Category: CQAF2019 Special Events

Individual walks every 15 minutes between 11am and 5.15pm.

What do you imagine Belfast will be like in 10 years from now? How has it changed? Come and see for yourself a projected vision of Belfast – a real estate development fantasy, a dream of immersive marketing, and a way of life that is coming to North Street anytime soon.

Artists John D’Arcy and Una Lee present the augmented- reality-assisted walk Raise Your Expectations: Exchange 1NE – a story of past and future, myths and forecasts, memory and loss.

Duration: 10 min.

Hit the North is moving. Ireland’s biggest street art festival Hit the North is changing dates.

We’re delighted to be working alongside Seedhead Arts and Community Arts Partnership and join them on their mission to transform the Cathedral Quarter’s most boring walls.

For six years Hit the North has showcased the worlds best street artists to the attendees of Culture Night so a move to May is great news for attendees of CQAF.

On Sunday 5th May head to Union Street and Kent Street (beside the Sunflower) between 2-5pm where there will be artists from all over Ireland painting live.

A date shift means a smaller festival for just this year but there’s something new planned for Monday 6th May so watch this space…

Irish musicians Mick McCullagh and Nathan O’Regan discuss famous music myths, legends and true stories. IsPaul dead? Is Elvis alive? Just what exactly was Phil Collins singing about on In The Air Tonight? In this sight-loss friendly special event supported by Guide Dogs Northern Ireland, Mick and Nathan discuss the late great, Ray Charles.

Mad Notions enjoyed 60,000 listens across the world in it’s first year, with festival appearances throughout Ireland and
sell out live shows in Belfast.

All stories discussed with as much factual accuracy and focus as scrawled graffiti in the backstage bathroom.
Peppered among these famous tales are personal anecdotes from each of the lads that highlight the disparity
between the perception and the realities of gigging life.

Doors 7.15pm | Limited Unreserved Seating

The Cathedral Quarter Festival seeks to offer a vast diversity of cultural experiences through its socially inclusive agenda and its eclectic programming blend of ‘big names and emerging fringe activities and performances. Against this background, this year, we are drawing attention to some participatory activities.

An example is the fun and enjoyment offered by French bal folk (traditional) music and dance. On Saturday 11 May (5- 7.00pm) the Belfast based Bal Feirste Group will be hosting their regularly monthly open house dance session, to live music, in the Sunflower Pub.

No partner, special clothing or footwear is needed; tuition in easy-to-learn dances (ideal for beginners) is provided.

It’s back! After a few years hiatus, we’ve brought back the legendary CQ Radio packed with an array of local talent contributing their vision and perspective of the CQAF.

This year the CQAF Radio experiment reforms for the opening weekend of the festival. We will be broadcasting live from the Cathedral Quarter area and highlighting forthcoming events and discussing the ongoing future of the area.

A unique blend of music, conversation and comedy will soundtrack the 2019 CQAF.

If you would like your say or submit an idea for a show please head over to @CQRadioBelfast.