Centenaries talks and discussions, a panel discussion about Derry’s walls, FabLab demonstrations, talks by visiting children’s authors and music events.

Please ask for further information at your local library or visit the website www.librariesni.org.uk

Creativity Month in Colin

Creativity Month in Colin March 1 - 31 Various venues Wide-ranging programme of events and creative opportunities, including pottery, basket making, craft and circus workshops, and Creativity Day on March 16. Visits include Game of Thrones locations tour, Belfast Giants match, Ulster American Folk Park, Historical Tour of Dublin with Eamon Phoenix, and Titanic Belfast. Wheelworks Art Cart and a 100-seat mobile cinema will also be offering workshops and screenings in the Colin area during Creativity Month. Organised by the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership.

Highlight Conferences & Seminars Creative Connections Bridging Borders March 3 Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry

Create: Innovate: Armagh Conference

Offering business owners the opportunity to collaborate, innovate and prosper with other creative sector organisations, while gaining advice from industry professionals.

March 1 The Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Coworking Saturday

A one-day celebration of creative entrepreneurship, cross-sector collaboration and innovation through experimentation, featuring keynote speaker Mark Miodownik.

March 5 The Thinking Cup Café, Belfast A one-day coworking experience for entrepreneurs, featuring sessions led by Eve Earley (Empowering Change) and Suzanne Murdock (The Hub, Newry).

Creative Training for Business March 10 Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Belfast A showcase event featuring mini-masterclasses demonstrating how creative experiences can help people – and their businesses – to be successful.

Digital Creative Expo March 11 South West College, Omagh

Creative Careers March 11, 15 Belfast Metropolitan College – Titanic Campus, Belfast North West Regional College, Derry~Londonderry An event for teachers and students aged 13 to 16, bringing together a wide range of industry professionals from across the creative sectors, facilitating interactive sessions and workshops.

Bringing together digital creatives for a day of workshops, keynotes and networking to raise awareness of the advantages of adopting a creative approach in business.

Creativity Showcase March 22 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast Business representatives will speak about, and demonstrate, their awardwinning arts products and offer new perspectives on using arts and culture to boost your business.

Starting and Growing a Craft Business March 31 Ballymena Business Centre A one-day networking and information event offering craft makers advice on starting and growing their own businesses. A new Craft Network will be launched for residents of the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area.

Family Events Digital Fabrication and 3D Printing Family Days March 5, 19 Ulster Museum, Belfast Two family days allowing people of all ages to explore museum objects in new ways using the latest digital fabrication technologies, including 3D printers and laser cutters, with the Nerve Centre’s FabLab team.

Little Legends Reading Rooms The Big Bang Theatre Various dates W5, Belfast Help the time travelling explorers to find a way of producing enough energy to start their malfunctioning time machine, complete with drama, danger, humour and exciting experiments.

Every Friday at 11am Easons, Derry~Londonderry Kids can experience a different story every week, exploring what it is like to become their favourite characters. Suitable for ages 0 to 8.

The Emigrant’s Farewell March 16, 17 Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh Re-live the dramatic experience of emigrants leaving for America during the 1700s, complete with music, song and dance.

Craft Tour for Families March 26 Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh Learn new skills at this one-day traditional crafts tour. Featuring people making pokers and performing magic, spinning wool and spinning yarns, making soda and succotash.

DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan Bambi March 4,5 The MAC Swiss theatre company Vorstadt bring their enchanting play Bambi to Belfast for the first time. Recommended for ages 8+.

March 31 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast An adaption of the traditional Chinese legend, DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan is a tale of lust, jealousy and revenge. Suitable for ages 12+.

Nerve Centre / CultureTECH Events MinecraftEdu Teacher Training Days Mar 1 - 31 Across NI Learn how Minecraft can be used in the classroom and how to get hands on with this powerful teaching tool.

Creative Centenaries Urban Villages Outreach Programme Brick Wonders Exhibition March 1 - 31 Nerve Centre Using LEGO® bricks, artist Warren Elsmore creates stunning ancient, modern and natural wonders.

SYNC Records Presents...

International Women’s Day March 8 Café Nervosa Youth-led record label SYNC Records presents an evening of performances in celebration of International Women’s Day.

March 1 - 31 Urban Villages areas in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry Schools and community digital skills workshops exploring 1916 and facilitated visits.

