It might be cold outside but it’s warm and welcoming inside Portico with its ever-friendly volunteers, gorgeous architecture and wide range of events from classical to contemporary music not to mention stand up comedy shows and even a Christmas panto for the kids.

This weekend brings The Björn Identity on (Sat 16 Nov) for dancing queens of all ages followed on Sunday (17 Nov) afternoon by The Fews Ensemble with special guest Tenor Aaron O’Hare. Their programme includes favourites from Schubert and Barber as well as the world premiere of Amy Rooney’s ‘Response’.

Three comedians are bringing stand up shows to Portaferry in the next few weeks: William Thompson (Fri 22 Nov), Neil Delamere (Fri 29 Nov) and Tim McGarry (Fri 13 Dec).

On Sat 23 November, The Illegals featuring Niamh Kavanagh will deliver the best of The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac in one fabulous show. On Fri 6 December, another two for one special event pairs The Henry Girls with folk artists Lore to ensure a night of unforgettable harmonies.

Three festive events will get you in the mood for Christmas. First is a much-acclaimed production of Handel’s Messiah by Merry Opera (Sat 7 Dec). This dramatised version features 12 professional singers who each play characters searching for meaning in their everyday lives – a poignant, invigorating and fresh take on the seasonal classic.

Centre Stage Theatre returns with its annual family pantomime on Sunday 15 December at 3pm. This time it’s the turn of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Oh yes it is!

Just before the big day, the congregation of Portaferry Presbyterian Church and The Newquay Singers invite everyone to join them for their annual Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 22 December at 7pm.

Portico is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and by Ards and North Down Borough Council. To find out more about Portico or its programme please visit porticoards.com

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Service has lined-up an array of festive events this Christmas season. The programme includes two Christmas Shopping experiences, some wonderful theatre events and Christmas Craft and Storytelling sessions!

North Down Museum’s Pop-Up Christmas Shop opens on Friday 22 November. The museum’s galleries with be festively decorated and filled with stunning, hand-made products, the perfect place to get that special gift whilst supporting local artists. The shop is free to explore during museum opening hours and will continue until Sunday 5 January.

On Thursday 28 November, the museum will host a special Twilight Shopping Event at the Pop-Up Christmas Shop. Visitors are invited to browse the museum’s galleries to purchase beautiful, handcrafted presents. The free event will also feature live music and demonstrations by local artists.

The Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre returns to Ards Arts Centre on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 December, exclusively featuring artwork and handcrafted produce made by the Creative Peninsula Artists. For a unique shopping experience, visitors can browse the artworks and be inspired to purchase a wonderful, handcrafted Christmas gift, made in the Borough of Ards and North Down. Seasonal music, complimentary gift wrapping, and festive refreshments will also be on offer. The Christmas Fayre is on 4pm – 8pm on Friday 6 and 10am – 4pm on Saturday 7 December. Admission is free.

A Christmas Carol, Being A Christmas Ghost Story by Dyad Productions is happening at Space Theatre, SERC, Bangor on Thursday 28 November. Prepare to be enthralled by this version of Dicken’s classic and perennially relevant ghost story. It’s Christmas Eve and Ebeneezer Scrooge is about to have a ghostly night, he’ll never forget… Taking inspiration from Dickens’ original performances of his own work and utilising the brilliant narrator of the novel to bring the story to life, this solo piece is performed by Andrew Margerison and directed by Rebecca Vaughan.

The whole family will love Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Queen’s Hall, Newtownards on Saturday 7 December at 2pm. Presented by Centre Stage Theatre Company, this classic family tale promises funny scripts, live original music and lots of audience participation! This fabulous production brings audiences the very best in Christmas traditional entertainment. Tickets are on sale now and cost £8.

Kids will also enjoy North Down Museum’s Christmas Storytelling with Squiggles and Giggles on Saturday 7 December. Come along for some festive stories, music and movement! Suitable for under 5s, £5.50 per child. The museum is also hosting Christmas Gift Workshops for kids on Saturday 14 December where children can make a bespoke gift for someone special in their life. Suitable for ages 7+, £7.50 per child, booking required for both events.

