NIAVAC: New Sponsors of The Duncairn Virtual Cabaret

“Hopefully our contribution will help The Duncairn Cabaret line-up in May, and ultimately through the tough times that we all find ourselves in.”

James Conlon, NIAVAC

We are over the moon that NIAVAC - Northern Ireland’s leading provider of professional commercial Audio Visual services - has jumped on board as sponsor of The Duncairn’s Virtual Cabaret. This ensures that we can continue to present the Cabaret throughout the month of May, streaming home-recorded performances by renowned and talented artists straight into your living room.

NIAVAC’s Managing Director, James Conlon, has been well aware of the work of The Duncairn through social media, and also via mentions on long-time supporter Lynette Fay’s Folk Club radio show. Through this, he became aware of the Virtual Cabaret, and as he started tuning in to the shows, he realised he enjoyed how they were put together. “I like the laid-back creative style,” he recalled. “[There is] an obvious creative flair and most importantly the technology worked seamlessly… The music is obviously important too, and to date my favourites are Emma Langford, Ríoghnach Connolly, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Amy May Ellis, and the Whileaways.”

So, James Conlon, on behalf of Belfast-based NIAVAC reached out to The Duncairn’s Creative Director, Ray Giffen, to have a chat. “With the times we are in I felt it would be good to support what is essentially a home-grown local Belfast venture with a great track record and a product, namely “The Duncairn Cabaret,” he explained. “That would in some way help people in these crazy lock down days and give them something to look forward to on a Saturday evening, or whenever, on catch up. Also, it’s a bit of a thank you to artists like the ones I’ve mentioned, who have certainly given me some enjoyable listening in the past, and in some small way supports them at a difficult time.”

We went on to talk about how this partnership between NIAVAC and The Duncairn is such a good fit. As a proud, local Belfast company, running since 1956, they employ more than 20 people, and have over the years become a leading provider of professional/integrated audio visual systems for Education/Health and Corporate business.  “The live events part of our business would have some synergy with Duncairn in that we have full audio/lighting and video capabilities for events from 10-5000 people and recently have just completed a tour of Ireland and UK for the Cross Border of Ireland, selling out 5000 capacity venues. On the installation side we fitted x50 75” interactive touchscreens for Coláiste Feirste (that’s one in each classroom).”

We at The Duncairn, we’re proud of this. We’re proud that NIAVAC think so much of the work of the Virtual Cabaret and the artists who perform in it. And we’re delighted to be sponsored by a local company who are employing people and investing in our work, in the artistic community, and in the interest of the local community.

Please keep watching the show. Please keep spreading the word. Please keep supporting those artists. And please accept our heartfelt thanks for all of that. We have exciting times ahead, let’s do this together.