Armagh’s Market Place Theatre is set for some serious songwriting skills when artists Katey Brooks and Anthony Toner take to the stage to showcase their enviable talents.

Katey Brooks is a rebellious artist who resists formula. The powerful songstress defies easy classification, with a sound blending folk, soul, blues and Americana. Her versatility has become one of her biggest assets when lending her voice to different genres and moods. A devastating song-writing talent she is simply ‘not to be missed’ [Time Out]. 

Her most recent album Revolute was released in 2019 to huge critical acclaim across the world including a ‘Best Album of the Year’ credit from music magazine Popdust. Brooks’ vocals have featured on records with Queen’s Brian May, The Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and Paloma Faith. Katey Brooks will perform for one night only on Thursday 6 October. Tickets are priced £14 each.

Anthony Toner returns to The Market Place for an intimate evening of songs and stories, fresh from the release of two brand new albums in 2022. ‘Emperor’ is a completely acoustic collection, revisiting favourite songs from his back catalogue, including ‘Sailortown’, ‘The Road to Fivemiletown’, ‘Well Well Well’ and many more. New release, ‘The Book of Absolution’ continues where the hugely popular album ‘Ink’ left off, featuring personal songs full of insights about the human condition that never fail to strike a chord with listeners.

Between songs, Anthony always shares some hilarious and insightful stories from the road, and is also one of Northern Ireland’s finest guitarists. Anthony Toner will take to the stage on Saturday 8 October. Tickets are priced £15 each, and can be booked through the Box Office on 03300 561 025, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

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.

 

An award-winning play, ‘Green & Blue’ tells the story of a developing friendship between an RUC officer and a Garda officer on the border at the height of the Troubles. This is a beautifully written play about what it means to be human in extraordinary circumstances, and what it’s like to be hunted when you’re protecting a man-made line on the ground.

The play stars two of Northern Ireland’s finest actors, James Doran and Vincent Higgins. James Doran plays Garda officer Eddie O’Halloran, originally from West Cork, patrolling the Monaghan side of the border while Vincent Higgins is David McCabe, an RUC officer whose experience of patrolling the Fermanagh side is vastly different from his southern counterpart.

Set in 1994, just before the IRA ceasefire, the pair recount their experiences, taking in the history of the conflict in Ireland, how they joined their respective organisations and the day-to-day life of working in a disputed territory.

The play is laced with humour, insight and lots of touching moments. Despite their different backgrounds, Eddie and David strike up a common bond and begin to learn more about themselves, their similarities as well as their differences. David’s experiences are harrowing, steeped in violence and the threat of violence, while Eddie’s are much more ordinary except for his occasional run-ins with the local IRA commander.

But there is a brooding sense of what happens on one side of the border affects the other side. The two areas share a mutual dependence. With that air of comradeship felt by two people doing the same job, the pair decide to meet in a farmer’s field that straddles the border and find out that the ‘grass is no greener for sure’ on the other side of this invisible divide.

Every line of the play is loaded, each scene redolent of the overall tragedy of Irish history and its wasted lives. These two ordinary men represent all of us and our place in a divided land. It allows us to glimpse the human beings behind the uniform. It eloquently explores the human cost of man-made borders.

‘Green & Blue’ will be staged at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre on Wednesday 21 September at 8pm. Tickets priced £15 and £13 [concession] can be booked online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre, or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025. This show is part of the Theatre’s Autumn 22 Drama multibuy offer.

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.

 

Northern Ireland’s premiere Christmas event, Enchanted Winter Garden, is returning to the award -winning Antrim Castle Gardens. In 2021 this Christmas spectacular welcomed a staggering 119K visitors to our Borough. This year’s event will run for from Saturday 26 November until Tuesday 20 December, from 4.30pm – 9.30pm.

