Hastings Hotels announces £53M investment on revised plans and unveils new building wrap

FOLLOWING revised planning permission being granted earlier this month for the Grand Central Hotel, Hastings Hotels has announced that its investment will be £53M on what will be Northern Ireland’s largest hotel.

Building work is now well under way following the approval of the revised plans by Belfast City Council which will see an additional 104 bedrooms bringing the total number to 304 with the creation of over 150 jobs.

Sir William Hastings Chairman of Hastings Hotels said: “We are pleased that the revised planning permission for the Grand Central Hotel has been approved. This represents our company’s biggest single investment to date of £53M and is the sum required to create a top quality hotel befitting the name, Grand Central, and of which Belfast City can be proud.

“The Grand Central Hotel will be more than a hotel when it opens in mid 2018. It is a legend reborn and to celebrate this, we have created a building wrap, which will be changed at regular intervals before the hotel opens. It will help tell the story of the hotel as it is being built and pay tribute to some of the local companies we are working with who are each playing key roles in helping Hastings Hotels create this major development,” Sir William added.

Howard Hastings, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “We look forward to working with a wide range of local companies during this major project. Our lead construction partner is Graham Construction and their building expertise and quality of workmanship is second to none. The structural steel has been fabricated in Lisburn and the cladding is being designed and procured through a company based in Moira. The mechanical and electrical contractors are also local as are the bricklayers, joiners, plasterers and even the tower crane driver.”

The 2017 Art Of Craft Exhibition at The Market Place Gallery will run from Friday 21 April until Saturday 17^th June, and this year showcases the work of artist Bernie Leahy in her exhibition ‘Elements’.

Leahy’s artworks seize passing moments, capturing altered time and emotion. These moments reminisce on the space of discomfort, awkwardness or deep joy, poking at its familiarity.

Her work frequently uses the human figure, now exploring themes through a wider palette of colours and range of media than previously seen. Expression and movement are conveyed through the sensibilities of the materials. Stitch carries the work. Synaesthesia informs the collaborative video installation of manipulated stitch with original sound, composed by Oisin L Furlong.

Leahy studied in DLSAD (now IADT) & NCAD. She has represented Ireland in International Fiberart Biennales in Venezuela and Philadelphia. She has also exhibited internationally in Chicago, New York, China, Rome, London, Liverpool and Ireland. Her work is held in private collections in the USA, UK and Ireland, and in public collections in Ireland. She is a member of DCCOI Portfolio since 2004.

New work includes drawing, painting, video installation & sound, intrinsic with stitch.

Admission to the exhibition is free. For further information, bookings and to download the full programme go to www.marketplacearmagh.com. You can also follow developments on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) for the latest information and video previews.

Big Telly Theatre and Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to present ‘The Faerie Thorn and Other Stories’ by Jane Talbot at The Web Theatre, Newtownards on Friday 19 May.

The Faerie Thorn will recreate Talbot’s dark, imaginative and bewitching tales, propelling the audience into a world of devilish debts, trysts and trades, broken bargains and unjust trials; of magic, quick-wittedness, hoodwinking and revenge. The stories inhabit an incredibly vivid and dangerous world controlled by a complex fairy mafia including factions like the memory takers, the time keepers, the bad talkers and trolls, which humans tackle at their peril.

Over the past thirty years, Big Telly have carved a reputation as bold, risk-taking theatre makers, and The Faerie Thorn production will be a vibrant, contemporary, physical theatre, incorporating masks, movement and illusion. The Faerie Thorn will be witty, dark and wickedly comedic dealing with inexorable human tensions in a way that is shocking and yet terrifyingly familiar. The show is recommended for age 14+

On Sunday 30 April, Frances Quinn an actress and storyteller from Armagh will host Kiltonga tales at Kiltonga Hall, Newtownards.

Enjoy a warming hot chocolate before settling in for an hour of enchanting folklore and fairy tales at the beautiful Kiltonga Hall with one of Ulster’s finest storytellers.

Frances’ acting work ranges from the London Fringe through touring companies and Repertory in England and Ireland to the English National Theatre. She has been a featured storyteller at the major storytelling festivals in Ireland and made a CD of The Cúchulainn Saga which she performed throughout England, Ireland and ten states in the US. Armagh Folk Tales, which she wrote and illustrated, was published in April 2014.

Monday 1^st May will see Holywood transform into the magical wonderland of colourful street theatre and local delights which Merry May Day is known and loved for.

