By Julie Waters
OVER 50,000 visitors are expected to flock to Bangor this summer when the popular Open House Festival returns with an impressive line up for its 13th year.
Irish musician Lisa Hannigan, comedian Deirdre O’Kane, Indie folk trio The Staves, and Swedish singer songwriter The Tallest Man on Earth are just four of the acts that have been unveiled for the August 1st to 31 festival.
A total of 50 events have been announced, with many more to come, across a range of venues including Bangor’s Walled Garden festival stage and the city’s award winning music and arts venue the Court House.
Other highlights of this year’s festival programme include Donegal sisters The Henry Girls, the renowned Irish singer songwriter, and younger brother of Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, the Bangor/Yorkshire indie- soul band Skinny Living, and Bangor’s finest The Florentinas.
Over the past few years, a strong comedy lineup has become synonymous with the festival, and this summer will be no different, with Neil Delamere and Emer Maguire joining Deirdre O’Kane in the comedy lineup.
Literary guests also include Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled, the explosive exposé on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, journalist Sally Hayden whose new book, This is Also a Love Story, is predicted to be as impactful as her previous award winning My Fourth Time, We Drowned, and Gina Goldhammer, who has published her first novel at the age of 72.
Other events include a Court House music residency with upcoming jazz singer Madi McCullough, a photography exhibition by Bangor photographer, artist and musician Rachel McCarthy, a DJ set by Pete Snodden, and the annual Bank Holiday Monday Celtic Soul gig in the Walled Garden.
And it wouldn’t be summer in Bangor without the annual free Open House Festival Picnic in the Park series in Ward Park every Sunday afternoon throughout July and August.
Acts performing this year include punk favourites Wasted Talent, the ever-popular, crowd-drawing 19th Street Band and Anna’s Number, and new to the park, the Queen tribute band, Queen Magic.
“We are announcing the festival a little bit earlier than normal this year,” said Open House director Kieran Gilmore. “But with everything going on in the world, we decided people deserved something to look forward to. This is a really tough business to be in just now.
“We’re very grateful for the funding assistance we still receive, but ultimately it is the support from our audiences and the local arts and business communities that keeps us going. We hope they like what we have planned for them this summer.”
“Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to support the 13th annual Open House Festival, taking place from August 1st to 31.
“With a wide range of events scheduled throughout the month, including nine Sunday afternoons of Picnic in the Park, and almost two weeks of programming in the beautiful Bangor Castle Walled Garden, this year’s Festival promises a rich and varied offering.
“The programme features music, comedy, literary, art and food and drink events, showcasing an exciting mix of local, national and international talent. Held in Bangor locations such as the award-winning Court House, the Festival is set to attract increased footfall to the city, giving our local economy a welcome boost.
“There truly is something for everyone, and I wish all those participating a very enjoyable and successful Festival,” she said.
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council added: “This festival brings world- class arts and music to the city of Bangor every year and once again has curated a terrific programme featuring something to suit all tastes.
“I would encourage everyone to go and enjoy everything that this wonderful festival has to offer,” she said.
Open House Festival is an arts charity supported by the council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. To purchase tickets and view the full festival programme go to: www.openhousefestival.com
