An egg-stra special Easter is planned at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum this year.

From Sunday 8^th to Tuesday 10^th April, visitors of all ages can take part in egg-rolling down Bleach Green, a special Easter-themed treasure hunt, street games and swing boats for children and adults. Children can also have a go at creating their own Easter art and there is an Easter Bonnet competition each afternoon.

Special magic shows have been planned in the Parochial Hall and in the Rail Gallery as well as rabbit shows and traditional musical performances. Visitors can also venture to the Rural Area and meet the new additions to the museum including lambs and chicks.

Visitor Services Manager Ruth Turkington said the museum has planned an entertaining programme to mark the Easter holidays: “This is a wonderful time of year at the museum. The farmyard is buzzing with new arrivals, the daffodils are blooming and we are encouraging the public to come and celebrate Easter at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.

“We have a packed programme of activities to keep all ages happy and entertained. Of course, as well as plenty of things to do, our visitors can simply relax, enjoy living history at its best and we’ll ensure there’s some traditional soda bread to sample – just hot off the griddle!”, she said.

For further information about Easter events at the museum, opening hours and pricing go to www.nmni.com.

Indie hero’s Bombay Bicycle Club have just announced details of an exclusive headline performance at the Mandela Hall, Queens University, Belfast on Tuesday 1^st May 2012.

Tickets priced at £24 go on-sale this Wednesday from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and Ticketmaster.ie

Bombay Bicycle Club released their third album, ‘A Different Kind of Fix’ in August 2011 to widespread critical acclaim. In a little over three years, the band will have released three LPs – an extraordinary and increasingly rare feat in the 21^st century music industry. From the teenage indie kicks of their debut; to the sparse, timeless folk of last summer’s top ten album, ‘Flaws’ (nominated for an Ivor Novello Award); the quartet open a new and beguiling chapter with, ‘A Different Kind of Fix’, one that cements their place at the very forefront of British bands in 2012.

Recorded in Hamburg, London and Atlanta, ‘A Different Kind of Fix’ captures the sound of a band effortlessly progressing and innovating at a startling rate. Guitars are firmly plugged back in for album number three, but added to the mix with potent results are synths, sampled loops, layered vocals from all four band members and washes of reverb throughout.

The sheer breadth of styles and range of influences on display across the record is startling.

First single, ‘Shuffle’, emerges from a looped piano sample to burst forth into one the band’s biggest songs to date, as the piano loop recruits gargantuan drums and bass that march to an epic chorus on their way to a house break of Balearic proportions.

Album opener, ‘How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep’ is all marble steeped vocal loops and breathy samples, which are also used to devastating effect on ‘Lights Out, Words Gone’: a song of such rarefied beauty and rhythmic hooks, one imagines a lost, codeine-fuelled Talking Heads album.

For more see: bombaybicycleclubmusic.com/ /  www.mcd.ie

With the clocks having gone forward and spring officially sprung, the Ulster Orchestra brings a touch of all four seasons tonight (Tuesday 3 April) with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, one of the most popular and well known pieces of music to Clonard Monastery in Baroque at Easter, a concert of timeless Baroque classics.

The Orchestra’s Hungarian-born Leader, violinist Tamás Kocsis is the soloist for the Four Seasons and directs the concert that also includes music by Bach, Purcell and Handel’s uplifting Water Music.

Looking forward to the concert Tamás said, “It’s has been a busy few days, as we performed Brahms’ great Requiem in the Ulster Hall on Friday and was in Derry on Sunday for an education concert, but I am really looking to playing at this special venue.

“While the Orchestra has played at Clonard before, this is my first time performing at the Monastery where I will also be playing the Bach Double Concerto with Chris Blake, our Principal Oboe player. He is a dear friend and a fantastic oboist, so I am sure we are going to have lots of fun performing this wonderful piece,” he continued.

“The Four Seasons always presents a challenge, being very well known and very transparent. No wonder it’s popular with audiences and performers alike, it is a beautiful set of Concertos.”

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Performing live to 100,000 people each year in venues from Ulster Hall to Strabane’s Leisure Centre, the National Concert Hall in Dublin to London’s Royal Albert Hall, since its foundation in 1966 Northern Ireland’s only professional orchestra has also played in many ecclesiastical venues from the cathedrals of Armagh to St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry and St Anne’s in Belfast.

Speaking about the concert, Clonard’s Rector, Father Michael Murtagh, said, “The Four Seasons is such a famous piece of music and written by a man who I recently discovered was himself ordained a priest.

“I am looking forward to the concert that comes, for many obvious reasons, at an incredibly special time for so many people being Holy Week. It is also our first Easter back in our newly restored church and the first time in three years that the Orchestra has played here and it’s great to have them back.”

Talking about the Bach Double Concerto, UO Principal Oboe Christopher Blake said, “I have played this amazing concerto with the last two leaders of the Orchestra and am really looking forward to performing it with Tamás, who is an extraordinary violinist.

“You need a lot of stamina for this peice because the music never stops which is unusual for a wind concerto. It is also a challenge to play in different places too, as the environment and acoustics differ from place to place, but we are all really looking forward to returning to Clonard,” Christopher said.

Tickets for the concert on 3 April at 8pm are still available from the Ulster Orchestra Box Office on 028 9023 9955 and ulsterorchestra.com.

Come outdoors this Easter. Get ready for eggstravaganzas, egg trails and antics at four stunning National Trust properties in Mid Ulster – The Argory, Ardress House, Springhill House and Wellbrook Beetling Mill. Spring has sprung and there is endless fun in store for all the family.

On Easter Sunday and Monday, Springhill House in Moneymore will celebrate Easter in true fashion with a Cadbury’s egg trail, face painting, craft activities and a visit from a few familiar characters – Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and friends will be joining in the fun and games on the estate.

The Easter bunnies have hidden themselves around the lawns and gardens at The Argory. Come along on Easter Monday and Tuesday to the beautiful estate near Moy to find the bunnies, unlock the clues and win the chocolate surprise. Face painters, crafts, games on the lawns and pony and cart rides will keep you entertained throughout the day.

At Ardress House in Annaghmore, the bunnies have also hidden around the farmyard and gardens. Come along on Easter Sunday, complete the trail and win the Cadbury’s chocolate surprise. Enjoy magic shows, children’s music, balloon modelling, crafts and more.

On Easter Monday, follow the clues along the wooded glen at Wellbrook Beetling Mill, Cookstown to find the Cadbury’s surprise. Pack a picnic for the day and soak up the surrounds of the Ballinderry River.

Whatever you’re into, the National Trust Mid Ulster properties have something for everyone this Easter.

For further information on events and opening times visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ni or visit www.eggtrails.com. Normal admission, National Trust members free. Egg trails £1 per child.

To mark 60 years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s reign the Diamond Jubilee will take place in 2012.

To celebrate the occasion, North Down Borough Council are planning a programme of exciting events which will centre around an extended weekend on 2^nd, 3^rd , and 4^th of June and coincide with the national Jubilee celebrations.  The overall theme of the events will be Vintage in keeping with 1952, the year that The Queen was crowned.

The celebrations will kick off on Saturday 2^nd June with the arrival of the HMS Bangor at The Eisenhower Pier.

On Sunday June 3^rd, you are invited to attend The Big Jubilee Lunch which will take place in Castle Park.   This is the perfect opportunity for you to bring along a picnic, enjoy the splendid background of the Park and listen to a host of amazing live music celebrating the era.

Jazz fans will adore AJ Brown and The Swingshift Big Band at 2.00 pm.  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 take to the stage. 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.

At 7pm, an Interdenominational Church Service will take place and the evening will conclude with the premiere of the 3D Projection Spectacular, an amazing light show which will be projected onto the front of The Town Hall.

The entire Town Hall area will be transformed  – there will be a 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 Seaside Frock 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.  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.

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 will be taking to the stage.

At 8.00 pm the Ulster Orchestra will perform a special Jubilee concert. 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 another 3D Projection light show onto the Town Hall, followed by The National Lighting of the Jubilee Beacon.

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

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

Pictured are Martin Miller and his sons, Matthew and Owen, co-organisers behind the Titanic Yardmen Cycle and Walk with the Connswater Community Greenway.  The Millers are taking delivery of a donated chest of Thompson’s Titanic Tea from Thompson’s Family Teas, the family behind Punjana.

Ross Thompson, from Thompson’s Family Teas is an old schoolmate of Martin’s, and offered to support the Titanic Yardmen Cycle and Walk when he found out Martin was behind the charity effort to raise much needed awareness and sponsorship for Bowel Cancer UK.  The event is organised in the memory of Martin’s wife, Rosi Kirker-Miller.

As well as sponsoring the event, Ross will be providing Thompson’s Titanic Tea to all the walkers before they embark from their meeting point at Westbourne Church on the Newtownards Road, whilst all cyclists and walkers will be given a pack of Thompson’s Titanic Tea for to refuel and refresh when they get home from the event.  The sell out walk and cycle takes place on Sunday 1st April with the cyclists and the walkers congregating at Titanic Belfast between 1pm and 3pm.  Spectators are encouraged to support the Yardmen, as they make their way to the Titanic Quarter.

Thompson’s Family Teas, was founded by Robert Thompson who established the company is 1896, blending tea in his Belfast premises as he watched the Titanic take shape in the neighbouring shipyard.  His blend of tea helped fuel the thousands of men from Belfast and beyond as they laboured on the great liner.  Thompson’s Family Tea is the sole supplier of tea to the prestigious Titanic Signature Building.

For more details on the fundraiser log on to www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk. For more details on Thompson’s Family Teas log on to www.punjana.com or like us on facebook at Punjana.

– Titanic to be showcased in unforgettable audiovisual experience –

A cutting edge digital projection show is coming to The Slipways in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and the experience will be available for people to watch online at www.ni2012.com/lightshow

tiAs part of the Titanic Belfast Festival 2012 and the ni2012 celebrations, the event will showcase the new iconic Titanic Belfast visitor attraction.  NITB and Belfast City Council have teamed up with video production company Geocast TV to make sure that even those people who didn’t get a ticket for the event can watch the whole performance unfold live.

Taking place on April 7, the ‘Titanic projection show’, produced by Culture Creative and designed and creatively directed by seeper.com,  will use 3D motion graphics, synchronised pyrotechnics and bespoke sound design – all inspired by the RMS Titanic – to create an unforgettable 40 minute audiovisual performance to celebrate Belfast’s culture, heritage and bright future.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Mayor, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said:  “This is another example of how Belfast City Council is taking the lead in hosting world class events – and this is just one part of the exciting Titanic Belfast  Festival 2012.

“Our city is the focus of world attention and as First Citizen I am proud of all that we have to offer visitors and locals.  I would encourage everyone to enjoy the many activities that will be on offer from this weekend”.

NITB’s Destination PR and Marketing Manager Ruth Burns says the event is a unique experience for Northern Ireland.

“The Titanic projection show will kick-start an exciting, jam-packed calendar of celebrations, festivals and commemorations that will be taking place throughout Northern Ireland during 2012,” said Ruth.

“It is set to be one of the most challenging projection shows that has ever been attempted and will be a truly spectacular experience for everyone involved.  Don’t worry if you didn’t manage to get a ticket to the show as it will also be fantastic to watch the whole experience live online.

“The show will capture the spirit of optimism for the city of Belfast and promises to be an impressive and unforgettable experience.  There will be no better way to showcase the new Titanic Belfast building and I would encourage everyone to be part of the celebrations,” she added.

Richard Day from Geocast TV says they are looking forward to bringing the event to a worldwide audience.

“The Titanic projection show is shaping up to be a spectacular event and we’re delighted to broadcast it live online in a multitude of countries.  Everybody can get involved and watch the show in real-time on their home computers, laptops and even their mobile phones,” Richard said.

“There will also be another opportunity to watch the event again the next morning,” Richard added.

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For more information on events, festivals and commemorations taking place during ni2012 click on www.ni2012.com or visit your local tourist information centre.  You can also visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/titanic

If you are stuck for something to do on Easter Tuesday, why not walk your way into the record books…….. barefoot!

More than 3000 people are expected to converge on the Stormont Estate on Tuesday 10 April at 12.30pm to take part in the ‘World’s Largest Barefoot Walk’ World Record attempt.

To be able to claim you hold a Guinness World RecordTM, you just have to be prepared to expose all ten pinkies and walk one kilometre which for most people will take less than 15 minutes.

The organisers are urging as many people as possible to attend the walk in an attempt to break the world record which was set in India in 2010 by 2500 people, who walked a kilometre in bare feet.

John Kee, director of Summer Madness, who is leading the attempt explained, “All those who take part will be asked to remove their footwear and walk along a path which has been pre-swept to remove any sharp stones and pieces of debris. Millions of people don’t have the luxury of owning a pair of shoes much less have a clear path to travel and as a consequence suffer from disease and soil transmitted infections. By making this token gesture we aim to raise awareness of those who are too poor to even own a pair of shoes.

“There are a number of charities involved including Stand By Me, Tearfund, Fields of Life, Girls’ Brigade, Big House Ireland, Damaris Trust, 3 Rock Youth. We are building on a ‘One day without shoes’ initiative by TOMS, who donate a pair of shoes to those in need for every pair they sell. They have kindly donated a number of pairs to help our efforts and we will be giving these away to lucky participants on the day.

“There will be a £1 registration fee but ample free carparking will be available within the estate.”

Anyone wishing to take part should register for the walk online at www.wear-it-out.co.uk or arrive from 11.30am to sign-up on the day.

John added, “More information is available online at our website or on our facebook page www.facebook.com/barefootwalkbelfast. We would be very grateful if anyone interested could like and share our page to help us spread the word and encourage as many people to take part as possible.

“By breaking this record, we hope to show Northern Ireland to be world’s best in championing the needs of others, which is especially fitting as 2012 is our year to shine!”

Dancers from Northern Ireland’s leading dance company, Echo Echo Dance Theatre, started rehearsals this week for its next professional production, The Feel of Play, which will be performed at locations around Derry-Londonderry from 17^th to 21^st April, inspired by the 2012 Olympics.

The rehearsals will last for four weeks before the dancers take it out of the studio and perform it in locations both indoor and outdoor.

Echo Echo is planning to perform the piece to live music by local musicians at sites such as Guildhall Square, on the Walls, Templemore Sports Complex, St Columbs Park and Steelstown Primary School as well as a special performance at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart.

The Feel of Play looks at dance and sport in the run up to London 2012, iis an energetic performance that explores the rules and patterns of team sport exercises and training drills. Watchers will feel the energy, focus and excitement of a game but there is no goal to aim for- it is what the dancers do within the created structures and frame that matters.

Echo Echo Company Manager, Ailbe Beirne said:

“It’s great for Echo Echo to perform in different outdoor locations around the city as this opens up potential for new audiences who haven’t seen the company before. We’ve been planning this with new people and organisations in the city that we wouldn’t usually engage with, so the Legacy Trust UK programme has been a fantastic opportunity in that way.

“The performance is high quality improvisation work with live music score and quite fast-paced, so it should be fun to watch. Also the artist team are all locally based professional dancers and musicians so I hope the public come and support us!”

The Feel of Play is the final part of Echo Echo’s Into Contact project, funded by Legacy Trust UK’s Connections programme, which is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Legacy Trust UK is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.

Echo Echo is based in Derry-Londonderry and is known for it’s innovative projects and unique performance style. In 2010 and 2011, the company created and performed The Chess Piece which was awarded a prestigous Inspire Mark from London 2012.

For full details of The Feel of Play and Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company’s other projects, visit www.echoechodance.com.

A new Titanic-themed street art piece, featuring the names of men and women who worked at the shipyard during the great ship’s construction, has been unveiled in Belfast.

Groups from the Mountpottinger and Short Strand areas of the city came together for this cross-community project which ran as part of Belfast City Council’s Titanic community engagement programme.

Located at a disused site on Castlereagh Street, the colourful art panels feature striking abstract images of Titanic along with names of Castlereagh Street residents who worked at Harland & Wolff and the docks in 1911, while the great ship was being constructed.

Speaking at the unveiling, Alderman May Campbell from Belfast City Council’s Development Committee said: “The unveiling of this beautiful art piece demonstrates the positive impact that Titanic is having throughout the city.  Groups from both sides of the community have worked together to produce an eye catching design that will transform an area that has previously been a target of vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

“The redevelopment of Titanic Quarter and the opening of Titanic Belfast bring fantastic opportunities for the city and this art project is just one of the countless community engagement projects that have been led by Belfast City Council over the past 18 months.

“A number of similar art projects are planned for sites across the city and the council will continue to work closely with each of the project groups to develop artwork that ties the Titanic legend to their local area.

“Community projects such as this highlight the possibilities for the future of the city.  By coming together for a common purpose we can all work together to create something from the past while looking to the future.”

Local artist Daniela Balmaverde worked with the community groups to develop the design and artwork.

“The enthusiasm from each person involved in the project was fantastic, “she said.

“Everyone brought their own ideas to the table and were more than happy to get involved in designing final piece which is a fitting tribute to the local people who helped to shape the Titanic legend.”

More information on Belfast City Council’s Titanic community engagement programme can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/titanicquarter