The biggest and best gaming and anime convention in Northern Ireland, Q-Con, is promising a fun-packed three day for all ages, including a special series of family events on the closing Sunday.

Now in its 26^th year, the events on Sunday, September 1 will include the Cosplay Masquerade at Elmwood Hall, that will see the best, most creative and amazing costumes on parade.

Hosted by QUB Dragonslayers Q-Con will see over 6,500 attendees across the weekend, beginning August 30, throughout the Queen’s University campus.

And, to release your inner Spidey senses, there will be a screening of ‘Spiderman – Into The Spiderverse’ at QFT on the Sunday, as well as the anime feature ‘Ponyo’ from master animator Hayao Miyazaki on the same day.

“All our events throughout each day are aimed to make sure that all audiences have plenty to get their teeth into,” said Ben Harrison of Q-Con. 

“On the Sunday we’re delighted to make it a day all the family can revel in.

“We know from previous years that parents want to be involved with their children as they all love games – tabletop and video – and they love the whole fantastic world of anime and the imaginative places it takes us into.”

If you want to help shake off the return-to-school blues KopopX will have you moving and grooving in a 50-minute workout to the best of Kpop.

Designed by gaming and anime fans Q-Con attracts people from across the UK and Ireland and further afield, with last year seeing a five percent increase in attendees. People from all ages are present throughout the weekend, with Sunday being particularly family friendly.

“When we see so many people around the university district coming along on trains, buses and in cars dressed up as their favourite comics, games and anime characters it shows just how popular gaming and anime has become, and how Q-Con caters for a demographic so often missed by the mainstream media,” said Ben. 

Taking place across the Queen’s campus, including the Whitla Hall, Elmwood Hall, Queen’s Film Theatre, the Computer Science Building and many other venues it is essential to plan your weekend to pack as much in as you can.

For more information and tickets go to q-con.org.uk

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The biggest and best gaming and anime convention in Northern Ireland is returning to Queen’s University, Belfast for its 26^th year.

With three fun-packed days from August 30 to September 1 the event is expected to attract over 6,500 attendees.

Hosted by QUB Dragonslayers Q-Con promises a host of events, including an appearance from the creator of the classic game ‘Doom’, John Romero, who will challenge people “to beat him at his own game” as well as an exclusive meet and greet.

With 26-years-experience under their belts the volunteer Dragonslayers know how to lay on three days of fantastic – in all senses – experiences.

“Since we began in a few rooms at Queen’s with 150 people Q-Con has exploded in popularity and excitement,” said Ben Harrison. 

“We promise we’re working hard to make sure that 2019 will be even better. From video gaming to tabletop gaming, and live text adventure in The Dark Room, through to our cosplay we are packing the weekend out.”

Designed by gaming and anime fans Q-Con attracts people from across the UK and Ireland and further afield, with last year seeing a five percent increase in attendees. People from all ages are present throughout the weekend, with Sunday devoted to families.

“When we see so many people around the university district coming in on trains, buses and in cars dressed up as their favourite comics, games and anime characters it shows just how popular gaming and anime has become, and how Q-Con caters for a demographic so often missed by the mainstream media,” added Ben. 

“The geeks are coming, and they’re going to have more fun than ever!”

Taking place across the Queen’s campus, including the Whitla Hall, Elmwood Hall, Queen’ Film Theatre, the Computer Science Building and many other venues it is essential to plan your weekend to pack as much in as you can.

For more information and tickets go to q-con.org.uk

SSE Arena Belfast: 8^th to 10^th November

Tickets go on sale: Thursday 29^th August at 8am

• Marvel fans assemble for this action packed, live arena stunt show
• Following a successful first tour, Marvel Universe LIVE! returns to Belfast with an all new storyline and never before seen characters in one epic battle of good versus evil

Super hero action, thrills and drama will soar, smash and burst into arenas across the UK next autumn as Marvel Universe LIVE! returns with a brand new show. Visiting nine UK cities in this all new production, produced by Feld Entertainment, Marvel fans will see Spider-Man, The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy join forces with Doctor Strange, master of the mystic arts, in a race against time to recover the Wand of Watoomb before it falls into Loki’s hands.

