Ulster University Music department is delighted to present Cassandra Wilson, an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi.

Cassandra has for a long time been regarded as the finest jazz singer in the world, having sold millions of records on the Blue Note label, but is also known for attracting audiences from a broad spectrum of musical genres.

She began playing piano at six, guitar by the age of twelve and was working as a vocalist by the mid 70’s, singing a wide variety of material.   After moving to New York City in the early 80’s, Cassandra met saxophonist Steve Coleman and became one of the founding members of the M-Base Collective.  At the completion of her stint with M-Base, Cassandra sought a more acoustic context for her vocal expression. She signed with Blue Note Records in 1992 and released a landmark album titled “Blue Light Til Dawn” which paved the way for a new generation of jazz singers seeking an approach and repertoire that challenged the supremacy of the American Standard songbook.

Wilson has continued interpreting in fresh and creative jazz, vintage blues, country and folk music up until the present day. Her awards include: two Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 1997 (New Moon Daughter) and 2009 (Loverly), the Django D’Or, The Edison Music Award, and a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail. She also performed one of the leading roles in Wynton Marsalis’ “Blood on the Fields,” the first jazz work to receive a Pulitzer Prize.

More recently joining forces with the prestigious label, Legacy, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Her latest project, Coming Forth By Day, was released on the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday’s birth April 7, 2015.

The band members are as follows:Cassandra Wilson – VocalsDeirdre Ni Bhrolchain – VocalsDavid O’Rourke & Brandon Ross – GuitarLonnie Plaxico – BassLewis Nass – DrumsPaul Dunlea – Trombone

Little Spooks at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh is perfect Halloween fun for all the family!

Our world famous Vampire hunter needs your help! She is looking for Dracula and thinks she has found the location of his Vampire Castle! Help her in her quest and be brave as we come face to face with Dracula.

Have you the courage to visit the Potion Pad? This is where witches create evil potions and brews in their cauldrons. Our witch has lost her book of spells and cannot remember the Witches Brew recipe! Can you help our hapless Witch?

Your walk will also take you to an old shack, near the murky marsh of Navan. The occupier of this shack is an old storyteller who is prepared to put Halloween shivers up your spine with Spooky Halloween tales!

Running from Saturday 28th – Tuesday 31st October, this is an event not to be missed. Booking is essential on www.armagh.co.uk/littlespooks

For further information contact Navan Centre & Fort, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh BT60 4LD Tel + (0) 44 2837 529644 navan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Mike Denver and Special Guest Caitlin Murtagh take to the stage at Theatre at The Mill on Thursday 19 October.

One of Ireland’s most popular singers Mike Denver has once again had a recent sell out nationwide tour at concert venues North and South, this latest tour will no doubt be the same.

The ‘Galway Boy’ is getting more popular as each year passes. His show is an excellent mix of Mike Denver Hits, Country Classics and middle of the road hits. With his excellent band and a super stage show this promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment.

Special guest Caitlin Murtagh is one of the most respected and talented ‘Country’ singers on the music scene and is currently touring Ireland and the UK. Caitlin has won numerous Top Female Vocalist ‘Country Music Awards’ and presents her own one hour ‘Music Show’

Tickets for this great evening of music are available from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online www.theatreathemill.com.

The Millennium Forum has just announced that former ‘Strictly’ star, Joanne Clifton will play the lead role of Alex Owens in the smash hit UK tour Flashdance – The Musical when it descends onto the stage for a week-long run in March.

Flashdance the Musical will perform at the cityside venue from Mon 19^th to Sat 24^th March as part of an extensive tour to 23 venues.

Having played to critical acclaim since August, Joanne Clifton is joined on stage by cast Ben Adams, Colin Kiyani, Rikki Chamberlain, Garry Lee Netley, Carol Ball, Sia Dauda, Hollie Ann Lowe, Simeon Beckett, Rhodri Watkins, Demmileigh Foster, Emily Kenwright, Ameila Rose Fielding, Alex Christian, Matt Concannon, Verity Jones, Ross Meagrow and Sasha Latoya.

Joanne Clifton is thrilled to be performing in this high energy dance musical:  ‘I am already having the best time ever on this tour and so am delighted to be staying on for 2018.  We have so much fun on stage and off, and I really am dancing like I’ve never danced before!’

Flashdance – The Musical tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer.  When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.

Take your passion and make it happen!

Flashdance – The Musical performs at the Millennium Forum from Mon 19^th to Sat 24^th March 2018.  Tickets are now available from the Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

Ulster University’s Belfast Campus on York Street will play host to an extraordinary international exhibition, “Fashion & Freedom” which runs from the 9^th -28^th October, as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival.

