Join the Cloth Ear Belfast for a Beautiful Blues Weekend as the 6^th Annual Belfast City Blues festival gets underway this evening.

This event is now firmly established on the blues festival calendar throughout Ireland, promoting musical heritage whilst giving great opportunities to young musicians breaking through.

The musical weekend starts tonight in the Cloth Ear with Acoustic Soul playing from 6pm-9pm.

On Friday evening see Lee Hedley playing inside the Cloth Ear while the Cloth Ear team of chefs cook up a storm outside with the first ever  spit roast, with oak smoked beef pistol.  This spit roast will be served from 4.30pm – midnight, alongside this we will be offering great drinks promotions.

On Saturday the Red Hot Roosters will perform in the Cloth Ear from 2.30pm -5pm and On Sunday D.D. & the Delta Boys will perform from 2.30pm-5pm.

This weekend is a fun packed musical feast for young and old alike!

Keep up to date with The Cloth Ear events on facebook and twitter.

This exciting new drama course for young people aged 12 and upwards will run from Monday 21 July to Friday 25 July 2014 between 10am and 6pm.

This is a new summer course for performers who want to work hard and play hard at furthering their Stage Skills education. It will take place in the excellent state of the art Theatre facilities of The Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena.

The course is suitable for those at all different stages of their learning, whether joining as a newer first time performer, or one who is working towards potentially auditioning for a vocational course at a higher level.

By keeping the course size small Perform Boot Camp will give individual attention to those attending to ensure no one gets missed out or left behind. Over the course of the week the concentration will be on the three main disciplines of acting, singing and dancing with a strong focus on performance.

There will also be an opportunity for one-to-one feedback at the end of the week which is unique to this course. It is important for students to have the time to hear about their own personal strengths and weaknesses and how to build on them, with the emphasis on positive and constructive commentary.

The students will be split into three age groups, 12-14, 15-16 and 17+ in order to tailor the workload appropriately. Each group will work with each tutor in independent sessions.

To get the best tuition you need the best teachers, and the best advice is from those currently active in the industry.

Acting & Performance – Peter Corry, Peter is a world renowned actor, director and producer with years of Musical Theatre experience under his belt.

Dance & Performance – Fleur Mellor, Fleur has been greatly involved in the youth market particularly in Musical Theatre with all levels of experience.

Singing & Performance – Ashley Fulton, Ashley has worked professionally in music theatre and singing for the past 15 years as an award winning performer, vocal coach, director, producer and musical director.

The course costs £100 for a week of first class tuition and advice from the best in the business and is a fabulous opportunity to get a foot in the door of the performing arts business

Call The Braid Box Office on 25635900 to book

28 JUNE – 13 JULY

Until 6 July, Exhibition: ‘Where is Sleep?’

North Down Museum, Bangor

These illustrations are taken from a children’s picture book story written by local couple Jim & Laura Lavery, ‘Where is Sleep?’.  The story is about a little girl who is told to ‘go to sleep’ but she doesn’t know where it is or how to find it. Her adventures lead her to new ways of thinking about sleep. The story grew from their young daughter’s struggle with sleep.

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Until 27 July, Exhibition: Brian Desmond Hurst

North Down Museum, Bangor

This exhibition explores the life and work of Northern Ireland’s most prolific director through a variety of fascinating images, objects and stories.

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 28: Puppet Show
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment
Sat 5, 2-4pm: Glitter Tattoos, Children’s Crafts, Balloon Modeller, World of Owls
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 12: Glitter Tattoos, Children’s Crafts
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Sun 29: Science Show, Children’s Crafts

Sunday 29 June, Walking Tour: Historic Bangor (Re-enactment) Walk

2.30pm

Discover Bangor’s history, from Bronze Age settlements, Bangor Abbey and its European influence to the Vikings, World War II and Bangor’s development as a seaside town.

Tickets £3. Pre-booking your place is essential. Subject to availability.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Friday 4 – Friday 11 July, F18 World Championship

Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor

Ballyholme Yacht Club is the host for this summer’s prestigious F18 catamaran World Championship which will be sailed on Belfast Lough, one of the best sailing areas in Europe. The event, one of the largest in Ireland this year, will run from 4th till 11th July.

Info: 2014.f18worlds.com

Saturday 5 July, Harbour Hoedown

Groomsport Harbour

Live Music From 7pm

‘The Hardchargers’, ‘Flatville Ace’s and Headliner Act ‘Hayseed Dixie’ will be performing a mix of Bluegrass, Louisiana style Cajun and ‘Rockgrass’ music. Free.

More free family fun: Children’s funfair 12noon-10pm and children’s activities at Cockle Row Cottages 2pm-6pm.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Sat 5, 4-6pm: Magician, Face Painting, Party Animals NI (The programme has been extended on Saturday to coincide with Groomsport’s Harbour Hoedown event: Live Music from 7pm)

Sun 6, 2-4pm: Face Painting, Children’s Crafts & Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Sunday 6 July, Live music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

The summer season of FREE live music every Sunday in Ward Park starts this week! The 2014 programme promises and fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act: Ken Haddock and Scott Flanigan performing the music of Johnny Hartman, *4pm-6pm (*this week only). Weekly speciality market, organised by Town Centre Management.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Sun 13: Archery, Face Painting & Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Sunday 13 July, Live music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free live music every Sunday, 3-5pm. The 2014 programme promises a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act: Amanda Jameson Band and Chelsea Chambers performing pop music and favourite covers. Weekly speciality market, organised by Town Centre Management.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS…

Saturday 26 July, ‘Pipes in the Park’ featuring Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Bangor Town Hall

Free event, 12noon-6pm.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be playing from 4pm – 6pm. The event is free and non-ticketed. From 12 noon, other activities will be taking place around Castle Park and The Town Hall too, including Ulster Scots dancing, music and demonstrations and a children’s entertainment area which will guarantee to make the event a great family day out. In conjunction with the Ulster Scots Agency.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

The biggest pyrotechnics display in the North West this year will light up the River Foyle on Saturday, as a massive fire and water show marks the end of the LegenDerry Maritime Festival.

A huge fiery battle between two pirate ships will be accompanied by a specular aquatic fireworks finale on Queen’s Quay to close the weeklong festivities which have had the eyes of the world watching.

The dramatic ceremony is the brain child of well-known local man Donal Neill, from Pains Fireworks, who was involved in the Clipper Race stopover event in the city in 2012:

“The fireworks display back in 2012 was, then, one of the biggest that Derry had ever seen so to get the chance to top that will be an absolutely incredible experience.

“The fireworks will have a maritime theme and will burn on the water with haunting, ghostly music so it will be a remarkable sight.

“Tied in with that we will have a narrative piece from a pirate who will speak about “dead men telling no tales”, followed by the theatrical stand-off between two eight-metre tall galleons. It’s all about thinking outside the box to make this hugely memorable.”

Donal is no stranger to working on some of Ireland’s most prominent events, including the opening of the 2011 Europa League Final and the main St Patrick’s Day celebrations, but says it’s his local knowledge will which make Saturday’s event outstanding:

“We are an international company but we are based in Derry so we live in the city, work in the city and know the city inside out.

“Just because we are local, doesn’t mean we are small. The wider Pains Fireworks group has carried out some of the largest displays in the UK, and indeed, the world.

“We know what’s capable of the river, we know the site better than anyone and most importantly, we know exactly what the audience wants, but also how to shock the audience. It will be a sight to behold.”

The farewell finale will begin at 10pm on Queen’s Quay. Park and Stride facilities are available at Fort George. For more information, visit www.legenderrymaritimefestival.com

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (June 30-July 6).

• Larne Giro d’Italia Bicycle Art Parade, Larne, Co. Antrim, until June 30. Continuing the celebrations of the Giro d’Italia, 20 fantastic bicycle sculptures have been decorated by some of the finest local artists which are on display across the town.

