OFFERS OF THE WEEK

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Northern Ireland boasts an irresistible collection of places to stay including beautiful B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and great value self-catering properties. Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week to help you plan a short break.

  • One night B&B, Ashbrook House B&B, Co. Tyrone from £45 per person sharing.  

Enjoy a romantic getaway to the quiet countryside for a break to relax and recharge. A friendly welcome awaits you at Ashbrook House, a family-run, new build Bed and Breakfast offering a very high standard of accommodation.  Stroll around the grounds and meet the alpacas Tom and Teddy as well as miniature horses and chickens.  The B&B is nestled in a tranquil rural setting and conveniently located just 15 minutes from the historic town of Dungannon.  This package includes bed & breakfast, a bottle of Prosecco and a cream tea on arrival and full use of the lounge. To book call 028 8555 7158.  Offer available until 30th April.

  • Two nights B&B, Armagh City Hotel, Co. Armagh from £245 per room

Enjoy an Easter break with the family at the Armagh City Hotel.  With panoramic views over a historic landscape, the hotel is perfectly positioned as the ideal place to soak up the sights and sounds of Ireland’s oldest city.  Guests can enjoy delicious modern Irish cuisine in the Friary Restaurant and unwind in the state of the art health and leisure club.  This offer is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing and includes a two night stay with full Irish Breakfast each morning, use of the hotel’s Leisure facilities, a £50 meal voucher, and a family ticket to either Armagh Planetarium or Navan Centre & Fort. To book call 028 3751 8888.  Offer available until 26th April.

  • One night B&B ‘stay and play’ deal, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Co. Down from £125 per room

Just a short distance from the scenic Mourne Mountains, Millbrook Lodge is a family owned hotel, where the charm of a beautiful Georgian building has been carefully integrated with modern comfort and amenities. The sixteen individually designed bedrooms offer superior comfort and convenience, while the surrounding six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens provide a setting of perfect tranquillity for photographs. This package is based on two persons sharingand includes a one night stay with breakfast as well as one round of golf in either the Spa Golf Club or St Patrick’s Golf Club. To book call 028 9756 2828. Offer available until 31st December.

things to do in Northern Ireland (22 – 28 April 2019)

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  1. World Tattoo Festival, Lisburn, 26 – 28 April. Celebrating tattoo culture both nationally and internationally, the festival at the Eikon Exhibition Centre will feature over 300 leading international and local artists, including celebrity tattooist Megan Massacre, world famous multi-skilled performance group the Fuel Girls, international performers,  musicians, art exhibits, and much more.
  2. The Belfast Music Tour, Belfast, 27 April. The Belfast Music Tour is a journey across the city revealing the music, the artists and the landscape that help bring Belfast’s unique character to life.  The two-hour bus trip starts at the beautifully restored Ulster Hall, home to the Ulster Orchestra and host to many iconic acts over the years, including Led Zeppelin’s first ever performance of Stairway to Heaven in 1971. This is definitely a tour that anyone interested in music will want to know about.
  3. Easter Fun Day, Limavady, 22 April. Experience a fun and unique family day out this Easter at Foylehov Activity Centre. There are some great prizes to be won in our Easter Egg Hunt and lots of fun Easter themed team and mini-games. Take part in action-packed activities including Laser Combat, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting and Football Golf.
  4. Pizza and Pottery Night, Bangor, 25 April.  The popular Pizza & Pottery nights begin with a class where a potter will give a demo of throwing a pot on the wheel before teaching a hand building class. After making your very own pot you will be shown through to the café, to enjoy handmade artisan pizza. Bring your own bubbly or wine too!
  5. Variations on a Rococo Theme, Omagh, 25 April. ‘On Your Doorstep’ is a very special opportunity to catch a full symphony orchestra in the intimate surroundings of your local arts theatre. Featuring pieces by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and Bruch, the programme brings the Ulster Orchestra’s passion and magic to every corner of Northern Ireland. With world class soloists and guest conductors, there’s no better time than to give the Orchestra a go.
  6. Rampage, Magherafelt, 27–28 April.  Jungle NI host their third “Rampage Weekender” event, one of Ireland’s coolest obstacle adventure races.  Get ready to leap into some gut busting obstacles, lashings of mud, with a fantastic picturesque location, followed by an awesome after party and camping.
  7. Easter at HMS Caroline, Belfast, 19-28 April. Explore the famous ship through the exciting Easter Trail inspired by Blücher the Bunny, a naughty rabbit who lived on board during the First World War.  Find out more about life at sea for the men who lived on board, test your skills with the interactive exhibits and visit the Mess Deck Café for some tasty treats.
  8. Easter Celebrations at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, 21–23 April. Stallholders, shopkeepers, travelling journeymen and a host of characters will keep you amused for hours on end this Easter as you stroll down Ulster Street witnessing the sights, smells and sounds of a busy market day in late 19th century Ulster. Try your hand at traditional crafts, enjoy storytelling sessions, taste seasonal treats, giggle at Punch and Judy, have a go at egg and spoon races or take horse and cart rides.
  9. Cruise the Lough at Crom Estate, Enniskillen, 22 April. See a different side to the spectacular Crom Estate from the waters of Lough Erne.  Cruise around in Crom’s 100 year old traditional craft, taking in the beauty and serenity of the Fermanagh Lakelands.  This event is weather dependent and booking is essential.
  10. Bubble Show Milkshake And The Bubble Flower, Belfast, 22–23 April. A brand-new show, combining bubble skills and theatrical storytelling, featuring Dr Bubble and Milkshake.  Every year tens of thousands of families and children flock to revisit their favourite characters in their latest adventures in different cities all over the globe. It’s the ideal family show, perfect for all ages.