Fashion & Freedom is part of 14-18 NOW, a five-year programme of arts experiences connecting people with the First World War.  14-18 NOW commission new work by leading contemporary artists across the spectrum of visual arts and design, theatre, film, dance, digital, music, poetry and mass participation events, inspired by the period 1914-1918.

One of the most significant evolutions at home during the First World War, was the huge change in women’s lives. More than one million women went to work for the first time. Some in munitions factories, driving buses and ambulances and inthe London Underground.

With new responsibilities women experienced new freedoms, including their clothing.  Tight corsets and heavy skirts were replaced by more natural and fluid silhouettes.

A century later, this era has inspired “Fashion & Freedom”, an ambitious, multi-faceted exhibition which examines the First World War fashion legacy, for the 21^st Century.

Richard Wakely, Festival Chief Executive says, much of this year’s Festival programme in one way or another touches upon the human and socio-political consequences of conflict and warfare from World War One through to the present day civil war in Syria. “Artists and events reflect on freedoms lost, freedoms gained and freedoms still to be won and none more so than the group exhibition, Fashion and Freedom, which is based on contemporary reflections of the costumes and clothing worn by women in the period 1914-18. The lives of Irish women during that period were impacted in many different ways. The campaign for female suffrage effectively ceased on the outbreak of the war but the contribution of women to the war effort was central to the extension of the franchise to women in 1918.”

“This local and all island context is reflected in new works specially contributed by students from the Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art which will sit alongside original and evocative designs by Holly Fulton, Roksanda, J JS Lee, Vivienne Westwood, Emilia Wickstead and Sadie Williams and several short new films from SHOWstudio and Luke Snellin. This is a terrific and thought provoking exhibition that is free to the public and not to be missed.”

180 students from the Textile Art, Design and Fashion and Ceramics, Jewellery and Silversmithing courses worked with staff, artists and designers in residence in an intense workshop focused on producing artwork, products and accessories on the suffragette theme.Embracing the mantra “Deeds not Words” they created a range of outfits, badges, brooches, emblems, jewellery and accessories with a colour palette purple, white and green, reflecting the suffragette movement’s colours and the central role handicrafts played. Fabrics are embellished with beading and embroidery. Household items such as whisks and pastry cutters have been transformed into jewellery.

Alison Gault, Ulster University Lecturer in Textile Art, Design and Fashion, said: “Ulster University is delighted to host this prestigious exhibition in its Belfast campus.  The show pays tribute to an era of radical change in women’s lives, which resulted in a huge shift in fashion, and will include pieces from leading female designers.

“It is the first time the exhibition has showcased in Northern Ireland and it’s a massive privilege for our students to be part of such a significant event.  Ulster University staff worked in collaboration with our artists in residence and students to add new pieces with a local context to the display.

“I am also honoured to have my own design showcased in the exhibition.  My work took inspiration from my grandmother, Lizzie Moore, who lived during this period and was a part of the suffragette movement.  In homage, I created a knit apron dress made from linen to reflect a time when Belfast was the linen capital of the world.”

Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “As Principal Funder of the Belfast International Arts Festival, the Arts Council is proud to support this impressive exhibition inspired by women, through National Lottery and public funding.  By programming this high-quality, ambitious exhibition, featuring some of the biggest names in fashion, the Festival continues to bring the highest quality, top international work to Belfast; I would encourage everyone to go along.”

This is a large scale undertaking with an emotive theme.  Visitors will enjoy equally, the talents of our future stars, alongside the impressive work from international icons of fashion.

The Ulster University’s Belfast Campus also plays host to a panel discussion on Saturday 14^th October, “Women at Work”.  For more information on the 191 shows in this years’ Festival, please visit www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

The Rapparees will take to the stage at The Portico in Portaferry on Friday 20 October at the last Lough Lively Sessions event.

The Belfast-based band have been filling concert halls and theatres for 15 years and their rousing ballad style has captured audience’s hearts both at home and abroad.

The Rapparees are quintessentially a traditional vocal harmony band harking back to the likes of The Clancy Brothers, but with a modern kick. Their contemporary treatment of classic ballads and self-penned material will have any audience stomping and singing along.

At The Portico concert, the band will be showcasing lots of exciting new material alongside some of their old favourites. A night not to be missed!

Tickets cost £10 and are on sale now  at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or www.porticoards.com. Show time is 7.30pm.

The Lough Lively music events are supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Join Cancer Focus NI on Sunday 29th October at Victoria Park, Belfast, 12 noon and turn yourself PINK for local breast cancer research.

The Pink Run will be a 5k course around the park which is an achievable distance for all ages and abilities. We are looking for runners, joggers and walkers to take part and get covered head to toe in pink powder!

To get involved or for more information please visit www.cancerfocusni.org/pinkrun