10 Things Not to Miss at Belfast International Arts Festival

18 – 19 October

Pulsating with theatrical magic, The Piece with the Drums is a joyous, driving dance narrative between dancer and percussion. Directed and choreographed by David Bolger, with music, beats and everything in between by pioneering jazz percussionist Conor Guilfoyle, it’s a colourful exploration of relationships, spirituality, and our connection to rhythm, life and the cosmos.

24 October – 2 November

Cass is on a mission to save her friend. They’ve been close since childhood and she’ll do anything for her mates; even when the mate in question is a tree. She has a plan, an industrial-strength chain, and… well that’s enough to begin with. Set in a fictional Irish village following the opening of a new gold mine, Aurora: A Modern Myth follow’s Cass’ protest as she grapples with what comes next for us and our planet.

25 – 26 October

An electric evening of performance from Palestine exploring the trauma of war through movement and sound. Palestinian circus performer, Esam Sultan opens the evening with his latest short creation In Between. In Losing It, the Palestinian choreographer and performer Samaa Wakim asks herself how growing up in a war zone has impacted her identity and how the trauma of previous generations manifests in her own body.

28 October

Les Amazones d’Afrique are a collective of supremely talented female musicians from West Africa, renowned for their blend of traditional African rhythms, and gritty contemporary pop. Their performances are characterized by vibrant energy, intricate harmonies, and compelling lyrics that address issues of gender equality and social justice.

31 October – 2 November

In the heart of Bengal, a young boy named Opu dreams of becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, an Asian Elephant, their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents. Cahoots NI’s moving story of friendship, belonging and adventure was named a ‘Critic’s Pick’ in the New York Times, which hailed it as ‘an alluring spectacle’.

25 October

BBC Introducing LIVE returns to the Festival for a second year, showcasing unmissable performances from Northern Ireland’s rising stars. This year’s line-up includes Introducing ATL supported artists Le Boom, CHERYM, Dea Matrona, and TRAMP.

17 October

Belfast International Arts Festival are delighted to welcome David Peace to Belfast for the publication of Munichs, the third novel in his football-themed trilogy. Munichs is an extraordinary novel about Britain, sport and our collective past. It tells the story of how Manchester United rose again after the tragic Munich plane crash of February 1958, when 24 passengers, including eight of the “Busby Babes” players, as well as United staff and journalists, were killed.

31 October

Take a tour of Belfast’s cultural quarter for a thorough and fun exploration of the heart of old Belfast town. You will stroll down its narrow entries, cross open squares, view historic and landmark buildings, while discovering public sculptures and street art, learning about many of the city’s famous writers and hearing about Belfast’s wealth of current music.

6 November

Impasse is a compelling exploration of ethnicity, identity and the experience of the Black diaspora. In this powerful work, two performers confront the biased narratives etched onto Black bodies throughout history. These narratives, steeped in cultural imperialism, are laid bare with raw physicality and emotional intensity.

8 November

Fat Dog are one of London’s most exciting new bands, conjuring the sort of frenzied live shows not seen in the capital for years. Their forthcoming debut album WOOF is a brilliant and mind-bending blend of electro-punk, rock’n’roll snarling, techno soundscapes, industrial-pop and rave euphoria, music for letting go to or, in the words of frontman Joe Love, “screaming-into-a-pillow music”.