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.

#BangorsBigEaster is rolling into town!

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The sun is set to shine on Bangor this Easter weekend with lots on offer to excite and entertain all the family.

Easter Saturday will be the biggest day of the weekend with Peter Rabbit making appearances throughout the day at the Town Hall where children can take part in crafts and workshops, a warrior assault course and lots more activities to entertain kids of all ages.

At Ward Park’s Bandstand Hotch Potch Tiny Tours will celebrate the magic of nature with installations and storytelling and stilt walking like you’ve never seen it before. Just cross the lawns from at Band Stand at Bangor Library, storytelling sessions will take place throughout the day.

You’ll be able to get your skates on for the roller disco at Project 24 starting at 1pm and running throughout the day until 5pm. Roller skates are provided and Queen’s Parade will come alive with the sounds of disco!

On Easter Sunday, the Ulster Youth Orchestra will set-up their instruments at the Band Stand at Ward Park putting on a performance between 3-5pm. Bring along a picnic and enjoy the music al fresco!

Peter Rabbit returns to Ward Park on Easter Monday making appearances throughout the day alongside Hotch Potch Tiny Tours and interactive dance fun and exercise with Jump, Jiggle and Jive. ‘Shed of Stories’ pop-up library will be bringing books to life with storytelling.

The pop-up roller disco will open once again at Project 24 skating to the sounds of the 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties while an Easter trail and crafts will take place at North Down Museum.

Throughout the weekend Main Street and High Street will have Easter themed fun in conjunction with Bangor Chamber and Main Street My Street.

There’s a packed line-up of events taking place throughout Easter weekend in Bangor. For full details go to www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

THINGS TO DO IN BELFAST: BELFAST ONE EASTER EGG HUNT

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BELFAST CITY CENTRE EASTER EGG HUNT

Explore Belfast City Centre with the kids this Easter and hunt down 10 coloured Easter Eggs hidden in local shops, cafes and restaurants, for a chance to win a family prize package worth £300*. The Easter Egg Hunt runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 28 April.

The Family Prize Package includes £150 toy shop vouchers, restaurant vouchers and cinema passes and, for your chance to win, all you have to do is find six or more Easter Eggs and tell Belfast One what colour they are by posting your entry, available online or at any one of the 10 egg locations, in a Belfast One post box located around the city centre, by emailing your entry to info@belfastone.co.uk, or by posting it to Belfast One BID Ltd, Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JH.

If you share your pictures of the Easter Egg Hunt on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #BelfastEggHunt you could be in with the chance of winning one of two £50 vouchers for a shop of your choice in the Belfast One area.

Download your Easter Egg Hunt sheet at www.BelfastOne.co.uk/Easter or pick one up at any of the egg locations!

Winners will be chosen at random by Belfast One on 2 May. For more information and to download your clue map visit www.belfastone.co.uk/easter, www.facebook.com/belfastone, www.instagram.com/belfastone_, www.twitter.com/belfastBID

Award-winning performer returns to the MAC

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Renowned writer, director, actor and musician, Cora Bissett returns to the MAC on 1-5 May for her latest show, What Girls Are Made Of.

Following an award-winning, sold out premiere at Traverse Festival 2018, What Girls Are Made Of comes to the MAC as part of a UK and worldwide tour, before heading to Brazil and the USA.

Written and performed by Cora Bissett, co-creator and director of the acclaimed Glasgow Girls, which visited the MAC in 2017, What Girls Are Made Of  takes audiences back to 1992 to tell the autobiographical story of Cora’s rollercoaster journey from Fife schoolgirl to indie singer.

