2015 marks the 75^th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain – the greatest aerial conflict of the Second World War, which turned the tide in the war against Germany.

In recognition of this important anniversary, Ards and North Down Borough Council is holding a special commemorative event featuring a Spitfire and Hurricane fly-past, jazz picnic and Vintage Fair at Ards Air Field on Saturday 19 September. The sounds of the 40s will be recreated by headline act The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, known as the ‘Best Big Band in the Land’.

Following an Opening Address and Commemorative Service, Dave Martin and The Casino Cats will start the stage programme at 2pm.  Led by the charismatic Dave Martin with his smooth velvety vocals, the band offer authentic smooth sounds from the 40s era with a set list of popular big band tunes.

Next up is the fabulous Syd Lawrence Orchestra.  Founded in 1967 by trumpeter and arranger Syd Lawrence, the orchestra has been thrilling audiences in concert halls, theatres, TV shows and music festivals all over Great Britain and Europe for over 40 years.  Renowned for its exciting blend of high octane big band swing and classic dance music, The Orchestra’s repertoire ranges from the wartime million sellers of the legendary Glenn Miller, through the era of the great Count Basie Orchestra, to the hit songs of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.  The concert will be compered by local broadcaster Frank Mitchell.

At 6.30pm spectators will be invited to look to the skies as a genuine Spitfire and a Hurricane aircraft perform a special fly-past finale over the Air Field.  Both of these famous aircraft were typical of the planes that fought in the Battle of Britain and these restored versions are very rare examples that will lend authenticity to this commemorative event.

Also on site throughout the day will be a vintage fair from Frock Around The Clock. Guaranteed to delight the vintage lover and shopaholic like, the fair will feature a fabulous line-up of around 30 hand-picked local vintage dealers and creative designers offering a huge array of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, home-wares, collectables, gifts, sweet treats and so much more.

A display of military vehicles, street theatre, vintage dancers and a food-fair will make this commemorative event a day out for all the family.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, commented: “This commemorative event to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be a very special and fitting tribute to the men and women who fought in the Second World War.  It is important that we continue to remember their sacrifice and the programme we have planned will encourage this as visitors have the opportunity to experience some of the most iconic sights and sounds associated with the period.”

Gates to the venue are open at 12noon and car-parking is available on-site.

For further information on this event please contact Ards Visitor Information Centre on (028) 9182 6846 or email ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Belfast Programme

Time	Thursday 27 August	CATEGORY	Location
19.30	How to do it like a woman: Caroline Criado-Perez	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
19.45	Dancing at Lughnasa	Theatre	Lyric Theatre
	Friday 28 August
11.00	The Gentle Island	Rehearsed Reading	Brian Friel Theatre, QUB
15.00	Loving the Part of History that is Story: Kamila Shamsie and Margie Orford	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
17.00	Women Leading the Way: Frances O’Grady in conversation with Shami Chakrabarti	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
18.30	Faith Healer – with Clonleth Hill, Denis Conway & Eleanor Methven	Rehearsed Reading	(starting point @Duncairn Centre)
19.00	Transforming Societies: Nuala O’Loan and Gillian Slovo	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
19.45	Dancing at Lughnasa	Theatre	Lyric Theatre
21.00	Big Dance – with DJ David Holmes	Dancing Cranes/New Norths
	Saturday 29 August
06.30	Ryanga Ritual Dawn Dance	Dancing Cranes/New Norths	The Giant’s Ring
10.30	LEONORA	Mundy Concerts	Titanic Suite, Titanic Belfast
11.00	The Enemy Within	Rehearsed Reading	Venue TBC
12.00	Women and Publishing: Kamila Shamsie and Sinead Gleeson	Amongst Women	The Linenhall Library
13.00	KIteTanica	KiteTanica	Titanic Quarter
14.00	Laura Bates and Ione Wells	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
14.30	Dancing at Lughnasa	Theatre	Lyric Theatre
16.00	On Liberty: lecture by Shami Chakrabarti	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
18.00	Women In Music: Viv Albertine	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
18.00	Dancing on the River	Dancing Cranes/New Norths	Lagan Weir Footbridge
18.30	Faith Healer	Rehearsed Reading	(starting point @ Duncairn Centre)
19.45	Dancing at Lughnasa	Theatre	Lyric Theatre
20.00	Sandi Toksvig live and unleashed	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
	Sunday 30 August
12.00	The Long Gaze Back: Lucy Caldwell, Evelyn Conlon and Lisa McInerney with Sinead Gleeson	Amongst Women	Naughton Studio @ The Lyric
13.00	Dancing over the Peace Wall	Dancing Cranes/New Norths	(Peace Wall) Lanark Way, West Belfast
14.00	Talking about Revolution: Ahdaf Soueif in conversation with Rachel Holmes	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
14.30	Dancing at Lughnasa	Theatre	Lyric Theatre
14.30	Faith Healer	Rehearsed Reading	(starting point @Duncairn Centre)
16.00	Lynn Barber and Kathy Lette	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
18.00	RUBY PHILOGENE	The Mundy Concerts	Rosemary St.Church
20.00	Feist: In Conversation and Performance	Amongst Women	Elmwood Hall, QUB
	Monday 31 August
10.30	KATYA	The Mundy Concerts	Titanic Suite, Titanic Belfast
12.00	Drowsy Maggie’s Waves of Tory	Dancing Cranes/New Norths	Titanic Slipways

