Celebrating Years W / S 2019
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1 CELEBRATING YEARS W / S 2019 MORE THAN AN ARTS CENTRE OUR FUNDERS A word from the Arts Council The Duncairn champions an innovative model of performance, access and learning through the arts, and this has met with great success in widening the audience for arts and culture in north Belfast. People from the local communities have been inspired to come together in this shared space to enjoy the full range of creative and social experiences, and visitors are being drawn to the area from all parts of the city by an outstanding programme of music that you would be hard pressed to match elsewhere. The Arts Council, as the Duncairn’s principal funder through our National Lottery funds, is proud to have been able to support the growth of this remarkable arts hub over the last five years, and we all hope to see ‘more of the same, please’ in the years to come. Roisin McDonough — Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland FOREWORD It’s hard to believe that five years organisations and projects. The ago The Duncairn first opened its secret to all this is that we’ve doors to the world, here, in North always been motivated by the Belfast. And time has flown, which community, and the people who is a true sign that you‘ve been live in this community, and that’s enjoying your work. why we like to think we’re part of the very best of Belfast, here at When I look back on what we The Duncairn started with — which was a beautiful building and little I know we aren’t perfect, we’re a else — and then look at what long way from it. It’s just that the we’ve done to make this building general consensus and feedback come alive, it’s quite remarkable. we receive is so gratifying and Everyone involved, from the top, incredibly motivating that it re- and right across staff, volunteers, energizes us and it gives us every customers, and participants, year a sense that we have to everyone should feel a great make it even better next year. sense of pride in what we’ve achieved between us. We could North Belfast used to have a start mentioning highlights over reputation of not being culturally the past five years but there have active, and not being motivated been too many, we wouldn’t have by creativity. We knew this was room to include them all, so we a misconception, and it became wouldn’t do them justice. another motivating factor for us to work hard and do what we do. I believe that in a remarkably Although we know we shouldn’t short period of time we’ve built have, we felt that we could almost something that is outstanding, put two fingers up to that notion, and hopefully as time goes on it can become a benchmark for community arts venues, Continued >>> and prove to people who had that I need to give a few words of tired old image of north Belfast thanks to the 174 Trust Board, what a creative, vibrant, positive, Our Directors, indeed to everyone and optimistic community it is. involved with the 174 Trust. Our small team of staff — William The hard work has paid off Orr, Una Brady, Marnie Kennedy and things are changing. The and Debbie Young — and to our size, scope, demand for, and invaluable team of volunteers. The secret reputation of arts and creativity without whom, and I mean in north Belfast has changed. without whom, this project would We’re supporting artists not be where it is today. From to all this is that and performers, presenting the longest serving to the most internationally renowned recent recruits, a heartfelt thank musicians, encouraging and you. And of course, we couldn’t inspiring people of all ages that do this without the support of our we’ve always been everyone has a talent and The funders, so we would like to thank Duncairn is here to help them the Arts Council of Northern discover that. It may not be Ireland, Belfast City Council, The artistic, but we all have certain Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, motivated by the Foreword skills and we hope that The Garlfield Weston and The Duncairn is a catalyst where American Ireland Fund. people can share these skills with community fellow members of the community The Duncairn is so much more than an arts centre. Stay creative It has been an incredible five and positive North Belfast and years. We cannot thank you Happy New Year everyone. enough for your support, your participation, and your belief in what it is we’re doing here. This is only the beginning — it’s the next 45 years that we’re concerned with, and when we all pull together, we will definitely create — something