Excitement is mounting this week as the nation prepares to celebrate 60 years on The Throne for Queen Elizabeth II. Celebrate in style in Bangor this weekend with a series of world class entertainment acts and plenty to do and see for the whole family.

The celebrations will kick off on Saturday 2^nd June with the arrival of the HMS Bangor at The Eisenhower Pier following a sail-past involving boats from local yacht clubs. The ship will be open to the public from 12 – 5pm all day Sunday. Also on Sunday, there will also be Armed Forces activities on The Pier with climbing towers, a shooting range, displays of military vehicles and a static Royal Navy Helicopter display.

On Sunday June 3^rd, you are invited to attend The Big Jubilee Lunch which will take place in Castle Park from 2pm. This is the perfect opportunity for you to bring along a picnic, take part in The Big Lunch and enjoy the host of amazing live music celebrating the 50s, all in the splendid surroundings of The Town Hall.

Jazz fans will adore AJ Brown and The Swingshift Big Band who will be taking to the stage at 2.00pm.  This 18 piece band will perform favourites from the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and pride themselves on bringing big band music into the 21^st Century.

At 4.00 pm the internationally renowned Jacqui Dankworth Band will be performing. Considered to be “one of the classiest acts in British jazz singing” (The Guardian), Jacqui’s highly acclaimed recordings are stylistically diverse, incorporating elements of folk, blues and many other forms that have also demonstrated her superb skills as an eclectic songwriter.

Sunday’s activities will conclude at 7pm, with an Interdenominational Church Service which will take place on the stage in front of The Town Hall. A United Schools Diamond Jubilee Choir, drawn from primary and secondary level schools across Bangor, will lead the singing with talented soloist, Sylvia Burnside and the Salvation Army Band.

For the kids, the entire Town Hall area will be transformed into a vintage-inspired Cartoon Wonderland – look out for old friends Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben and other surprises in a celebration of the creations of the 50s. There’ll be treasure hunts, crafts, a tea party, plant-potting, dressing up and lots more, guaranteed to keep the kids entertained for hours with lots of nostalgia for the adults!

In the courtyard just in front of the Town Hall – a special Jubilee version of the popular Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair will delight the shopaholic!  This will feature a fabulous line up of around 50 handpicked local vintage dealers and creative designers offering an extravaganza of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectables, gifts, sweet treats and much more.

For the car-lovers, a Vintage Car Display featuring cars and military vehicles from the era will be taking place in Castle Park. Hosted by The MMOC, highlights of The Show so far, which will feature over 50 cars, include: a Morris Minor Panda Police Cart, fully restored complete with Police equipment, a 1971 MG B Roadster and a 1973 Triumph 2000. A beautifully restored old Council refuse collection truck will also be on display.

There’s lots happening inside The Museum too with exhibitions based on Royal Visits to North Down and the Cinema Room will be screening films from The Coronation and previous Royal visits.  The Museum will also have Jubilee related crafts on Sunday 12noon- 4pm and Monday 10am – 4pm.

In a marquee on The West Lawn, a recreated 1950s home will reflect the best of the 50s with sections on Food, Frolics, Frocks and Furniture. The Council’s recycling team show you how to make the best of what you’ve got, with themed workshops to turn your old clothes into outfits fit for a Queen.

All Town Hall activities will be repeated on Monday 4^th June with some adjustments to the musical programme.

The Ulster Orchestra will be rehearsing for their grand finale performance from 4.00 – 6.00 pm in Castle Park, followed by the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra.

At 8.00 pm the Ulster Orchestra will perform a very special Jubilee concert with Internationally renowned soprano Rebekah Coffey who will be performing for her home crowd. Come along, bring a picnic and kick-back and enjoy this very special musical treat. The day’s events will conclude at 10.30pm with a spectacular 3D Projection light show onto The Town Hall. Watch The Town Hall move like it’s never moved before with this amazing show entitled “The Elegant Lady.” The light show will be followed by The National Lighting of the Jubilee Beacon.

