FOREWORD 2019 was a big year for The Duncairn programme and I need to say out and we were delighted to be able loud just how appreciative I am, to mark our five-year anniversary allowing me the space to create an in May. We did it with style and arts programme that continues to Our Funders continued to provide high quality grow in stature. arts and cultural events for the North Belfast community, for broader By the nature of how we worked Belfast, and beyond. during 2018 - 2019 we got the opportunity to programme some Highlights of our anniversary year young and emerging artists about obviously included having our whom we are very excited, and of friends at Other Voices coming whom we are very supportive. We back here to North Belfast with an started thinking that maybe we could outstanding line-up of talent, which do more to help raise the profile and not only involved amazing high showcase the work of a number of wire marquee acts, but also a very these amazing young artists. So, we healthy representation of local acts sat down and worked out ways in that are on the rise. Other Voices, which we could make that happen. we hope, is going to be a long term relationship - maybe even an annual One idea was to loosely form a event, not only for North Belfast but Creative Collective of young artists for the city. And we’re happy to play with whom we have worked. As our part in that. part of this Collective they are given the opportunity to either work Also, our collaboration with master together at The Duncairn, or curate film maker Myles O’Reilly led to a a specially commissioned weekend/ whole weekend curated and filmed stand-alone event, bringing and by the man himself. Three full days introducing some of their friends of emerging talent from across the who have not played here before. island performing at the Duncairn Members of the Collective would also stage, Fifty Social Club, and Super be offered the chance to work with Sunday. This is another constructive artists they admire, or have always relationship we hope will last into the wanted to work with. This is a new future. and exciting way of designing our programme and we’re eager to see The board of The 174 Trust gave the art and opportunity that this is me the creative freedom to put in going to create. place The Duncairn’s arts and music We believe that arts can be our funders. Our principal funder is uplifting, inspiring, educational the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. and provocative. Facilitating We also have a debt of gratitude to discussion and debate is important Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Belfast to our approach to arts provision City Council, and The American and at The Duncairn, we’re issue- Ireland Fund. As ever we are working based when we can be. We will continually to try and source new always speak out in favour of funders who can help us develop and equality and respect, indeed that match our dreams and our vision One of theme will continue to run through moving forward. We never rest on the programme. This year we’re our laurels. implementing a ban on single use plastic policy throughout the Whilst we are grateful for all of the building, in keeping with the renewed support from our funders, we want push to tackle climate change. We more. We always want more because would love The Duncairn and North we want to do bigger and better Belfast to become a catalyst and things. Given our track record, given Ireland’s most an example to other venues and what we’ve done in comparison to communities. other organisations with a much healthier budget - we have been As we move into this our sixth year, pulling up trees. We’ve been over an indication of how far we have achieving and punching well above come is the fact that in August we our weight. We’ll always continue were placed on the list of Ireland’s to do that, regardless. It’s in our iconic and most iconic music venues, drawn DNA. But we have huge dreams and up by the award-winning Lonely ambitions, and with extra support Planet Travel Guide. That is a we can impact more on improving measurement of the success of not community life, personal lives, only The Duncairn, but the support, and the area in general promoting participation, and attendance from positive arts led change. this amazing community. We hope that you enjoy the unique live I just can’t put into words how programme of events as much as we grateful we are to the people of have enjoyed putting them together. North Belfast. Together we are transforming this part of the city. On behalf of the team, Not just artistically and culturally, Go raibh maith agaibh/Thank you. but also breaking down barriers, and people’s misconceptions and preconceptions about what North music venues. Belfast is. -------- Ray Giffen We also would not have been able to Duncairn Arts Manager - Lonely Planet 2019 do any of this without the support of Prices have decided to move from Club Super Sunday Local Promoters & Fifty to a new project called the 100 We were granted standstill funding Club. So, because of this, everything These are probably the cornerstone Programmers increases, indeed the amount of this year for our programme. That on which our success has been built None of what we do is stand alone. Tapas and wine doubles. With that means that, although our costs and we recognise the importance We work in partnership with various in mind we’ve had to increase the to hold the classes and events and the enjoyment derived from individuals and bodies, too many admission fee, yet it still somehow have risen, we have the same them by the community of North to mention. However, there is a manages to be the best value (and amount of money as the previous Belfast and beyond. So, they will particular group of stakeholders sometimes the hottest ticket) in town. year to cover those costs. As it is continue to be a central part of that has an intrinsic role in keeping extremely important for us to provide this programme. The Creative music alive in this city, and frankly affordable arts experiences we have Collective sessions will also spill don’t get enough support or decided to put a price freeze on our The Music Programme into this new season of Super acknowledgement. The humble class fees. No increase. Sundays. This means that instead music promoter. We are delighted There is a slight change in direction of us programming everything we’ve to continue working with our great Making arts accessible for as many when it comes to the music given several of the artists who will friends at Moving On Music who people as possible is at the heart programme. We’ve decided to hand be appearing on the programme the have supported us right from our of what we do, so if anybody out it over to this amazing and exciting chance to present their very own very first steps as a venue, and there feels that you can’t afford to golden generation of emerging Super Sunday, bringing artists with indeed have several quality acts attend a class, if our pricing inhibits performers, including artists who them who may not have previously appearing in our programme this you, if you qualify for a subsidised are local, Ireland wide, and further played for audiences here. season. fee, or you reach our criteria for afield. We’ve set them a challenge, a free place, please just call. This We recommend you come along and and after long consultations and Also, Sizeable Bear is an exciting, discussion is private, if you speak to relax to live music by some of the conversations we have invited a new, non-profit music promotions a member of our team about this it is greatest talents performing in Belfast number of them to curate their own collective whose aim is to bring treated with utmost confidentiality. at the minute. Share some time with events. These can be a full weekend music from around the island of Tell us your circumstances, and if friends and family over a decent of music, maybe a Super Sunday, or Ireland to Belfast. As part of this the person is eligible we’ll have no coffee. Grab the chance to catch even a 100 Club event. they have programmed shows here hesitation in providing a number of up, or strike up conversation with for this new season. We’re also free places. I hope there’s something for everyone someone you’ve never met before. delighted to say that anarcho-trad in the program. We are in need Get your kids out of the house and progressives Lonesome George are With regards to music events, in of feedback on an ongoing basis, expose them to the arts, to music, programming an evening at the general tickets prices have stayed it’s the only way we can improve. to crafts, to connecting with others venue. All of these are acts we would still or even decreased. The only We are in the fortunate position face to face, not online. Chill to our not have been able to host without price increase has been a move presently of hosting an intern who in-house DJ Paddy Cash and cure these local, tuned-in, promoters and from our first year of extremely is working on questionnaires and that morning-after headache with a musicians.