Rock Sparkle Belfast (1/2)

Who the hell is Cyril Flannigan? He’s the guy that makes the mad jewellery in Belfast, and if you haven’t heard of him (or Ember Jewellery) you might soon want to.

It was my pleasure to work with Cyril a few years back when he was paying his way as a graphic designer. I knew he had made jewellery in a

past life but being the modest guy that he is I had no idea of the sort of people he had made jewellery for.

You might not have heard of Cyril but you may be more familiar with some of his previous clients – Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Delores O’Riordan (Cranberries), Motorhead and Tina Turner in her video for the James Bond title track 'Goldeneye'. Cyril has also created for 10 Downing Street, the Sultan of Brunei, the Arab state of Qatar and McLaren.

Cyril discovered his passion for making stunning jewellery during a foundation art year in Canterbury. “I would always find problems in creating some difficult pieces, but really loved solving those problems. In fact if I didn't have something difficult to figure out it wasn't a real challenge for me.”

From there Cyril went onto create jewellery for a number of reputable goldsmiths - Padgham and Putland, London's Grant McDonalds and Richard Fox Associates as well as the world famous The Crazy Pig (click here for some examples). And now he is back in Northern Ireland and has started up one of Belfast’s funkiest new ventures - Ember Jewellery.

“I decided to start Ember Jewellery because I wanted to get out of graphic design, which I got into because the money was good ... but my real passion was in making jewellery. When the recession hit I eventually found myself unemployed like so many people in the same field, I found it impossible to get a graphics job...this was the perfect opportunity to cut myself free.”

We don’t usually like to get commercial on Secret Belfast but I’m such a big fan I’m sacking it for a one off...Ember Jewellery has a terrificly affordable portfolio of jewellery for you to choose from and Cyril also offers bespoke pieces made to your specific requirements... plus it’s not to late to get your orders in for Christmas. To have a look at some of what’s on offer visit Ember Jewellery on FACEBOOK (click here).

Next up I'll be asking Cyril more about what goes into making Jewellery for Rock Royalty...keep posted!

Secret Belfast Art | This Thursday!

Belfast’s Craftworkshop is opening it’s new Art Gallery this Thursday (2^nd December) and Secret Belfast is very proud to be involved. As with all Craftworkshop ventures it promises to be a Gallery with a difference – concentrating on Belfast’s underground artists.

The Craftworkshop, the brainchild of Emma Gilles, is already home to style, music, design and invention and exists to embody the character of our City and all the crafty people that live here.

Emma Gilles is a one-woman creative worldwind always looking for new inspiration and is intent on creating a space where unknown local talent and the general public meet.

Emma explains the reason for opening the new gallery.

“When I opened the doors to Craftworkshop I was stunned by the Art that was brought through the door and the interest it generated. I immediately saw a gap for Joe Bloggs to come in off the street and check out the visual spectacle.

“Art makes people smile chat and interact and that’s all that matters. I want to attract people that would not normally visit an art gallery so they can see what they are missing out on.”

Emma has been creating her own art since she was a child and selling art in her hip hair saloons since the late Nineties. When looking for new pieces she looks out for “good design that is well made, clever and pretty dam Crafty!”

The new gallery will include contemporary, conceptual and antique pieces - everything from Sculptures to Silversmiths and Fine Art to Vintage.

Everyone is invited to the Craftworkshop, 29 Wellington Place, on Thursday 2^nd December from 6pm to 8pm for the opening night of the exhibition part of Late Night Art.

Secret Wars Belfast

Belfast Vs Glasgow + Hydroponic Hi-Fi

Saturday 20 November, 9pm
Black Box Belfast, Hill Street
£5 on the door

Secret Belfast is very excited about the upcoming Belfast leg of the global phenomenon that is Secret Wars, taking place in the Black Box this weekend.

Secret Wars has travelled across the world, spread by word of mouth and taking place in darkened bars, from New York to Tokyo. The world’s premier art battle returns to Belfast this Saturday with a special competition between Belfast and Glasgow.

