Cookstown goes continental next month when the food and flavours, sights and sounds of Europe and beyond return to the town centre for two days on 2 – 3 June!

Organised by Mid Ulster District Council, in partnership with Cookstown Town Centre Forum, the continental market is part of Market Place Europe’s spring tour, and will feature over 40 traders from as far afield as Morocco, India, Belgium, France, Russia, Holland, Spain and China, who will set up stalls alongside local traders from the weekly street market.

As well as mouth-watering dishes, from freshly made Paella to delicious Bratwurst Sausages, visitors to the market over the two day event will also be kept entertained with a variety of street entertainment and music.

An added feature to this year’s market is ‘The Brickx Club’ which will take place at the Burnavon over the weekend. During two-hour sessions children and adults alike will have the opportunity to utilise LEGO through creative brick building. There will be construction zones and brick pits where LEGO enthusiasts of all ages can build and create. To book, or for more information, go to: www.burnavon.com.

Launching the 2018 market, Councillor Kim Ashton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, said:

“The Continental Market is the signature civic event for Cookstown and one which consistency brings huge numbers to the town centre. Given the line-up for this year’s event I have no doubt it will do the same.

“As well as being a great opportunity for local people and visitors alike to enjoy flavours from around the world, the continental market allows us to showcase Cookstown and all it has to offer to a large audience. With such an excellent array of entertainment planned over the two days, it’s sure to be a great weekend of fun and activity for all the family. I look forward to welcoming all our stall holders and experiencing the extra buzz in the town when the market kicks off on Saturday 2^nd June!”

The continental market takes place along William Street in Cookstown town centre from Saturday 2 June (9am – 9pm) and Sunday 3 June (11am – 7pm).

To facilitate the expected increased visitor numbers in a safe environment, a road closure will be in place along William Street from 6.30pm on Friday 1 June through to approximately 10pm on Sunday 3 June 2018. The road closure will be in place from the Orritor Street/Coagh Street junction to the Burn Road/James Street junction.

To find out more, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/market or call Mary McCullagh, Regeneration Manager on 03000 132 132 or email mary.mccullagh@midulstercouncil.org.

Hofesh Shechter, one of the UK dance scene’s hottest properties, comes to Belfast for the first time 17^th – 19^th May

★★★★ “The ultimate dance macabre” (The Observer)

The internationally-acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter, whose landmark pieces include Political Mother and 2017’s Grand Finale, now brings his unique, high-energy work to The MAC Belfast for the first time, as part of a UK and world tour.

Described by the New York Times as “one of the British dance scene’s hottest properties”, Hofesh Shechter Company presents SHOW, a wild and mischievous performance composed of three acts: The Entrance, Clowns and Exit.

Combining Hofesh’s bold, exhilarating and tribal choreography with a pulsating score, SHOW revolves around a group of anarchic performers as they play their parts in a macabre circus of comedy, murder and desire.  It will be performed by Shechter II, the apprentice company of the celebrated choreographer, for dancers aged 18-25.

Over 1,000 dancers auditioned for Shechter II and the final eight, drawn from the most inspiring young talent across the world, represent the very best of the next generation of contemporary dancers. They are Riley Wolf (UK), Juliette Valerio (France), Zunnur Sazali (Singapore), Adam Khazhmuradov (Belgium), Natalia Gabrielczyk (Poland), Emma Farnell-Watson (UK), Robinson Cassarino (France) and Neal Maxwell (Switzerland).

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC said: “It is a real privilege to be hosting recent Olivier nominee, Hofesh Shechter in Belfast for the first time, which continues the MAC’s approach to presenting the highest quality work across all art forms”.

SHOW by Hofesh Shechter is at the MAC for three nights only from 17 – 19 May.  For more information about the show or to book, visit themaclive.com.

This has been supported by National Lottery funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Newtownards is gearing up for a puppet takeover this month when Northern Ireland’s only Puppet Festival comes to Conway Square.

Taking place from Saturday 26 May – Monday 28 May, the Ards and North Down Borough Council festival will be bigger and better than ever before, offering a jam-packed programme packed with puppet fun!