So get your vintage gear on and prepare to step back in time this Bank Holiday weekend when you come and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with us, lots of fun and entertainment for the whole family for the whole weekend!

Please note that Monday night’s concert is by ticket only. Free tickets are available  for collection only from Bangor Leisure Centre, North Down Museum, Bangor’s Tourist Information Centre, Bangor Library and Holywood Library. Alcohol is not permitted at any of the weekend’s events.

For further information, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com

THE grounds of Glenarm Castle Estate are set to quake this July as teams of leading strongmen go head to head in a battle worthy of the legendary Finn McCool.

Taking place on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th July at Glenarm Castle, County Antrim, the CLASH OF THE CELTIC GIANTS, Highland Games will make a welcome return to Glenarm Castle Estate as part of the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV.

Glenarm has played host to the world famous Highland Games for 14 years and is promising to put on the toughest challenge yet for teams from Scotland and Ireland who will compete in the grounds of the historic estate.

The Clash of the Celtic Giants, Highland Games was launched this week at Glenarm Castle with the UK’s strongest man Glenn Ross throwing down the gauntlet to his Scottish counterparts who will be making the trip across the Irish Sea this summer.

Adrian Morrow, Glenarm Castle Estates Managing Director, said, “I can’t wait to see how our own strongmen fair against the mighty Scots. This is a new twist on the traditional Highland Games with teams competing for the title and we hope that visitors will come along and enjoy the spectacle.

“The Clash of the Celtic Giants is just one part of the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to what promises to be one of the UK and Ireland’s biggest cultural events.

“Come rain or shine there will be something on offer for visitors to the Estate and this year we have worked hard to make sure that even if the rain does come you can still enjoy the events with covered areas all around the Estate – so make sure to come along and see a legendary battle.”

The festival is a celebration of music, sport and fine food and includes a headline performance from international pop star Ronan Keating with special guest star Sharon Corr on Saturday 14th July.

This is Ronan’s only performance in Ireland this year and promises to be a night to remember – all under cover of a big top, so you don’t need to worry about the weather!

Arthur Murphy of title sponsors P&O Ferries, said: “As operator of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Ireland and Scotland, P&O Ferries is delighted to sponsor the Dalriada Festival for the 10th year running.

“Since the start of our sponsorship of the Highland Games in 2002 we have witnessed the event grow in size, stature and popularity attracting even greater audiences to the picturesque coastal village of Glenarm.

“Operating on one of the oldest traditional trade routes between Ireland and Scotland P&O Ferries has been bringing these two Celtic nations together for many decades. We are delighted to have played a part of the continuous evolution of the games now known as the Clash of the Celtic Giants Highland Games and celebrate we are offering a series of ‘one time only’ rates which will allow even more people to come to Co. Antrim and take part in the fun.”

Visitors to the CLASH OF THE CELTIC GIANTS will also be treated to the finest food that Northern Ireland is famous for with demonstrations from TV chefs The Fabulous Baker Brothers as well as a line up of award-winning Taste of Ulster Chefs, local producers and artisans, who together will celebrate some of the exceptional produce of the Glens of Antrim and Northern Ireland as a whole. In addition to this it will be an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the Estates own produce which will be available through-out the two days as well as Glenarm Organic Salmon.
The week-long festival also includes a free Gospel Concert on Saturday 15th July with a headline performance from singer songwriter Brian Houston as well as a show-stopping fireworks finale on 21st July. The week includes a rowing regatta, horse hunt chase, triathlon and much, much more.
Tickets for the concert are available at www.ticketmaster.ie, while tickets for the Clash of Celtic Giants can be purchased on the gate. The Festival Week events will incur no admission charge. Further information on the festival and concert can be found at www.dalriadafestival.co.uk.
Tickets for Ronan Keating can also be purchased at the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and Woodsides Pharmacy in Ballymena.

