Sami Salt is on a mission. She has exactly six weeks of Flab-Busters classes and Jane Fonda workouts to slim down for the Christmas do and dazzle her gorgeous boss Mark Bond with her svelte shape and super new confidence to boot.

However, her friends have other ideas… each setting her up on a blind date to get her back into the dating scene. Will Sami slim down for Christmas? Will she woo Mark and live happy ever after? Or will she eat her own bodyweight in Maltesers like last year?

Written by best-selling author Leesa Harker 50 Shades of Red White and Blue, Dirty Dancing in Le Shebeen, this brand new Christmas Comedy will have you bursting at the seams.

Starring Julie McCann, Caroline Curran, Cillian O’Sullivan, Neil Keery and Sarah Lyle.

Directed by Andrea Montgomery

Designed by David Craig

Lighting Design by Conleth White

Tickets: £22, £20, £18 & £15

Concessions £2 off each price – group discount also available

Preview: 16 & 17 Dec £18, £16, £14 & £12

Time: 7:45pm (except Fri 19 Dec 6pm & 9pm)

Captioned Performance: Sat 3 Jan

Recommended Age: 16yrs+

Friday November 21^st will see Bangor Abbey play host to a concert to kick off a weekend of events to celebrate Bangor’s most famous Saint, Columbanus.

Following on the back of the success of 2013, this year’s concert is packed with fabulous acts both local and international.

Local group, The Farriers, will return to Bangor Abbey, a venue they can almost start calling home after a sold out concert as part of the Bangor Open House Festival. The group will be delighting the audience in performing their unique and authentic blend of folk & Americana.

Also performing on the night are; The McGinn sisters a trio of siblings who play harp, fiddle and flute/whistle have won many awards.  Their mix of music some of which is self-penned, weaves and darts throughout the Irish tradition.  Their playing reflects the intuition and subtlety that is achieved when siblings perform.

David McCann is one of Bangor’s finest singer/songwriters and a very talented guitarist.  Either solo or with his band “The Sand Runners”, he has impressed audiences throughout Ireland with his sensitive and introspective songs.

David Lennon, a stalwart of the local music scene for over 30 years, has a rich repertoire of traditional songs.  An award winning songwriter from the 1980s, he has performed both as a solo musician and group member throughout Europe.  He was recently heard on Radio Four singing “The White Dove – song of Columbanus”.

Described by RTE as “the best of Irish culture” and back by popular demand, are Ards Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. This group of young musicians tutored by husband and wife team Niall and Bronagh McClean, are yearly sought by festival organisers throughout the UK, Europe and now America.  Having headlined the Aviles Festival, Spain and the Bath Folk Festival this summer, 2015 sees them booked to play in New York during the St Patrick’s Day Celebrations and in August in Bobbio, Italy to play at the Basilicia of St Columbanus.

Performing alongside Ards CCE will be, The Smyth sisters a trio of award winning festival dancers with a rich family pedigree.  Their eldest sister Lauren, is the lead dancer with River Dance whilst older brother Conor is the lead in Michael Flately’s production of “Lord of the Dance”.  This is festival dancing at its very best.

Adding a unique twist to this year’s concert will be Marianne McShane, a native of Bangor but now residing in America, Marianne is an award winning story teller who mesmerised audiences with her ancient tales during the Bangor Cross Community Folk Festival in June 2014.  It is a privilege to welcome her back to Bangor for this event.

The theme of the concert and weekend is, “Journey of a Single Day”, a title to reflect the work of Columbanus and his fellow Bangor Saints, including Gall, who departed Bangor circa 590AD and spread the word of Christianity throughout much of modern day Europe including, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

The events are taking place on the Feast Day weekend of St Columbanus and are echoed across those European sites where Columbanus left his legacy.

Other events taking place over the weekend include;

On Saturday 22nd at St Comgall’s Parish Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor, a special children’s story telling event, from 2-3pm, with international story teller Marianne McShane, along with two historical talks focusing on Columbanus and Ireland’s Early Christian Heritage. Lectures run from 12noon-1pm & 2pm-3pm.

On Sunday 23^rd there will be an Ecumenical Church service held in First Bangor Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Bangor at 7pm.

For concert tickets, priced only £10, and more information on the weekends programme, contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk or log on to northdowntourism.com for more details.

