Hi °C | Lo °C We all must applaud this patriotic polemic
Belarus. A country where it’s forbidden to look a stranger in the eye. Where raising a flag can incur a beating from the police. Where just existing can somehow be a crime.
Story of the ‘Big Man’ is amplified on stage
News this week that the Reverend Ian Paisley has returned to public life just months after a serious illness may have been greeted with whoops in a dressing room at the Grand Opera House.
Dynamite night in store from long-running Fox
Back in the mists of time, when Terri Hooley was king and Belfast rocked with Good Vibrations, Joby Fox was a familiar face.
One gripping story that’s hot off the press
When it was announced that Enquirer would be coming to the Belfast Festival, I may actually have punched the air with joy, so much did I want to see the play described as a “bittersweet elegy to the newspaper industry”.
The Scottish Play gets an Ulster twist at Lyric
The Scottish Play, as it’s known in theatrical circles (bad luck to mention Shakespeare’s tragedy by name) is a Belfast Festival favourite.
Berlusconi proved no match for this unlikely European Cup hero
We’ve seen A Night in November, Marie Jones’ play about a Northern Ireland Protestant who decides to follow the Republic on their World Cup adventures.
Girl power has never sounded this good ...
Hands up who remembers Rock Follies? The TV series about three women trying to make it as a band, struggling in what’s traditionally seen as a man’s world?
Giving a voice to Silent on the streets
If you enjoyed the film The Artist — a delightful homage to the days of silent film — then you’ll want to catch Fishamble’s festival show, Silent.
Revival of Folk Club will strike a chord with regulars
One of the nice things about this year’s festival is how it’s reaching into the cupboard for some of its greatest hits, dusting them down, and putting them on the turntable for its 50th birthday party.
Belfast Festival fab at 50
It has always been launched with a bit of a fanfare — and this year we’d expect no less from the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s.
Belfast Festival: There’s a Monster in my Piano
Question: What do you do when you hear a strange|munching noise from inside a piano?
Belfast Festival: Brilliance of Michael Barnes
I once conducted a newspaper poll to find Northern Ireland’s favourite after-dinner speaker. Michael Barnes came first by a street. Nobody else was in the running.
Belfast Festival: Mick Miller
Whether it’s the late Frank Carson’s glasses, Jimmy Cricket’s hat or Bernard Manning’s beer gut, there’s a generation of stand-ups whose very comedy essence has been encapsulated in their physical accoutrements.
Belfast Festival: Buena Vista make another social outing
One of the outstanding features of the Festival throughout its five decades has been the sheer number and variety of international artists it has brought to Belfast.
Belfast Festival: How Sheila survived the terror of the Blitz
Chances are if you grew up in the Antrim Road area of Belfast during the Second World War you might well have spotted a rather unusual visitor in the neighbourhood.
Belfast Festival: Joe Strummer
I first came across Joe Strummer and The Clash in the customary fashion of the late Seventies, by hearing them on the John Peel Show on a weekday — and knowing exactly what I was going to spend my pocket money on at the weekend.
Belfast Festival: Electric conductors
Classical music has been one of the cornerstones of the Belfast Festival at Queen’s since its inception, which makes it all the fitting that this 50th festival should include a typically excellent selection of performances.
Belfast Festival: Ladysmith sing on
After nearly half a century as a member of South Africa’s prime musical export, you might think it would be hard for Ladysmith Black Mambazo co-founder Albert Mazibuko to pick a favourite moment.
Shan McAnena: My festival favourites
Everything we are presenting is fantastic, but this is a list of some very different things that should prove popular with different audiences:
Belfast Festival: Photo Ballads
The worlds of photography and traditional folk music meet in what promises to be one of the more unusual and memorable shows at this year’s festival.
In Pictures: The G8 summit
Gerry forces Sammy into Mexican wave
Voice of Pomeroy pops home
Rapturous reception for Andrea
One Summer's Day 2013
We want you to get snapping!
Obama death bid fears - aircraft carriers on standby
In Pictures: Ulster Nightlife
Pubs, clubs and parties
In Pictures: The 'Big IF' concert in Botanic Gardens
Thousands turn out in the rain
Latest Entertainment News
Edward Furlong charged with assault
Terminator 2 star Edward Furlong has been charged with assault after a May 21 incident in which his girlfriend called police and reported he attacked her.
Apprentice hopeful 'nightmare date'
Apprentice candidate Alex Mills plays the role of a nightmare date - as a team leader steps down for the first time in the history of the BBC One show.
Bieber's car hits man in Hollywood
Los Angeles police have confirmed Justin Bieber struck a pedestrian with his car in Hollywood.
Helen Flanagan 'shaken' by break-in
Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan is recovering after a break-in at her home which left her "very shaken" but unharmed.
Latest Music News
Scott Disick promotes Kanye track
Kanye West has roped in Kourtney Kardashian's partner Scott Disick to help promote his new album Yeezus.
Rizzle Kicks call for end to racism
Jordan "Rizzle" Stephens, one half of Rizzle Kicks, has spoken about his hopes for an end to racism.
Britney's sons star in music video
Britney Spears' sons are to star in the video for her new single Ooh La La, which features on the soundtrack for the Smurfs 2 movie.
Jared Leto performs closer to Mars
Rock act 30 Seconds To Mars hit a new high when they performed a gig on the roof of the O2 Arena.
Latest Film & TV News
O Russell: No more war films for me
David O Russell has revealed he will not make any more films about war.
Thewlis, Gleeson for Eliza Graves
David Thewlis and Brendan Gleeson are the latest additions to horror thriller Eliza Graves.
Freeman finds Lucy with Johansson
Morgan Freeman is in final talks to star in Luc Besson's action-thriller Lucy.
Paglen to write Prometheus sequel?
Prometheus 2 seems to be gaining speed, with Jack Paglen now in discussions to write the sequel.
Latest Eating Out News
Joris Minne: Rhubarb
The post-industrial landscape surrounding parts of the Castlereagh Road is at its bleakest between Channing Street and Orby Link where a huge Tesco store has been erected on the site of a former factory.
Joris Minne: Brown's in Town
The UK City of Culture 2013 continues to aim high with its ongoing series of visiting events including the top-of-the-range and always controversial Turner Prize announcement this autumn, the City of Derry Regatta and the Big Tickle comedy festival. Who would have thought Derry would have an appetite for posh art, sailing and laughter?
Review: Fawlty Towers at the Northern Whig
The Faulty Towers live theatre dining experience is a largely improvised show. It started from the moment we all arrived at the venue and heard Sybil cry out for husband Basil, who was busy barking orders at hapless waiter Manuel.
Why the restaurant OX has critics and public hungry for more
It's currently the most talked about restaurant in Ireland, North or South.
