Actress Donna O’Connor enjoys the company of Mr Clooney once again at Theatre at The Mill on Friday 4 and Sat 5 April as she continues to disclose her tales to her hunky confidante in ‘Two Nights With George’.

Reprising her role as Bridie Murphy, Donna O’Connor stars in the new sequel to the award winning comedy ‘A Night With George’ since one evening with George Clooney is never enough for any woman.

Bridie returns to her Ballymurphy living room, bold, brash and on the voddies again and reunites with her old flame. Much has happened to Bridie in the last few years and she shares this with companion George, as well as a few very large Belfast Martinis. With her unique brand of humour and language that would shock a sailor, Bridie’s rollercoaster life continues and she tells it warts and all to George and lets him in on some of her past secrets, and one shocker in particular.

Tickets for this unmissable comedy which cost £16, £14 & £12 are available online from the Theatre’s website at www.theatreatthemill.com or by phoning Box Office on 028 9034 0202.

Down

Operation Lipstick is back and TinyLife are looking for ladies who like fun and adventure!  TinyLife is on the search for teams of 6 ladies to take part in a full day of practical, physical and mental challenges in the gorgeous setting of Castlewellan Forest Park on Saturday 22nd March 2014.

Tyrone

The Royal Hotel Cookstown are hosting their Wedding Fair this Friday 21^st March from 6-9pm with a wide range of exhibitors and a Bridal Fashion Show.

Fermanagh

Paddlefest 2014 21^st to 23^rd March at the Share Centre will be a fun packed weekend of skills clinics, quality coaching, great trips, inspiring evening talks and of course a social each evening.  The Share Centre was chosen for Paddlefest as it is located on the shores of Lough Erne and is close to many options for sea, river and surf.  Booking essential.

Derry

Join the LegenDerry Ladies in the Corinthian Ballroom City Hotel and check out the wide range of services and products that this talented collective of local business groups can provide! Crafts, cakes, mother’s day gifts, jewellery, handmade soaps, candles, home décor, fashion and much more will be on offer.

Armagh

Calling all bookworms! Browse through the hundreds of second hand books at the Spring Books Fair, The Argory on Saturday and Sunday.  Stock up on all your summer reads. Donations of unwanted books, CDs and DVDs are welcome prior to the event.

Antrim

There will be a free family fun day in the Market Place, Carrickfergus on Saturday 22^nd March 2pm to 5pm with music, face painters, balloon modellers, stilt performers and much more!

Belfast

The Merchant Hotel’s fabulous Fashion Teas Saturday 22nd March and Sunday 23rd March. A  series of gloriously decadent Champagne Afternoon Teas with a fabulous fashion show and amazing pop-up boutiques. Relax in the elegant Art Deco surroundings of The Rita Duffy Room, sip Champagne, savour melt in the mouth patisseries, and let the very best in fashion for the new season come to you.

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (March 24 – 30).

• World War I: And the Truth Keeps Marching On, Linen Hall Library, Belfast, March 26.  The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) continues their series of scintillating talks as Ian Montgomery shows a range of fascinating World War I records available to the public one hundred years after it started

• Eduardo Niebla in Concert, Ballymoney Town Hall, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, March 26.  World class Spanish guitarist and composer, Eduardo Niebla will offer a spellbinding evening of passion, verve and fleet fingered virtuosity from one of the most potent forces in flamenco jazz fusion.

• Space Alien Creatures, The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh City, Co. Armagh, March 29. Children can get creative by designing their very own 3-D space alien creature using papier-mâché techniques and recycled materials.

• 14^th Belfast Film Festival, various, Belfast, March 27 – April 6. The 14^th annual festival will showcase the newest and best in local and international talent including short films, a documentary competition, classic retrospectives, industry master classes, workshops and special events.

• Steel Magnolias, Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, March 27-29. Ballywillan Drama Group presents a beautiful, bittersweet comedy, written by Robert Harling about the bond among six very special friends as they share the cycles of life, birth and death to emerge stronger, closer and still laughing.

• Bap Kennedy, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, March 28.  Belfast singer-songwriter, Bap Kennedy is back on home ground having toured around America and Europe and will perform a collection of classic original songs.

