The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to perform at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Thursday 8 February, as part of the Ulster Orchestra’s On Your Doorstep series of concerts, which seeks to bring the orchestra to new venues and audiences across Northern Ireland.

To open the concert, Ulster Orchestra Music Director Rafael Payare conducts Brahms’s richly romantic Third Symphony. Then international star Sergey Khachatryan will perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, a giant amongst concertos. Renowned as one of the great modern interpreters of this concerto, Khachatryan’s performance will be spell-binding.

Then on Saturday 10 February, we present the perfect Valentine’s present and night out with our annual and hugely popular treat from The PM Big Band. They bring a classic mix of vocals and instrumentals from The Great American Songbook including selections from Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and other legends from this ageless and ever-popular musical genre. Adding a little spice, the band will flavour the evening with big band versions of some modern classics ensuring an evening of music to appeal to everyone.

Tickets can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, 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.

The Belle of Mid Ulster Association to host  International Women’s Day Conference which will be held in The Heaney HomePlace Bellaghy on Thursday 8^th March.

The Belle of Mid Ulster Association was formed in 2016 to support Mid Ulster Women and to inspire them to flourish personally, economically and professionally.  Our Mission Statement is “Devoted to Showcasing the Mid Ulster area as a great place to Live, Work and Visit. 

Our chosen charity which we hope to continue to support is The Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. 

The organisers of the Conference have decided to source their Speakers this year from Mid Ulster and have a truly inspirational line up of local ladies. 

The 2017 Belle of Mid-Ulster, Ailis Corey, is a two-time blood cancer survivor and a stem-cell transplant recipient.  A keen advocate for blood cancer awareness and blood, stem cell and organ donation, Ailis is a member of the ‘Transplant Sport Northern Ireland’ team and has represented them at the British Transplant Games on three occasions. 

Clodagh Dunlop will speak about her remarkable journey when at 37 years old, an inspirational young front line Police Officer was left with locked-in syndrome after suffering a devastating brain stem stroke.  Clodagh spent months trapped inside her body unable to move or speak and was only able to communicate by blinking.  However, she astounded everyone with her miraculous recovery and chose to do a sky dive to mark the day she almost lost her life. 

Emma Heatherington is a bestselling Author from Dungannon, Co Tyrone.  The mum of five has penned ten book including the international hit ‘The Legacy of Lucy Harte’ and the life story of Ireland’s Queen of Country Music, Philomena Begley.  She is also an acclaimed scriptwriter, songwriter and poet.  Her latest novel ‘A Part of Me and You’ was published in January by Harper Collins.

The main theme of the Conference will be “The Resilience of Women” and our Speakers have already demonstrated that they have this quality not only in their own lives but as they have touched the lives of others. 

The Conference in Bellaghy would be a source of information, entertainment and enlightenment.  We have accommodation for up to 200 people but delegates will be included on a first come first served basis.  There are no barriers to who attends this Conference so every lady from Mid Ulster is entitled to attend.  Should you wish to reserve a place please book online at Eventbrite.

This is an event not to be missed!

Chopping Chillies was a great hit at Edinburgh 2016 and we are delighted to welcome the show to The Old Courthouse for one night only on Saturday 3 February.

This solo show, written and performed by Clair Whitfield and directed by award winning director Guy Masterson. A mix of prose, storytelling and physical theatre weaving London and India in a tale of fate, friendship and personal transformation.

Chopping Chillies tells the tale of Ajna Jan, an Indian martial artist from Kerala, who following a tragic accident inherits his uncle’s cobblers shop in Camden Town. He moves from Cochin to London and uses his knowledge of the body’s pressure points to alter his customer’s footwear, posture, confidence and ultimately their lives. Powerless to repair his own life, he finds himself challenged only when a young, dreadlocked hipster Katie opens up a cafe next door, and begins making food that reminds him of his lost family and the country he left behind. This unlikely friendship changes both their lives.

