Cycling, Sushi & Star Wars with Smix

Big Sunday for us two. Smix (that's my nickname for my son, as he shares a name with my brother so it can get confusing) and I have had a lovely, busy day. After seven and a half years, he can finally ride a bike unassisted!  

He practiced lots in the garden, then we took to the park. After all that cycling and all that chasing after the bike, we were both dying to get to the new Belfast branch of Yo Sushi! where we had both agreed on having dinner before we went to the Ulster Hall. 

We've been to Sakura in Belfast before, but I've been to Yo Sushi! any time I've been in London, and I knew the bright branding & video walls would be right up Smix's street. His eyes were popping out of his head. He got the kid's bento box for £7, which we shared, as he of course had to pick something off the sushi train also. Yo Sushi! is totally a beginner's sushi restaurant. There's even a 'help' button on your table to 'summon' your server for assistance. It lights up a little bubble lamp on your table, much to Smix's joy. 

I was very tempted by the £20 takeaway kits to make sushi at home, maybe next time. 

So, on to the main event! Light sabres and Ewoks greeted us at the Ulster Hall for the Ulster Orchestra's Sci-fi Weekender. Playing the score from Star Wars, the packed out show had fans of all ages.  

Smix's bed time is 7pm, and with the concert kicking off at 745pm we were fighting a losing battle. I plied him with Coca Cola, but we only caught a few pieces before he got too sleepy. Still, an excellent experience to hear those songs played live, and with such gusto. Maybe an afternoon concert next time! 

The Ulster Orchestra Sci-fi Weekender

My son has had the chance to dabble in playing violin in school this year and has taken to it like a duck to water. We were able to pick him up a second hand, quarter size violin of his own, and I'm always getting little concerts at home.

We will be along on Sunday evening to catch the second concert in the Ulster Orchestra's Sci-fi Weekender. 

It takes place this Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March in the Ulster Hall. Whether you want to see the film that started the whole genre or you want to come bang up to date with music from one of modern Sci-Fi’s biggest sagas, your Ulster Orchestra is looking forward to welcoming you! Tickets for the concert can be purchased at www.ulsterorchestra.com or by phoning the Ulster Hall Box Office on (028) 9033 4455.

Your conductor for both concerts will be Ernst van Tiel, whose most recent work on film was on the soundtrack for the multi-award-winning film, The Artist. No one better to sweep the Ulster Orchestra through brave new worlds, from dystopian alternate reality to a galaxy far, far away!