“the very best kind of authentic, old-time American roots music”

North Down Borough Council are delighted to welcome American roots band Furnace Mountain to play an exclusive gig at Coffee Cure at The Museum on Thursday, 6 November at 8pm.

Furnace Mountain make the very best kind of authentic, old-time American roots music. At times lively and raucous, with spirited fiddle melodies weaving in and around the powerful rhythms of the bass and bouzouki. At other times poignant and poetic, with sublime vocal harmonies beautifully interpreting some of the oldest songs ever written.

Hailing from Virginia, the band has played together since 1995 taking their name from a neighbouring mountain. The band consists of exquisite pickers and enchanting songstresses; Dave Van Deventer on Fiddle and Vocals, Morgan Morrison on Bouzouki and Vocals, Aimee Curl on Bass and Vocals, Danny Knicely on Mandolin. Listen to them once and you’re hooked. The four-piece even have the Coen Brothers amongst their biggest admirers.
The band plays music from the American Appalachian traditions, as well as original compositions, and songs penned by their favourite song-writing friends. Their live performances are unforgettable. They are an act that will stay with the listener for a very long time.
We’re delighted to welcome this magical band to Bangor as they embark on an island wide tour this November!

Tickets are on sale now and cost £11/£9 concession.

Tickets are available via North Down Museum (028 9127 1200), Bangor Visitor Information Centre (028 9127 0069) or Book Online www.northdown.gov.uk/bookings

QUOTES

“Gorgeous” – Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

“Furnace Mountain sound like a marriage between Be-Good Tanyas and the best bits of Nickel Creek – except with true Appalachian soil caked onto their boots” – The Herald

“First Class!” – fRoots magazine

The Fresh Waters campaign is launching its search to find ‘The Best Of’ ​ the four Fresh Waters river towns.

These awards are calling on visitors and locals to nominate their favourite place within Portglenone, Drumaheglis, Belturbet and Kilrea; so that hidden gems and well-deserved service and product providers are rightfully rewarded for their role in promoting the beauty of the River Erne and the Lower Bann.

These awards are set to coincide with the close of the RIVER project; a £1.2m initiative which brought significant investment to the four Ulster river towns. Funded by the European Union under the INTERREG IVA programme and managed by the North East Partnership (NEP), this scheme has regenerated many parts of the Lower Bann, River Erne and their neighbouring towns, by improving and enhancing the facilities on offer.

The Fresh Waters campaign, launched as part of the RIVER project, has been an active driver in growing awareness of the rivers and surrounding towns. As a result, the campaign has revitalised a whole new tourism sector and today, the Fresh Waters’ towns in and around Portglenone Marina, Drumaheglis, Belturbet and Kilrea are being explored by new faces and revisited by those that have fallen in love with what they have to offer.

So whether it is your favourite eating establishments, accommodation providers, beauty spots,  geological points of interest and/or heritage attractions, we want to know why they deserve to be crowned ‘The Best of’. Simply email freshwaters@rumourmillpr.co and explain why your attraction deserves to win in no more than 100 words, by Friday 15^th November. The categories will be broken down into The Best of; Portglenone, Kilrea, Belturbet and Drumaheglis/Ballymoney.

To find out more information, please log onto to The Fresh Waters Official Facebook page Facebook.com/thefreshwaters or follow @the_freshwaters on Twitter.

DISCOVERY WORLD TOUR 2014

A SPECTACULAR NEW LIVE PRODUCTION FEATURING MUSIC FROM ALL FOURTEEN PINK FLOYD STUDIO ALBUMS PLUS A DAZZLING NEW LIGHT AND LASER SHOW

Having performed to over one million fans around the world since it’s first show in Liverpool, England in January 2011, Brit Floyd – The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show, returns to The UK in November 2014 to perform DISCOVERY, a stunning new three hour chronological musical journey spanning the entire recording career of Pink Floyd from 1967 – 1994.

Named after Pink Floyd’s recent box set of the same name, and featuring music from the Syd Barrett led ’60s psychedelic pop of ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, through to the nineties ‘The Division Bell’, and everything in between, the brand new DISCOVERY show will capture in note-for-note detail, all your favorite moments as well as a few lesser known gems, from one of the most outstanding and enduring back catalogues in the history of recorded music.

