Duke Special curates MAC festival
The new Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) in Belfast is hosting a series of concerts as musician Duke Special takes over as guest organiser.
The performer, otherwise known as Peter Wilson, has chosen a wish list of artists for the arts festival at the MAC which runs from September 4-9.
In The Court of… Duke Special will include acts from music to comedy and cabaret. Guests include the Blockheads and events will close with a showpiece concert by Duke Special and friends.
Mr Wilson said: “This is going to be a vibrant place, not elitist, and it is an opportunity to host things from rock and roll gigs to opera to gallery exhibitions, things not often associated with a typical regular theatre, it is more than just your average arts centre.”
Guests include the Three Bonzos and a Piano, DJ78, The Futureheads and Cathy Davey.
Mr Wilson, a piano-based songwriter with a theatrical style, added: “All the different things reflect my own personality.
“It is a chance to bring together a programme which reflects some of my influences and to present some discoveries I have made over the last few years.”
Gillian Mitchell, director of programmes at the MAC, said inviting a guest curator was something she had wanted to do for some time.
“Duke Special’s work has embraced many different art forms and he oozes imagination, eccentricity and inventiveness so we were delighted that he got on board immediately.”
She added: “The result is a huge delight, an eclectic, ambitious festival of intrigue and fun.”
