Enjoy a free, family event – just perfect for the end of January.

On Sunday 31st January from 11.00am – 3.00pm take part in Craft-ology, a drop in event where children will get the opportunity to make some very different types of crafts, expand their imaginations and who perhaps make some very useful objects or decorations to adorn your home. We provide the materials, you just need to bring the family and have some fun!

Don’t miss this chance to release the ‘crafter’ in your child.

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

Check out the official trailer for Suicide Squad.

Vote for Causeway Coast and Glens in BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards

The Causeway Coast and Glens has been nominated as Holiday Destination of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2015/16.

One of the jewels in the crown of Northern Ireland tourism has been nominated for the award by expert travel writer Dixe Willis alongside four other regions across the United Kingdom to win the coveted accolade.

The four UK regions are: Suffolk, England; Snowdonia, Wales; Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland and Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Kerrie McGonigle, Destination Manager at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated by the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards for Holiday Destination of the Year.

“The Causeway Coast and Glens is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic tourist destinations. What makes it unique is how the beauty of our natural landscape is used for an array of activities from the more sedate to the most adventurous, from world-class golf and miles of unspoilt beaches to surfing and coasteering, backed up with an unrivalled passion for award-winning local food & drink, served up with a warm welcome. And of course, we can also boast Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Giant’s Causeway.

“We would encourage everyone to get voting and let’s see Causeway Coast and Glens named as the Holiday Destination of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2015/16.”

The BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards is now its fifth year and celebrates the best of the UK’s countryside – from great heritage attractions, favourite holiday destinations, best nature reserves and finest rural pubs.

The 2015-16 Awards launch in the January 2016 issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine on sale 18 December 2015, and feature 11 categories.

Vote for the Causeway Coast and Glens online on the BBC Countryfile Magazine website: www.countryfile.com/awards2015-16

Voting closes on 31 January. The winners will be announced in an online ceremony in March and will appear in the May issue of the magazine (on sale 8 April).

Coleraine Goes Country is back! And Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is hosting an ‘Open Mic Night’ next month to attract local talent to the event.

The evening will be held in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine on Thursday, 18^th February at 7.30pm. Entrants must play ‘Country’ and come from the Borough of Causeway Coast and Glens.

The winner will be given the opportunity to play at the main event in Coleraine Town Centre on Saturday, 26^th March as part of the Country Music Festival, as well as receiving a gift voucher from the Lodge hotel, there could be other opportunities too, as judges will be from the music industry, so entrants must be quick! All entries must be submitted to Council by Tuesday, 9^th February.

To be in with a chance of appearing and competing to play at the festival, details of the event and the application form to be shortlisted for the Open Mic Night, go online to the Coleraine Goes Country Facebook page.

Coleraine Goes Country festival takes place in Coleraine from 24^th to 26^th March and is designed to attract shoppers and visitors to the town, with music being played in shops, bars, coffee shops and in town centre over the three days.

Updates will be regularly added to Facebook on bands and individuals playing the festival this year but for now, pass onto anyone who plays country music in the Borough of the Causeway Coast and Glens.

The evening is free for everyone to come along and listen to the Borough’s local talent!

ANNIE, the world’s favourite family musical, comes to the Millennium Forum for one week only from Tuesday 23^rd until Saturday 27^th February.

Tickets are priced from £19.50 and are now available from the Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

Starring Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan, this much loved show returns to the city to delight its legions of local fans.

Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years. Lesley and her co-stars returned to our screens in “Birds of a Feather in 2013 with a second series airing earlier this year. Lesley’s theatre credits include ‘Miss Hannigan’ in “Annie” at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour. Her other touring credits include “Calendar Girls” and “Hot Flush!”.

Lesley is joined by Alex Bourne as ‘Oliver Warbucks’, Holly Dale Spencer as ‘Grace Farrell’, Jonny Fines as ‘Rooster’ and Djalenga Scott as ‘Lily’. The company also includes James Alan- Evans. Lewis Bradley, Nic Gibney, Sinead Kenny, Michael Lin, Alice Liveing,  Megan Louch, Callum McArdle, Benjamin Mundy, Steven Oliver, Heather Scott-Martin, Anne Smith, Kate Somerset How.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow. Don’t miss Annie – you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!

Annie The Musical returns to the Millennium Forum from Tuesday 23^rd until Saturday 27^th February.  Tickets are now available from the Box Office and are priced from £19.50.   Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

Weighing In is the fast paced new comedy by Ger Gallagher starring Rose Henderson (Fair City) and Isobel Mahon (Glenroe) at The Courtyard Theatre

Thursday 21 January. Anyone who has ever been to a Slimming Class will feel an instant sense of dread with the first mention of points, calorie calculators and of course the scales!

This bolshie new comedy is about life, love and dieting and how we all need to adjust the scales to find the right balance.  Highly driven Pam and motherly Breda strike up an unlikely relationship at their weekly Easi-Slim classes and learn that things aren’t always what they appear to be and sometimes you already have the life you have been wishing for.

