Music In The Chamber – Runabay

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The next concert in the series of Music In The Chamber concerts at Bangor Castle, is taking place on Friday 9 March and will feature the hugely popular alt-folk band Runabay.

 

Runabay are six musicians from the Glens of Antrim who through their passion for harmony and melody have been writing and recording since 2014.

The band are at the forefront of fresh, new music in Northern Ireland, a sound which has undeniably been shaped by the beautiful coastline which surrounds the Glens of Antrim and is felt through the swooping melodies and poignant lyrics. The band produce a mature sound that leaves the listener hanging on to the intricate guitar riffs, harmonies and haunting cello.

With uplifting melodies, complex instrumentation, their music will appeal to fans of artists like José Gonzalez and Fleet. Don’t miss this chance to catch the band in the beautiful surroundings of The Chamber room at Bangor Castle. Show time is 8pm.

Tickets cost £10 and are on sale now at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown. Tickets can also be purchased from North Down Museum or any of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Visitor Information Centres.

OFFERS OF THE WEEK

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Northern Ireland boasts a unique collection of irresistible 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.

 

1 Night B&B, Marine Court Hotel, Bangor from £100 per room.

Beautifully situated on the seafront of Bangor in County Down, the Marine Court Hotel has superb views over Belfast Lough with Bangor Marina in the foreground. Enjoy a one night bed and breakfast stay in this superb three-star hotel, offer based on two people sharing. To book call 028 9145 1100. Offer available until 31 March.

 

Family Spring Break, Armagh City Hotel, Co. Armagh from £218 per family.

Enjoy a great family (two adults & two children) spring break at the three-star Armagh City Hotel for two nights. Offer includes full breakfast each morning, a £50 meal voucher to use in any of the hotel’s food outlets, and a family ticket to either the Armagh Planetarium or Navan Centre & Fort. To book call 028 37 518888. Offer available until 6 April.

 

Walking Break, Mahons Hotel, Co. Fermanagh from £99 per person. 

Situated in the heart of Irvinestown and only a short trip to Enniskillen and Omagh, the three-star Mahons Hotel in the heartland of Fermanagh and the beautiful lake district. This means beautiful country walks and watersports. Offer includes two nights B&B, one four-course dinner and two walks guided by Joe Mahon. One walk in Necarne Castle and one around Castle Archdale on the shores of Lough Erne. To book call 028 6862 1656. Offer available 31 March.

 

All offers are subject to availability.  For further information visit www.discovernorthernireland.com

Rob Brydon for the Forum

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The Millennium Forum has just announced that hugely popular comedian, Rob Brydon, will make his debut at the cityside venue on Saturday 29th September.  Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Fri 9th Feb at 10am and are priced at £31.50.

 

Rob Brydon is perhaps best known for the television shows Gavin and Stacey, Would I Lie To You? and The Trip as well as Marion and Geoff, Human Remains, Little Britain, The Rob Brydon Show, Best of Men, Gangster Granny and Q.I.  His film work includes The Huntsman : Winter’s War, Cinderella and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Earlier this year in London’s West End he starred opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh in The Painkiller.  His other theatre credits include Future Conditional at The Old Vic and A Chorus of Disapproval at The Harold Pinter Theatre.

I Am Standing Up represents Rob Brydon’s first stand up tour since his sell out national tour and West End run of 2009.

Rob Brydon performs at the Millennium Forum on Sat 29th September.  Tickets go on sale at 10am tomorrow, Fri 9th Feb.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

Family things to do in Northern Ireland this half-term

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Looking for something to do to entertain the kids this half term? Discover NI have put together this list of 10 family friendly events happening in Northern Ireland during the mid-term week (12-17 February) to keep children entertained and parents happy.

Toddlers take over the museum, Bangor, 16 February

As part of the playful museums month, North Down Museum will be hosting ‘toddlers take over the museum’. The building will become a fun and exciting place for children aged 3-5 years old. This is a chance for your child to experience arts and crafts, storytelling and puppet shows put on just for them. Free event.

X Factor Live Tour 2018, Belfast, 16 February

The X Factor Live Tour 2018 kicks off and for the first time ever the audience will choose their own winner. The top artists confirmed to go on the tour are Rak-Su, Grace Davies, Kevin Davy White, Lloyd Macey, The Cutkelvins, Matt Linnen and Sean and Conor Price.The X Factor Live Tour has thrilled more than three million people since it began 13 years ago, making it one of the UK’s most successful annual arena tours .To book tickets visit SSEArenaBelfast.com

Winter Woolly Walk, Newcastle, 17 February

Wrap up warm and come along to Cancer Fund for Children’s wonderful Winter Woolly Walk at Tollymore Forest Park. Walkers are free to stroll leisurely or can walk as briskly as they wish, it’s all about having fun together as a family, getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the wonderful wintry scenery. Refreshments for adults and children will be provided at the end of each walk as well as some fun family activities. To sign up phone 028 9080 5599 or e-mail fundraising@cancerfundforchildren.com

NI Science Festival, Belfast 15-25 February

With over 180 events across over 50 venues, the NI Science Festival offers a stimulating and wide range of events focusing on the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These events present some of the best scientists from NI and beyond to discuss their work, cutting-edge research and what the future might hold. During the day, the festival offers a range of workshops, talks and interactive activities for young people and parents. Full festival programme at NIScienceFestival.com

Dusty’s Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships, Castle Espie, 16-18 February

Join Dusty the duck by grabbing your wellies, getting outside and having a splashing time at Dusty’s Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships this February half term. Bring friends and family and see who can make the biggest, craziest splash as measured by special splash-o-meters. The Championships are open to children no matter what age or ability. U105 will be there each day between entertaining the crowds.

Museum of the Moon, Belfast, 10 February – 4 March

Museum of the Moon is a new touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram coming to W5 .Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. This installation is free to view with admission to W5.To book tickets visit W5Online.com.

The TQ Giants Trail, Belfast, 17 February

A family friendly trail where you will be provided with a treasure map and lots of clues. Spend the morning exploring Titanic Quarter searching for industrial giants, discover how they have played a huge role in the Titanic Quarter’s maritime history, and the one thing that links them all. Prizes to be won. To book visit VisitBelfast.com

George’s Marvellous Medicine, Belfast, 13-17 February

Most grandmothers are lovely, kind, helpful old ladies. Not George’s Grandmother. She likes to gobble up slugs and bugs, and is always telling George what to do. Following the success of Fantastic Mr Fox, The Twits and The Witches, Curve’s magnificent new co-production with Rose Theatre Kingston promises to be yet another hugely imaginative and entertaining stage adaptation coming to The Grand Opera House bursting with growing grannies, feathery farm animals and bags of frothbuggling family fun. To book visit GOH.co.uk.

O Duo, Bangor, 17 February

See percussionists O Duo whizz around the stage as you have never seen before in this exciting family concert. The pair perform an invigorating mix of classical music alongside some popular classics from TV and film on a huge array of percussion including marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, drum kit, African and Brazilian drums and a multitude of handheld percussion. To book tickets visit TicketSource.co.uk.

Spotlight Talk, Newtownards,

Join Castle Espie’s aviculture team to find out more about their range of collection birds, which are kept on-site and inspire any young nature enthusiast. The close encounters area is one of the most popular attractions of the reserve, offering visitors the opportunity to feed rare and exotic birds. To book a space call 028 9187 4146.

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

Celtic Mindfulness – discover your inner calmness  

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The amazing Celtic Mindfulness event is making a return to the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh on the 24th & 25th February.

 

This is a unique healing experience of the land and energy. The perfect way to create inner calmness, helping steer you through the year ahead.

Music, Myth and Mediation will be used to awaken your Celtic soul. Creating focus positivity and stillness for the mind.  Workshops during the event will be facilitated by the excellent Sandra Nelson and Kate Fitzpatrick.

 

Kate Fitzpatrick is an experienced teacher and practitioner in the field of Celtic Wisdom & Spirituality and has guided many people in personal and spiritual development over the past 25 years.

Sandra Nelson is a qualified Reiki Teacher, Artist and Workshop facilitator who has been working within the healing arts for a number of years. Originally from a rural farming background, Moy, Co Tyrone, meditation has been a part of Sandra’s life for many years and is part of her daily practice.

The event will also include light lunch and refreshments.

Admission is £42.50 for a Saturday Pass, £22.50 of for a Sunday pass, or buy a ticket for both days for just £52.50.  Booking is essential on www.visitarmagh.com/celticmindfulness

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

 

UAC Easter Stages Rally 2018

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The Ulster Automobile Club (UAC), organisers of the UAC Easter Stages Rally are pleased to announce they have received significant support from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill, launches the UAC Easter Rally Stages with Anais Foster and Callum Boyd (Fairview Primary School).

This new event will take place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 of April with the start and centralised service area situated in Ballyclare, adjacent to the Sixmile Leisure Centre. The two-day rally is the second round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2018.

The first six stages of the event on Friday, located close to the rally headquarters in the Dunadry Inn, Templepatrick will start around lunchtime. These classic stages are on fast flowing tarmac roads which will present challenges for all competitors and provide superb opportunities for spectators to enjoy closed road rallying. Just before dusk, the rally will return to Ballyclare for the overnight halt.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill, commented: “It is fantastic news that we are working in partnership with the Ulster Automobile Club. I am excited that this new event is coming to the Borough and I hope everyone is geared up for this action packed weekend.”

Nigel Hughes, Clerk of the Course commented: “We are delighted with the terrific support from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and the partnership which is developing with them. We are looking for a large entry and lots of spectators, to make this spectacle just after Easter, a roaring success and of substantial benefit to the local economy”.

The uniqueness of this event will see a separate rally starting on Saturday morning from Ballyclare. Additional competitors will join those who participated on Friday, to contest a further six classic rally stages, focussing around Broughshane and finishing in Ballymena.

Pre-event scrutiny will take place on Thursday 5 April at Sixmile Leisure Centre, which will provide an opportunity for rally fans to see the cars up close.

Regulations for the event are now available from http://www.uaceasterstages.com and www.ulsterautomobileclub.com

Peter Corry Returns to Theatre at The Mill with his new show

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Peter Corry is no stranger to Theatre at The Mill and we are delighted to have him back with his brand new show Call of the Celts! on Thursday 22 February at 7.45pm.

This new show will take you on a journey through some of the all-time favourite Celtic classics performed by one the finest voices to come out of Northern Ireland. Featuring classics such as Will Ye Go Lassie Go, The Puca Beast, Caledonia, Song for Ireland and Carrickfergus.

Peter will be joined on stage with his band and dancers for this emotional, fun packed and energetic show. Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or theatreatthemill.com

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON: Millennium Forum & Waterfront, Belfast

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KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

Millennium Forum, DERRY: June 25th

Waterfront, BELFAST: June 26th

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am

 

Kris Kristofferson

Country music icon Kris Kristofferson makes a hugely welcome return for four solo acoustic shows this June, including two in Northern Ireland.

Heralded as an artist’s artist, the three-time GRAMMY winner has recorded 30 albums, including three with pals Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings as part of the Highwaymen. Kristofferson has spent three decades performing concerts all over the world, in most recent years in a solo acoustic setting, which puts the focus on the songs. “There’s honesty in the sparseness. It feels like direct communication to the listener,” he says. “I still have more fun when I’m with the band, but being alone is freer, somehow. It’s like being an old blues guy, just completely stripped away.”

Kristofferson achieved remarkable success as a country songwriter at the start of the 1970s. His songs “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “For the Good Times,” all chart-topping hits, helped redefine country songwriting. By 1987, it was estimated that more than 450 artists had recorded Kristofferson’s compositions.

His renown as a songwriter triggered Kristofferson’s successful career as a performer and that, in turn, brought him to the attention of Hollywood, leading to his flourishing career as a film actor. Kristofferson has acted in more than 70 films. In 1977 He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in “A Star Is Born.” He’s appeared in cult favourites including the “Blade” trilogy, “Lone Star,” “A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries,” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Blume In Love,” “Cisco Pike,” and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” Recent films include “Fast Food Nation,” “Dreamer:  Inspired by a True Story,” “The Jacket,” “Silver City,” “He’s Just Not That in to you,” and “Dolphin Tale.”

Many would have hung their hat by now. Instead, Kristofferson barely has paused for breath. He’s released several recent high watermarks including the increasingly intimate A Moment of Forever (1995), The Austin Sessions (1999) and This Old Road (2006), and he produced some of his finest work with the deeply personal Closer to the Bone (2009) and Feeling Mortal (2013). Kristofferson has reached living legend status, but that hasn’t changed or hindered his creativity. His current CD, The Cedar Creek Sessions, was recorded live at Austin’s Cedar Creek Recording Studio in June 2014. Released in time for Kristofferson’s 80th birthday in 2016, the double-CD set is a snapshot of the legendary songwriter in the twilight of his life.

In addition to many other awards, Kristofferson is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, winner of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriter Hall of Fame, and was honored with the American Veteran’s Association’s “Veteran of the Year Award” in 2002. For Kristofferson’s 70th birthday in 2006, his friends and admirers gifted him with a tribute CD, The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson. Stars including Willie Nelson, Russell Crowe, Emmylou Harris, Gretchen Wilson, Rosanne Cash, and Brian McKnight recorded 17 of Kristofferson’s compositions for the tribute. In 2007, Kristofferson was honored with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award from Country Music Television and in 2009 BMI lauded Kristofferson with the Icon Award. He received the Frances Preston Music Industry Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation in March, 2012. In 2014, Kristofferson was honoured with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and the PEN Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award.

Millennium Forum, Derry:

In person at the Box Office

By Telephone: 028 7126 4455

Book On Line: www.millenniumforum.co.uk

Waterfront, Belfast:

In person at the Ulster Hall Box Office

By Telephone: 028 9033 4455
Book On Line: www.waterfront.co.uk

Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

 

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

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Down

This season of Opera Club at the Portico Ards kicks off this Saturday 10th February with Opera North’s enchanting staging of The Adventures of Pinocchio. Jonathan Dove’s 21st opera is a wittily inventive feast for the eyes and ears. A full-length  grand opera with 29 characters, a sizeable chorus and a profound symphonic score, it is overflowing with visual delights.

Armagh

This Saturday Seagoe Parish Hall Portadown will host an antiques, vintage and collectables fair, showing casing lots of treasures from the past. 40+ stalls including Victorian jewellery, silver, china, crystal, militaria, kitchenalia, books, coins, medals, ceramics, art, vintage fashion and linens.  Refreshments will be available. The fair is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm. This is a great day out to relive the past, to add to your collection or just to treat yourself.

Fermanagh

Love Building Bird Box Day takes place this Saturday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Crom.  Spread the love between your friends and family this February as you join the National Trust in preparation for National Nest Box Week by learning to build your own bird box.  Learn how to create your own bird box, just in time for the upcoming nesting season as we care for our beloved birds. February is the perfect time to show your love for others and wildlife by constructing your very own bird box.   For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/crom

Tyrone

With dozens of songs featured on numerous hit US television shows & movies and writing for some of the world’s biggest selling artists, Gareth Dunlop has become one of Ireland’s most revered and successful songwriters. It’s a reputation based on a wonderful singing voice and a strong body of material, influenced by soul, country, folk and blues. See Gareth perform live at Ranfurly House Dungannon this Saturday 10th February at 8.00pm.

Derry/Londonderry

The Linenhall Upperlands is the venue this Saturday night for the Ampertaine PS Fundraiser. The night will see performances  from local singer/songwriters Eilish Mulholland, Tiernan Heffron, James Bradley Music and formal pupil Charlene Bradley’s band Aria Sail. Magician extraordinaire Rodd Hogg also be in attendance to amaze guests with his magic! Refreshments provided with a DJ to finish the night.

Antrim

Larne Museum & Arts Centre is open on Saturday 10th February.  Come along to visit the Main Gallery which hosts permanent displays reflecting the agricultural, industrial, military and maritime history of the local area. This will also be an opportunity to visit the temporary exhibition ‘Painting Pictures in My Mind – Remembering the 1950s and 1960s’, an exhibition which focuses on local life in the 1950s and 1960s. Admission is free!

Belfast

Join in the NICHS Red Dress Run this Saturday 10th February to take action for your own heart health and raise funds to continue the fight against heart disease!  Grab your red dress, red hat, red knee socks…absolutely anything RED and join us for this truly unique charity 5km and 10km running event, where you’ll walk, jog or run around Stormont Estate in Belfast, all in the fight against heart disease.  With a choice of running or walking two distances and a real element of fun, there’s something for the ladies, men and kids alike to enjoy! Grab your friends, family or work colleagues and be part of this spectacular new charity running event. If you would like to chat with one of the team about the Red Dress Run 2018 give Cheryl a call on 02890 266740 or email cbrown@nichs.org.uk.

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.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

10 Exciting Things to do this week in NI!

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DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are 10 exciting things taking place this week (5 – 11 February 2018)

 

  1. Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, Derry~Londonderry, 8-11 February. With all the visceral precision and thrills of the original, Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games features new staging, new costumes and choreography and forty of the world’s most outstanding young performers. The show is directed by Michael Flatley, and features his protégés, Morgan Comer and Cathal Keaney, at the Millennium Forum.
  2. Valentine’s Afternoon Tea, Belfast, 11 February 2018. Step back in time to a period of luxury, elegance and five-star service with Titanic Belfast’s romantic Valentine’s Afternoon Tea. A luxurious menu featuring a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, classic scones with fresh cream, mouth-watering cakes and exquisite patisserie.
  3. The Bob Dylan Band, Coleraine, 8 February. The Bob Dylan Band celebrate Dylan’s music with a high energy approach to songs from the prolific periods of his writing from the ’60s to modern times. Playing at the Riverside Theatre, the musicians are at the top of their art and together provide a fabulous show.
  4. The Fureys in Concert, Downpatrick, 9 February. As part of their 40th Anniversary tour, Irish legends, the Fureys return for another great night of music, songs and stories to the Down Arts Centre. Their emotive songs stir many emotions.
  5. Living History – Meet Our Norman Knight, Newtownards, 10-11 February. Discover more about Castle Espie’s Norman past, as part of a new history series. Uncover where the original “castle” was situated and children can try on authentic armour, all under the watchful gaze of a resident Norman knight.
  6. Winter Warmer: A Dram on the Bann, Coleraine, 10 February. Boat trip on the beautiful River Bann offering a relaxed and informative afternoon of whiskey and gin sampling, food tasting and a light sprinkling of stunning scenery and wildlife on the Bann Estuary. A marvellous opportunity to appreciate the historic town from a different perspective. Pre-booking essential: contact Wendy Gallagher at causewayfoodie@gmail.com or on (07912) 408 256.
  7. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Belfast, 10 February. Global sensation The pipe band bring their tour to Belfast’s SSE Arena. From their formation in 2002 and a cameo appearance at T in the Park in 2004, to opening the main stage in their own right in 2014, the past 15 years has seen the Red Hot Chilli Pipers become the most famous bagpipe band on the planet.
  8. An Evening at The Waterfront with Carl Frampton, Belfast, 9 February. Spend an evening with the Pride of Belfast, ‘The Jackal’ Carl Frampton, as he talks about his career highlights from humble beginnings and amateur boxer days to becoming the two-weight World Champion and a global megastar.
  9. The Script, Belfast, 6 February. In celebration of their new album Freedom Child, The Script are back.The Irish three-piece are one of the biggest live bands, having sold over 1.4 million tickets across 203 headline shows and they sold out the legendary Croke Park stadium, see them play at the SSE Arena.
  1. The Great Concertos: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Belfast, 9 February. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is the first giant of the genre and it is only fitting that it forms part of a season devoted to the Great Concertos. In this rescheduled concert, Sergey Khachatryan returns to the Ulster Hall with the Ulster Orchestra to perform the piece. Renowned as one of the great modern interpreters of the Concerto, this concert will be a spell-binding night of utter virtuosity.

 

 

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

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