Events Archive
24th Jul 2011 14:00 | Life Is A Carnival!
A Carnival Picnic in the Park. Circus actors and puppets on walkabout; singers on stage, music here and drumming there; twisting, tumbling gymnasts and, high above, aerial dancers on the wall. A unique spectacle of artistic, physical performance declaring that life is a circus – Life Is A Carnival! All ages can participate in the Picnic in the Park through workshops for puppet making and puppet parading, as well as enjoying the Sunday afternoon of entertainment that culminates in vertical dance on the wall of the Ulster Museum! Sunday 24th July 12 - 2pm Puppet and drawing workshops 2.00pm Puppet procession to – 2.30pm the Picnic in the Park 2.30pm - 4pm Circus, dance and music performances 4.30pm Puppet and carnival band procession to the event finalé spectacle – 5.00pm Life Is A Carnival! spectacle performance in front of and on the wall of the Ulster Museum, featuring musicians, gymnasts and aerial dancers. Venue: Botanic Gardens & Ulster Museum Botanic Avenue Belfast BT9 5AB
18th Jun 2011 18:30 | Maracatu Parade and Brazilian Party
The Maracatu Encontro Event 16, 17, 18 June: dance and drumming tuition will combine the expertise of the Mestres of Pernambuco, Brazil, in masterclasses for experienced drummers and dancers. On Saturday 18th June at 6:30pm, an outdoor Maracatu performance will parade from Queen’s University Belfast, along Botanic Avenue, Shaftesbury Square and University Road, finishing at the QUB Students Union. The evening culminates with a Brazilian Carnival party in the Students Union. Doors open at 9.00pm. Door tax: £6
16th Jun 2011 18:45 | Masters Nation Training Encontro in Belfast 2011
On June 16th -19th 2011, Belfast hosts the first Masters Nation encontro, inviting attendees from around Europe to Belfast. With the 3 esteemed Maracatu teachers from Pernambuco, Brazil. --Timetable: Thursday 16-Jun-2011: - Evening master-classes with Mestre Alfonso and Mestre Tete, and Anderson Nogueira in dance. Friday 17th June 2011 - All day masterclasses with the Mestres in music and dance. An evening session to welcome the participants of the Masters Nation Finale. Saturday: 18-Jun-2011: - All day masterclasses followed by a street presentation of the Masters Nation Finale. Contact For any queries regarding this project please contact: Tel: Damian at the Beat Carnival on 0044 2890 434767 email: damian@beatcarnival.com
24th Mar 2011 18:00 | Beatndrum Maracatu
Every Thursday at 6pm: Learn Brazilian drumming in preparation for the Belfast carnival and Masters Nation Encontro - coming to Belfast to bring thunder to our streets.
10th Mar 2011 20:00 | Beatndance Brazilian Dance Workshop
The Beat Carnival are developing skills in Carnival Dance and would like to invite you to the next Beatndance workshop in the Beat Carnival centre. Starting at 8pm, this is the only dance project that uses drummers playing live drums for the rehearsal with members of Beatndrum, the Beat's own funky samba band. This is a free event,we require that if you like it, that you will return and take part in some of our funky performances in Carnivals around Ireland, the UK and beyond. This current workshop series is dedicated to giving you an understanding of Brazilian carnival dance in the styles of Samba Reggae and Maracatu. The parade in Belfast on Saturday 18th June will be our showcase and you will dance to the sound of 100 drummers from across Europe. Get in touch! damian@beatcarnival.com 02890 434 767
26th Jun 2010 01:00 | Maracatu Ilha Brilho - June 2010 performance
The Ireland Drummers would like to present Maracatu Ilha Brilho (Eel-ya Breel-yo).
This is a traditional music project involving three cities from around Ireland. Kilkenny’s Jacare Samba group, Sligo’s Samboeire and Belfast’s Beat'n'Drum have delved into old traditional northeastern brazilian rhythm and song.
