Kylie Monogue

Sunday 9^th November: THE ODYSSEY ARENA, BELFAST

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, ‘KISS ME ONCE’ IS OUT NOW

Kylie, whose first single from her new album charted in the UK Top 20 yesterday, today announces the Kiss Me Once Tour including dates at The O2, Dublin and Odyssey Arena, Belfast in November.

The tour will open here in the UK and will comprise of 31 shows in 15 countries – including 12 dates in the UK and Ireland.   Famous for her live shows, Kylie’s Kiss Me Once Tour will be true to form as a celebration of both new and old material.

Kylie’s brand new album, ‘Kiss Me Once’ is released today. It is her first studio album since 2010’s ‘Aphrodite’, and her first since signing to Roc Nation Management. The album was executive produced by Kylie and Sia, who also penned the title track.  Kylie also teams up with Pharrell Williams (who wrote and produced ‘I Was Gonna Cancel’). Other producers include Ariel Rechtshaid (HAIM) on ‘If Only’, MNEK on ‘Feels So Good’, and Greg Kurstin on bonus track ‘Sleeping With The Enemy’.

Ticket Information
The O2 Dublin: Tickets from €65.70 including booking fee

Odyssey Arena, Belfast: Tickets from £55.00 including booking fee

Tickets for the Kiss Me Once tour go on sale at 9am on Friday 21st March from:

Odyssey Arena Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.odysseyarena.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

The Full Ireland & UK Tour Dates Below:

24/09/14 – ECHO ARENA, LIVERPOOL

26/09/14 – PHONES 4u ARENA, MANCHESTER

29/09/14 – THE O2, LONDON

30/09/14 – THE O2 ,LONDON

03/10/14 – MOTORPOINT ARENA, CARDIFF

05/10/14 – CAPITAL FM ARENA, NOTTINGHAM

07/10/14 – THE NIA, BIRMINGHAM

08/11/14 – THE O2, DUBLIN

09/11/14 – THE ODYSSEY ARENA, BELFAST

11/11/14 – METRO RADIO ARENA, NEWCASTLE

12/11/14 – THE SSE HYDRO, GLASGOW

13/11/14 – MOTORPOINT ARENA, SHEFFIELD

Portstewart Songwriters Festival is an exciting brand new music event due to hit the North Coast on Friday 28^th to Sunday 30^th March.

The event was officially launched at the Anchor Complex on Thursday 13^th March, with performances from local talent Toni Whitten and the superb Amanda St John. The Festival is funded by Coleraine Borough Council and the Department for Social Development.

The Festival will feature live music in bars and coffee shops along Portstewart Promenade throughout the weekend and, with over 20 FREE gigs featuring the likes of Briana Corrigan, Silhouette, Rory Nellis, Robb Murphy and Mandy Bingham, the line up for the first ever Portstewart Songwriters Festival is looking unmissable!

Bronagh Gallagher, SOAK and Paul Casey are set to Headline the Festival with a ‘Saturday Night Showcase’ event at Portstewart Town Hall, which will be hosted by Ralph McLean; while Gareth Dunlop, Anthony Toner and Amanda St John will perform an intimate ‘In the Round’ Session on the Sunday evening.

The event, which is funded by the Department for Social Development and Coleraine Borough Council, will also incorporate a variety of song writing workshops, run by recognized singer-song writers and industry professionals, as well as illustrated talks by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean and Stuart Bailie.

Tickets for the Showcase events, workshops and talks are available from Coleraine Visitor Centre, Tel: 7034 4723 and Flowerfield Arts Centre, Tel: 7083 1400. All gigs in the bars and coffee shops are FREE!

To find out more and for full gig listing visit www.northcoastni.com/music, find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PortstewartSongwritersFestival or follow on Twitter @PortSongFest.

Coleraine Borough Council is holding a Business Breakfast – Networking & Information Event to support local businesses to gain an insight into what’s in it for them for this year’s Vauxhall International North West 200 event.

