The maximum number of young people from the Crescent Arts Youth Theater (CAYT) have been awarded a place to participate in the Commonwealth Culture 2014 programme this month.

Nineteen young people from across Northern Ireland will travel to Glasgow next week, where they will be representing Northern Ireland in this year’s Commonwealth Culture 2014 programme.  Five of these young people, the maximum allowed per organisation, have been selected from CAYT, which is something the staff and management at the Crescent Arts Centre are extremely proud of.

Keith Acheson, Crescent Arts Centre Director, said:  “We are absolutely thrilled with what the girls have achieved in securing their places at the Commonwealth Games.  The entire Crescent Arts Centre team and CAYT are extremely proud that Caoimhe, Courtney, Lucy, Rosaleen and Rose will be representing not only us, but also the rest of Northern Ireland at the upcoming games. What they have achieved in such a short space of time is down to their hard work and dedication and to the inspiring work of CAYT Director Andrea and our Outreach and Education Officer Ann Feely.”

Keith went on to say: “For many, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from and work with other young people from across the Commonwealth and perform together on an international stage.  The main reason that we have been able to secure the maximum number of places is due to Andrea Grimason and Ann Feely for engaging fully with this opportunity.”

Ann Feely, Outreach and Education Officer said: “ It has been a pleasure to work with Andrea and the young people on this Outreach and Education project.  This project started at Christmas and the girls have done so well to get this far under the direction of Andrea. Thank you also to Keara Fulton and everyone at UAYD for their constant support of this initiative.”

These young people will form the International Performing Company, part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s The Tin Forest festival, together with ninety other young people from all over the Commonwealth, including Jamaica, India, Malta and New Zealand.

The participants will perform live over three days, 21 – 23 July.

NORTHERN Ireland’s Little Wing Pizzeria is encouraging local sport teams to get a slice of the action by applying for the Little Wing’s Little Sports Stars scheme which will see £2,500 up for grabs.

The new bursary programme is open to sporting clubs located nearby each of Little Wing’s five branches: Holywood, Bangor, Ann Street, Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast and Ballyhackamore*.

The bursaries will be available to clubs coaching children under 12 years old and five teams will be awarded with a £500 bursary.

To apply for the bursary scheme, sports clubs simply need to write a 300 word explanation of why they need the bursary and what it will be used for and email it to bursaries@littlewingpizzeria.co.uk before the closing date of Friday September 19.
Commenting on the sports bursaries, Luke Wolsey, Managing Director of Little Wing Pizzeria said:

“Little Wing has five highly successful branches in Northern Ireland and we are always looking for opportunities to give back to the community by supporting local schools, clubs and charities so the Little Wing’s Little Sports Stars bursaries are an extension of this support.

“Throughout the year we get a lot of requests from children’s sports clubs to help them with sponsorship so we decided to launch this programme to give all local clubs an equal chance of being granted additional funding.

“I would encourage all clubs that are interested to apply for a bursary which can be put towards anything the club needs financial assistance with such as new sporting kits, equipment or even to go towards the general costs of running the club.”

Little Wing is part of the Beannchor Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, which boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.

For further information visit littlewingpizzeria.com

Fans of Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Jackson Browne should hurry along to Ward Park this Sunday, July 13, as North Down Borough Council’s Summer Sundays continue at The Bandstand with Nathan O’Regan and Band performing the music of Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen.

The programme got off to a great start last weekend with over 500 people attending the park for the first event of the summer.

Cork-born Nathan has been working hard on crafting his live performances and draws crowds wherever he goes all over Ireland. Nathan has a voice that is distinctive, diverse, powerful yet comforting and when performing creates an intimate yet explosive atmosphere.

Despite being only 21 years old, Nathan is an old soul. The Cork-man’s voice looks back to a time when song writing was craft, taking inspiration from the likes of Jackson Browne, Billy Joel and Springsteen; but is current enough that Paolo Nutini should be feeling worried.

