Down

The Land of Far Far Away will be closer than you think when everyone’s favourite mean green thing Shrek bursts onto the big screen in Solitude Park on Friday 10th October at 7pm to kick start Banbridge District Council’s Autumn Arts Programme.  To add to the cinema experience local food outlet Captain Cooks will be offering a host of hot tasty treats including burgers, hot dogs and super-chips. Other refreshments such as popcorn, sweets and drinks will also be on sale. Also don’t forget to bring along a comfy cushion too.

Tyrone

This Friday 10^th October, the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown will host the 9th annual ‘Tunes4Change’ concert, in aid of children’s charity NSPCC, with Irish Folk Super group Dervish. For the past 25 years they have gone from strength to strength as a high energy band that brings to life magical music from the West of Ireland. The band also features passionate vocals from the powerful singing of Cathy Jordan.  With a few special surprise acts together with the very talented and witty Gino LuPari as compere, this year’s concert is one not to be missed.

Fermanagh

Annually SHARE has been running Ghost Ship Cruises over the Halloween Period.  Participants will board the Inishcruiser to a Halloween Themed setting where a scary sketch will be acted out! Every Sunday in October and Halloween Week.

Derry

Fright Night returns to The Jungle Moneymore on Friday 10th October with a bloodcurdling, screaming vengeance with added special features and ghoulish creatures, and THREE NEW SCARE ZONES!!!  Exciting new features have been added to the original Woodland Trail of Terror, including a Hellish Haycart Ride which will transport you from the farmyard to the mouth of the ancient forest where you can continue your horrifying adventure on foot. You will meet a number of ghoulish characters, some of whom will engage you with their twisted tales of terror others may simply howl with horror. Advance online booking  is essential. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Armagh

Beautifully romantic, touchingly funny and often unbearably poignant, Austen’s most personal novel Persuasion is brought to the stage at the Market Place Theatre this Friday 10th October.  Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth were once hopelessly in love. Persuaded by her family that he is not of her standing, she ends their engagement and he leaves for the sea. Anne soon realises her mistake and spends the next eight years regretting her decision. Then he returns. Having made his fortune, the now wealthy Captain Wentworth comes to seek a wife; a wife with strength of mind and a resolute  character.  Treating Anne with cold indifference, she can only watch with aching heart as he courts another. But will he ever forgive her?

Antrim

See Macbeth performed and transmitted live from The Met Opera New York this Saturday 11^th October.  Star soprano Anna Netrebko delivers her searing portrayal of Lady Macbeth, the mad and murderous mate of Željko Lučić’s doomed Macbeth, for the first time at the Met.  Adrian Noble’s chilling production of Verdi’s masterful adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy also stars Joseph Calleja as the noble Macduff and René Pape as Banquo. Fabio Luisi conducts.

Belfast

As part of Belfast Restaurant Week the Maze Restaurant are hosting Bollywood Night on 10th of October. With a three course fine Indian meal, welcome drink and live Bollywood dancing, it’s a night not be missed! Call 028 9031 1101 or book online at www.mazerestaurant.com

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.com

Friday November 21^st will see Bangor Abbey play host to a concert to kick off a weekend of events to celebrate Bangor’s most famous Saint, Columbanus.

Following on the back of the success of 2013, this year’s concert is packed with fabulous acts both local and international.

Local group, The Farriers, will return to Bangor Abbey, a venue they can almost start calling home after a sold out concert as part of the Bangor Open House Festival. The group will be delighting the audience in performing their unique and authentic blend of folk & Americana.

Also performing on the night are; The McGinn sisters a trio of siblings who play harp, fiddle and flute/whistle have won many awards.  Their mix of music some of which is self-penned, weaves and darts throughout the Irish tradition.  Their playing reflects the intuition and subtlety that is achieved when siblings perform.

David McCann is one of Bangor’s finest singer/songwriters and a very talented guitarist.  Either solo or with his band “The Sand Runners”, he has impressed audiences throughout Ireland with his sensitive and introspective songs.

David Lennon, a stalwart of the local music scene for over 30 years, has a rich repertoire of traditional songs.  An award winning songwriter from the 1980s, he has performed both as a solo musician and group member throughout Europe.  He was recently heard on Radio Four singing “The White Dove – song of Columbanus”.

