Author: whatsonni

Times were very different in 2011. Nobody knew what a Brexit was. Donald Trump was filming the 7th season of the apprentice and the idea of the realities of a pandemic were still confined to the silver screen with the movie ‘Contagion’ starring Jude Law and Kate Winslet released to cinemas.

In Limavady, the idea of a new music festival was capturing the imagination of some, the consternation of others but general feeling was that the people trying to get Stendhal Festival off the ground might be living in imagination land.

Thirteen years and multiple awards later, Stendhal Festival has certainly proven that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan and this year the team behind the event have been looking back to that very first year in 2011, specifically because this summer they are welcoming back a band who they say are one of the main reasons the event succeeded and why they are now the largest independent music and arts camping festival in Northern Ireland.

“Without Turin Brakes as the headliner that first year, we might have been a one and done,” says event Director Ross Parkhill.

“They brought us credibility and a headline act that set us aside from some of the local festivals at the time as they were a good name from mainland UK. They had had top selling singles and albums and most importantly, they were, and remain, a phenomenal live act.”

Ross added: “We really must give them a lot of credit, from their perspective they had no idea what sort of event they were putting their name to, they took a chance on us, a booking and performance that could never be as meaningful to them as it was to us and off the back of that, we have been running the event for 13 years now.”

Ross concluded: “We had really hoped to get them back on the bill for our 10th anniversary show a couple of years ago but post covid things didn’t work out but we are so, so pleased to be bringing them back this year. Their new album is brilliant, their live performances are better than ever as witnessed by anyone who was at their Belfast show in January and it’s just a really happy occurrence for us at Stendhal that we can get to see these guys take to the stage at the farm once again.”

Guitarist and Lead Singer of Turin Brakes, Olly Knight says that he recalls that first Stendhal well, particularly how it was clear at the time that the event was being run on enthusiasm over everything else.

  “We’ve done lots of shows that for one reason or another have been really unique over our 25-year career,” he admits, “but for a few reasons that Stendhal show has always stayed in the bands mind over the years.

“I remember being aware at the time that this was the first ever edition of the festival and that there was a risk factor for the organisers and to be honest we did feel a little bit of pressure with that because obviously we wanted it to go well and succeed. Now coming back and hearing that is has been a success and that it has lasted for 13 years and won a load of awards is really pleasing for us, it’s a happy story and we are really looking forward to coming back.”

Olly continued: “The one specific thing that stands out in our memory was the green room – it was one of the organisers’ brother’s garage man-cave, just beside that organiser’s parent’s house. That was a new one for us but in a great way. I remember that there was just such a great chemistry about it all, it was clear that there wasn’t a huge budget but what they lacked in money they made up for in enthusiasm and fair play to them for getting to the level they are at today.”

Since 2011 Turin Brakes have continued crafting beautiful folk, rock albums and touring the world. Their latest record Wide Eyed nowhere is an amalgamation of a glorious quarter of a century in the industry and a collection of songs which show the bands progression in that time, while also holding on to some of the subdued acoustic excellence that brought them to prominence in the first place.

They brought the new album to gig in Belfast this past January and Olly says that Northern Ireland was once again a highlight for them on that particular tour.

“We first started coming to Belfast way back in 2000/2001” he said. “Of course, back then before we had been there, there was an obvious edge to things, us being from London and hearing all the stories from the years before, so there were nerves about coming to Northern Ireland at the very start. Now though, we adore the place, there is nowhere quite like it. 

“Every time we came back you could see it growing and maturing as a place or destination right before your eyes. There are loads of great places for us, as essentially tourists, which have popped up just to hang out in, everything just seems so much more mature and relaxed and modern, its somewhere we always want to keep coming back to.” 

Olly added: “It has changed so much for the better in 25 years but one thing that was obvious from the very start was that the people there are warm and welcoming and that our audiences there have always had an amazing energy and synergy with the band and that connection has always made for some mad gigs, gigs that we will absolutely never forget.”

