Sick in the City combines elements of socially engaged practice with audio-visual technologies for a live performance reclaiming public space in Belfast city centre. The performance uses audio-reactive visuals and live broadcasting methods to shift between levels of contemporary culture, disability justice, abstraction, written word, hedonism, revolt, political-response, nonsense, life-experience, emotions, emojis, and absurdity. Explore a tense vulnerability between the analogue and accidental, and witness the varied and acutely plethoric range of interpretations between audience and artist.

Sick in the City was developed by artists Husk Bennett (Belfast) and Chris Yohei Tokunaga (Berlin), in partnership with University of Atypical and COVEN Berlin, following a series of community co-creation and consultation workshops, and residencies in Belfast and Berlin as part of the 2025-26 Cultural Bridge programme.

This project is funded by Cultural Bridge, which celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the United Kingdom and Germany, through  collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.

If you are interested in learning more about our Cultural Bridge project and the relationship of queer and disabled communities in the arts, you can also book for our free talk on Sunday 5 October at 11:30 am in Accidental Theatre and online: From Berlin to Belfast: International Perspectives on Disabled-Led Co-Creation.

Strap yourself in for an afternoon of boisterous and bonkers physicality! Experience an exhilarating showcase of dance and physical theatre from the Rogue Encounters physical theatre ensemble, drawing on their acclaimed projects ‘Physical Graffiti’, ‘All Doors Open’, and ‘Urban Species’.

This vibrant 40-minute performance celebrates the creative voices of young people through six musical sequences bursting with energy, humour, and heart. The ensemble explores the beauty of diversity with innocence, exuberance, and unity through joyful movement and bold choreography. 

Choreography by disabled artist and Rogue Encounters Assistant Director, Billí Mills, mentored by Rogue Encounters Artistic Director, David Calvert.

(This performance was previously listed in the programme as ‘Artistic Mentor’.)

Event change: Unfortunately Elly Makem is no longer able to lead this workshop, but we’re very pleased that Bailie Burrell has stepped in. Bailie is an illustration student from Ulster University, based in Belfast and Banbridge. Bailie’s art practice focuses on bold, eye-catching artwork inspired by great pop artists such as Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein, exploring topics usually through a satirical comedic lens, such as politics, gender norms, sexuality, living in Belfast and day-to-day life.

Make your mark and have your voice heard in our placard-making workshop. If you’re marching for a cause, celebrating your identity, or want to get crafty, this session is for you. Join us for creative, hands-on work in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to design and create bold, beautiful placards using a range of provided materials.

No artistic experience is needed. All materials provided. Drop in or stay for the whole session.

Let’s raise our voices, and our placards, together!

Tales from the Mother is a conversation through dance between two women. The work is the result of a new commission by two of Northern Ireland’s most respected disabled dancers, Linda Fearon and Helen Hall.

The pair first met as dancers, but soon discovered their lives intersected in a deeper, more personal way—through motherhood. Over time, they talked, they shared stories, they listened. A quiet understanding grew between them—a witnessing of each other’s joys, struggles, and sorrows.

Composer Isaac Gibson has developed bespoke sound design to accompany the work, inviting audiences into the intimate dialogue between mothers. This dance performance blends contemporary movement with personal narrative. It invites the audience to come close, to listen, to bear witness to these stories and the emotions they carry.

Content warning: Some reference to child loss.

This piece is in development and the approximate running time will be 45 minutes.

This performance is funded through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Commissioning Programme supported by National Lottery Funding.

Not Just Clowning is an opportunity for those with no previous circus skills to see what circus performance is all about in a relaxed, no pressure setting. This workshop is open to everyone over 18, but is particularly welcoming to d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent participants.You will be introduced to performers with years of experience in circus skills, experience some circus skills including poi, juggling, clowning and hula hoops. There will be something for all abilities.

The workshop will be led by Ashton (they/them), who is a neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist. They have two decades of experience creating fun, engaging spaces where participants can explore circus, visual art, drama and dance in a playful and empowering environment.

Following our fantastic literary sharing event at Bounce in 2024, we are looking for d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent writers who would like to share their work with an audience.

For audiences, this is a chance to hear work read by disabled writers—some writing about disability and some not—along with a glass of something in the beautiful Seamus Heaney Centre.

If you are interested in reading your work, please complete the Open Mic expression of interest form before 4:00 pm on Friday 26 September 2025 (deadline extended). Access facilitators need to read the work in advance, so we will allocate all slots before the day of the event.

Drinks will be available from 6:00 pm and readings will begin at 6:30 pm.