ExKitement is soaring for the first ever display of professional kite-flying to take place in Dungannon.

Kites of all shapes, sizes, characters and colours, will take to the skies above Dungannon Park in a precision flying event, where professional pilots will showcase their skills in flying kites into stack formations and other intricate manoeuvres.

The kites are the main attraction at the free ‘Picnic in the Park’ on Bank Holiday Monday (31^st August) being organised by Mid Ulster District Council.

As well as the entertainment in the air, there will be a range of activities on the ground, including live music from Whistlin’ Donkeys and Afrikan Warriors, magic shows, carnival games, cage football, puppet workshops and jump, jiggle and jive.

The Picnic in the Park takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 31^st August, from 12noon to 7pm and entry is free. For further details contact Dungannon Park on 028 8772 8690 or visit www.midulstercouncil.org/whatson.

Getting the autumn off to a creative start, TOTAL STITCH FEST: The Alternative Craft Show will be returning to the Ramada Plaza Belfast on Sunday 13^th September in a big celebration of all that is handcrafted and unique in Northern Ireland.

It will be the perfect opportunity to get your hands on authentic Irish artisan products, stock up on quality craft supplies for your own creative pursuits, and participate in fun workshops, all while supporting local designers and the Irish handmade movement at the same time.

Brought to you by the creative folks at Frock Fairs NI, TOTAL STITCH FEST is held just twice a year, and Sunday 13^th September will be its 4^th outing. A great hit with all ages, the event has become known as something of a paradise for crafters, bringing together a rapidly growing community of designer-makers who lovingly cultivate a burgeoning handmade and DIY culture. A fantastic day out, it features not only a quality marketplace of over 60 crafters and artisans from all over Ireland but also a popular Drop-In Workshop area where visitors of all ages can sit down to learn new crafts in a fun atmosphere. Run by the ladies from The Craft Market (based in Fivemiletown) the drop-in workshop area is free and participants get the opportunity to make and take something away with them.

New and seasoned craft addicts will love to browse the stalls and select gorgeous fabrics, natural & luxury yarns, and vintage textiles from quality craft purveyors like The Textile Studio, I of The Needle, Windmill Fabrics, A Fine Fish Yarns and Vintage & Interiors. Similarly, eco-conscious buyers, fashionistas and trend hunters will go mad for the superb selection of designer and artisan stalls selling a wide variety of high quality, unique handmade products including clothing and fashion accessories, furniture, home décor & soft furnishings, art & photography, jewellery, gifts, toys, artisan foods, baby and children goods, and much more!

