Author: whatsonni

The Enchanted House of Puppetry makes a welcome return to Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards this Halloween when the historical building will once again be transformed into a puppet wonderland! No ghosts or ghouls, just incredible performances and workshops to inspire the imaginations of both young and old alike.

Presented by Ards Puppet Festival, the two-day event will feature an eclectic mix of scheduled performances, free puppet shows and workshops and plenty of madcap puppet shenanigans! Expect puppets in all shapes and sizes, from hand puppets to strings and socks!

One of the programme highlights is Snug and Grub Catch a Bug by Garlic Theatre. Snug and Grub live safely underground in their earthy heap. One day they pop out from under a rock to see some googly eyes peering through the grass. What on earth is it? And who can catch it first? But beware, something is hovering in the blue sky ready to swoop down… A wonderfully wiggly adventure for all the family. Join Garlic Theatre for this funny organic tale, with clowning and a host of colourful puppets, a beautifully crafted set and foot tapping music on Sunday 29 October at 11am and 3pm.

As well as scheduled performances, visitors can expect drop-in shows and workshops, taking place at various times throughout both days. The Noughty One An installation by Noisy Oyster fuses puppetry, automata, and robotics with 3D printing to explore our relationship with technology and the mercurial nature of the human world.

The Puppet Labyrinth is also back! Take a weelie wylie wander through the magical meandering puppet labyrinth to find the naughtiest troll in all of Ards, Aloisious Ginderbalm. Only the bravest travellers dare to seek out the enchanted ramblings and gobbledegook from an ancient 700 year old Swedish Troll. He tells the tallest tales for being the shortest troll!

There are also opportunities to get creative at the Puppet Making Workshops where everyone can have a go at making simple puppets to take away and create your very own puppet shows at home.

The Enchanted House of Puppetry is also delighted to celebrate the Puppets in your Place programme! Cre8 Theatre Company have been working with groups from Holywood, Comber, Donaghadee and Portaferry to create this puppet spectacular, funded through the Arts Council of Northern Irelands Rural Arts Engagement Programme. Expect large scale puppets, music and dance to celebrate these four communities. Taking place in Conway Square on Sunday 29 October at 4pm.

Speaking about event, Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer with Ards and North Down Borough Council said; “We are very excited to be presenting The Enchanted House of Puppetry again this October, when Ards Arts Centre will come alive with puppets! The Ards Puppet Festival is a long-established family favourite and every year we look forward to seeing all the looks of amazement, screams of delight and happy smiling faces. This is one not to miss.”

The Enchanted House of Puppetry takes place from 29 – 30 October in Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards. To view the full programme and to book tickets, go to: https://puppetfestival.andculture.org.uk/whats-on

Printed copies of the programme are also available from Ards Arts Centre, North Down Museum or any of the Council’s Visitor Information Centres.

Next weekend at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre is set to be filled with music to appeal to all tastes.

On Thursday 5 October the popular and multi-award-winning quintet Goitse will take to the stage. Goitse was forged in the white-hot creative crucible of Limerick’s Irish World Academy. Named Live Ireland’s Traditional Group of the Year, Chicago Irish American News’ Group of the Year, as well as winning the prestigious Freiburger International Leiter 2016 award in Germany, Goitse have become a leader of the new generation of traditional Irish ensembles. Their distinctive sound lies in the quality of their own compositions interspersed with traditional tunes from Ireland and abroad.

Then on Friday 6 October, a truly innovative merging of live music and film. Nosferatu is arguably the film that gave birth to the horror genre and is notable as the first cinematic interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Its combination of expressionistic acting and unforgettable images render it just as powerful and unsettling today as when it first thrilled cinema goers 100 years ago.

 

The screening will be accompanied by Chris Green’s new score which was commissioned by English Heritage for a live outdoor screening of the film at Dracula’s spiritual home of Whitby Abbey. The music is a haunting blend of electronic and acoustic instruments performed live by the composer and, combined with FW Murnau’s iconic images, makes for a genuinely remarkable and unique cinematic experience.

 

An old favourite returns for a much-anticipated fourth visit to The Market Place Theatre on Saturday 7 October – the hugely popular Irish Pink Floyd Tribute, ‘Beyond The Horizon’. The band have a reputation for recreating the instrument and album sounds from Pink Floyd’s iconic back catalogue from the psychedelia of the ‘60s through to The Division Bell, and all performed by genuine Pink Floyd fans for Pink Floyd fans.

 

Tickets for all performances can be booked online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025.

Traditional music sensations GOITSE are touring NI this October with Moving On Music, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and will be stopping at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart on Friday, 6^th October.

