Month: June 2011

Fiesta for Magherafelt, including Human Tower Sat 11th June!

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Don’t miss this once in a life time opportunity to see one of the “Masterpieces of Humanity” performed in Northern Ireland for the first time ever.

Ryan Dougan of the Magherafelt Chamber of Commerce, organisers of the event, said they “are delighted to be hosting the event” and that “it’s sure to be one of the most memorable occasions in the history of the town.” Traditional Spanish music and dancing in the lead up to the main event will help set the fiesta mood and many of the restaurants, pubs and businesses in the town will also be getting into the spirit of things.

The Human tower known as castell is traditionally built in festivals at many locations within Catalonia. On Saturday June 11th at 7pm all the excitement, colour and atmosphere of a Catalonian street festival will be evident here in Magherafelt.

This group will be building the human tower for the first time ever in Northern Ireland. 134 people from Tarragona, Catalonia will travel to Magherafelt and perform the world famous towers declared by UNESCO to be amongst the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

The Human Tower known as a castell is considered a success when stages of its assembling and disassembling, can be done in complete succession. The assembly is complete once all castellers have climbed into their designated places, and the enxaneta climbs into place at the top and raises one hand with four fingers erect, in a gesture said to symbolize the stripes of the Catalan flag.

Aside from building the Human tower at the Magherafelt Fiesta, the 134 Catalonian Castellers will be treated to an action packed weekend learning about our culture and experiencing what Mid Ulster has to offer. “They will be performing one of the most iconic facets of their culture in the Human Tower, so we are proud to have the opportunity to showcase aspects of our own culture,” Said Mr. Dougan. On Friday Night they will be guests at Dunamoney Band Parade in Magherafelt and on Saturday morning they will visit the Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club to practice ahead of their Main event. On Sunday they can unwind with a trip on the maid of Antrim before attending the O’Donovan Rossa GAC Fun Day where they will be given a Gaelic Games tutorial.

For more Information visit , exploremagherafelt.com magherafeltchamber.com or find Magherafelt District Council on Facebook

Cockle Row Opens Daily for Summer 2011.

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The Cockle Row Cottages are now open daily with a fantastic entertainment programme which includes a dynamic new exhibition representing the history of the village of Groomsport.

The new exhibition tells the story of Groomsport, from the origins of its name to the history of its settlers including the arrival of Scot settlers in 1606, the sailing of the Eagle Wing Ship in 1636 for America and the landing of the Duke of Schomberg.

Situated in the beautiful village of Groomsport, just 10 minutes from Bangor, the lovingly restored Cockle Row Cottages recreate a typical fisherman’s dwelling, complete with settle (the old name for settee), baby’s cradle, fire crane and open fire and fishermen’s baskets.

The cottages are not only a fantastic historical attraction but also a Tourist Information Centre and gift shop, stocking a selection of paintings, local crafts, pottery and souvenirs throughout the summer months.

The cottages are also host to a programme of free family entertainment every weekend with activities from balloon modelling and crafts to stilt walking.

The Cockle Row cottages are open daily throughout June, July and August with free family entertainment from 2pm to 4pm every weekend.

To stay up to date with events and activities in North Down sign up to the North Down Tourism Ezine by visiting www.northdowntourism.com or contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 email tic@northdown.gov.uk

Aoife and Mischa Dale pictured with Fluffy the Lionhead Rabbit from The Ark Open Farm, just one of the entertainment providers this summer at The Cockle Row Cottages in Groomsport that are open daily throughout June, July and August with free family entertainment from 2pm to 4pm every weekend.

Baby Rave First in Bangor!

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A new highlight for many families this 18th & 19th June is the free Baby Rave at this year’s Sea Bangor Festival.

This unique child-sized rave is complete with DJ, lighting, projections and dancers to help you and your babies move and groove. Experiment with contemporary music and dance, in an ambient environment.  Baby Rave  is a fun event exclusively for this often overlooked age-group, it captures the pzazz of the parents’ nights out pre-baby, and gives mothers – and fathers- and tots a real sense of rhythm.

The Baby Rave is being brought to Sea Bangor by Belfast-based Young at Art, devised by director Ali Fitzgibbon and DJ (Lyndon Stephens). Baby Rave has now gone global, travelling to Australia for the Adelaide Fringe Festival in March 2007 and it was a sell out success in Edinburgh Bank of Scotland Children’s International Theatre Festival, Babaro Children’s Festival in Galway, the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and St.Patrick’s Festival in Dublin.

Each Baby Rave, lasts for one hour and will be held at 12.00, 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm.  The event is free and suitable for under 5s.

Sea Bangor has lots of other children’s activities too! For something more relaxed, Young at Arts are also hosting Interactive Story Telling in Kids Zone.  Each Tea and Tales session is led by a  story telling specialist who takes time out to join children on a journey through their favourite children’s stories. So pull up a bean bag and chill out! Tea and Tall Tales will be held from 10.00 am until 11.30 and from 4.00 – 6.00 pm.

