Here’s a flavour of the fun that’s happening now, on Newcastle beach and in the Crescent Arts Centre. An inclusive group of children from all sorts of backgrounds, aged 5 to 11 are creating art music and drama and will share their creations with any one in Newcastle at 12.15 p.m. on Thursday. The happening takes place just outside the Newcastle Tourist Information Centre and on the nearby beach!

The international choreographer and award winning dancer Marc Brew is coming to Newry Sports Centre on 8th September 2010 to work with disabled people in the area who have an interest in dance. As a wheelchair user, Marc will guide the participants through a day of contemporary dance (10.30 – 15.30). Please ring Una if you would like more information on 02890240765. There is no cost but please complete a registration form.

The Crescent Arts Centre refurbishment is finally finished and so Open Arts has moved back to its old home.

Open Arts
Crescent Arts Centre
2-4 University Rd
Belfast
BT7 1 NH
New permanent phone number: 02890 240765

For more information on the Crescent Arts centre click here.

The Crescent Arts Centre, home of the Open Arts office

David Hill, chair of the Crescent : “Everything is accessible now which is something that was a problem with the old building. Only the ground floor – indeed parts of it – were accessible from a disabled point of view. So really I’m glad that we’ve got to the stage where we’ve got full access throughout the building. That’s important.”

Liz Doonan: “The fact that we have a lift now and access to all of the floors for disabled people and people who can’t make stairs, that’s very good and we were lost without that. Before, I mean, Beverly who runs the Open Arts choir – I hadn’t realised, but she had never actually seen the top floor in this building.”

For a video and interview about the refurbishment click here.

On Tuesday 16th February we had a feedback session in which we invited our summer scheme attenders to come to the Ulster Hall and enjoy working with music and visual arts. This was an end in itself, but we also wanted ideas on what to do in 2010’s Summer Scheme. We learned some songs, we made masks and plaques to hang on the wall and we were given all sorts of exciting ideas. Some of the suggestions for what to do were a little impractical (a trip to New York City or the Jungle) and some were much more do-able, like a musical or a visit to the park. The Zoo seemed to be a favourite place to visit. Some of the ideas appear here as pictures drawn by our eager beavers. Now all we have to do is go away and create a timetable which accommodates all those ideas and hope that Children in Need, who very kindly funded last year’s Summer Scheme, will support this one.

Fun musical activities take place once more,  this Saturday at 11 a.m. in Dee Street Community Centre. These sessions are a great success and enhance the pleasure of a Saturday morning.  They happen once a month, so it’s not too big a commitment.  New participants are welcome, but are asked to give Kate or Bev a ring to let them know you plan to be there. 02890312515. Enjoy!

Classes start week beginning 18th January unless otherwise stated and finish week beginning 15th March
Crescent Classes
Monday 11 a.m. Drama
Facilitated by Orla McKeagney
Monday 1.30 p.m. Dance
Facilitated by Nicola Currie
Monday 2 p.m. Drama
Facilitated by Orla McKeagney
N.B. Creative Writing starts on Tuesday 26th
Tuesday 11.a.m Creative Writing Facilitated by Ruth Carr
New Class – B.C.C. Creative Legacy Programme
Thursday Dance 11-3 Facilitated by Nicola Currie
Friday 11a.m. Drama Facilitated by Katie Richardson
Friday 11.30 a.m. Drama Facilitated by Kara Smyth
New Class – Luminous Soul Programme
Friday 2.30 p.m. Continuation Dance Classes facilitated by Sheena Kelly
Non Crescent Classes
Classes resume week beginning 18th January
Morton Community Centre
Monday 11.am.-12.30 p.m. Visual Arts Facilitated by Ash and Rachael
Divis Community Centre Monday 7.15p.m. – 9.15p.m. Open Arts Choir Facilitated by Bev
Dee Street Community Centre
Friday 10.30-12.30 Visual Arts Facilitated by Tomas and Claire
New Class – B.C.C. Creative Legacy Programme
North Belfast Day Centre
Gamelan Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Facilitated by Bev
Dee Street Community Centre
Saturdays 11 a.m-1 p.m
Jamdin Music sessions Facilitated by Bev and Una

It’s big choir night at Divis Community Centre on Monday 14th December from 7.15 to 9.15. be there or be square!

It’s all happening musically at Dee Street Community Centre tomorrow – 12th December from 11-1.00p.m.

Jamdin music-making session runs this Saturday, 17th October from 11 a.m. in Dee Street Community Centre. All welcome!

Open Arts Classes and Contacts

The Autumn and Winter classes are now up and running!

Crescent Arts Centre
Monday 11 a.m. Suffolk SEC ( 90 301811- Maureen)
Drama Edgcumbe TRC ( 90 672290 – Aideen)Monday 1.30 p.m. Edgcumbe TRC (90 672290 – Aideen)
Dance
Monday 2 p.m. Individuals (Taxi Contacts Davey- 90666514,
Drama                                            Liam – 07752092410)

Tuesday Island Resource Centre (Ruth Smith 90-454400)
11am – 12.30 pm
Creative Writing
Friday 11a.m. Orchardville SEC (90628117 – Trevor)
Drama
Friday 11.30 a.m. Mount Oriel ( 90 702700 – Suzanne)
Drama

Non Crescent Classes
Morton Community Centre 90-681874
Monday 11.am.-12.30 p.m. Island Resource Centre
Visual Arts
Divis Community Centre 90-242551
Monday 7.15p.m. – 9.15p.m. Open Arts Choir (individuals)
Choir
Dee St. Community Centre 90-458113
Visual Arts Individuals
Friday 10.30-12.30
Jamdin Music sessions Individuals
Saturdays 11 a.m-1 p.m.