In what might be the last Out to Lunch Festival as part of the EU, organisers will be delivering an extra special programme of life-affirming sustenance for troubled times.
The 14th Out to the Lunch Festival programme – which takes place from 4-27 January 2019 – was unveiled today and is set to serve up a heady menu of live music, comedy, theatre, literature, film, spoken word and hot food to nourish the soul and the belly during the longest, darkest month of the year.
Music highlights include folk superstar and all-round living legend Andy Irvine, the insanely talented Teddy Thompson, Donegal’s finest harmonising trio The Henry Girls and a rare Belfast show by Mull Historical Society which will feature Bernard Butler who produced the new album Wakelines.
Then there’s a reimagining of The Pixies classic Doolittle on its 30th anniversary with Arborist, Hand Models and Sister Ghost, master of the Lap Steel guitar Martin Harley, the launch of Grainne Holland’s new album Corcra with Brian Finnegan, Sean Og Graham and Liam Bradley, Niamh McGlinchey lighting up the Black Box, Linley Hamilton and Kyron Burke’s wondrous new jazz project The Sazeracs and an unmissable celebration of Barbra Streisand featuring Lady Portia Di’Monte and Marion Jordan in Babs’ Broadway Lunch.
Lovers of Joyce’s short story The Dead can watch John Huston’s classic film and enjoy a sumptuous Joycean Christmas meal and we showcase two of Belfast’s finest prose writers today Wendy Erskine and Rosemary Jenkinson.
For film lovers we have a real treat with the Buster Keaton classic The General performed with a live musical score by Haiku Salut, a folk/electronic trio from Derbyshire. We have the Irish premiere of a new documentary on Chris Sievey aka Frank Sidebottom called Being Frank and we raid the archives for 3 short Irish poetry films about or featuring Seamus Heaney, Patrick Kavanagh and Damian Gorman. Out to Lunch dons its spandex and air guitar for a 35th anniversary screening of THE definitive mockumentary This is Spinal Tap followed by our rocktastic Spinal Tap karaoke.
Other highlights include Opera for Lunch with NI Opera Studio’s show If You Can Find Me featuring the songs of Stephen Sondheim and a Seedhead Lecture entitled Belfast’s Wild Larder with Clare McQuillan and a special launch of artist Raymond Watson’s sound art piece Unlocking.
These shows complement those already announced including Marian Keyes & Roisin Ingle (Sold Out) Nish Kumar (Sold Out), Steeleye Span (Sold Out), Bronagh Gallagher (Evening Show sold out), Lucy Porter, Don Letts, London Astrobeat Orchestra performs Talking Heads, The Dodge Brothers, King Kong Company, The Delines, Scott Matthews and Lost Voice Guy.
Out to Lunch Director Sean Kelly said:
“These are uncertain times in so many ways, but Out to Lunch aims to light up January and with a world class menu of music, comedy, art and film. Over the past 14 years, our ‘show and lunch’ idea has really captured people’s imagination. Come January 2019, we’ll be on hand to lift spirits and hearts with a month of great food and world class entertainment!”
For further programme info or to book tickets for Out to Lunch Arts Festival, please go to www.cqaf.com
For further info, images or to arrange an interview please contact Joseph Nawaz on 07599 798472
The Buster Keaton Pictureshow -The General + Live Score by Haiku Salut
The Black Box
Wednesday 9 January, 7.30pm
The Allergies feat. Andy Cooper
Oh Yeah Music Centre
Saturday 12 January, 9.00pm
Stories from the She Punks
The Black Box (Green Room)
Sunday 13 January, 7.30pm
The Kiss of Light and other Illuminations: Poems and Music from Anthony Toner and Frank Ormsby
The Black Box
Tuesday 15 January, 1.00pm
Opera for Lunch – If You Can Find Me
The Black Box
Wednesday 16 January, 1.00pm
Marian Keyes in conversation with Roisin Ingle – Sold Out
Saint Annes’ Cathedral
Friday 18 January, 1.00pm
Kathryn Joseph + support Brona McVittie
The Black Box
Sunday 20 January, 3.00pm
Troubled – Northern Irish Poet Films
The Black Box (Green Room)
Sunday 20 January, 3.00pm
John Kearns, Roisin and Chiara + Paul Currie MC
The Black Box
Sunday 20 January, 8.00pm
Raymond Watson – Unlocking: Yard side/Garden side – Launch of Sonic Art
The Black Box (Green Room)
Tuesday 22 January, 7.30PM
Nish Kumar – It’s In Your Nature to Destroy Yourselves -Sold Out
The Black Box
Tuesday January 22, 8.00PM
Steeleye Span 50th Anniversary – Sold Out
The Black Box
Wednesday 23 January, 8.00pm
Grainne Holland – ‘Corcra’ Album Launch
1st Presbyterian Church, Rosemary St
Thursday 24 January, 8.00pm
Teddy Thompson with support from Dori Freeman
The Black Box
Friday 25 January, 8.00pm
Dreamed of Places – Alana Barton
The Black Box (Green Room)
January 3 (6.00pm) – February 3, 2019