Exhibitors combine new and traditional craft techniques to produce fresh, innovative work not found at mainstream craft shows and will include Laird & Gillie, specialising in beautiful tweed textile art, Liz Nicholls Felt & Textile Designer, maker of handmade felt wall hangings and fashion accessories, Patricia Millar Ceramics, creator of original stoneware ceramics inspired by the surroundings of the Ards Peninsula, and The Honeysuckle Bee and Me, architect of handcrafted goats milk soap and natural soy wax candles.

Others will be demonstrating their crafts in an interactive way affording visitors the opportunity to get involved in interesting activities. Make fabric flowers with Strombolitwo, paper crafts with Maple Leaf Memories, bead projects with Seed Bead Buddies, and design your own teabags with Miss McKeown’s – it’s the perfect opportunity to meet the makers in person and talk about their handmade goods and creative processes!

TOTAL STITCH FEST: THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW will take place from 12-5pm on Sunday 13^th September 2015 at Ramada Plaza, 117 Milltown Road, Shaws Bridge, Belfast BT8 7XP.  Admission costs only £3 for adults and children go free. More information on the event and the exhibitor list can be found at frockfairsni.com and facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.

Saturday 22 August – Friday 28 August

Saturday 22 August, Music and Fireworks

Groomsport

Free Event

With a fantastic entertainment line-up, this free event has all the elements for a family evening out with music, food and drinks available on site, a fun fair and the spectacular fireworks finale.

Children’s Fair 12noon – 10pm, Live Music from 7pm and Fireworks Display from 10pm.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk,

visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 22 August, Bangor Culture Day

Free Event, 12noon – 5pm

Bangor Culture Day returns this year to celebrate the wealth of creative talent in the town, with music, dance, theatre, spoken word, craft, magic and much more.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk,

visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 22: Plant and Play Garden Workshop and Crafts

Sun 23: Aldo’s Magic Show, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 22 and 23 August, Fun at the Lough

Portaferry, various locations

Free Entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Free entertainment every weekend this August in Portaferry, including Fishy Fun Street Theatre, Exploris Discovery Tank and Exhibitions.

Sat 22: Captain Morgan

Sun 23: Serena Sea Queen

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, Portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 23 August, Live Music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Join us for the summer season of free live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act:  Nathan O’Regan Band with Ryan McMullan (Popular, Folk)

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 23 August, Summer Band Concert

Lemons Wharf, Donaghadee

Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm

Join us for the summer season of free band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.

This week’s band: Ballywalter Flute Band

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 22 August, Maritime Coach Tour

Tour departs from Ards Visitor Information Centre, 1pm

Ticket: £12 (Ad), £10 (Con), £6 (Ch)

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 23 August, Strangford Lough Boat Tour

Tour departs from The Slipway, Portaferry, 2pm

Ticket: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £4 (Ch)

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, Portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 23 August, Donaghadee Living History Walking Tour

Tour departs from the Town Hall, Donaghadee, 2pm

Ticket: £6 (Ad), £5 (Con), £3 (Ch)

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Tuesday 25 August, Bangor Christian Heritage Walk

Tour departs from Bangor Abbey. 2:30pm

Ticket: £3

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 29 August – Friday 4 September

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 29: Face Painting, Casey’s Creatures

Sun 30: Science Show: ‘Dino Dig, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 29 and 30 August, Fun at the Lough

Portaferry, various locations

Free Entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Free entertainment every weekend this August in Portaferry, including Fishy Fun Street Theatre, Exploris Discovery Tank and Exhibitions.

Sat 29: Captain Horatio Hawke

Sun 23: Miss Shell the Singing Mermaid

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, Portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 30 August, Live Music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Bring along a picnic and join us for the final day of our summer season of free live music Ward Park.

This week: Open House Bluegrass Picnic

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 30 August, Summer Band Concert

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm

Join us for the summer season of free band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.