Led by Tom Duffy of Jacare, a mixture of contemporary beats and old songs not played for about 50 years will hit the streets of Europe this summer. coordinating workshops between the cities is Damian Mills of Belfast and securing some of the funding for the choice of traditionally made rope tuned drums is Stephanie Pawula of Sligo. Matt Vernon in Belfast is making the beautiful Alfaia drums typical of northeastern Brazil and once played on these shores up to a hundred years ago.
Performances and showcases of this project will be in Drogheda on the 26th June and in Paris on the 3rd July.
For more info contact Damian 02890 434767
19th Jun 2010 20:00 | Carnival Party - 19th June 2010!
The Carnival Party
Bongar (Brazil)
Rhythms of the City (London)
Beat’n’Drum (Belfast)
DJs Chuck and Plan B
Mandela Hall
Doors open: 8.00pm
Admission: £6
Beat Carnival and Force Ten Crew team up to give you a night of amazing Carnival music from here, near – and across the globe.
Rhythms of the City are London's premier bateria. Drummers, singers, dancers, horns and guitars combine in a unique spectacle, playing Afro-Brazilian styles through to soca and salsa. The Rhythms of the City band plays in versions from 5 to 75 people at carnivals, festivals and clubs across the UK and in Europe. They have shared the stage with Jamie Cullum, Osvaldo Chacón and Son Veneno; recorded for the BBC and Channel 4; as well as creating a library CD of pure rhythm for BMG. A new CD has just been released under the F-IRE label.
They have a monthly residency at Guanabara, London, and are currently touring with Friendly Fires.
Bongar are from North East Brazil. They bring traditional and contemporary flavours of Northeast Brazil in a high-energy performance that guarantees to get everybody dancing. 7 members of the group are visiting Belfast for Beat’s carnival residency, culminating in performances at the Black Box on Friday at 7.30pm and on Sunday afternoon: and of course the big one is the 19th June Carnival programme. Bongar will perform in Saturday’s Puppet Picnic parade that sets off through the city centre at 12.30pm; they will play on stage at the Puppet Picnic in the City Hall grounds at 3.30pm; and then give a high-energy performance at the Carnival Party. At the Puppet Picnic music stage, watch out for unique collaboration with local culture when Bongar play with Willie Drennan and the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, John Wilson from Taste (and lots more) and Sam Davidson, guitar man with the current Taste!
By now, you should know Beat’n’Drum: Beat’s own rumbustious carnival band! They’ll be there – say no more!
From the Force 10 Crew we have DJs Chuck and Plan B
Chuck has been with Force 10 Crew and Homespun from the beginning.
With an extensive acid jazz funk and world music collection and his uncanny ability to get people moving, Chuck is the backbone to a good party.
Plan B has been a featuring DJ for the Homespun sound system and a regular on the North Coast circuit as well as headlining up at the Rathlin Island Jigs and Rigs Festival.
Good Music, Amazing People and a Great Venue.
See you all there!!
19th Jun 2010 12:30 | Belfast City Carnival Puppet Picnic
Welcoming the new Lord Mayor.
Carnival weekend 18th - 20th June 2010!!
On the Friday 18th we will be holding an open workshop in Victoria Square 4-6pm for anyone who would like to come along and make a puppet to bring with them to watch the parade and to join in the puppet picnic. There will be some of our own puppets walking around that you can introduce yourself to and from 5.30-6.30pm our own Samba band Beat n’ Drum will be doing a performance piece. This year we are delighted to have the Brazilian band Bongar taking part in the parade. If anyone would like to hear them before that they will be performing at the Black Box Cafe, Hill St from 7.30-8.30pm.
On Saturday 19th in Victoria Square from 10.00-12.00 there will be another open workshop to make puppets for the parade. The puppet parade will leave Custom House Square at 12.30 and we will dance our way to the City Hall were we will have a huge puppet picnic. There are lots of activities going to be happening in the City Hall grounds throughout the afternoon such as live music, Bollywood dance workshops, henna stations, Jitterbug Jackson Hughrobics, Brazilian dance workshop, circus performances and the first ever Raising of the Dragon performance in Northern Ireland.