Nathan will be joined by his band; Collie McClean, Gareth Hughes & Paul Hamilton for his Ward Park debut.

So if you fancy relaxing to some smooth sounds in beautiful surroundings then pack a picnic and get down to Ward Park, this Sunday from 3 – 5pm.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone our Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit: www.northdowntourism.com

Roadside Kia sponsors Super Twin Race

ARMOY Road Races have confirmed this week that the Ryan Farquhar KMR Kawasaki team supported by SGS International will have three riders competing this July.

Roadside Garages Kia of Coleraine, also confirmed they are back on board as sponsors of the 650 Super Twin Race which is part of the Armoy “Race of Legends” road races on Saturday 26^th July.

Speaking this week, KMR Kawasaki team manager, Ryan Farquhar announced that three racers, Scotland’s Keith Amor and English men Danny Webb and Connor Behan, who currently leads the Supertwins Irish Road Race Championship will be competing at the Armoy Road Races.

Ryan Farquhar, “I’m delighted that my team will be at the Armoy Road Races. I’ve been at Armoy every year since it began in some guise or other and it wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t make it to Armoy. Keith Amor has raced and won at Armoy before but it’ll be interesting to see what this year is going to be like.

“Connor was a newcomer last year and did incredibly well with a second in the Junior Support race, followed up with a first and setting a new lap record in the Senior Support race to give him his first Armoy win, pretty good going I’d say.

“Danny Webb, former MotoGP World125GP and Moto3 racer has got great credentials and having previously competed in Supersport World Championships, I’m really looking forward to seeing what he is going to make of Armoy’s demanding three mile circuit.

“There is no doubt that the Roadside Garages Kia sponsored 650 Super Twin Race at Armoy is going to be very interesting. It is one of those races that is just a wee bit special and I always enjoy it one way or another and given the Hamilton, McWilliams tussle last year that Jamie won, but Jeremy set the new Super Twin lap record, well let’s just say, you never know what this year will throw up.”

Bill Kennedy, Clerk of the Course said, “I’m delighted with the line up that the Ryan Farquhar KMR/SGS Kawasaki team is bringing to Armoy. All three riders have great pedigree whether it is Keith Amor, Danny Webb or Connor Behan, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them all in action. It will make for a very exciting Supertwin race. The KMR/SGS Kawasaki team is going to be one of the more formidable teams and I advise you to keep an eye on them over the two days of racing at Armoy.

Kennedy also welcomed back Roadside Garages Kia as sponsors for the 650 Supertwin Race; “Roadside Garages Kia have been a great supporter to the Armoy Road Races for a number of years now. They provide us with sponsorship and two Kia race officials vehicles, which are branded with the AMRRC logo and Race Week dates. This is a great way to raise the profile of the event and without support from sponsors like this the race just wouldn’t happen.”

Ian Lamont, Sales Manger at Roadside Garages, said, “Roadside Garages has been involved with the Armoy Road Races for the last three years. It’s a great relationship, which works for both Armoy and Roadside Garages Kia.

“Each year it is just gets better and better, the Club is doing a fantastic job and I commend them for the way they engage and look after their sponsors – it couldn’t be better! It’s hard to believe this is only their sixth year.

“Once again it’s a privilege to be involved and along with the Ryan Farquhar KMR/SGS Kawasaki team added to the Super Twins race it looks that there is going to be some great road racing!”

Armoy Road Races are sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Moyle District Council’s Tourism Events Fund.

Bike Week 2014 is from 20^th – 26^th July. For more information on the RiverRidge Recycling’s ‘Race of the Legends’ visit www.amrrc.com or search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you can also follow us on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.

Belfast Composer Delivers Dubstep Shakespeare Exclusive

Ballycastle born Composer Garth McConaghie, who has composed music for the FIFA World Cup, BBC, RTE and others, has collaborated with Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT), the UK’s leading theatre company for young people, to stage Macbeth as it has never been seen before in a world exclusive at The Lyric Theatre in July. Transporting Macbeth from his Scottish roots to a nameless Asian state, this is a unique take on Shakespeare, with a thrilling new piece of musical theatre featuring fierce electronic music combined with live classical instruments and contemporary choreography.