Speaking about the events, Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager for Ards and North Down Borough Council said: ‘We have lots of activity to get you in the festive spirit whether it’s an opportunity to buy hand-crafted local gifts or participate in some good old fashioned festive family fun with our annual pantomime. Don’t miss out on Dyad Productions atmospheric performance of A Christmas Carol, Being a Christmas Ghost Story, the perfect start to the festive season!’

For more information to book tickets visit: www.andculture.org.uk

TechFoundHer’s Book Club is back on Monday, 11 November, with an exclusive opportunity to hear from Marcia Dawood—an early-stage investor, TEDx speaker, and author of Do Good While Doing Well. This online event will take place from 7pm to 8:15pm and will be hosted by Suzanne Mills, a leading global innovator and startup ecosystem builder.

Marcia Dawood, who has invested in more than fifty early-stage companies and funds, will discuss how angel investing can be a vehicle for meaningful change, allowing individuals to align their financial goals with positive social impact. Her book, Do Good While Doing Well, explores the power of angel investing to drive change while generating financial and emotional rewards.

Attendees will hear from Marcia about her journey from being an investor in early-stage companies to serving on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, her role as a venture partner at Mindshift Capital, and her leadership in initiatives like the award-winning documentary Show Her The Money.

The event will be introduced by Máirín Murray, founder of TechFoundHer, who will welcome attendees. Suzanne Mills will then lead the book club discussion, diving into key themes from Marcia’s book, exploring the world of angel investing, and helping attendees understand how to leverage investments for social good.

“This online event is an amazing opportunity for entrepreneurs and founders to get into the ‘head’ of a US-based angel investor and discover their rationale for investing. Marcia Dawood has such a positive message and her book is a rallying cry for those who want to do good, to consider investing in impact focused for profit companies.” explained Máirín.

In her TEDx talk Do Good While Doing Well, Marcia Dawood said: “If we really want to effect change, we can start to invest in the things we care about on a much larger scale. It also includes where we spend our time and finding ideas being worked on that haven’t reached the public yet to support. 

“We need to start to look at for-profit companies as well as non-profits. After spending an award-winning career in sales, marketing and operations for one of the largest education providers, Marcia Dawood now works on making people’s dream come true.”

The event promises to be an inspiring evening of discussion, where attendees will learn practical insights into how they too can use their investments to contribute towards creating a positive social impact, while also earning financial returns.

TechFoundHer invites anyone interested in impactful investing and empowering women-led initiatives to join this complimentary online event. 

Book your spot today to secure your place and be part of this insightful discussion. Spaces are limited, so register now at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/techfoundher-bookclub-doing-good-while-doing-well-by-marcia-dawood-tickets-1043084412557 

The Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee is calling for business people from across the city to attend the first Entrepreneurs Unleashed conference.

The networking conference, organised by Excalibur Press and sponsored by Belfast City Council, has been tailored to enhancing the business journeys of entrepreneurs from across the city.

Taking place at the Cathy Short Theatre on November 28 in Jennymount Business Park in lower North Belfast the conference is the first of its kind in the city dedicated solely to supporting entrepreneurs at all levels.

Councillor Nelson said he was delighted to officially launch the conference, highlighting the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs at all stages of running a business.

He said: “Belfast City Council is committed to providing business support to individuals and businesses at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey.

“Entrepreneurs Unleashed provides an opportunity for businesses to hear from local industry experts, meet with key stakeholders and network with other like-minded entrepreneurs.

“This conference aims to create an environment that nurtures business growth, which is a key priority for Belfast City Council and a vital component of the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan.”

This day-long event aims to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of local professionals, providing a collaborative space for networking and growth. 

Entrepreneurs Unleashed will feature a diverse panel of industry experts who will share valuable insights on a range of essential topics, including leveraging AI, effective marketing strategies, navigating the tendering process, and much more.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded aspiring and established business owners, with the event acting as a brilliant networking space.

Alongside drawing inspiration from success stories of fellow entrepreneurs, ticket holders can avail of gaining actionable insights during conversations with fellow attendees as well as headline speakers.

Organised by Tina Calder, Chief Vision Officer at multi-disciplinary media and marketing agency Excalibur Press, Entrepreneurs Unleashed is set to make its event debut inside Jennymount Business Park’s Cathy Short Theatre on Thursday, November 28. 