Once again as the winter sun sets over Lough Neagh, Antrim Castle Gardens will come to life with a magical Christmas experience for all the family. Dazzling illuminations, artisan food stalls, walkabout characters and star attractions, including the Big Wheel, Helter Skelter and The Wonderland Wood, are all making a welcome return.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy some new attractions at this year’s event including a new and improved Santa’s Grotto, Pixie Path and Whoville Village, which will include the return of fan favourite the Grinch.

 An Evening of Inclusive Enchantment will run on both Wednesday 7 & 14 December with reduced numbers, lighting and sound levels, Sensory & Quiet room, ideal for children and adults with additional needs.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross commented “I am delighted that Enchanted Winter Garden is returning to Antrim Castle Gardens. In 2021 it attracted an incredible 119K visitors to our Borough and I hope this year we can encourage these visitors and more to return.

The event has something for everyone. It is a great way to not only see what Antrim has to offer, but also spend quality time with family and friends over the festive period.”

Tickets for the event are now on sale with tickets priced at £7.50 adult, £5 child, £22 family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) and under 2s free.

This year, to offer a little extra help for families over the festive period, residents from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be able to enjoy the event at a reduced price (£6 adult, £4 child, £18 family ticket), which can be claimed at point of sale using your home postcode.

To book visit enchantedwintergarden.com. Our Arts and Culture Customer Hub service, which includes a live chat facility and direct telephone number (T: 0300 123 7788 calls charged at local rate) that can assist with ticket queries if customers are unable to book online. The Customer Hub operates Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

Light up your Christmas with a visit to Enchanted Winter Garden and make memories with family and friends.

Following on from last year’s success, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is once again planning an out of this world experience for families across Northern Ireland as it launches this year’s Mission Santa event.

Ready to blast off for its third year, the spectacular space pantomime has been created by BNL Productions to get Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s visitors into the festive spirit.

Along with Marzipan the Elf, visitors to the event will be able to help save Santa from inside mission control during an immersive and theatrical show.

The exciting experience includes access to an exclusive dome show, titled the ‘The Alien who stole Christmas.’ The show will be displayed in the magical star dome theatre, and every child in attendance will receive a present and a printed family photograph.

Education and Outreach Manager at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Sinéad Mackle, said: “Following on from the resounding success of Mission Santa in 2019 and 2021, we are excited to welcome visitors to the 2022 event.

“This enchanting adventure captures the magical essence of Christmas in a unique experience, harnessing the wonders of space and the drama in a live theatrical show.  The high demand for tickets over the last few years has ensured that Mission Santa is a must-see festive event that children and adults alike will not forget.”

Mission Santa lasts 90 minutes and will run every Saturday and Sunday from 19^th November – 23 December. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.

There are also a number of relaxed performances and school bookings are available. Tickets are £20 per child and £18 per adult. Tickets can be purchased via www.armagh.space

The 1975 release ‘I’m In Love With You’ – the third track from their highly anticipated forthcoming new album ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’.

 

You can listen to ‘I’m In Love With You’ HERE while you can watch the video, directed by Samuel Bradley, HERE.

 

‘I’m In Love With You’ follows recent releases ‘Happiness’ and ‘Part Of The Band’, the band’s acclaimed comeback single which Pitchfork praised as “the kind of grand, playful pop song that only this band could pull off”.

 

All three tracks will feature on ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’, the band’s fifth studio album, released Friday 14th October via Dirty Hit and available to pre-order now at the1975.com.

 

In support of ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’, the band have also announced details of the UK & Ireland leg of their ‘At Their Very Best’ tour in January 2023. Tickets are available via fan presale from Wednesday 7th September, with tickets then on general sale on Friday 9th September. You can find more information HERE.

 

The 1975 made their long awaited live comeback last month, headlining Japan’s biggest rock festival Summer Sonic 2022 in Tokyo and Osaka before returning for two triumphant homecoming headline slots at Reading & Leeds Festival.

 

The band will hit the road again in November and December for the North American leg of their ‘At Their Very Best’ tour. Tickets are on sale HERE with a number of dates, including New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, already sold out.

