Moving On Music present the sensational Connla at The Old Courthouse, Antrim on Friday 19 October supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Connla have firmly cemented their place on the Irish music scene with their fresh and exciting approach to traditional music. Hailing from Armagh and Derry, the music is steeped in tradition and embraces sensitive and exciting arrangements of tunes and songs, alongside ample original material.

Described by Songlines Magazine as a “must see act” Connla are Ciara McCafferty (vocals/percussion), Ciaran Carlin (flutes/whistles), Emer Mallon (harp), Conor Mallon (uilleann pipes/whistles) and Paul Starrett (guitar).

With an EP and two albums all receiving rave reviews, a busy touring schedule that has seen them perform across the USA, UK, Ireland and Europe and a collection of accolades including the number one spot in Songlines list of Essential Irish Albums.  Early booking is highly recommended.

A band that will not just appeal to traditional and folk enthusiasts, Connla are five hugely talented young musicians making music that is original and exciting. More info and tickets from www.movingonmusic.com

 

Portrush Beach Races return on October 27^th and 28^th promising a weekend of thrilling entertainment.

Over 100 riders will take to East Strand for a series of exciting races in one of the Causeway Coast and Glens most scenic coastal locations.

Organised by Foyle District Motor Cycle Club with assistance from a range of organisations including Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, last year’s inaugural event attracted thousands of people to the resort.

This year, there’s even more to look forward as Sidecarcross racers will take to the sand as well as two and four wheel riders.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Brenda Chivers said: “The first Portrush Beach Races proved to be a resounding success for both riders and spectators and organisers are looking forward to building on this.

“The Causeway Coast and Glens enjoys a deserved reputation for its wide and varied events programme and this weekend of racing is a very welcome addition to our offering. East Strand promenade affords fantastic views of the action on the beach, helping to create an exciting atmosphere for everyone.

“I would like to thank Foyle District Motor Club for bringing an event of this kind to the area and we look forward to a memorable weekend.”

Andrew Huston, Race Co-ordinator said: “The Club really appreciate the support and encouragement we receive from Council. We feel that with all the measures and safeguards we have in place, we have proven that it is possible to hold this type of event while ensuring the beach is left in a pristine condition afterwards. Hopefully with kind weather it will prove to be another enjoyable weekend for everyone.”

Racing is due to begin at 10am on Saturday 27^th October followed by a noon start on Sunday 28^th.

Admission for spectators is free and car parking will be signposted from Metropole corner, a short walk from the spectacular viewing area.

Causeway Coast Foodie Tours ‘The Spud Tour’

Date: 12 October

Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm

Venue: The Causeway Hotel, Bushmills BT57 8SU

Contact: 07912 408 256

Guided tour by luxury coach showcasing some of the best local produce the Causeway Coastal Route has to offer. Enjoy a series of stops along the beautiful Causeway Coastal route with each one celebrating our potato breeding and growing heritage.  Cost: £55pp.

 

Northern Ireland Potato Festival

Date: 12 & 13 October

Time: Fri 7pm – 9pm National Trust Community Event / Sat 10am – 5pm Festival Day

Venue: Causeway Hotel, Bushmills

Contact: (028) 2177 1396

The NI Potato Festival celebrates the legacy of local man John Clarke OBE, a world renowned pioneer in potato breeding. The festival line-up boasts a variety of attractions including Naturally North Coast and Glens artisan market with food and craft producers, cookery demonstrations and talks, bouncy castles, exhibitions and displays, potato inspired games and a petting farm. Free event.

 

Malojian

Date: 12 October

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine

Contact: (028) 70 123 123

Malojian’s unique voice and songs sets him apart from the crowd. This concert will feature visuals using film from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Archive and new material by Belfast-based filmmaker Colm Laverty. Tickets: Full £13 / Concession £11.

 

The Causeway Speciality Market

Date: 13 October

Time: 9am – 4pm

Venue: The Diamond, Coleraine BT52 1DE

Contact: 07702 910884

A bustling speciality food and craft market held around Coleraine Town Hall on the second Saturday of each month. It is the largest regular outdoor market in Northern Ireland.

 

Drama Workshop for Adults

Date: 13 October

Time: 10am

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA

Contact: (028) 7012 3123

Sorcha Shanahan and Gemma Walker-Farren are the ‘MakeyUppers’ an original comedy storytelling act, together they specialise in devising theatre. They will guide participants through the theatre-making process from initial themes and ideas to performance skills, creative writing, stage craft, right up to the final production. Tickets £5

 

Causeway Coast Foodie Tours ‘Coast & Country’

Date: 13 October

Time: 9.30am

Venue: Departing from Coleraine Visitor Information Centre BT52 1DE

Contact: 07912 408 256

Guided tour showcasing some of the best local produce and hidden gems the North Coast has to offer. Enjoy 5 stops on tour along the beautiful Causeway Coastal route with each one offering a delicious and surprising taste experience. Cost £60pp.