Secret Wars is like a Fight Club for artists, where teams go head-to-head to fill up a white wall with nothing but skill and black markers. The Glasgow team is made up of three renowned Scottish street artists – Jack Douglas, Conzo and Vues One. The Belfast team boasts Kev Largey, aka KVLR, David McClelland and Morgy. Each team has 90 minutes to prove themselves with winners being decided by crowd reaction and the judging panel.

One of Belfast’s best-loved club nights, Hydroponic Hi-Fi, provide the soundtrack to the evening: Top Ranking Reggae featuring selector Michael McKeown and live vocals from MC Krow. Hydroponic Hi-Fi cover all angles of Reggae – dub to dancehall and rocksteady to roots, with a sprinkling of ska for good measure.

To check out some of the artwork from Secret Wars battles around the world go to www.secretwars.co.uk. See you there!

Craftworkshop Belfast | Winter Events

SPECIAL EVENTS in the CRAFT WORKSHOP TEAROOMS

TEA AND TUNES

BYO

"We welcome you to bring your own drinks for a small corkage charge and invite you to choose from our tasty Craftea menu. Sodas toasted and hot buttered Veda too!" Emma Gilles (proprietor Craftworkshop, 29 Wellington Place)

November 13^th 1pm-5pm

DJ VENUS

DJ Venus takes us on a cultural journey with worldwide musical gypsy beats

November 20^th 1pm-5pm

MASK MAKING

Steve Lally returns for a Mask Making workshop (booking advised)

Crafty Folk Irish Session Music

December 2^nd 6pm – 9pm

CRAFTWORKSHOP ART GALLERY LAUNCH (Part of Late Night Art)

Showcasing artists and crafts people from all over Ireland we have over 30 ‘Secret Belfast’ artists exhibiting everything from sculpture and goldsmithing to fine art.

All welcome

This exhibition will run until January 30^th 2011

December 4^th 1pm-5pm

CRAFTY FOLK IRISH SESSION MUSIC

DJ Kitsch will be playing every Saturday afternoon to warm up for our events.

For more info contact Emma Gilles via www.facebook.com/craftworkshop or text 07599 289 176

Learn a new Craft in Belfast

Craftworkshop

29 Wellington Place

Thursdays 6pm-8pm

Saturdays 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

"Our new ‘Craft Workshops’ are for the public with all levels of ability to learn a new craft in relaxing inspiring surroundings. Want to make something? Or be taught by highly skilled crafts people in the our quirky shop. MON IN you’re welcome!" Emma Gilles (proprietor, Craftworkshop)

Running up to Christmas

DOODLE STITCH

ILLUSTRATION

HAIR STYLING

APPLY MAKEUP

CANDLE MAKING

ENCAUSTIC ART

Running after Christmas

KNIT
SEW
STITCH
SKETCH
DJ-ING
MODEL MAKING
CUSTOMISE CLOTHES/FURNITURE
SUGAR CRAFT

COCKTAIL MAKING

The workshops will be very informal and fun and all the Crafty guests will be treated to tea in the tea room. Guests will also get discount coupons to use in Craftworkshops hip hair salon.

Booking is advised and Gift Vouchers are available. Contact Emma Gilles via www.facebook.com/craftworkshop or text 07599 289 176

Secret Belfast Art | Ken’shin Jones

Belfast's Craftworkshop is opening a new Artspace for local underground artists on December 2nd, and Secret Belfast is playing our part by helping find unknown artists in Belfast.

When I sent out the message on Secret Belfast explaining what we were looking to do, the Facebook wall and my inbox was soon bunged with images and links from an eclectic bunch of artists.

One of the artists in my inbox that caught my attention was Ken’shin Jones. I managed to coerce Ken’shin into doing a quick interview for the blog...check out the interview, as well as some of Ken’shin’s art below.

Hello Ken'shin, thanks for speaking to us.

You're welcome

How would you describe your art?

I’m not sure what genre I fall under, I don’t really worry about stuff like that. I just know what artists I like and what I like to create.

What artist’s work do you look at before embarking on a new project?

There are a load of different people whose work I like. I think Magnus Blomster’s illustrations are pretty cool, striking and original which is what I like. Cryssy Cheung is another illustrator who’s work I am a big fan off – very distinctive. Gary Fernandez is probably my favourite illustrator at the minute – lots of lines and shapes and all slightly warped.