From 10am High street and Church Road will be buzzing with charity stalls, food and festivities. Come and find vintage and preloved treasures, delicious treats and handmade crafts.

Holywood District Community Council will host traditional favourites Bonnie Baby Competition, held in Queen’s Leisure Complex at 10.30am and the Fancy Dress Competition at the Maypole at 12.15pm This year’s themes for fancy dress are Superhero’s, Princess’s, Disney character’s or a favourite character from a book.

This year’s May Queen is Holywood native, 17 year old Leah Ross who will be crowned at 10.45 at the Maypole. Leah was a Bonny Baby competition winner and has now come full circle to be crowned May Queen.

The ever-popular Maypole Dancing will take place at 11am and 1pm. At 12 noon, McElhinney School of Dance Holywood Rhythms will perform Irish Dancing while young children can get their chance to dance around their own Maypole with Jump, Jiggle and Jive from 12 noon – 4pm.

From 12 noon there will be Spectacular Street Theatre including the UK’s first free spinning aerial hoop act La Luna. Comedy duo, Grow Your Own and stunning floral acts, In Bloom.  Enjoy traditional puppet fun with Punch and Judy at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm.

 Look out for character’s from Midsummer Night’s Dream such as the King and Queen of the Faeries and the ever mischievous Puck. You may even spot a Unicorn!

Holywood’s history will come alive on the Discover Hollywood Heritage Walk from 10am-12 noon, (Tickets £4 and booked in advance)

Don’t forget if you fancy some shopping or a bite of lunch, most of Holywood’s shops and eateries will be open throughout the day.

So come on down to Holywood on Monday, 1 May from 10am – 4pm for a fun-filled day at this FREE EVENT!

For further information, check out: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Cookstown goes continental next month when the food and flavours, sights and sounds of Europe and beyond come to the town centre for two days on 20-21 May!

Organised by Mid Ulster District Council, in partnership with Cookstown Town Centre Forum, the continental market is part of Market Place Europe’s spring tour, and will feature over 40 traders from as far afield as Morocco, India, Belgium, France, Russia, Holland, Spain and China, who will set up stalls alongside local traders from the weekly street market.

As well as mouth-watering dishes, from freshly made Paella to delicious Bratwurst Sausages, visitors to the market over the two day event will also be kept entertained with a variety of street entertainment and music.

Launching the 2017 market, Councillor Trevor Wilson, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, said:

“The Continental Market is one of the civic events for Cookstown in 2017 and it is anticipated as in previous years that it will attract a large number of visitors to Cookstown town centre.

“As well as being a great opportunity for local people and visitors alike to enjoy flavours from around the world, the market is an added attraction for the town. With an array of entertainment planned for the two day event it is ensured to be a great weekend of activity for all the family!”

President of the Chamber of Commerce, Paul Wilson, is looking forward to the atmosphere which the market creates:

“This year’s two day event, provides the opportunity for visitors to experience the Continental Market and Cookstown’s unique retail offering. The continental market will build on its previous success, and is sure to be another quality event for the town. I am looking forward to another successful market next month.”

The continental market takes place along William Street in Cookstown town centre from Saturday 20 May (9am – 9pm) and Sunday 21 May (11am – 7pm).

To facilitate the expected increased visitor numbers in a safe environment, a road closure will be in place along William Street from 8pm on Friday 19 May through to approximately 10pm on Sunday 21 May 2017. The road closure will be in place from the Orritor Street/Coagh Street junction to the Burn Road/James Street junction.

Cookstown set for Continental Market returnTo find out more, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/market or call Mary McCullagh, Regeneration Manager on 03000 132 132.

On Thursday 11 May, the next in the series of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Music in The Chamber events will feature Jenn Bostic, Sarah Darling and Michael Logan for A Night in Nashville.

These three artists from Nashville, Tennessee, will be performing original songs in the round, as well as sharing the stories behind them. From Americana to Country, Blues to Soul, this intimate evening will be a night you don’t want to miss.

Jenn Bostic is a soulful Blues/Gospel artist. Her emotive song writing and powerful vocals have been touching hearts around the world. Her hit single Jealous of the Angels, was championed by both Smooth Radio and BBC 2. Since then, Bostic has had 4 singles play listed on BBC Radio 2, including her most recent single What Love Feels Like.

