Theatre at The Mill is delighted to present a number of outdoor theatre performances throughout July and August in the beautiful setting of our Civic Square in Mossley Mill.

Chapter House Theatre Company will present The Secret Garden Thursday 2 July. Join young Mary Lennox as she unlocks the mystery of the secret garden accompanied by an array of woodland friends. This enchanting story, loved by children and adults alike, is brought alive with music, song and beautiful woodland puppet creatures. This version is adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel by Laura Turner.

Join us for an encore screening of the Shakespeare Classic The Merchant of Venice Saturday 25 July with the Royal Shakespeare Company. By special arrangement, Shakespeare’s uncompromising tragedy will be transmitted on the big screen in the stunning setting of Mossley Mill. This is a unique opportunity to experience this new production by the Royal Shakespeare Company, performed in London on 22 July 2015.

Following the success of last year’s memorable gala evening, we are happy to welcome back this special Outdoor Opera Gala Evening Saturday 15 August which will include a cornucopia of operatic delights performed in the open air of Mossley Mill. Under the direction of Andrew Synnott, distinguished Irish soprano Virginia Kerr and friends from the international opera stage will perform classic arias from the world of opera and operetta including works by Rossini, Bizet, Mozart, Lehar and Dvorak among others to be accompanied by Theatre at The Mill Ensemble.

To get the best out of your outdoor theatre experience we welcome audiences to bring along their own picnics and rugs or low back seating to the event as well as clothing suitable for all weather conditions. Drinks and Light refreshments will be available to purchase from the theatre bar (The Merchant of Venice & Outdoor Opera Gala Evening). Please note grounds open 1 hour before the performance.

For ticket prices and times visit our website www.theatreatthemill.com or call our box office on 028 90340202

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 15 -21).

• Ladies Night at An Creagán, Creggan, Omagh, Co Tyrone, June 19. Join in on a fun filled evening with canapés on arrival, hair and makeup demonstrations with ‘The Beauty Bar’ and a fashion Show with ‘All Marvellous & Lavery’. Begins at 7.30pm.

• Festival Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, June 19-21. Festival Lough Erne will be a celebration of locally produced food and the world renowned Lough Erne, over a busy weekend of fun for all ages. Over the course of the weekend the Festival will serve up gourmet dining experiences, a popup restaurant, wine and beer tasting, craft and artisan food, talks and food sector debates and even a Ready, Steady, Cook Off with local celebrities. It will take place in and around Broadmeadow and the newly developed Castle Basin area.

• Second Skin exhibition, Playhouse Theatre, Artillery Street, Co Londonderry, until July 16. Second Skin is one of the core exhibitions in the Irish Design 2015 touring programme that highlights the calibre of Irish design across a broad range of disciplines. It previously toured to Kilkenny and London and this is its only NI venue. From 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday (free admission).

• Bike Week 2015, The Diamond, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, June 15.  Enjoy a 12 mile cycle ride along the North Coast, mostly within the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, starting and finishing in Coleraine. You will be able to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery along the route which follows National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 93 from Coleraine to Downhill Forest and return.   Partake of some well-earned refreshments at the half way point in the tranquil surroundings of the Bishop’s Gate and Downhill Forest. Check online for time listings.

• Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Northern Ireland, Mourne and Strangford, Counties Down and Antrim, June 21. The first Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Northern Ireland will be held on June 21. This major cycling legacy event follows the huge success of the Giro d’Italia. Gran Fondo events are closed-road sportives aimed at amateur cyclists around the world who travel to the host country to participate. Participants will enjoy mechanical support along the route, fully stocked food and hydration stations, a Gift Bag, a post-ride pasta party with beer and wine, finishers’ medals and much more.

• Broughgammon Open Farm Weekend, Straid Road, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, June 15-16. Come along and enjoy a day out at Broughgammon Farm where everyone is welcome. Plans for the weekend include stalls from local producers as well as a mini fete and many other activities. From 11 am – 6.30pm.

• A Taste of Titanic, Titanic Belfast, Belfast, June 19. Taste your way through the story of RMS Titanic with Titanic Belfast’s signature two hour food tasting tour, the ultimate combination of culture, history, food and fun! Go on a guided journey through the Titanic Galleries and learn about the fascinating story of the world’s most famous ship and sample culinary delights from the era. Tours will run at 6.30pm, 7.30pm or 8.30pm.

• Go Wild with Dad for Father’s Day, Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh, Co Armagh, June 21. Treat your dad to a Father’s Day he will remember starting with a Wild BBQ and then watch as he tries his hand at making a wattle and daub fence – no doubt it’s going to be mucky. From 1pm.

