Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's

Getting underway on October 15, the festival programme features exclusive, one-off, performances from local music legend Paul Brady, Afrobeat star Tony Allen and US singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Taking place at over 30 venues across the city and featuring more than 60 big-name acts across 16 days, this year’s festival programme looks set to be the best yet.

Must-see highlights of the festival include a rare performance by Paul Brady with the Ulster Orchestra, at the Belfast Waterfront on October 16.

Five-time Grammy winner and country-folk legend Mary Chapin Carpenter will be performing at the Grand Opera House on October 24 and drummer extraordinaire Tony Allen is joined by a 10-piece ensemble when he plays the Mandela Hall at Queen’s on October 29.

Music fans will also be treated to a live performance from Grammy-award winning artist Imogen Heap on October 27 at the Empire Music Hall.

Ava Astaire McKenzie will host a musical tribute night to her father, Fred Astaire, on October 27 at the Ulster Hall. ‘Putting on your Top Hat’ will feature original orchestrations and musical number from films including Top Hat and Shall We Dance.

For theatre lovers, the Grand Opera House will be showing Alan Bennett's latest play for the National Theatre, The Habit of Art from October 26-30.

The full line-up for the 48th Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s will be unveiled on August 23, when the official festival programme is launched.

To find out more about the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s and to book tickets for this year’s highlights please log on to www.belfastfestival.com