Described by RTE as “the best of Irish culture” and back by popular demand, are Ards Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. This group of young musicians tutored by husband and wife team Niall and Bronagh McClean, are yearly sought by festival organisers throughout the UK, Europe and now America.  Having headlined the Aviles Festival, Spain and the Bath Folk Festival this summer, 2015 sees them booked to play in New York during the St Patrick’s Day Celebrations and in August in Bobbio, Italy to play at the Basilicia of St Columbanus.

Performing alongside Ards CCE will be, The Smyth sisters a trio of award winning festival dancers with a rich family pedigree.  Their eldest sister Lauren, is the lead dancer with River Dance whilst older brother Conor is the lead in Michael Flately’s production of “Lord of the Dance”.  This is festival dancing at its very best.

Adding a unique twist to this year’s concert will be Marianne McShane, a native of Bangor but now residing in America, Marianne is an award winning story teller who mesmerised audiences with her ancient tales during the Bangor Cross Community Folk Festival in June 2014.  It is a privilege to welcome her back to Bangor for this event.

The theme of the concert and weekend is, “Journey of a Single Day”, a title to reflect the work of Columbanus and his fellow Bangor Saints, including Gall, who departed Bangor circa 590AD and spread the word of Christianity throughout much of modern day Europe including, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

The events are taking place on the Feast Day weekend of St Columbanus and are echoed across those European sites where Columbanus left his legacy.

Other events taking place over the weekend include;

On Saturday 22nd at St Comgall’s Parish Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor, a special children’s story telling event, from 2-3pm, with international story teller Marianne McShane, along with two historical talks focusing on Columbanus and Ireland’s Early Christian Heritage. Lectures run from 12noon-1pm & 2pm-3pm.

On Sunday 23^rd there will be an Ecumenical Church service held in First Bangor Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Bangor at 7pm.

For concert tickets, priced only £10, and more information on the weekends programme, contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk or log on to northdowntourism.com for more details.

Meet Twiga the Giraffe with her daughter Sambah and Tembo the Elephant with her calf Tembito.

Enter into the lives of these great, large-scale, mechanical, African mammals, each with a personality all of their own, and join them as they discover a very different Savannah in Belfast.

Did you notice that Hannavas is Savannah spelt backwards?!

Presented by Catalan company, Sarruga who are making their NI debut at this year’s Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s.

This event is free and you do not need tickets.

Sat 25 Oct
12pm – 3pm Botanic Gardens
Free, family friendly, African-animal themed activities, workshops:
> African animal puppet making/crafts
> Jungle mask making
> Tribal armbands
> African shakers
> African drum circle
> Safari face painting
> Belfast Zoo animal encounter
2pm
> Promenade style performance of the animals around the park

Sun 26 Oct
2pm City Hall Belfast
> Promenade style performance of animals in the grounds of City Hall

Admission Free

Web www.belfastfestival.com

Audiences at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh are in for a musical extravaganza as three separate music acts fill the stage in one jam-packed weekend.

There is no doubt that after thirty-five years as a professional musician Martin Simpson is, right now, better than ever. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, his interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. Martin has been nominated an astounding 31 times in the fifteen years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – more than any other performer – with 12 nominations for ‘Musician Of The Year’, which he has won twice. Whether playing American old-time music, blues, a Dylan song or his own material, Martin Simpson is unpredictable, individual and a guitarist of immense subtlety. Martin will perform on Thursday 16^th October at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 each.

Join Harry Hamilton and his swing band as they take you on a musical journey through a century of American music. This innovative collection of popular music showcases the many great Songs from the soundtrack of the 20^th Century. From the classics of the great American masters like Gershwin or Cole Porter, via the ‘50’s most popular hits, to Motown and the newest chapter with songs from recent hit-makes, including Michael Bublé, Ray Charles and Billy Joel. ‘The American Songbook’ will be staged on Friday 17^th October at 8pm. Tickets are £15.

‘The Four Of Us’ bring their 25th anniversary acoustic show to The Market Place Theatre, showcasing songs from their brand new album, as well as songs from their extensive back catalogue. From their first anthem ‘Mary’ – still a radio favourite – through to the UK-charting ‘She Hits Me’, to ‘Sunlight’ – the band has notched up over two decades of radio hits and six top 20 charting albums. Don’t miss this rare chance to catch them live. ‘The Four Of Us’ will perform on Saturday 18^th October at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 each. Tickets for all performances are available 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.

