BELFAST'S annual Out To Lunch Festival is all about kick-starting Belfast's cultural calendar with a post-New Year programme of arts and culture events served up throughout January in worker-friendly lunchtime slots and accompanied by delicious hot food.
Impressively, not much has changed this year despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions, with Out To Lunch simply moving online for 2021 to keep performers and punters safe. OK, so you'll have to make your own lunch this year – but on the other hand, you won't even have to get dressed in order to 'attend' any of the events, all of which are free.
Here's what's on the menu this year:
Danny Boy (live stream),Wednesday January 13, 1pm
TA DA Irish Dance Company brings together some of Northern Ireland's top Irish dancers to perform Danny Boy and other famous Irish tunes.
Natalie Haynes – Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths (live stream),Wednesday January 13, 8pm
AUTHOR Natalie Haynes refocuses our gaze on the remarkable women at the centre of these famous ancient stories.
Prophets, Makers and Risk Takers: A Showcase of Writing from Northern Ireland (live stream), Thursday January 14, 9.15am to 5.15pm
AUTHOR Jan Carson and other leading writers discuss their approach to global and local issues/themes. Featuring a keynote address from Dr Dawn Miranda Sherratt-Bado, participants will include Nandi Jola, Mícheál McCann, Susan McKay, Darran Anderson, Michelle Gallen, Paul McVeigh, Peggy Hughes, Nora Hickey M'Sichili, Jim Hinks, Damian Smyth and Cathy Brown.
Spud, (live stream) Thursday January 14, 1pm
SPUD is a topical two woman punk circus from Belfast presented by award-winning performers Angelique Reckless Ross and Mish Mash Thoburn.
Alison Spittle, (online), Thursday January 14, 8pm
COMEDIAN, writer and actor Alison Spittle takes a break from hosting The Alison Spittle Show podcast, and indeed co-hosting the Wheel of Misfortune podcast with Fern Brady, to bring her stand-up to Belfast.
Malojian, (live stream) Friday January 15, 8pm
CO ARMAGH singer/songwriter Stevie Scullion performs songs from his critically acclaimed album HUMM and the rest of the Malojian catalogue.
When I Get to Heaven – A John Prine Afternoon, (live stream), Saturday January 16, 2pm
CELEBRATE John Prine's musical legacy in the company of Prine cover specialists Illegal Smile.
Amanda St John and band (live stream), Saturday January 16, 8pm
POWERHOUSE Co Antrim singer/songwriter Amanda St John and her band celebrate the launch of her album The Muscle Shoals Sessions.
Ciaran Lavery (live stream), Sunday January 17, 8pm
AGHAGALLON singer/songwriter Ciaran Lavery performs songs from his most recent album Plz Stay, bb and selections from his back catalogue.
A Taste of Belfast and Brussels (live stream), Tuesday January 19, 1pm
LOCAL musicians Anthony Toner, Ursula Burns, Stephen Connolly and Ciara O'Neill in performance.
Wild Winter Food – A Faculty Lecture with Clare McQuillan (webinar/live stream), Tuesday January 19, 8pm
JOIN foraging guide Clare McQuillan of Feasting on Weeds for a guide to a wild winter forage from the comfort of your own home, plus a webinar Q&A session with Clare.
Frederick Douglass, Belfast, Ireland and Anti-slavery (live stream), Wednesday January 20, 1pm
INDEPENDENT consultant on human rights and humanitarian responses Dr Aidan McQuade explores the life and times of anti-slavery advocate Frederick Douglass.
Brian Moore at 100 – Roundtable Event (online), Wednesday January 20 6.30pm to 8pm
A ROUNDTABLE discussion of Brian Moore's work with some of his most enthusiastic readers including Scott Bradfield, Jan Carson, Patricia Craig and Eamonn Hughes
The Ulster Quartet (online), Friday January 22, 1pm
JOIN the Ulster Quartet for performances ranging from Mozart, Debussy and Mascagni to The Beach Boys, Elbow and Billy Joel.
New Pagans, Cherym and Mel Bradley, (live stream), Friday January 22, 8pm
LIVE performances from three of the north's up and coming artists.
The Henry Girls (live stream), Saturday January 23, 2pm
THE Henry Girls bring their three-part harmonies to Out To Lunch with selections from their recent
album Far Beyond The Stars and other favourites.
Villiers & The Villains, (live stream), Saturday January 23, 8pm
TONY Villiers and his Villains bring his brand new lockdown song and other numbers to you via digital means.
Matt McGinn and guests – Lessons of War (live stream), Sunday January 24, 2pm
SINGER/songwriter Matt McGinn will be joined by his band and special guests Ciara O'Neill and Ria Maguire for a special live streamed performance of his Lessons of War LP.
Preserving the Apocalypse (live stream), Sunday January 24, 7pm
ERIN from The Edible Flower teaches you how to make a selection of preserves from a myriad of different fruits, vegetables and spices.
A Rabbie Burns Lunch (live stream), Tuesday January 26, 1pm
A special Burns celebration complete with a piper, toasts, a bit of poetry and some famous Burns songs led by singer songwriter Hugh Jordan.
The Minotaur Speaks – A Faculty Lecture (live stream), Tuesday January 26, 8pm
GEMMA Reid and Adam Turkington from Daisy Chain Inc take you through the rich history of Belfast's entries and explain the new street art adorning them.
Emer Maguire – Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine? (live stream), Wednesday January 27, 1pm
MUSICAL comedian and science communicator Emer Maguire explores the science of humour.
Richard Herring – The Problem with Men (webinar/live stream), Wednesday January 27, 8pm
COMEDIAN Richard Herring tackles some of the big questions surrounding toxic masculinity.
Martin Lynch – Live podcast (live stream), Thursday January 28, 1pm
OUT to Lunch joins forces with the Best of Belfast podcast for a livestreamed conversation with celebrated Belfast playwright Martin Lynch.
Music in the Glen (live stream), Thursday January 28, 8pm
TRAD specialists Brendan Mulholland (flute) and Réalta members Conor Lamb (uilleann pipes, whistles) and Deirdre Galway (guitar) performing the very best of Irish traditional music.
Teresa Livingstone – Class (live stream), Friday January 29, 1pm
MUSICAL comedian Teresa Livingstone tackles her 40s.
Shadows and Light: The Songs and Story of Joni Mitchell (live stream), Friday January 29, 8pm
CELEBRATE the music of Joni Mitchell with Shadows and Light.
Belfast Noir Walking Tour (online), Saturday January 30, 1pm
GUIDED by local author Simon Maltman, this walking tour explores Belfast's influence on and rich history in film, TV and literature.
Full event information at CQAF.com. Many of the live streamed Out To Lunch performances will have a capped number of free tickets available and the option for audiences to make a donation.
