Dance Halls of East Belfast, and Beyond

Thursday 26 February 2026, 11am

FREE

This richly illustrated talk explores the dance halls that used to be scattered across East Belfast and beyond, from the luxurious Plaza, with its revolving stage, to ‘The Hooley’ and ‘The Hut’!

Presented by the Strand’s Heritage Officer, Rosie Hickey, who reflects on the rise - and decline - of these important social spaces, and explores what is left of them today. She also highlights the fascinating parallels between Belfast’s ‘palaces of dance’ and its ‘picture palaces’.

Reminiscence positively encouraged!

Part of our ‘Heritage Talks’ programme:  free talks about the heritage of the local area, followed by a cuppa and a chat. Hosted by the Strand at our ‘pop-up’ venue at Belmont Bowling Club.  Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The Apartment (1960) is a romantic comedy-drama and a sharp social satire that follows a lonely, low-level insurance clerk in New York City who discovers a unique way to climb the corporate ladder.

In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, a recuperating photojournalist, L.B. Jefferies, is confined to his apartment with a broken leg and spends his time watching his neighbors through his window. He becomes convinced he witnessed a murder committed by his neighbor, Lars Thorwald, and, with the help of his girlfriend, Lisa, and his nurse, Stella, he investigates. As Jeff piecess together clues from the courtyard's various dramas, the line between voyeurism and solving a crime blurs, and they become increasingly entangled in a dangerous conspiracy.

Marking 85 years since the Belfast Blitz in the spring of 1941, this new talk focuses on the impact of the Luftwaffe bombing raids on East Belfast, and how they affected all aspects of life here. This fascinating, richly illustrated talk features a wide range of oral testimonies, personal stories, maps, archival photographs and more, bringing this particular period of history to life – 85 years on.

 

Part of our ‘Heritage Talks’ programme:  free talks about the heritage of the local area, followed by a cuppa and a chat. Hosted by the Strand at our ‘pop-up’ venue at Belmont Bowling Club.  Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund