Following a tense battle on Friday 28^th and Saturday 29^th July at Strabane’s Alley Theatre, the five final acts in this year’s ‘Sounds Like Summer Music Competition’, will take to stage for a final performance, this Saturday, 5^th August.

Eleven acts performed over the weekend to a panel of judges in bid to take the coveted prize – the chance to record an EP of their own original production at Small Town America Records and a chance to have their own video produced by The Pulse Centre. There will also be a runner up prize in honour of the late musician ‘Rainy Boy Sleep’.

On Friday 28^th July, local musician Glen Harkin took the top spot alongside singer songwriter Chloe Heatley, who will be known to those who follow the Pulse Project and open mic nights at Bennigans and The Bowery, in Derry.

The competition continued onto Saturday 29^th July where Strabane local, Ruairi McCafferty of ‘Aeon Azure’ project ‘Great White Lies’ and another Strabane native, Liam Cannon were selected to compete in the finals this coming weekend at the Alley.

Jacqui Doherty, Venue Manager at the Alley Theatre said: “I would thank to thank all the acts who took part over the weekend. It was such a difficult competition to judge as the level of talent was amazing. The competition attracts high quality acts year on year. We have previously had high calibre acts such as Soak, Gerard i2, Rainy Boy Sleep, The Wonder Villains, Paul Tully and King Coma join the competition and I expect great things will come for the overall winner.

“We are all looking forward to the grand finale this Saturday at the Alley and I would recommend anyone looking for tickets to get theirs as soon as possible as it’s certain to be a sell-out night!”

Tickets for the final of the Sounds Like Summer Competition, which will take place this Saturday 5^th August at the Alley Theatre at 8.00pm, cost £5.00 and will be available from the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com.

 

The Dirty Onion hosted its first Pooch Social on Sunday 30^th July in aid of local charity, Lucy’s Trust.

 

Over 200 dogs and their owners turned out for the quirky event, which featured a range of stalls offering doggy treats and canine crafts. Vendors included Murphy’s Barkery, Frozzys frozen dog yoghurts,

Natural Raw Feeding NI, Bistro 4 dogs, Colourful Collars, Hiker Hounds NI Paws for a splash and Weecat glass art dog treat jars. Guests enjoyed live music from The Russian Dolls, alongside a BBQ serving up hot dogs alongside their four-legged friends.

Funds raised at the event will go to Lucy’s Trust, a dedicated NI charity that helps dogs in need, providing interim care and rehoming for ex-working dogs, Staffies, behavioural cases and dogs that require long-term vet treatment. Picture by Pete Laverty.

A mixed bag of weather couldn’t keep the crowds away from Party In The Park.

Now in its sixth year Antrim Castle Gardens was transformed into a festival of fun for the whole family.

The Water Zorbs and Boat rides on the Long Pond proved a big hit with the children, whilst over in the main field music lovers were entertained by Indie Band ‘Ports’ and Headline act, Ireland’s No1 Elvis Tribute, Ciaran Houlihan. A sea of umbrellas and complimentary ponchos kept the crowds dry as they sang and danced away as the bands rocked the stage.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Vera McWilliam commented” It is fantastic to see the crowds here at Antrim Castle Gardens for Party In The Park. The inclement weather has not dampened the spirits of the people who have travelled here today. The entertainment for both children and adults is outstanding and it great to have this event in our Borough”

Scientific Sue and her Magic bubble show, Crazy Golf and the swing boats attracted large crowds in the Parterre Gardens and the beanbag cinema and indoor arts & crafts were a relief when the rain did eventually appear.

A vast array of culinary delights in the food fayre ranging from Sunday Roast to finger licking chicken kept the crowd’s energy levels up, allowing them to Party more. Overall Party In The Park was a great day of free family fun.

Would learning to balance plates, juggle and baton twirling be an activity you would like to get involved in?

If so, an afternoon of circus fun will take place at Flowerfield Arts Centre on Friday 11^th August.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Art Outreach Programme have teamed up with Streetwise Circus in developing the Aurora Circus Project.  The project aims to offer people from marginalised groups including older people and people living with disabilities or mental health problems, the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and above all have fun.

The project is funded by the ‘Spirit of 2012 Challenge Fund’. Its vision is ‘people empowered to get out, be involved and feel better’.

The Circus workshop will take place at 2.30pm on Friday 11^th August followed by a performance at 4pm with Jim and Dr Nick.

Accompanying the afternoon, an exhibition from Council’s Arts and Older People Outreach programme will be on display at Flowerfield Arts Centre. Featuring mosaic and textiles, the art work is from courses that took place in Ballycastle and Cushendall with artists Louie Winward, Helen Byrne and Jackie Dougan. The exhibition will be available to view from Friday 11^th August until Saturday 19^th August.

