Down

Join the RSPB for a night at the movies at Comber’s Tudor Cinema on Thursday 6^th June.  Sit back and enjoy this special screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1963 classic ‘The Birds’ and help support the RSPB’s work with people and wildlife across Northern Ireland.  Cinema snacks will be provided on entry.  Doors 7.15pm  for 7.45pm start.  This event is part of Love Nature, running until 8 June.  For all our County Down events click HERE.

Tyrone

The Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown is the venue for a charity comedy night on Friday 7^th June.  With the fantastic combination of Sean Heagarty, Gary Lynch, Cormac Cookie O’Donnell / Igor Bolshoikirov, and the singing sensation that is Phil McEwan, this event guarantees laughing indulgence but without the guilt because it’s all for charity – two to be precise – The Alzheimer’s Society & The Garden of Hope, Kenya.  For all our County Tyrone listings click  HERE.

Fermanagh

The Fermanagh County Fleadh Derrylin takes place this weekend.  Friday 7th: Dartry Ceili Band 8pm and supporting artists.  Saturday 8th: Fior Ceili with Martina Duggan / Gig Rig / Singing Session / Music Session with Kevin Rowsome (Renowned Uileann Piper) & friends.  Sunday 9th; Gig Rig Parade & Vintage Car Rally / Singing Session / Old Time Dance featuring Ceili TimePun and Street sessions throughout weekend / 50th Anniversary Photographic Display.  For all our County Fermanagh listings click  HERE.

Derry

Following hot on the heels of the Gruffalo’s sell out tour and his monstrous West End success comes the GRUFFALO’S CHILD – with attitude!  Just how brave is she? Find out for yourselves by joining her at the Millennium Forum 7^th – 9^th June.  The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood…  One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?  Tall Stories Theatre Company returns, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to life in this magical, musical adaptation.  For all our County Derry/Londonderry listings click HERE.

Armagh

The Armagh County Show is back this year in the beautiful setting of Gosford Park on Saturday 8th June. An annual one-day Agricultural Show and Country Festival which celebrates the best of local agriculture and the rural way of life held.  A great day out for all the family with something to interest everyone.  Come early to avoid the rush.  Gates open 9.00am.  For all our County Armagh listings click HERE.

Antrim

Carrickfergus Sailing Club invites you to ‘Try a Boat’ on Saturday 8^th June at Carrickfergus Harbour.  Get active and come sailing. Enjoy the benefits of this healthy activity: a family and social activity, building confidence and self reliance. Suitable for all ages, abilities and disabilities.  For all County Antrim listings click HERE.

Belfast

Check out the Belfast Barge this weekend for sailing instruction with the Ocean Youth Trust at the Odyssey Arena. Then visit the Belfast Barge to explore the stories of the men and women who have worked and lived in Belfast through our interactive museum.  You will also have the opportunity to watch a documentary video about the early settlement of Belfast. There is also a free walking tour, free art class and music showcase.  For all our Belfast events listings click HERE.

Don’t forget to enter our competitions -we have some great prizes up for grabs – go to www.whatsonni.com/competitions and good luck!

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.

Belfast’s colourful, citywide celebration of the written word, the printed page, the editorially edifying and the laudably literary returns from 10-16 June 2013.

The third Belfast Book Festival boasts an impressive programme, glutted with big international names alongside the shiniest local talent from the big, broad world of words and literature.

The written word is showcased in all shapes, hues, contexts and forms, offering something for all tastes as venues right across the city play host to readings, workshops, theatre, music, film, talks and more!

The festival line-up is as eclectic as it is acclaimed, Scotland’s Makar (National poet) Liz Lochhead opens the Book Festival, setting an outrageously high standard for the festival week. One of the world’s most celebrated travel writers Paul Theroux brings his latest book The Last Train to Zona Verde: Overland from Cape Town to Angola to a Belfast Book Festival audience. The Boy with the Striped Pyjamas author John Boyne will be reading from his new book This House is Haunted, legendary music / cultural commentator / motormouth Paul Morley joins the Book Festival to discuss new book The North which takes in everything from Wordsworth to The Smiths.

Internationally famed psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz discusses his bestselling book, The Examined Life, and controversial food writer and household name Jay Rayner is a Greedy Man in a Hungry World. Memoirist, novelist and activist Linda Grant is also making a hotly anticipated visit to Belfast’s Crescent Arts Centre for the festival.

