Here are Jacqueline’s pick of family events taking place this weekend across the North.

.Down

Want to have a bit of family fun but learn something crucial about the world around you at the same time?  Then Castle Espie is the place for you on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of February.  As part of World Wetlands Day 2013, WWT Castle Espie are hosting two days of fun talks. Come with the family and interact with science to discover the 6 secrets of wetlands and explore questions such as ‘What wetland plant feeds more than 3 billion people every year?’ – ‘Why does there seem to be more flooding incidents every year?’ –‘Why do we need clean wetlands to survive as a species?’ and many more.  Come and meet a collection of reptiles, amphibians and creepy crawlies and learn about their bodies, lifecycles, and adaptations.  Lectures take place at 12pm and 3pm each day. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.

Tyrone

The Bardic Theatre Present Lionel Bart’s OLIVER! This musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic opens Friday 1st February 2013 – Nightly @ 8pm until 16th February. Box Office: 028 87 725 286 (Stewart’s Music Shop).

Fermanagh

Dominic Kirwan, one of Ireland’s best and most popular concert performers, embarks on a nationwide concert tour with his excellent band to coincide with the release of his new album. Dominic’s show creates a wonderful atmosphere among his audience and everybody leaves wanting more. The concert at Ardhowen on Thursday 31st January features songs from his many albums as well as others from right across the country and pop music spectrum. All tickets are £20.00.

Derry

The Terrace Hotel Magherafelt is the venue for the upcoming “Take Me Out” fundraiser on Friday 1st February in aid of the Buddy Bear Trust. Organised by the students from Magherafelt Northern Regional College to raise funds for a Conductive Educational School for kids with Cerebral Palsy – the only one of its kind in N. Ireland, this promised to be a great night out! Tickets only £5.

Armagh

Drama For Kids’ presents the classic tale ‘Puss In Boots’ in aid of Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Saturday 2nd February.  Puss, an accomplished creature, with wit and ingenuity persuades his master, Tom, to pass himself off as the Marquis of Carabos, with profitable and romantic results. Meet a strong selection of fine characters; Perriwinkle, the foppish Court Jester, Princess Diamond, Dame Eyebright, Count Crusher, a wicked Ogre, and many more.

Antrim

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Tribute Show comes to the McNeill Theatre Larne on Saturday. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Tribute brings audiences into the colourful worlds of Mickey Mouse and a whole host of characters children have loved down through the years, live on stage, right before their eyes in this exciting and fun filled musical production. Featuring fantastic costumes and colourful lighting, it will be an experience for all the family to remember and cherish.