Cross-community festival set for Alexandra Park
– Events takes place Saturday March 21 –
One of Northern Ireland's peace walls is set to be the scene for major cross-community celebrations this month as part of an extraordinary one-day community arts festival.
Organised by New Lodge Arts – one of Northern Ireland's leading community arts organisations, established by Ashton Community Trust – the 'Spring Festival' at Alexandra Park brings together art, music, dance and drama performers and will be filled with artwork from young people imagining their 'Ideal City'.
Over 300 children and young people from 15 local primary schools and youth groups have been participating in a number of workshops throughout February and March, helping to create an imaginative installation around their 'Ideal City'.
Alexandra Park, located between the Antrim Road and Shore Road in north Belfast, dates back to 1888 and is the site of a three-metre high peaceline which was erected in 1994. The peaceline is currently opened during daylight hours.
Good Relations Officer with New Lodge Arts, Cecilia Heron said: “We have been serving communities in and around North Belfast for more than a decade. We want to help people reclaim this space in a positive way and promote confidence and trust through community regeneration.
“We are encouraging people from across Belfast to join us for the Spring Festival as this represents a great opportunity help improve quality of life and social cohesion in this part of the city.”
New Lodge Arts also facilitates a major community festival which is now one of the biggest cultural events in the city. Last year's North Belfast Lantern Parade spectacular drew crowds with over 6000 people attending from across Belfast. Over the past year the organisation delivered more than 800 workshops involving over 3000 young people, and engaged with community groups in areas such as: Tigers Bay; Mount Vernon; Westland; Greencastle; Ardoyne; and Duncairn.
For more information, follow the festival organisers on twitter @newlodgearts, friend them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nlarts, or contact Cecilia Heron at New Lodge Arts on 028 9074 2255 or email cecilia@newlodgearts.com
Notes to the editors
About the Spring Festival
Performers at Alexandra Park on Saturday March 21 will include:
· Los Dramaticos, a Latin American band
· Funky Fidelma, Acrobatic show
· Liam O’Neill, Magician
· Wilson Magwere, African Band
· Geoff Hatt, Busker and Entertainer
· Theatre without Walls
· Wheelworks, Art Cart