Belfast's Out To Lunch Festival announces 2019 programme

The 14th Out to the Lunch Festival programme – which takes place from 4-27 January 2019 – was unveiled today, offering up a heady menu of live music, comedy, theatre, literature, film, spoken word and hot food to nourish the soul and the belly during the longest, darkest month of the year.

Music highlights include folk superstar and all-round living legend Andy Irvine, the insanely talented Teddy Thompson, Donegal’s finest harmonising trio The Henry Girls and a rare Belfast show by Mull Historical Society which will feature Bernard Butler who produced the new album Wakelines.

There’s also a reimagining of Pixies classic Doolittle on its 30th anniversary, with Arborist, Hand Models and Sister Ghost collaborating for the occasion, as well as dozens of other music performances throughout the month.

Lovers of Joyce’s short story The Dead can watch John Huston’s classic film based on the story and enjoy a sumptuous Joycean Christmas meal, as well as a showcase from two of Belfast’s finest prose writers today, Wendy Erskine and Rosemary Jenkinson.

For film lovers,there's a treat in store in the form of Buster Keaton classic The General, performed with a live musical score by Haiku Salut, a folk/electronic trio from Derbyshire. There's also the Irish premiere of a new documentary on Chris Sievey aka Frank Sidebottom called Being Frank. Out to Lunch dons its spandex and air guitar for a 35th anniversary screening of THE definitive mockumentary This is Spinal Tap followed by Spinal Tap karaoke.

These shows complement those already announced including Marian Keyes & Roisin Ingle (Sold Out) Nish Kumar (Sold Out), Steeleye Span (Sold Out), Bronagh Gallagher (Evening Show sold out), Lucy Porter, Don Letts, London Astrobeat Orchestra performs Talking Heads, and music from The Dodge Brothers, King Kong Company, The Delines, Scott Matthews and Lost Voice Guy.

Speaking about the festival, Out to Lunch Director Sean Kelly said: “These are uncertain times in so many ways, but Out to Lunch aims to light up January and with a world class menu of music, comedy, art and film. Over the past 14 years, our ‘show and lunch’ idea has really captured people’s imagination. Come January 2019, we’ll be on hand to lift spirits and hearts with a month of great food and world class entertainment!”

For further programme info or to book tickets for Out to Lunch Arts Festival, please go to www.cqaf.com