Ards and North Down Borough Council proudly presents its Arts and Heritage Summer Programme, spanning the May to August period. Bursting with an array of events, exhibitions, and creative classes, alongside exciting events at Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum, the diverse programme offers cultural experiences for everyone.
Highlights from the Arts and Heritage Summer programme include the popular Friday Night Live series of events which will see musicians Brigid O’Neill and Wilfie Gilbert take to the stage at Ards Arts Centre. The Ulster Orchestra return to Bangor Abbey in June for another enchanting evening of classical music presented by a small ensemble.
The picturesque setting of Bangor Castle’s Walled Garden will host the acclaimed ForM Sculpture Exhibition in June, showcasing the works of artists from all around the island of Ireland. World-famous magician and household name, Joel M will appear at Space Theatre, SERC, Bangor in July where audiences can witness the impossible as he shows off his latest and greatest illusions!
The annual Creative Peninsula festival in August offers an abundance of opportunities to try your hand at arts and craft practices. Featuring workshops from talented local artists, studio visits and the fantastic Creative Peninsula in the Square event, there’s plenty to get involved with!
For anyone wishing to learn a new skill or perhaps develop existing skills, Ards Arts Centre has lots of creative classes on offer – from silversmithing to calligraphy, drawing to ceramics and lots more! Enrolment for classes opens for online booking from 12noon on Thursday 25 April.
North Down Museum also has a busy Summer ahead. Highlights of their programme include a series of Ulster Scots events for children, taking place in August. From the Children’s Ceilidh, where kids can learn traditional group dances, to the lively Wiggly Weans event where little ones will delight in singing rhymes and mastering ceilidh moves. The museum will also host the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary exhibition, opening in June. The exhibition will explore the important role played by the RNLI and their volunteers since the first lifeboat station opened in the borough in 1858.
Speaking about the programme, Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager with Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “We have a really exciting and varied programme of arts and heritage activity with music, exhibitions, hands-on classes and lots to entertain younger audiences. We hope you’ll visit us at Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum this Spring/Summer.”
Tickets go on sale on Thursday 25 April at 12noon. To view the full programme and to book, visit: www.andculture.org.uk/whats-on