 

Launch of the Girona Gold Story

Date: 13 October 2018

Time:  1 – 3.30pm & 7-10.30pm

Venue: Portballintrae Village Hall

Contact: www.visitcasuewaycoastandglens.com

The Portballintrae Community Development Group Launch the Girona Gold Story on Saturday 13 October in Portballintrae Village Hall. From 1pm – 3.30pm enjoy a free programme of events including storytelling and children’s treasure hunt.  In the evening there will be a Spanish / Irish Fusion event. Tickets for evening event cost £10.

 

Squirrel Walk & Talk

Date: 13 October

Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Cottage Wood, Cushendall

Contact: (028) 2075 2100

Join the Glens Red Squirrel group to celebrate “Squirreltober” with a guided walk through Cottage Wood to see if you can spot the Red Squirrel, which is regularly seen here. The woodland also contains a range of native and non-native species of trees and shrubs such as Scots Pine, Elder, Holly and Ash. To register book online at: squirreltober.eventbrite.com. Free event.

 

Saturday Poetry Slam

Date: 13 October

Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm

Venue: Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart

Contact: (028) 7083 1400

Bring words to life with Anne McMaster in the first ever Flowerfield Poetry Slam. Writers of all experience are invited to come along and participate, sharing words with an appreciative and small group. Refreshments provided. Tickets £4

 

The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh – Rumours of Hotel California

Date: 13 October

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine

Contact: (028) 7012 3123

After 12 months of sell-out audiences The Illegals are taking their unique Rumours of Hotel California show on the road for another turn in 2018 to celebrate two classic rock albums from two iconic rock bands. Tickets: £18.

 

Cracks

Date: 17 October

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA

Contact: (028) 7012 3123

Cracks by Quintessence Theatre Company (in association with An Táin Arts Centre). A powerful piece of devised theatre from An Tain Arts Centre’s Company-In-Residence exploring the issue of mental illness in Ireland. Tickets £14 full / £12 concession

Wrestling Show, The Goodies vs The Baddies

Date: 18 October

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Coleraine Town Hall

Contact: 07495 094558 www.wrestling.ie

Family friendly wrestling event in Coleraine Town Hall. Fantastic action with lots of crowd interaction. Adult £15 / child £12.50 / family £10 See website to book.

Brendan Quinn and Friends

Date: 18 October

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, University of Ulster Coleraine

Contact: (028) 70 123 123

Legendary country singer Brendan Quinn is on the road again. Brendan, who has shared the stage with such greats as Merle Haggard, Don Williams and Hal Ketchum will be joined on this tour by many of his musical friends. Tickets £17.50

 

Roe Valley International Folk Festival

Date: 18  – 22 October

Time: Various (see programme)

Venue: Various Venues throughout Limavady Borough

Contact: www.roevalleyfolkfestival.com

Featuring Roola Boola, John McNicholl Bank, Emily Barker, Damien Quinn, Banjoes, Newtown Stewart Traditional Music Quartet, Simple Truth, The Mitchells, Francis Harrison, Traditional Sessions, Bracken Folk and Many more the Roe Valley International Folk Festival  has become a premier music event in the North West area.

 

War Torn Children

Date: 5 September – 29 November

Time: Monday – Friday 9.30-5pm

Venue: Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady

Contact: (028) 777 60650

Exhibition of textiles reflecting the theme of war torn children.  The exhibition features arpilleras, photographs and illustrations highlighting the devastating impact of war on children, their families and communities.

 

From the Medieval to the Modern: Reformation, Transformation and Continuity

Date: 12 September – 27 October

Time:

Venue: Ballymoney Museum, Ballymoney Town Hall

Contact: (028) 276 60230

Exhibition produced by Public Records Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) in partnership with Northern Ireland Libraries marking the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation. The display centres on historical documents, each offering their own distinct perspectives into the Reformation and its legacy.

 

How to Unexplode: The Illustrated Life of Patrick Sanders

Date: 17 September – 27 October

Time: Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, University of Ulster, Coleraine

Contact: (028) 70 123 123

Exhibition in Riverside Theatre showcasing the work of the late Patrick Sanders. Free admission.

 

Into The Blue by Kate Reid

Date: 6 – 31 October

Time: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Saturday 10am – 1pm

Venue: Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart

Contact: (028) 7083 1400

It’s all about ‘Blue’ in Kate Reid’s exhibition. In her abstract expressionist style, Reid explores the blueness of ‘blue’ inspired by the beauty of the land, the sea and the nature of the elements, life and emotions.  Using palette knife, on paper & canvas, this vibrant show presents works old, new and in progress. Launch on Saturday 6 October from 2- 3.30pm. Wine reception & refreshments served.  Admission free.

