‘Red Hand Luke’ actor, Dan Gordon will close this year’s Aspects Festival on Sunday 30^th September at 7.00pm in The Parish of Bangor Abbey Halls, and tickets cost £11/£9.

Dan is no stranger to the stages of Northern Ireland and has worked on a variety of productions as actor, director and playwright. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Red Hand Luke in the BBC Northern Ireland sitcom Give My Head Peace, and has also played the lead in Marie Jones’ monodrama A Night In November in London and in the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

Dan’s most recent piece of theatre, The Boat Factory is based on his own experience of growing up around the East Belfast shipyard and is set in the days when the Harland and Wolff Shipyard was the leading shipbuilding firm in the world. The play is the story of a 16 year old boy starting his first job in the shipyard, and the lessons he learns about humanity against the background of that Belfast icon. Dan has been touring and performing the show across Europe, including taking the play to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer to great acclaim.

Dan Gordon’s Lucky Bag is a one man show that brings together extracts from the scripts, stories and songs he has been involved with throughout his career, including excerpts from The Boat Factory.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.northdown.gov.uk/bookings, at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and Bangor Tourist Information Centre (028 9127 0069).

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 12 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (September 17 – 23).

For all events in ni2012 click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland

• Celebrity Chef Jenny Bristow at Belle Isle Castle, Belle Isle Estate, Co. Fermanagh, September 20.  An exclusive evening with Jenny Bristow in the Grand Hall of Belle Isle Castle.  Jenny will prepare some of her autumn favourites using produce from the walled garden at the cookery school.

• Culture Night, various locations across Belfast, September 21.  The city’s biggest, most cultural and inclusive cultural celebration will see the streets of Belfast transformed into a magical evening of exploration and adventure with everything from performances to tours taking place.

• Cultural Night Armagh, various venues, September 21.  Over 15 venues will open their doors with over 50 free cultural events taking place including performances, events, talks and tours.

• Sunset on the Summit, Slieve Donard Mountain, Newcastle, Co. Down, September 22.  Hike up Slieve Donard with a fully trained guide just in time to see the sunset and enjoy the extensive views from the summit while helping raise funds for charity.

• Shiver Me Timbers – Jim Lad, Slieve Gullion Courtyard, Newry, Co. Down, September 22.  Come along with your swords, maps, eye patches and parrots in search of treasure in the deep, magical forest with games and activities for all.

• Show Stopping Spectacular, Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, September 22.  A unique one off show featuring the big musical numbers from the West End and Broadway including Oklahoma, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls and Fiddler on the Roof.

• 37^th Annual Vintage Vehicle Rally, Gosford Forest Park, Markethill, Co. Armagh, September 22.  Enjoy a full day of family fun, vintage vehicles and demonstrations.

• Fungi Guided Walk, Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, September 22.  Join the warden to explore the estate’s habitats and discover why fungi, bugs and beasties are so important to the world’s ecosystem.   

• Autumn Book Fair, The Argory, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, September 23.  Browse through the hundreds of second hand books in the courtyard before enjoying an invigorating walk among the autumn colours around the estate.   

• Family Adventure Day, Castle Ward, Co. Down, September 23.  Enjoy a range of activities to entertain all the family including canoeing, archery and orienteering.  Suitable for age 4 years plus.

• The Story of Belfast, Belfast Barge, Titanic Quarter, until September 30.  An exhibition that traces the story of Belfast from prehistoric times through medieval times, the Plantation, the granting of the town charter in 1613 and right into the early 1900s.

• Art in the Age of Steam, Enniskillen Castle Museums, Co. Fermanagh, until October 7.  This art exhibition will take visitors on a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of railway travel and bring to life a period when colour photography was in its infancy.      

Sheep strangling, erotic love poetry, dancing with Mick Jagger. Stories so hilarious they could only be ripped from the pages of Owen O’Neill’s life….

Northern Ireland’s own Owen O’Neill has established himself as a comedian, writer, actor and stand-up performer worldwide. This year we welcome him to the comedy line up at Aspects where he will perform his comedy and poetry set ‘Volcano Dancing’ on Friday 28 September 2012 at 9.00pm. Tickets cost £11 (£9 concession).

Most of Owen’s material is drawn from his own life – anecdotes, many of which might only be considered mildly amusing if, for example, they happened to you. However, in Owen’s hands the simplest of story builds and builds to a hilarious crescendo due to his honesty, perceptive observations and storytelling skill. To quote The Scotsman; ‘To call what he does ‘stand-up’ doesn’t do him justice. This is genuine comedy from the gut, a true original.’

But poetry and comedy, though? The word poetry is a scary word for some people; they see a man in a tweed suit droning on about the sea and lost love. However in Owen’s show Volcano Dancing he will hit you in the face with it, he’ll break your heart with it and he’ll make you laugh with it.

His poetry has been described by the Glasgow Herald as “explosive and tender.” The Independent said he had “the comic turn of phrase of Roddy Doyle and the darkness of Patrick McCabe.” His Grandmother said he shouldn’t use so many bad words and should go back to church – you can’t please everyone.

