Jacqueline from whatsonni.com shares her pick of What’s On this Weekend across the NI

Down

The Castle Ward Book Fair takes place this Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th June.  Browse through the thousands of quality used books for a great bargain. From rare and vintage classics to children’s corner there are books on everything to be found. A book lovers dream!  Get inspired with readings from the Castle Ward creative writing group (Sunday only), solve the clues on the family trail and join the picnic. Why not come dressed up as your favourite storybook character?   The magnificent mansion is open along with the gift shop and tea room. With the Woodland and Adventure playgrounds and crafts in the barn, it will be a great day out for all of the family.

Armagh

Lurgan Park Funday is a free family Fun Day hosted by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council this Saturday 11th June. There will be a host of child friendly activities will be provided from 12 -3 pm and the park will be the setting for an open-air concert and fireworks display at 7:30 pm. This is the second largest public park in Ireland and features a state of the art play park with additional water features, zip line and a large group swing. There is also a large pond where children and adults can watch the swans and other visiting birds and wildlife.

Fermanagh

Once again people in Arney have come together to demonstrate the incredible community spirit in the Cleenish area, but this time they are doing it through flowers at the Arney Flower Festival this weekend. The festival will be open to the public on Friday 10th June from 12 noon – 9.00pm and Saturday 11th June from 10.00am to 9.00pm and again on Sunday 12th rom 11.00am to 5.00pm when it will conclude with a Festival concert featuring the best of local talent in Cleenish Millennium Hall Arney at 7.00pm. Funds raised through the festival will go the upkeep of the Hall.

Tyrone

The Alley Theatre present Handbag Positive this Sunday 12th June. Attracta and Nora were the best of friends when they were teenagers.  They shared everything from their Bay City Roller trousers to boyfriends.  In the dark days of the late 1970s they sang shangalang and they ran with the gang.  Bomb scares at their school weren’t scary at all, they got a day off and that was ok by them.  They drift apart as people do until fate reunites them in their middle age.

Derry/Londonderry

The Danny Boy Jazz and Blues Festival is back for 2016 across various locations in  Limavady returns from 9th to 12th June. Featuring artists such as Amanda St. John, The Roaring Forties and Hardchargers, the 20th Danny Boy Jazz and Blues Festival promises to have something to delight all jazz and blues fans in the stunning Roe Valley.

Antrim

Northern Ireland’s Queen of Comedy Performs for Hospice! Nuala McKeever is delighted to be performing her internationally acclaimed, 5 Star black comedy, In The Window, in a special one-off show for Hospice NI this Friday 10th June at The Theatre at the Mill.  In The Window is an hilarious and poignant one-woman play, telling the story of Margaret and the events of one very special night in her life. Nuala delivers a poignant, hilarious, disastrous cocktail that’s to die for, about the resilience of the human heart in the face of …well, just about everything that can go wrong in our crazy modern lives…  Recommended for age 16+.

Belfast

Belfast Book Festival is back in 2016 bigger and better than ever and is getting ready to ‘open-up’ a unique and magical experience in venues across the city from  9th to 19th June.  Now a firm fixture on the literary circuit and spanning over 10 days, this year’s festival has over 100 live events and workshops and will feature a wide range of writers, authors, poets, critics, musicians, films and film makers, activists, artists and actors from home and abroad.  Notable highlights for this year include The Jam’s drummer, Rick Buckler, Only Fools and Horses John Challis, Award Winner Journalist David Arronovitch, Financial and Economics expert Paul Mason and Maverick Film-maker Alex Cox.

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