Organisers of the MCE Ulster Grand Prix have announced a special event with two-weight boxing world champion Carl Frampton and international road racing star Lee Johnston, to take place just days after Frampton’s highly anticipated fight at the SSE Arena, Belfast against Mexican fighter Andres Gutierrez.

The diminutive and dynamic duo, who met just over a year ago when Co. Fermanagh racer Lee went to check out the Jackal’s training regime in London, will be interviewed live on stage by the BBC’s Mark Sidebottom in the Grand Prix Marquee on Wednesday 9^th August.

The event will take place in aid of F13K Cancer, a charity founded by Lee that supports Marie Curie NI, with a minimum donation of £200 per table of 10.

Carl Frampton said: “When the Conlon brothers & the JDM Group invited me to take part in this event I didn’t have to think twice, I have been friends with Lee now for over a year and I have enormous respect for both him and motorbike racing.

“It’s a sport I enjoy watching and attending. All money raised from the evening is going to a fantastic cause in Lee’s charity F13K Cancer and Marie Curie NI and I would encourage the racing community and general public to attend what’s going to be a great night.”

Lee Johnston said: “I’m really happy that Carl has agreed to get involved, he’s a great guy at the top of his game and getting such a big name from another sport will help keep the charity in the spotlight and hopefully raise plenty of money as all proceeds will be donated.

“I think the bike fans at the Ulster will enjoy the night, we’re expecting the tickets to sell quickly so don’t hang about if you want to be there!”

Noel Johnston, Clerk of the Course at the MCE Ulster Grand Prix added: “We’re pretty excited about this, it’s something we wanted to see happen last year but the timing didn’t work out as Carl went on holiday immediately after his big fight against Santa Cruz.

“However, I do think that this will be worth waiting for and the craic will be mighty for those lucky enough to get a ticket for the event, and the first opportunity for many fans to hear from the Jackal after his big homecoming fight on 29^th July.

“Lee is a hugely popular rider at Dundrod and I know a lot of people, me included, are hoping he will be back to fighting fitness by August after his crash at the TT. One thing is for sure though, the evening with him and Carl will be unmissable and I’ve no doubt it’ll raise a lot of cash for a cause very close to Lee’s heart.

“Thanks must go to our bar and entertainment partner JDM Management for helping us put this together,” he added.

Tickets for An Evening With Carl Frampton & Lee Johnston are available to purchase from JDM Management on 028 9066 5664 or by emailing office@jdmmanagement.co.uk.

Bike Week runs from the 6^th – 12^th August 2017 and include the Charles Hurst Motorcycles Dundrod 150 and the MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix road races. Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.

Augmented Reality, or AR, is the amazing technology that superimposes computer-generated images onto our view of the real world.

State of the art projection technology that puts you right at the centre of big screen action!

This summer, W5’s Augmented Reality exhibit is GOING LIVE!

Meet A.L.I.E.N. in a close encounter of the virtual kind! A.L.I.E.N has landed and is ready to amuse and entertain visitors in a completely new way. Are you brave enough to make first contact and see yourself live on the big screen with the animated alien from a distant galaxy?

Augmented Reality is running daily until 31 August and is FREE with admission to W5. For full information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

 

 

New Programme covers a diverse range of exhibitions, music and local history events in July and August.

The guide also features a fantastic creative learning and outreach programme with a feast of workshops, courses and projects for both children and adults to enjoy.

Speaking about the summer season of events, The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird, OBE, said: “The arts sector is an important part of our Council’s offering and we are so lucky to have both Flowerfield Arts Centre and Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in our borough. I would encourage everyone to get creative and generate an interest in the activities taking place throughout July and August.”

Event highlights at Flowerfield Arts Centre include a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Saturday 22^nd July and a Community Arts Showcase on Friday 11^th August featuring a drop in circus workshop and a performance from Jim and Dr Nick as well as a host of brilliant activities as part of this year’s August Craft Month.

Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady will showcase the stunning artwork of Ingrid Mc Laughlin and Jim Holmes from July 1^st to July 29^th. Highlights also include comedian Owen O’Neill who will take to the stage on Thursday 27^th July to entertain the crowds while children can enjoy films such as Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and The Jungle Book with the return of their fantastic annual August Children’s Month.

Call into your local Council venue to pick up your guide or download it from the link below. 