So don’t be blue this January treat yourself to a great night out.  Tickets from £8, available from Box Office 028 9034 0202 or www.thecourtyardtheatre.com.

The Market Place Theatre Cajun | Bluegrass Club returns featuring the best of bluegrass and Cajun music and food. ‘Wookalily’ will provide the music for the evening – a female led band hailing from all over the North who have gigged extensively throughout Ireland providing a lively unique sound, crafting a flourishing stage presence to be reckoned with and creating a unique and quirky sound that’s all heart.

Their style, sometimes referred to as chillbilly roots, has an old-timey feel with a young-timey appeal. The Cajun Bluegrass Club will take place on Saturday 30^th January at 8pm. Tickets are priced £12 or £22 [with supper].

‘A Viennese Strauss Gala’ is now in its 15th year, and back in the UK by popular demand, with a sparkling new anniversary production. Recreating the romance of the Viennese Festive season, reminding you of a bygone age of glamorous soirees and Strauss waltzes, the show features highlights from some of the great Operettas of the Strauss family, Kalman and Lehar; including ‘Die Fledermaus’, ‘The Merry Widow’ and many more. The European Orchestral Ensemble will accompany four Soloists from major Opera companies; including Opera North, English National Opera and D’Oyly Carte. This wonderful production is cleverly staged and choreographed, and authentically costumed, and will appeal to the romantic as much as the music aficionado. This performance will take place on Friday 5^th February at 8pm. Tickets are priced £17.50 each.

Scotland’s Ross Ainslie [Radio 2 ‘Musician Of The Year’ Award nominee] and Tyrone-born Jarlath Henderson [BBC ‘Young Musician Of The Year’] first met back in 2003 at the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh. The pair exploded onto the scene with 2009’s stunning debut album, ‘Partners In Crime’. Individually they’re two of the best players around, but together they create a sound built on an astonishing intuition. Their sound bursts with emotion and energy – a fusion of pipes and flutes that pushes the boundaries of what the instruments can achieve. Backed by the hugely talented Ali Hutton [guitar]. The trio will perform at The Market Place on Friday 5^th February at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 or £11 (concession).

Details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets can be booked by contacting 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.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (January 18 -24).

• Burns’ Night with the Ulster Orchestra and Friends, Ulster Hall, Belfast, January 23. Join the Ulster Orchestra and friends for a night of Ceilidh toe-tapping traditional tunes with the romance of Robert Burns’ poetry and song set to music and a visual spectacle that celebrates Burns Night perfectly! This annual concert, celebrating the rich cultural links between Scotland and Northern Ireland, is the hottest ticket in town! Show begins 7.45pm.

• Big Garden Birdwatch, Belfast’s Window on Wildlife, Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast, January 23. Join the team at Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW) for this free drop-in event and learn basic birdwatching skills. You’ll also have the chance to make delicious treats to attract our feathered friends to your patch. Between 10am and 3pm.

• The Mulligan Brothers, F.E. McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge, Co. Down, January 22. Storytelling takes centre stage as one of Alabama’s most promising up-and-coming bands, The Mulligan Brothers blend bittersweet lyrics with comforting Americana/folk melodies. Playing in the candle lit Bronte Church this is an event for all genuine music lovers. Show begins at 9pm.

• Legally Blonde The Musical, Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, January 21-February 6. Award-winning Ballywillan Drama Group brings the wonderful new musical Legally Blonde to the Riverside for sixteen performances. This is musical theatre at its best with great songs and witty lines. Smart, sassy and spectacular. Nightly shows at 8pm and with matinee performances at 2.30pm on the three Saturdays during the run.

• Simple Good Food Cookery Demo, Orchard Acre Farm, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, January 23. Part of a series of spring detoxing events, this cookery demo and tutorial will focus on nourishing your body using simple good food. Covered topics will include main meals, new ideas and methods to create nourishing meals at home as well as guidance on how to select the best dishes off menus when dining out.

• Johnny Brady at SHARE, Smiths Strand, Shanaghy, Co. Fermanagh, January 23. Dust off your jiving shoes for a night of dancing and great live music with country star Johnny Brady and his energetic live band. Doors open at 8.30pm.

• Cabaret Supper Club, Marketplace Theatre, Armagh, Co. Armagh, January 22. Feel like a star for the night at Armagh’s first cabaret supper club! Experience an evening like no other as you enjoy a sumptuous meal and a glass of bubbly while watching some of the best live music and magicians, in the intimate setting of The Market Place Studio Theatre.

• Of Mice and Men, Black Box, Belfast, January 19. Steinbeck’s classic story of drifters George and his simple-minded friend Lennie is one of outsiders striving to find their place in an unforgiving world. The moving and timeless play is scored with the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson’s beautiful voice. Show begins at 1pm.