In Volcano Dancing he will also tell some true stories about himself and his family that will have you on the edge of your seat. Mick Jagger might make an appearance, but maybe against his will, and Owen may even tell you about the time he was interrogated by an IRA man with a stammer.

This is a fantastic opportunity to see this powerful comic and poet tell stories of a life still being lived and written about – get your tickets while you still can!

Tickets are available from the festival Box Office at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and from Bangor Tourist Information Office (028 9127 0069).

Fans of Radio 4’s Book Club and Today programmes will have the opportunity to hear veteran broadcaster James Naughtie discuss his most recent documentary series The New Elizabethans when he headlines the opening night of this year’s Aspects Festival on Wednesday, 26^thSeptember 2012 at 8.30pm (tickets £11 / £9 concession).

The New Elizabethans which has been created for the Diamond Jubilee year considers the period of The Queen’s reign thus far and profiles 60 key people whose achievements have helped define this era and are likely to stand the test of time. Those profiled run from Edmund Hillary to Vivienne Westwood, from Billy Connolly to Margaret Thatcher. Northern Irish figures feature prominently in the list, including George Best, John Hume and David Trimble and leading astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.

James’ journalistic career has seen him travel the world, most notably to the United States where he has covered every Presidential election and garnered a wealth of US political trivia, though he is perhaps most infamously known on the Today programme as the presenter who had a rather unfortunate mispronunciation slip over the name of Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt!

This is a fascinating opportunity to look at our recent history in a different way, led by a man whose guiding principle is that journalism is “…about telling stories straightforwardly, as interestingly as you can, and as accurately as you can manage.”

Other authors and events at Aspects include Colin Bateman’s Crime Night, this year featuring Colin Brookmyre, Bernard MacLaverty, Chief Football Writer for the Guardian, Kevin McCarra, poetry and comedy from Owen O’Neill, Glenn Patterson, our Young Aspects Headline Guest Derek Landy (author of the Skulduggery Pleasant series), David Park, Gerald Dawe and an evening devoted to Flann O’Brien’s novel The Third Policeman, featuring narration by Stephen Rea and music by Colin Reid.

Author Bernard O’Donoghue has described the Aspects Irish Literature Festival as “one of the great gatherings”, so what are you waiting for? Head to Bangor and we’ll see you at the festival!

Tickets are available at www.northdown.gov.uk/bookings, from the festival Box Office at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and from Bangor Tourist Information Office (028 9127 0069).

After a fantastic summer of sport, it seems only fitting that North Down Borough Council should welcome one of the UK’s best known and respected sports writers to this year’s Aspects Festival.

A man who has reported on football for many years for The Guardian, Kevin McCarra will be reading and talking about what’s involved in covering the ‘Beautiful Game’ on Friday 28^th September 2012 at 7.00pm. Tickets cost £9 (£7 concession).

Kevin McCarra was born in Scotland and has for many years written for the Guardian on all elements of the ups and downs of each football season, also contributing to the weekly Guardian football podcasts. Working on matches at every level, from this summer’s Euro 2012 championships through to the weekly cut and thrust of goals given and disputed, transfer windows and reflections on the wider issues at play in football, Kevin has seen it all and written about it with his trademark insight and gift for making sport live on paper.

This is a great opportunity to hear a writer passionate about the sport he covers talk about writing and analysing football – and if you’re an intrigued Guardian reader, who knows? He may even offer some clues to the identity of the paper’s ‘Secret Footballer’!

This year’s Aspects line-up is packed with something for everyone; for the crime lover there’s Colin Bateman’s Crime Night featuring Chris Brookmyre, poetry lovers will love Bernard MacLaverty, or if you’re just looking for a laugh Owen O’Neill is the show for you. Actor Stephen Rea is also making an appearance narrating Flann O’Brien’s ‘The Third Policeman.’ A show not to be missed! For the full line-up, please download a programme at www.northdown.gov.uk

Tickets are available at www.northdown.gov.uk/bookings, from the festival Box Office at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and from Bangor Tourist Information Office (028 9127 0069).

Belfast to host unique 8-day comedy festival

BELFAST can look forward to lots of belly laughs next month following the launch of the city’s only dedicated comedy festival.

Belly Laughs will run for eight days from 30 September – 7 October, in 15 venues across the city, with over 40 performances.

The full programme will be formally launched next week and festival organisers have promised a great line-up of new and established comedians with confirmed acts including local legend Jimmy Cricket.

Festival Director, Peter O’Neill, said he hopes Belly Laughs will provide Belfast with a unique comedy festival that will appeal to audiences of all ages with a programme that presents great value in these straightened economic times.

“It’s time for Belfast to have its own comedy festival and we can’t wait to showcase the new comic talent and the rich tradition of humour that characterises the city and its people. We aim to stretch the boundaries of comedy in the city and explore the history and role humour plays in the local community – both past and present.

“Not restricted to stand-up comedy, the festival hopes to challenge and inspire, showcasing genres such as poetry, magic, cabaret, workshops, seminars, club nights, book readings, events for children and even comedy bus tours – in fact, anything with a humorous angle!”

