Lunchtime Readings featuring prizewinning fiction writers who read from and talk about their recent work have been among the most popular events at recent John Hewitt International Summer Schools in Armagh, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

And this year’s Lunchtime series, which runs at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh from 22 to 26 July, starting at a later time of 1.30pm each day, will feature more best-selling authors, including Ann Cleeves, Kevin Barry and Jo Baker in conversation with some of Northern Ireland’s best-known writers including Jan Carson, Michael Hughes and Brian McGilloway.

The series begins on Monday 22 July with Sarah Moss, one of the UK’s very best contemporary novelists. Her highly acclaimed sixth novel “Ghost Wall”, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019 and was chosen as a Book of the Year by The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Spectator & Financial Times.

Sarah will be in conversation with Michael Hughes, Co Armagh-born author of “The Countenance Divine” and “Country” which was announced recently as the winner of the 2019 London Hellenic Prize.

Ann Cleeves is the author behind ITV’s “Vera” and BBC One’s “Shetland”. She is the creator of detectives Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez: both the Vera Stanhope and Shetland series of novels have become major TV adaptations. Her latest book, “Wild Fire”, is the eighth and final book in the Shetland series. Her next book is the Long Call, the first in a brand new series of books featuring Detective Matthew Venn.

On Tuesday 23 July, during her conversation with Brian McGilloway, himself, one of Ireland’s best-known crime writers, local audiences will have a very special opportunity to listen to Anne Cleeves talk about her extraordinary career in crime fiction.

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is a Ugandan novelist and short story writer. Her first novel, “Kintu”, won the Kwani Manuscript Project 2013, She was awarded the 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her story “Let’s Tell This Story Properly” and Jennifer was a recipient of the prestigious Windham-Campbell Literature Prize in 2018. On Wednesday 24 July, Jennifer will be in conversation about her first full story collection. “Manchester Happened”, with Maureen Boyle, prizewinning poet, memoirist and teacher.

There will be a welcome return to JHISS on Thursday 25 July for Kevin Barry’s, one of Ireland’s most exciting and entertaining writers today, who will be talking about his darkly comic new novel, “Night Boat to Tangier”, to novelist Jan Carson, critically acclaimed author of the 2019 EU prize-winning novel, “The Fire Starters”.

 Kevin Barry’s debut novel, “City of Bohane”, won the IMPAC award as well as the EU Prize for Literature, and was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award; his second novel, “Beatlebone”, won the Goldsmiths Prize. He earned much acclaim for his collections of short stories, “There Are Little Kingdoms” and “Dark Lies the Island”.

No stranger to Armagh, Lancashire-based Jo Baker, who is married to Armagh-born playwright and screenwriter, Daragh Carville, is the celebrated author of the five novels including the critically acclaimed and bestselling “Longbourn”which is due release as a feature film in 2020.

On Friday 26 July, Jo will take part in an interview with Professor Tess Maginess, QUB, about her new book, “The Body Lies”, a thrilling contemporary suspense novel that grapples with how to live as a woman in the modern world – or in a book – when the stakes are dangerously high.

Tickets for individual JHISS Lunchtime events cost £8 .00 and these are available at the Box Office at The Market Place Theatre, Tel. 028 3752 1821 or they may be booked online: www.vistarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre   For further information see the Summer School brochure or website: www.johnhewittsociety.org  

Northern Irish musicians, Ryan Vail and Eoin O’Callaghan aka Elma Orkestra and will launch the release of their collaborative studio album, Borders with a show at the MAC this Friday, 28 June, alongside two of the most respected Irish artists in their field – vocalist, Moya Brennan and spoken word artist, Stephen James Smith.

Both from Derry-Londonderry, Vail and O’Callaghan’s album, Borders is a nod to their city and an acknowledgement of the need to overcome divisions. Presented by AVA and Quiet Arch Records, the additions of both Brennan and Smith help extend the atmospheric heights of the set, which combines electronic and neo-classical genres.

An Emmy award-winning performer and a founding member of iconic Celtic music act,‘Clannad’,Brennan is recognised as the ‘First Lady of Celtic Music’ and is widely regarded as one of the most influential singers in Irish history.

Smith has made a name for himself by modernising the art of spoken word and Irish poetry and returns to the MAC following his own successful tour here in November 2018. A world-renowned performer who has worked with the likes of Conor O’Brien (‘Villagers’ and Ivor Novello Award Winner), Oscar award-winner Glen Hansard, Shane McGowan and Roddy Doyle.

Borders has already been praised by critics for the scope and scale of its ambitious sound, with O’Callaghan and Vail’s meticulous, inspired compositions highlighting the album’s staggering feat of collaborative spirit.

Tickets for Borders at the MAC on sale now  at www.themaclive.com or call Box Office on 02890235053.

Brighter Nights return to Lilian Bland Community Park from Friday 5 July – Friday 30 August. This free family fun event will run each Friday evening from 6.30-8.30pm offering a great choice of activities for all ages to enjoy.

Getting this year’s programme off to a great start is a special ‘Schools Out Party’ to celebrate the start of the School Summer Holidays. So party on down to Lilian Bland Community Park where we have The African drumming circle, an inflatable assault course, adventure play bus, traditional games, multi skilled outdoor activities, a Disney themed bouncy castle with slide and face painters to keep this party in full swing!.