Voica Versa brings the freshest and finest local performance poetry to BBF13, Sinead Morrissey will be reading from her latest poetry collection Parallax, and will be joined by fellow Belfast poetical luminary, Martin Mooney. Up and coming Belfast poet Geraldine O’Kane leads an exciting multi-disciplinary evening of dance, painting and performance in response to her work, in Poetic Perspective: Through Artists’ Eyes. The startling, award-winning poet Dave Lordan reads from his fiction debut First Book of Frags. The incendiary,’30 under 30’ Irish short story anthology is represented by five of the best young Irish writers, reading their work for the Festival.

Whether it’s timely regional foreshadowing or simply spellbinding discourse, Belfast Book Festival is also proud to present Unstated: Writers of Scottish Independence – an evening of discussion about the vibrant cultural autonomy that Scottish writers have established, more passionate and imaginative than the near-moribund political debate on independence. Featuring a panel of writers and academics including Peter Geohagen, Aonghas MacNeacail, Aaron Kelly and Denise Mina, this event promises to stand apart from the facile game of counter-claim dominating the Scottish press.

New Voices of Crime does exactly what it says on the tin and finds No Alibis book shop proprietor David Torrans introducing Claire McGowan and Thomas Mogford, two of the brightest names in crime fiction in the UK and Ireland.

The screening of Janapar: Love on a Bike features the intrepid Thomas Allen who left friends, family and promising career behind to set off with a bike, armed only with a tent and a video camera. Ten thousand miles later, join him at the Belfast Book Festival.

The venerable tradition of Irish publishing is strongly represented by Lagan Press and Liberties Press, who invite festival goers to a series of literary lunchtimes with readings and discussions.

Elsewhere there’s an evening in the company of one of the rising stars of local letters Nathaniel Joseph McAuley, who will premier the next chapter of his work in progress The Joiner’s Song at the Belfast Book Festival. This latest instalment, entitled The Dyer’s Notes on Indigo perfectly represents McAuley’s expansive vision in this episodic collection of poems and songs from the perspective of various rural tradesmen. Community Arts Partnership showcases work from Moments the painstakingly and lovingly collected poetry anthology public submission.

Author Leesa Harker and playwright Martin Lynch talk fags, flegs and filth as they discuss Harker’s Red, White and Blue trilogy whilst actress Caroline Curran brings Harker’s unforgettable anti-heroine Maggie Muff to lurid life.

Family fun comes courtesy of Illustrate Summer Stories – Watercolour Postcards which offers children a chance to create and post stunning artwork to friends, the Children’s Poetry Prize will find all young readers walking away with a small gift and, in a Book Festival first a free Family Fun Day in Lower Crescent Park, with children’s writers, storytelling, food and drink, games and loads and loads of books.

Melody and words comes together with Malojian hosting The Art of Songwriting and Performance and I Have Travelled this Country – the collected songs of Cathal McConnell and Gerry O’Connor.

Dramatic performances include Parnassus‘ I, Kavanagh – Noel McGee’s one man show on the influential poet, Black Egg Production’s Love for Sale, – an adaptation of the deliciously grimy Bukowski short story of nearly the same name. Wireless Mystery Theatre present the witty, the wicked The Play of the Book and there’s a howlingly good mini-season of movies on The Beats at the QFT.

Festival Co-ordinator Hugh Odling-Smee said:

“This year’s Festival again restates our belief that books are for everyone. We’ve got stellar writers from across the world, debates, launches, music, theatre, film and art all created to lure even the most unsuspecting into the magical world of books. If books create worlds to escape into, then we’ve tried to create one week where all of the city and its visitors can let their imaginations and creativity soar.”

Damian Smyth of principle funder The Arts Council Northern Ireland added:

“Belfast has long been famous as a city of readers and writers and the Belfast Book Festival perfectly captures the moods of invention and reflection and fun which only a book can excite. The Arts Council is delighted to support this Festival – reading is still a private and intimate joy, but when it goes ‘live’, on song, outdoors or on stage, this is where public funding rightly comes into its own”

The Belfast Book Festival 2013 is also supported by Belfast City Council’s Community Festivals Fund.  Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, commented:

“On behalf of the Council, I would like to congratulate the organisers for another excellent quality programme, which showcases the best of our local literary talents alongside reputed international writers.  The 2013 Festival is a credit to all concerned and I urge booklovers to support it.”