 

Formed in Manchester in 2002, The 1975 have established themselves as one of the defining bands of their generation with their distinctive aesthetic, ardent fanbase and unique sonic approach.

 

The band’s previous album, 2020’s ‘Notes On A Conditional Form’, became their fourth consecutive No. 1 album in the UK, landing at No. 1 in Australia too. The band were named NME’s ‘Band of the Decade’ in 2020 after being crowned ‘Best Group’ at the BRIT Awards in both 2017 & 2019. Their third studio album, ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’, also won ‘Mastercard British Album of the Year’ at the 2019 ceremony.

 

The 1975 UK & Ireland 2023 Tour Dates:

 

Sun 08/01/23 – Brighton – Brighton Center

Mon 09/01/23 – Bournemouth – Bournemouth International Center

Tue 10/01/23 – Exeter – Westpoint

Thu 12/01/23 – London – The O2

Sun 15/01/23 – Birmingham – Resorts World Arena

Mon 16/01/23 – Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena

Thu 19/01/23 – Glasgow – SSE Hydro

Fri 20/01/23 – Manchester – AO Arena

Sun 22/01/23 – Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena

Mon 23/01/23 – Leeds – First Direct Arena

Weds 25/01/23 – Newcastle – Utilita Arena

Thu 26/01/23 – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena

Sun 29/01/23 – Dublin – 3Arena

Mon 30/01/23 – Belfast – SSE Arena

​​‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ Tracklist:

 

1. The 1975
2. Happiness
3. Looking For Somebody (To Love)
4. Part Of The Band
5. Oh Caroline
6. I’m In Love With You
7. All I Need To Hear
8. Wintering
9. Human Too
10. About You
11. When We Are Together

https://the1975.com/

https://twitter.com/the1975

https://www.instagram.com/the1975

https://www.tiktok.com/@the1975

 

www.instagram.com/trumanblack

https://www.instagram.com/bedforddanes75

https://www.instagram.com/1975adam

https://www.instagram.com/rass1975

 

DUE to increased demand, Hastings Hotels and McComb’s Coach Travel have announced new dates for the hugely popular Line of Duty Experience, the original tour of filming locations from the hit TV series, on Saturday 8^th October, 5^th November and 3^rd December.

The Line of Duty Experience, begins with lunch in the Grand Café in the Grand Central Hotel, before an action packed guided tour onboard a luxurious coach, taking in some of the most recognisable filming locations and finishing the afternoon with an AC12 cocktail or Wee Donkey mocktail in the Observatory, Ireland’s tallest cocktail bar. Guests will also receive the Hastings’ Line of Duty duck which has been designed with some of Northern Ireland’s best-known sayings.  

The tour starts at Belfast’s Grand Central Hotel in Bedford Street which is located beside the Invest NI building – the setting for AC-12 HQ. There will be various stops across the City Centre including ‘Pelbury House’ the headquarters of the Central Police force which provided the backdrop of Ted Hastings famous peaked-cap adjustments; ‘Kingsgate Printing Services’, the building used as a front for members of the OCG (Organised Crime Gang); the Lorry Park where Kate shot Ryan Pilkington before doing a runner with Jo Davidson in Series 6 and of course the iconic Subway location, the favourite meeting point for Steve and Kate to have their secret rendezvous, and perhaps the most striking spot to get that LOD selfie!

There’ll be the chance to visit the sites of some of the most memorable car chases including the crash from Series 6 when DC Chloe and DI Arnott had been transporting Jimmy Lakewell from prison to AC-12 HQ to interrogate him when the police convoy was attacked by the OCG as well as the bridge where DI Fleming dramatically fired an assault riffle at a fleeing four-wheel drive, killing her dodgy partner and crime gang mole, Dot Cotton.

