Aspects 2017 – starts this week!
Bangor’s Aspects Festival kicks off this week with an eclectic programme of events to inspire the reader and writer in you. With 37 events taking place over 10 days, the celebration of Irish writing has something for everyone with top authors, poetry, exhibitions, history, theatre, kids’ events, food and music all on offer. The Ards and North Down Borough Council Festival runs until 24 September at various venues around the town.
“Abandoned; Not Forgotten?” is a multidisciplinary arts installation by visual artiste Lise McGreevy, artist and composer Marie Therese Davis, poet Jim Johnston and film maker Paul Whittaker. The installation examines the culture, heritage and language of our joint Irish and Ulster Scots history, answering the question; is it abandoned; forgotten? The exhibition launches as part of Aspects on Wednesday September 13 at 7pm at Sync Space, Dufferin Avenue, Bangor and is open to the public until mid-October. Admission is free.
Don’t miss the wonderful series of events taking place at Clandeboye Estate on September 14 with Clandeboye Reading Party and Lady Dufferin remembering the wars and examining the Estate’s role in both WW1 and WW2. The events aim to promote deeper cultural awareness and understanding of issues around war, commemoration, history and place.
Playwright and author Frank McGuinness will be at Bangor Castle on Friday 15 September at 7pm. Frank will be in conversation with broadcaster Marie-Louise Muir about his life, work and inspirations. Kevin Doherty from Four Men and a Dog will play the music he wrote for ‘Donegal’ after the interview, adding a very special element to this unique event. Tickets cost £10.
Young readers are invited to come along to North Down Museum on Saturday 16 September for workshops with Myra Zepf – Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland. The first lively interactive workshop will be based on Myra’s book Don’t Go To School! and the second workshop will revolve around a massive brain-storming session using quirky props! Tickets cost £5.
For all the family, Stephen Begs will perform My Father’s Chair at Studio 1A on Saturday 16 September at 4pm. This performance will explore the nature of fatherhood, exploring what it’s like to be a dad, have a dad and the relationship between children and their fathers. This funny and emotional journey will touch and entertain the audience. Age guidance 6 years +. Tickets £8 / £5.
Renowned artist Neil Shawcross’ Penguin Book Cover exhibition will be at Bangor Carnegie Library until 30 September. Don’t miss this opportunity to view this collection of paintings, being exhibited together for the very first time. Join Neil at Bangor Library on Monday 18 September at 7pm, when he will be in conversation with David Torrens, discussing his work and “book finding missions!” Both events are free.
Nutritionist Jane McClenaghan will be at North Down Museum on Saturday 16 September at 5pm chatting to BBC’s Kerry McLean about her upcoming book ‘Vital Nutrition.’ Come and listen to Jane’s philosophy on health and well-being and how your life can be transformed with healthy eating and a balanced diet. This is a free event.
Poetry NI presents the North Down Heat of the All Ulster Poetry Slam at The Space, SERC Theatre on Saturday 16 September at 7pm. Bring your poems from page to stage and be in with a chance to be crowned ‘Aspects Poetry Champion.’ Register on the night – you have 3 minutes to compete and judges will score who gets into the next round! Tickets cost £5
For the more energetic festival-goer, a Sketch Walk inspired by the words of local author Ian Sansom will take place on Sunday 17 September, 1 – 3pm. Meeting at the Hamilton Road entrance to Ward Park, the walk will go to Luke’s Point, stopping at some local landmarks to visually document the places highlighted in Ian’s essay ‘Walk to the Sea.’ The walk will be facilitated by local artist Marianne Kennerley from Boom Studios and tickets cost £5.
Make the most of your weekend at Aspects Festival!
For more information on the full programme and to book tickets, visit:
or phone 028 9127 1200.