For complete programme and further information on the Belfast Book Festival please go to www.belfastbookfestival.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 3 – 9).

• Art in the Garden, Mount Stewart, Newtownards, Co. Down, until August 26.  Follow the art trail around the magnificent gardens of Mount Stewart and view the spectacular installations which have been produced by local artists and are on display for the duration of the summer.

• Ballinamallard Festival, Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh, June 1 – 9.  Enjoy lots of family fun with a strongman competition, a fishing competition, a treasure hunt, clay pigeon shooting, a car boot sale and much more.

• The Farmer and the Fisherman, Coleraine Train Station, Co. Londonderry, June 3 – 9.  Enjoy a 45 minute train ride from Coleraine Train Station to Londonderry Train Station with a unique audio/visual performance.  In this world you are either a farmer or a fisherman, but how do you know which one you are?

• Costume Unveiled, Ulster Museum, Belfast, June 5.  Join the curator of applied arts for a tour of the newly refurbished costumes gallery and find out more about the displays.  There will also be a drop-in costume-themed workshop following a talk from 3-4pm.

• Belfast Photo Festival, various venues, Belfast, June 6 – 30.  Northern Ireland’s premier visual arts festival celebrating some of the finest national and international contemporary photography and visual culture with workshops, talks, masterclasses, screenings, book launches and more.

• The Return of Colmcille, various venues across the City of Derry, June 7 – 8.  The streets and the walls of Derry~Londonderry and the River Foyle will become the stage for a unique series of events specially commissioned to celebrate the UK’s first City of Culture.  Welcoming Saint Colmcille back to the very city he founded this festival will have music, art, comedy, performance and fireworks.

• University Boat Race, from Albert Bridge to Queen’s PEC, Belfast, June 8.  The River Lagan will host the 10^th annual university boat race where universities from across Ireland will battle it out on the championship course.  This year will be the largest ever with up to 13 races and entertainment throughout the day.

• Armagh County Agricultural Show, Gosford Forest park, Markethill, Co. Armagh, June 8.  A large agricultural show and country festival held each year in the beautiful surroundings of Gosford Forest Park with equestrian classes, cookery demonstrations, a bonny baby competition, a dog show, a funfair and much more.

• Grow and Arrange Your Own Cut Flowers, Kilcoan Gardens, Larne, Co. Antrim, June 8.  Enjoy a guided tour of the garden, learn how to grow your own cut flowers and how to arrange flowers into stunning arrangements including a hand tied bouquet to take home with you.

• Branny Ramble, U.S. Grants Ancestral Homestead, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, June 9.  Join us on a walk around the beautiful countryside of Branny.  Experience the amazing breathtaking views on Branny Rath of nine counties – Tyrone, Londonderry, Donegal, Antrim, Monaghan, Armagh, Lough, Down and Cavan.  Guided tours available and cyclists welcome.

Come on down and enjoy the fun at Lilian Bland Community Park in Glengormley on Saturday 8^th June from 12pm to 6pm for the Party in the Park.

There will be lots of fun for everyone including bouncy castles, go karts, party games, face painting, arts & crafts, drumming circles, a roller skating disco, music by Impact and a Katy Perry Tribute and the Cool FM Road show.

The event is organised by Newtownabbey Borough Council and Glengormley Chamber & Traders’ Association. Now in its fourth year the event is a perfect day out for families all events, with the exception of the amusements are free.

Party in the Park complements the Glengormley Revitalisation Project, which is funded by the Department of Social Development and being managed by Newtownabbey Borough Council with support from Glengormley Chamber & Traders’ Association. This project has seen local businesses revamped with new shutters, shop fronts and new paint. And to give the businesses a boost the Get into Glengormley campaign now offers special discounts from local businesses and encourages more customers to discover what’s on their doorstep.

Check out the range of services that customers can avail of, including beauticians and hairdressers, opticians and dentists, cafes and restaurants, real estate agents and insurance brokers and local traders who can fix your lawnmower or your hoover.

So why not enjoy the fun at the Party in the Park and then take your lunch at the Eden Café , check out the holiday offers at Co-Operative Travel or buy a bunch of flowers for someone special from Flowers by Reids, there really is something for everyone.