On Saturday night there will be a Carnival Party in the Mandela Hall, Queen's University featuring more local and international music acts. The weekend will finish with a Puppet Family afternoon in the Black Box on Sunday afternoon.
For full event details visit:
www.beatcarnival.com or call 028 90 434 767
or find us on facebook:
Official Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beat-Carnival/120330447996055?ref=ts
Group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=125415864141176&ref;=ts
We look forward to seeing you,
The Beat Carnival Team
18th Jun 2010 18:00 | Carnivalising City - Join in!
On Friday 18th June - join in on the sights and sounds of carnival, as puppets and music will be on show throughout the evening.
At 6.00 the sounds of samba will pulse through the streets as the Belfast Carnival start off the weekend's festivities. Watch out for the puppet masters and the dancers.
At 7.30 Bongar - a group of talented Brazilian musicians will be bringing a party vibe to the Black Box.
At 9pm take to the streets as the bars and café’s of the Cathedral Quarter will be exposed to the electric atmosphere of carnival drumming.
So bring your dancing shoes and warm to the music of the Belfast Carnival.
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22nd May 2010 10:00 | Brazilian Dance Masterclass
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd May 2010
The Beat Carnival are inviting individuals and groups to participate in a Maracatu and Bahian (from North East Brazil) dance master class. The weekend will be led by Mariana Pinho. Mariana spends half her year based in London learning and teaching contemporary Brazilian dance, and the other half in the coastal cities of Brazil. Mariana is a motivating and fun workshop teacher who gets the most out of her class in a relaxed and friendly manner, while making sure you get a good workout learning the Maracatu and Bahian style dances of North East Brazil.
We aim to produce a large Maracatu dance section for the Belfast City Carnival by bringing groups and individuals together. Mariana will return for the carnival to lead the Maracatu dance section with a live traditional music and percussion fusion from Belfast and Brazil.
Groups can register two leaders for the leader training sessions to learn the dance routines. In each of the afternoons Mariana will conduct open sessions where the dance leaders will practice their skills and up to 5 further participants from each group can join in to learn the choreography.
Individual dance practitioners can register for the whole weekend. Interested individuals, who have no specific dance training, are invited to the open sessions each afternoon. The Beat Carnival will facilitate rehearsals for individuals every Thursday evening until Belfast City Carnival, 19th June.
Cost is free but we do ask that you commit to participating in the Belfast City Carnival on the 19th June 2010. Those leaders who do the leader training will be able to direct the rest of your group. We can also arrange another workshop with your whole group with one of the Beat Carnival dancers.
Workshops will be held at:
Mandela Hall, Queens University, Student’s Union.
Saturday 22nd May
Leader Training 10am – 1.00pm
Open Sessions 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Sunday 23rd May
Leader Training 11am – 1.00pm
Open Sessions 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Tea, coffee and water will be provided throughout the day.
To enroll please contact Emily on 02890 434767 or email workshops@beatcarnival.com
This project is supported by The Legacy Trust UK, Belfast City Council and Arts Council Northern Ireland.