 

DOWLOAD PROGRAMME

4 July 2017 – BRICKLIVE, the LEGO® fan event, has today announced that it is teaming up with WB Games UK to bring some of its hugely popular LEGO video games to the BRICKLIVE UK tour this summer.

 

Hot on the heels of its recently released open-world adventure game, LEGO Worlds, WB Games UK will be attending all four BRICKLIVE events this year in Glasgow, London, Belfast and Birmingham. LEGO® Worlds will be on the show floor and available to play for fans at all four events. Fans will also have access to LEGO CITY Undercover™ at Glasgow, London and Belfast; LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™ at Glasgow and Belfast; LEGO® Marvel’s Avengers at Glasgow and Belfast; LEGO® Dimensions™ at London and Birmingham and the recently announced The LEGO® NINJAGO® Movie Video Game at London. With an array of LEGO titles to choose from, there’s something for every fan, both young and old.

 

This summer’s tour begins with a first-time visit to Glasgow, coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays on 20^th July, before moving on to Belfast on 3^rd August.  The event then returns to London on 27^th July, before finishing in Birmingham on 26^th October during the autumn half term holiday.

 

With an estimated 110,000 visitors expected across the summer months, BRICKLIVE will welcome jaw-dropping fan displays for its guests, along with a range of features such as BRICK PITS.

 

For more information, please visit www.BRICKLIVE.co.uk

Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to announce the return of Fair Weather Fridays to Conway Square.

Now in its second year, the lively events programme is a festive addition to summer Fridays in the Square and is a great way to kick-start that Friday feeling.   

Kicking off this year on Friday 7 July then running every Friday for the whole of July and August, this year’s programme includes an eclectic mix of fire juggling, magic, clowns, circus skills and sword swallowing!

Featuring amazing acts such as; Logy on Fire, Caolan McBride, Grant Goldie and Sideshow Ramone, audiences will be thoroughly entertained!

Opening the programme on July 7 is Logy on Fire, a daredevil act who performs dangerous knife tricks, ear-splitting whip cracks, juggling and a death-defying high balance act – don’t miss it!

Speaking about the programme, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Community Arts Officer, Amy McKelvey said: “We piloted this idea last year with great success and we are very excited about all the performances we have planned this year which we believe will amaze and thrill audiences of all ages. The square in Ards lends itself to relaxed lunchtimes in the sun and we really hope that this fun filled programme of performances will encourage people to come down and enjoy the lively atmosphere.”

 

So if you fancy some free quality entertainment to liven up your Friday lunch-times, head to Conway Square, every Friday in July and August from 12.30 to 1.30pm.

In the event of rain, performances will move into Ards Arts Centre.

For further information on the full programme visit www.ardsarts.com.

Carol Rhodes: Survey, Curated by Andrew Mummery

Dougal McKenzie: A Dream and an Argument

Bill Saunders: Side Steps These Ferried Measures Rise

30 June – 8 October

The MAC, Belfast is delighted to present three major solo exhibitions by three significant contemporary artists: two of whom are Belfast based — the painter Dougal McKenzie and sculptor Bill Saunders — with the third exhibition by one of Britain’s leading painters, Carol Rhodes, who lives and works in Glasgow.

Hugh Mulholland, Senior Curator at the MAC said: “Whilst these three artists have myriad starting points for their work, there is something that unities them all; that being a strong sense of ‘place’, whether this is the urban and industrial landscapes of Rhodes, or the emotional and historical attachment to Edinburgh in McKenzie’s work, or Saunders’ romantic but practical dependence and musings on the studio environment. We are extremely excited to be presenting this trio of exhibitions here at the MAC and we are confident that visitors will find lots to interest them.”

Carol Rhodes’ beautiful small-scale landscape paintings depict the interaction of natural geography and human intervention, placing the viewer on or near the edge of urban environments, seen from an aerial viewpoint, eerily distant from the world below.

Dougal McKenzie’s recent dreamlike painted scenes bring together key elements of the artist’s practice and thinking: an interest in history and storytelling through images and an investigation into whether it is possible to represent these as ‘memory’ in painting.

And finally, the work of Bill Saunders considers the very site where artwork is made — the profound “thinking space” that is the studio — as a source of inspiration for his work, presenting sculptural assemblages and works on paper that record, reconstruct, or otherwise invoke the place of artistic production.

The new exhibitions will open Friday 30 June in the Sunken, Tall and Upper Galleries at the MAC. Visitors will be welcomed daily from 10am-7pm and admission is free.  For further information on the exhibitions visit themaclive.com.

