A new BBC Northern Ireland photographic exhibition inspired by the world of road racing has opened in Ballymoney Town Hall.

‘Road Racing People’ is a collection of 26 portraits by internationally renowned motorcycle racing photographer, Stephen Davison.

Featuring riders, fans, mechanics and families, the exhibition will run until May 31^st.

The pictures were taken last year during the Mid Antrim 150, Tandragee 100, Cookstown 100, Skerries 100, North West 200 and Armoy road races. Using nothing more than a portable studio and a 50mm lens, Stephen invited people to come inside and bare their souls. His photographs capture the enthusiasm, character and essence of the sport.

Welcoming the exhibition, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “Ballymoney, with its own road racing story, is the ideal place to showcase these pictures, which give a raw insight into the world of road racing. Visitors to the museum can also enjoy our NW200 Faces and Places exhibition which features archive newspaper photographs and other memorabilia. Together, they create a must-see attraction for all road racing fans.”

The exhibition is a collaboration between BBC Northern Ireland and independent production company, DoubleBand Films, who produced the BBC Northern Ireland three-part series, ‘Road Riders’.

It’s supported by Libraries NI and curated by Sarah Edge, Professor of Photography and Cultural Studies in the School of Communication and Media at Ulster University, Coleraine.

The exhibition is open from Monday – Thursday and Saturday from 9am – 5pm and on Friday from 9am – 4.30pm.

Enjoy some Bank Holiday fun (29^th May) at the Navan Centre & Fort Armagh as we have a quest to challenge you and your family.

The Brehon Lawmaker has a crime to solve and to help make his decision he needs your help to gather evidence to help him decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty!

Listen to the accused tell their story and together with your group find clues and get to question witnesses!  When all the evidence is gathered, go to the Brehon’s house and help him make the right decision!

Will Cormac be proved guilty or innocent?  The decision is yours!

All the fun happens from 11.00am – 5.00pm and no pre-booking is required.  Normal admission charges apply.

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

The event will be staged in Portstewart from July 5th – 9th, attracting some of the world’s best golfers to the seaside resort.

With upwards of 200,000 fans and visitors expected to attend, the online guide tells the story of the event, its history and the course at Portstewart. It includes details of accommodation and tourist attractions, and highlights why Portstewart, and the wider Causeway Coast and Glens, is a must-see destination.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, who provides a video welcome message in the guide, said: “We are looking forward to seeing Portstewart take its place on the global golfing stage when the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open begins in July. The guide puts all the information you will need to know at your fingertips, and really tells the story of the tournament while showcasing our beautiful Borough.”

Digital Services Manager Nial McSorley, who developed the user-friendly application, said: “We know people expect information to be easily and quickly accessible, and this guide fulfils that expectation. It promotes the Causeway Coast and Glens in an interactive and exciting way, making the area come alive and bringing people as close to the region as possible before they actually visit.”

The free guide uses a variety of mediums, including interactive multimedia, and GIS spatial analysis. Its responsive features can be regularly updated, ensuring the public receive accurate and up-to-date information at all times.

The guide can be accessed using your mobile phone, tablet or desktop device by going to www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

With 11 days of 100 live events and workshops, get ready to celebrate the wonderful world of books at the 7^th Belfast Book Festival. Running from the 7-17^th June, this year’s festival features a unique, diverse and highly creative programme; catering for a wide range of interests and exploring many topical themes.

Through authors, workshops, music, comedy, poetry, theatre and discussions festival-goers will be treated to the best international and local talent at the Crescent Arts Centre and partner venues across the city.