The band have seen and done it all when it comes to festivals, from the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury to The Isle of Wight Festival and right the way around to Stendhal, but Olly says that his most memorable festival moment didn’t involve a Turin Brakes set, but a secret Glastonbury gig in 2010.

“Playing Glastonbury is obviously amazing but when we played the Acoustic tent in 2010, we came off stage and heard rumours that Thom Yorke was going to be doing a secret gig in an off the beaten track location, somewhere on the festival site. 

“We went to where this was rumoured to be taking place and incredibly, in front of a really small and intimate crowd, out came Thom Yorke who proceeded to play a load of Radiohead classics, was joined onstage for some of them by Johnny Greenwood and there we were, in the sun, drinking Rose wine and thinking life just doesn’t get any better than this. A truly magical moment and the best festival moment I’ve ever experienced.”

The band will be bringing a special festival moment to Stendhal this summer and with a potential set list of songs spanning almost a quarter of a century, Olly says that the band will often revisit some of their older tracks, give them a new musical lick of paint and release them to a live audience. This year their second album Ether Song is 20 years old so perhaps some of the brilliant compositions on that collection will be up for new treatments.

“We love going back and reworking some of our old songs, “ he said “we aren’t precious about ideas about how any of our songs should sound or should be played, we see older songs as a blueprint and that they should be expressed by the band we are now as opposed to the band we were when the song was first written. Sometimes doing that will bring a real buzz to a song that maybe hadn’t been in the set list for a while. We’ll say something like, lets play a song but in the style of the Pixies, or something like that and sometimes the results are brilliant and when you drop them into set lists, fans can enjoy the nostalgia of that song at the same time as enjoying a new treatment of it.”

As well as updating older songs, adding in new songs and selecting the big crowd pleasers for set lists at festival gigs, Olly also pointed out that as festival season comes around, the band have to get “Festival Fit”.

“When you move from indoor venue gigs in the winter and spring to mainly outdoor shows in the summer, there are loads of things we have to do as a band, “ he said.  

“When we are doing the more intimate indoor shows you can be a lot more relaxed because you know the crowd are there to see you and only you. You can follow their energy and it’s just physically easier to perform in that situation. Then the summer rolls around and even though we experience it every year, you sort of can’t really prepare yourself for that culture shock of moving from indoors to potentially huge outdoor spaces, where maybe not all of the people there are there specifically to see you. 

“When you switch to that, the band have to bring a different energy, we have to be absolutely on it from the very beginning and bring peak energy from the off, right the way through the set. 

“It is like there are two different versions of the band always trying to be the best version of the band.”

Turin Brakes return to Stendhal Festival on Friday July 7th, 2023. For tickets and more information visit www.stendhalfestival.com

Are you a local business, community group or resident that takes pride in the appearance of your home or premises?

If so, then make sure you enter the Best Kept Garden competition 2023!  The competition is an opportunity for green-fingered gardeners to showcase their horticultural masterpieces and this year we have an additional category, ‘Best Kept Allotment Plot.’

Categories include:

• Best Kept Garden
• Best Kept Front/Container Garden
• Best Kept Community Planting
• Best Kept Commercial Premises
• Best Kept School Grounds (Applications closed)
• Most Wildlife Friendly Garden
• Most Sustainable Garden
• Best Kept Allotment Plot (plot must be within the Borough)

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper commented, “Our Borough is a beautiful place to live, work and visit and we are lucky to have so many green fingered enthusiasts who take pride in their surroundings. Whether you’ve meticulously cultivated a vibrant garden or created a flourishing allotment plot, we have a category just for you!”

Entries close on 14 July 2023 and judging will commence on 27 July 2023. For more details or to enter the competition visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/bestkept

 

HOLISTIC Kidz has launched its sell-out Summer Forest Camp and for the first time will be joined by some of Northern Ireland’s leading professional sportspeople to help inspire and encourage children to ‘Believe to Achieve’.

