Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend acros NI

Down

All little princesses (and princes of course) are invited to The Fairy Tale Princess Ball at the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge on Sunday 10th March at 2.00pm.  This is sure to be a fun filled magical event and will include meet and greets with all the classic princesses as well as lots of sing-a-longs, dancing, stories games, photo opportunities and much more.  Booking is essential. Tickets are priced at £12 each which includes one adult to accompany their child. Extra adults are welcome at an additional £2 each. Please note adults must stay with their child throughout the event.  For more information please contact leanne@tinylife.org.uk.

Armagh

Join composer and presenter John Anderson this Saturday as he conducts a celebratory and reflective event honouring our patron saint. Taking place in the magnificent setting of St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, choirs from across the island and further afield unite in a unique evening of music and spoken word. This is an exciting mix of words, music and dance, traditional and classical, ancient and modern, the reflective and exuberant, sacred and secular, all combining to make this a very special evening. Come along and celebrate our national saint with this uplifting, happy occasion dedicated to the true meaning of his life and legacy. A limited number of audience places are available. Please note these seats may have restricted views and that this event may be recorded for future broadcast and marketing purposes.

Fermanagh

Factory Girls by Frank McGuiness, Ardhowen Theatre, Friday 8th March, performed by Dunmore Amateur Dramatic Society.  Set in the recessionary early 1980’s The Factory Girls tells the story of five women facing the threat of redundancy, who stage a lock-in in a shirt factory in Co. Donegal. As their protest continues the women learn more about each other and themselves as they explore their anger, courage and compassion.  The play was the stunning debut of Frank McGuinness, one of Ireland’s greatest living playwrights, and was first produced in 1982. Funny, engaging and moving.  Contains some mild language

Tyrone

Creating a storm around the country, Ireland’s favourite trio, Shane, Dominic, and Derek collectively The Three Tenors Ireland, have been the only Irish trio act to perform annually for the past five years in such prestigious venues as the National Concert Hall Dublin  The fab trio promise you a night to remember as they perform an exciting Celtic flavoured programme this Saturday 9th March at the Alley Theatre, Strabane.

Derry

Doncaster, 2018. It’s moving day, join Keeley as she packs away her memories into boxes. Come in for a cuppa and give her a hand. As she packs up her plates and boxes up her treasures, she journeys back through her family history. Me, Mum & The Patriarchy is a witty one woman show that looks at the choices we make and explores whether women really can have it all. Saturday 9th March at the Playhouse Theatre Derry.

Antrim

The sensational new Stage Musical “My Sweetheart and Me” is a rip-roaring, funny romantic comedy set during the Summer of Love 1967, in and around a popular cornerstone of the community Public house (The Suntree bar) in the fictional sleepy town of Cheerysville, Ireland.   ​Seen through a nostalgic lens, the story centres around two single love struck thirtysomethings, as they haphazardly struggle against all the odds, to get their new found love for one another off the ground. Theatre at the Mill,  8th – 9th March.

Belfast

Fresh from two consecutive years at the Edinburgh Fringe, join award-winning drumming comedy performer Paul Richards as he struggles to control his very merry ‘choir’ of comedians in their bid to tell you the entire history of pop music in just 90 minutes.  Packed with special guests and surprises, this gloriously messy singalong show will find our loveable/shambolic ensemble attempt to perform 62 songs in an hour and a half with a whole host of inevitable distractions…what could possibly go wrong? Crescent Arts Centre, Saturday 9th March.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to 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.  

Jacqueline McGonigle