For further information or to check out the special offers please log on to www.getintoglengormley.com, check out Get into Glengormley on Facebook and Twitter or call 028 9034 0052

A week long series of events to celebrate the natural beauty and illustrious history of the River Lagan from will take place from 3rd to 9th  June.

These events will promote a positive image of the Belfast City Centre by focusing on Belfast’s unique maritime history through the public’s access to the Belfast Barge and its award-winning educational programming.  We intend to give a variety of Northern Ireland residents and tourists the experience of sailing on the River Lagan and highlight the natural beauty of Belfast’s River Lagan through our quayside art class and showcase the city’s cultural integrity by support local musicians with our evening music event.

Furthermore, through this programme we will be revitalising and regenerating an area of the city which is frequently underused and bringing life to the River Lagan. Through this programme we will integrate the River Lagan waterfront with the city centre and emphasize the river as a significant natural asset to Belfast. During the week we will be hosting sailing and educational programming for local schools and community groups of Belfast and the Greater Belfast area.  During the weekend we have a number of events (some are free) to celebrate the Lagan.

Saturday 8th June and Sunday 9th June

Free Art Class with Grahame Booth

–           for all abilities

–          ages over 18

–          supplies will be provide

–          Free tea and coffee

–          10am-12pm

Free Walking tour with Lee Lavis and John Campbell

–          Titled ‘The Dockers Daydream’

–          Starting at 1pm from the Belfast Barge ending at the Mission for Seafarers with tea and coffee

–          Join us for ‘A Dockers Daydream’ walking tour guided by Lagan Legacy’s Lee Lavis and former dock and author John Campbell.  The tour will leave form the Belfast Barge at 1pm and end at the Mission for Seafarers, lasting for one hour.  The tour guides you through the docks and Sailorstown with a compliment of history and Campbell’s own stories of the area.

Belfast Barge museum entry and Sailing instruction, £7

–          £7 includes your museum entry and one hour sailing instruction with the Ocean Youth Trust. Ocean Youth Trust Ireland (OYTI) is a charity dedicated to giving young people from all walks of life a chance to experience sailing training.

–          Booking required, sailing starts at 11am and they will depart every hour.  We ask that all participants arrive 15 minutes before sailing.

Saturday and Sunday sailing times:

–          Session 1:                  11.00 – 11.45 hrs

–          Session 2:                  12.00 – 12.45 hrs

–          Session 3:                  13.00 – 13.45 hrs

–          Session 4:                  14.00 – 14.45 hrs

–          Session 5:                  15.00 – 15.45 hrs

Saturday 8th June

Belfast Barge music showcase, £7

–          Doors open at 8pm

–          Our three acts will be:

• Matthew Rutherfood Jones
• Craig McConkey
• Morgan MacIntyred

Morgan MacIntyre -Twenty-one-year-old Morgan MacIntyre has recently sang with Nanci Griffith at Belfast Nashville and also supported Joan Armatrading at the Belfast Opera House. Morgan opened Trinity Ball’s Mainstage earlier this year ahead of acts such as Ellie Goulding and The Vaccines. Morgan played the music maker stage at Vantastival

Morgan MacIntyre is a story teller with a haunting voice whose music  has been called ‘extraordinary’ by Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody.

Morgan’s songs have been played on BBC Radio1 and BBC Radio Ulster, U105,  RTE Radio1 and several commercial radio stations. She has performed live on several radio shows, including the BBC’s  Gerry Anderson Show, Ralph McLean and BBC’s Arts Extra.

Morgan has just recorded a video of a new song  ‘Dancing Down Ravenhill’ with BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean

Down

Celebrate Strangford Lough’s ancient and modern maritime traditions, and its world renowned wildlife and landscape this Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd June across the Strangford Lough Narrows between the historic settlements of Portaferry and Strangford. The picturesque shore fronts, historic Market Square, 17th century Market House, medieval tower houses, and woodlands provide a captivating setting for a great family programme.  For all our County Down events click HERE.

Tyrone

Borderline Players are back this June with the hilarious Ray Cooney comedy, It Runs in the Family – this Saturday at Aghyaran GAA Centre Castlederg.  Set on the morning of the annual Ponsonby lecture in St Andrew’s Hospital, Dr David Mortimore is preparing for a career-making speech when his world is turned upside down by the surprise arrival of former flame and colleague Nurse Jane Tate. A cantankerous hospital chairperson, an unwelcome Police Sergeant and an unbalanced youth all add to chaos that ensues.  For all our County Tyrone listings click  HERE.