• Movies and Musicals, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down, March 28.  A fabulous celebration of the best songs from stage and screen performed and hosted by acclaimed Northern Ireland singer Michelle Baird and her Elluna Musical Ensemble.

• Donard Challenge Mountain Race, Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down, March 29.  A new course designed to provide a testing short mountain race specifically for the 2014 British Championship Series ascending over Millstone Mountain before climbing to the summit of Slieve Donard, offering a worthwhile journey for the adventurous fell runners.

• An Evening with Clanmore Choir, Square Box, Ranfurly House Arts & Visitor Centre, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, March 29.  Enjoy an evening of music courtesy of the Clonmore Choir as they showcase the talent of local singers.

• Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, Larchfield Estate, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, March 30.  Treat your mother to an afternoon tea at Larchfield Estate with live music followed by a leisurely stroll around the four acre walled garden.

The Market Place Theatre will be rocked to the core as never before when the Superstars of The American Wrestling Roadshow invade Armagh City.

Coming from successful tours in France, Spain, Japan, Germany, USA, Mexico and beyond, this night promises to leave your hair standing, heart pumping and your blood boiling!

Sport? Entertainment? We make no bones about it; our business is all about the adrenaline rush, the emotional journey and feelings, which you will experience during this epic night! We’ll take you on a high; make you feel alive, as you cheer on the fan favourites. But don’t be fooled, there are plenty of bad guys in toll to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Similar to the pantomime there is plenty of noise, adrenaline, shouting, screaming and roaring. What’s more; we fully encourage it! Like any great play there’s always an abundance of drama, as the Good Guys take on the Baddies. Prepare to get involved, even if you don’t want to!

The American Wrestling Roadshow will be staged on Saturday 22^nd March at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced £10 each, and can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

And 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.

Follow the yellow brick road to Theatre at The Mill this spring! To commemorate its 75^th Anniversary Belfast Youth in the Arts presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’ from Tues 25 – Sat 29 March.

This enactment of the familiar story chronicles the adventures of the young girl Dorothy Gale from Kansas and her encounters in the Land of Oz as she befriends enchanted characters and takes on the Wicked Witch of the West, all to make her way home.

Belfast Youth in the Arts’ production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is suitable for all ages and incorporates exciting displays of magic and promises to be spell-binding performance. Join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Toto for a trip down the yellow brick road and become enchanted by favourites such as ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘If I Only Had a Brain’ and ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard’.

At the recent Academy Awards, the 75^th Anniversary of this beloved story was celebrated by the stars with Judy Garland’s children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft attending the ceremony’s tribute to ‘The Wizard of Oz’. As well as a cover performance of the timeless tune ‘Over the Rainbow’ by pop singer Pink.

Belfast Youth in the Arts is a cross community, non-profit making youth theatre company in Belfast which works in the community engaging young people (13 – 19 years old) from all backgrounds through the medium of performing arts regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or political background.

The organisation provides opportunities for young people to explore different areas within the arts through different projects and programmes. Belfast Youth in the Arts focuses on achieving arts excellence, but also place a huge emphasis on the enjoyment of the arts and encourage young people to learn, develop and grow within the arts in a fun and nurturing way.

Tickets for this magical musical are available online at www.theatreatthemill.com or by calling Box Office on 028 9034 0202.

Kylie Monogue

Sunday 9^th November: THE ODYSSEY ARENA, BELFAST

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, ‘KISS ME ONCE’ IS OUT NOW

Kylie, whose first single from her new album charted in the UK Top 20 yesterday, today announces the Kiss Me Once Tour including dates at The O2, Dublin and Odyssey Arena, Belfast in November.

The tour will open here in the UK and will comprise of 31 shows in 15 countries – including 12 dates in the UK and Ireland.   Famous for her live shows, Kylie’s Kiss Me Once Tour will be true to form as a celebration of both new and old material.

Kylie’s brand new album, ‘Kiss Me Once’ is released today. It is her first studio album since 2010’s ‘Aphrodite’, and her first since signing to Roc Nation Management. The album was executive produced by Kylie and Sia, who also penned the title track.  Kylie also teams up with Pharrell Williams (who wrote and produced ‘I Was Gonna Cancel’). Other producers include Ariel Rechtshaid (HAIM) on ‘If Only’, MNEK on ‘Feels So Good’, and Greg Kurstin on bonus track ‘Sleeping With The Enemy’.