Featuring the trademark Pink Floyd arch and circle light show, Brit Floyd’s musical performance will also be accompanied by amazing original video and brand new animation, inspired by the timelessly brilliant artwork designs of longtime Pink Floyd collaborator Storm Thorgerson.

With painstaking attention to detail, replicating every nuance of every Floydian moment both musically and visually, the band’s execution of all Pink Floyd’s greatest works will make each familiar track sound fresh and pristine.

‘The Total and perfect illusion’

Québec Journal

‘Mesmerising, absolutely mesmerising. The most exciting tribute show ever!’

Ticketmaster

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Web links

www.britfloyd.com

www.facebook.com/britfloydshow

www.youtube.com/britfloydshow

www.twitter.com/britfloyd

• 21st William Kennedy Piping Festival, various locations, Co Armagh, November 13-16.  Celebrating the life and work of William Kennedy, the 18th century piper, this Festival brings pipers from all over the world to Armagh for four days of traditional music, sessions, classes, exhibitions and lectures. Don’t miss the Festival highlight,  The Uileann Pipes Concert  in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral on Sat 15.

• Bjorn Identity ABBA Tribute and 70’s Disco, Banbridge, Co Down, November 15.  Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! a night out of entertainment at Bannville House Hotel with tribute band Bjorn Identity playing the hits of 70’s super group ABBA.

• Belfast Beer and Cider Festival, Ulster Hall, Belfast, November 13-15. Enjoy a 3 day celebration of great beer and cider. But it’s not all about the beer and cider as there are food stalls and a great selection of live music featuring a variety of local artists along with pub games and tutored tasting sessions.

• Belfast Christmas Continental Market, Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast, November 15 to December 21. One of the most anticipated events in the calendar is returning for the 10th year!  A fantastic range of food, beverages, crafts and decorations is on offer from across Europe and beyond.

• John McNicholl in concert, The Burnavon, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, November 14.  John McNicholl is back in the Burnavon by public demand following his debut appearance last year where he received a standing ovation!  Supporting John will be special guests, Lisa Stanley, co–presenter of Sky’s Phil Mack International Country Show, compere Big Bernie, the John McNicholl Band and Sheila McNicholl.

• A Musical Journey from Stage to Screen with The Leading Ladies, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Co Antrim, November 13-15.  Join Northern Ireland’s songbirds in a spectacular show featuring the best loved hits from stage and screen. Blending old with the new while adding their inimitable harmonies and vocal arrangements, an evening with The Leading Ladies is a music experience not to be missed!

• Echo Echo Festival of Dance and Movement 2014, Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, Waterloo House, Magazine Street, Co Londonderry, until November 15. Come and see some shows or join us for daily classes, workshops, artist talks and family-friendly dance picnics as Echo Echo Festival of Dance and Movement returns for a second edition with an outstanding programme of performances.

• Rumors by Neil Simon, Ardhowen Theatre, 97 Dublin Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, November 13-15.  Enjoy this riotously funny play that centres on the efforts of eight party guests to spare their unfortunate host, and themselves from scandal. The party descends into a chaos of epic proportions before a surprising explanation to the evening’s turn of events proves more incredible than anyone could have imagined.

• Craft Fair, Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, November 15. Those looking for that special and unique Christmas gift should look no further than this festive fair. Featuring over 40 stalls of international and homemade food, bespoke textiles and giftware, handmade jewellery and children’s toys, there is sure to be something to tempt everyone. There will also be face painting and a balloon artist that will keep children happy and a snack bar with plenty of refreshments.

• Belfast Christmas Light Switch On, Belfast City Hall, November 15.  Join the Lord Mayor and special guests from 6.45pm as the city of Belfast marks the start of the festive season.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking.

From 13th-16th November ‘the Ports’ will be alive with the sound of music as the Atlantic Sessions Music Festival returns to hotels, restaurants, pubs and coffee shops in Portstewart, Portrush and Portballintrae.

The music festival, organised by Coleraine Borough Council in partnership with local venues, celebrates the very best of musical talent in Northern Ireland with guest artists from Kilkenny and Glasgow as well as two visiting acts from America.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor George Duddy commenting on the Festival said, “Coleraine Borough Council has invested in Atlantic Sessions over the last five years, building a sustainable event in conjunction with the hospitality trade. It is an excellent example of cooperation, whereby Council has created and enhanced the visitor experience and boosted business activity in what would normally be a quiet trading time.’