All these illustrators have created very complex work, but I prefer a simpler canvas, which is why I also look to photographers a lot for inspiration. Irving Penn creates very striking simple images that are also very stylish. I like the simplicity of Lillian Bassman’s black and white portraits.

But you can find inspiration anywhere. I was down in the Black Box a few months ago and there was work by a local artist called Peter Strain (I think!) and I thought it was very distinctive. Kev Largey is someone who’s work I always enjoy. I was down at BASE and loved seeing what everyone was up to.

What sets you apart from other artists?

I am very much a 21st Century person. I love all things digital and like that reflected in my art. I also like to keep up to date with what is going on in fashion and music both locally and overseas.

There are so many different trends emerging in Belfast, each with their own very individual style and that is great for a bit of inspiration. But in today’s digital world you are only a Google search away from seeing what is going on in other countries.

Ken’shin will be exhibiting at the upcoming Secret Belfast Art Exhibition in the Craftworkshop (29 Wellington Place) along with a host of other undiscovered talent.

The exhibition will open on December 2^nd (7-9pm) and will be running throughout December.

Hallowe'en in Belfast

There is so much going on in Belfast over the weekend I thought other than bombard Facebook and Twitter with the info I would write a quick blogpost of 10 things I like the sound of.

In no particular order:

1. Plot 15 Supperclub are hosting their underground restaurant experience, last I heard there were a few spaces // Friday 29th (click here)
2. QFT's Hallowe'en Special screening of The Exorcist: the Director's Cut // Sat 30th (click here)
3. The Goblin Market at the Black Box // Sat 30th (click here)
4. Hellzapoppin' presents Hellzaween at The Terrace // Friday 29th (click here)
5. Hallowe'en Fancy Dress Pub Quiz and Disco in the Errigle // Sat 30th (click here)
6. Children's book launch at No Alibis (Lost Dogs by Garrett Carr) // Sat 30th (click here)
7. Hallowe'en Burlesque Party at the Black Box // Sat 30th (click here)
8. Miss Havisham presents Vintage Tea Party // Sun 31st (click here)
9. Volume Control presents Heathers, Kerry Leatham and the Wonder Villains // Fri 29th (click here)
10. For those who want to ignore Hallowe'en altogether - The Royal Ulster Academy show at the Ulster Museum // free tour on Saturday at 2.30pm (click here)

This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if there is something you feel has been left out leave a comment.

Happy Hallowe'en from Secret Belfast

Secret Belfast X

Just a quick post about our new Facebook Group. Secret Belfast X will operate alongside the current Facebook page, but comes with a whole load of new features which I'm hoping will make it easier to share opinions, stories, events, tips etc. all about Belfast.

We have a few good posts so far, a few interesting things been going on, and yet to come!

1) The Belfast Ghost Tour

2) A circus cabaret school (BYO!)

3) Maybeshewill, Kasper Rosa and Colly Strings playing at Auntie Annies

4) Final night of Don't Shoot the Clowns

5) Saturday afternoon sessions at the Craftworkshop

6) A Hallowe'en burlesque party

7) A silent art auction

8) A Hallowe'en fancy dress pub quiz and disco

9) The Royal Ulster Academy show at the Ulster Museum

10) Love and Death inc

If you want to join up to find out what's going on or to give your input click here.

Thanks - R

Secret Belfast Art

Belfast's Craftworkshop, run by Emma Gilles, is one of the most interesting places I have set foot in for a long time. Full of the bizarre and the wonderful it is a place I could spend hours exploring and digging out hidden treasures.

For as long as I have known Emma she has been set on opening a Gallery in her shop, and if Emma wants to do something you can be sure that she will. As with everything in the Craftworkshop the Gallery is to be an artspace with a difference, concentrating on Belfast's underground artists.

On Sunday past I suggested to Emma that we do a little mail out on Secret Belfast to see if there were any artists out there who might be interested in exhibiting in the as yet unopened space. By Monday afternoon we were inundated.

To say we were happy with both the quality and the quantity of the response would be an understatement and as a result Emma is now considering the possibility of opening the Gallery using all the underground artists that posted on Secret Belfast.

Just to give you an idea of the variety of the work I have picked out a few artists you should check out, click on the name to visit their websites.