5th Apr 2010 14:00 | North Down Easter Parade
Bangor Carnival Parade
17th Mar 2010 12:00 | St Patrick's Day Belfast
Belfast Parade
17th Oct 2009 12:00 | Fly Butterfly
An outdoor spectacle event for the reopening of Belfast City Hall Caterpillars transform to butterflies on the City Hall wall – a giant butterfly opens its wings for flight Saturday 17th. Programme 12.00 – 2.30pm Family Workshops in City Hall Make butterflies to welcome the caterpillar and to use at final spectacle performance. Phone Beat to pre-book a 30 minute workshop session. 12.00pm Music Stage in City Hall grounds from noon. Love Music Hate Racism & Homely Planet Radio. Featured band: Ten Gallon Hat and the Big Salute. 2.30 – 3.00pm. Caterpillar Parade Caterpillar dancers, street performers, drummers, puppets and community participants. City Centre: Bank Square > Castle Junction > City Hall. 3.10pm Fly Butterfly – an aerial spectacle performance on the City Hall façade and roof and in City Hall grounds with: a giant butterfly on the roof; aerial performers on the front wall; dancers and acrobatic ground performers; and Ruby Colley playing an original music soundtrack. 3.30pm Music and Dance performance. Beat’n’Drum with carnival dance followed by the Carnival Beat Band with the Ireland Drummers.
27th Jun 2009 13:30 | Look Up – Belfast City Carnival 2009
When one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar takes to the streets on Saturday 27 June – the Belfast City Carnival will celebrate the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. Giant floats, puppets and hundreds of costumed performers will parade through the city centre, as participants and onlookers alike explore the stars and the universe.
The carnival officially introduces the newly elected Lord Mayor to the people of Belfast and Lord Mayor, Councillor Naomi Long, will be inviting the people of the city to ‘Look Up’ at the stars.
“Over the past few years, the Belfast City Carnival has changed and evolved, and has become a cornerstone of our cultural calendar,” comments Councillor Long.
“Events such as the Belfast City Carnival are not only good for the people of the city, they are vital in helping our tourism industry in its continued growth, as they provide attractions which visitors want to see. This year’s carnival will be bigger and better than ever before, and I urge everyone to come out and enjoy the thrill and spectacle of what promises to be a wonderful day for all the family.”
BEAT, Belfast’s carnival company, is working with artists and community groups from all across the city to bring the streets alive with colour and sound on Carnival day. This year's pageant will be brighter and noisier than before – a wondrous feast of colour and sound.
David Boyd, BEAT's Director:
“This year, to mark 2009 as International Year of Astronomy, we have taken the space theme to ‘Look Up’ and explore the stars. We are looking to the future too, as we will continue the theme into next year, looking more at the local space that we all share and the variety of life and energy found here.
“Carnival provides a fun, interactive way for communities to learn about other worlds, people and places, while channelling their creativity to entertain others. The appeal of the summer carnival has grown year upon year and now in partnership with a range of other organisations we’ve sought to provide a full afternoon of entertainment that stimulates the senses.”
This year’s carnival procession will follow a new route through the heart of Belfast.
At 1.30pm, Custom House Square will become the Launch Pad for the Parade with a special Carnival performance setting the tone for the Space themed journey through the streets of the city.
The Parade will start from Custom House Square at 1.45pm, and move along High Street and Bridge Street into lower Donegall Street, from where it will go along Royal Avenue and Donegall Place to the front of the City Hall.
It then will head around the back of the City Hall into Howard Street, North Queen Street and Wellington Place, entering the City Hall grounds at around 3pm.
The City Hall grounds will be transformed into the BT1 Zone for the day, with music and entertainment getting the party going from 12 noon. Love Music Hate Racism and Homely Planet will programme the music stage from 12.00. For those who wish to explore their creative talent, an Urban Arts live graffiti stage will be erected in the grounds of City Hall, along with Wheelworks’ ArtCart. Spectators can sample international flavours at food stalls provided by Arts Ekta, and carnival participants are eligible for a special ‘two for one’ ticket offer on the Belfast Wheel.
At 4.30pm, the Carnival Supergroup, featuring musicians from some of our best contemporary bands, will bring the programme to a climax with a set of space songs known and loved by us all.
17th Mar 2009 12:00 | St Patrick's Day Belfast 09
There are pictures and video on the Belfast Telegraph website
14th Mar 2009 18:00 | Pied Piper Parade
A parade on the Pied Piper theme for the Ulster Orchestra, from Belfast City Hall to the Waterfront Hall