McConaghie joins forces with accomplished director Stuart Harvey to bring this exhilarating performance to Belfast featuring a cast of over 40 young people drawn from Northern Ireland and all over the UK including local 15 year olds Shannon Cooley from Belfast, cast as a witch, and Kirstyn Kearney, from Derry-Londonderry who has been cast as an apparition.

Giving a taste of what audiences can expect, Stuart who has directed countless musicals including Annie, Wizard of Oz, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Oliver to name a few, commented, “The production is a dystopian re-imagining of this classic and popular Shakespeare tale.  It’s dark, futuristic, thrilling and enticing, led by a wonderful cast of outstandingly talented young people with cutting edge composition from Garth McConaghie. ”

Set in a nameless Asian state sometime in the future, the production centres on the fall of the digital world that sees Macbeth, an ambitious head of security, monitoring groups of young men and women attempting to bring the establishment down. YMT’s take on Macbeth is one of treachery, deceit and blind ambition, which is found in the shadows of a neo-noir world where no one can be trusted.

Composer Garth McConaghie added, “This is an exceptional opportunity for young people from Northern Ireland to develop their musical theatre skills alongside others from all over the UK. Our production is particularly exciting as, unlike Annie or Oliver, it allows young people to be involved in the creation and performance of brand new work in front of live audiences, with live classical instruments and urban, electronic music. I’m very excited about our production debuting on the best stage in Belfast this summer.”

YMT has a history of working with and developing young talent who go on to have extremely successful careers in the music and theatre industries and can count Brit Award-winning and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and current hot property singer Sam Smith amongst their illustrious alumni .

YMT’s previous work in Northern Ireland over the last ten years has included a new musical The Chosen Room by Marie Jones, a musical based on the work of Neil Sedaka Oh! Carol (in which chart-topping, award-winning Sam Smith played a leading role), various devised projects at Queen’s Film Theatre and outreach work in Strabane, the Ardoyne, West Belfast, Dunmurry and Ballymena. Hundreds of young people from Northern Ireland have also auditioned for YMT and  joined productions in London and throughout England and Scotland; in 2005 a largely Northern Irish group of young people also took a YMT/Lyric theatre production of Goblin Market to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Northern Ireland creative staff also include composer Conor Mitchell and resident director of the West End hit show Once, Des Kennedy.

Performances of Macbeth run from Wednesday 23July until Saturday 26 July at the Lyric Theatre Belfast.  For tickets visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

Northern Ireland’s favourite vintage shopping event, the fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fair will be returning to Belfast next month when it visits Malone House on Sunday 3^rd August for another extravaganza of exclusive style and glamour for the wardrobe and home.

The event will showcase 45 handpicked, high quality vintage dealers and creative designers specialising in vintage, handmade and upcycled fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectibles, art, craft and gifts, scrumptious sweet treats, photography and much more. Now approaching its 7^th year of delighting customers from all over Ireland, Frock Around The Clock still remains dedicated to sourcing the best in vintage dealers and fresh creative talent, so in addition to many of the old favourites there will also be a number of fresh faces to be seen at the 3^rd August event, providing a spectacular variety of unique, quality and interesting things to see and buy. Whether you are in search of a stunning frock, authentic vintage treasures, beautifully handcrafted designs, or delicious edible goodies, this event has it all!