Trisha McNally

Caitlin Catface Palmer

Kyle Barnes

Ryan O'Neill

Lisa Catherwood

David Lee Badger

Ember Jewellery

To view all the artists that posted visit the Secret Belfast Facebook page.

Now it's over to the Craftworkshop. Emma will be contacting those that posted to discuss the upcoming exhibition (be patient there's a lot going on in that little shop!). And as always we will be keeping you updated on Secret Belfast with dates and anything else you need to know!

Thanks everyone!

Genorousitea...

Generositea

When Joel asked me to start to blog about Belfast I thought that it would be great to talk about individual Belfast people, which I will do over the next few months, but first i have to tell you about the generosity and warmth that has come into my tea room in the heart of the city. When I started Craft workshop I thought like any other job you do your work you supply a service you hope you get paid and nothing more. As the months progressed and my project came alive I have to be honest I could not have done it without some of the gifts and actions of some of the people who walked through my tea room door, I don't know what it is or how it really started but people started to come in and leave things as a curiousitea gift for other people to enjoy. Alot of the gifts are tea related on one morning I was so moved as three cardboard boxes full of stunning china had been left by three different people.Two little old ladies left two of boxes{heavens knows how they got them in there and the other? I don't know. We use the china in our tea room, I have lost count of the amount of people that have brought in tea pots, jugs, cutlery all of which we use to serve our exquisite tea and butter your Veda with! Unbelievably and much to my annoyance I will never know who has left what as some items have been left with no name, no note, just given.Other curiousity items are antiques,apples and items from old Belfast.The banter and fond memories from people chatting who never met before they came into the tearoom is really heartwarming and really great craic..It reminds me sometimes of sitting in a pub in Donegal where anyone talks to anyone all we need is the turf fire!I get an education working in the tearoom.It makes me smile. I have plenty of ladies and gents over 70 who call in for tea and chat sitting amongst students and ladies that lunch-they are hilarious and full of forgotten knowledge.{Ill blog about them another time} I could listen all day but I have to work! If you didn't already know Craft workshop is situated inside Parsons building, our front door is the entrance to it, we get lots of business men and grooms etc walking through our crazy shop. Some of the gentlemen who have strolled in have called back in a week later with a gift for Craft workshop. Believe it or not I wished for a stags head for our Crafty Manor tea room. Well come and see the one on the wall! A very successful business man carried it under his arm and gave to us as a gift, I was flabbergasted! -still am All these things I didn't plan, all these people I didn't ask, its just happened and it has become the back bone and the character of the business which is quite frankly hard to put into words.I hope I have intrigued you enough to come take a peek and munch on an armagh apple{another blog about the apples soon-the shops covered in them}
I guess what I am trying to say is there are good people out there who want to see someone or something do well in Belfast and isn't it great? They could be your workmate or your neighbour or maybe its you! Well whoever you are thanks for the china and come in for a cuppa tea soon..its belter working in our tearoom! lots of craft, crafty ;o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkAV7j1BJG0

A Photography Exhibition by Graham Smith | Belfast

Secret Belfast is very excited about Graham Smith’s upcoming exhibition, "I Like The Way This Is Going" in the Oh Yeah Music Centre running from the 2^nd – 9^th November.

Graham Smith is a photographer and tour manager, based in Belfast, who’s obsession with music has had him travel all over Europe photographing bands and music fans. Smith uses minimum equipment and minimum fuss to capture moods, moments and life on the road.

Don’t expect poses, set-ups or try hard cool. Smith’s aim is to create interesting documentary style images, avoiding the typical and avoiding the obvious.

The past few years have seen the release of Smith’s first solo book, which sold out within 4 weeks, exhibitions across Europe and the coveted Lex Van Rossen award for European Music Photography.

Photographs courtesy of Graham Smith

Live music on the launch night will come from the much respected Oliver Cole, who has played with the likes of Wilco and Ray Lamontagne. The DJ will be Chris Wee from ASIWYFA.

If you are interested in attending the launch you can RSVP on Facebook or visit Graham Smith's website.

Mercury Music Nominees to play Belfast

Secret Belfast is happy to help out our friends at Moving on Music in spreading the word about the brilliant Kit Downes Trio upcoming performance in Belfast.