JASON CLARKE

(Full Band)
‘UNDERCOVER’ EP LAUNCH
& Guests
The Stiff Kitten, Belfast
Friday 6th July 2012

Doors 8pm / Tickets £6 / Over 18’s only

Tickets available from www.shine.net , The Kitten Bar and Ticketmaster Outlets this Friday from 9am

ʻUndercoverʼ is the eagerly anticipated second EP from Belfast singer songwriter Jason Clarke, which is set to be available both digitally and on CD. Jason has supported the likes of Paolo Nutini, Scott Matthews, Tommy Reilly, Kassidy, Ryan Sheridan, The Walls and Shayne Ward on tour, and is one of the most hotly tipped young talented artists to come out of Northern Ireland this year. Jason & his band will be officially launching the EP at The Stiff Kitten Belfast on Friday July 6th. Tickets go on sale this Friday from www.shine.net , The Kitten Bar and all usual Ticketmaster outlets

Lead track from the EP “Gotta Go” is already picking up plays on TV.

Jason Clarkeʼs hook-laden melodies punctuate his music with an excellent blend of rock and grown-up pop sensibility. With a gracious nod towards soul, marked by well crafted lyrics and gripping vocals.

www.jasonclarkemusic.com
www.facebook.com/JasonClarkeMusic
www.soundcloud.com/jasonclarkemusic
www.shine.net

The summer holidays are always a tricky time to entertain your teenagers – that is if you can get them out of bed!

An exciting opportunity exists this summer for an International Drama Summer Course.

The course is being held at Campbell College from 2^nd – 29^th July and is run by Madrid based international drama and communication experts, Interacting. It offers teenagers the chance to improve their drama and communication skills and a unique opportunity to mix with children from all over Europe.  The Interacting team working on the school chosen both locally and from abroad are all experienced actors and educators.

During the course students will be trained in techniques of comedy, improvisation and circus during workshop time.  Using these skills they will work towards a series of performances for a final show performed at Campbell College theatre and broadcast live on the internet to parents and friends in participating countries.

Outside of workshop time there will sports activities as well as the chance to share and learn of other cultures through exchanges of dance and cookery.

Company director, Ed Cousins said:

“Working through drama and sport builds confidence, we have been running successful schemes all over Europe for the past 20 years with many students coming back year after year.

This is a brilliant opportunity for young people from here and abroad to get together share experiences, have fun and learn a lot”.

Costs for the course are 4 weeks £350, or 1 week for £120 – this includes all workshops, sports activities and lunch.

To make a booking please contact wendy@interacting.info

Summer Trends. Sleek suits. Menswear at its best. At long last the time has come for the men of Northern Ireland to gain their own unique place on the Northern Irish fashion calendar. MAN TIME is promising you the BEST TIME.

Our Events NI has built up an impressive reputation through its renowned Bridal Fairs and Ladies Night moving recently into the Fashion Show forte. Brainstorming with an exciting and colourful team from all sorts of creative backgrounds looking for those extra special ideas to push the boundaries to boldly go where no major NI Events team has gone before. MAN TIME is set to be an event like no other.

Taking place on Sunday June 17, aka Father’s Day, MAN TIME coincides with the closing of London Collections: Men. The three day exclusive Menswear Fashionweek and the first of its kind, showcasing the very best of British designers the UK has to offer.

Naturally we want in on the action and what better way to do so than to create our own Menswear debut show presenting the best brands NI has at its disposal. Including a handful of talented local designers presenting their first ever male catwalk creations from Van Der Simon Knitwear, Dave Henderson and Nor Lisa Fashion. Three up-and-coming design students from University of Ulster are also set to debut promising to be both creative and innovative in their menswear pieces.

MAN TIME will display collections from major testosterone induced designer brands. Pepe Jeans, Clockwork Orange, North Clothing, BANK, Cruise and Hugo Boss . With House of Fraser lending looks of masculinity from their exclusive house brands and extravagant designer ranges.

Luxury unique footwear will be supplied by international shoe haven Dune. Whilst Queen’s Arcade’s The Watch Store is lending modern, catwalk spotted designs from Gucci to Guess to Swatch and CK. Funky. Sleek. High quality wrist wear for the modern gent. Ticking all the boxes. Pun intended.