Enjoy a night of beautiful jazz and the astonishing vocals of US Born Dana Masters at Larne Town Hall on Friday 3^rd October, 7.30pm.

Dana will be backed by some of Northern Ireland finest jazz musicians in what promises to be a night of fantastic musical entertainment.

South Carolina-born Dana Masters has an extraordinary range and velvety vocals that can make anything from Nina Simone’s ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ to the jazz standard ‘My Funny Valentine’ her own. Her version of Etta James’ At Last is an absolute highlight and a must hear for any audience. Dana most recently wowed the crowds at Titanic Slipway in Belfast when she performed Proms in the Park event as part of the BBC’s Prestigious Last Night of the Proms celebrations in September.

This special performance forms part of Larne Borough Councils’ art programme of events which take place on a regular basis throughout the year bringing many theatre performances, workshops and exhibitions to various venues around the borough. Check out www.larnemuseumandartscentre.com for all the latest information or join Larne Museum and Arts Centre on facebook for regular updates.

Do not miss out on hearing this exceptional talent in the beautiful surroundings of Larne Town Hall. Tickets cost £12 and includes light refreshments. Tickets are available from Larne Visitor Information Centre, call 02828260088 or email TICreception@larne.gov.uk . Seats are not allocated. Cabaret Style Layout. This show will no doubt sell out so book early to avoid disappointment.

If you think ‘The Woman in Black’ was scary … be prepared to be petrified!

A new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s iconic masterpiece on vampirism sees Gerard McCarthy playing both Jonathan Harker, whose diaries chronicle the bloody tale, and the greatest supernatural character of all time: Dracula … and several other characters!

Using multiple cameras, backing screens, projections, surround sound and a newly commissioned score, this solo tour de force will make audiences scream.

Adapted and Directed by Michael Poynor with original music by Mark Dougherty, ‘Jonathan Harker and DRACULA’ will stop off on its autumn tour at the Burnavon, Cookstown just in time for Halloween on Thursday 30^th October.

GERARD McCARTHY is one of Northern Irelands most exciting and versatile young actors. He is best known for TV roles in The Fall, Hollyoaks, Vikings and the new BBC comedy Puppy Love. Gerard recently starred in The Globe’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor in London and New York and his debut feature film A Nightingale Falling is due for general release in the autumn of 2014.

ITV soapstar KYM MARSH, who played Annette in the West End production of Saturday Night Fever and recently performed in Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues along the RACHEL TUCKER who played Elphaba in West End production Wicked and is soon about to open on Broadway in The Last Ship and JAYNE WISENER from Tim Burdon’s Sweeny Todd will appear in pre-recorded cameo roles, as the ‘Brides of Dracula’.

Craving for a great night out, and something to really sink your teeth into – this show is not to be missed! Tickets for the one night only performance at the Burnavon are priced £16 (£14 concession – over 12’s recommended) and are on sale now from the Burnavon Box Office on 028 8676 9949 or online at www.burnavon.com

Harry Hamilton is better known to most of us who follow the local music scene as the charismatic front man of Flash Harry, the Queen Tribute band. Anyone who has seen the band in action will know Hamilton’s uncanny and powerful rendition of many a Freddie Mercury classic.

Mid-Ulster audiences have a chance this October to hear that amazing voice applied to a different type of music as Harry and his Swing Band take you on a musical journey through a century of the Great American Songbook, a tradition in which songwriters wrote songs and singers sang them.

One of the most productive periods of song-writing in history started with composers such as Gershwin, Kern, Berlin and Porter in the early 1920s, and continued through to the early 1960s. In a new concert tour, Harry Hamilton and his Swing Band bring their own unique performance style to this wonderful music and those songs that have survived the vagaries of time and are still popular and well recognized by artists and the general public alike.

The concert will take in a great selection of American standards, some old from the pens of composers such as Gershwin and Porter, and some more recent hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s from artists such as Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Michael Bublé.

Tickets for this concert at the Burnavon, Cookstown on Saturday 18th October are priced £15, and are on sale from the Burnavon Box Office at the Burn Road, Cookstown; by telephone on 028 8676 9949 or online at www.burnavon.com.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (October 6-12).

• Belfast Restaurant Week, various locations, Belfast, Co Antrim, October 4-11. Enjoy a tasty celebration of local food and culinary events in fabulous restaurants across the city.  Restaurants will be serving up a selection of special menus and hosting foodie events throughout the week.