For those looking to get their hands on the best seats in the house, tickets go on sale 29^th August.

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): 0844 847 2455

Book On-Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

The audience will witness cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, and impressive 3D video projection mapping in this completely new thrilling adventure. With aerial stunts, martial arts and daring motorcycle skills, fans of all ages will be immersed in the Marvel universe in a show unlike anything they’ve ever seen before!

Called on by Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy join Marvel Universe LIVE! on a momentous crusade against the scheming Nebula who teams up with the conniving and loathsome villains Loki and Green Goblin. The incredible superhuman forces of Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Hulk and Black Widow will unite in clashes that pit student against mentor, sister against sister and brother against brother.

“Our tremendously talented creative team and a nearly super human cast, have created a show that brings Marvel to life,” said Juliette Feld, producer of Marvel Universe LIVE! “The show creates an experience that immerses families in non-stop action, creating movie-style thrills and jaw-dropping stunts that showcase the powers of your favourite Super Heroes right before your eyes.” 

The show will be flying into arenas in Nottingham, London, Sheffield, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham from September until December 2019. 

SSE Arena Belfast: 8^th to 10^th November

3Arena Dublin: 15^th to 17^th November

It’s set to be a spectacular Bank Holiday weekend at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, County Down, with a series of exciting events and activities that will keep all the family entertained!

Make a day of it and discover what Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has to offer, with activities from Saturday 24 August – Monday 26 August including:

• Georgian Ice Cream Workshop – cool off and have a go at making your very own Georgian ice cream. Watch a live demonstration on how to make gelato, then all children can get creative and make their own ice cream sundaes! Aspiring little chefs can take home an ‘ice cream sundae making’ certificate too!

• Get crafty with Kite Making –retrace the footsteps of one of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin who visited the Castle in the 1770s.Inspired by his famous kite experiment, make your own kite to fly in the stunning gardens on Saturday and Sunday. 

• Enjoy the sounds of Downshire Bass Band – there will be entertainment from Northern Ireland’s leading brass band, Downshire Brass Band on Saturday and Sunday. The band will be performing in the South Terrace among any array of colourful flora.

• Go on a fascinating nature trail – children can go hunting for bugs and other wildlife with maps and adventure kits provided. Pick up a pair of ‘bugnoculars’ and explore the magnificent grounds with 100 acres of ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland and meandering waterways.

• Join one of the new interactive Family Tours – join a tour of the sumptuous State Rooms and discover the weird and wonderful things some of our guests have left behind!

Booking is recommended for all activities with limited spaces available. For more information and to book tickets visit hrp.org.uk/hillsboroughcastle

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has been completely transformed by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces after five years and a £24 million investment – supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous donors. Greeting visitors upon arrival is a new visitor centre complete with café and shop.

Open Arts, one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic arts and disability organisations will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its dance group Luminous Soul by hosting the inclusive dance festival MeetShareDance in Belfast from 5 – 7 September 2019.

Luminous Soul is the only contemporary dance development programme for disabled people in Northern Ireland and features members who have a range of disabilities: physical, sensory, learning disabilities and mental health illness.

Now in its eighth year, MeetShareDance is an international workshop dance festival which is based around the ideas of inclusivity and exchange.  It aims to raise the profile of integrated dance in artistic and everyday life. The festival has previously taken place in Porto, Madrid, Helsinki, Berlin, Lubjana and Dublin – this will be its first visit to Northern Ireland.  

Eileen Branagh, Chief Executive of Open Arts said:

“MeetShareDance embodies the ethos of what Luminous Soul as a disability dance group has been doing for the past 10 years.  We bring people of all abilities together to learn to dance, make new connections and share their talents with each other and the public. 