This week’s band: Ballygowan Flute Band

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 29 August, Decourcy’s Norman Conquest of the Ards

Tour departs from Ards Visitor Information Centre, 10:30am

Tickets: £17 (Ad), £15 (Con), £8 (Ch)

Info:  Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Copeland Island Boat Tour

Tour departs from Donaghadee Harbour, 2pm

Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £ 4 (Ch)

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibitions

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Tuesday 4 August – Sunday 6 September

The Creative Peninsula Exhibition – Now in its 14th year, this thriving event features Open Studios, Tours, Exhibitions, Workshops, Demonstrations and more.

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Friday 31 July – Saturday 29 August

Art in the Loft – ‘Ocean Reflections on the Creative Process’ – Drawings, sketches & panting proofs by Seacourt Print Workshop Artists.

Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846 Admission Free

Friday 31 July – Saturday 29 August

Meet the Maker: ‘Outside of Us’ – An exhibition by ceramicist Sharon Regan

With a new name, Northern Ireland Speed Weekend, the adrenaline fuelled motoring spectacular will return this August Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August, at Eikon Complex  Balmoral Park, Lisburn.

Jam packed with exciting, revved-up action you’ll definitely want to be there!

We’ve been working hard to bring you the most exhilarating Motorsports day out of the year.

Live action, Interaction, Rally Cars, Race Cars, Drifting, Sports Cars, Go Karting, Super Cars, Dragsters, Helicopters, Stunt Shows and a whole lot more are waiting for you at the Northern Ireland Speed Weekend 2015.

What’s Happening

Rallying

On an all new spectator Rally Stage including the WRC Rally Bridge.

Racing

Race cars and exotica will burn rubber on the Speed Weekend Sprint Track

Colin Turkington

Get an autograph from the current BTCC Drivers Champion.

Drifting

“Kill All Tyres!” The best of the NI Drift Series will really wake you up.

Drag Racing

Where every second counts.

Auto test/Auto solo

The cream of the crop of Northern Ireland precision drivers will battle it out.

You can even jump in for a go.

Off Roading

Courtesy of the NI Landrover Club. You can even join them for a ride along.

Helicopter Rides

Head for the Heli-Pad and take off for a bird’s eye view of all the action.

Go Karting

Put your skills to the test on the Eddie Irvine Sports  Go Kart track.

Show n Shine Car Show

All the finest Modifieds and Classics.

New Car Display

Local dealers will be showing off their latest models and best deals.

Merchandising Village & Food Court

Fill up your tank at one of the diners.

Live Music

Hosted by Brian Moore, we bring you the best of local musical talent

Saturday 29^th August

1230pm – Johnny James

230pm – Hillspeak

430pm – Sarah Griffen

Sunday 30^th August

12pm – Hillspeak

2pm – Wookalily

4pm – Johnny James

515pm – Sarah Griffen

Parachute Displays

Courtesy of the Wild Geese parachute Display Team.

For more information or to buy Tickets go to our website www.speedweekendni.com and find us on Facebook.

The NI Speed Weekend is organised and promoted by Supernova Event Management in association with the Ulster Automobile Club . We also thank Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for their support.

A Belfast City Council committee has recommended the creation of a council-owned company to run the Belfast Waterfront on completion of the current £29.5 million extension.

Work on a new state of the art conference and exhibition facility, which is due to open in May 2016, is well advanced as Belfast aims to become a major player in the global conference market with the target of generating £100 million return for the city over a five year period.

The council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee today recommended that those objectives and best value for ratepayers would be best achieved by the arm’s length company, owned by the council but operating more independently.

The detailed analysis presented led the committee to recommend that the council-owned model would best enable the Waterfront to successfully compete with other international conference venues in attracting major events and creating over 1,500 new hospitality and retail jobs.

The decision was however not unanimous and today’s recommendation is now subject to ratification at the council’s monthly meeting on Tuesday 1 September. If agreed, a board of directors will be appointed, with the new company taking over daily running of the Waterfront from April 2016. The venue will remain in the council’s ownership.