The trio’s debut album ‘Golden’ was one of only twelve UK and Irish records to be selected for the prestigious 2010 Mercury Music Prize ‘Album of the Year’ title.

Some more information about KDT from the Moving on Music press release:

“Featuring phenomenal jazz pianist Kit Downes, award-winning bassist Calum Gourlay and rising drum star James Maddren, this terrific trio perform original music inspired by a range of influences, from Bela Bartok, to Keith Jarrett, to Rufus Wainwright.”

“A student of the Purcell School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, pianist/composer Kit Downes exploded onto the British jazz scene playing with acts such as Empirical, Troyka, Fraud and Acoustic Ladyland. He then went on to win the BBC Jazz Award for Rising Star in 2008, as well as a prestigious Yamaha Scholarship in 2009.

“Now, Kit has moved on to his own trio project, which sees him link up with his two Royal Academy colleagues - Calum Gourlay on bass and James Maddren on drums. Playing together since 2005, Downes, Gourlay and Maddren display a level of understanding and intelligence that can only come from working closely together for a number of years.”

The performance will take place at the Sonic Arts Research Centre, Belfast on Saturday 25th September. Doors open at 8.00pm and tickets priced £10 and £7 are on sale now from www.movingonmusic.co.uk and Belfast Welcome Centre (028 9024 6609).

Thought this might be of interest...

Thanks to Paul Beattie for the following post:

"...this is my grandfather whom I never met. He played the organ in the cinemas of Belfast. I haven't been able to track down which cinemas, and my mother is now unable to remember...well...anything. I do remember her mentioning the Astoria, though.

If anyone else has any similar stories leave a comment or email me at joel@secretbelfast.co.uk.

Old secret Belfast cinemas

Emma's first post...

"Finally I get a chance to talk about the interesting people of our great city.I thought I would start with Gary Cosby.An aficionado of Belfast cinemas. Gary was one of the projectionists at the Curzon cinema which is sadly no longer with us now. A world i never really thought about until i spied miniture cardboard buildings in a local bar called Bittles (a Belfast secret to some, go and check out the political amusing art by Joe Okane) after a brief chat with Gary who happened to be standing at the bar as i marveled at what i now knew to be ten mini replicas of old cinemas, The Park,The Windsor, The Picturedrome, Alpha, Lido, Mayfair, Majestic, Odeon and ABC. You can now come and view these truly curious little cinemas at Craftworkshop 29 Wellington Place, I hope you find them interesting as much as i do. Our curiousitea corner has many old Belfast memories we are so pleased to be able to open up for view Garys archive of unseen cinema photographs. As owner of Craftworkshop i would be sad to see the cinemas go as the amount of people that smile and reminisce whilst huddled around the cinemas chatting about days gone by I find it hard to put a price on them. Dare I say I have been offered nearly £1000 for the collection. I may just buy them myself for the shop to keep the curiousitea going!

Introducing Emma Gilles

Emma Gilles is now taking the reins at Secret Belfast. She owns and runs the Craftworkshop which houses an eclectic mix of very cool craft from around the world and work from local artists.

Here is Miriam Rodgers take on Emma and the Craftworkshop

More from Emma soon....

A Story from Facebook | A Song for Belfast

This was added to the Facebook wall by Tracy Dempsey and I know how these things slip down the ranks quickly so I thought I would give it a more permanent home here on the blog...

"A song for the generous Belfastians who threw money in the guitar case for Mike & Dave - they made £250 in a day after we got their story onto the Nolan show and UTV. If you were one of the donators, big love from Brooklyn!"

Check out Mike Krum on MySpace

Keep your Eyes on the Prize

Sunday was my first experience of a Belfast Treasure Hunt. I don’t know if there has been Belfast Treasure Hunts before but I think there should be more in the future.

Tips for anyone participating in a Treasure Hunt:

1) If you are going with a team be sure to pick them carefully. Apparently maps are a difficult thing to agree on.

2) Unless the hunt goes through Victoria Square, the female members of your team could lose interest very quickly

3) Keep one eye on the road and one eye on the map. Bus drivers are not a friend of the treasure hunter

4) Keep both eyes on the prize. Nando’s is not the intended treasure.

