Now Press Play 2024

Afrobeat Night: Fela Kuti – William Onyeabor

Afrobeat Night: Fela Kuti – William Onyeabor

American Bar

Thursday 24 October, 8.00pm 

£8.00 

Buy Tickets

Join us for a double screening of Afrobeat excellence.

Music is the Weapon (1 Hour)

Directed in 1982 by Stephane Tchai-Gadjieff and Jean-Jacques Flori, Music is the Weapon is the definitive documentary on FELA. An essential film for all who wish to know more about an artist at the heart of African musical history.

Shot in Lagos, this documentary carries us from the ‘Kalakuta Republic’ to the mythical ‘Shrine’ nightclub. At the height of his popularity in a chaotic Nigeria, Fela wanted to stand for president.

The Army responded by attacking and ransacking his community, raping his wives and throwing his mother from a window, who was later to die from her injuries. Coming from yet another time in prison, more determined than ever and surrounded by his wives, Fela transmits to the camera his thoughts on politics, Pan-Africanism, music and religion.

William Onyeabor: Fantastic Man (30 mins)

“We were looking for a group of individuals that had something otherworldly about them,” says musician and filmmaker Adam Bainbridge aka Kindness on the stars of today’s video for “Fantastic Man” by near-mythical psychedelic funk artist William Onyeabor.

“I then remembered the energy, the sense of camaraderie and above all, the love of music of the Central Park skaters.”

Co-directed with Camilla Wasserman, the joyous short spotlights the cosmic funk of the artist from Enugu, Nigeria, whose backstory is virtually unknown. After a prolific musical output in the 1980s, Onyeabor became a born-again Christian, refusing to talk about his past; one that may or may not have included a period studying film in the Soviet Union and setting up a recording studio, pressing plant and record label when he returned to Africa.

“I found out that Damon Albarn was one of the few guys who was familiar with his music,” says Eric Welles-Nyström from Luaka Bop, the label founded by David Byrne and Yale Evelev that released last year’s critically lauded compilation, Who is William Onyeabor?. “It wasn’t until we spoke with Damon that it hit me how funny Onyeabor’s music can be.

 

Supported by Film Hub NI, part of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from National Lottery.

Tickets also available from:
Visit Belfast | 028 9024 6609
9 Donegall Square North - Open 7 days a Week

Now Press Play 2024

Indigo Girls – It’s Only Life After All

Indigo Girls – It’s Only Life After All

Oh Yeah Centre

Wednesday 23 October, 8.00pm

Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat (NI Premiere)

IN ASSOCIATION WITH MOVING ON MUSIC

Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat (NI Premiere)

The Deer’s Head

Wednesday 23 October, 8.00pm

Afrobeat Night: Fela Kuti – William Onyeabor

Afrobeat Night: Fela Kuti – William Onyeabor

American Bar

Thursday 24 October, 8.00pm 

Ciaran Lavery – Light Entertainment- Re-Act Productions Showcase

Ciaran Lavery – Light Entertainment- Re-Act Productions Showcase

Ulster Sports Club

Friday 25 October, 8.00pm

Don Lewis and The Live Electronic Orchestra

Don Lewis and The Live Electronic Orchestra

Sonic Lab at the Sonic Arts Research Centre

Friday 25 October, 8.00pm

The Chills – The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps

The Chills – The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps

Ulster Sports Club

Saturday 26 October, 3.00pm

Since Yesterday – The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands (NI Premiere)

Since Yesterday – The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands (NI Premiere)

The Deer’s Head

Sunday 27 October, 8.00pm 

Supported By

dormant
embrace
FHM
up

Contact

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and Out To Lunch are annual festivals of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature which take place in January and May in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with festival news, events and early ticket releases.

View Our Privacy Policy

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival / Out To Lunch Arts Festival
Unit 8
Northern Whig House
Bridge Street
Belfast
BT1 1LU