“The Big Splash”

A whole week of activities and madness in

PORTGLENONE

Marina, Village & Forest beside the beautiful River Bann

Sunday 16th July until Saturday 22nd July

The Big Splash Festival began over twenty years ago and is set in the picturesque village of Portglenone on the banks of the River Bann. The Festival features a week of family fun organised by a team of volunteers in Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG).  

It is sponsored by the Mid and East Antrim Council, Waterways Ireland and local businesses.

 

SUNDAY 16th JULY

 

TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC (local sponsors – Liam Vallely & Co, Solicitors)

 

Sunday 16th July from 1-4pm

in Portglenone Forest

 

Pack a picnic, enjoy the magic show (starting at 1.30pm) and join our resident teddy bear for guided walks through the forest.

 

Also available Ice Cream Van, Hot Food Van, Tea and Coffee, Face Painting

 

Limited parking at the forest with additional parking available at Augnahoy Cemetery Car Park.

Time 2.30pm

 

MONDAY 17th JULY

 

SOAP BOX DERBY

Portglenone’s own Crash Test Dummies!

 

Assemble at Mull Park, Finlaystown Rd at 7pm for start at 7.30pm

Minimum donation £20 –Single & Double Runs!

Register at PEG office before 3pm on 14th July.

Telephone 028 2582 0150

Entries restricted to 20 vehicles.

Rules apply – All vehicles must have back brakes, steering and towing eyes (no rope steering)

Drivers must be over 18yrs & wear a helmet at all times.

Prizes for Wackiest Soap Box & Fastest Soap Box

 

FINLAYSTOWN RD CLOSED 6-10PM

 

TUESDAY 18th JULY

 

FAMILY CAMP NIGHT

 

– Venue: Portglenone Marina (Secure Site)

– Voluntary Donation

– Pitch between 5pm and 8pm

– Activities: Songs/ Games/ Disco 7.30-9pm

– Hot Food- Children £3 Adults £5

– Under 18yrs must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian who is responsible for all supervision of their children (no exceptions).

– No Alcohol Permitted

 

Register at the PEG Office before 18th July at 3pm

Email: pegmarkethouse@btconnect.com or

Tel: 028 2582 0150

 

 

WEDNESDAY 19th JULY 2-4pm

 

AFTERNOON TEA DANCE

 

Introducing the first ever Big Splash Tea Dance, held in the brand new Community Centre Portglenone. A chance to grab the dancing shoes out of the cupboard and with the promise of a cup of tea after you have waltzed the afternoon away, you’re guaranteed a great time. Admission £3.

 

Community Centre, Gortgole Road

Singer Dave Lee

HERITAGE WALK

 

Come and join us as we walk through the heritage highlights of Portglenone
village in the company of renowned archaeologist Thomas McErlean.

Be amazed at just how old and significant Portglenone is.

Learn about:
.    our 10,000 year old heritage
.    the village and its historical importance
.    some of the village’s most significant buildings

On the night you will also have the opportunity to become a member of our
newly formed, ‘Portglenone History and Heritage Group’.

The walk begins in the village square, at the bank building, and ends at the
Marina where there will be light refreshments.

Walk starts at 7:30 pm. It will last about 90 minutes and extend for about 1
mile of easy walking.

Everyone welcome (Children must be accompanied by an adult).

To confirm a place contact:
The PEG office, Main Street, Portglenone (028 25820150)
Or, Damien (028 25821048. mobile 07719340808)

 

THURSDAY 20th JULY

VINTAGE CAVALCADE

Assemble Hawthorn Inn, Kilrea Rd at 6pm. Depart 7pm

Proceeding through the village to finish at the Marina, Gortgole Road

£5 per vehicle

Refreshments and gift for drivers provided at Community Centre, Gortgole Road  (official entry number needed).

 

Portglenone Stitcher’s Display

Community Centre, Gortgole Road

From 7pm

Come and see a display of needlework produced by the ladies of the Bannside Stitcher’s Group (held weekly) where we sew, stitch and socialise.

Men’s Shed Display & Beekeepers Display

 

Big Splash Hunt –  walking treasure hunt for the family @ 7.00pm

For all the family.  Prize for Winners.  Register at the PEG Office at 7pm

 

FRIDAY 21st JULY

HUGO DUNCAN Live BBC Broadcast!