Techies in Residence Idea Creation Days March 22, 24 Venues TBC Hands-on workshops looking at how your charity or community organisation can use technology to come up with new solutions, solve problems and help generate revenue streams.

FabLab / Maker Events Open Access Fridays

Curious Communities

March 4, 11, 18 FabLab Nerve Centre

March 11, 23 Lisnagelvin Playing Fields, Derry Churchtown Community Centre, Castlederg

Try your hand at making something using an array of digital fabrication machines, take a tour of the Lab, or simply meet some like-minded makers at the FabLab’s Open Days. All welcome.

FabLab Nerve Centre, STEM Aware and CultureTECH will be running free workshops on everything from digital fabrication and Minecraft to making your own space rocket!

Maker Assembly NI March 16 Farset Labs, Belfast An exploration into maker culture, featuring a series of discussions around its meaning, politics, history and future.

Future Artist-Maker Labs After School Drop-ins March 7, 21 FabLab Nerve Centre Creative workshops especially designed for makers, tinkerers and creatives. Open to everyone aged aged 8 to 16.

March 1 - 31 FabLab Nerve Centre A month-long residency by artist Jim Ricks creating new art using FabLab tools and technologies, and an accredited training programme in FabLab tools and technologies for young people from the city.

At A Glance March 1 Create: Innovate: Armagh Conference The Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Creativity Month in Colin, Colin Neighbourhood Partnership Belfast (events running throughout Mar)

March 2 Generation Innovation Night of Ambition 2016 St George’s Market, Belfast

Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 6)

March 3 Blinkered, The Playhouse Derry~Londonderry

Creative Connections Bridging Borders Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry

The Abbey Rebels of 1916 Newry City Library

Pottery Day at Craft Northern Ireland Craft NI Resource Space, Belfast

Beyond Skin presents Orchestre des Réfugiés et Amis Clayton Hotel, Belfast

Paula Kane Creating and Managing Events Boom! Studios, Bangor

March 4 Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney

March 4 City of Derry Drama Festival Waterside Theatre Derry~Londonderry (Runs until Mar 12)

Belfast Children’s Festival Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 9)

Belfast Children’s Festival: Bambi The MAC, Belfast

Belfast Children’s Festival: Everything That Isn’t Me The MAC, Belfast

Borderline Arts and Cultural Festival 2016 The Termon Complex & The Methodist Youth Hall, Kesh

Belfast Children’s Festival: The Way Back Home The Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Women’s Work Festival Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 8)

March 5 The History of Song Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Coworking Saturday The Thinking Cup Café, Belfast

Future Armagh: Heritage and Exploration Workshop AmmA Centre, Armagh

Digital Fabrication and 3D Printing Family Days Ulster Museum, Belfast

According To Their Lights, Stories of Irishmen in the British Army at Easter 1916 Banbridge Library

Exit by Eaman Craig The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry

Purely Poetry Open Mic Night Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Train the Trainer Session PRONI, Belfast

Willow Weaving Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

The Suffragette Cause Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Felt Bag Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

March 5 Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry

March 8 EQ: International Women’s Day Ballycastle Corrymeela, Ballycastle

‘Meet the Makers’ – Craft Demonstration Day Ard Crafts, Newtownards

Belfast Children’s Festival: Pause and Effect The MAC, Belfast

The Big Bang Theatre W5, Belfast

March 6 Vintage Style Stationery Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Be a ‘Smithy’ for a Day Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Voice for the Actor Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Japanese Calligraphy Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Techniques for Charcoal Drawing Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 7 Belfast Children’s Festival: All In Arts and Disability Forum, Belfast

Women’s Work Through the Years – Afternoon Tea and Exploration PRONI, Belfast Ugandan Dance & Storytelling Workshop, Bangor Carnegie Library

March 8 Belfast Children’s Festival: Eilidh MacAskill The MAC, Belfast

Belfast: Reflections on 1916 Exhibition Belfast City Hall

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design Ulster University, Belfast Campus (Runs until Mar 11)

SYNC Records Presents… International Women’s Day Café Nervosa, Derry~Londonderry

Belfast Children’s Festival: If only Rosa could do Magic The MAC, Belfast

Belfast Children’s Festival: If only Blue could be a Superhero The MAC, Belfast

March 9 Big Telly’s Spring Chickens ‘Invisible People’ Exhibition, Richmond Centre Derry~Londonderry (Runs until Mar 18)