• Father’s Day and Summer Solstice Sea Safari Trips, various locations, Co Down, June 21. Treat dad to an extra special afternoon with this unique gift. See the nature and wildlife as you explore the beautiful waters of Strangford Lough aboard our 12 seater RIB. Highlights will include Angus Rocks Lighthouse, SeaGen (the first electricity generating tidal turbine in Europe), seals and possibly even a pod of porpoises. Trips leave from Strangford Pier and run hourly throughout the day.

• Belfast ‘Titango’ Tango Festival, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast, until June 19-21. Belfast’s Fourth International ‘Titango’ Festival, swings in to the Belfast this June. In addition to the 20 workshops for everyone from beginners to experienced tangueros, there are nightly milongas (dances) with feature performances and an all day Tango Café.

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.

Iron Man, R2-D2 and T-800 from Terminator are just a few of the robots, cyborgs and android stars of the big and small screen that are set to take centre stage at Titanic Belfast’s ROBOTS exhibition from 26^th June – 13th September.

Thousands of visitors are expected to travel from far and wide to enjoy the ROBOTS exhibition at Titanic Belfast, which has something for children and adults alike, making it the not to be missed summer event.
With around 50 robots on display, visitors to the exhibition at the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience will be spoilt for choice.
Film fans won’t be disappointed with Sonny from I,Robot, the B9 robot from Lost in Space and the cyborg RoboCop on the bill.  Enduring family favourites such as the stars from Star Trek, Red Dwarf and Robby the Robot from Forbidden Plant will also be at Titanic Belfast.
For those who prefer ‘the dark side’, robots like ABC robot from Judge Dredd and a Sontaran from Doctor Who, will be awaiting Northern Ireland visitors at the largest ROBOT exhibition in Northern Ireland this Summer.
To buy tickets to enter into the world of ROBOTS, priced at £6 per adult and £3 per child (age 5-16 years) with family tickets (two adults and two children) costing £16, visit: www.titanicbelfast.com or phone +4428 90766 399.

Imagine getting dropped off at a random location in Northern Ireland with a couple of friends, no money, no use of mobile phone and a series of tasks to complete – all the while trying to make your way safely back to Banbridge. Sound like a challenge?

20 teams of willing volunteers have signed up to take part in the event on Saturday 27^th June, with each team raising funds for two chosen charities; Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and the Southern Area Hospice Services.

Club President, Neil McShane, commented: “At Banbridge Lions Club, our aim is to help people and communities in need as well as raise money for local, national and international charities”.

“We’re very excited about bringing back our Lost & Unleashed event this June. Last year we managed to raise £10,000 for Southern Area Hospice Services and Pancreatic Cancer UK and this year we hope to do the same for the Children’s Hospice and again Southern Area Hospice Services.

“We had teams arriving back in Banbridge in style, some blagging a journey back in a fire engine, others came home on donkeys! It was a thoroughly enjoyable day for us all. We hope after the success of last year’s event that we can have another great day on 27^th June and we really encourage the people of Banbridge to come and join us welcoming the teams back at the Hockey Club – who knows what grand entrances we will experience this year!”

This year’s Lions Lost & Unleashed event is taking place at Banbridge Hockey Club on Saturday 27^th June with teams leaving at 10 am, arriving back between 4 pm and 6 pm and there will be food, a raffle, an auction and a disco from 9pm. Entry on the day is £10 each which includes food provided by Quails Fine Foods.

To find out more about this exciting event, visit www.banbridgelions.com/lostandunleashed or visit the Banbridge Lions Club Facebook page.

The Tall Ships Races are coming back to Belfast from 2 to 5 July, welcomed by the Lidl Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival.

This is the third time that the city has hosted Sail Training International’s annual flagship event, having previously welcomed them in 1991 and more recently in 2009.

This year, the vessels will dock along the harbour from Queen’s Quay, beside The Odyssey, to the Pollock Dock area where the first Tall Ships took place back in 1991.

Around 50 vessels will be gracing our shores, from the impressively large Scandinavian square riggers Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Sorlandet and Christian Radich to the vibrant South American naval ships including Guayas (Ecuador) and Cisne Branco (Brazil).

There’s something for everyone at the four day maritime festival from fairgrounds and markets to live musical performances, an array of street theatre and a BBC interactive zone!

Some of the acts to look forward to on the main stage include teen singing sensation, Bailie McConnell and singer-songwriter, Emma Horan. Street performers will be on hand to entertain festival goers throughout the day, with everything from cheeky seagulls and maritime monologues to balancing sailors, stilt-walkers and jugglers!

With continental markets, international bars, a seafood market in Titanic Quarter and vintage afternoon teas on SS Nomadic, Tall Ships Belfast is a food lover’s haven! Host port sponsor Lidl, will also be offering samples of some of their delicious produce.

The event pays tribute to Belfast’s rich maritime heritage with a mix of seafaring activity in Titanic Quarter and beyond, ranging from rope-making demonstrations to interactive archives and walking tours. The Viking Village in the Pollock Dock area will also offer a host of arts and crafts.

