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My top five cultural, crafty and creative events happening this week in wee Norn Irn.
Thursday 22.03.18 – Waterstones, Bow Street Lisburn @ 7pm. Free to attend.
Lisburn-born young person’s author Shirley is back in her home town this Thursday to talk about and sign copies of her latest novel The Unknowns in Waterstones. I’m going to be attending this, so come and say hi if you see a little redhead scuttling around taking photos! I’ve also found out that large print and braille versions of Shirley’s novel A Good Hiding are available in Lisburn Library and work is underway to create braille and large print versions of this book too. Very cool!
Friday 23.03.18 – Oh Yeah Centre, Gordon Street @ 7.30pm. Tickets £12.
This irreverent social club happens in Belfast every two months, bringing together women who are “a little slutty” about picking and sticking to hobbies and handicrafts. As a fellow butterfly brain, I very much appreciate the chance to gather with like-minded ladies, sink a drink or twelve and learn three new things. This month, it’s Polish, erotic bingo and Irish dancing on the bill. Sure, why wouldn’t ye?
Saturday 24.03.18 – Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey @ 2.30pm. Tickets £5 (kids under 10 go free)
The Belfast Roller Derby takes on the East Coast Cyclones in the first game of the new season. BRD established the first roller derby league in Northern Ireland in 2010 and it has flourished since. I’ve always loved its have-a-go ethos and emphasis on the sport’s potential for engendering strength and empowerment. Get down there and support our girls!
Saturday 24.03.18 – St Anne’s Cathedral @ 3pm. Free admission.
I’ve been a fan of this initiative for a number of years – even before I attended in 2015. The Community Arts Partnership supports a number of community groups to get creative with old clothes and materials, turning trash into catwalk treasure. It’s creative, crafty, thrifty, sustainable… in other words, it’s right up my street. This will be an incredible venue for the show too – don’t miss it.
Sunday 25.03.18 – Ulster Museum @ 11am. Free entry.
The 9-day Get Creative festival launched on Saturday and is the amalgamation of the Get Creative Weekend and Voluntary Arts Festival. There are currently over 1300 creative and arty events happening all across the UK and the Createathon is the finale of NI’s packed festival of events. This “marathon of creativity” includes takes deep breath singing, dancing, knitting, patchwork quilting, weaving, painting, kite making, tango, zumba with Zumba® Fitness and henna art. Phew! I’ll be there with the NI Big Sock team so come and make a hexagon or two.