This workshop will reflect on the last 25 years of disability arts and disability-led theatre. It will explore ‘The Wr0nG W0m3N, makin’ Wr0nG work for the Wr0nG audiences’ from Julie’s experiences.

Julie McNamara (Mack) is a QueerCrip, working class Butch Dyke, and a prolific playwright, theatre and filmmaker. Her creative mayhem, and commitment to disability activism, has led to her receiving many awards in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Julie founded the London Disability Film Festival with Caglar Kimyoncu, which was hosted at the British Film Institute. She was founder and creative drive behind Vital Xposure, a disability-led touring theatre working for social justice from 2010 to 2020.

You can also watch JulieMac performing in Bounce on Saturday 4 October at 8:00 pm: Rapture and Repulsion in the Crescent Arts Centre.

Speak Up is a two hour performance workshop for writers, performers or aspiring speakers who would like to share your words on stage. Feel inspired, recharged, and believe in the power of your own voice.

Alice McCullough is an award-winning performance poet from Belfast. She has performed internationally to critical acclaim. Fans of her work include Stephen Fry, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Van Morrison.

In this workshop, Alice will share what has helped her come out of her shell and share her voice, including insights she has learned from studying performance skills with various internationally renowned teachers from Second City Chicago to the Gaulier School in Paris.

Anushiya Sundaralingam presents an artist talk in the Atypical Gallery, explaining the themes behind the art installation ‘Passages’ and how she works towards creating spaces for shared stories and building cultural understanding. The exhibition contains layered meanings relating to carrying history, crossing boundaries and our ongoing work on memory and rebuilding.

Anushiya Sundaralingam is based in QSS Studios and Belfast print workshop. She also works as an arts facilitator and has exhibited locally and internationally, with work in private collections.

Please note: this event has been postponed until later in the year. If you would be interested in attending the rescheduled date please email neave@universityofatypical.org

Tar linn chun cúrsaí mhíchumais a phlé trí mheán na Gaeilge, na gluaiseachta, na focail agus an spraoi. Stiúrfaidh amharclannóirí agus Gaeilgeoirí Billí Mills agus Soso Ní Cheallaigh an cheardlann seo chun an teanga mhíchumais a phlé trí na healaíona. Tar le chéile chun an Foclóir Faoi Mhíchumas a chruthú – acmhainn Gaeilge comhaimseartha a phléann le teanga mhíchumais agus téarmaí nua cruthaithe le Gaeilgeoirí faoi mhíchumas. Mar rannpháirteach, beidh tú in ann pháirt a ghlacadh i gcomhráite, radharc-chruthú, agus marc-chruthú.

Níl eolas ar an nGaeilge ná taithí gluaiseacht de dhíth — níl uait ach intinn oscailte, meon oscailte, agus fiosracht. Caith éadaí compordacha a cheadaíonn gluaiseacht, agus tabhair leat deochanna agus lón, nó, más mian leat, beidh tú ábalta lón a cheannach sa chaife.

Explore disability through Gaeilge, movement, words and play. Theatremakers and Irish speakers Billí Mills and Soso Ní Cheallaigh will lead this Irish-language workshop that creatively explores the language of disability. Join them and help create the Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas, a modern Gaeilge resource exploring and defining new terms for disabled Gaeilgeoiríidentities. As a participant, you can expect to take part in discussions, scene creations, and mark-making.

Participants do not require any prior knowledge of Irish, artistic or movement experience, just a curiosity and a willingness to share. Dress in comfortable clothes that you can move in, and bring a packed lunch (or purchase something in the cafe).

Important Update on Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas / Disability Dictionary workshop. We have updated the pricing structure to FREE or pay what you can. We recognise that the Gaeltacht communities are among the most disadvantaged and we want to ensure that there is no financial barrier in accessing this workshop. 

Please note: the correct price for this event is £10. We apologise for the misprint in the printed brochure. This event is ticketed directly through Mencap NI via the button above.

Positive Sounds is a club night led by DJs, visual artists, and promoters with a learning disability. Expect an electrifying night of live DJ sets and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can enjoy music without barriers. DJ ConRob, DJ Gems and DJ Eslcimo will spin their favourite tracks to new visual graphics. Positive Sounds is more than a party, it’s a movement!

This event is brought to you by Mencap NI, who are recipients of University of Atypical’s Sounds Atypical Award, funded by Belfast City Council.