Town Square, Portglenone, 1.30pm – 3pm

 

Gig ’n’ the Bann Festival Launch & Music

7.30pm – 8.30pm – Town Square

 

Ceili/Ceilidh

8:30 pm – 11pm

CEILI / CEILIDHI n the Town Square with The Loch Lao Ceili Band

 

SATURDAY 22nd JULY

TRIATHLON (sponsored by Centra)

 

The Big Splash Sprint Triathlon, one of the fastest sprint triathlons in the country, is back for another action-packed race.

The race is centred round Northern Ireland’s longest river, The Bann. Competitors set off from Portglenone Marina for a 750-metre swim in the river, from transition they cycle through the village and along the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside for a 20km bike leg, with one or two little climbs just to keep it interesting!!

The 5km run closely follows the route of the river, giving a flat and fast out and back course, perfect for those Personal Best times.

Once finished, and back at the marina, the successful triathletes can relax and enjoy the festivities on hand at

The Taste of Portglenone.

Come join us on Saturday 22nd July for another great race.

Registration time – 8am-9.30am

Saturday 22nd July 2017

Portglenone marina

race starts 10am

£40 +admin charge

No license required

Relay team option

For more info contact Steven at pg1tri@outlook.com or PEG 028 2582 0150

 

Sign on via www.sientries.co.uk

 

A Taste of Portglenone

(sponsored by local shop Fullans Food Halls)

 

Saturday 22nd July 1 – 4pm

 

“This is a day for Everyone to showcase their individual talent.  Whether you bake, grow or sew there is something for everyone.  For a full list of all classes or to register for the 2017 fete, please mail info@bigsplash.com.  Please note classes will only run if there are 3 or more entrants, so registration is essential.  We look forward to seeing what talent Portglenone has to offer.”

Guest celebrity chef IAN ORR

Community Centre, Gortgole Road

FAMILY FUN DAY

Watersports (including Canoeing & Zorbing), Petting farm, bouncy castles and Art, Craft and Food stalls & more

1pm-4pm

FISHING COMPETITION

 

Fishing Competition

Entry free but DEFRA license is required

 

Date: Saturday 22^nd July 2017

Location: Clady District Angling Club – Opposite The Waterwall Bar, Clady

Time: 10.30am for Angling. 11am-5pm

Registration: In club house 10.30am

Prizes: Junior – up to 17 years – 1^st & 2^nd

Senior – 18 years and over – 1^st & 2^nd

Decal requirement: All competitors must have a license, which can be obtained from Bann Valley Outdoors, Glenone Business Park or by Decal online.

 

The Big Splash programme also features a Free Draw to win a 32” television sponsored by Dynamic Audio Visual.  Simply add your email address to the special token in the programme and give it to one of the Big Splash steward before Saturday 22nd July.

 

 

Dungannon has begun its busker ‘recruitment drive’ ahead of the town’s third Battle of the Buskers event next month (Saturday 5 August).

Musicians, singers, bands and solo artists are being invited to showcase their musical talent in the competition, devised by Mid Ulster District Council, and which last year saw local musician, Darryl Quinn take the title.

This year, as well as £1,000 in prize money, the overall winner will move straight from the street to the stage, performing that same evening at the ‘Blues on the Hill’ concert at the Hill of the O’Neill and Ranfurly House, on the same bill as Grainne Duffy and Band of Friends (artists that have played with blues legend, Rory Gallagher).

The second placed busker will win £500, while £100 prizes are also on offer in other categories, including Best Young Performer and Spirit of Battle of the Buskers.

Launching the call for buskers, Chair of the Council, Councillor Kim Ashton said:

“The 2017 Battle of the Buskers, now in its third year, will be the most tightly fought yet, given the wealth of talent we have in Mid Ulster and further afield, particularly now that the first prize is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share the bill with seasoned, internationally renowned performers such as Grainne Duffy and Band of Friends.

“Mid Ulster is the place in July and August to discover music; as well as the exciting chance to unearth new talent in the annual busking competition, there’s a variety of lakeside concerts in Dungannon Park, and performances on the hill from Tony Watkins, Donna Taggert and the Ulster Orchestra, all of which are included in a packed programme of family events across the district from 28 July through to 29 August.”

Each performer will be allocated a pitch to perform on the day, along with an opportunity to perform on stage in Upper Market Square.

The closing date for applications Friday 4 August 2017.   For more information about the event and how to apply, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/buskingbreak