For the more adventurous of you, how about walking on water without getting wet? Water Walkerz are inflatable ‘walk on water’ balls which let you run, roll, flip and spin on water. Step inside these giant hamster balls and propel yourself across the surface of the pool – they’re giant balls of fun!

For older kids, on The Eisenhower Pier, the Armed Forces will be hosting a whole range of displays and activities, including a climbing wall, shooting range and lots more. The Pier will also be animated with a range of quirky Maritime – themed street theatre.

As well as, live music, gardening, live cookery demonstrations, Bangor Bob’s Maritime Marvels and a whole lot more, this year’s Sea Bangor Festival is guaranteed to be the best yet!

BANGOR BOB’S MARITIME MARVELS AT SEA BANGOR!

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Enter a world of mystery & curiosities, guaranteed to thrill the senses, in Bangor Bob’s Maritime Marvel Tent, at this year’s Sea Bangor Festival which is taking place on June 18th & 19th. Hosted by Firsty?, the tent will be part of The Tented Village and will comprise of a collection of art exhibitions and interactive demonstrations brought together in a unique, atmospheric way. Firsty? is a local networking group, who meet twice a month and has been set up by Bangor artists and creatives to share ideas, opportunities and banter.

One of the exhibition highlights will be the amazing Wall of Curiosities, a collection of sculptures and paintings from local artists which will be displayed behind a wall of “peep-holes” allowing spectators to view art from a range of different perspectives.

There will also be opportunities to view artists creating art-works, watch demonstrations, including wood-turning and live digital art or you can roll up your sleeves and get stuck in at the embroidery school or craft some paper and blackboard art.

Children will be thrilled by the sound installation, a large painting which responds to the sense of touch and the giant blackboard mash wall which will allow people to leave their own mini-works of art! Or for the budding writers, how about swapping words for art?

One of Firsty’s members Inga Hamilton commented: “Firsty?, a network based in Bangor for creative talent, is exploding onto the scene. And it’s testament to NDBC’s understanding of the arts’ economic power that they have invited Firsty? to be a part of Sea Bangor this year.

By filling the events Curiosity Tent with live art, craft and humour like you’ve never seen before, we hope to make Bangor people proud of all the amazingly creative people that live in and around the town – many of whom boast international careers. Throw out your pre-conceptions of what art and craft are about and come down during the weekend. We promise you’ll be surprised.”

So why don’t you come along to Sea Bangor and prepare to be thrilled and amazed by Bangor Bob’s Maritime Marvels!

SUMMER FUN AT THE MCKEE CLOCK!

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This Saturday, June 4th, sees North Down Borough Council’s Summer Entertainment Programme kick off at the Sunken Gardens.

Jack Wise, the current Street Performance World Champion will be wowing the crowds with his magic and sword swallowing. Jack is a top notch magician, with unrivalled experience and sure fire delivery, who specializes in blending sophisticated humour with jaw dropping magic. Jack has performed live on The Late Late Show, at Leinster House, The Curragh Racecourse, for celebrities including U2 and The Spice Girls, and for corporate audiences around Ireland.

Jack is not only equipped with a razor sharp wit – he is also one of Ireland`s leading sword swallowers!

This year’s street theatre programme will be brought to Bangor by Emergent Events who book and supply the world’s best street entertainers for events in Ireland. Their roster of world-class and international acts have performed for President`s inaugurations and the opening ceremonies of Olympics.

The programme will see live street theatre at the Sunken Gardens every Saturday in June and every Saturday & Sunday in July and August (from 3 – 5pm). There will also be live music at The Bandstand in Ward Park every Sunday from 3 – 5pm during July and August.

So keep an eye out in local press each week for details of the upcoming artists!

SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT STREET THEATRE PROGRAMME 2011

Date: Performer
4th June Jack Wise – Ireland’ Quick Witted Magician (Current Street Performance World Champion)
11th June Yodel
25th June Owen Lean – Britain’s Best Young Magician
2nd July Pete Dobbing
3rd July Beautiful Stu – Inhouse comedian for Jonathan Ross Show & Loose Women
9th July Johnny Phelan –
10th July Owen Lean
16th July Jack Flash (aka Juggling Fugitive)
17th July Danger Boy (also known as Seamus McJuggler)
23rd July Captain Cian
24th July Jack Wise
30th July Jack Flash (aka Juggling Fugitive)
31st July Owen Lean
6th August Pete Dobbing
7th August Beautiful Stu
13th August Jitterbug Jackson
14th August Jack Wise
20th August Jack Flash (aka Juggling Fugitive)
21st August Dangerboy (also known as Seamus McJuggler)
27th August Captain Cian
28th August Jack Wise

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