Launching Brighter Nights earlier this week Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Anne-Marie Logue commented “It is great to have such a diverse range of activities for children to enjoy each week in this fantastic open green space, an ideal opportunity to bring communities together”.

So if you fancy yourself as a Dancing Diva or a Sports Fanatic or just looking for some Fun you will love Brighter Nights which offers a different theme each week.

For a full listing check out our website www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/brighternights

To close the BASH WEEKEND, the ensemble present a one off concert performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic masterpiece.

Revolutionary music-theatre for its time, Pirates of Penzanca irreverently tells the story of a group of undesirables that take on the establishment’s sense of ‘duty’ and redefine the notion of a ‘sea border’.

With orchestra and a top class cast, this classic gets a 21st century update for one night only!

A WEEKEND CELEBRATION OF THE BELFAST ENSEMBLE

It’s been two years and the ensemble is having a party! In a Lyric Theatre take over, we present the best of our last two years and the best of our future.

For one spectacular weekend this June THE BELFAST ENSEMBLE will be performing three of their ground breaking works PLUS a brand new work ‘Lunaria’ on both Lyric stages.

In one thrilling performance you’ll watch The C*** of Queen Catherine, The House of Usher, The Doppler Effect’ + ‘Lunaria’ ALL FOR THE PRICE OF ONE TICKET.

The Ensemble’s work has become a byword for excellence and European influenced music-theatre in the city. Catch them here before they take their work to London’s Southbank Centre as part of the PRSF New Music Biennial.

THE HOUSE OF USHER (2018) with an electric fusion of orchestra, video and actors this high-octane response to Poe’s horror classic is writ large here for the Lyric stage.

THE C*** OF QUEENE CATHERINE (2017) Written on the cusp of a referendum, this work for solo performer and chamber quintet – two years on – explores what happens when Europe divides in two Tudor-style.

LUNARIA (2019, premiere) A special performance of our new 15 work commissioned by PRSF for the New Music Biennial. Lunaria – a flower that blooms every two years – explores what is possible when artists of many disciplines make work together for two exciting years! See it here before it goes to Southbank Centre, London and Hull as part of the UK’s leading new music festival.

The 25th anniversary production of A Night in November.

This is the stunning multi-award winning play from Marie Jones, writer of hit shows Stones in his Pockets & Christmas Eve Can Kill You.

‘Can passion change a man?’

A Night in November tells the story of Kenneth McAllister, a clerk in the local welfare office. Kenneth is a Belfast Protestant who has followed all the rules. He loved who he was supposed to love. He lived where he was expected to live. He fought who he was taught to fight. That is, until one night — a night in November — when he did the most exciting, outrageous, crazy, mad thing he’d ever done.

Directed by Matthew McElhinney, this funny, passionate and heartbreaking show sees the actor Matthew Forsythe flex acting skills, seamlessly shifting through dozens of characters.

A post show Q&A with Director Matthew McElhinney and his dad Ian McElhinney on Sunday 16th June entitled ‘Like Father, Like Son’

“The actor, director and producer of this production of Night in November were not even teenagers when this play was first performed. The fact that twenty five years on it still resonates with them is humbling and the passion they bring to restaging it for another generation is incredibly exciting.” – Marie Jones

“I grew up with this play and it grew up with me.” – Matthew McElhinney

Tickets are now on sale for Creative Peninsula, Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of Art and Craft. Now in its 18^th year, this thriving annual event brings together local artists and makers to demonstrate their skills and showcase their work.

Beginning on Friday 2 August 2019 and running throughout the month, Creative Peninsula, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, offers free and bookable opportunities for people of all ages and levels of experience to see, learn about and even ‘try their hand’ at a host of different art and craft forms practiced in the local area. 

Featuring, open studios, creative tours, exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and more, Creative Peninsula is an ideal way to experience what the local art and craft industries have to offer throughout the beautiful and picturesque Ards and North Down Borough.

The programme kicks-off on Friday 2 August with ‘Creative Peninsula in the Square’ at Conway Square in Newtownards.  For one day only the space will be transformed into a tented arts and crafts village with more than 30 artists and makers displaying and selling their work.  Free demonstrations including glass engraving, wood turning, felting, printing, ceramics and more will run throughout the day.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Bill Keery said:

“With over 20,000 attendees each year, Creative Peninsula has become one of the most inspirational, educational and vocational arts festivals attracting people from all corners of Northern Ireland. Ards and North Down is very fortunate to have one of the largest concentrations of artists and makers living and working here and unsurprisingly the area has a thriving creative industry. We are delighted to be able to offer this event again which allows these talented individuals to showcase their knowledge and for members of the public to learn.”

The 2019 Creative Peninsula brochure is available to download at visitardsandnorthdown.com/creative-peninsula.  Tickets for bookable events are also available from this website. 

You can pick up a programme or find out more information on all the events on offer from Ards Arts Centre, North Down Museum, at any of the local visitor information centres (Ards, Bangor and Portaferry) or by contacting the Council directly on 0300 013 3333.