There will be thirty nine live music acts performing at fifty gigs over the weekend, most of which are FREE. Back by popular demand are Festival favourites, The Ard Ri Band and The Hardchargers. Atlantic Sessions is delighted to introduce Hal McGonigle from Portstewart and welcome home Chris Keys and Hannah McPhillimy to add a local touch to the line-up of the festival.

Atlantic Sessions extends a special North Coast welcome to debutants: Blackbird Blue; Patrick Gardiner; Jamie Neish; Paul Casey; Luke Bannon; Hillspeak; Mere Moths; Travel is a Tourist; The Dandy Horses; and The Vals among others.

Ticketed showcase events feature the superb ‘The 4 of Us’ (supported by Brigid O’Neill) and Sons of Caliber in Concert. Ralph McLean makes a return presenting a show on the inimitable Johnny Cash and there’s The Sunday Brunch Session, a laid back occasion with many artists from the weekend’s line-up turning up to perform ‘in the round’.  All these events will be at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart. Tickets are available to purchase from the venue, telephone 028 7083 1400 for details.

The Atlantic Sessions programme is now available from selected outlets and can be downloaded from www.atlanticsessions.com. Keep up to date with festival news on www.facebook.com/atlanticsessions and @atlanticsess on Twitter or visit the website www.atlantic sessions.com for further information. For details on accommodation and special rates for short breaks, contact Coleraine Visitor Information Centre on 028 7034 4723.

Down

Described as ‘The Event of the Decade’, The Festival of Light at Mount Stewart returns as the woodlands come alive with lights and music. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable, fairy-tale experience with an illuminated Lake Walk and log-fires in the tipis. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November.

Armagh

All this week until Sunday 8th November 2014, Armagh Restaurant Week will offer thousands of food lovers an exciting opportunity to sample local hospitality at its very best, with specially-designed themed menus, food promotions, cookery demonstrations, entertainment, outstanding food and much, much more!  Locals and visitors alike can enjoy a tasty mix of signature menus, appetising culinary events and delicious local food in a range of Armagh’s restaurants.

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Fermanagh

This Thursday 6th November at 8pm, Riverside Promotions presents The All Star County Show at the Ardhowen Theatre with compere Terence McKeague. This promises to be an evening of good oul’ Country Music performed by a galaxy of top recording artists. The line up includes Liam McLaughlin, Tony Kerr, Chris Logue, Kathy Kane and Crawford Bell with The Steve Farlow Duo completing the  line up of artists.

Tyrone

Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a beautiful princess, who by day is turned into a swan by evil magician Von Rothbart, only to regain her human form at night. See this most famous of ballets at the Buravon Theatre Cookstown on Thursday 6th November.  25 leading professional dancers from Ireland and abroad will perform in this breath–taking production which was loved by audiences and critics when last produced by Ballet Ireland.

Derry

Echo Echo Festival of Dance & Movement returns 6th to 15th November for a second edition with an outstanding programme of performances: legendary Russian company Do-Theatre, unusual participatory performance work by Shannon Cooney, acclaimed US duo casebolt and smith, two evenings of Short Works featuring local and international guests, and new work for younger audiences by German company Tanzfuchs and by Derry-based Echo Echo Ensemble. Come and see some shows or join us for daily classes, workshops, artist talks, Balkan Alien Sound in concert, and family-friendly Dance Picnics!

Antrim

This Saturday 8th November Pudsey Bear invites you to the Jewellery and Craft Fair at Houston’s Mill in Broughshane  Children in Need fun and fundraising! Pick up some crafty Christmas presents and meet Pudsey. Everyone  welcome and admission is free.

Belfast

The American Wrestling Roadshow rolls into the Belfast Waterfront Hall this Saturday 8th November. Dubbed ‘Britain’s Best of the Best’, it will feature the very best (non-contracted) talent, battling it out to decide once and for all which area in the British Isles is the Best!  The mega match-up will feature Former WWE Superstar ‘The Welsh Warrior’ Mason Ryan, Former WWE Superstar ‘The Sinister Scotsman’ Drew McIntyre, Former TNA Champion ‘The Elite of England’ Magnus and WRESTLING.IE Champion ‘The Belfast Brawler’ Dunkan Disorderly.