from this area of the Ray Giffen city that is a credit to everybody. Duncairn Arts Manager just 4+ years we are already an May 2014 (with no budget for a established music venue with a programme — or publicity!) one A reputation for providing quality of the main challenges has been artists for an appreciative, securing Arts Council funding— reputation for informed and enthusiastic and retaining it, year-on-year.” audience.” However, the success of these providing quality But this footfall and feedback first five years has just shown have been hard earned, with a us what we can and must do to lot of work going on behind the make the next half decade even artists for an scenes by a team led by The better. What does Bill envision Duncairn’s Ray Giffen.“People going forward? “First of all to — that’s what it’s all about,” Bill still be here! Build the brand by appreciative, informed continued. “I think we (and by continuing to offer a first-class that, I mean everyone — staff and programme (at affordable prices) volunteers) have succeeded in in attractive surroundings and enthusiastic creating something really special — and doing what we’re good — evidenced by the numbers of folk at —working hard and caring who attend events / classes or just about people. If the last 5 years audience use the café… Next to proposing to have taught us anything it’s that my wife of 40 years — offering Ray exciting things happen when folks the job was probably the smartest get involved and take ownership — thing I’ve done! You only have so I’m expecting the unexpected!” Bill Shaw — On The Duncairn Rev to be in his company for a few minutes before you’re infected by his incredible enthusiasm — which The Duncairn is just one of several “Our Vision Statement talks about is reinforced by his principles, special projects run by the 174 ‘enabling people to flourish’ — I professionalism and passion.” Trust, working with people in the hope everything that happens at heart of north Belfast. Rev. Bill the Complex is geared towards Of course, it hasn’t been easy, Shaw, the Director of 174 has been fulfilling that vision, but it’s especially facing round after watching The Duncairn grow, right certainly true of the activities that round of funding cuts. “Given that from its faltering first steps. With take place on a daily basis at The The Duncairn (the refurbishment the art centre’s fifth anniversary Duncairn. I would probably go as of the former church and its on the horizon he looks back at an far as suggesting that the current transformation into the facility inspiring and frankly momentous footfall and feedback have exceeded we have) took 14 years to realise Rev Bill Shaw half decade. everyone’s expectations — after — since its official opening in Director 174 Trust LIVE MUSIC All live music evening events are b. y. o. b. except where stated. Strict terms and conditions apply. See website for policy. 15 :30 19 S : h s r o w o o : 2 DAVID D 0 : 0 0 KEENAN Saturday 5th January £12.50 Live Music Live It’s been a while, an impatient wait, but he’s coming back. As David Keenan’s star continues to ascend, we’re catching him live again at The Duncairn. He’s the young Irish songwriter who uses his lyrics to paint pictures with words on canvases of silence, curating a body of work steeped in the poetic tradition of old but delivered in such a way that is entirely his own. His recent vinyl EP, Evidence Of Living, quickly sold out, he boasts a number of videos by Myles O’Reilly, and his live shows are described as visceral, spiritual and communal events. Remember — you heard it here first. It’s a whole new experience with 3 David Keenan’s for 1. You’ll understand when you get here! 16 17 :30 18 S : h s r o w o o : 2 ARMAGH D THE DUNCAIRN HAS BECOME A HOME FOR US. OUR 0 : 0 0 EXPERIENCES THERE HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT MAGICAL. FROM THE FIRST MOMENT WE PLAYED IN THE BEAUTIFUL PIPERS CLUB VENUE, WE HAVE BEEN GREETED WITH ACCEPTANCE AND WELCOMED INTO THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS A Fundrasier VERY SPECIAL ENERGY AMONG THE TIRELESS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS THERE. THEY HOLD THEIR SIGHTS ON A SHARED VISION. ONE WHICH VALUES AND NURTURES THE CREATIVITY, INDIVIDUALITY AND EXPRESSION OF EACH PERSON; FROM THE CHILD LEARNING TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, TO THE AUDIENCE MEMBER, AND THE TOURING MUSICIAN. EVERYONE IS LOOKED Saturday 19th January AFTER. THEY HAVE BUILT A COMMUNITY WITHOUT PARAMETERS, RESPECTFUL OF OUR DIFFERENCES BUT Live Music Live EMPHASIZING TOGETHERNESS.