Over the festival, the town centre will be animated with an eclectic mix of scheduled performances, free puppet workshops and plenty of madcap puppet shenanigans! Expect puppets in all shapes and sizes, from socks to shadows and strings, there’ll be lots of quirky characters to meet!

One of the programme highlights will be The Elephant Extravaganza which will take place on Sunday and Monday afternoon. Prepare to be amazed by ‘Harminder,’ Festive Road’s impressive, larger-than-life mechanical Asian elephant. Pedal-power brings her to life, with her ear, head and trunk movements adding to the spectacle as she perambulates. She loves nothing more than packing her trunk and going to new places and making new friends!

The festival Big Top in Conway Square will be buzzing with an impressive programme of high-quality shows scheduled over the three days. On Saturday morning, Banyan Theatre company presents Red Riding Hood and will recant this children’s favourite tale through puppetry storytelling and music. On Saturday afternoon, it’s the turn of The DaSilva Marionette Circus Troupe to take over the Big Top. Come and be amazed by aerial acrobatics on the flying trapeze, spectacular cycling stunts, cheeky clowns and more! On Sunday, The Cardboard Carnival, by Lempen Theatre will wow audiences with the ultimate animal show created entirely from cardboard! A Strange New Space by Tessa Bide – winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Primary Times Children’s Choice Award 2017-  will perform on Monday afternoon. This intergalactic adventure of space-obsessed Amira, mirroring her real-life journey as a refugee. A non-verbal, physical show for families with puppetry and original music.

There’s lots happening outside in Conway Square too with plenty of quirky characters to meet. Look out for The Alchemist and laugh at his failed attempts to make gold, have tea with the Big Bad Wolf (if you dare!) or marvel at Dangerous Dave and his daft stunts. Bump into an ancient 700-year-old Swedish Troll called Aloisious Ginderbalm performed by local puppeteer Paul Currie, watch Dr Frankenstein at work, meet the crazy Market Stall puppets who will have you in stitches as you select your veg and so much more!

More creative visitors can get stuck into puppet making at the free interactive workshops where children can build their very own puppets, guided by local artists. For the more energetic, there’s a Puppet Scavenger Hunt throughout Newtownards town centre. Follow the trail to find puppets hidden in shop windows!

Speaking about the festival, Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer with Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “We are very excited about the festival this year which will be the biggest yet with three full days of puppetry. The calibre of performers is second to none and the magic of puppetry in all its forms and for all ages is not to be missed.”

Ards Puppet Festival takes place from 26 – 28 May in Conway Square Newtownards. For more information go to: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or www.ardsarts.com

Take a voyage of discovery (or rediscovery) using Translink’s Ards Peninsula Ticket and travel one of the most stunning parts of our country, with its unspoilt villages, abbeys and castles and welcoming locals all with a story to share; exploring the Peninsula couldn’t be easier.

The ticket is not just for visitors to the region but also our local residents to take advantage of too; Translink has collaborated with Ards and North Down Borough Council and the National Trust to provide additional offers in two of the borough’s most popular visitor attractions, with 20% off admission prices at Portaferry’s Exploris Aquarium and 2 for 1 entry to Mount Stewart.

The £8 day ticket is available every day on Ulsterbus Ards Peninsula services (after 9.30am) until further notice. The ticket allows explorers unlimited day travel. And with Children’s fares only £4 the whole family can step on board and go.

The Peninsula offers a treasure of appealing sights, things to do and eateries, all waiting for you to discover or re-discover – from beach days out to delightful eateries, historic towns and villages, unique boutiques, seaside charm, gardens, woodlands and so much more! The Ards Peninsula is sandwiched between two breadths of water; the shores of Strangford Lough offer exquisite views – spot Scrabo Tower on the brow of the hill that majestically overlooks Newtownards and beyond, or the Mourne Mountains. It is also a hub for kite surfers, bird watchers and nature lovers. On the other side, the gorgeous beaches are perfect for little toes that love the feel of sand and waters of the Irish Sea between them. Villages, steeped in heritage, are dotted through the peninsula such as Greyabbey, renowned for its antique shops and the abbey that dates back to the 12^th Century, the busy fishing village of Portavogie and Ballyhalbert’s Burr Point, which marks Irelands most easterly point.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Robert Adair, is encouraging visitors to the borough and residents alike to take advantage of the deal, he said “Events like the Portavogie Seafood Festival on 11 August will be a highlight of the summer in the area and provide for the perfect excuse to take advantage of the Translink offer. Make the most of days off this spring summer season and jump on board the bus with your Ards Peninsula Day Ticket.”