• Mulan Pantomime, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, January 22-30. Discover the well-known traditional Chinese story of Mulan through a new light as the Strabane Arts Academy proudly present their first pantomime of 2016. Starts at 7.30pm.

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Years & Dance Hall Days, Grand Opera House, Belfast, January 21. Rock ‘n’ Roll Years and Dance Hall Days will see audiences relive all the memories of a decade that saw the birth of pop, from the ballads of Ruby Murray, Perry Como and Dean Martin to the early rock ‘n’ roll hits of Buddy Holly, Brenda Lee and Bill Hailey. Show begins 8pm.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

American singer song-writer Kimmie Rhodes takes to the stage on Thursday 21 January at The Old Courthouse Antrim.

Kimmie’s promotional tours have created a solid fan base across the U.K., Ireland and Europe where she and her band regularly headline major music festivals.

Labelling the sound she hoped to create her latest album “Cowgirl Boudoir”, Kimmie embarked on a retro-cowgirl-hippie-chick musical experiment with fellow collaborators, quirky cool featured guest artists, Johnny Goudie and producer, Gabriel Rhodes, writing and  singing songs that fuse traditional country sounds with influences from the 60’s-80s into a seamless blend.

As an artist having; grown up attending musical theatre classes as a child, survived teen-hood on the streets of Lubbock, Texas during the Dylan and British Invasion era, made the pilgrimage “back to the country” in the great Austin convergence of the 70s.  She received a degree in fun from Jack Clement’s Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa and finally passed “What Would Willie Do 101” with flying colours as his protégé and duet partner deemed the “Outlaw Sweetheart” of the new millennium, she’s found her sound.

Rhodes’ beloved Sunbird Studios House Band delivers a mélange of steel guitar, Dobro, ukulele, mandolin, electric sitar, B3 organ and percussions that underscore this edgy autobiography with cowpunkadelical perfection.

We are delighted to welcome her back  to The Old Courthouse Thursday 21 January Tickets available from only £8, contact Box Office 028 9446 3113 or online wwwantrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk.

Down

Charlie Smyth with the Newry Panto Players presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 16th – 23rd January at Newry Town Hall.  Busting with all the ingredients of a classic fairytale, including a Wicked Stepmother, a Handsome Prince and a Damsel in Destress – a great family pantomime not to be missed.!

Armagh

The Three Amigos perform LIVE in Concert at the Armagh city Hotel this Thursday 14th January.  Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizzell and Patrick Feeney. Tickets £25 (Unreserved Seating). Doors Open 7pm. Show Starts 8pm.  The amigos live stage show is regarded as one of the most exciting ever seen on the live circuit in Ireland. Featuring a mix of well-choreographed comedy sketches and lively banter with a repertoire of some of the world’s best known country and Irish standards. The show will also include a selection of the hits that catapulted all three singers onto the country music landscape.

Fermanagh

Lakeland Players present Dick Whittington. This class tale of young Dick, who travels to London accompanied by his cat, hoping to make his fortune. An assortment of comic characters cross his path in a series of great adventures with the usual happy ever after ending. At the  Ardhowen Theatre until Saturday 16th January.

Tyrone

Created by award-winning lyricist and country music star, Jimmy Hendry, ‘The Golden Years Of Country Music’ is an amazing 2½ hour show at the Alley Theatre Strabane this Friday 15th January. Song after song, hit after hit from the past five decades, this is the most authentic pure country show of its kind.  The superb Seven piece band and special guest Steven Lynch from Finn Valley FM, this is a show not to be missed!

Derry

See Homegrown at the Millennium Forum this Friday 15th January.  Since 2013, the Homegrown gigs have gone from strength to strength, showcasing the best in local musical talent. This year’s line-up includes Paul Casey & Band, Ports and Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas. Special guests are Eilidh Patterson, Eamon Friel and Prima String Quartet. Don’t miss this celebration of local talent at its very best!

Antrim

Dove Drama Group present the classic fairytale pantomime Snow White from Thursday 14th January to Saturday 16th January at the Courtyard Theatre Newtownabbey.  Once upon a time there lived a lovely princess with fair skin and blue eyes. She was so fair that she was named Snow White…. what happens next? Book your tickets early to find out.  Come along with the family and meet the fairest Snow White of them all, her Wicked Step-Mother, the Handsome Prince and the Seven Dwarfs who are full of mischief and merriment.  Show Times: 7.30pm Saturday Matinee at 2.15pm

Belfast

The Holiday World Show, Northern Ireland’s largest annual holiday spectacular will move home to the NEW Titanic Exhibition Centre in 2016.  From Friday 15 January – Sunday 17 January 2016, the holiday extravaganza brings a world of destinations – at home and abroad – together under one roof, making Holiday World the place to find out where to go and how to pay less for your holiday.  Holiday World runs from 1pm to 6pm on Friday and from 11am to 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is £5 for adults, £4 for senior citizens, £3 for students, and £10 for a special family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children).

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