Sporting a variety of stylish looks from upcoming Summer trends modelled by hand-picked and relatively unknown male models. DJs and guest performers will also feature prominently throughout. All taking place on the slightly raised, contemporary catwalk serving to entice and excite from start to finish.

Our Events NI co-founder and Managing Director Kerrie Mann commented, “Its been a long time coming and we are beyond excited to be involved in providing Belfast with the first men’s only fashion based event. An exciting event which will undoubtedly draw attention for the fashion conscious guys in NI.”

John Gerard O’Neill will be on hand to style the guys from head to toe having gained invaluable catwalk experience from the likes of Victoria Square shows, Belfast’s West Coast Cooler Fashion Week and more recently El Divino’s sensational Walking On Water.

John Gerard commented “This show is one of a kind and a much needed asset to the emerging Belfast fashion scene. The male fashion scene in Belfast is still quite small but this event will open the doors for a growing market here in NI crying out for their own exclusive event.”

Of course no successful fashion show is complete without fashion forward hair and in this case, stubble. Courtesy of the award winning and expertly recognised Jason Shankey. Providing our models with a well groomed look of both cool and stylish proportions. Brenda Shankey said, “Its very exciting for Belfast to host the very first Men’s show. We are looking forward to being part of such a prestigious
event.”

MAN TIME will be held in the recently refurbished Ivory Restaurant & Bar sitting on top of Belfast’s Victoria Square. The hive of all things high-street and high-end alike. Breath-taking views. Stunning surroundings. The perfect setting to usher in MAN TIME in all its catwalk glory. Did we mention they have a bar?

Perfect for that not-to-be-missed after party. MAN TIME will kick off at 7pm. Men will walk at 9pm. Tickets are priced at £10. Guests will be treated to a drinks reception, a red-carpet photo-op and a man-packed goodie bag appropriately named the Man Bag.

Local Fashion, Lifestyle and Entertainment free online and hard copy publication 7Magazine are the proud media sponsors.

For more information regarding tickets or queries please contact Kerrie Mann at Our Events NI via 07834370006 or email info@oureventsni.com

To celebrate the launch of the free visitor app, ‘Causeway Companion – which is ‘the local’s guide to the Causeway Coast’ – app makers, Awakin.com are giving you the chance to win great local prizes with their fun competition – it’s a competition with a twist! There’s a grand prize up for grabs and lots of weekly give-a-aways!

Your challenge is to unlock the ‘mystery word’ by getting a high score on their fun online game. The game is called ‘Drop In On N.I.’, in which you guide our dare devil wee wave champion Sandy Surfer (a north coast dude with bags of attitude) through targets as he sky dives onto the Causeway Coast!

It’s not going to be easy so to be fair to non gamers, you can enter into the weekly draws by submitting to the competition with your name and email. You can play it as many times as you want so If you manage to unlock the mystery word you’ll be entered into our grand prize draw, which is an activity break for 2 persons Dinner Bed and Breakfast for 2 nights at the most splendid Roe Park Resort, Limavady!

To enter simply follow the link over to our website CausewayCompanion.com – click the game tab, play the game and enter the competition.

Keep an eye out for that mystery word, we’ll give you a clue – it appears somewhere after 500 points so keep playing until you get it and good luck!

This Project was sponsored by Awakin.com. They build Simple, Practical and useful Smartphone apps to support your visitor’s experience and to get you started in the fastest growing market in the world – Apps! So why not visit their site for a look at the latest ideas to help you grow your business! www.awakin.com

View the demo – video how to play and win!

Take the kids back in time this Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend at the special Vintage Cartoon Wonderland taking place in Bangor’s Castle Park on June 3^rd and 4^th.

Inspired by all things creative from 1952; toys, feature length cartoons and TV, Firsty Creative and North Down Borough Council have collaborated to bring to life this magical wonderland which will be part of The Council’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Events.

An entire area of Castle Park will be transformed for the weekend into a 50s-style play-experience – look out for old friends Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben and other surprises in a celebration of the creations of the 50s. There’ll be treasure hunts, crafts, a tea party, plant-potting, dressing up and lots more, guaranteed to keep the kids entertained for hours with lots of nostalgia for the adults!

