The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (February 8-15).

• ‘Robot Overlords’ Drive-in Screening, Crommelin Park, Donaghadee, Co Down, February 8. To celebrate the release of the hotly anticipated film ‘Robot Overlords’, which was shot in Northern Ireland in 2013, the Belfast Film Festival will present drive-in screenings at specific locations used during filming!

• Valentine’s Day Crafts for Children, The Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel, Co Down, February 5-7. Valentine’s Day is a great excuse for a crafty session with the kids – after all there is nothing better than getting a little something made by someone you love!

• Ulster Orchestra – Lunchtime Concerts, Ulster Hall, Belfast, February 11. Relax and listen to beautiful live music on a Wednesday lunchtime during the Ulster Orchestra’s annual concert with Conductor Nicholas Collon and Tamás Kocsis on Violin.

• Valentine’s Day Special ‘Johnny Cash and June Carter’, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, February 14. Capturing the unmistakable sound of the ‘man in black’, and accompanied by June Carter and band, you will experience what it was like to be at a real Cash show. There is also an added extra for Valentine’s Day offering a sumptuous four course meal in the basement area of the Gaol.

• ‘In The Mood’ with The PM Big Band, Market Place Theatre, Armagh, Co Armagh, February 14. Enjoy a night out with this popular band.  Bringing a classic mix of vocals and instrumentals from The Great American Songbook including selections from Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and other legends from this ageless and ever-popular musical genre.

• The Jungle NI, Valentine’s Day Special Offer for Couples, Moneymore, Co Londonderry, February 14. Give your loved one the gift of adventure and treat them to an unforgettable Valentine’s Day at The Jungle NI! You can choose from Tarzan Tree Top Adventure Course, Downhill Zorbing, Classic Clay Pigeon Shooting, Extreme Paintball and much more!

• Singing Nina: The Life in Song Of Nina Simone, Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh, Co Tyrone, February 14. Known for her powerful and emotive performances, vocalist Victoria Geelan and her trio of outstanding local musicians bring their celebration of a woman who defied convention and categorisation. This event is a treat for Jazz fans and music lovers alike.

• Valentine’s Sing-along at Arthur Cottage, Cullybackey, Co Antrim, February 14. Get into the Spirit of Valentine’s Day with a traditional night of music with a romantic twist. Sit by the fire and enjoy listening to romantic songs and love ballads performed by a selection of fantastic local artists.

• Newtownbutler Traditional Weekend, St Mary’s Parish Hall, Co Fermanagh, February 6-8. The weekend festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance features some of Ireland’s finest music families. The toe-tapping uplifting event is great for couples and for families.

• Over the Wire, MAC, 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast, February 10-14. Engross yourself in this gripping play by multi-award winning writer Seamas Keenan as you follow the stories of five prisoners pitched into a world of violence, paranoia and hunger as they struggle against British soldiers, each other and their own personal demons.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking.

Down

The Slieve Donard Resort Wedding Fair takes place this Sunday 8th February from 1.00pm.  With over 40 wedding suppliers, a live catwalk show, live entertainment throughout the day & fantastic spot prizes you can be assured of an informative day out. Admission is free.  Join a Hotel tour to view the Chandelier Room set for a Wedding, the Spa facilities, Bridal Suite & more.

Armagh

Peter Corry returns to the Market Place Theatre this Saturday 7^th February with an evening celebrating some of the greatest songs from the movies.  Peter will take you on a journey down memory lane with some of the most iconic and memorable songs ever written for films from the past to the present.  From the heat of Casablanca to fun of Mama Mia, the sultry Moulin Rouge to the wonderful World of Disney…..acclaimed international singer Peter Corry will delight you with a host of movie memories.

Fermanagh

The Newtownbutler CCE Trad Weekend takes place this weekend 6th – 8th Feburary.  Enjoy this weekend Festival of Traditional Irish Music, Song & Dance featuring some of Ireland’s finest traditional music families – Maguire, Hanna, Connolly, Fitzpatrick, Bogue, Keaney, Kearins, Leonard.

Tyrone

The Strule Arts Centre Omagh is the venue for the 2015 Omagh Jazz and Big Band Festival. Commencing the weekend will be Omagh’s very own Ray Moore on Friday evening. Ray needs no introduction to local audiences. He was a founder member of the fabulous ‘Plattermen’ and the man who kept the Jazz flame alive in Omagh. He brings a master’s touch to this inaugural festival which takes place Friday 6^th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8^th February.

Derry

Titanicdance  makes a welcome return to the Millennium Forum this Thursday Friday and Saturday.  This Irish Dance sensation that tells the story of the world’s most famous ship from its beginning in the Belfast shipyard to its tragic end in the Atlantic Ocean.  It embarked on an emotional journey of hope, aspiration, love, heartbreak and sadness that left audiences wanting more and bringing them to their feet.  A cast of 28 world class Irish dancers and musicians set the scene for a breath-taking romantic performance that’s led by and choreographed by Principal Dancer and Creative Director, Raymond Sweeney.

Antrim

Legendary Irish singer/songwriter Andy Irvine returns to Ballymoney Thursday 5th February, following his hugely successful performance here a few years ago. With his impressive repertoire of Irish traditional songs and dexterous Balkan dance tunes, he creates an exciting new fusion of Irish and World Music not to be missed.

Belfast

Get your skates on every Saturday with Kelly’s Roller Disco for some fun and fitness all rolled into one for all the family. See kellysrollerskating.co.uk.

Love is in the air at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh this Valentine’s night out with our annual and hugely popular treat from The PM Big Band.