All children must be accompanied by an adult and admission is free. For more information please contact Flowerfield Arts Centre on 028 7083 1400 or visit http://www.flowerfield.org/

Catch some Latin fever, Belfast — Revolución de Cuba has arrived!

 

The vibrant rum bar and cantina brings the sizzling Cuban heat to the heart of the city with its new venue on Arthur Street. Pulling out all the stops with flavour-packed Latin-inspired food, irresistible rum cocktails and sensational carnival entertainment. Tiempo de fiesta!

COME ON IN

Located on the site of the original Belfast Savings Bank, the imposing, grey granite, two storey exterior is the perfect foil for what lays inside. Step inside Revolución de Cuba and find a colourful and vibrant Havana-esque party hotspot set across two floors. Vintage tiles, wooden flooring and statement artwork cover the walls of the groundfloor, whilst diners can kick back on plush velvet sofas and red leather chairs. Meanwhile upstairs, the smaller Mezzanine bar upstairs can accommodate up to 50 people, and the Havana Bar, a private-hire room, accommodates up to 100, both offering respite from the revelry below. Don’t get too comfy though — it won’t be long before you’re heading to the dancefloor for a night of live music, Latin-themed dancers and much, much more.

 

CUBAN COCKTAILS

Get the party started with what promise to be the best rum cocktails in town. Decadent daiquiris come in a dizzying array of flavour combinations and Latin mainstays, such as caipirinhas, piña coladas and cuba libres, are all present and accounted for. Meanwhile, mojitos come finished with either classic mint or the more exotic blends of apricot and pineapple; rasberry; and lychee.

Beer lovers can also kick back with a bucket of Latin American brews to start the night on a high, or take your pick from one of the nine beers available on draught.

For budding bartenders, learn from the best cantineros in town by booking a group Cuban cocktail masterclass, ideal for parties or team-building. Mix and muddle with the experts and learn the history behind some of the world’s most famous cocktails, many created in Cuba, whilst enjoying perfectly paired pintxos.

LA CANTINA

Dine Latin-style all-day in the bustling Cantina. Turn your lunch break into a mini-fiesta with flavour-packed salads, wraps, tacos, and pulled pork sandwiches, or go for a lighter zesty burrito bowl; all the fun of a regular burrito, loaded with marinated chicken, black beans, peppers and cool guacamole, minus the carbs.

When the sun goes down, choose from a huge selection of tantalising tapas. Whether sharing with a group, or enjoying on your own, opt for the gambas pil pil, patatas bravas, pork belly skewers, salmon ceviche and iberico ham croquettas. Turn it up a notch with the selection of primo tapas, including beef fillet skewers, grilled lamb chops and charred halloumi. Bigger appetites can tuck into

a variety of hamburguesas topped with jalapeños, spicy rum sauce, Manchego and chedder cheese; piled-high pulled pork; or marinated Jamaican jerk chicken breast with a sweet mango salsa.

FIESTA FRIDAYS

Fridays are a big deal at Revolución de Cuba – start the weekend early with a happy hour that kicks off at 5pm – 7pm (also available Monday – Thursday, and all-day Sunday) and enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails, before heading to the dancefloor where a carnival atmosphere is guaranteed with live Latin music and DJs.

PARTY PACKAGES

Whether it’s a big birthday, office party or special celebration, there’s an amazing array of party packages from salsa dance lessons and cocktail masterclasses, through to tapas tastings and giant paellas! Sharing cocktails are inspired by the Prohibiton era when Americans escaped the alcohol ban and Cuba became a party island – enjoy fruit rum concoctions served in teapots and punch bowls, or opt for spirits by the bottle complete with a choice of complimentary mixers. Group bookings and enquiries can be made by calling 0800 6300 860.

The Newcastle Festival of Flight, sponsored by Rockwell Collins Kilkeel, takes place this Saturday, 5 August and is set to be one of the biggest events of the year.

The 2017 event is expected to attract more than 100,000 spectators to enjoy an afternoon flight display, headlined by the world famous Red Arrows aerobatic team and supported by a packed programme of on-the-ground family fun.

The aerial extravaganza will see several new displays join the schedule, with the Wildcat Aerobatics team and Piston Provost both taking to the skies as part of the packed line up.

The full schedule will see the Famous Red Arrows return, alongside the Pitts Special, Global Stars, a Chinook, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which will include a Spitfire, a Lancaster and a Hurricane, Wildcats, Global Stars, Team Raven, a Strikemaster and Muscle Pitts, as well as a Piston Provost, flown by Lisburn man, Simon Wilson.

Kicking off from 2.30pm, a tribute will also be paid to Rescue 116, with a slow flyby of the new aircraft to commemorate the four crew members who tragically passed away earlier this year.

And for those who prefer to keep to the ground, there will be something for everyone at the Aviation and Food village.

Open from 10am, there will be live music, a range of local food and drink suppliers and a dedicated beer tepee.

Visitors can sit stop by the RAF cadet stand to sit in a Jet Provost or Hunter cockpit, take a selfie with the WWll re-enactors and their jeep or get up close to a range of civil and military aircraft thanks to Ulster Model Aircraft Club. A replica Ferguson Flyer will also be on display outside Newcastle Centre, a tribute to the town’s high flying role in aeronautical history after pioneering engineer Harry Ferguson famously made the first public flight on Newcastle beach in 1910.

Following last year’s successful rally, The Belfast Chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners’ Group return to Newcastle this year. A rally with over 200 riders are expected to cruise into town with their leathers and metal making grown men go weak at the knees in unbridled admiration! See them arrive in Newcastle with a grand parade through the town, revving in at 11am.

U105’s Maurice Jay and Denise Watson will be on hand from 12pm to 5pm with great music, competitions and all-round family fun.

The day won’t end when the skies clear either, thanks to 80’s tribute band, The Pleasure Dome. Get your leg-warmers on and get ready to dance the night away to classic 80’s tracks after the airshow.

Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said,

“Our annual Festival of Flight is set to be a great family day out for everyone. I look forward to joining the crowds on Saturday to experience not only the air displays but to enjoy the very best of local produce at the food village and getting an in depth look at the aircraft on display in the aviation village.”

Visitors are encouraged to use the free Park & Ride facility this weekend, which will operate from the designated Northfield parking site located on the A50 Castlewellan Road. The site will be signposted with temporary yellow event signs and a free park & ride shuttle bus service will operate between the Park & Ride site and the town between 9am – 9pm.

Drivers are requested to adhere to all parking restrictions in place, including temporary “No waiting” cones, to ensure the safe flow of traffic throughout the day and are advised to allow additional time to travel to/from Newcastle due to the increased volume of traffic on the roads.

On Saturday 5 August, public parking will be available at Higher Donard Park, Bryansford Road, Causeway Road; Downs Road car park; Harbour car park; Main Street, Railway Street and Shimna Road, with disabled parking concentrated at Newcastle Visitor Information Centre, Donard Park and Glen River car park. Motor home parking will also be at Higher Donard car park.

As always, public safety is absolutely paramount and visitors are urged to pay close attention to PSNI and Marshalls’ directions and to obey all beach signs. Spectators should not approach the water’s edge at low tide as that will force aircraft out to sea and spoil everyone’s enjoyment.

Spectators are also warned that the use of drones is strictly prohibited. If a drone is detected in the area, all display flying will stop immediately. And for those planning a stroll into Newcastle from Murlough Beach please set-off early, as the beach area from Murlough Beach to Newcastle will close before the event.

Visit www.visitmournemountains.co.uk or www.facebook.com/VisitMourneMountains to find out more about the programme for the 2017 Newry, Mourne & Down District Council Festival of Flight sponsored by Rockwell Collins.

 

The Civic Square at Mossley Mill will host a Summer Craft Fair and Farmers Market on Saturday 12 August from 10am-4pm.

 

 

Those looking for that special and unique gift should look no further, with over 30 stalls of bespoke textiles and homemade foods, you will be spoilt for choice.

A carousel, face painting, indoor arts & crafts as well as a number of superheroes on hand throughout the day will keep the children amused. Meanwhile live music by Connor Taggart will keep the grown-ups entertained as they shop till they drop.

 

With great food and entertainment for everyone, join us for this great family day out in the beautiful setting of Mossley Mill.

You don’t have to travel far to find more than enough activities to fill every day of the August Summer holidays. So here’s some great ideas and inspiration for keeping the kids entertained in Titanic Quarter:

1. Explore Titanic Quarter in style on The Wee Tram! Rest yer wee legs and uncover the amazing history of the shipyard. PLUS this summer there are plenty of special discounts available on-board including 20% off Café 1404 plus discounted entry into Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House and HMS Caroline. Departing every day, every half hour between 12 & 5pm. For further info visit com
2. Treat the family to the ultimate day for LEGO fans at BRICKLIVE in the Titanic Exhibition Centre from the 3rd to 6th August! Fans will not want to miss this ‘bricktastic’ features event! For more information visit com
3. Join Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic for some free family fun from the 5th – 7th August to celebrate the ROI Bank Holiday Weekend, and again from 26th to 28th! For further details visit com
4. Take your seats, cover your ears and prepare yourself for exciting, experimental and somewhat explosive family theatre as W5’s Big Bang Theatre Show returns! For full information and show times visit co.uk
5. Climb on board HMS Caroline on August 10^th for their Wartime Woollens Workshop! Come along and learn about textiles, make do & mend and knitting for the navy with artist Unagh McCullough. This is a free event but booking is essential, email caroline@nmrn.org.uk to book your place.
6. If you have never visited the RSPB’s nature reserve right in the heart of Belfast – prepare to be WOWed! It’s only a few minutes from Holywood Exchange. For opening times visit org.uk/belfastlough
7. Fancy seeing Titanic Quarter from the water? Well here is your chance to do exactly that with Lagan Boats! Climb on board the World’s only Titanic boat tour. For sail times visit com
8. Drop into The Dock Café this August as they offer a different Treat Of the Day everyday throughout summer. the-dock.org
9. Calling all car fans! Join Built at Titanic Exhibition Centre on the 13^th Aug for a day full of entertainment! From race car livery demonstrations to remote control drifting, Built is sure to be an exciting event! com
10. See Titanic’s physical footprint in history and learn about Belfast’s shipbuilding legacy at Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House. Don’t forget to call into Café 1404 for some delicious treats afterwards. com / cafe1404.com
11. Come along to Belfast Met’s Titanic Quarter Campus on the 23^rd Aug for their Higher Education Clearing Day, and get on the right study or career path for you. For further info visit ac.uk
12. Step back in time to a period of luxury, and elegance with Titanic Belfast’s romantic Summer Sunday Afternoon Tea. Available every Sunday, to book visit com
13. Why not hop on Belfast Bikes and rediscover The Chronicles of Narnia with a cycle through the CS Lewis Square! For more info visit co.uk
14. Join Belfast Barge on the 26th August as they welcome Garry Jackson all the way from Canada for a night of great music and craic! /theBelfastBarge
15. This summer the Odyssey Pavilion has family fun for everyone! With late openings all week and opening at 10am on Sundays, Why not call into Odyssey Bowl for a game, have a tasty lunch at The Streat or see the latest movies on at Odyssey Cinemas! co.uk

 

16. Finally WIN some great prizes this August, all you have to do is share your photos & videos using #ExploreTQ on / TQEventsBelfast

 

On 5^th August The Mac in Belfast plays host to Northern Ireland’s largest gathering of breastfeeding mothers.

Breastival is a celebration of breastfeeding, aiming to normalise what has often been a controversial issue in Northern Ireland. Despite the NHS and World Health Organisation recommendation that children be breastfed until the age of two, only 7% of children in Northern Ireland are breastfed past the age of six months.

Founder of Breastival, Belfast based mum Jennifer Hanratty, says “breast is not best, it’s biologically normal and it needs to become socially and culturally normal again and just because breastfeeding is natural doesn’t mean it is easy. Mum and baby need to learn together and family and wider society need to support and protect them. Breastival will be an opportunity for everyone to learn and celebrate the amazing experience breastfeeding can be when it is well supported.” Breastival welcomes all supporters of breastfeeding and those who want to learn more about it.

Featuring renowned pharmacist Dr Wendy Jones alongside local experts, Breastival also aims to break the Northern Irish record for ‘The Global Big Latch On’ where women around the world gather together to breastfeed at 10.30am. We are excited to have Nuala McAllister, Lord Mayor of Belfast acting as the official counter for our record attempt.

Cllr Nuala McAllister, Lord Mayor of Belfast has been an active supporter of breastfeeding and has highlighted the positive steps Belfast City Council has made in supporting breastfeeding mothers. She explains “as a mother who breastfed, Breastival has my full support.  Belfast City Council has always been extremely supportive of mothers who choose to breastfeed.  In 2014, we signed up for the Public Health Agency’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme, which aims to increase the number of premises which welcome breastfeeding mums.  Thirty-six of our buildings, including the City Hall, are signed up to the initiative, helping mums to feel more comfortable doing something in public which should actually be seen as perfectly normal. Events such as Breastival can only serve to show that breastfeeding is becoming increasingly socially acceptable in our modern society, as well highlighting the health benefits that breastfeeding can bring to both mother and baby.”

Breastival has over 500 people registered to attend including nursing mothers, expectant parents, kids, friends and family. Discussions, interactive workshops and demonstrations are being led by industry experts including Pharmacist Dr Wendy Jones, Parenting NI, Bravissimo and breast surgeon Ciara McGoldrick.

An exhibition of ‘More Than Milk’ features contributions from over 100 local parents showcasing the realities of breastfeeding as part of everyday life.

Breastival is a free to attend event and  open to everyone but pre-registration is required at www.breastivalbelfast.co.uk

For media enquires contact;

Hello@breastivalbelfast.co.uk or call Jennifer Hanratty 07872012406