Directed by former Traverse Artistic Director, Orla O’Loughlin, the show celebrates the euphoric highs (touring with Radiohead, partying with Blur) and epic lows (untrustworthy managers, £40,000 debt) of Bisset’s young life, poignantly interspersed with the personal losses and gains of her adult life.  Now a mother herself, Bissett draws from her own teenage diaries to question what wisdom we should pass on to the next generation, and which mistakes we should let them make for themselves.

Performed with a live backing band and packed full of 90s indie tunes from Nirvana, Blur, Sultans of Ping, Radiohead and Throwing Muses, What Girls Are Made Of  promises to be a fun night out,  bringing audiences on a trip down memory lane and giving them an insight into what life in the music industry is really like.

Speaking about the show, Cora Bisset said: ‘I never imagined that last year when I started wading through the old diaries and piecing together this story into a play, that we would end up this year with a tour traversing Scotland and Northern Ireland and ending up in Brazil and the USA! I’m really excited to take the show on the road and particularly back to my old home turf in Fife, where I was born and went to school.

The play starts in Glenrothes and charts my teenage self, looking for the big adventure that life might hold. I was overwhelmed by the response we got in Edinburgh last year, where it seemed to resonate with everyone from teenage girls, to middle-aged men and women with teenage kids, and to older people who felt that teenage self rekindled. It seemed to be everyone’s story. 

It tickles me that a story about an indie kid from Fife somehow clicked with theatre programmers in Sao Paulo and South Carolina, who want to share it with their audiences.  Maybe that’s because, although it speaks in broad Fife-isms, it also speaks in universalities. It’s about growing up, and not wanting to be anyone’s puppet. It’s about making big leaps of faith and failing monumentally. It’s about searching in the dark for years for what the hell you’re meant to be doing. It’s about losing loves, losing faith, losing parents, losing weight, hitting the depths and working out how you build yourself back up again. It’s about being a girl, bringing up a girl, trying to be a woman, and trying to work out how to pass something on that is actually useful. It’s about celebrating imperfection, not homogenisation. It’s human, it’s truthful, it’s a total ‘riddy’, but it’s life, and it seems to be a bit about us all. Maybe that’s why we are touring from Fife to far, far away. I can’t wait to see how audiences take to the show in different corners of the world.’

Tickets for What Girls Are Made Of at the MAC are on sale now at themaclive.com or call the box office on 028 90235053.

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this Easter weekend across NI

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Down

Bangor’s BIG Easter weekend will feature some of your favourite storybook characters, Mr McGregor’s Garden, children’s workshops, Hotch Potch Tiny Tours, the Easter Bunny, storytelling, Puppet Shows and more!  The highlight of the weekend will be Milkshake Live! Monkey’s Milkshake Musical on Saturday 20th April at the McKee Clock Arena.

Armagh

Join the living history team at the Navan Centre’s live action interpretation of the Three Billy Goats Gruff 20th to 23rd April  – the perfect Easter experience for all the family!  Trip-trap went the Three Billy Goats Gruff on their adventure to find some lovely green grass! 

Fermanagh

On the 20th and 21st April Share Discovery Village invites you to join them on their Happy Easter Family Cruise.  Come on board the Inishcruiser for a 1.5 hour cruise on Upper Lough Erne, while cruising enjoy light refreshments and Easter themed entertainment.  A perfect Easter day out.

Tyrone

On the 20th April, drop in to Ranfurly House, Market Square in Dungannon and create a cute little bunny this Easter. Using lots of collage materials and your imagination, you will create a colourful bunny to take home. 

Derry

Join resident sand sculptor Tony on Portstewart Strand Saturday 20th April, as he demonstrates the art of sand sculpting. Have a go at creating your own! The theme is ‘creatures of the sea’. Usual National Trust site admission charges apply.

Antrim

Hop aboard the Easter Eggspress for an egg-citing adventure from Belfast to Whitehead this Easter, 20th to 22nd April. You’ll be greeted by the bouncing Easter Bunny and made comfortable on board the steam train. With fun for all the family and, of course, lots of yummy Easter eggs for those egg-cellently behaved little ones, it’s a trip that you won’t want to miss out on!

Belfast

Hop on over to Belfast Zoo this Easter for a ‘zooper’ day out from 20th to 28th April.  Visit all your favourite animals for their Easter treats at feeding times and call by the keeper talks to find out more about the species that the zoo cares for.  Don’t forget to search high and low for the Easter egg trail to be in with the chance of winning a special prize, and pose with our mascot characters for a seasonal selfie.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni for news, competitions and what’s on near you.  