Creative Director Becky Moore says ‘We are currently glued to the weekly Channel 4 show ‘This Old Thing’ where Dawn O’Porter proves to people addicted to the high street that vintage really is the key to true individual style – the same message that we have been spreading for the last 6 years and which has been bringing the stylish ladies of Ireland back to our fairs time and time again! Vintage clothes are timeless and unique; mix them in with your contemporary pieces and you will stand out for all the right reasons. Our visitors have a unique and individual sense of style and the degree of originality seen in how they put an outfit together is an indication of just how seamlessly vintage has merged with mainstream fashion in Northern Ireland. The Sugahfix.com Style Spotter is always in attendance to capture shoppers on camera so our customers regularly appear on the pages of Northern Ireland’s leading online fashion guide!’

The impressive exhibitor list will include Lower Than The Angels, creators of distinctive, bespoke millinery inspired by vintage chic and Hollywood glamour, Little Vintage Black Dress, who will be running a sale on original vintage cocktail and evening dresses, Vintage USA, connoisseur of American vintage designer jewellery, White Rabbit Vintage, dedicated to sourcing amazing vintage wear from all over the globe,  Tiny Tower Vintage, specialists in vintage china, linens, eiderdowns and collectible books, Rehinged Furniture selling unique refurbished furniture, I Of The Needle, purveyor of gorgeous fabrics, trimmings and other craft supplies, Vintage Aggy and Molly, showcasing exquisite handmade dolls created from antique haberdashery, Loving Spoonful offering beautiful, handcrafted jewellery made from antique silver cutlery and coins, Ewe Sir who will be selling collectible Irish wildlife textile art, and Patricia Mann Cake Designs who will be tantalising taste buds with her delicious bread and cakes.

The Frock Around The Clock Valentine’s Vintage & Handmade Fair will take place from 12-5pm on Sunday 3^rd August 2014 at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5PB and admission costs £3. More information on the event and the exhibitor list can be found at frockaroundtheclock.com and facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.

Visit Crom Estate this Thursday 10 July for the National Trust’s annual Jazz by the Lake evening with renowned local Jazz Band the Ernesiders.

An evening not to be missed in this breathtaking 2000 acre demesne, set amid the romantic and tranquil landscape of Upper Lough Erne.

Jazz by the Lake will recapture a well-known part of Crom Estate history. In the 1960s thousands of visitors attended a Jazz festival at Crom and it is hoped that over 100 visitors will be able to relax and revel in an evening of fantastic music with a brilliant atmosphere.

The event will start at 7pm, guests will be greeted with a refreshing glass of Pimms on arrival, and are encouraged to bring their own picnic and a tipple to enjoy with the music on the night.

For further information or to book tickets call 028 6773 8118. Tickets are just £5 – booking essential to avoid disappointment.

So why not book your tickets, pack your picnic and get set for a relaxing evening in the beautiful tranquil setting that is Crom Estate.

TheatreofplucK present the Irish premiere of the French sensation ‘Tuesdays At Tescos’ by Emmanuel Darley at The Market Place Theatre.

This award winning funny and moving new play about love and death among the aisles stars Belfast’s very own inimitable Peter Quigley in a tour-de-force performance.

It tells the story of Pauline, a loving daughter, carer and trans woman in an astonishing and vulnerable site-specific production. On Tuesdays, Pauline is a domestic goddess. At least that is what her elderly widowed dad calls her when she makes her weekly visit to do his housework and take him shopping. Only, her dad doesn’t mean it kindly. He says it with a sneer, and when they go out Pauline knows everyone is looking at her. That’s because Pauline grew up as Paul, and has begun a new life as the woman she always knew she really was. But just as there is no escape from the present realities of her new existence, there is no escape from the past on Tuesdays, when Dad taunts her that he can see her stubble in the jam aisle, and the check-out operator insists on referring to the pair as “gentlemen”.

What is unique about this show is that the actor will perform outside in Market Square whilst the audience watch from the downstairs theatre bar. The effect is vulnerable, exciting and unpredictably emotional.

‘Tuesdays At Tescos’ will be staged at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Thursday 17th July at 6.30pm. Tickets are priced £8 each, and can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com Recommended for age 16+ as the production deals with themes of an adult nature.

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.