Follow the White Rabbit down the rabbit-hole and visit (or perhaps revisit!) favorite character’s from the 1950’s.  The Mad Hatter will set the scene for a crafty tea-party, with plenty of games and of course the Cheshire Cat will be looking on, but can you find him? Noddy and his Toy Town friends will pose for a picture and Andy Pandy’s dress-up box will be open ready for a rummage so boys and girls can dress up to their heart’s delight!

We want everyone to check under their beds and down the sofas and bring any pieces of stray Lego down to our Lego Amnesty. Help us build a massive sculpture using all your old Lego!

The Cowboys and Indians will be there too and have set up their teepees and you are welcome to come and sit around their REAL pretend fire. Bill and Ben will lead you to the Walled Garden where Firsty Artists have been transforming it into an amazing Sculpture Garden.

So get into the 50s spirit on and prepare to step back in time this June Bank Holiday when you come and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with us, lots of fun and entertainment for the whole family for the whole weekend from 12 – 6pm both days.

For further information on The Cartoon Wonderland or the entire Diamond Jubilee Events programme, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com

TICKETS ON SALE 9:00am FRIDAY 25TH MAY

INCLUDING:

Sunday 17th March –  Belfast Odyssey Arena (£35.50 / £27.50 Including booking fee)
Monday 18th March –  Dublin O2 Arena (€41.55/  €33.50 Euros Including booking fee)    

It’s been another whirlwind of a year so far for Jessie J who takes another step closer to world domination. Jessie has proven she is one of the hottest pop star’s on the planet right now having hit the #1 spot in 19 countries world-wide selling 11 million singles and over 2.5 million copies of her multi-platinum debut album ‘Who You Are’. In the UK alone Jessie has sold 1 million albums and secured two #1 singles with ‘Price Tag’ and ‘Domino’.

In February 2013 Jessie will be taking her phenomenal live show on the road for her first 12-date UK & Ireland arena tour. The tour will follow a string of summer festival appearances including Wireless, Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, Isle of White, Ibiza and Mallorca Live, T in the Park and Capital FM’s Summertime Ball.

The Irish Leg of the tour sees Jessie perform in The Odyssey Arena Belfast on Sunday 17th March followed by Dublin 02 Arena on Monday 18th March. Tickets go on sale this Friday 25th May at 9am from Ticketmaster & all usual outlets

Jessie’s latest single ‘Laserlight’ featuring David Guetta smashed into the top 10 6 weeks ahead of release making it her 6th top ten UK single resulting her breaking UK chart history with the most top ten hits off one album. Jessie is the first UK solo artist to have achieved this feat, with only Take That’s 2010 album ‘Progress’ and Lady Gaga’s debut album Fame equalling such incredible chart success in the UK.

Early June sees the conclusion of Jessie’s success as a coach on the BBC’s primetime Saturday night talent show The Voice with Jessie also confirmed to take to the stage in Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations alongside music legends Sir Paul McCartney & Sir Elton John.

2013 UK TOUR DATES:

Tuesday 26th February                        Nottingham at Capital FM Arena
Wednesday 27th February            Brighton Centre
Friday 1st March                        Birmingham LG Arena
Saturday 2nd March                        Manchester Arena
Sunday 3rd March                        Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
Tuesday 5th March                        Liverpool Echo Arena
Wednesday 6th March             Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Thursday 7th March                        Bournemouth International Centre
Saturday 9th March                        London O2 Arena
Tuesday 12th March                        Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Thursday 14th March                        Glasgow SECC
Friday 15th March                        Aberdeen AECC

IRISH TOUR DATES:
Sunday 17th March                         Belfast Odyssey Arena
Monday 18th March                        Dublin O2 Arena

Website: http://bit.ly/JessieJ-OfficialSite
Twitter: http://bit.ly/JessieJ-Twitter
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/JessieJ-Facebook

www.mcd.ie

To purchase tickets

£35.50 / £27.50 Including booking fee
In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):
ROI – 0818 719 300, Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Buy Online: www.ticketmaster.ie <http://www.ticketmaster.ie>

Looking for something to do on Sunday, 3rd June?

