Imagine a rock concert involving three of the biggest named rock stars of the 21st Century! ‘Classic Rock USA’ is a heart pumping, drum beating and pulsating rock extravaganza featuring over twenty-five hits from Bryan Adams, Jon Bon Jovi and the ‘Boss’ himself, Bruce Springsteen, and it’s coming to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Friday 8 May.

You will be taken on an epic journey of all things rock, as the totally awesome cast and band brings down the house with the very best selections of these three great artists including ‘Born To Run’ ‘Thunder Road’, ‘Everything I Do’, ‘Summer Of 69’ ‘Living On A Prayer’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, ‘Bed Of Roses and many more. Get Ready to Rock out and Party On with ‘Classic Rock USA!’ Tickets for this performance are priced £18.50.

On the same evening, Colin Bateman’s ‘Bag For Life’ will also be staged in the Studio Theatre. Karen is mid-thirties, married with a young child. She has just bumped into a man in Tesco – the man who shot her brother in the face. What does she do? What would you do?

Award winning novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman’s second stage play asks the question, can forgiveness overcome the want for revenge in 21st century Northern Ireland? This powerful and captivating play is laced with the blackest of humour and stars Julie Addy. This play contains strong language and is recommended for age 16+. Tickets are priced £13.50 and £11.50 (concession).

Visit the website at www.marketplacearmagh.com for full details and bookings, or contact the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. 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.

 

Monday 1 May – Thursday 4 May

Monday 1 May, Merry May Day

Holywood Town Centre

10am – 4pm

See Holywood transform into the magical wonderland of colourful street theatre and local delights which Merry May Day is known and loved for. Enjoy traditional May Day dancing by local children, a selection of market stalls and lots family fun.

Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Monday 1 May, Holywood Historical Walk

Holywood Town Area

10am-12noon

Tickets: 4, advanced booking required

Enjoy an informative stroll through Holywood’s colourful history from the establishment of a monastic settlement on the site of the Old Priory Church to the Motte where King John is said to have spent the night.  Tour departs on foot from Maypole Bar, High Street, Holywood

Info:  028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Monday 1 May, Kids “Mini-beasts” Nature Trail

Nugent’s Wood in Portaferry 

2pm – 4pm

Tickets 2.50 (child), adults free. Advanced booking required

Join local naturalist “Woody” for a creative exploration of Nugent’s Wood this May Day holiday. All children must be accompanied by an adult.  Meet at Portaferry VIC, Castle Street.

Info: 028 4272 9882, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Friday 5 – Thursday 11 May

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport Harbour

2pm – 4pm

Come along to Groomsport for free Family fun every weekend from now until September

Saturday 6: Children’s Crafts and ‘Tales of the Wild’ Animal Roadshow

Sunday 7: Magic Show

Info:  028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Saturday 6 May, Dawn Chorus

Kiltonga Nature Reserve, Newtownards    

5am – 6.30am

Free, advanced booking required

Join bird expert Dot Blakely as the sun comes up, for an early morning master class in how to recognise the song of the Dawn Chorus

Info: 028 4272 9882, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Today MCD Productions confirmed that MUSE will headline Belfast Vital on August 23^rd at Belfast’s Boucher Road Playing Fields with tickets going on sale next Friday, May 5^th at 9am.

MUSE will be joined by special guests BIFFY CLYRO, NOTHING BUT THIEVES and Dublin band FANGCLUB.

MUSE:  Since their debut in 1994, Muse have released seven studio albums and have won numerous awards, including two Grammy’s, two Brit Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards, eight NME Awards and they have sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

Last year Drones, the group’s seventh album, topped the UK charts whilst simultaneously topping the charts in the USA, a first for the band. In total the album reached No 1 in a staggering 23 countries. In 2016 Drones won the Grammy for Best Rock Album at the 58th Grammy Awards, the band headlined the Glastonbury Festival for a third time and they toured arenas across the world including sold out shows at Dublin’s 3Arena and The SSE Arena, Belfast.

This summer Muse will headline Reading & Leeds and today it has been confirmed that they will also headline Belfast Vital on August 23^rd.

BIFFY CLYRO: Last year Biffy Clyro released their seventh album, Ellipsis – a number one record in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland and has since hit gold status selling over 100,000 copies. The band followed Ellipsis with a remarkable run of huge scale touring which set their riotous energy to a dazzling visual spectacle.

Last summer Biffy performed to almost 200,000 people when they played their biggest Scottish show to date at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park, headlined sets at the Reading & Leeds Festivals and Belsonic at Titanic Belfast. The band ended the year with a triumphant UK and Ireland arena tour, which included shows at The SSE Arena, Belfast and the 3Arena, Dublin.

This year is already shaping up to be just as momentous as Biffy Clyro are now confirmed for their first headline set at Download and are booked to perform at this year’s Belfast Vital.

NOTHING BUT THIEVES: The past eighteen months have been a whirlwind of sold out shows, chart topping records and a critically acclaimed album from Southends finest band.  Nothing But Thieves are now riding the wave of a global buzz which has already well and truly ignited in the States. As well as sold out shows in the UK, Japan and USA they have recently completed a successful run of European arena shows with fellow Brits, Muse. This summer Nothing But Thieves will play Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds and are now confirmed for Belfast Vital.

• Belfast Vital 2017
• Wednesday 23 August: Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast
• Tickets on sale FRIDAY 5 May at 9am

 TICKET INFORMATION

• Tickets on Sale: Friday 5 May at 9am
• Tickets priced: £49.50 (including booking fee)
• Ticketmaster: In person: From Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
• Ticketmaster: By Telephone (24 Hour):  0844 277 44 55 (ROI: 0818 719300)
• Ticketmaster: Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

 

Vintage Tea Parties are being held in Limavady, Portrush, Ballycastle and Ballymoney to mark Volunteers’ Week.

The celebrations, organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, in collaboration with Causeway Volunteer Centre and Limavady Volunteer Centre, are a way to thank local volunteers who give up their time to work in the community.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “The efforts of our community and voluntary sector cannot be underestimated. We have so many willing volunteers who do so much, and this is our way of celebrating the difference they make.”

Mary McNickle from Causeway Volunteer Centre said: ‘Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1^st until June 7^th, is an annual reminder for us to show our appreciation to all volunteers.  They do amazing work and it’s heart-warming to bring the whole community together to say a collective ‘thank you’.”

Ashleen Schenning, from Limavady Volunteer Centre added: “Volunteers are at the heart of our community, and without them many organisations would cease to exist. This is our opportunity to give something back to them.”

The Tea Parties will be held in Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady on Monday 5^th June from 2pm – 4pm, the Arcadia Ballroom, Portrush on Tuesday 6^th June from 2pm – 4pm, and at the Town Hall in Ballymoney on the same day from 7pm – 9pm. The final event takes place in Ramoan Parish Hall in Ballycastle on Wednesday 7^th June from 2pm – 4pm.

Invitations to the tea parties will be sent directly to all community organisations throughout the Borough within the next few weeks.  For further information please contact Causeway Volunteer Centre on 028 7035 8265 or email volunteer@causewayvc.org.

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