Why not treat the loved one in your life to a night out at the theatre with our special Valentine’s Evening of fine food and swinging music. Start the evening with a pre-show 5-course meal in the Market Place Theatre Bar & Bistro. All five courses and a bottle of house wine is just £55 per couple.
Then get ‘In The Mood’ with our ‘swingtastic’ Valentine’s Special with The PM Big Band. They bring a classic mix of vocals and instrumentals from The Great American Songbook including selections from Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and other legends from this ageless and ever-popular musical genre. Adding a little spice, the band will flavour the evening with big band versions of some modern classics ensuring an evening of music to appeal to everyone. Tickets for The PM Big Band are priced £12 each, or are on offer at only £8 when booked along with the 5-course meal.

Tickets for all performances can be booked on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com 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.

The 2015 Adelaide Black Horse Motorcycle Festival returns to the King’s Hall Pavilion in Belfast from February 6^th-8^th.

A special welcome to our sponsors, Adelaide Motorbike Insurance and Black Horse and of course to our guest riders, Martin Barr and Stuart Easton.

We’re indebted to our sponsors for their valuable support and we are delighted to have them back on board for another year.

Sponsor Adelaide Motorbike Insurance is now a brand of Cornmarket Insurance Services. MD, Sam Geddis commented:

“We continue to support motorcycling by investing in sponsorship and motorcycle safety initiatives like our Adelaide Advanced Motorcyclists Group, that enables motorcyclists to become Advanced Riders and thereby, safer bikers. This in turn helps to reduce their motorbike insurance costs if they insure with Adelaide. Visit the Group at the Festival for the latest show offer. The 2015 Adelaide Masters Series, Ireland’s biggest motorcycle racing series, officially launches at the Adelaide Blackhorse Motorcycle Festival on Saturday, 7 February revealing details of the championship at both Mondello Park and Bishopscourt.”

Dave Macey, Market & Franchise Development Manager, added: “We hope everyone attending this year’s Festival will have a thoroughly enjoyable time with what promises to be a great event, showcasing all that the motorcycle world has to offer.”

Stuart Easton was in a class of his own as the popular Scotsman returned to the Macau Grand Prix in November for the first time in four years. It was Stuart’s fourth Macau GP victory, adding to his successes in 2008, 2009 and 2010 before serious injury saw him miss the 2011 race.

A double British Supersport champion, Stuart returned to the MCE British Superbike Championship last year and won the Riders Cup for Paul Bird’s Kawasaki team.

Martin Barr our top motocross rider will be competing on KTM machinery backed by the KTM UK Importer and will be running his own team.  He is looking forward to a good season and free from injury.

Both Dunlop brothers – William who will be riding for the local TAS team on BMW machinery and his younger brother Michael riding the Milwaukee Yamaha will be making appearances during the show as will Alastair Seeley who like William is also on BMW’s.

Stuart Easton 2014 Macau GP Winner will be making a return appearance.

Mar-Train Racing’s Dean Harrison, Honda Racing’s Conor Cummins and Dubliner Jack Kennedy, who will compete in BSB this year for Team WD-40 Kawasaki, are also among the special guests in attendance at the Festival over the course of the weekend.

Organised for the 20^th year by Nutt Promotions, the Festival attracted a record number of visitors in 2014.

Floor space at this year’s festival is completely sold out, not only in the main King’s Hall Pavilion, but the Alexandra Hall is also filling up quickly with classic and vintage machines and auto jumble.

An amazing display of machinery will be exhibited in this hall, with the star of the show being a 1911 Royal Enfield V-twin.

There will also be a special display of Suzuki RG500 Grand Prix racing bikes, plus the Gold Wing Club will be present with a display of their magnificent machines.

All the major manufacturers are represented, including Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, Honda, Ducati, KTM, Harley Davison, Triumph, AJS and WK.

Yamaha’s eagerly-anticipated R1-M will take centre stage along with Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 MotoGP special.

An updated version of BMW’s very successful S1000RR will also be on show, along with Moto Plus Kawasaki showing new h2.  All major manufacturers will have all the latest models available to them on show.

The Off-Road Village has now been filled with the latest bikes and visitors will be able to obtain all the information they need about events planned in 2015.

The Northern Ireland Karting Association [NIKA] will also be on hand to provide details on how to become involved in the sport.

A special emphasis this year has been placed on career opportunities in the motorcycle industry and as such, it is anticipated that a large number of students from across Ireland will avail of the chance to examine the possibilities that may be open to them.

Students from schools, colleges and universities will be able to gain free entry at the special time of 12 noon on Friday, February 6^th. Students will also be granted free admission on Saturday and Sunday, February 7^th-8^th when accompanied by an adult, who will receive half-price admission.

In addition to the main exhibition of the latest machinery, the PSNI will again be in attendance to promote the BikeSafe initiative in partnership with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The 2015 Adelaide Masters Series, Ireland’s biggest motorcycle racing series, will be officially launched at the Festival and details of the championship will be available all weekend at the Mondello Park stand.

The official charity for the 2015 Adelaide/Blackhorse Motorcycle Festival will be Eilish Degnan Cancer Foundation.

Formed by Eilish’s son, Gerry Degnan, the aim of the charity is to raise funds to help children suffering from all forms of terminal illness.

Compere Matt Roberts presenter for World Superbikes & British Superbikes on Euro sport will host the ever popular chat shows.  With guest adventurer Geoff Hill who will be given talks and slide shows of his travel around the world.

The 2015 Adelaide Black Horse Motorcycle Festival has something for everyone and opens to the public from 2pm-10pm on Friday, February 6^th and from 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday, February 7^th-8^th.

Admission is £12, (£6 for senior citizens), while children under the age of 16 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

For further information visit motorcyclefest.tv