The Breakfast event will be in association with the Causeway Chamber of Commerce and the North West 200 team on Tuesday 8^th April at 8.30am in Council’s Civic Headquarters Cloonavin.

Hosted by television personality Sarah Travers, local businesses will have the opportunity to find out how to promote their own business as part of this year’s North West 200 event, and look at ways how they can benefit.

The Mayor of Coleraine Councillor David Harding stated, “Council is developing more and more opportunities with the team from the North West 200, to ensure that everyone in the Borough is fully versed on what the event is all about. Particularly for businesses, anyone can support, participate, sponsor or volunteer; this is an opportunity to find out what is right for you and your business. This is one event which is supported by the media. Press, Radio and Television provide fantastic coverage of the course so it’s a great opportunity not to be missed.”

Mayor Harding, will provide a short welcome for all guests, with an update on what Council has provided to date for the NW 200 with background information and opportunities from Meryvn Whyte MBE. Ian Donaghey, President Causeway Chamber of Commerce, will also be attending and supporting the business element of the morning. Mr Donaghey stated, “Causeway Chamber is delighted to assist the team at NW 200 to further develop links and engage with our local business community which will enhance opportunities in our tourism sector and economic development for the Borough of Coleraine.”

All business will have the opportunity to network with NW200 current sponsors, meet the riders as well get a quick photograph with Sarah!

The event is on the 8^th April from 8:30am until 10:15am with free breakfast on arrival, in Coleraine Borough Council, Civic Headquarters, Cloonavin.

For more information on the event contact Tara Cunningham, PR Manager Coleraine Borough Council 028 7034 7042, p.r@colerainebc.gov.uk.  To RSVP email: office@causewaychamber.com or telephone 028 7034 3111.

Portstewart Songwriters Festival is an exciting new music event funded by Coleraine Borough Council and the Department for Social Development.

The event is due to hit the NorthCoast on Friday 28^th to Sunday 30^thMarch with lots of opportunities for those who enjoy music.

Featuring live music in bars and coffee shops along Portstewart Promenade throughout the weekend, with over 20 FREE events, the line up for the first ever Portstewart Songwriters Festival is looking unmissable!

Bronagh Gallagher, SOAK and Paul Casey are set to headline the Festival with a ‘Saturday Night Showcase’ event at PortstewartTown Hall, which will be hosted by Ralph McLean; while Gareth Dunlop, Anthony Toner and Amanda St John will perform an intimate ‘In the Round’ Session on the Sunday evening.

The event will also incorporate a variety of song writing workshops, run by recognized singer-song writers and industry professionals, as well as illustrated talks by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean and Stuart Bailie.

Tickets for the Showcase events, workshops and talks are available from Coleraine Visitor Centre, telephone 028 7034 4723 and Flowerfield Arts Centre telephone 028 7083 1400. All gigs in the bars and coffee shops are FREE!

To find out more and for full gig listing visit www.northcoastni.com/music, find it on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/PortstewartSongwritersFestival or follow on Twitter @PortSongFest.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (March 17-23).

• St Patrick’s Celebrations, town centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down, March 17. The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will showcase Downpatrick as one of Ireland’s most ancient and historic towns, with a re-enactment celebrating St Patrick’s return to Ireland as a bishop, a Carnival Parade through the streets of Downpatrick as well as a host of other family entertainment.

• Ballycastle & District Horse Ploughing Championship 2014, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, March 17.  The popular, traditional ploughing match has been taking place in Ballycastle for 100 years, attracting ploughmen from throughout Ireland offering a great day out for the whole family.

• Keady Community Festival, Keady, Co. Armagh, March 17.  Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of Keady for a great family day out as well as face painting, assault courses, dance and Irish classes, arts and crafts and much more.

• Give My Head Peace, The Braids Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, March 19.  Northern Ireland’s most dysfunctional family are back with a brand new show for 2014 with topical satire, top class stand-up comedy from Tim McGarry and plenty of laughs.