The multi-award winning five piece have amassed five critically acclaimed records and with a busy year-round touring schedule, we are delighted to present this rare performance at Flowerfield. They will also be performing at Market Place Theatre, Armagh & Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfast.

Together, the quintet Goitse makes what Irish Music Magazine calls “Music that’s brimming with energy and creative zeal”. Their distinctive sound lies in the quality of their own compositions interspersed with traditional tunes from Ireland and abroad.

Laying the foundations for the music are World and All-Ireland Bodhrán Champion Colm Phelan, along with Conal O’Kane, who is fast making a name for himself as one of the finest guitarists of his generation. The gripping rhythm section sets a powerful drive for the music while the sweet, charismatic voice of Áine McGeeney draws audiences into a song the way few performers can. Multi-instrumentalist Alan Reid features mainly on banjo and bouzouki, drawing from an extensive knowledge of archival collections of Irish, which enriches the bands repertoire. Daniel Collins is a multi-instrumentalist All-Ireland Champion and is known for his distinctively intricate bass work on accordion.

There are limited tickets remaining, which are priced at £20 full, £18 concession.  This event will be seated cabaret style and it is BYOB. Tickets are available from: https://www.flowerfield.org/events/goitse or by calling reception on 028 7083 1400.

Vincent’s stores across the north west are bringing together the most sought after autumn fashions at a pop-up shop on Saturday 30 September in St Pio’s Centre in Derry.

This cash only event is offering thousands of items for sale at only £1 each. From menswear to womenswear, childrens clothing, footwear and handbags, there is a bargain to be had for every member of the family! As well as the latest trends in autumn fashions, if you’re looking forward to some winter sun, there’ll be summer stock available to choose from ahead of your winter holiday.

Speaking about the event, Anne McLarnon, St Vincent de Paul Regional Retail Representative, said: “With the change in seasons we all need a refresh in our wardrobe. Taking our inspiration from the ethos of St Vincent de Paul we wanted to offer affordable clothing and accessories to everyone in the north west. This pop-up shop is the perfect way to give people an opportunity to buy great quality items at just £1 and be autumn ready with comfy knits and warming footwear as the weather changes.”

Throughout the day stock will be replenished and visitors to the shop will be able to purchase all the essentials for their capsule winter wardrobe with a few luxury items thrown in to add a pop of colour or glitter to brighten up their look.

Vincent’s has 30 stores across Northern Ireland and the Clearance Pop-Up Shop has been made possible with Vincent’s stock from Derry, Dungiven, Enniskillen, Killyglogher in Omagh and Strabane as well as Buncrana and Letterkenny.

Vincent’s Clearance Pop-Up Shop takes place in St Pio’s Centre, beside St Joseph’s White Chapel, Fairview Road, Galliagh, Derry, on Saturday 30 September. Doors open at 10am and the shop will close at 4pm. All are welcome and there will be raffle prizes up for grabs on the day as well as free refreshments for shoppers to enjoy after shopping til they drop!

To request help from SVP or for information about becoming a member, please visit: www.svp.ie

Lough Neagh Partnership has been appointed by Mid Ulster District Council to spearhead a new initiative aimed at fostering the development and growth of tourism experiences in the Mid Ulster area.

This new project will showcase everything that is unique about the area, especially its people and their stories, family history, cultural traditions and invaluable skills. In partnership with Mid Ulster District Council and working with Tourism NI, the organisation is calling for people that have an authentic experience that they would love to develop, to express their interest in the programme. From food producers to farmers, storytellers to fishermen, craft providers to activity providers – anyone with an experiential idea that could be developed to attract local, national and international visitors, should apply.

The project is open to everyone with an interest in tourism – those new to tourism and those with existing tourist focused businesses or hobbies.

The vision is that the project will create high quality authentic tourism experiences by recruiting potential participants who may be suitable for developing a bespoke experience or which might be suited to a collaborative approach with other businesses. The multi-faceted approach, includes identifying and engaging with the right businesses, providing mentorship, conducting market research and crafting an action plan aligning to Tourism NI’s Embrace a Giant Spirit and Visit Mid Ulster, Unwinding Time.

Eimear Kearney, Marketing Manager, Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “Lough Neagh Partnership is perfectly positioned to assist this project to establish a new tourism experience for the Mid Ulster area. We are committed to sustainable development, environmental conservation, community engagement and we are dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Mid Ulster while considering new ways to encourage visitors to the region.”

A rigorous review process will determine successful applicants who will enhance the development of these high quality and authentic local tourism experiences. Lough Neagh Partnership already works with a range of businesses and represents the Lough Neagh Artisans. Its experience in marketing intelligence, research and support is unparalleled in delivering tourism projects for local businesses, including the provision of unique visitor experiences with Lough Neagh Tours.