• The Jungle Book, Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, July 2. Enjoy a picnic with friends and family and watch the new adaptation of the classic novel, performed in the grounds of Enniskillen Castle in an open-air venue for an evening of entertainment under the stars.

• 174^th Annual Omagh Show, The Showgrounds, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, July 4-5. This annual show includes horse and pony showing classes, a donkey derby, pig racing as well as entertainment and food stalls.

• Johnny Cash Tribute Concert, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, July 4-5. Crumlin Road Gaol celebrates the music of one of America’s greatest music performers in a unique and authentic show, capturing the unmistakable sound of the ‘man in black’.

• Tanglewood Music & Arts Festival, Narrow Water Castle, Co. Down, July 4-5. This festival will showcase the best artists and performers in a unique setting, with a craft beer festival on site plus lots of different performance areas to cater for everyone.

• Mussenden Festival, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, July 4-6. The three day festival will celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with a full range of activities for all ages and tastes including top-class musicians, a variety of superb foods, family entertainment, sports, arts and learning experiences.

• F18 Sailing World Championships, Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor, Co. Down, July 4-11. Bangor is host to the prestigious F18 Catamaran World Championships which will see many world famous sailors take part in what is the largest two-person competitive multihull dinghy class in the world.

• Meet the Heroes and Legends, Armagh Planetarium, Co. Armagh, July 5-6. A great family event where you can meet and have your picture taken with some iconic costumed characters, see the amazing fan built sets and props from some of the biggest movies and television series including Dr Who and Star Trek.
• Cuilcagh Mountain Jeep Safari, Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Florencecourt, Co. Fermanagh, July 5-6.  Jump onboard one of the Geopark Landrovers and explore the stunning scenery of Cuilcagh Mountain Park.

• Pirates Of Portrush, Various, Portrush, Co. Antrim, July 6. A great family day out will see Pirates descend on Portrush with lots of themed activities for everyone from a treasure hunt to park run, music and a parade of pirates.

Down

Celebrate the summer at the Summer Garden Fete at Mountstewart this Saturday and Sunday.  Pick up some plants from visiting garden nurseries, tour the gardens at Mount Stewart with the garden experts, or settle back and enjoy the family entertainment.

Tyrone

The ever-fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fair will be returning to the historical Lissan House, Cookstown on Sunday 29th June 2014 from 12-5pm. This event will feature around 40 fabulous sellers of quality vintage, handmade and upcycled fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares & collectibles PLUS sweet treats, retro art and gifts, photography, a fantastic prize draw, and Much More! You can also relax and revive in the Vintage Tea Room located in the Victorian Dining Room and browse the second hand book shop. Admission costs £5.

Fermanagh

The Derrygonnelly Fun Day on Friday and Saturday will commence at 7.30pm with a Soap Box Derby in the village adjacent with a historical display in the Methodist Church, and followed by a BBQ and dance in Tir Navar on the Friday evening. On the Saturday there will be a Fun Day from 2pm to 5pm with a fancy dress parade, vintage rally, busking competition, and kids’ entertainment.

Derry

Even more than the Beatles, The Beach Boys found through their music the key to unfading youth—and they made copies for everyone. To these guys, the beach isn’t just a place where the surf comes to play—it’s where life is renewed and made whole again. The  Beach  boys last played Belfast  and Dublin   to sell out shows  and  this is their  first  time to  play outside the capital  cities and the only  UK /Irish  date in the mini tour  so  Derry will be full  of  summer sounds  on June  26th at Ebrington Square.

Armagh

See Steel Magnolias at the Market Place Theatre Saturday 28th June. Robert Harling’s quintessential story of friendship and trust, ‘Steel Magnolias’ serves up a southern slice of life that’s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie! In the world of Truvy’s local-homegrown beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets, fears and love for one another while engaging the audience in hysterical and neighbourly gossip. From weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they share each moment in their lives with grace, determination, and perfectly coiffed hair. When tragedy strikes, it is in the familiar comfort of Truvy’s salon where they seek the solace and support that carries them through.  Presented by one of Northern Ireland’s leading Amateur Theatre Groups.