• Kimmie Rhodes, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, March 22. American singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes is a prolific artist who has recorded and released a total of fifteen solo albums as well as writing and producing three musical plays and has built a solid fan base in Northern Ireland over the years.

• A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, March 18 – 22.  James Joyce’s ‘A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man’ tells the story of Stephen Dedalus as he signals his need to escape the nets he claimed Ireland would trap him in before leaving his home to seek nourishment from other cultures.  
• A Boy and his Box, Limavady Theatre, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, March 20. Young adventurers should come along and hear the story of a boy, his box and his vivid imagination with live drawing, projection and quirky tunes celebrating the amazing world of a child’s imagination.

• Strabane Drama Festival, The Alley Arts & Conference Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, March 20-28.  The Alley Theatre will host Strabane’s annual drama festival as the intimate venue comes alive with nine productions  ranging from George Orwell’s Animal Farm to Martin Lynch’s The Chronicles of Long Kesh.
• Waggy Races at Castleward, Castle Ward, Strangford, Co. Down, March 23.  Northern Ireland’s first canicross event, a cross country fun run where dogs and their owners sprint, jog or walk together. The 5km Waggy Races course starts at the Mansion following the trails towards the Lough and is open to dogs of all shapes and sizes.
• Dr Robert Ballard – Titanic Discoverer, Titanic Belfast, Belfast, March 20.  Dr Robert Ballard, the legendary Ocean Explorer who discovered the wreck of RMS Titanic, returns to Titanic Belfast hosting a public lecture.

Down

Kids and Adults alike can try to scale the East Coast Adventure 35ft Climbing Tower at Kilbroney Park.  There is a coffee shop, kids playground and Mountain Bike Centre on site.  Kilbroney Park also offers camping and caravan pitches.

Tyrone

Mulligan’s Bar Cookstown are hosting a Father Ted quiz in aid of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland on Friday 14^th March. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favourite Fr Ted character. There will be a prize for the best dressed. Teams of 5. Entry £5. Refreshments served on the evening.

Fermanagh

On Monday 17^th March Project St Patrick’s main parade starts from the Lakeland Forum at 3pm then circles the Island Town. Expect to see battling Vikings and wake boarding leprechauns,  as well as the usual shenanigans.   Behold St Patrick’s arrival in his traditionally unusual manner. Attractions include inflatable assault courses, bouncy castles, face painting, gelato’s, candy floss and chocolate fountains as well as music and lough based displays to keep you entertained. All entertainment if free!

Derry

From the 15th – 17th March come and experience a weekend steeped in history, culture, tradition and of course fun, as Derry celebrates St Patrick’s weekend with a special three day entertainment extravaganza, including the spectacular annual St Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade. In keeping with the title Music City, the theme ‘Music Myth and Magic’ will enchant and beguile the crowds, as the city’s streets become a stage for some of the finest musicians and performers around.

Armagh

Celebrate Saint Patrick in his chosen City of Armagh with a lively and varied festival showcasing the best of Armagh’s culture, music, song and dance. Join in the celebrations in the ancient Cathedral City of Ireland from Thursday 13th to Monday 17th March 2014.

Antrim

A nerdish florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed in the Little Shop of Horrors, The Courtyard Theatre Thursday 13^th March.

Belfast

The University of Ulster has an impressive line-up for the 2014 Ulster Festival of Art & Design, which includes some of the most creative and inspiring minds from the film, fashion, music and business worlds.  Running from 10-14 March, the Festival will see nearly forty separate events give the public a unique insight into the very best of international creativity and innovation. www.ulsterfestival.com .

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.

The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh is looking for young people aged 10 to 25 to take part in their Summer 2014 extravaganza, ‘Oliver!’

‘Oliver!’ is the world-renowned musical which tells the story of a young orphan who arrives on the streets of London with no friends, no money and nowhere to live. He meets a cheeky pickpocket who shows him a whole new way of life. But as chance would have it, Oliver stumbles upon a gentleman who might just hold the key to his mysterious past… This exhilarating story about one boy’s survival against the odds is packed full of joyful songs including Consider Yourself, You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket or Two, Oom-pah-pah! and the exuberant Food Glorious Food.