“Businesses and individuals with viable ideas will be guided through the process by the mentor and we are excited to see what hidden gems are located in and around the area just waiting to be discovered. The programme aims to stimulate ideas and will include advice and guidance on bringing new tourism experiences to fruition”, added Eimear.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr Dominic Molloy, said: “Mid Ulster District Council has a strong tourism product offering and we are keen to further develop and enhance visitor experiences across the district.  This project will help to strengthen existing experiences, and identify new visitor experiences, that will lead to a more immersive and quality time for the visitor. All of which can be aligned to Tourism NI’s “Embrace A Giant Spirit” brand experiences.”

Expressions of interest must be completed by 6 October 2023 and it is anticipated that, following a pilot, the successful experiences will be launched in March 2024. For anyone interested in seeking more information about the assistance this project will provide, please visit https://loughneaghpartnership.org/mid-ulster-tourism-experiences/

Bannsider Productions are delighted to bring Constellations by Nick Payne to Flowerfield Arts Centre for three epic performances this October

This thought-provoking piece focuses on the lives and relationship of Marianne and Roland.  Marianne is a quantum physicist. Roland is a beekeeper. They meet. They hit it off. Or maybe they don’t. They go home together. Or maybe they never speak again.

In Nick Payne’s multi-award-winning Constellations, every decision you have and haven’t made exists in a parallel universe of infinite possibilities.

Epic yet intimate, this funny, sharp and heart-breaking play asks which of our choices make for a life well lived.

Donelle Reynolds will take on the role of, physicist, Marianne, while Alan McClarty will play Roland, a beekeeper.

See the West End and Broadway smash hit CONSTELLATIONS at Flowerfield Arts Centre from 12^th-14th October 2023.

Tickets are priced at £14 full and £12 concession, plus a booking fee and are available from flowerfield.org or by calling 028 7083 1400.

 

Aspects, Bangor’s festival of reading, writing and words starts next week with a full programme of events celebrating the written word. This year’s festival features a packed line-up, with something for everyone on offer, from top authors to poetry, exhibitions, history and politics.

Opening the festival on Wednesday 27 September is the Galicia Exchange and Concert with poets Keith Payne and Xavier Quiepo at North Down Museum. Galician Xavier is visiting Northern Ireland on a Cultural Exchange and will spend a month at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre as part of the experience. The evening will also feature music from award-winning Galician musician Su Garrido Pombo.

North Down Museum is also hosting some fantastic book events with Judith Mok presenting her memoir The State of Dark there on Saturday 30 September. Judith Mok is a Dublin-based classical soprano, a leading voice coach, novelist and poet. She was born in the Netherlands to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust trying to rebuild their shattered lives. The State of Dark is a memoir and a detective story which delves into her family’s past. Join authors Fionola Meredith and Olivia Fitzsimons also in North Down Museum, on Thursday 5 October, as they discuss their new books The Stamp of Beauty and The Quiet Whispers Never Stop with Nuala McKeever.

The stunning Chamber room in Bangor Castle is the location for many of the festival’s events. Award-winning composer of Riverdance Bill Whelan will join Neil Martin in conversation in this beautiful venue on Sunday 1 October. Bill’s new book The Road to Riverdance charts his life from his childhood right up to that spectacular Eurovision performance which went on to become a global phenomenon. Glenn Patterson takes to the stage in The Chamber on Friday 6 October to discuss his latest book Two Summers, a pair of novellas, set over two pivotal summers in the lives of two young men from Belfast, as they recall the constraints of the place where they were born and the times in which they are living.

 

For those who want to enjoy literature in the great outdoors, author Maggie Doyle will lead a creative walk along Bangor’s beautiful Coastal Path on Saturday 30 September. Using her new book Mountain Notes, A Nature Diary for inspiration, the walk will include readings and sketching.

Poetry lovers are also in for a treat at this year’s Aspects; the popular Poetry Slam returns on Saturday 30 September at Studio 1A, Bangor. This dynamic competition pits poets against poet, working against the clock and their peers to showcase original work. The outright winner will be crowned Aspects Poetry Champion and the winner and runner-up will go forward to the Ulster Poetry Slam Final in Derry~Londonderry in early November.

Aspiring writers will enjoy the Festival Club which returns to the Imperial Bar, Bangor on Monday 2 October. Writers are invited to take part by reading a short passage of their own original work in a relaxed atmosphere at this special event.

Aspects Festival runs from 27 September to 7 October at various locations around Bangor. For more information on the full programme and to book tickets, visit aspectsfestival.com