This is an enthralling tale, full of charm and surprises. Tickets available from Box Office T: 9442 8331 or online www.theoldcourthousetheatre.com

“An extraordinary, humbling story of love, family, loss, grief, new beginnings and unexpected friendships. A delicious, appetising, spicy feast of a show!” (Edinburgh Guide, 2016)

The stage is set for the Blackhorse NI Motorcycle Festival at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in February, when Emmerdale star Dominic Brunt will be among the special guests.

The Cheshire actor plays vet Paddy Kirk on the much-loved ITV soap and the 47-year-old – a huge motorbikes fan – has jumped at the chance to indulge his passion at the three-day motorcycling extravaganza in Lisburn, which takes place from Friday, February 2^nd to Sunday, February 4^th.

Joining Brunt on the guest list are top racers Lee Johnston, Alastair Seeley, Keith Farmer and John McGuinness plus other, who will be on hand to sign autographs and mingle with the fans.

Ulster Grand Prix ‘Man of the Meeting’ Peter Hickman has also been confirmed in recent days.

The Louth man had a season to remember as Hickman claimed five podiums from five starts at the Isle of Man TT before chalking up a treble of wins at Dundrod.

Hickman has signed with the Smiths Racing team for a second season to contest the British Superbike Championship and the international road races.

New Honda Racing signing Johnston and North West 200 record-breaker Seeley will engage in some early season rivalry when they line up for some fun pit bike racing outside the venue, with Ballymoney’s Seamus Elliott also taking on the challenge.

Organised for the 23^rd year by Billy Nutt and his son Marty, the annual exhibition has become a must-see fixture on the motorcycling calendar.

All the latest models from the major manufacturers will be on display, including Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW, KTM and Triumph etc.

Exhibitors include Phillip McCallen Motorcycles, Charles Hurst Motorcycles (BMW, Yamaha Honda), Motoplus Kawasaki (Coleraine), Crossan Motorcycles, GS Motorcycles,Davy’s Motorcycles and HTM Motorcyles. Show-goers will also have the opportunity to snap up the latest merchandise from the Clinton Enterprises stand.

A fantastic line-up of classic machinery will be on show, including Honda’s rare CR93  plus a rare display of race bikes from Eddie Roberts collection..

The feast of entertainment also includes Mattie Griffin’s world-renowned stunt rider, while top trials rider Andrew Perry will demonstrate his incredible skill plus live racing of Pit Bikes and Super Moto bikes on Saturday and Sunday. Opening times are Friday, February 2^nd (2pm-10pm) and Saturday and Sunday, February 3^rd-4^th (10am-5pm). Admission is £12/€12 for adults and £6/€6 Euros for senior citizens. Children under 15 admitted free.

Free car parking is available on-site and three minibuses will be operating a shuttle service to the Eikon Exhibition Centre from Lisburn Rail Centre, also free of charge.

For more details, check out the official Facebook page for the festival @NI Motorcycle Fest or visit www.motorcyclefest.tv. You can also call Nutt Promotions on: 028 70351199 or email: info@nutttravel.com.

After taking a break in January, the award winning Comber Farmers’ Market will reopen for the new season on Thursday 1 February from 9.00am – 1.00pm.

The theme of this market is #LoveLocal and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there will be lots of foody gifts to buy for loved ones (or to simply treat yourself!).

Jam and chutney maker, Will Clendinning from ‘The Local’ is a trader at the market and said, “I have been attending Comber Farmers’ Market since it opened in July 2014 and have built up a regular customer base who return every month to buy my jams and chutneys.  I attend a lot of markets around Northern Ireland and Comber Farmers’ Market is one of the best with a fabulous range of top quality food produce made by local people.”

The February market will also welcome new entrepreneur, Margaret Donaldson from Comber who has started a doughnut business called  ‘Dough Naughty’.  Her range will include sweet and savoury doughnuts, sticky buns, bread and butter puddings and sticky toffee puddings.

Alderman Deborah Girvan who helps to run the market on behalf of Comber Regeneration Community Partnership said, “The market is an important outlet for new food producers.  It gives them an opportunity to test their products and helps to create employment in the future.  Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy.  I would encourage people to come along to our award winning market and support our local producers and at the same time buy and enjoy the best food produce in Northern Ireland!”