The festival hopes to become a permanent fixture in the city’s festival calendar and will profile local comedy clubs throughout the year. Working directly with performers, venues and other organisations to achieve its belly laughing mission, the festival has been organised by comedy enthusiasts and is not for profit.

The full Belly Laughs programme will be launched on Thursday 13 September.

FLive: Fermanagh’s finest live entertainment and visual arts festival are thrilled to announce that their line-up for next month’s festival (4^th – 7^th October) has been confirmed, with music, drama and visual arts in abundance.

Supported by the Fermanagh District Council, Arts Council NI and local businesses, the festival is proud to announce that headlining the bill are Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine who are set to present a programme of Celtic, folk and eastern European music at the Ardhowen Theatre on Thursday 4^th October, guaranteeing to kick off the festival in style.

Running until the 7^th October, other confirmed performers include Omagh songstress Juliet Turner, Slovakian violinist Vladimir Jablokov, Fermanagh’s Pat McManus Band, L.A.W. and Gareth Knox, as well as late-night cabaret duo Yankee Panky and comedian Ardal O’Hanlon who will play Blakes of The Hollow’s Comedy Club night in celebration of their 125^th anniversary.

Audiences too can get in on the festivities, by participating in various inspiring musical masterclasses and workshops from world-renowned tuba player Steve Stykes and organist Ian Keatley, to readings and discussions held by author Carlo Gebler and the Fermanagh Creative Writers group.

Embracing all art forms, FLive, formally known as the Fermanagh Arts Festival, has been designed to appeal to all ages and interests to include everything from dance, theatre and film to children’s entertainment, visual art exhibitions and more.

With this in mind, the four-day festival will feature dance in the form of Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre, offer family fun with the beloved Dragon Parade and officially host the NI launch of ‘Portrait of a Zombie’, which will be screened at the Enniskillen Omniplex on Thursday 4^th October at 8pm. In addition, and in association with The Fermanagh Trust, BBCNI will also screen a short series of BBC commissioned films about Fermanagh, each of which will celebrate local people and places sure to spark enjoyment and nostalgia.

Art lovers can also enjoy various exhibitions that will run throughout the duration of the festival in venues such as the Higher Bridges Gallery, Devenish Gallery and the Cooper Wilkinson Gallery which will house ‘Humbly Through The Dust’ – an awe-inspiring collection curated by artist Dr. Helen Sharp in accordance with the British Council. Others include a spectacular exhibition of paintings by ArtbyNorthwest, a print exhibition by the NIPA and the Enniskillen 400 showcase among others.

With all this and much more, the FLive Festival will provide a unique opportunity for audiences to experience an exciting and exhilarating weekend with an eclectic mix of events not to be missed. Mark the dates in your diary now!

For the full line-up and more information on events and tickets, visit www.flive.org.uk /www.facebook.com/FermanaghLive /www.twitter.com/FermanaghLive

NORTHERN Ireland’s leading ferry company Stena Line has flexed its sporting muscles by signing up to a further year as title sponsors with the Elite League ice hockey champions, the Belfast Giants.

The 2012/13 season, Stena Line’s first year of sponsorship, was the most successful yet for the Belfast Giants and the team will be hoping to retain the title this year, after winning their first game of the new season against the Tilburg Trappers last Saturday (1^st September).

The Giants will return to Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on 20^th September to play their league season home opening game against the Dundee Stars.

Stena Line’s Area Director Michael McGrath believes the partnership is the perfect fit: “We have had a fantastic first year of sponsorship with the Belfast Giants and I’m delighted to announce a further year of the partnership,” said Michael.

“The Belfast Giants are much more than an ice hockey team. They are an outstanding example of how a professional sports organisation can mesh with the community.  Winning trophies is always the measure of sports teams but it doesn’t show their contribution to their community.

“The Stena Line Belfast Giants provide excellent family entertainment, work with schools and youth organisations across Northern Ireland and through the Giants Foundation they are dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. Stena Line is proud to be associated with them through this title sponsorship,” he continued.

“As a giant of the ferry industry, this is the perfect match for Stena Line as the Giants travel throughout the UK to play and we provide more connections between the UK and the Ireland than any of our competitors on the Irish Sea,” Michael added.

Todd Kelman, General Manager of the Stena Line Belfast Giants said:  “We are delighted to be going into our second season with Stena Line as our title sponsor.  They were part of our most successful season ever on and off the ice and the partnership has been a perfect fit for the Giants and hopefully for Stena Line as well.

“We are looking forward to another great season of action and hopefully we can give Stena Line and the people of Northern Ireland another championship winning team they can be proud of,” he added.

Stena Line is the market leader on the Irish Sea, offering the biggest fleet and the widest choice of routes from Ireland to Britain, including the Belfast to Cairnryan, Belfast to Liverpool (Birkenhead), Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Port to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard routes.  The company carries more than two million passengers on its Irish Sea routes each year, more than its rival ferry operators combined.