Antrim

The Portush Regatta 28th – 29th June is a two day dinghy and cruiser racing programme organised by Coleraine Yacht Club in association with Coleraine Borough Council launching from The Harbour, Portrush.  Causeway Coast Maritime Heritage Group will be there with their racing curraghs. Take some time out to have a look at some maritime museum exhibits at The Harbour Office courtesy of Harbour Master, Robert Anderson.  The programme also features a RS Dinghy Association One Day Event on Sunday, 29th June.

Belfast

Get out the glad rags, dust off the straw boater – it’s Jazz time! Join the restored 1960s steam train at Belfast Central. Relax as you leave the city behind and enjoy the sounds of New Orleans jazz from the Apex Jazz Band as we pause at stations which could be anywhere on the Northern Ireland railway network.  On Friday 27th June and 4th July, steam trains depart Belfast Central station at 7.25pm and return to Belfast Central again at 11.40pm.  Tickets cost £27 each and are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre, 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast or online from www.steamtrainsireland.com/events.

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.

The Navan Centre in Armagh has, once again something to shout about as the Centre has been chosen as the ni4Kids Visitor Attraction of the Year!

At a recent celebration ceremony in City Hall, Belfast, the Tourism Facilities Manager Grace Greer, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the Centre.

The Navan Centre & Fort offers visitors a unique appreciation of the history of the area through a stimulating exhibition packed full of information, artefacts and hands on activities.  Enjoy the myths and legends of the Ulster Cycle in the vibrant audio visual show.  Witness the Celtic Characters bring history to life in the Iron Age/Early Christian period dwelling with demonstrations of cooking, weaving, farming and much more. For kids, fun and laughter is guaranteed at the Navan Centre. Children can experience life as a Celt by dressing up in the Celtic  costumes, ‘Dig’ into the past in the archeo-pit, try their hand at some traditional Celtic activities, complete the trail to get a prize and make their very own badge to  remember their visit

Commenting on the recent accolade, Mrs Greer expressed her delight:-

‘This award is chosen by the public and reinforces for us the high levels of customer service the staff deliver day and daily to customers.  It gives us a great sense of achievement to know that the exhibition, our living history, our education product and, our innovative and outstanding events are perfectly meeting the needs of customers to the Centre.’

The Summer of 2014 has been a particularly memorable one for the Navan Centre as this is the second award they have scooped in a short time.  The Centre recently was also awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2014.  The sky is the limit as the Navan Centre excels as Armagh’s premier visitor attraction.

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

The summer holidays have just begun and already the sound of ‘mummy I’m bored, there’s nothing to do’ can be heard. With eight long weeks ahead mums and dads can breathe a sigh of relief with some help from the National Trust.

The conservation charity is encouraging everyone to get out of the house and enjoy great play days out ticking off their list of ‘50 things to do’. This fun packed challenge is back – and there’s nothing to stop older kids and adults joining in too.

Rediscover childhood memories and make some new ones with the Trust’s check list for under 12s, and those who are young at heart. From climbing a tree to discovering life in a pond, skimming stones to flying a kite – which ones will you do this summer?

Amy aged 10 from Enniskillen and a member of the National Trust Outdoor Explorer group said: “I love going to Florence Court to play hide and seek and to look for bugs and beasties. My favourite thing was the rope swing and my dad pushed me really high.”

Antoni aged 8 from Belfast, also an Outdoor Explorer added: “The best day at National Trust is every day. My favourite place is the river bank near the bridge at Minnowburn where the gravel looks like a beach and you can skim stones.

Here are 10 of the 50 things to do.

For more inspiration go to www.50things.org.uk

–       Climb a tree in Rowallane Garden

–       Fly a kite at Downhill Demesne

–       Go on a really long bike ride in Florence Court

–       Create some wild art at Mount Stewart

–       Hunt for fossils and bones on Portstewart Strand

–       Make a grass trumpet at Springhill

–       Hunt for bugs at The Argory.