• Phantom & The Musicals, The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Co Armagh, October 8.  Immerse yourself in this mash up of music from ‘The King And I’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Phantom Of The Opera’, ‘Grease’ and Abba’s ‘Mamma Mia’.  Then add in nostalgic classics such as ‘Calamity Jane’ and ‘The Sound Of Music’ and you can see why this show has something to offer the whole family.

• Fermanagh Walking Festival, various locations, Co Fermanagh, October 11-12.  Get your walking shoes on and come and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of some of Fermanagh’s finest landscapes highlighting it as a key destination for the walking enthusiast.  There are a variety of walks on offer and there is sure to be something for everyone.

• Cinemagic, various locations around Belfast, until October 17. The action packed Cinemagic Belfast Film and Television Festival for under 12 year olds, returns to the silver screen for its 25th Anniversary Edition, with new film previews from around the world along with film and television workshops.

• Omagh Antiques and Collectables Fair, Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh, Co Tyrone, October 12.  Presenting a wide variety of Antiques and Collectables including: militaria, fine art, jewellery both Georgian and Victorian, ceramics, early glass, vintage retro items, furniture, coins and rare books. There will be upwards of 20 stands offering both variety and affordability with free valuations also available on the day.

• Silver Sunday Age Friendly Museums Day, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone, October 5.  Meet new people, try new things and get active at this annual national event with fun free activities for older people.

• Thrills and Spills, Foylehov Hovercrafting and Leisure, Limavady, Co Londonderry, October 11. Get outdoors and try your hand at a few brilliant activities, such as laser clay pigeon shooting, archery and max combat.

• Northern Ireland Potato Festival, Innisfree Farm, The Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills, Co Antrim, until October 6. Enjoy cookery demonstrations, exhibits, craft and food stalls and music at this free family fun event.

• Full Moon Paddle Power on Strangford Lough, Clearsky Adventure Centre, Strangford, Co Down, October 8. Take in the beautiful surroundings while paddling on Strangford Lough by moonlight for a truly unique experience.  Learn kayaking skills and have fun under the watchful eye of the expert instructors.

• Family Fun: Offbeat Orchestra, MAC, Belfast, October 11. 7-11 year olds are invited to come along and make music with objects that you never knew could be instruments as part of the MAC’s Unusual Orchestra.  The kids will create a marvellous musical masterpiece and perform in the MAC.

Down

For guitar and music lovers everywhere, this year’s Ards International Guitar Festival 2nd to 5th October, is jam packed with slap tapping, plectrum plucking, foot stompin’ gee-tar playing to suit everyone’s taste.  Featuring internationally renowned musicians including Pierre Bensusan, Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo, Flamenco Fiesta, Colin Reid & Brian Keenan,  The 4 of Us, Chris Woods, The Sabrejets, Rab McCullough, Amanda Agnew, The Acoustic Collective, and more.  You’ll also find free fringe concerts, clinics with guitar professionals and an intimate performance session with the Classical Guitar Society of Northern Ireland and Pat Coldrick. www.ardsguitarfestival.co.uk

Tyrone

The Age Collective Museums host new Age Friendly Museums Day on Silver Sunday.  Silver Sunday is an annual national event with fun free activities for older people to celebrate their contribution to communities in addition to providing an opportunity to be active, try new things and meet other people.  At the Ulster American Folk Park experience the emigration story with first person interpretation and demonstrations.  Explore life in rural Ulster and discover the emigration story of the Mellon Family before taking the opportunity to hear the gossip from our resident shopkeepers in Murray’s Drapery and O’Doherty’s Grocery.   After travelling to the New World call into the General Store to see what supplies you will need for your new life in America.  Travel to Pennsylvania to catch up with the Mellon Family and hear their news before travelling down to Tennessee to meet some new friends, the Rogan’s.  Sit around the fire and listen to their adventurous and romantic family emigration story.  Bring the family and while exploring the museum spot some new woollen additions in the form of some knitted dolls and see how many you can find.  Free entry after 12pm for those over 50.

Fermanagh

Now in its fifth year the Model and Collector’s Fayre is back in Irvinestown Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October. Packed to capacity with models and displays of all descriptions. Farm layouts, trains, crafts, cars, motorbikes, aircraft to name a few!  Adults £4, Children £1.50, Family £10.