How about packing a picnic, gathering your family and friends and heading down to Bangor’s Castle Park to take part in The Jubilee Big Lunch? Set out the rug, relax and be entertained by the jazz tones of AJ Brown & The Swing Shift Big Band and the delightful Jacqui Dankworth in the beautiful surrounds of Bangor’s Town Hall.

The Lottery-funded Big Jubilee Lunch is part of the programme of events to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, as announced by Buckingham Palace, and has Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall as its patron. Led by the Eden Project, the aim of The Big Jubilee Lunch is to encourage neighbourhoods to come together to share lunch and a few hours of community, friendship and fun. Last year the best part of two million people took part and this year record numbers are anticipated to join in.

Northern Ireland Big Lunch representative Gráinne McCloskey said: “We are delighted North Down Council made The Big Jubilee Lunch an integral part of their exciting extended Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations. It’s hoped that hundreds of families will turn of the TV and come to Castle Park on Sunday 3rd June, bring a picnic, a rug and a willingness to chill out and have good old fashioned conversations and enjoy celebrating all that is good about where they live. The hope is that they will go on to have annual Big Lunches in their streets and local areas for years to come.”

So come along to Castle Park on June 3rd from 2pm, kick back, enjoy the atmosphere and the music and be part of this national initiative!

For further information, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com or www. thebiglunch.com

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland will be starting its mid-summer steam train season by offering people a unique and stylish way to travel to Bangor for the afternoon on Saturday 26th May.

Passengers on this year’s Bangor Belle Steam Train will be able to experience the thrill of steam train travel from the Titanic era.

Indeed, should you want to, this is an opportunity to let the steam train take you all the way from Whitehead Excursion Station, Carrickfergus, Belfast Central or Lisburn to Bangor and back again.  All the way around Belfast Lough where Titanic first sailed.

By offering a steam train – a unique and enjoyable means of travel – passengers, especially families, will be able to enjoy a few hours by the sea, without the hassle of traffic jams and car parking.

It is hoped that the locomotive at the head of the train will be No.461, built in Manchester and celebrating its 90^th birthday this year.  It has only just returned to operation following an 11 year restoration, largely carried out by volunteers at the Society engineering workshops at Whitehead, County Antrim.  The Bangor Belle Steam Train will be its first public passenger train to Bangor.  It is sure to make plenty of steam locomotive noise as it tackles the steep climb from Holywood, through Cultra!

The train will offer passengers travel in lovingly restored carriages, the opportunity for children (and more nostalgic adults) to get close to the steam engine and talk to the driver and fireman and a relaxing journey through the North Down countryside to Bangor.

RPSI Operations Officer Mervyn Darragh commented: “We are pleased to offer this car-free means for passengers to travel to Bangor on a summer Saturday. The steam train works in perfectly; offering families time in Bangor for a walk, some shopping or even to sample some model steam trains at the First Bangor Model Railway Society exhibition for which ticket holders will get discounted admission.”

“We always enjoy helping the public and especially children to get closer to the industrial heritage we maintain. A steam train just oozes atmosphere and we would especially appreciate the public sending us drawings, notes or poems about their day out on the steam train for posting on our website.”

Departure times:

Whitehead RPSI Excursion Station 12:35
Carrickfergus 12:50
Belfast Central 13:20
Lisburn 14:25

Return departure from Bangor at 17:40

Tickets (Adult £14, Child £12) are available in person, by phone or on-line only
from:

Belfast Welcome Centre
47 Donegall Place
Belfast
BT1 5AD

+44 28 9024 6609

www.steamtrainsireland.com

Advance ticket purchase IS essential!

A series of evening “Steam and Jazz” trains on 8th, 15^th and 22^nd June and 6^th July, with the Apex Jazz Band on-board, make up the rest of the mid-summer steam train calendar.  Tickets are already on sale for these popular trains.