Sarah Darling has released several albums with 1/2 a million downloads worldwide. Her biggest hit, ‘Home to Me’ lead to performances on Conan O’Brien, Fox & friends, and opening for artists like Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves. Her next Grand Ole Opry appearance will mark her 82nd performance on the historic stage.

Michael Logan is an Americana/Folk artist based in Nashville. You may have heard his songs on TV shows like “Nashville”, “One Tree Hill” and “Suits”. He tours throughout Europe and North America and has been invited to open for such artists as John Legend, John Hiatt, Mat Kearney and Jonny Lang. A prolific songwriter, his songs have also been recorded by many artists including Kelly Clarkson, Jonny Lang, Will Hoge and Mat Kearney.

Tickets are £10 including refreshments and are on sale at www.ardsarts.com
 

Chris Rea will play the Waterfront, Belfast on 7^th December 2017, as part of a European tour, to celebrate the release of his new album, ‘Road Songs for Lovers’.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday 28 April at 9am via:

Tickets for Belfast Waterfront are available:

In person at the Ulster Hall Box Office

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

In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

The album will be released on BMG in September, with the European tour arriving in the UK for ten dates starting on November 21^st at The Sage Theatre, Gateshead.

Like all truly great artists, Chris Rea has followed his own unique artistic vision and a path that is his and his alone. And although his exemplary musical output to date is deeply embedded into the framework of the world’s rock n roll DNA, it is also safe to say that his presence has been something of a glittering thorn in the side of an industry that has always had him down as a perennial outsider. Artist and painter, blues aficionado and self-confessed motoring nut, filmmaker and Italian-influenced classical music composer, eclectic and maverick are two terms that hardly come close to describing a man who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide for just being himself. In 2017 Rea returns to what he’s best known for: an album of gorgeous rock ballads which showcases Rea’s unique voice and a songwriting skill at the top of his game.

Born in Middlesbrough in 1951, Rea released his debut album in 1978 and promptly had a huge US hit with the first track to be lifted off the record, Fool If You Think It’s Over. In 1983, Rea’s fifth studio album Water Sign sold over half a million copies after I Can Hear Your Heartbeat became a Top 20 hit all over Europe. Rea’s follow up, Wired To The Moon was also a huge success and attendant tours of Europe would ensure that Rea commandeered a significant fan-base that has stayed with him through subsequent decades.

In 2000, Rea’s, King Of The Beach reached the Top 30 but his well-documented illness meant that he took a brief sabbatical from recording before returning to his blues roots.

Rea is not alone in the company of musicians who found fame later in life – think Jarvis Cocker, Leonard Cohen – and indeed it is interesting to note that he didn’t achieve UK Top Ten single status until the release of The Road To Hell (pt2), a record that was actually his eighteenth chart entry. Perhaps it is this fact that makes Rea such a breath of fresh air and a man effortlessly in control of his own faculties as a singer songwriter. “I was never a rock star or pop star and all the illness has been my chance to do what I’d always wanted to do with music,” he says. “The best change for my music has been concentrating on stuff which really interests me.“  He is obviously referring to his love of motor racing, painting and the blues but if Road Songs For Lovers proves one thing it is this: you can add beautiful, poignant rock ‘n’ roll love songs to that pantheon of passion.

http://www.chrisrea.com

Irish music legends The 4 of Us are bringing their critically acclaimed show to Flowerfield Arts Centre on Saturday 29^th April.

One of Ireland’s most successful rock groups, brothers Declan and Brendan Murphy have developed a unique musical identity, garnering rave reviews for their timeless songs and trademark acoustic guitar sounds.

The group will showcase songs from their brand new album Sugar Island, which explores the brothers’ early years growing up in Northern Ireland.

The 4 of Us shot to fame in the late 80s with hits including ‘Drag My Name Down’ and the radio classic ‘Mary.’

They followed this with the UK-charting songs She Hits Me and Sunlight, and quickly notched up over two decades of radio hits.

They’ve had six top 20 charting albums including Man Alive which was voted as one of Q Magazine’s Top 50 albums of 1992.

Promising to be one of their best studio recordings to date, Sugar Island has been described as ‘perceptive pop folk of the highest order’ by The Irish Times while Hot Press define The 4 of Us as having ‘considerable melodic flair’.

Tickets for the event, which begins at 8pm, cost £13 and are available from Flowerfield Arts Centre Box Office on 028 7083 1400 or online at www.eventbrite.co.uk (booking fee applies.)