The more adventurous visitors can get involved in water sports, archery and tug of war competitions. T13 will also be on site with Titanic-themed urban art and parkour demos.

And activities aren’t just restricted to land and sea. The sky will also come alive during the event with a kite-flying workshop, hot air balloon displays, fireworks on the Saturday night and the famous Red Arrows on the Sunday!

Additional markets and live entertainment will fill the popular Custom House Square and Belfast City Hall will also get in on the act with marine-themed movies on the big screen and maritime-focused City Hall tours. These events will be connected to Belfast Harbour via a special Tall Ships free shuttle service close to the Belfast Welcome Centre run by Visit Belfast.

And of course, there will be an opportunity to board and explore some of the stars of the show – the Tall Ships themselves!

On the final day, you can witness the amazing scene as the ships leave Belfast or view the spectacle from vantage points along the coastline including Cultra, Jordanstown or Carrickfergus. Or why not take your binoculars up to Cave Hill for a birds-eye view of the proceedings?

Whether you’re a previous tall ships visitor keen to relive those magical moments, or you want to experience this unique event for the first time, come along on 2 to 5 July. Make memories this summer!

For more information go to www.tallshipsbelfast.com or follow @tallships2015 on Twitter and @tallshipsbelfast on Facebook and Instagram.

UK September tour

+

New album at #1

ODYSSEY ARENA: 9^th September

**** Q

**** The Times

**** Evening Standard

***** Timeout

“a joyful return” 8/10 NME

“Florence’s finest hour of all” **** DIY

“Florence is clearly ready to soar once again” **** MOJO

‘How Big How Blue How Beautiful’, Florence’s third critically acclaimed album was released this week to top the UK album chart, selling more than the rest of the top 5 combined, topping the charts in 24 other countries and are currently on course to have their first Number One album in the USA.

Now Florence + the Machine announce their return to the stage with their first full UK tour since March 2012. September will see them embark on a 12 strong string of dates which will take them across the country, culminating with 4 nights at London’s Alexandra Palace. The tour will follow a big festival season for Florence + the Machine who are set to play big slots at Glastonbury, Splendour In The Grass, Electric Picnic amongst others.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 12^th June and will be available from:

Odyssey Arena Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.odysseyarena.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

On Sunday 21^st June @ 1.00pm, at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh treat your dad to a Father’s Day he will remember, starting with a wild BBQ and then watch as he tries his hand at making a wattle and daub fence, under the instruction of the Celtic characters.

The Celts were expert fence builders as they needed fences to protect their homes, their crops and their animals.  But for Father’s Day they are looking for some help with this task… your dad.  It is definitely going to be a mucky job!

It’s hard choosing a ‘different’ gift for your father, but we have it all sorted for you with this great idea.  Admission is just £8.95 per adult and £6.00 per child.  Pre-booking is essential, so book today on www.armagh.co.uk/dad or call 028 3752 9644

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

On Friday 19^th June at 7.00pm join King Conor and his bards at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh to enjoy a fabulous King Conor’s Supper.

The courageous and great King Conor, invites you to take your place at his sumptuous supper table.  The supper will be held in his feasting hall, which will be filled with the sound of music from the internationally renowned Armagh Rhymers, stories from his bards and of course there will be plenty of cheering and laughter from you, the guests!

A great evening out, not to be missed.  You are welcome to bring your own wine to this event, corkage will not be charged.  This event isn’t suitable for children under 8 years.

Admission for this event is £16.00 per adult and £6.00 per child, this cost includes your food and entertainment.  Pre-booking is essential on www.armagh.co.uk/kingconor

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

BuskFest is sending the call out to buskers from near and far to take part in the 12th annual busking festival, which takes place on Saturday 27 June in Banbridge town centre.

Every year at BuskFest the streets of Banbridge town centre are bustling with hundreds of musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers from across the globe entertaining the appreciative crowds in the hope of winning a prize from the £3000 cash pot.

The competition runs from 1.00pm – 4.30pm and will culminate in an awards ceremony hosted by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean in Solitude Park from 4.30pm – 6.00pm.

Music fans will be in for a treat, with BBC’s The Voice contestant and local singing star Daniel Duke and band kicking off proceedings, followed by performances by the winners of each of the six competition categories.

Categories include overall winner, best individual, best band, best junior performer, best performance which is sponsored by Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Spirit of BuskFest’ prize, sponsored by The Outlet, Banbridge.

As well as a superb cash prize, the overall winner will also land a prime spot on the line-up at Sunflowerfest music festival, which takes place at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough, Co Down from 31 July – 2 August 2015.

Online registration is now open via the website at www.buskfest.com and further details can be found on the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/buskfest

With a large number of performers already registered this year promises to deliver another bumper Buskfest. Remember, if you’re not in you can’t win.