Jacqueline McGonigle

Offers of the week

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Northern Ireland boasts an irresistible collection of places to stay including beautiful B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and great value self-catering properties. Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week to help you plan a short break.

  • One night B&B, The Hilton Hotel, Belfast from £153 per family per night

Relax at the Hilton Belfast with an idyllic location on the banks of the River Lagan, just a two-minute walk away from the city centre.  Amenities and convenience make this hotel a favourite for visitors to Belfast, with two dining venues offering menu options ranging from local, hearty Irish dishes to classic wines and tapas.  The new family rooms accommodate up to two children. There is plenty to see and do in Belfast this Easter and the Hilton is the perfect base to explore. Game of Thrones™: the Touring Exhibition is in town or discover Titanic or the W5 centre.  This offer is based on two adults and two children sharing. To book call 028 9027 7207.  Offer available until 21st April. 

  • Two night B&B, Belmore Court and Motel, Co. Fermanagh from £71 per room per night

This Easter, discover Enniskillen Castle Museums, in the relaxing setting of Ireland’s only island town.  Belmore Court is sited at the gateway to the wild beauty of Fermanagh, surrounded by beautiful lakes and remarkable parkland golf courses. Providing you with the best comfort at an affordable price, the Motel is within easy walking distance of Enniskillen town centre and its many bars, restaurants and shops.  This Easter package includes a two-night stay based on two persons and tickets to the Enniskillen Castle Museums tour.  To book call 028 6632 6633. Offer available until 21st April 2019.

  • Two nights B&B with one evening dinner for two, Atlantic Hotel, Portrush, Co. Antrim from £199 per room per night

The award-winning Portrush Atlantic Hotel is situated in the centre of town, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel provides the ideal base for visiting the Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Glens of Antrim and many of the iconic filming locations used in Game of Thrones. Counties Restaurant and Cafe Bar is the perfect venue to meet with friends for a meal, coffee or beverages in contemporary surroundings.  This Easter offer includes bed and breakfast plus one two-course meal.  To book call 028 7082 6100. Offer available until 29th April.   

10 things to do in NI next week

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  1. tHillsborough Castle Easter Family Activities, Hillsborough, 18–28 April. A transformed Hillsborough Castle and Gardens will open its doors daily to visitors for the first time this Easter, with a host of exciting events and activities for all the family. ‘Be Our Guest’ offers families a chance to explore over 100 acres of majestic gardens. In a series of theatrical encounters meet fascinating characters from the Castle’s past including America’s founding father Benjamin Franklin, and the third Marquess of Downshire who will entertain the audience with folk tales in the enchanting Glen.
  2. Easter Surf Camp, Portrush, 15–25 April. Alive Surf School is the perfect place to take your kids this Easter with plenty of action and fun suitable for kids aged 5 to 16. As well as learning how to surf, the kids will learn about water safety and see a real improvement in their surfing. Everything is included from wetsuits to surf boards and even hot chocolate afterwards. Kids can come for individual days or more commonly for all four days. Parents are more than welcome to join in and go surfing each day with their kids.
  3. Easter Exhibition by Adrian Margey, Ballymena, 20–23 April. Artist Adrian Margey will hold a major exhibition and sale of his work at Galgorm Resort and Spa this Easter. Adrian has been hailed as one of the ‘rising stars’ of a new generation of Ulster artists. His latest work has been largely inspired by the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim. The exhibition will also showcase dramatic Belfast cityscapes, portrayals of Donegal and the Mournes, and representations of traditional Irish musicians and dancers.
  4. Easter Street Theatre at the Causeway Coast, Ballymoney, 20–22 April. Visitors to the Causeway Coast can enjoy a weekend of free street theatre in the various town centres. Kids can watch exciting circus shows which incorporate a mix of slapstick comedy and circus skills including fire juggling, giant unicycles, stilt walking and fire breathing.
  5. Easter Extravaganza – The Ark Open Farm, Newtownards, 19-23 April. There will be lots of cute and cuddly chicks, bunnies, and little lambs to bottle feed.   With pony rides, quad barrel rides and tractor carriage rides there is something for all the family. Come join the Easter bunny trail and search for Easter eggs. Collect as many eggs as you can to win a prize.
  6. Stones In His Pockets, Belfast, 15–20 April. A small village in rural Ireland is turned upside down when a major Hollywood film studio descends to make a historical blockbuster on location. A pair of extras, Charlie and Jake, watch with amazement, envy and delight as cultures clash. Two actors play a vast array of eccentric and lovable characters in this universally loved, thought-provoking and witty comedy which has won numerous awards.
  7. Easter Egg Hunt, Magherafelt, 20 – 23 April.  The Jungle’s Easter Egg Hunt experience is approximately 60 minutes in duration and entails a lengthy walk through the width and breadth of The Jungle’s enchanting forest. You’re sure to work up an appetite but fear not for there are a variety of hot food, savoury snacks and naughty nibbles, in addition to both hot and cold drinks, sure to leave you refreshed and refuelled, ready for your next adventure challenge!
  8. The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Armagh, 20–23 April. Join the living history team at the Navan Centre’s live action interpretation of the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff – the perfect Easter experience for all the family. Children can enjoy the Easter school holidays at the Easter Craft Club at the Palace Stables with traditional Easter crafts, egg decorating, arts and crafts, and games and of course the ever popular Easter egg hunt.  
  9. Easter Eggstravaganza, Portaferry, 21-23 April.  Put your detective skill to the test by joining in on the Great Exploris Aquarium Easter egg hunt. You can pick up your activity sheet at the reception and begin your journey in the Viking room. Continue to hop around the aquarium searching for eggs and surprises along the way. Cracking good fun for all the family.
  10. The NI Gin Festival, Belfast, 20 April. The NI Gin Festival returns this Easter to the Doyen! Enjoy a selection of over 50 gins from all over the world, all served up to perfection by gin experts and brand ambassadors. Learn all about the perfect garnishes and little touches to enhance the flavour profiles of your chosen gins. Meet the experts and creators as they share stories of the creation and inspiration behind their gins, plus great live music from local talent throughout the event.