Ticket Information
The O2 Dublin: Tickets from €65.70 including booking fee

Odyssey Arena, Belfast: Tickets from £55.00 including booking fee

Tickets for the Kiss Me Once tour go on sale at 9am on Friday 21st March from:

Odyssey Arena Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.odysseyarena.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

The Full Ireland & UK Tour Dates Below:

24/09/14 – ECHO ARENA, LIVERPOOL

26/09/14 – PHONES 4u ARENA, MANCHESTER

29/09/14 – THE O2, LONDON

30/09/14 – THE O2 ,LONDON

03/10/14 – MOTORPOINT ARENA, CARDIFF

05/10/14 – CAPITAL FM ARENA, NOTTINGHAM

07/10/14 – THE NIA, BIRMINGHAM

08/11/14 – THE O2, DUBLIN

09/11/14 – THE ODYSSEY ARENA, BELFAST

11/11/14 – METRO RADIO ARENA, NEWCASTLE

12/11/14 – THE SSE HYDRO, GLASGOW

13/11/14 – MOTORPOINT ARENA, SHEFFIELD

Portstewart Songwriters Festival is an exciting brand new music event due to hit the North Coast on Friday 28^th to Sunday 30^th March.

The event was officially launched at the Anchor Complex on Thursday 13^th March, with performances from local talent Toni Whitten and the superb Amanda St John. The Festival is funded by Coleraine Borough Council and the Department for Social Development.

The Festival will feature live music in bars and coffee shops along Portstewart Promenade throughout the weekend and, with over 20 FREE gigs featuring the likes of Briana Corrigan, Silhouette, Rory Nellis, Robb Murphy and Mandy Bingham, the line up for the first ever Portstewart Songwriters Festival is looking unmissable!

Bronagh Gallagher, SOAK and Paul Casey are set to Headline the Festival with a ‘Saturday Night Showcase’ event at Portstewart Town Hall, which will be hosted by Ralph McLean; while Gareth Dunlop, Anthony Toner and Amanda St John will perform an intimate ‘In the Round’ Session on the Sunday evening.

The event, which is funded by the Department for Social Development and Coleraine Borough Council, will also incorporate a variety of song writing workshops, run by recognized singer-song writers and industry professionals, as well as illustrated talks by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean and Stuart Bailie.

Tickets for the Showcase events, workshops and talks are available from Coleraine Visitor Centre, Tel: 7034 4723 and Flowerfield Arts Centre, Tel: 7083 1400. All gigs in the bars and coffee shops are FREE!

To find out more and for full gig listing visit www.northcoastni.com/music, find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PortstewartSongwritersFestival or follow on Twitter @PortSongFest.

Coleraine Borough Council is holding a Business Breakfast – Networking & Information Event to support local businesses to gain an insight into what’s in it for them for this year’s Vauxhall International North West 200 event.

The Breakfast event will be in association with the Causeway Chamber of Commerce and the North West 200 team on Tuesday 8^th April at 8.30am in Council’s Civic Headquarters Cloonavin.

Hosted by television personality Sarah Travers, local businesses will have the opportunity to find out how to promote their own business as part of this year’s North West 200 event, and look at ways how they can benefit.

The Mayor of Coleraine Councillor David Harding stated, “Council is developing more and more opportunities with the team from the North West 200, to ensure that everyone in the Borough is fully versed on what the event is all about. Particularly for businesses, anyone can support, participate, sponsor or volunteer; this is an opportunity to find out what is right for you and your business. This is one event which is supported by the media. Press, Radio and Television provide fantastic coverage of the course so it’s a great opportunity not to be missed.”

Mayor Harding, will provide a short welcome for all guests, with an update on what Council has provided to date for the NW 200 with background information and opportunities from Meryvn Whyte MBE. Ian Donaghey, President Causeway Chamber of Commerce, will also be attending and supporting the business element of the morning. Mr Donaghey stated, “Causeway Chamber is delighted to assist the team at NW 200 to further develop links and engage with our local business community which will enhance opportunities in our tourism sector and economic development for the Borough of Coleraine.”

