Still more festivals

You would think that the Irish couldn't take any more, would lie down and protest that there should be a one-year moratorium on arts festivals, but not a bit of it. The Belfast Festival, which runs from November 12th, this year boasts a Fringe for the first time, and its programme will be launched today. The Fringe will reach places no Belfast Festival has reached before: Lobe will stage Fish Fingers in a hairdresser's, perfect Nine will stage Full Moon in the Victorian toilets in Albert Square, Grid Iron will present an adaptation of Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber at Lagan Weir, Zi Lan Liao will push back the frontiers of Chinese music in the Holiday Inn, and Meadhbh Colleary's Paper Dolls will be installed in the ACME clothing shop. Phone Belfast 660 515 for more information.

Opening on the same day and running until November 22nd, Cork Arts Fest will explore art and new technologies, as is fitting for a festival run from a technical college; indeed, Cork Institute of Technology made an inspiring leap of faith some years ago when it appointed an arts officer, to broaden the base of the students' activities. IMMA's Virtual Realities exhibition will visit, and there will be a showcase of work by students at the Crawford College of Art and Design. There will be a multi-media event which will explore new methods of making music, and concerts from artists including Liam O'Flynn, Franzita Whelan (soprano) and a UCC fiddle orchestra. Information on 021-278 580.