The Bar & Bistro at The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh is re-opening on 4^th July under new management with new menus, opening times and a new service for customers.

The simply entitled ‘Market Place Theatre Bar & Bistro’ encompasses theatre coffee shop, lunches, bistro meals, pre-theatre dinners, full bar service, weekend entertainment and facilities for meetings and conferences.

NEW OPENING HOURS

Coffee Shop: 10am to 4pm Mon to Sat. Lunches served 11.30am to 3pm

Bistro: Open For Evening Meals Thurs – Sat 4pm to 9pm | Pre-Theatre Meals Available Show Nights 5pm – 9pm. Booking essential

Bar: Thurs – Sat 4pm to 1am with live music on Saturday evenings | Other Show Nights: 6pm to late

NEW MENUS

The Bistro has extensive new menus including sandwiches, soups, meals and desserts for lunches, a pre-theatre dinner menu, extensive wines and spirits and special offers relating to shows including themed evenings, drinks promotions and entertainment.

SPECIAL OPENING OFFERS

•           Special opening offer to the Public, Lunch Time Free Dessert with every main course

item until 26th July

•           Evening Offer Free Glass of Wine OR Soft Drink with every meal to 26th July

As part of the Bistro opening, The Market Place Theatre is running a children’s craft session on Saturday 5 and Saturday 19 July, 2 to 3.30pm. They will take place in the theatre foyer, allowing you to relax and enjoy your lunch as the little ones are kept busy at the craft session. FREE to all, for ages 3 and up, sessions will include a toy making activity.

ALL BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES

Contact Stacey on 02837 521828 or 07803 029255 | stacey.heslip@ocs.co.uk

Central Booking: Contact Gemma on 02890 360723 | gemma.parker@ocs.co.uk

And to keep up-to-date with the latest at the NEW bar and bistro 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 as well as www.marketplacearmagh.com/food-and-drink

Two volunteers for the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland have been telling their remarkable story of discussing steam trains with the Queen during her recent visit to Northern Ireland and how she took an interest in their hobby in the 50^th anniversary year of the Society.

Mark and Ruth Walsh, from Belfast, returned to Northern Ireland from their honeymoon the day before the Royal garden party at Hillsborough Castle.  Jet lag didn’t prevent them from attending and whilst waiting in a queue for food they were approached by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and asked if they would like to meet the Queen.

Ruth explained “It was quite a surprise!  We were grouped together and the Queen took time to talk to every one of us.  It was remarkable how intrigued she was with everyone’s stories.  I explained to her that we operate steam trains for the public but on the main railway lines of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, just like steam trains were more than 50 years ago.  She was very interested and commented that she thought children would love the noise and sight of a steam train.”

The Queen moved on to speak to Mark and was keen to know if he drove the locomotives.  Mark said “I explained to her what the volunteers do at our County Antrim base at Whitehead to restore the trains for everyone to enjoy and I was really pleased that she said ‘steam trains are so much nicer than modern diesel trains’”!

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is celebrating 50 years since it’s foundation in 1964.  Since then the group have built workshops and a base in Whitehead and in Dublin and operate steam trains from both places all over Ireland, North and South.  Mark commented “we have just put tickets on sale for our Portrush Flyer trains from Belfast-Portrush in the summer and I was hoping to ask Prince Philip if he would like to join us for a day out and a poke, but sadly we ran out of time before I got to speak to him”!

Tickets for the “Portrush Flyer” steam trains are on sale now.  Operating on Sundays 27^th July, 10^th, 31^st August and 14^th September, they cost £22 for Adults and £15 for Children and offer a full day excursion by steam train from Belfast to Portrush and back, with plenty of time at Portrush to take in the sights and dip a toes in the water.  The train is hauled by mighty steam locomotive “Merlin” and is complete with a Dining Carriage serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and a full bar.

Tickets are on sale from Belfast Welcome Centre (Tel: +44 28 9024 6609) or online from www.steamtrainsireland.com