All business will have the opportunity to network with NW200 current sponsors, meet the riders as well get a quick photograph with Sarah!

The event is on the 8^th April from 8:30am until 10:15am with free breakfast on arrival, in Coleraine Borough Council, Civic Headquarters, Cloonavin.

For more information on the event contact Tara Cunningham, PR Manager Coleraine Borough Council 028 7034 7042, p.r@colerainebc.gov.uk.  To RSVP email: office@causewaychamber.com or telephone 028 7034 3111.

Portstewart Songwriters Festival is an exciting new music event funded by Coleraine Borough Council and the Department for Social Development.

The event is due to hit the NorthCoast on Friday 28^th to Sunday 30^thMarch with lots of opportunities for those who enjoy music.

Featuring live music in bars and coffee shops along Portstewart Promenade throughout the weekend, with over 20 FREE events, the line up for the first ever Portstewart Songwriters Festival is looking unmissable!

Bronagh Gallagher, SOAK and Paul Casey are set to headline the Festival with a ‘Saturday Night Showcase’ event at PortstewartTown Hall, which will be hosted by Ralph McLean; while Gareth Dunlop, Anthony Toner and Amanda St John will perform an intimate ‘In the Round’ Session on the Sunday evening.

The event will also incorporate a variety of song writing workshops, run by recognized singer-song writers and industry professionals, as well as illustrated talks by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean and Stuart Bailie.

Tickets for the Showcase events, workshops and talks are available from Coleraine Visitor Centre, telephone 028 7034 4723 and Flowerfield Arts Centre telephone 028 7083 1400. All gigs in the bars and coffee shops are FREE!

To find out more and for full gig listing visit www.northcoastni.com/music, find it on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/PortstewartSongwritersFestival or follow on Twitter @PortSongFest.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (March 17-23).

• St Patrick’s Celebrations, town centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down, March 17. The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will showcase Downpatrick as one of Ireland’s most ancient and historic towns, with a re-enactment celebrating St Patrick’s return to Ireland as a bishop, a Carnival Parade through the streets of Downpatrick as well as a host of other family entertainment.

• Ballycastle & District Horse Ploughing Championship 2014, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, March 17.  The popular, traditional ploughing match has been taking place in Ballycastle for 100 years, attracting ploughmen from throughout Ireland offering a great day out for the whole family.

• Keady Community Festival, Keady, Co. Armagh, March 17.  Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of Keady for a great family day out as well as face painting, assault courses, dance and Irish classes, arts and crafts and much more.

• Give My Head Peace, The Braids Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, March 19.  Northern Ireland’s most dysfunctional family are back with a brand new show for 2014 with topical satire, top class stand-up comedy from Tim McGarry and plenty of laughs.

• Kimmie Rhodes, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, March 22. American singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes is a prolific artist who has recorded and released a total of fifteen solo albums as well as writing and producing three musical plays and has built a solid fan base in Northern Ireland over the years.

• A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, March 18 – 22.  James Joyce’s ‘A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man’ tells the story of Stephen Dedalus as he signals his need to escape the nets he claimed Ireland would trap him in before leaving his home to seek nourishment from other cultures.  
• A Boy and his Box, Limavady Theatre, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, March 20. Young adventurers should come along and hear the story of a boy, his box and his vivid imagination with live drawing, projection and quirky tunes celebrating the amazing world of a child’s imagination.

• Strabane Drama Festival, The Alley Arts & Conference Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, March 20-28.  The Alley Theatre will host Strabane’s annual drama festival as the intimate venue comes alive with nine productions  ranging from George Orwell’s Animal Farm to Martin Lynch’s The Chronicles of Long Kesh.
• Waggy Races at Castleward, Castle Ward, Strangford, Co. Down, March 23.  Northern Ireland’s first canicross event, a cross country fun run where dogs and their owners sprint, jog or walk together. The 5km Waggy Races course starts at the Mansion following the trails towards the Lough and is open to dogs of all shapes and sizes.
• Dr Robert Ballard – Titanic Discoverer, Titanic Belfast, Belfast, March 20.  Dr Robert Ballard, the legendary Ocean Explorer who discovered the wreck of RMS Titanic, returns to Titanic Belfast hosting a public lecture.