For more information, visit translink.co.uk and to help plan your visit see visitardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

The prestigious Tour of Ulster Cycling race, sponsored this year by Victus Energy will be based Banbridge town this year.

One of Ireland’s longest established races, the Victus Tour of Ulster is attracting the top Irish elite riders and teams including Strata3-VeloRevolution, Team Caldwell Cycles & Team Viner Caremark Pactimo, also the UK’s premier teams, Holdsworth Pro Racing, Rhino Velo Race Team & St. Pirian and French team VC Toucy.  Facing them will include local riders from Banbridge CC, West Down Wheelers & Dromara CC among many other Ulster riders and teams.

This year’s race see’s the cyclist starting and finishing all three stages on the Newry Road in Banbridge during the 2018 May Bank Holiday weekend.

Stage 1, on Saturday 5^th May, departs at 11:45am from Belmont Hotel and follows a 112-mile circuit taking in the beautiful surroundings around Lough Neagh. The 130 riders will be going through Donaghcloney, Magheralin, Moira, Loanends, Antrim, Randalstown, Toome, Ballyronan, Ballinderry, Coagh, Stewartstown, Clonoe, Maghery, The Birches, Portadown, Tandragee, Scarva, Loughbrickland, Rathfriland, Annaclone before finishing back on the Newry Road in Banbridge at approx. 3:45pm

Stage 2 action begins at 9:45am, taking in 98 gruelling miles around the scenic Mourne Mountains.  The riders will take in Donaghcloney, Dromore, Annahilt, Ballynahinch, Spa, Clonvaraghan, Moneyslane, Rathfriland, Hilltown, Bryansford, Castlewellan, Leitrim, Finnis, Dromara, Kinallen, Katesbridge and Annaclone before finishing back on the Newry Road in Banbridge at approx. 1:30pm.

Bank Holiday Monday 7^th May sees the cyclists rolling out at 9.45 and bringing the action to a close with seven laps of a 10-mile circuit.

The circuit itself starts on the Ballygowan Road and takes left at the crossroads heading for Loughbrickland before making its way back to Banbridge for what is sure to be an exciting finish, once again on the Newry Road.  Each lap will pass through Banbridge town centre approximately every 20-25 minutes, with the stage expected to finish at 12:40pm

For full race details, check out www.tourofulster.com for more details on the route and riders or why not follow us on Twitter @TourUlster / Facebook Victus Tour of Ulster for regular updates.

Holywood is a buzz with preparations for the annual Merry May Day event on Monday 7 May.

The free family fun day, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Holywood and District Community Council, will present a programme packed with things to see and do for all ages, helping you to make the most of the bank holiday.

This year’s event has an enchanting spring and floral theme.  Look out for Floris, the captivating and mystical flower nymph who will be gliding through the crowds in her beautifully adorned globe. Colourful vibrant performances will come in all shapes and sizes; form the fantastic street Dragons, to a soulful blend of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music and ethnic dance by the impressive Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda, to Irish dancing by the McElhinney School of Dance.  A highlight of the day is always the choreographed dance performed by local school children around Ireland’s only maypole.

The event will see a number of much loved favourites features returning: the crowning of the May Queen, the Bonny Baby competition and, of course, the fancy dress competition, which always sees fantastic display of effort. This year children are invited to come along as mini Kings and Queens, Super Heroes and their favourite storybook characters.

‘Jump, Jiggle and Jive’ will be on hand with their mini maypole for those little one’s eager to have a go too. Punch and Judy will be making appearances throughout the day for those that love a puppet show.

Those who love a bargain will enjoy the market and stalls on offer in the town, housed between the wonderful eateries and boutiques that Holywood has to offer.

The daylong event starts at 10am transforming High Street and Church Road into a mecca of amusement that will last until 4pm. Make a day of it in Holywood!

For more details, visitardsandnorthdown.com or call 028 9127 0069.