Fermanagh

The 2nd annual Brookeborough Community Festival  runs from Wednesday to Saturday with events including donkey derby, soapbox derby, street races, street music, car boot sale, compromise rules game between Brookeborough GAA and Clogher Valley Rugby Club & 10k fun run to name a few.  For all our County Fermanagh listings click  HERE.

Derry

Magherafelt District Council is once again planning an exciting event for the district.  The Strawman Festival will be launched on Saturday 1 June 2013.  The event will feature over 20 community groups and local charities taking part in a carnival from Magherafelt High School through the town centre and ending up with a Family Fun Day at Meadowbank Sports Arena.  The day will be rounded off by “The Hoedown” a Country Concert.  For all our County Derry/Londonderry listings click HERE.

Armagh

A wonderful ‘Fleadh Rua’ will take place in the village of Forkhill, in South Armagh from Friday 31^st May to Sunday 2^nd June. This ‘Festival of the Red Heads’ will be a celebration of the rare and unique red haired gene, which is in danger of dying out. We are playing our part in it’s conservation by inviting red-heads and their friends, from all over the world to come to Forkhill for a weekend of great craic, music and humour, to meet their ‘like-kin’. There will be exhibitions and sales of local art and crafts, food stalls, children’s Art Competition, historical talks and tours of our beautiful ‘Ring of Gullion’ area. There will be great sessions of traditional music and a special guest concert, culminating in a ‘Big Ceili’ in the local GAA community centre on Saturday night. Coincidentally we are also aiding and endorsing the re-introduction of the ‘Red Squirrel’ into our area, a very special little four legged ‘Red Head’, who is also under threat!  For all our County Armagh listings click HERE.

Antrim

To kick off the Larne Alive Summer festival organisers have arranged a special cinema showing of ‘Grease’ at the McNeill Theatre, Larne, on Friday 31st May.  This promises not to be any old screening but a musical showing where the audience can sing-along with word to the songs appearing on screen!  There will be prizes for the best dressed and the ticket price includes refreshments during the evening.  Tickets cost £5 and are available from Larne Tourist Information Centre.  For all County Antrim listings click HERE.

Belfast

Make some space in your wardrobe and save the date (Sunday 2^nd June at the Apartment) for the RSPB’s Love Nature Frock Swap!  Guests are invited to bring 3 items of previously loved clothing to swap for 3 new stylish steals.  There will be fashion tips from a top Belfast style guru as well as beauty tips and cocktails in the fabulous surroundings of one of Belfast’s most glamorous venues.  Love Nature is a fundraising festival running from 29 May until 8 June.  All money raised will support the RSPB’s local conservation and education projects.  For all our Belfast events listings click HERE.

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.

Apple co-founder in Derry~Londonderry for one of Europe’s largest business events

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will take the stage at Derry~Londonderry’s Millennium Forum today (Thursday May 30^th) as the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC) hosts EBN Congress , one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious business events, in the city.

The major three day conference, which will feature an unparalleled line-up of 50 top-class speakers, officially got underway yesterday (Wednesday) with pre-programme meetings and events, including a drinks reception hosted by Derry City Council, but begins in earnest today.

Made possible by the support of principal sponsors Invest NI, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and ILEX, the congress has attracted speakers from as far away as China and Australia, and delegates from all over Europe, as well as a local business audience.

Wozniak will provide the headline address at 10am, with other speakers today (Thursday) including Sir Tim Smit KBE, famous for his work creating the Eden Project which is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’; USA based Richard Florida, the best-selling author on the economic importance of the creative industries and described as an ‘intellectual rock star’; and Benjamin Southworth, Deputy CEO and Head of Community of the Tech City Investment Organisation in London.

A full programme and speaker list are available at: http://www.noribic.com/ebncongress

Some 550 delegates have signed up to attend the congress, exhibition space at the Millennium Forum conference venue is sold out with over 40 exhibitors confirmed, and sponsorship has exceeded targets with another 19 well-known private and public sector organisations from throughout Northern Ireland joining the top-line support from Invest Northern Ireland, DCAL and ILEX.

Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC says: “In my experience there has never been a line-up to match this in Northern Ireland.  Focusing on the themes of Digital, Social and Cultural Innovation, the breadth of expertise and experience on offer is nothing less than awesome.  Our European delegates and those from closer to home will not only be informed and inspired but also entertained by an eclectic mix of cultural experiences so it really is a conference with a difference. ”

Ilex’s Interim Chief Executive Mel Higgins said: “Ilex is delighted to support the EBN Congress which has chosen the first ever UK City of Culture to host its prestigious international conference.  This event has drawn people from all corners of the globe, many of whom are seeing the city for the first time. It will help project Derry~Londonderry as a location of choice for investment and will have a substantial economic impact, generating over £700,000 for the local economy.

The Congress will showcase our ambitious regeneration programme and we’re particularly pleased that delegates are holding their gala dinner in the Venue 2013 where they will see for themselves the ongoing transformation of Ebrington into a new shared public space”.

In addition to the Principal Sponsors, the EBN Congress is supported by SEUPB’s INTERREG IVA Programme, the Irish BICS, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB), Derry City Council, Pi Communications, the Nerve Centre, Learning Pool, Bombardier, Concentrix, Matrix, Carson and McDowell, Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP), Seagate, North West Regional College (NWRC) the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Tayto and Bushmills.

DUCKLINGS have been taking their first faltering waddles at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, outside Comber, Co Down.

The popular Downy Duckling Tours have returned and will take place every Saturday and Sunday in June at noon, 2pm and 3pm, and on a Wednesday at 3pm. Families will have a unique opportunity to see and discover how ducklings develop inside an egg and break free from the shell into a young bird that you can meet whilst exploring the duckling nursery.

We will take you to our egg room to see the incubators, where we will use a technique called candling to show you ducklings developing inside their eggs at different stages – from one week of development all the way through to ducklings trying to hatch! If you are lucky enough to come on a day when a duckling has just hatched in our hatching incubator, you will be able to meet it up close!

You will also tour our indoor duckery and finally visit the outdoor duckery, where our older ducklings enjoy five star accommodation with a heated coop and their first swimming pool!

Rearing ducklings in our duckery helps us to save rare birds from extinction. Here at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, we are breeding endangered Hawaiian geese (Nene), critically endangered Laysan ducks, and many more. Due to the late spring these ducklings haven’t hatched yet, but there will be others in the duckery for you to see. The work of WWT’s aviculturalists in places like our duckery has allowed them to develop skills they are now using all around the world to save the world’s rarest species, including the Madagascar pochard and spoon-billed sandpiper, both critically endangered.

Tours are included in price of admissions, due to popular demand pre-booking is essential. WWT members are also required to book their space although they will not be charged. WWT members must arrive promptly 15 minutes before tour otherwise there space will be reallocated.

Also another date for your diary; Saturday 15 June, Fathers Go Feral is a Father’s Day event with a difference. Now into the 6th year this one books quickly. A chance for dads everywhere and their kids to learn about bush craft, camp out under the stars in WWT Castle Espie’s Wetland Centre’s woodland and learn more about nature. Starts at 7pm on Saturday 15 June; adults £30; children £20. Booking is essential with the centre in advance.

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10.00am to 5pm. Access to the car park, shop, Loughshore Café and Art Gallery is free.  For more information on these and other events please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie

Nigel Grainge, the man that discovered Thin Lizzy, Sinead O’Connor and the Boomtown Rats to name a few, is making his way to Derry from Los Angeles as a guest of his co-A&R, local man Patrick Cutliffe.

He hopes to leave Northern Ireland/Derry with at least one artist he can intro to a major label or publishing deal. Nigel is connected to major labels and publishers throughout the US and UK and has a vast network in the music industry. He can, and will, make things happen if he discovers the right act/s.

Background

Patrick has been working as Artist & Repertoire (A&R) alongside Nigel, www.nigelgrainge.com, for 4 years discovering music talent worldwide and bringing artists to the attention of major record labels. In the summer of 2010, in Los Angeles, Patrick sat in on an A&R panel with Bob Geldof, Nigel Grainge (Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats), Rupert Hine (Tina Turner, Underworld), Damion Damizza Young (Snoop Dog, Mariah Carey) and Conor McNicholas (Ex NME Editor).

Patrick’s dream and passion has always been to help independent artists worldwide to monetise their business and get the recognition they deserve. He set up his own company Artists Live Limited in August 2012 to exploit the use of emerging online technologies, for the promotion of original independent musicians to showcase their wares and make a living.