Over a decade of dance, Luminous Soul members have worked with and been trained by some of the most well known inclusive choreographers in the UK and Ireland and some have even gone on to have their own successful careers in professional dance.  We’re really looking forward to celebrating the group’s achievements with dancers from all over Europe at MeetShareDance in Belfast in September.” 

During the festival forty amateur and professional dancers from eight countries – Spain, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Luxembourg, UK, Slovenia – will take part in three days of inclusive dance workshops at the Crescent Arts Centre. Participants in MeetShareDance will then showcase their skills to the public with a performance of a newly devised collaborative piece in Cornmarket at 1pm on Saturday 7 September. 

Gilly Campbell, Head of Community Arts and Education, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented:

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is committed to providing opportunities for everyone to access and engage with the arts.  Congratulations to Open Arts on celebrating ten years of providing high-quality dance development opportunities, for people with disabilities, through the Luminous Soul programme and we look forward to the Meet Share Dance Festival coming to Belfast to mark the occasion this September.”

For further information on Luminous Soul and the MeetShareDance 2019 festival, visit www.openartsni.org 

Open Arts is principally funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and receives Core Multi-Annual Funding from Belfast City Council’s Tourism Culture & Arts Unit. 

Get ready for an evening of pure nostalgia at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre, with ‘One Night With You’.

This two-hour, feel-good uplifting show, will take you down memory lane with the hits of three of Rock ‘n’ Roll music’s greatest icons; Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison & Elvis Presley! Featuring all the hits to have you dancing in the aisles, from ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’, ‘I Drove All Night’, ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’, ‘Teddy Bear’, and ‘That’s All Right Mama’, to name but a few!

Each of these outstanding West End artists are worth buying a ticket to see in their own right but all three together make for a powerful musical evening full of nostalgia and fun! Featuring Marc Robinson with his Stratocaster Guitar, Darren Page with his dark glasses, and Steve Halliday with all the moves of the king himself!

Will rock ‘n’ roll ever die? That’ll be the day!  ‘One Night with You takes to the stage on Friday 6 September.

Tickets are available from the Theatre Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre. 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.

Free transport from Bangor, Newtownards and Donaghadee is available for the large number of people that are expected to attend this Saturday’s Groomsport Music and Fireworks event!

Due to the increasing popularity of the event, thanks in no small part to headline act Bootleg Blondie, 19th Street Band, as well as a funfair, food stalls and a spectacular fireworks display, no parking will be available in the picturesque village (except for accessible spaces) or the surrounding area.

Instead, Ards and North Down Borough Council has arranged shuttle buses and free park and ride facilities to make the event safer and easier for everyone to attend.

In addition to the usual free shuttle bus service from Bangor Bus Station, a bus will be available from Gibson’s Lane in Newtownards (with a stop at Donaghadee) and free park and ride facilities will be located at Bloomfield Shopping Centre in Bangor.

The park and ride will operate between the centre’s Marks and Spencer car park and the A2 at the former Groomsport Hotel. It will start at 4pm and run continuously throughout the day until the end of the event.

The free shuttle bus services from Bangor Bus Station to Groomsport Main Street, as well as from Newtownards’ Gibson’s Lane to Groomsport (with a stop at Donaghadee’s New Street), will leave at 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm, with return buses operating at approximately 10.30pm and 11pm.

Visitors to the event can expect to be treated to a musical extravaganza that includes Bootleg Blondie, the official Debbie Harry and Blondie tribute band. She will be supported by ‘19th Street Band’, who will provide a high energy fusion of Americana and country from 6.30pm, before a fantastic fireworks finale at 10pm.

Throughout the day, families can also avail of free and fun activities at Cockle Row Cottages from 2pm – 4pm, (cottages open from 11am – 8pm) or enjoy a fun fair and food stalls which will open at 4pm (charges apply).

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Music and Fireworks event is definitely back with a bang so don’t miss the fun, food, music and entertainment this Saturday 17 August in the beautiful coastal village of Groomsport!

For more information, log on to visitardsandnorthdown.com.