Auditions for ‘Oliver!’ will take place on Saturday 17^th May, from 10am to 12noon for 10-15 year olds, and from 1.15pm to 3.15pm for 16-25 year olds. Auditions are now open for booking through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. All auditionees must be available throughout the period from Monday 21^st July until Saturday 23^rd August inclusive for rehearsals, should they be successful. Auditionees should wear loose clothing, trainers & bring a bottle of water. All auditionees should be prepared to act, dance & sing. You do not have to have experience to audition and auditions are completely free, although participation in ‘Oliver’ for successful candidates will be £100 for the five-week period. There will be some free places for people/families in receipt of state benefit.

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

On Saturday 8^th March the Mayor of North Down, Cllr Andrew Muir, joined with Mayors and provincial dignitaries from Italy and France in signing off the final statues required by the “European Institute of Cultural Routes” in Luxembourg to formalise the application of “The Columban Way”.

The culmination of the ceremony in Bobbio, Italy, will now see the cultural route application, based on the life and travels of both Bangor and central Europe’s most famous Saint, Columbanus, submitted for approval to Luxembourg and in turn formally recognised as an official European Cultural Route.

The initial route is to comprise of Bangor, Luxeuil-les-Bains (France) and Bobbio (Italy) and will recognise the influence of Columbanus’ work within central Europe and is to be formally established by 2015, the year that will mark the 1400^th anniversary of the passing of St Columbanus. This anniversary year will be marked with events throughout the European countries that he was influential in.

This route is set to become the 30^th European Cultural Route and sit alongside some of the most famous routes such as the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela.

After the initial creation of “The Columban Way” it is envisaged that it will expand to take in the additional countries of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the Republic of Ireland where Columbanus also left his mark.

Mayor of North Down, Cllr Andrew Muir; “I was delighted to take part in this important and historic ceremony alongside our European friends in Bobbio, the resting place of Columbanus.  After leaving Bangor he was to play a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in mainland Europe and it is fitting that he, the first person to use the term “European”, will have this Cultural Route potentially covering up to seven nations, created on the back of his legacy. The creation of this route will surely be a fitting testimony on a European scale to the man and his work”.

His importance to the Church and European Christianity as a whole was evidentially seen when in late 2013 Pope Francis put forward the final paperwork to be considered to have the co-patronage of Europe bestowed upon St Columabnus to mark the 1400^th anniversary of his passing.

Fine food and plenty of family entertainment will be served up this weekend at the LegenDerry Food Festival which will take over Derry’s Guildhall Square for three days of foodie fun from Saturday March 15 – Monday March 17.

Celebrate St Patrick’s weekend in style and treat your taste buds to an array of gourmet delights served up by some of the biggest names in Irish cuisine, including Rachel Allen, Neven Maguire, Paula McIntyre and Brian McDermott.

They will be cooking up a storm in the huge marquee kitchen alongside a whole host of local talent, who will work their magic on the finest local produce courtesy of some of the North West’s quality food producers. Find out more about the real treasures of the deep with the Loughs Agency who will be serving up some of the finest oysters from Lough Foyle at their famous Oyster Bar.

And there will be plenty of live entertainment and fun for all the family throughout the weekend, with animation and children’s crafts to keep the little ones amused while you sample some mouth watering morsels hot from the galley kitchen.

Tourism Officer with Derry City Council Mary Blake, said there would be something to entertain all the family. “Parents are always looking for things to do, especially when the children are off school, so we are delighted to be able to offer such a diverse programme of events guaranteed to appeal to all ages during the LegenDerry Food Festival.

“As well as our impressive line-up of top chefs who will be wowing the grown-ups with their exciting array of dishes, there will be plenty of treats and activities for the youngsters throughout the entire weekend. I would encourage everyone to come along and treat the family to a weekend of festive fun and a celebration of the region’s finest food.”