The award-winning camp will return to Barnett Demesne in Belfast from Monday 3^rd July – Tuesday 29^th August and runs Monday to Friday from 10am – 3pm.

There will be lots of action-packed fun and outdoor adventure for children aged three to 12 including forest trekking, bushcraft, mega mudslides, mud bath jumping, tree swinging, nature arts & crafts, colour run assault courses, pro-football and rugby sports star camp visits, positive affirmations & mindfulness fun, scavenger hunts, planting & potting, a weekly Pizza Co. campfire party and Friday prize giving ceremony and much more!

Northern Ireland football legend Niall McGinn is the first special guest to be announced. Whilst well-known personal trainer Neil Anderson will be returning to put the Holistic Kidz through their paces with weekly Woodland Workouts.

Colette McCartney, Founder of Holistic Kidz said: “Building confidence and inner self belief is at the heart of everything we do at Holistic Kidz and we encourage all children to ‘Believe to Achieve’. This summer, we are teaming up with some of Northern Ireland’s best known professional athletes and sports stars who will share their incredible stories with our Holistic Kidz to show how they believed in their dreams and because of this, have each gone on to achieve great success and accomplished their goals.”

“Scandinavian countries are ranked the healthiest and happiest in the world and one of the reasons behind this is that from a young age children are taught outdoors in all weather conditions. Our Summer Forest Camp takes place in the great outdoors, and rain, hail or shine, children will be able to avail of the many proven scientific benefits of this including increased energy levels, physical fitness, improved mood and focus and running around breathing in the fresh air always ensures a good night’s sleep!

There is no better place for children to thrive as they will learn new skills, build their confidence, boost their creativity and enquiring mind and develop essential problem-solving skills and independence,” Colette added.

An Holistic Kidz Weekly Explorer pass (Monday – Friday) is £127 per child and a Daily Explorer pass is £35 per child.

For further information go to www.holistickidz.com or holistic_kidz on Instagram.

The hugely popular Armed Forces Day will take place in Larne on Saturday 17 June 2023 at Sandy Bay Playing Fields, from 10am.

Every year the event is held in the United Kingdom to celebrate the service of personnel in the British Armed forces both past and present.

The action packed day will kick off with a parade to the venue and a drumhead service. The day will be filled with something for the whole family, including;

• Interactive & static military displays
• Performance from Band of the Royal Irish Regiment
• Military village
• 21 Royal Gun Salute for the King’s official birthday fired by 206 (Ulster) Battery RA
• Live music from the Music Yard, Swingtime Starlets and The Gold Tips
• Army Parachute display by Silver Stars RLC
• RAF Display team featuring BBMF Lancaster
• AAC Gazelle helicopter (static display)
• RAFP Military Working Dogs display
• Children’s entertainment
• Ulster Aviation Society static display
• STEM competition

The day will draw to a close with a Beating Retreat finale.

 

Please note; all stall and charity pitches have now been allocated

 

For further information please go to https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/armed-forces-day-2023

 

Summer Jamm in Strabane

Saturday 17th June 2023

 

 

 12 noon – 5pm

Strabane Town Centre will come alive with live music, dance and street entertainment, on Saturday 17th June.

Check out what’s on below:

CASTLE PLACE TAKE OVER BY URBAN EXCEL

• Have a go at BMX Biking Skills
• Try out Parkour Skills under the instruction of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Luke
• Come and try the ‘Half Pipe Ramp’ on the Stunt Scooter or Skateboard Workshops
• Graffiti Art

Music and Entertainment on Main Street: 

• Live Music
• Kidz Farm
• Interactive Fun With:
• Lough’s Agency Touch Tank
• NWRC
• Crafts Training
• Riverside Leisure Centre
• Browse an array of Market Stalls from local businesses

Come along to Flowerfield Arts Centre or Roe Mill Playing Fields for Council’s all-ability cycle events held over two days this June.

The Sport & Well-being Team and Town & Village Management Team have collaborated on these events to offer inclusive cycling, fun games, activities and sensory taster sessions will be available.