 

 

To coincide with World Judo Day on the 28^th October, Dojo’s across Northern Ireland are showcasing the sport and opening their doors to everyone from the 20^th to the 28^th October so that new participants can come and try judo for free.

Judo is both a martial art and a sport and it’s a fantastic way to get fit, increase concentration, learn new skills and enhance wellbeing through exercise.

This year, World Judo Day also promotes the concept of friendship in sport and although competition is based on an individual format, judo promotes working together to achieve goals.

A feature that makes Judo stand out from other sports is it’s fully inclusive and open from anyone aged from 5 upwards and both men and women can take part.

Over 20 million people around the world practice and train in Judo and here in Northern Ireland there are 60 clubs including schools and over 2000 members participate.

The Northern Ireland Judo Federation are hoping that more people will get involved and train both for enjoyment or perhaps find a sporting outlet if they are keen to get active and learn new skills, but perhaps don’t want to play team sports. Judo is also great if people want to supplement their training with a sport that builds strength and coordination.

Mark Donald from the Northern Ireland Judo Federation said:

“You can only really understand what is happening in Judo by going along and trying it for yourself. Many people think all martial arts are the high-flying kicks and punches that you see in movies and on the television.

Judo however is a grappling art and from this you build strength, confidence and along with that self-defence skills too.

Judo follows a moral code as well, which includes discipline and set rules that not only keep people safe whilst training, but also assists in steering younger players on in later life.

The best thing about Judo is, if you want to compete regularly there are plenty of opportunities, but if you just want to train then you can work your way through the belt ranking system towards the coveted black belt. There is something for everyone in the sport and our clubs are all very welcoming.”

Clubs that are taking part in the Try Judo week can be found at www.nijudo.com or the Federation office can be contacted on 02890 383814 Monday to Friday.

Dust the cobwebs off your broomsticks and join Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, for the annual Halloween Spooktacular at The Junction on Thursday 25 October from 6pm – 8pm.

The thrilling scarefest kicks off at 6pm with Stephen Clements, Cate Conway and the Q Radio roadshow. This year’s theme is Day of the Dead and your little ghosts, goblins and ghouls are invited to come along in their scariest costumes for the fancy dress competition at 7pm. There are some fangtastic prizes up for grabs!

Be amazed by the UK’s mesmerising illuminated street-theatre show SPARK! as they return again this year, due to popular demand! Have a shriek of a time on the spooky ghost train and feel the warmth from our fire performers. You can also get crafty with our special Halloween arts and crafts, funded by The Executive Office. If all this fun is not enough, a spectacular fireworks display at 8pm, is sure to light up the night sky and finish the night with a bang!

This event is jointly organised by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and The Junction. Car parking, including accessible parking for blue badge holders, is available at The Junction. For adults and children with specific needs at the Spooktacular, there will be a Mobiloo, sign language provision, quiet space and an accessible viewing point in front of stage.

Additional car parking is available at Antrim Civic Centre, Dunsilly Park & Ride and Antrim Town Centre.  A free shuttle bus will operate from Market Square & Dunsilly Park & Ride only, at regular intervals and after the fireworks.  Access to the event is by Ballymena Road Entrance only.

Please note that the fireworks will be subject to weather conditions.

For information on our full programme of events, please visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/halloween

From 3-7  November venues across Belfast City will be filled with magic, imagination and other worlds as EastSide Arts get ready to champion the famous Belfast-born author C.S. Lewis, at the  6^th annual C.S. Lewis Festival.

Curated by celebrated Northern Irish author Jan Carson, the festival  theme, ‘Of this and Other Worlds’ taken from the C.S. Lewis essay collection of the same name, will feature more than 70 events, including walks, talks and debates, film screenings, faith and wellbeing events, events for children and families, visual art, literature, workshops, music and theatre, and innovative events showcasing the speculative fiction genres of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Magic Realism.

In keeping with the spirit of C.S. Lewis’s love of fantasy and mythology, The Day of Magical Thinking, (Saturday 3 November at Skanios Centre, Newtownards Road) will feature writing and visual arts workshops and discussions with events focused on imaginative approaches to creating a range of different art forms.

‘Of This World’ features a series of bespoke events creatively re-imagining the changing landscape of east Belfast. Hop aboard the Gaelic Bus tours, or watch a rehearsed reading of the satirical devilish comedy ‘Skrewtape Comes To Belfast’, at The Crescent Arts Centre, and take a tongue in cheek alterative look at Northern Ireland through the lens of literature and music presented by Alternative Ulster at Harland and Wolff Staff Club.

