Revive your Soul to the Sounds of Motown!

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The Iconettes and their live five piece band, The Hitzvilles, will add a touch of glamour to The Old Courthouse on Saturday 1 April as they perform their tribute show – The Sounds of Motown and Soul.

The Iconettes are Northern Irelands most exciting musical, homage to some of the most famous girl groups and divas of the golden era of Motown and Soul.  They will perform hits from The Ronettes, The Three Degrees, The Marvelettes, The Crystals and of course the iconic Supremes. The Iconettes style, glamour and musical influences make this band a huge hit with lovers of Motown and Soul.

Tickets for this fun, sassy and interactive tribute to the Iconic girls from the Motown and Soul era are available from Box Office T: 028 9442 8331or online www.theoldcourthousetheatre.com

Details of St George’s 2017 Twilight Markets revealed

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Traders are being invited to apply for a place at this year’s seasonally-themed Twilight Markets.

The ‘Spring Picnic’ will take place at St George’s Market on 9 and 10 May, followed by the ‘Summer Beach Party’ on 1 and 2 August and finally the ‘Twinkling Winter’ market on 7 and 8 November.

Last year’s two Twilight Markets between them attracted almost 46,500 visitors.  The expansion of the event to three dates in 2017 looks set to increase those numbers even further.

Belfast City Council is now inviting applications for artisan food and drink producers, artists and craftspeople seeking to be a part of the spring and summer events.  Go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/twilightbelfast for details on criteria for traders, stall hire charges, and how to register your interest to trade.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 10 April.

Do you have what it takes to be Antrim’s next top model?

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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council are currently on the lookout for male and female models aged between 16 and 25.

Dave Pettard and Pearl Mitchell launch the call for models for Antrim’s Spring Fashion Show.

These fashionistas are needed to model a stunning selection of the latest high street style trends at the Spring Fashion Show in Castle Mall on Saturday 8 April.

If you would like to take part in this fabulous Spring Fashion Show please come along to Castle Mall on Thursday 23 March between 5pm and 8pm, to see if you have what it takes to be Antrim’s next top model. Nuala Meenehan, one of Northern Ireland’s top models and Ulster Tatler columnist, is part of the model scout judging panel. She will pass on her expertise to the models selected so that Antrim puts its best foot forward.

For more information about the call for models or the fashion show T. 028 9446 3113 or E. Karen.Uprichard@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

JAZZ & SHAKESPEARE HEAD THE BILL AT THE MARKET PLACE

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The Market Place Theatre Armagh’s Jazz Supper Club is back with a bit of a twist.

Treat yourself to a night of great music at our popular Jazz Supper Club. Taking centre stage will be the hugely popular Gerry Rice Quartet whose superb jazz vibe promises to move you, groove you and have you dancing in the aisles. The £15 admission price will now include wine on arrival and light refreshments during the interval. The event will take place on Friday 24 March at 8.30pm.

Then on Tuesday 28 March, Merely Theatre Company will present Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Romeo & Juliet, about a longstanding feud between two noble families of Verona; the Montagues and Capulets. The star-crossed lovers hope marriage can lead to an end to the family feud. Exhilarating and sharp, the production offers an authentic Shakespearean experience for the 21st century.

Merely Theatre present young love in all its raw and savage beauty. The show drives through action-packed thrills and tender intimacy to crushing loss. Five actors blast the company’s signature style to conjure a stirring theatrical experience.

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com 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.

Spring Community Open Day at the Giant’s Causeway & Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

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To celebrate the arrival of Spring, the National Trust is inviting you to explore the exhilarating North Coast as it opens its doors to a number of its most outstanding places on Saturday 11 March for its annual Free Open Day.

Visitors can enjoy the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience and access to the jaw-dropping Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge free of charge.

Visitors to the Giant’s Causeway can avail of free entry to the Visitor Centre from 9.00am – 6.00pm (last free admission 5pm) which includes free use of a hand-held audio guide and the option of  joining one of the free guided walking tours which leave every hour. Guests can also take advantage of free Park & Ride from Bushmills to the Giant’s Causeway and with activities planned throughout the day, the National Trust is delighted to invite everyone to experience first-hand the myth and legend of Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site.

For those brave enough to cross the rope bridge, the site will be open 9.00am – 6.00pm (last ticket available at 5.15pm) with free access to the bridge and free guided tours of the fishery, which will run every 15 minutes between 1.00pm – 4.00pm.  Visitors can also enjoy a welcome rest at the tearoom which will be open 9.00am – 6.00pm.

Esther Dobbin, Commercial Operations Manager at National Trust commented, ‘Spring is a wonderful time of year and with our Free Community Open Day taking place on 11 March there’s never been a better time to come and explore the National Trust on the North Coast!  The Spring Community Open Day was inspired five years ago to give us an opportunity to say thank you to our local supporters and invite visitors from near and far to come and discover these amazing places.

“Whether you choose to spend the day in the footsteps of the giants, and learn more about the Legend Finn McCool at the Giant’s Causeway or take on the challenge of our rope bridge and dig out binoculars to spy the seabirds, we are confident that you will have a day to remember.”

With the option to visit both places or simply stop off at one, National Trust has an enthusiastic and experienced team on hand to offer practical help and advice.

The not to be missed free Community Open Day provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the marvels that are the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede.  A number of other National Trust places across Northern Ireland will also be opening their doors for free on 11 March, so why not take the opportunity to explore these fantastic places.

WORLD-RENOWNED SCULPTOR EXHIBITS AT MARKET PLACE THEATRE

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KEVIN FRANCIS GRAY: MID-CAREER RETROSPECTIVE is the next Exhibition to feature at the Market Place Gallery. The Exhibition opens on Thursday 16th March – 13 April 2017 and comprises Gray’s sculptural works from the last decade with diverse materials from resin and plaster to porcelain, bronze and marble.

Born in Armagh in 1972, Gray returns to his hometown for this unique solo exhibition at the Market Place Gallery as part of the city’s annual Home of St Patrick Festival 2017 Armagh & Down.

Gray’s exhibition focuses on his career up until late 2015, showcasing his early investigations into material from resin to porcelain; from bronze to marble. This varied selection of work gives a glimpse into the range of personal inspirations Gray draws from both his life growing up in South Armagh and the wider context of living and working in East London and its surrounding neighbourhood.

 

This exhibition comes at a pivotal moment in his career, as Gray develops new artistic language using exclusively marble: further pushing what he sees as the possible limits of the material, as well as the opportunity to contextualise an otherwise classic material in a contemporary conversation.

Throughout the majority of his career, Gray has worked closely with the Giannoni family, among the oldest and most respected marble artisans in Pietrasanta, Tuscany. Previously known for producing replicas of seminal Vatican sculptures, the artisans are deeply rooted in tradition, and before Gray, had never extensively worked with a contemporary artist. Using sculpting techniques going back centuries (the Giannoni studio uses no machinery, despite robotic technology making advances), the artisans and Gray meticulously block out, carve and polish each work by hand, from start to finish. The painstaking manual labour and dedication to exceptional quality give the artwork rarity and offer it its due resurrection.

Kevin Francis Gray has generated bodies of work which address the complex relationship between abstraction and figuration. His work has been included in exhibitions at the Pace Gallery, New York; Pace Gallery, London; Royal Academy, London; Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, UK; Museum of Contemporary Art of the Val de-Marne, Paris; Nieuw Dakota, Amsterdam; Palazzo Arti Napoli, Naples; Musee d’art Moderne, Saint-Etienne; ARTIUM, Centro-Museo Vasco de Arte Contemporáneo, Spain; Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Israel; and Art Space, New York.

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.

 

Children’s Aerial Dance treat set for Theatre at The Mill

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Fidget Feet are back at Theatre at The Mill on Sunday 19 March to present their aerial dance show Strange Feathers.

Strange Feathers is aimed at children from 18 months – 7 years. The story is based on two little birds learning to fly with the help of their surroundings in nature. With two aerial dancers and a musician on stage Strange Feathers mixes contemporary dance, aerial dance and live music in a humorous way. Feathers drop from the sky to the beautiful sounds of soft music in this beautifully crafted and exquisitely delivered show. Strange Feathers is full of unexpected and colourful wonders, which invite the children to explore, interact and discover new things about their world!

Strange Feathers is a co-production between Fidget Feet (Ireland) and the Bird & Bat (Iceland) a co-collaboration between Icelandic and Irish artists. Fidget Feet is an aerial dance company that has in the past 10 years grown to become the biggest of its kind in Ireland. Their performances mix dance, aerial work, projections live music and theatre and have made shows of all sizes all over the world. Bird & Bat started in 2012 and specialise in making quality dance performances for young children.

After the performance the children are invited up on stage to meet the performers and explore the space as feathers drop from the sky.  Tickets for this performance are available from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online www.theatreatthemill.com.

 

A Mother’s Day FREE family event at Navan Centre Armagh

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On Sunday 26th March come along and enjoy a FREE event at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh which is just perfect as a family day for Mother’s Day.

From 11.00am – 3.00pm it is your chance to get up close to some of the bugs, mini-beasts and creepy crawlies living round us and some more unusual characters too!

With our friends from Mantella Environmental Education we will highlight the roles these important animals play in our local environment.

Come along and learn what a millipede feels like, why spiders have eight eyes and why some of our birds of prey are making a comeback after years of absence.

This event coincides with Mother’s Day so is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to spend a lovely time together at no cost!