Other filming locations on the tour include Brentiss Prison which viewers watched prisoners being escorted to, including Detective Superintendent Jo Davidson after her arrest; Tresco Storage, the company used in Series 3 by Danny Waldron to store the decapitated head of Linus Murphy which was later discovered by Steve; and who could forget the incident in the opening episode of Series 6 that first made viewers suspect that DCI Davidson was a bent copper, when enroute to raid the address of a suspect in the murder of Gail Vella Hickies, she redirected the convoy to Hickey’s Bookmakers for what she ‘suspected’ was an armed robbery.

The Line of Duty Experience is £65pp and to book go to www.mccombscoaches.com or call 028 9086 6162.  

Newcastle is gearing up to host Visit Mourne’s brand new Eats and Beats festival this weekend from Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September.  With two food villages and three stages, it will be jam-packed with celebrity chefs, special events, live music, street performers, family fun, and a world of cuisine.

Festival goers can browse more than 60 food, drink, arts and crafts stalls at the Homegrown and World food villages in Donard Park and Castle Park.  Villages will be open from 11am to 8.30pm on Saturday and 11am to 7.45pm on Sunday. The Newcastle Artisan Market, located outside the Newcastle Centre, running from 11am-3pm on Saturday only.  As if that isn’t enough there will also be lots of family fun activities, a sustainability village and a series of fringe events taking place this weekend. 

Visitors can also sit back and relax with a drink at one of the bars located in each of the food villages while being treated to an incredible array of performances offering an eclectic mix of styles and genres that is sure to create a big festival vibe across the seaside town. Live music at the Homegrown stage in Donard Park, the World Music stage in Castle Park and the Rising Stage on the Promenade starts each day from 12noon – be sure to check the various artists set times at visitmournemountains.co.uk.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “Newry, Mourne and Down is becoming well known for the quality of its catering outlets, food produce, microbreweries and distillers and it has long had a strong track record for producing talented and successful musicians.  It is therefore timely that the Council through its tourism arm, Visit Mourne, is hosting a festival which showcases its strongest assets in one of the district’s most beautiful locations.  All roads will be leading to Newcastle this weekend as the Eats & Beats festival finishes off the Council’s summer events programme on a high.”

On the Homegrown stage in Donard Park its two day line up will be hosted by QRadio presenter, comedian and DJ Ryan Hand.  Award-winning band, Kíla, heralded as one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands, will headline the stage on Saturday evening.  While The Undertones, known for one of the best punk anthems of all time – ‘Teenage Kicks’, will rock Newcastle on Sunday evening and delight crowds as they belt out their famous hits.

Anyone looking for something different will find it at the World Food Village and Stage in Castle Park where you can lose yourself in the vibes of Brazilian Samba, Indian Bhangra, Latin, African and many other traditional music forms from bands such as The Mons Wheeler, the Streetwise Samba Band, the Balkan band, Basork whose fusion ensemble draws on Irish, European and Middle Eastern music and the Belfast Community Gospel Choir (BCGC). Award-winning Irish singer/songwriters, Zoe Conway and John McIntyre can also be found on the World music stage on Saturday afternoon.

The Rising Stage at The Promenade will host new and upcoming acts including singer-songwriter RUE who will join indie-folk duo, Lathya and Downpatrick’s own indie/alternative rock band, The Thing Is.  Parker, Winnie Ama, Jack Devlin and Dark Tropics will also take to the stage over the two-day event.

For anyone travelling to Newcastle, there will be a Park and Walk located at Bryansford GAC and a Park and Ride will operate from the Northfield site on both days.  Toilets and disabled amenities will be located across the site while Changing Places facilities can be found at Donard Park.

Stay tuned to the Visit Mourne Facebook and Twitter pages where the full festival line-up, carparking and other important festival information will be posted throughout the weekend. Further information on where to stay, eat, and things to do during your stay can be found at visitmournemountains.co.uk.

Grab your glass slippers, your carriage awaits as the home of pantomime in Northern Ireland this year stages the much-loved classic Cinderella.

With an award-winning creative team at the helm, over 35,000 tickets have already been sold for the biggest show of Northern Ireland’s Christmas season.