Enjoy a gastronomic feast of festival charm served up by the stilted Cake Ladies, whose fun antics are served up with lashings of glamour. Mind your fingers as our Juggling Chef demonstrates his death defying skills with razor sharp knives and out of date cucumbers, and shows off his ability to cook anything from a pot noodle to a pot noodle with soy sauce! Then meet Derry’s own domestic goddess Majella Lousing, whose hunger for fame is almost as strong as her fondness for food, and who makes Nigella seem tame.

Other colourful characters include the Singing Chef and the Candy Girls, who will bring an air of sophistication to the event along with local talents Ursula and Co and Susan Donaghy.

There will be plenty of activities on the menu to entertain younger visitors with face painting, children’s crafts and balloon modelling. And there will be opportunities for cupcake decorating, talks on nutrition and food heritage, as well as book signings by local and celebrity chefs.

Take a trip across the Peace Bridge to Ebrington Square, which will be transformed for the weekend into a Magical Storytelling Garden, complete with music and magical characters from 12pm – 5pm daily. And youngsters are invited to join the pirate trail at the Playhouse as the Pirate King leads them on an exciting musical adventure to find the Legenderry treasure, with each hunt starting at 12noon, 1.30pm and 3.30pm each day.

Music lovers can soak up the St Patrick’s atmosphere with a serving of traditional music in the Trad Triangle from the 15^th – 17^th March. Live acts will perform on the main stages in New Market Street , The Craft Village and Waterloo between 1pm – 7pm, and will include the O’Carolans, Eoin Kearns and Derry Comhaltas performers.

And of course don’t forget the major highlight of the weekend – the Spring Carnival Parade which this year celebrates ‘Music, Myth and Magic’ and features over 600 talented local performers.

The parade will take place on the 17^th March at 2.30pm, starting at the Queen’s Quay car park, and the festivities will this year be led by the immense Púca – a shape shifting creature of the mountains, followed by fairy folk, magical creatures, giants and many more mythical creatures.

There will be live music and entertainment at a whole host of venues across the city throughout the weekend, so feel free to just take a wander and see where you end up, with plenty of craic agus ceoil to go round.

For more information on all the events taking place from Saturday March 15 – Monday March 17, go to www.derrycity.gov.uk, or www.whatsonderrylondonderry.com

Armagh City Centre is getting ready to rock on Saturday 15^th March as the blazing rock band known as ‘The Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ headline a free open air concert as part of the City’s annual Saint Patrick’s festival.

The concert will take place in the Market Square area of Armagh City Centre at 7.00pm.

‘The Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing with a passion for pipes that will leave the audience breathless. The group has been in the headlines recently with their own version of Avicii’s hit, ‘Wake Me Up’, becoming a global sensation after the performed it at the launch of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Glasgow. The group is sure to put on a show so hot it carries its own health warning and with their versions of hit songs like ‘Make Me Up’ among others, they are sure to prove popular with piping and non-piping fans alike.

They will be supported by local band ‘Castlestreet’, who have been compared to Mumford and Sons, yet their sound also draws strongly on the Irish traditional vibe. Local songbird ‘Catherine Grimley’ will also be joined by ‘The McCuskers’ whilst ‘Chris Kavanagh’ will be delighting the audience with his amazing performance of the great Dubliner ‘Luke Kelly’.

On the night there will also be a special appearance from mentalist David Meade while the compere for the event is Connor Phillips.

‘Castlestreet’ will open the concert at 7.00pm, followed by ‘Catherine Grimley & The McCuskers’ who will take to the stage at 7.45pm. ‘The Legend of Luke Kelly’ will perform from 8.35pm and ‘The Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ will take to the stage form 9.35pm to 10.35pm.

The concert is free to attend and no tickets are required but the public are advised that gates will open from 6.30pm. Access to the performance site is from Market Street only and wheelchair users should contact 028 3752 1821 to book space in the accessible raised area.

For full details on the concert or any other events happening across the Saint Patrick’s Festival in Armagh, visit www.armagh.co.uk or contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre on 028 3752 1800.