The market is situated just off Comber Square in the ground of St Marys with car parking available in surrounding public car parks.

Find out more about Comber Farmers’ Market at www.combermarket.co.uk or on the Market’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.

Live music lovers have some real treats lined up at Portico in Portaferry.

The new season kicks off in style on Saturday 3 February with a rare opportunity to hear baritone Sir Thomas Allen, courtesy of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Star of opera houses all over the world, he has sung over 50 roles at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. An acclaimed recitalist he will sing, accompanied by pianist Joseph Middleton, pieces from Schumann, Vaughan Williams and many others.

On Friday 16 February percussionists O Duo whizz around the stage in an exciting family concert performing an invigorating mix of classical music alongside popular classics from TV and film on a huge array of percussion including marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, drum kit, African and Brazilian drums! Supported by Ards Arts, all tickets cost just £5.

The Björn Identity will be raising the roof on Saturday 24 February. Exceeding all expectations of Abba tribute bands, they are widely known for their love of audience participation, Swedish humour, professionalism and commitment to the music of their idols. You will be dancing!

Bringing an exciting programme including Vivaldi, Hummel, Bach and Mozart, the Chamber Philharmonic Europe is performing on Saturday 14 April. With its outstanding reputation and astonishing soloists Cyrill Gussaroff (trumpet) and Michel Gershwin (violin), this promises to be an evening of exceptional chamber music.

And it doesn’t stop there! There’s a host of other great concerts lined up too including barbershop quartet 4 in a Bar, the fabulous Elvis Spectacular Show and theatre The Wonder Tales. More information on any of the above concerts can be found at www.porticoards.com or you can buy tickets in person at The Rock Bakery in Portaferry.

Caustic, Sobering and Hilariously Funny! – Brand New Play at Millennium Forum

She’s back!  Irene Melaugh returns to the Millennium Forum next week with the second in her trilogy from the ‘Dumped Divorcee’ stables – ‘The Dumped Divorcee Support Group Rides Again!’ and it’s a scream!

On at the Forum for four nights starting Wednesday, January 31^st, the follow-on from the original critically acclaimed show, with a cast that includes some ‘new and outrageous characters’, according to Irene.

‘The Dumped Divorcee Support Group’ saw the divorcees ride off into the sunset with
their new partners to live happily ever after. Right? Wrong!

Part one of the trilogy saw the three childhood friends start another chapter in their lives with new partners.

But Rosie and Eileen are now homeless and now living with Maura in her two bedroomed house and the situation is explosive. Eileen has been de-robed and thrown out of the convent. Rosie has left her man because he was wearing out all her clothes. And Eugene. . . . . well, there’s another story!  Looking forward to the first night, the lady herself said this one will have everything and even a Roger will make an appearance!

“I really had a ball writing The Dumped Divorcee Support Group Rides Again” said Irene. “It’s a story that more and more people can identify with. A story of divorce, of being thrown back out there into the jungle of dating among the wild and idiotic characters these less than lucky women attract.”

“Yes, the Three Degrees – Maura, Rosie, Eileen and the increasingly desperate Eugene decide to give The Dumped Divorcee Support Group one more try. It couldn’t be any worse than the first disaster. Could it?’’ laughs Irene.

In a word, yes! The cow-clapped Roger-Over-And-Out reappears from Donegal and attempts to sweep Maura off her feet. Eileen’s ex-husband Jack has decided that even though he’s had a sex change and is now Jacklyn, he wants Eileen back!

As for Rosie, she lives in the hope that just one normal man will find his way to the group.

So, for a great night’s craic and side-splitting comedy why not come along to the Millennium Forum, Wednesday-Saturday, 31^st Jan.-3rd February.

The Dumped Divorcee Support Group Rides Again performs at the Millennium Forum from Wed 31^st Jan to Sat 3^rd February. Tickets are now on sale from the Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.