Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s LEAN (Linking Entrepreneurs in Antrim and Newtownabbey) Network invite local businesses to take part in an excellent workshop this month.

On Wednesday 21 March from 6pm – 9pm in Antrim Civic Centre, Conor Houston will present the “Delivering Excellence in Customer Service” workshop.

Conor will share his experience and insights, gained as both a lawyer and strategic advisor, into how to develop excellent relationships with your current and potential customers.  During this workshop he will help you to know your customer, impress your customer, manage expectations, develop and improve communications.

This event is open to all businesses in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area and includes a light supper.  The workshop is free to attend however places must be booked in advance by contacting T. 028 9034 0017 or E. events@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

 

 

Stendhal Festival has announced that applications for their 2018 Stendhal Featured Artist prize are now open.

The multi-award winning music and arts festival based in Limavady, introduced the prize for the first time last summer in order to help shine a light on up and coming Northern Irish artists, provide them a platform and have their work be the basis of their visual marketing strategy for the year.

The winning artist will receive a £500 prize, have their work highlighted through Stendhal, have the featured spot in the Stendhal Art Gallery at the event and have their work used in conjunction with Stendhal’s marketing campaign across, posters, billboards, flyers, social media and television.

Last year’s inaugural winner, Rachel Morrow, from Island Magee, said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and urged any up and coming artists to apply for the prize.

“It was a fantastic experience to be Stendhal’s first featured artist,” said Rachel.

“Not only was it extremely enjoyable but I also benefited a lot from the opportunity, experience and of course, exposure.

She continued. “With over 6000 people in attendance, the exposure I gained as an emerging artist was priceless. Stendhal gave me the opportunity to raise my artist profile, network and sell.

“It was also a great experience learning how to exhibit in a non-traditional space, the vibes of the event and the ethos behind my work really meshed together well.”

Since Stendhal Rachel has continued apace with her art work, she completed a large commission for Electric Picnic Music Festival, been involved in more exhibitions and has sold more paintings, all while working on an online store and a new collection of prints.

She concluded by saying: “The festival is getting bigger and better every year. If you’re looking for exposure and an exciting opportunity to network, sell and raise your profile, it’s a no brainer, apply this year.”

To apply for the Stendhal Festival Featured Artist Prize 2018, simply visit Stendhalfestival.com, click on the BLOG link at the top right hand corner of the landing page and then click on the Featured Artist Link for all the info.

For any general enquiries about the prize contact Colm O’Donnell at colmo@stendhalfestival.com

Entries are open now and close on Friday, March 9.

 

“brilliant and hilarious” – Daily Telegraph

Abigail’s Party is the play everyone remembers, from the decade fashion forgot.

 

A revival of Mike Leigh’s acclaimed play, Abigail’s Party takes to the stage in the MAC Belfast in April. A biting, hilarious, disco-infused satire of British suburbia in the 70’s,

this is one of the most iconic stage plays of the 20^th century.

A new MAC production starring Belfast actress Roisin Gallagher as Beverly, Abigail’s Party will open for a three-week run from 14 April until 5 May 2018.

 

From a time when the height of urban sophistication was cheese and pineapple on a stick, served nonchalantly on a Lazy Susan, comes a tragi-comedy about social climbing,

prejudice and fear of not doing ‘the done thing’. The production is directed by Richard Croxford with an ensemble cast featuring Brigid Shine, Will Irvine, Craig Miller

and Imogen Slaughter during a cocktail party which Beverly and her husband Laurence are hosting for their neighbours. The evening is fuelled by plenty of alcohol, an

array of savoury bites and olives, and Donna Summer on the record player. But as prejudices are unmasked and tempers flare, Beverly’s perfectly planned evening

unravels before her eyes.

 

The award-winning writer and director Mike Leigh called his play “both a celebration and a lamentation of how we are”, because this isn’t just a play about 1970s Britain,

it’s a peek into the frustrations and struggles endured by everyone who has ever floundered and grasped their way through life.

 

Commenting on the production Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC, said: “We’re delighted to be producing Mike Leigh’s bitingly acerbic play at the MAC this spring,

perhaps introducing to many that which is familiar to a whole generation of us, thanks, partly, to its legendary 1977 ‘Play for Today’ production on BBC1.”

 

Tickets for Abigail’s Party are now on-sale. For more information about the show or to book, visit themaclive.com.