The company’s key platform, CHOORPY.com is a unique, global, music-discovery, digital content web platform, where event organisers, musicians and music fans come together and do business. In terms of its market positioning, it’s akin to a combination of Airbnb.com for Event organisers and Elance.com for musicians. CHOORPY will launch in Ireland, in the fourth quarter of 2013. Watch this space.

Nigel says, “Nearly all the great things in my career have come from Ireland. I have no idea how that happened, but starting with Thin Lizzy, The Boomtown Rats, Sinead O’Connor, and even Mike Scott and his Irish connection have led to great things. I haven’t been back since those days and feel that an opportunity to see a bunch of raw but carefully pre-selected talent may well uncover a potential gem or two. My talent has always been to follow my hunch and if I unearth a gem or two I have enough really good connections out there to help make things happen!”

Patrick says, “Now that I’ve got the attention of world class A&R, I foresee great things happening for local artists. We now have the appropriate channels in place and the global network that has always been lacking here on the ground. I hope and plan to build on this and showcase the outstanding music talent and culture that we have here in Ireland.”

In March 2013, Patrick started an online ‘Independent music revolution’ with Choorpy and it’s taking off like a helium balloon:

• Independent musicians promoting independent music, only,  http://www.facebook.com/choorpy

• Connected to A&R scouts worldwide

• Choorpy Blog is reaching 35+ countries worldwide in just over 2 months –

http://choorpy.tumblr.com

• Facebook posts reached 2.5 million people within 1 week – http://goo.gl/bgpvM

Good Luck! We will be in contact with the artists who make it through to audition with further information.

Patrick Cutliffe

CEO/Founder

Choorpy.com

If you would like further information about this subject, or would like to schedule an interview with Nigel Grainge, please contact Patrick Cutliffe at, information@choorpy.com

Join Shaun the Sheep and his flock for some baa-rilliant family fun at Meadowbank Sports Arena on Saturday 1^st June from 1pm to 5pm as part of the Magherafelt Strawman Festival.

Family favourite Shaun the Sheep and friends will host the Championsheeps LIVE! for the first time in Northern Ireland.  Come along and help us give Shaun the Sheep a very warm welcome, and be among the first to take up the challenges presented by the farmyard themed games, featuring a range of amusing activities from Shirley sheep space hoppers, a farmyard assault course and a naughty pig’s sack race.

Challenges on the day will include:

Shirley’s Pieathlon – Race a Shirley-shaped sheep hopper while trying not to drop the piece of cake you’re carrying and avoid the fruit obstacles that stand in the way at the same time!

Free Range – Lift the chickens and see what you find: If it’s a chick, take it back to the safety of the henhouse; if it’s an egg, balance it on the wooden spoon and take it to the wicker basket.

Get Fit with the Flock – Get fit with a hula hoop challenge whilst wearing ears just like Shaun the Sheep and friends.

Sheep Shape – Add your creative touch to the growing farmyard scene by creating Aardman style Naughty Pigs out of clay. Use your newly created model as a prop in Animate It! Then take your masterpiece home to share with friends and family.

Naughty Pig Sack Race – Dress up as a Naughty Pig and race your challengers to prove that you’re the fastest porker in the yard!

This amusing event has been developed jointly by SGA Productions and Aardman Animations, the award-winning animation company and creators of the popular Shaun the Sheep series.

In addition to the Championsheeps LIVE! the Strawman festival will feature a Carnival of Strawmen and special characters, junk art workshops by the Big Lottery Live and Learn project, puppet shows, mega inflatables, local food stalls, it’s a knockout, rodeo sheep, face painting and many more enjoyable activities – guaranteed fun and laughter for the whole family!  Children are also welcome to come along in cowboy fancy dress to join in with our country theme.

Sharon Arbuthnot, Arts & Events Officer with Magherafelt District Council said: “We are delighted to be hosting the  Championsheeps LIVE! for the first time in Northern Ireland.  We are really looking forward to meeting Shaun the Sheep and his flock, and experiencing the hilarious farmyard challenges to help launch our inaugural Strawman Festival.  It’s an exciting new fun activity for our event, and we would encourage people to come along and give it a go, it really will be tremendous fun.”

Admission to the event will cost just £1 per child, adults go free.