Key highlights for this year include; renowned political scientist, activist, distinguished professor and prolific author Norman Finkelstein; comedian and actress Sara Pascoe discusses her debut book Animal which explores the forces that mould and affect modern women;  spend a night with the stars of the international smash hit podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno which recently sold out Sydney Opera House;  author of the best-selling book Captain Corelli’s Mandolin Louis De Bernieres talks about his latest novel Blue Dog;  spend a year in the life of mum, wife, blogger and bestselling author The Unmumsy Mum Sarah Turner;  British author, journalist and political commentator Douglas Murray discusses his book The Strange Death of Europe; stand-up comedian and author Luisa Omielan will question What Would Beyonce Do?  Poet Kayo Chingonyi will read from his new collection Kumukanda in which issues of race, identity and masculinity are explored; and local actor and author Ciaran McMenamin discusses his debut novel Skintown which is already receiving rave reviews.
This year also sees the launch of the inaugural Mairtin Crawford Award. Aimed at poets working towards their first full collection, the winner will receive a 6-month mentorship, which will support the poet to grow artistically and develop professionally.  The award has been organised in association with Moyra Donaldson and has received support from the Irish Writer’s Centre The book festival will also pay tribute to and celebrate the much missed poet at a special event during the festival.

Unsurprisingly the theme of Brexit and its associated issues around immigration and political uncertainly are present within the Festival. Guest authors and journalists include, Polly Toynbee, David Walker and Gary Younge. Feminist writers in both fiction and non-fiction feature this year, as well as discussions around related issues.  A key highlight, in association with the Woman’s Equality Party Northern Ireland, is Catherine Mayer, who is a co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party and former editor at large of TIME magazine.

The Belfast Book Festival, in partnership with Belfast City Council, invites families to discover the merry old land of Oz on 10^th June at Lower Crescent Park 11am – 3pm. Featuring children’s authors storytelling, games, lots of entertainment and of course books – this jam packed family fun day is free to attend.

Deepa Mann-Kler, Chair of the Crescent Arts Centre, commented:
“ We did it again – this year’s programme is so ridiculously good! We have literary nourishment for your mind, body and soul. You may have noticed that the world is in a state of flux, so if you want to escape the turmoil of the planet or if you want to reflect then you have to join us for #Belfastbook festival 2017. We have drawn talent from across the globe and closer to home, so please take a few minutes to book your festival highlights now. This year we are delighted to be working with the Bullitt Hotel, who are the festival sponsor, and a huge thank you to our funders and key sponsors – we can only do what we do because of you.”

Damian Smyth, Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the festival’s principal funder, said:
” The 7^th Belfast Book Festival opens up the incredible worlds of literature and the imagination by allowing the best international and local writers to present their work to audiences in the most intimate and personable of settings. The Arts Council’s  support as principal funder reflects our confidence in this festival to extend the appeal of all literary genres so that everyone, from the most tentative to the most seasoned of readers, has the opportunity to experience the full and inimitable pleasure of books.”

Festival Director, Keith Acheson, added:

“We are delighted to announce the programme of our 7^th Belfast Book Festival.  Year on year the programme reaches new heights and this year is no exception. Across 11 days, through a range of international and local talent, we will open up the world of books via workshops, talks, performances and our annual free Family Fun Day. The festival provides not only a unique opportunity to explore, discuss and debate key themes affecting us all, but importantly offers new and existing audiences the opportunity to discover these themes through the wonderful world of books and meeting the authors in intimate settings.”

For further details on the Belfast Book Festival including the full festival programme  visit www.belfastbookfestival.com or follow on facebook – Belfastbookfestival or twitter @belfastbookfest #belfastbook.

Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce the arrival of their latest Arts & Heritage Guide.

The colourful Spring & Summer guide, covering the May to August period is absolutely packed with a huge range of exhibitions, music, theatre and arts events taking place across the borough, offering opportunities for everyone to enjoy what the Arts & Heritage programme has to offer.

Highlights from the latest guide include; outdoor theatre and the FoRM Sculpture Exhibition in The Walled Garden, Bangor, fabulous music events like Yon Boys at Ards Arts Centre and ‘On Your Doorstep’ with the Ulster Orchestra at Bangor Abbey, or if theatre is more your thing, check out The Faerie Thorn at The Web Theatre, Newtownards or Theatre in the Walled Garden, along with lots of interesting exhibitions – there’s truly something for everyone!