The new electric accessible cycles, purchased through the Covid Recovery & Revitalise Programme, will be used during these events; participants will also be there for the official unveiling of the recently acquired Mobile Accessible Changing Units.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan welcomed the events saying: “I am delighted that Council can offer these accessible family events to its residents.

“The funding we have received for the new accessible electric bikes, and our Mobile Accessible Changing Units, has enabled us to continue with our commitment to provide services and support to all.

“I’d like to thank The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), Department for Communities (DfC) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for providing this support via the Covid Recovery Revitalise Programme.

“I’d encourage everyone to come along for what promises to be a very enjoyable two-day programme.”

Book your place by emailing sportsdevelopment@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk, events are being held at:

• Flowerfield Arts Centre; Monday 12 June 6.30pm – 8.30pm
• Roe Mill Playing Fields; Tuesday 13 June 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Family friendly events to take place on site at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium this summer

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced a number of family friendly events that will take place on site during the summer holidays of July and August 2023.

These will include:

Planet Roar Live Dinosaur Show. Running at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 3:00pm from 18^th July until 23^rd July, the show takes a prehistoric leap into the world of the dinosaurs with LOC-DOWN EVENTS and their fun filled educational live dinosaur show!

The Ultimate Bubble Show. This one hour long interactive experience will run on 26^th July and 27^th July at 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm and 4:00pm on both days. Be amazed by this unique performance showcasing the best in bubble magic and infusing this with conjuring and circus sideshow acts adding exciting elements of drama.

Bakineering in Space Special Event is a one off, not to be missed event, running at both 11:30am and 3:00pm on Thursday 3^rd August. Hosted by Netflix star and The Great British Bakeoff finalist, Andrew Smyth, it explores the surprising connections between the everyday bakes and the extraordinary engineering that helps keep astronauts alive. Expect tasters in this interactive event where your curiosity will be whisked, stirred and shaken in a show that is out of this world.

The Science of Dragons with Scientific Sue. This live show will run from 15^th August until 17^th August at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm and 3:30pm. The interactive event is perfect for all the family, and especially those who dare to create their very own dragon! Join Scientific Sue on this most historical and creative journey of scientific discovery which is based on the book written by Cressida Cowell: How to Train Your Dragon.

Solar Superstorms is a Dome Show running daily at 4:00pm from 1st July until 30th August. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, it takes a look at the interior of our star. A fury is building on the surface of the Sun – high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000 kilometers high, rising loops of electrified gas. What’s driving these strange phenomena? How will they affect planet Earth? Find out during the Dome Show!

Jurassic Ark Encounters bring their reptile friends to meet you for an interactive workshop! Get up close and personal with some of nature’s most fascinating and amazing animals, like snakes, lizards, tortoises and many more. This is an educational learning session about nature’s most fascinating family, reptiles! This event will run daily from 4^th July until 9^th July at 11:00am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm,2:30pm, 3:15pm and 4:00pm. Each workshop lasts for 30 minutes.

The Bricks 4 Kidz Workshop is a fun space-themed brick-building workshops, where kids

can make their very own cosmic creations out of colourful LEGO® bricks. A great way to

have some fun with science, the Bricks 4 Kidz workshops are always popular with the kids

and help build confidence and creativity as well as developing problem-solving skills and

critical thinking. The workshop will run daily from 11 th July until 16th July at 10:45am,

11:45am, 1:45pm, 2:45pm, 3:45pm, as well as a relaxed show at 9:45am.

Helen McLoughlin, Education Officer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, says, “We can’t wait to host visitors over the summer months!”

“Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is a globally renowned centre for astronomical research and we aim to inspire Northern Ireland’s next generation of STEM leaders. With this in mind, we have created a jam-packed summer schedule to entertain the whole family, and stimulate the young minds of the future.”

Most event tickets include exhibition entry. Children Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To book tickets for these events, visit: https://armaghobservatoryplanetarium.ticketsolve.com