Acclaimed film to kickstart festival

Acclaimed film to kickstart festival

31 July 2013

THE third Newcastle Arts Festival was launched on Friday. Among the key events at this year’s festival is the screening of the highly acclaimed Good Vibrations film, with an appearance on the night from Terry Hooley.

Good Vibrations tells the story of punk music icon Terri Hooley, who opened a record shop on the most bombed half-mile in Europe in 1970s Belfast at the height of the Troubles. Hooley also released the classic Undertones hit Teenage Kicks, which DJ John Peel described as his favourite song.

Also expected to attend the screening, organised by Newcastle Community Cinema, are the film’s directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn and producer David Holmes.

For kids and families there’s a special The Wizard of Oz event, another collaboration with Newcastle Community Cinema.

New to this year’s festival is the Spirit of Percy French, which takes a contemporary approach to the man and will culminate in an awards ceremony and concert with the award winning Colum Sands.

This community run festival will be held this year from August 15 to 18.

At Friday’s launch in O’Hare’s bar, festival committee member Petesy Burns said: “We are delighted to announce a very varied and eclectic mix of events for all of the family at this year’s festival.

“It is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers that the festival continues to grow and attract much interest in Newcastle and further afield.

“There is such a wealth of diversity in this year’s programme and we are grateful for financial support from the Northern Ireland Arts Council lottery fund and Down District Council.

With Translink also coming on board this year we are reaching a far wider audience and are confident that Newcastle will be firmly placed on the festival map.”

Also in attendance at the launch was the vice-chairman of Down Council, Gareth Sharvin.

“The Newcastle Arts Festival is another great example of the support and success the Community Festival Scheme is delivering for local organisations and groups across Down District,” he said. “The Newcastle Arts Festival provides an opportunity for all the family and this includes a mix of music, poetry, drama, dance, comedy, street performance, art exhibitions, children’s events, workshops and crafts.

“The Newcastle Arts Festival offers something for all the family. It provides another boost to the local economy and boosts the tourism appeal for the Newcastle area.”

Full programme details can be found at www.newcastlefestival.org