–       Skim a stone at Minnowburn

–       Go bird watching at Strangford Lough

–       Find your way with a map and compass at Castle Ward

Go enjoy lots of play days in the great outdoors – visit National Trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more details of events and activities throughout the summer. And remember, every visit you make helps support the charity’s work looking after special places for ever, for everyone.

Among the most attractive events at recent John Hewitt International Summer Schools in Armagh, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Armagh City & District Council, have been the Lunchtime Readings featuring some critically acclaimed prose writers.

And this year’s Lunchtime series, which runs at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh from 28 July to 1 August, will not disappoint those attending the Summer School and local book lovers as the most attractive line-up ever for the Lunchtime Readings includes top Irish writers Joseph O’Connor, Jennifer Johnston, Eoin McNamee, Mary O’Donnell and David Park.

Joseph O’Connor, who is one of the most popular writers ever to have visited the Hewitt Summer School, will start off this year’s very attractive lunchtime series on Monday 28 July.  The best-selling novelist and award-winning screenwriter will read from and talk about his new novel “The Thrill of It All”, a masterfully woven story which follows a band and a friendship over 25 years.

The guest writer at lunchtime on Tuesday 28 July will be David Park,  one of the most highly- regarded novelists living and working in Ireland, who will read from and discuss his latest novel, “The Poets’ Wives”. Deeply insightful and beautifully wrought, this book features David Park at his best – a novelist whose work has the power to bring the hidden from the shadows, into a delicate and shimmering light.

On Wednesday 30 July, there will be a warm welcome to JHISS for Eoin McNamee, now based in Sligo but originally from Kilkeel, Co Down. His first book, the novella “The Last of Deeds”, was shortlisted for the Irish Times Literature Prize and his novels include “Resurrection Man”, which was later made into a film, and “The Blue Tango” which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Eoin will read from his  latest novel “Blue is the Night” which completes his  ‘Blue Trilogy’ of crime thriller novels, based on true murder cases from 1950s Northern Ireland, and he will talk about weaving real life cases into fiction.

Originally from Co Monaghan but now based in Co Kildare, poet and novelist Mary O’Donnell makes her first appearance at JHIOSS in Armagh on Thursday 31 July. Her books include six collections of poetry and the bestselling novels, “The Light-Makers”, “Virgin and the Boy” and “The Elysium Testament”. Her new novel, “Where They Lie”, set mainly in Northern Ireland, faces the legacy of ‘The Disappeared’ head on, exploring how families cope with tragedy and how history, when ignored, can poison love, family and society.

While Jennifer Johnston has read for the John Hewitt Society in other locations, she will make her first appearance at the Hewitt Summer School in Armagh this year. One of the foremost writers of her generation,  she has won the Whitbread Prize, the Evening Standard Best First Novel, and Best Book of the Year twice, and was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize with “Shadows on Our Skin”. Jennifer will be reading from her latest novel “A Sixpenny Song”, where death brings a young woman back to Dublin from London, to the house of tyranny she thought she had long escaped, and this Lunchtime reading on Friday 1 August should be one of the highlights of this year’s Hewitt week literary programme.

Tickets for individual readings cost £7.00 and these will be available at the Box Office at The Market Place Theatre Tel. 028 3752 1821 or they may be booked online: www.marketplacearmagh.com For further information see the Summer School brochure or website: www.johnhewittsociety.org

After a sell-out theatre and Edinburgh fringe run in 2013 with his show ‘Comments Disabled’, Colin Geddis [the man behind internet sensations such as ‘I AM FIGHTER’ and ‘Besty McD’] returns to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh with his new show ‘NSFW: Not Safe For Work’. NSFW is a hybrid blend of side-splittingly inappropriate stand-up material and trademark viral video sketches, during which, Colin explains how both he and his material are ‘Not Safe For Work’.

Colin Geddis will perform on Saturday 5^th July ay 8.30pm. Tickets are priced £10 each, and can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com. Please note this event is recommended for age 18+ as it contains material that some people could find offensive.

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.