Derry

The Guildhall Derry/Londonderry Wedding Fayre, presented by Perfect Bliss Wedding Events, takes place this Sunday 5th October 2pm-5pm with a Catwalk Show @ 4:30pm.  Admission is free.

Armagh

‘Beoga’ is a five-piece band based in County Antrim, Ireland. Formed in 2002, they have become one of the most popular and influential ensembles in modern Irish music. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordions of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley, four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and Niamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, on vocals and fiddle. With their unique blend of inventive arrangements, instrumental talents and beautiful vocals, Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish as they captivate audiences globally. See them perform live this Friday 3rd October at the Market Place Theatre.

Antrim

There will be lots of fun For all the Family at this year’s Northern Ireland Potato Festival at the Giant’s Causeway this Saturday 4th October from 10.30 am to 6.00pm. Celebrate the humble spud at a day full of exhibitions, cookery demonstrations, a farmers market, arts and crafts and much more.

Belfast

Use the force with Crazy Cat Comedy on Friday 3rd October 2014 at the Belfast Barge, not so far far away when they present to you their Star Wars themed Murder Mystery Comedy Night ‘No Sith Sherlock!’  Doors open 8pm and tickets are £15 including a Jedi supper plus it’s BYO!  That means Bring your own beverages or an ewok if you are driving.  There is plenty of free parking nearby for speeder bikes.  Book your tickets online at www.crazycatcomedy.com/tickets.  Prizes will be given for the best fancy dress!

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.com

It’s Autumnal Arts in abundance as Banbridge District Council have announced details of their ever popular annual arts event.

‘Autumn Arts’, which is supported by the Department of Social Development, runs from Wednesday 8 October to Friday 31 October, features a pulsating programme of musical, theatrical and literary performances plus a host of workshops and events for all ages offering the opportunity to harness your creative and artistic talents.

This year’s highlights include Ulster Poetry Slam Champion Colin Hassard who presents his hilarious acclaimed one man show “Quantum of Sonnets” on Saturday 11 October in Banbridge Old Town Hall.  Be prepared to be shaken and stirred as Colin explores the universal themes of love, relationships and learning from your mistakes (not)!  Admission is £5 and booking essential.

The Bronte Centre, Rathfriland, plays host to the best of local talent on Saturday 11October with a wonderful World Music concert with VioLeeN and Friends featuring Nikolay and Veselka Ivanovi, Lee Lawson, Sergei Ussenko, Amita Ravikiran, Kim Lennon and Gavin Donnelly plus the Banbridge Chamber Orchestra. This world music showcase is a must for anyone who enjoys classic, traditional and diverse sounds.

World renowned Mayobridge native Colum Sands takes to the stage at the Bronte Centre on Friday 17 October. Colum has been described as a poet disguised as a songwriter and his ninth album Turn the Corner has been enchanting audiences with his undisputed poetic style.

On Saturday 25 October Pat Dam Smyth supported by Catherine Hatt will grace the stage in the Bronte Centre. His music is an eclectic collection falling somewhere between Bowie, Beck and Lou Reed. His album, The Great Divide, released earlier this year has earned him the accolade of the ultimate solo artist.   Both this and the Colm Sands shows are strictly ticket only priced £5 and are available from the F. E Mc William Gallery.

Calling all musicians, poets and comedians!  On Saturday 18 October Banbridge Old Town Hall is giving up the stage for a special Open Mic Session which offers the chance to win a fantastic recording session with Big Space Studios. The evening will end with Acoustic Collective, featuring Gavin Ferris and BuskFest 2014 winner Matthew Malcolm. Tickets are priced £5 and booking is essential for this enigmatic event which asks you to be prepared for the unexpected. To book a slot on the Open Mic Session, please contact luciloo62@hotmail.com .

Other events will include poetry readings, storytelling sessions, movie making workshops, craft events and exhibitions plus a very special antiques talk and valuation session with BBC TV’s David Harper.

Tickets for all performances are limited, and early booking is strongly advised by contacting Banbridge District Council on T: 4066 0605, Banbridge Old Town Hall, on T: 028 4062 0232 or where highlighted the F.E. McWillam Gallery on 028 4062 3322

The Autumn Arts brochure detailing all events and activities are widely available from a number of outlets across the district and also available to view online at as a pdf  at  http://bit.ly/autumnarts

For further information about Autumn Arts, contact Banbridge District Council’s Leisure and Development Department on 028 4066 0605.