As a North Belfast native, Tina Calder recognises the significance of this project for the local community.

She said: “As an entrepreneur who grew up in lower North Belfast and a businesswoman who brought her business home to the area just a few months ago I’m proud to be able to deliver this exciting event just off the York Road area, a main arterial route in and out of the city.

“I am passionate about nurturing and supporting entrepreneurial spirit through my business and also as a business mentor across a number of programmes in Northern Ireland.

“I am absolutely delighted that Belfast City Council has recognised the importance of this event which is the first in a series of events and other activities we will be running throughout the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

“Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your business, Entrepreneurs Unleashed is your gateway to unlocking new opportunities.

“We are excited to offer a platform for learning and collaboration that will supercharge your entrepreneurial journey.”

Registration is now open, and interested attendees are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spots.

Entrepreneurs Unleashed Conference will take place on Thursday November 28, at the Cathy Short Theatre, Jennymount Business Park, Belfast, tickets are available from entrepreneursunleashed.co.uk 

From viewing original costumes from the planet’s biggest TV show to sampling whiskey in the birthplace of the world’s most famous ship, one of our most loved actors has been on a voyage of discovery to enjoy some of Northern Ireland’s unique visitor attractions.

Kathy Kiera Clarke, or Aunt Sarah to millions of global fans of the smash hit comedy series, Derry Girls, recently embarked on her own giant adventure to explore some of the places and experiences you can embrace in Northern Ireland that you just can’t find anywhere else. 

And, as the nights draw in, you can holiday like a Derry Girl as Tourism Northern Ireland has recreated Kathy’s itinerary on its website, with a few extra stops along the way for inspiration.

Kathy said: “I’m born and bred in Belfast and it’s always lovely to come home. Every time I come back it seems like there is something new to see, there is a real vibrancy about the place.

“While I’ve always known this place is special, I am thrilled to see that so many people from all over the world think the same. We are truly blessed to have so many amazing places to visit and they’re right on our doorstep.

“For my trip, I wanted to experience Northern Ireland as one of the millions of visitors who come for our world class visitor attractions, award-winning food and drink, giant experiences and amazing scenery.

“If you haven’t had a short break in Northern Ireland for a while, I would highly recommend it.

“There’s never a bad time to visit but now as the seasons change, a short break is perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy the natural landscapes or while away the hours in a snug beside a roaring fire.

“You can find great value, too – there would be no need for Derry Girl, Jenny Joyce to dip too far into her famous trust fund, as a short trip won’t break the bank.

“The people I met along the way underlined how we are a warm and friendly bunch and always ready for a bit of craic. Is it the people or the scenery that makes Northern Ireland so special – that’s a question that could spark endless debate.”

Kathy’s trip included a stay in Belfast’s Grand Central Hotel, an introduction to the Seedhead Arts Street Art Walking Tour, a tour of Titanic Distillers, a stop-off at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace and a visit to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

She also called at Bushmills Inn, the Magheracross Viewpoint outside Portrush, took a NI Black Taxi Tour and marvelled at the beauty of Enniskeen Estate & Forest Spa which is set within the Mourne Mountains.

Kathy said: “Did you know it was the landscape around the Mournes and across to Rostrevor that inspired C.S Lewis to create Narnia for his chronicles, which would go on to become one of the all-time classics of children’s literature?

“At Enniskeen you really get a sense of this fairytale world, there really is nowhere else like it. Sitting by the fire with that extraordinary view in the distance is just good for the soul.

“When I visited the Seamus Heaney HomePlace, I took my personal copy of one of his books and it gave me shivers to stand there and look at his personal effects, including the pens he used to create his masterpieces. Fans come from all over the world and it’s almost like a pilgrimage for them, we’re so lucky to have it on our doorstep.

“I’ve already started thinking about what to pack for my next trip to Northern Ireland. From climbing the famous Cuilcagh Boardwalk, sampling County Armagh’s ciders to walking in the footsteps of giants under the night sky at the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, sure, where else would you get it?”

To plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland this autumn and winter or to find Kathy’s itinerary, visit discovernorthernireland.com.