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

OFFERS OF THE WEEK

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Northern Ireland boasts a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for an ideal short break and Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

  • Coastal Escape Experience, The Whistledown Hotel, Co. Down, from £99pps. The three-star Whistledown Hotel is located on the shores of Carlingford Lough overlooking the Mourne Mountains and Cooley Peninsula with award winning restaurants and bars and a beer garden overlooking the Lough. Enjoy a two-night break with breakfast each morning and a three course meal in the Bistro on the evening of your choice. A £20 supplement applies per person on Friday and Saturday nights Valid until 31 March. To book call (028) 41 754174.
  • Malone Lodge Hotel & Apartments, Belfast, from £69.50pps The stunning four-star Malone Lodge Hotel is located in the leafy Queen’s Quarter of South Belfast, a short walk to the city centre. Check in and enjoy an overnight stay in a classic bedroom, two course evening meal in the Knife and Fork Restaurant, full Irish breakfast – cooked to order and two tickets for Titanic Belfast. Valid until 31 March. To book call (028) 30 388000.
  • Destination Deluxe, Galgorm Resort & Spa, Co. Antrim, £95pps. Galgorm Resort & Spa is a four-star hotel located in Ballymena, Co. Antrim. The Resort boasts a selection of restaurants and bars; conferencing and banqueting facilities as well as a unique Thermal Spa Village and is an ideal location to explore the Causeway Coastal Route.  Enjoy a one-night luxurious stay in a deluxe guestroom with canapés on arrival, free mini bar, late check out and a gastronomic breakfast. Experience the best of local produce with an afternoon tea in the Conservatory and access to the award-winning Spa facilities. Valid until 31 March. To book call (028) 25 881001

 

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

*All offers are subject to availability.

10 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland this week (March 13 – March 19).

 

  • Féile an Earraigh, various locations, Belfast, March 13 – 19. Belfast’s traditional spring festival returns on Monday with a feast of music, talks, tours, live entertainment and St Patrick’s Day festivities celebrating the best of Irish arts and culture. This year, the festival is partnering with the Respect Human Rights Film Festival which has produced a programme that offers a dazzling diversity of events, offering a wider understanding of human rights subjects.
  • Legenderry Food Festival, Guildhall Square, Derry~Londonderry, March 17 – 19. The Legenderry Food Festival returns for three days to the city’s Guildhall Square. The festival which was recently awarded the Best NI Food Event at the Year of Food and Drink Awards is back showcasing the talents of our local chefs and producers. Expect live looking demos, artisan foods, street theatre, music and much more!
  • The Emigrants Farewell, Ulster American Folk Park, Co. Tyrone, March 17. Join in the fun this St Patrick’s Day at the Ulster American Folk Park and attend the ‘American Wake’. Countless thousands of people left Ireland in the 18th and 19th Centuries.  For many, the hours before departure became known as the ‘American or Living Wake’. Watch this dramatic re-enactment complete with music and song.
  • Voice of the Irish, Newry Cathedral, Co. Down, March 19. This inaugural concert will be given by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland with its own inspirational complement of up to 100 young musicians from across Ireland performing a light and highly tuneful programme of popular songs, movie themes and classics interspersed with readings and performances by some of Ireland’s leading actors and musicians. Booking essential and available through Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry.
  • St Patrick’s Day Parade and Concert, Custom House Square, Belfast, March 17. The streets of Belfast will be awash with colour from twelve noon as the carnival parade leaves Belfast City Hall snaking its way through the heart of the city to Custom House Square where the St Patrick’s Day annual concert will start at 12.45pm sharp. Performers at this year’s concert include X-Factor runner-up, Fleur East, Reggie ‘n’ Bollie and Stooshe. Entry to the concert will be on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are not required.
  • Steam & Shamrocks: Vintage Traction Engine Road Run, Co. Fermanagh, March 17. A popular annual event organised by Headhunters Railway Museum commencing at Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown at 9 am. After participating in the annual St Patrick’s Day Scout Parade through the town the vintage engines will steam their way into Enniskillen early afternoon joining the St Patrick’s Day Parade which departs from the Lakeland Forum.
  • Spot, Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Co. Armagh, March 16. Spot is a friendly and endearing stage light that loves to tell stories. Spot can be the yellow sun, the blue sea or red fire; a balloon, a hoop or nothing at all. But most of all Spot loves to have fun. The show is a magical world of light, sound and movement for early years’ children. Booking essential.
  • Cinderella – La Cenerentola, Grand Opera House, Belfast, March 16 – 18. A much-loved fairy tale but not quite as you know it. Cinderella dreams of a better life as she scrubs the floor of the school of dance. The prince arrives seeking a companion and so this sparkling rom-com goes.An evening of pure magic is in store uniting the fun, fire and brilliance of Rossini’s music with a fresh and witty production. With fabulous frocks and dance woven into the very music of this opera, Cinderella prescribes a healthy dose of entertainment to cure those winter blues.
  • Living History, Dundrum Castle, Co. Down, March 16. The ancient rivalry between the Norman Knights of the deLaceys and the deCourcys is explored in a display of the everyday objects of the early 13th century. It wasn’t all fighting and warfare in the Middle Ages, here’s a chance to explore how people, dressed, ate and amused themselves in the castle’s heyday.
  • Pat Woods & Friends, Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Co. Armagh, March 16. Join Pat Woods, The Bard From Armagh, for an intimate evening of song and banter.  A previous winner of Entertainer of the Year, Pat’s career has seen him tour many times in the U.S.A. playing the Irish festivals in cities of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Muskegon.  Pat will share the stage with some special guests during an evening that promises to be one to remember.

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