“The decision to invest £29.5 million in the Waterfront was a vote of confidence in Belfast’s growing reputation as an international conference destination, and this recommendation now takes the crucial step of providing greater commercial freedom to the venue, so it can fully realise its potential within what is a highly competitive and fast-paced marketplace,” said Councillor Declan Boyle, Chairman of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

“To do this, we must have the right structures, conditions and incentives in place to attract and secure bookings, develop our professional, passionate employees and, above all, create a fantastic experience for customers which sells our city to the rest of the world.

“We are committed to ensuring that any new management and working arrangements are introduced as smoothly as possible, if agreed by full council, and will be working closely with staff and the trade unions over the coming months to achieve this.”

Staff will have their pensions and contractual employment conditions protected.

Councillor Boyle pointed out that, with 25 international and national events already confirmed for 2016 and beyond, an enhanced Belfast Waterfront was already bearing fruit.

“Doubling the number of conference delegates travelling to Belfast is good news for everyone who wants to see our city thrive. The benefits are obvious – more jobs created, new investors attracted to a vibrant, friendly city, additional rates income generated and, for communities, the potential to reinvest our success back into other improvements right across the city, making sure everyone feels the impact of this exciting and game-changing project,” he said.

Titanic Belfast is running an Early Riser offer throughout August, which allows visitors to beat the rush and enjoy the nine interpretive and interactive galleries at a discounted rate, before the kids go back to school.

The Early Riser Saving runs until the end of August from 9:00am, 9:20am or 9:40am. Guests can explore boomtown Belfast, the Shipyard, the fit out, the sinking, aftermath and its final resting place for only £10 per adult and £6 per child when booked online.

To mark the early riser offer, the largest Titanic visitor experience has listed unique things to see and do before 9 o’clock for tourists and locals alike. These include

• Watch the Cruise Ship Dock

With the ever increasing number of cruise ships coming to Belfast, watch the spectacle as they sail and dock on Belfast Lough and dock on the far side of the Lough! Most ships dock at around 8am.

• Walk Along Titanic’s Promenade Deck

Explore the slipways life size plan of Titanic’s Promenade Deck which is inlaid in white stone, where the ship would have been constructed, outlining where the liner’s lifeboats and funnels and benches on board would have been.

• Visit the Memorial Garden

View the memorial garden, where four grass lawns alternate with timber decking to illustrate the proportion of Titanic’s victims and survivors from each of the passenger classes and crew, in the morning silence.

• Watch the Sunrise Over the Iconic buildings

Watch the sun rise over Titanic Quarter, one of the world’s largest urban-waterfront regeneration projects, including the iconic Titanic Belfast, SS Nomadic, the famous barrel-vaulted Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and the landmark Samson and Goliath gantry cranes.

• Travel The Map

Follow the route of the Titanic around the plaza surrounding the building on one of the largest maps of the Northern Hemisphere at 10,000 m2.

• Hear the SS Nomadic’s Bellowing Horn

Every day the last remaining White Star vessell’s horn sounds to mark the start of the business day. If you’re one of the first visitors on the ship, you may even get the chance to do the honours!

• Watch the Sea Gulls Feast on Breakfast on the Slipways

Sea Gulls can be seen throughout the morning uniquely shelling and feasting on mussels on the slipways. The blue shell remains can be found on the slipways throughout the day.

For more information on the Early Riser Saving and the Titanic Belfast, visit www.titanicbelfast.com.

The second annual Bangor Culture Day takes place this Saturday, as part of the 2015 Open House Festival programme.

From 12 noon to 5pm, the seafront area of Bangor will erupt with a kaleidoscope of cultural activity, from live music, to spoken word, to dancing, to visual art – and it’s all free. There’ll be craft making, vintage stalls, artisan food, flash mobs, parkour jumping, storytelling, singing lessons – and even free recording sessions on offer.