North Down Museum also have a busy summer on the cards with free events like the Puppet Festival, Arts Nights at The Museum and the Summer Craft Market and a host of fascinating exhibitions such as The Nostalgia Gallery and The Dichotomy of a Seaside Town.

Fancy exploring your creativity? The guide also includes a wide range of classes and workshops covering a variety of arts and crafts. Learn how to draw a self-portrait with Lee Boyd, make a silver-linked bracelet with Diane Lyness or learn how to craft short stories with Kelly Creighton. There’s also photography, guitar, crochet, illustration, calligraphy classes and more!

Looking for ways to entertain children over the summer? There’s lots happening for kids too – Summer Crafty Kids at The Museum, Kids Art Club, Ceramics for Kids and a selection of Arts Summer Schemes across The Borough to keep little ones busy over the holidays! Book early to avoid disappointment.

Pick up your copy up from Ards Arts Centre, North Down Museum or our Visitor Centres or download from www.ardsarts.com or www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Belfast based songwriter Anthony Toner will celebrate the release of his seventh album Ink with a performance at Flowerfield Arts Centre.

The event on Thursday 18^th May will feature acoustic songs dealing with the themes of love, loss and happiness.

Anthony will be joined on stage by songwriter Matt Mc Ginn and keyboard enthusiast John McCullough.

Having started his career almost a decade ago, Anthony has released a string of albums packed with radio-friendly, insightful songs including East of Louise and The Road to Fivemiletown.

Promising to be a night of beautiful guitar playing and soulful lyrics, it will be enjoyed by all music lovers.

Tickets for the event, which begins at 8pm, cost £10 and are available from Flowerfield Arts Centre Box Office on 028 7083 1400 or online at www.eventbrite.co.uk (booking fee applies.) Ticket price includes a complimentary refreshment at the interval.

You are invited to join us for a Free Family Fun Day at Mossley Mill on Saturday 13 May from 12-3pm.

Take part in seed planting, pond dipping, or have your face painted at this special fun day to launch our exciting new Museum at The Mill app.

This Spring bring a picnic and enjoy the stunning setting of Mossley Mill for a whole range of activities looking at this historic site’s natural and built heritage and try out the new Museum at The Mill digital app.

The app is a great way to explore the whole site from the Mill dam down to the Newtownabbey Way completing a fun quiz along the way. The app is both Apple and Android friendly so bring along your smartphone and get started.

Everyone who tries out the new app will be entered in a prize draw for a Theatre at The Mill gift voucher.

Family Super Saturday at The Market Place Theatre is back!

This time, the show will feature one of the best loved classics for children, ‘The Curious Adventures Of Pinocchio’, which comes to life, literally! Crickets, cats, foxes and, of course, the world-famous puppet, will spring out of dusty, old, magic books while Patrick Lynch from CBeebies pulls all the strings and turns all the pages to bring you the true story of Pinocchio, no lie. Who nose? He might even find his father and become a real boy. Come and join him on his incredible journey, you’ll have a whale of a time!

The Family Super Saturday will take place on Saturday 13 May at 11am and 2pm. The ticket price of £8, or £28 for a family of four, includes a post-show hour of fun activities including themed craft workshops, face painting, balloon modelling and a fancy dress competition with prizes for the best dressed boy and girl. Great value for money! Super Saturdays are recommended for age 4+

On Saturday 13 May at 8pm, The April Verch Band take to the stage with their trio of talents. While April Verch is perhaps best known for playing traditional fiddle styles from her native Ottawa Valley, Canada, her performances extend into old-time American and Appalachian styles and beyond, for a well-rounded tour-de-force of North Americana sounds. Verch tours with world-class musicians as a trio, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass and clawhammer banjo in addition to Verch’s vocals, fiddle and foot percussion. Verch is a triple threat in performance, her live show a beautiful companion to her music: versatile, robust, and masterfully executed.

Visit the website at www.marketplacearmagh.com for full details and bookings, or contact the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. 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.