Cinderella opens at the Grand Opera House on Saturday 3 December 2022 and runs until Sunday 15 January 2023. Children and adults alike can expect laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses with Belfast’s favourite Fairy Godmother May McFettridge, who this year celebrates a record-breaking 32 Grand Opera House pantomime seasons.

May is joined on stage by Paddy Jenkins, who was last seen on the Theatre’s stage in March in Give My Head Peace, as Baron Hardup.

Returning to the Grand Opera House panto following their appearance in last year’s sell-out run of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Adam C Booth plays Buttons opposite Kia-Paris Walcott in the title role.

Jo Donnelly, who played Mummy Bear last year, is joined by Jolene O’Hara as the vile Wicked Stepsisters, and Lisburn’s Gyasi Sheppy plays Dandini, who in 2021 landed his dream job as one of the presenters of CBeebies.

Completing the line-up, Conor Headley, originally from Lurgan, a graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and a former participant of the Grand Opera House’s summer youth production, takes on the role of Prince Charming.

“Northern Ireland’s biggest Christmas show warrants a top-drawer cast and the best creative team to bring alive from page to stage the most magical pantomime of them all,” said Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House.

“Since the Theatre opened in 1895, generations of families have made the Grand Opera House pantomime part of their Christmas festivities, and with over 75,000 expected to attend during the six-week run, book your seats now otherwise not even your Fairy Godmother will be able to magic you a ticket!”

The Grand Opera House pantomime is staged by Olivier award-winning producer Michael Harrison on behalf of Crossroads, the biggest pantomime producer in the world. As well as producing the recent production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the Grand Opera House, Michael has produced the current UK and Ireland tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which runs at the Theatre in October, and he is creating his seventh consecutive London Palladium pantomime this year.

Cinderella is directed and choreographed by Jonny Bowles, who won Best Choreography for Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the 2022 Pantomime Awards, and lighting design is by
Ben Cracknell, whose recent designs include the West End production of The Drifters Girl and the national tours of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Osmonds, The Cher Show, and the 2022 Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.

Michael Harrison, producer of Cinderella, said: “We’re delighted today to be announcing such a fabulous cast for the Grand Opera House’s pantomime. We’re currently working on a script packed full of laughter for all the family and know that Crossroads’ pantomime in Belfast will be something very special for young and old alike.”

Northern Ireland’s biggest pantomime will once again be sponsored by Dale Farm, who are delighted to share the joy of panto again this year.

For the Grand Opera House pantomime performance schedule and tickets, visit: goh.co.uk

WITH the summer holidays drawing to an end, the Stormont Hotel has a fabulous selection of fun-filled family breaks on offer that won’t break the bank and give everyone something to look forward to!

 

Enjoy one last day out this weekend before school is back with the Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea on Saturday 27^th August from 12pm – 3pm. This magical afternoon tea will have a host of fun activities including the chance for children to create their very own teddy bear with Bear Necessities. Afternoon Tea including a glass of Prosecco is £36 per adult and Mini Afternoon Tea & Teddy Bear is £26 per child.

 

The Titanic Package starts from £180 for a family of four and includes overnight accommodation with breakfast and entry to Titanic Belfast. Spend time exploring Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and visit one of the world’s leading tourist attractions, Titanic Belfast, which tells the story of Titanic from her conception, through her construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.

 

Or why not enjoy the Picnic in the Park package from £175 for two adults and two children which includes overnight accommodation and a special picnic to take with you to enjoy wherever you want with fresh sandwiches and scones, sweet treats and games to keep the children entertained as you spend some quality time in the great outdoors.

 

The Stormont Hotel has a fabulous selection of newly upgraded family rooms that now cater for two adults and up to three children with a selection of interconnecting rooms also available. There is a fantastic new kids menu with a great selection of dishes, made using the very best of local produce, that the younger family members will love ensuring everyone goes to bed with a full belly!

 

Family rooms can be booked by phoning the Stormont Hotel on 028 9065 1066 or for more information go to www.hastingshotels.com