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.


High Flying Childrens Entertainment at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh

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The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is set to entertain little ones this Easter with some stunning children’s performances.

‘Egg and Spoon’, on 27 April, is a perfect gentle introduction to the magic of theatre.  It’s an interactive romp through the seasons where children aged 1-5 come in and out of the magic circle and get to open all the gifts of nature. Percy and April get you settled on our comfortable cushions and introduce you to Birdy, still hiding in his glowing egg. We have to wait til Spring if we want to see him, so it’s time to begin our hands-on journey through the year. We’ll run through the rain and the falling leaves and sleep under the snow till the sun wakes us up for the butterfly party.

Then on Tues 30 April, we meet Blaithin and Uncle Rusty in ‘Hatch’, a unique blend of music, comedy, theatre, contemporary and aerial dance. ‘Hatch’ also weaves Irish language and dancing into this wonderful story, creating a new world for young audiences that is interactive and sensory friendly. It is beautifully crafted and exquisitely delivered, full of unexpected and colourful wonders, which invite children to understand the transformational cycles of life, whilst exploring, interacting and discovering new things about the world of caterpillars, moths and butterflies! There is an arts and craft session as part of the performance where children become part of the story as they are invited on stage to begin their adventure! Suitable for 4-8 year olds.

Tickets are available from the Theatre Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre. 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.

Festival fun returns with Ballymoney Spring Fair 

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There’ll be a festival feel in Ballymoney this weekend with the return of the Spring Fair.

Now in its third year, the event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council with support from Local Women magazine, promises to be an unmissable experience for all the family.

Visit the Artisan Market at Castlecroft Square, try have-a-go activities at Megaw Park and view the Old Vehicle Club Vintage & Classic Car Show at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre before the event comes to a colourful conclusion with a town centre cavalcade and parade.

New this year, Fuse FM will be on hand with an afternoon of outdoor entertainment in Castlecroft Square on Friday 12th April with Ulster Scots yarns, artisan stalls traditional music, balloon modellers and walkabout characters from 11am – 4pm, helping to build excitement for the main event.

Throughout the town centre, look out for in-store fashion events and special promotions in many of Ballymoney’s unique shops and boutiques.

On Saturday, the Spring Fair will open with a ‘Quiet Morning’ for children with additional needs at Megaw Park from 10am – 11.30am with a petting farm and craft workshops to enjoy. Book your place by emailing eventscoleraine@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

From 12 noon, members of the public can look forward to a host of free attractions including duck herding, petting farm, pony rides with Riding for the Disabled, horse-shoe demonstrations, inflatables, live music and street theatre.

From 11am-4pm, Castlecroft Square will come alive with Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market selling unique local food and drink items along with quality arts and crafts. Throughout the town, browse the many independent and family-run businesses which help to set Ballymoney apart.

The Old Vehicle Club Vintage & Classic Car Show will be on display at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre from 10am – 3.30pm when the cavalcade will set off following the colourful carnival parade participants.

For more information on what is happening throughout the day go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com. Follow Causeway Coast and Glens Events on Facebook and Twitter and look out for our hashtag #SpringItOn for updates.

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