Suteminis Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Pictorial Storytelling – Kitty Crowther Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, Belfast

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: The Stone Tapes – A Sound Art Installation Giant’s Ring, Lisburn

Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

March 10 Creative Training for Business Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Belfast

‘Creating Space’ Session Boom! Studios, Bangor

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Transmission Ballycastle Harbour Master’s Office, Ballycastle

Belfast Fashion Week 2016 Venue TBC, Belfast (Runs until Mar 13)

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Culture, Identity and Design – Fernando Gutiérrez Conor Lecture Theatre, Ulster University Belfast Campus

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Black Lives Matter in the Age of Obama Gary Younge Auditorium, Ulster University Coleraine Campus

At A Glance March 11 Creative Careers Belfast Metropolitan College – Titanic Campus, Belfast

Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney

HRSE Season Ensemble: Reich The Space SERC, Bangor

Digital Creative Expo South West College, Omagh

Ulster University Festival of Art & Design: Still/Life/Syria – Osama Esid Conor Lecture Theatre, Ulster University Belfast Campus

March 12 Future Armagh: Techniques and Ideation Workshop AmmA Centre, Armagh

Lobster Pot Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Fermanagh 100 Years On: Remembering 1916 Westville Hotel, Enniskillen

Costume: From Head to Toe Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Drawn Threadwork Lavender Bag Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry

March 13 Traditional Printmaking Workshop (Speed Session) Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Pretty and Practical: Handmade Soap Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Memories of Women: Life in the Past Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Contact Improvisation Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 13 Accent for Actors Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Bladesmithing: Whittling Knife Workshop Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

Dance Step Workshop: Foxtrot and Quickstep Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 14 Imagine 2016: Festival of Politics and Ideas Various, Belfast (Runs until Mar 20) March 15 Creative Careers North West Regional College, Derry~Londonderry

Game of Thrones Photography Tour Engage Live Derry~Londonderry

Gordon Osràm’s Funeral Riddell’s Warehouse, Belfast

March 16 Maker Assembly NI Farset Labs, Belfast

Waste No Time Street Skit Pop Up Democracy Castle Place, Belfast

The Emigrant’s Farewell Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Suteminis Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

HRSE Solo Series 3: Cello (David McCann) Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 17 The Emigrant’s Farewell Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh March 18 Big Telly’s Spring Chickens ‘Invisible People’ Exhibition Community Centre, Eglinton (Runs until Mar 24)

Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney

March 18 What Did, and Does 1916 Mean Now? Linen Hall Library, Belfast

March 23 Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

March 19 Embroidery Workshop 1 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 24 Big Telly’s Spring Chickens ‘Invisible People’ Exhibition Dungiven Library (Runs until Mar 31)

Digital Fabrication and 3D Printing Family Days Ulster Museum, Belfast

Connected Crafts Farset Labs, Belfast

Mark Thomas – Trespass The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry

North Belfast Remembers HMS Caroline, Belfast

Perceptions Workshop Skainos Centre, Belfast

Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry

Techies in Residence Ideas Creation Day Venue TBC

Three Songs on Love to Learn in Italian Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

‘The Shame of Easter Week’ – Unionist Response to the Easter Rising St Mary’s University College, Belfast

Studio Symphony Orchestra: Orchestral Masterpieces Ulster Hall, Belfast

The Virgin Father by Jimmy McAleavey The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry

March 20 Spring Blossom Acrylic Painting Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Japanese Sumi-E with Calligraphy Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 21 Connected Crafts Farset Labs, Belfast

Féile an Earraigh Various Belfast (Runs until Mar 28)

March 22 Creativity Showcase Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Northern Ireland Student Awards 2016 Black Box, Belfast

Techies in Residence Ideas Creation Day Venue TBC

Game Development Five-Day Workshop Farset Labs, Belfast

March 25 Alternative Energies Youth Dance Group Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney ‘A Perfect Setting’ Exhibition The Loft Gallery, Portaferry March 26 Craft Tour for Families Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Embroidery Workshop 2 Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Arabic Salsa Workshop Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Little Legends Reading Rooms Easons, Derry~Londonderry

HRSE Season Ensemble: Edge of Reflection Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

March 30 Sutemos Youth Dance Group Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

Music Unite at The MAC The MAC, Belfast

March 31 Starting and Growing a Craft Business Ballymena Business Centre

DiaoChan: The Rise of the Courtesan Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

New events added daily.

For more details and the full events programme, go to www.creativityni.org