Sorry Jessica. You may have noticed my team didn’t actually make it to the finish line. After a wrong turn we ended up miles off route and while trying to get ourselves back on course we got talking about food and next thing you know...

Anyway we got round a fair bit of it and it was great craic. We came across land marks that had only previously been found by jumping in a taxi late at night. Very well organised – a different way to see the city, and meet a few new people along the way.

Secret Belfast Meets

We had our second event on Saturday down at the Craftworkshop, probably one of the most insane spaces Belfast has seen in a while. It is full of local craft, has it’s own hair saloon, there’s cups of tea (which I accidentally served up for free), our local proprietress Emma Gilles and on Saturday a mish-mash of every sort of person you would expect to find in Belfast.

Belfast Samba Band started banging out their music at 1pm, stopping the crowds in their tracks from the outset. The Belfast Bus Tour got an extra treat that afternoon, as did the hoards of people that gathered round to listen to the beats. Thankfully the Belfast weather wasn’t true to form and we managed to stand outside without getting drenched, it was like taking a day trip to Brazil. That was the first time I heard the Samba band and I think I'll head down to Pigstock just to hear them again.

Jason Clarke and his band started up at 2pm and created a very different vibe. He has sold out gigs before and supported Paulo Nutini so he looked pretty relaxed doing what he did and that rubbed of on the crowd. He played for an hour and easily held the attention of the crowd for the duration. The groupies started shouting out requests and I could have easily listened on for another hour. For anyone that missed him live he is playing the Limelight on June 24^th.

Our DJ, Kitch, finished of the afternoon while the rest of us chatted and I stayed well clear of the tea making machine. The Craftworkshop dealer tried to flog on a mini Moped – guaranteed to go otherwise your money back. He didn’t succeed this time, but if you fancy it head down to 29 Wellington Place.

Great time...I hope it’s the first of many. Big thanks to Jason, the Samba Band, Emma, Kitch and everyone else who chipped in.

Joel

Don’t bring tins of Fosters to a Supper Club

We had our first Secret Belfast event last night, at Plot 15 Supper Club.

12 randomers turning up at a secret location to eat and drink started to seem like a bit of a dubious idea given the recent press on meeting through the internet, but it turned out good. I would go as far as to say really good. I don’t remember one awkward silence.

The food was delicious and the company was eclectic. TV types, radio types, church types, ‘call-a-spade-a-spade’ types, ‘I-love-to-network’ types and Gok Wan.

I started quite badly by cracking open a tin of Fosters while the ‘I-know-a-lot-of-political-secrets-but-I’m-not-saying’ type popped the cork on a bottle of Moet. Unfortunately for me I only had tins of Fosters so I did feel a bit like Rab C. Nesbitt sitting at the royal table, but it wasn’t an issue (not that I noticed anyway).

I also had to go home and google ‘is it ok to pick fish bones out of your mouth at a dinner table’ to be sure I hadn’t broken more dinner table etiquette. I didn’t get a definite answer so if anyone knows this particular secret, please share.

The menu went as follows:

Spicy sweet potato soup topped with crispy Jerusalem artichoke shavings, served with home-made bread

—-

Roasted whole mackerel in citrus and coriander

or

Saag paneer (for the veggies)

*both served with dahl and basmati rice*

—-

Tunisian orange & almond cake served with greek yoghurt

—-

selection of tea and coffee

It really was delicious and there were calls for our hosts (Sara and Jenny) to share their recipes. ‘Call-a-spade-a-spade’ type had already made the Plot 15 chocolate truffles (see www.plot15supperclub.com) and described the results as “adult pleasure on a plate” (I’ve censored this slightly for the sake of our younger readers).

As with the first time I stepped into Victoria Square, last night was an ‘out of Belfast’ experience, and Plot 15 Supper Club is a very welcome addition to the Belfast landscape. With any luck Sara and Jenny will inspire others to try out their own ventures to further add to our ever-diversifying city.

All in all the evening was very comfortable and after a few hours (and six Fosters) I felt like I was sitting with old friends. I would definitely do it again. If any of the other diners have any thoughts, please leave a comment. ‘Call-the-spade-a-spade’ type, please go easy...

Joel