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The highlight of the local Roots calendar, the 6th Guinness Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival, kicks off on Wednesday.
The five-day programme features 150 songwriters from around the world in over 40 events at various venues as the Botanic area becomes ‘Little Nashville’ until Sunday February 28.
The opening concert on Wednesday features Carlene Carter (pictured) at the Empire Music Hall, while another Carter gig is scheduled for the King’s Head on Thursday.
As daughter of the legendary June Carter Cash and Carl Smith and step-daughter of Johnny Cash, Carter is heir to a rich musical legacy.
Other international festival performers on Wednesday include Jason Blume, Thomm Jutz and Madeleine Slate (Castlereagh Civic Centre). If you want to make another opening night, catch a great Canadian show at Rathfriland’s Bronte Centre on Tuesday.
Nanci Griffith, plays in the round with Mick Hanly and Gareth Dunlop at Thursday’s big concert at the Empire, before headlining at May Street Church on Saturday, while Hanly headlines at Madison’s Hotel on Friday ( www.belfastnashville.com ).