“One of our messages for this year’s festival has been that Bangor itself is the star of the show, with events taking place in so many unique and beautiful venues,” says Open House’s Culture Day Co-ordinator, Sharon Matchett. “Culture Day will reiterate that message by giving a host of creative local people the opportunity to showcase their talents on their own doorstep.”

This year, all of the activity will be centred around The Hub at Project 24 on Queens Parade. Highlights will include the first public performances from the Open House Festival Choir, which has been rehearsing for the past six weeks under the guidance of singing tutor, Katie Richardson of Katie and the Carnival and Goldie Fawn. There’ll also be big band sounds, traditional music, busking, and a DJ set from the Bangor Vinyl Collective.

You’ll be able to participate in screen printing and paint bombing workshops, see bee keeping in action, take part in tea dances, line dancing and get a swing dancing lesson – and much, much more.

“We’re still putting the finishing touches to the programme,” says Sharon, “but there’ll be something happening virtually every minute of day from noon to five pm. So people can come down to the Hub area on Bangor seafront at any time and know they’ll see something!”

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, says, “Culture Day Bangor will be a great celebration of arts and culture showcasing the talent of our area. Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to be supporting Open House Festival for this fantastic and free Culture Day.”

Open House Festival Bangor 2015 is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Tourism NI. For more information about the festival go to: www.openhousefestival.com.

Down

The 3rd Open House Festival continues until the end of August, with events taking place in 36 venues and locations across Bangor. Entertainment includes music, theatre & comedy, film, food and much more. View the full programme of events here at www.openhousefestival.com.

Armagh

Join the Camlough Water Festival this weekend, 21st to 23rd August,  for a range of swimming competitions and have a go sessions including the Try-a-Tri, Ulster 5k and 10k championships as well a Night Swim. Camlough Lake Water Festival’s mission is to improve access to and promote water based sporting activities in and around Camlough Lake and Carlingford Lough for the purposes of fun and competition.

Fermanagh

This Friday 21^st August join staff from the Northern Ireland Bat Group at Castle Caldwell Forest from 9.00pm to 1.00pm, and discover more about some of our most elusive and mysterious mammals in their natural environment. All children must be accompanied by adult. Please bring a hand or head torch. Warm waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear are essential. Booking is essential.

Tyrone

This Sunday August 23rd at 8.30pm Bríd Harper will perform in Concert at An Creagan.  A native of Co Donegal, Brid has been playing Irish Traditional Music on the fiddle since she was nine years old. She has won many All Ireland competitions and many traditional musicians cite Bríd as a major influence on their playing and she has been described as one of the finest exponents of traditional fiddle playing of our time. For this concert Bríd will be accompanied by PJ McDonald talented singer and multi-instrumentalist from Donaghmore. Concert 8.30 –9.30 pm followed by open session.

Legenderry

Beoga (gaelic for ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim, in the north of Ireland. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy Irish sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works – wonderfully well. See them perform live this Saturday 22^nd August at An Coire Maghera. Tickets £12.50.

Antrim

Peter Corry presents ‘The Red Velvet Cabaret’ – this summer’s must see cabaret show. Produced by the team that brought you last summer’s sold out production of ‘Spectacular!’ based on the songs from the film Moulin Rouge.” The Wild Duck Inn Portglenone is the venue for this show on Friday 21st August with doors opening at 7.30 p.m.  Tickets are only £15 and all profits from this event will go to Save the Children.

Belfast

EastSide Arts Festival, 19th – 31st August, is just around the corner with 12-days of events across the EastSide and beyond; 33 of these are FREE and there are lots of family activities. Highlights include Ciara O’Malley’s mobile space project featuring her interactive caravan of art located at Connswater Pocket Park, Making It Up Story workshops at Skainos, Storytelling at Short Strand Community Centre and Cregagh Library, Craft Workshops with Redhead Thread at Short Strand Community Centre  and Belmont Tower and the fantastic Orangefield Park Celebrations on August 29, organised by Connswater Community Greenway, featuring workshops, music and street theatre. For further details visit www.eastsidearts.net

Add your events free at www.whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.