Explore ‘And Other Worlds’ via a series of carefully curated events looking at other worlds and others’ perspectives. Anthony Toner and Jan Carson, explore what the future might look  like in Future Sounds at Strand Arts Centre.  Join Andrew Cunning and guest readers at EastSide Visitor Centre and hear poems, novels and ideas that help us see, imagine and hope a little better.

Children and families will enjoy an ‘Out of this world’ musical adventure with leading children’s singer and songwriter Kyle Riley at Strand Presbyterian Church. Join local children’s writer Myra Zepf and craft genius Ali Fell in a crafty dragon workshop at EastSide Visitor Centre. Call into Connswater Shopping Centre and explore the brand new C.S. Lewis Reading Corner situated upstairs.  Pop into Strand Arts Centre or EastSide Visitor Centre to make a lantern for the community lantern parade  taking place on  8 December.

Enjoy films that whisk you off to other worlds, from The Wizard of Oz to Metropolis at Strand Arts Centre, or enjoy a screening of the classic film Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins as C.S. Lewis, introduced by the film score composer, George Fenton. Discover imaginative literature events ranging from the launch of ‘The Trees of Kilbroney Park,’ art book which focusses on 27 notable trees, or ‘Come Fly’ with the Women’s Aloud NI and meet the authors who will take you on a journey into the skies, stars and space.

There’s a whole range of ‘other’ special events. Join festival curator Jan Carson along with poet Damien Smyth, novelist Bernie McGill, musicians The Darkling Air and The Arco String Quarter for an evening of literature and music at Campbell College, and explore the Narnia themed Fine and Dandy market at City Church.   Walks, talks and debates include discovering C.S. Lewis’s east Belfast and the Socratic Debate at Crescent Arts Centre. ‘Inklings of Heaven’ is an immersive series of three lectures by eminent theologians (Saturday 3 November at Kirkpatrick Memorial Church) featuring Dr. Michael Ward who will explore the magic and symbolism of the Chronicles of Narnia, alongside Professor Judith Wolff and Dr. Sharon Jebb Smith.

For visual art, join the Narnia keep sake box workshop at Robins’ Hobby Café or see In Other Worlds’ exhibition of new work by Brian Cunning at Maitri Studio. Take a journey into other worlds using your body and senses with yoga and the sound of healing also at Maitri Studio.

Curator for the C.S. Lewis Festival, Jan Carson said:

“Throughout his career Lewis was always a great champion of  the imagination. The festival theme, named after his essay collection, ‘Of this and other worlds’, explores fantasy, sci-fi and the recently emerging genre of magic realism, and provides us with the opportunity to explore and express our own imagination. We have programmed our biggest C.S. Lewis Festival to date with more than 70 events ranging from exhibitions, talks, and debates to family fun, literature and film.  This is a fantastic platform to kickstart your own imagination, enjoy magical days and explore other worlds.”

Rachel Kennedy, Festival Director, commented:

“We are delighted to  bring the 6^th annual C.S. Lewis Festival to venues across Belfast. Jan Carson has curated a wonderful range of exciting, innovative and imaginative events around the theme ‘Of This and Other Worlds.’  Each year we seek to showcase the wide and varied works of Lewis and we believe we have created something very special for this year’s audiences. We would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the support of National Lottery funding through our principal funder, Arts Council Northern Ireland, and support from  Belfast City Council, Arts & Business NI, Hewitt and Gilpin, Translink, Connswater Shopping Centre and W5. Their ongoing commitment helps us to deliver this wonderful festival which continues to champion the Belfast connection to C.S. Lewis.”

For further information visit www.eastsidearts.net, follow on Facebook /CSLewisFestival, Twitter @CSLewisFest #CSLewisFest.

The Ulster-Scots Community Network will host an activity day in Museum at The Mill, Mossley Mill on Saturday 13 October from 12 noon to 4pm.

Entrance will be free of charge and the activities will run alongside the current exhibition on display in the Museum ‘Hand to the Plough: The Impact and Influence of Robert Burns in Mid-Antrim’.

No booking is required so why not drop into the Museum, enjoy some traditional music, an introduction to the Ulster Scots language and poetry, and find out how to organise your own traditional Burns night.

Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns was primarily a songwriter and collector, writing a body of over 400 songs.  The influence of his legacy is felt particularly in Ulster, where his work and life in Ayrshire, bore strong comparisons to life in Ulster during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  It is clear this affinity with the poet was also evident in the mid Antrim area where local rural communities embraced cultural, religious and linguistic links with Scotland voiced by a distinctive rural poets known collectively as the rhyming weavers, also featured in the exhibition.

For more details contact Museum at The Mill on 028 9034 0129 or email museums@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk