Magical Christmas at Florence Court

November 25, 2010

Santa Claus is making a special pre Christmas visit to Florence Court in County Fermanagh. Meet Santa and Mrs Claus in their Christmas home at this charming Georgian mansion and enjoy the Christmas spectacle on 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19 December from 12 Noon to 7.30pm.

There’ll be Christmas craft activities for the children, a visit to the elves workshop and a seasonal story. Every child will receive a beautiful gift, whilst mums and dads can enjoy home made mulled wine and mince pies.

The ‘Taste of Ulster’ awarded Stables Tearoom will be open for delicious home made lunches, treats and afternoon tea. Why not look for that Christmas gift with a difference in our Coach House shop with the wide variety of local goods and great Christmas gift ideas on offer. Visitors will also be able to browse the volunteer run second hand bookshop.

There’s so much to do at Florence Court besides visiting Mr Claus. Why not start your visit with a walk around the designated trails or stroll into the forest to visit the original mother of all Irish Yew trees. The crisp hues of the wintry weather really highlight the stunning backdrop of mountainous views and will heighten your sense of wonder as you take in this gorgeous Georgian estate.

After a fresh ramble outside why not sit back in the Colonel’s room in the Georgian Mansion and listen to 1920’s music by the warmly lit fire. Whilst children can have some fun playing traditional games like draughts, chess or dominos

There really is something for everyone at Florence Court, so come along and join the fun, sample the spirit of Christmas, enjoy Santa, enjoy shopping and savour some fine festive food.

Santa is a very busy man in December so please call and book in advance if you want to visit him this festive season.

Make the most of those few days off work with a visit to Florence court for some winter wonder and blow those cobwebs away. From 27 December to 2 January the National Trust grounds, Coach House shop, tea room and Colonel’s Room will be open from 1pm until 4pm.

Booking for Santa at Florence Court is essential, to book your visit contact 028 6634 8249, 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

The perfect Christmas Gift from Hastings Hotels – and a FREE Christmas Duck with the first 40 tickets sold!

November 22, 2010

By whatsonni

The PERFECT Christmas Gift Idea

Are you struggling with Christmas gift ideas? Here’s a great idea! Whats On NI are pleased to offer our readers this exclusive offer from Hastings Hotels. An intimate evening of love songs for Valentine’s Weekend with Peter Corry – Concert at the Castle.

LIMITED OFFER FOR FIRST 40 TICKETS SOLD

A free Christmas duck with every ticket sold if you contact:

Allyson McKimm Tel: 02890/674164

and send your cheque payable to Ballygally Castle Hotel to

Allyson at

1066 House, Hastings Hotels Head Office

587 Newtownards Road, Belfast

BT4 1HJ

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS STARTS WITH A BANG IN BANGOR!

November 19, 2010

By whatsonni

xmas — Thank goodness for the trusty Christmas sweater…it’s the perfect piece of clothing to wrap up warm in when you come along to the Bangor Christmas fireworks and tree lighting event at the Town Hall on Saturday 20th November, 5.30pm.

Bangor will get a festive feel when Mayor of North Down, Councillor John Montgomery, switches on the Christmas tree lights at Bangor Town Hall on Saturday 20 November at 5:30pm.

From bright flares to explosive bangers, soaring rockets and glittering fountains, the display will be packed full of stunning visual effects and when that has finished the Bangor Christmas tree lights will sparkle into life, brightening even the coldest of nights.

Commenting on the event, Wendy Smith, North Down Borough Council said, “The Town hall is the perfect spot for this amazing show, great music, spectacular fireworks and stunning lights – just the thing to put you in the Christmas mood”.

She went on to say, “On a serious note, please make sure to wrap up warm and follow all safety instructions on the night. As well as producing an amazing show, safety is our priority at this Christmas Show, so it is extremely important that you obey health & safety rules co-operate fully with marshals. Remember also that due to the volume of people it may be necessary to close some roads and the Omniplex cinema and leisure centre should be temporarily accessed from the Gransha Road between 5pm and 6pm.”

For further information please contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre, Quay Street, Bangor. Tel: 028 9127 0069 www.northdowntourism.com

Bank of Ireland supports small businesses through week long promotion in Northern Ireland branches

November 19, 2010

By whatsonni

“Tangible demonstration” of support for SME recovery and growth

One of Northern Ireland’s leading banks is to throw open the doors of its branches throughout Northern Ireland for the second time this year so that local businesses can use the space to showcase their products and boost their sales.

Bank of Ireland said its plan for a series of “Show Your Business“ events during its Enterprise Week in November was an important step and a further tangible demonstration of its commitment to support local small and medium sized enterprises.

The bank, which is actively promoting its package of loans and advice for start-ups and existing small businesses, hopes to use all its 44 branches for the campaign and provide an opportunity for up to 500 businesses to promote their products or services to the public.

The branch events runs from November 19th-26th as part of an all-island small business support initiative by Bank of Ireland. In the same week, Bank of Ireland will hold two major seminars in Belfast and Derry around the themes of motivation and business recovery and to outline the funding and support available from the bank for businesses.

Fred Smyth, Head of Branches, East, Bank of Ireland Northern Ireland said: “Following the success of our Enterprise Week earlier this year, during which we opened some branches to local businesses, we now want to go further and use as many of our branches as we can to help entrepreneurs of all types. We have made a public commitment to support the SME sector and our planned events are a tangible demonstration of that.

“Bank of Ireland’s commitment to the SME sector remains steadfast and we continue to approve four out of every five credit applications we receive. Since we launched our Essentials for Business package of finance and advice for new and existing small businesses almost two years ago we have assisted more than 3,000 people, and we continue to sign up 100 new businesses a month.

“We’ve also been focused on supporting customers in difficulty, making sure we have our most experienced bankers available to help in areas such as working capital requirements.”

Mr Smyth said that feedback from events held last May was very positive, with businesses welcoming the practical support which branch showcasing events offered them.

“Smaller companies have a pivotal role to play in sustaining and growing the economy of Northern Ireland and all the evidence points to the existence of a strong and dynamic SME sector.

“Research among our managers and business advisors in Northern Ireland indicates that progressive and more innovative businesses that have adapted to changes in the marketplace as early as possible are best positioned to take an advantage of an upturn in the economy

“Our message to entrepreneurs is – if you have a viable business, with a good business plan, sound knowledge of your market and is capable of meeting its commitments then we will help you identify and meet the full range of your financial and banking needs.”

Dundonald based business Philtech was established in 2004 by husband and wife team Philip and Rhoda Moore. Philtech are the all-Ireland agents for two global products; a pneumatic tube system that enables hospitals to move drugs, blood samples and x-rays between different sites via underground tubes. It also enables financial institutions to move large amounts of cash between premises. Phil-tech also manage ‘Invisa-bean’ a bed monitor that works as an early warning fall monitor for those working with the elderly.

Phil-tech has been a customer of Bank of Ireland since April. They opened their account with Bank of Ireland as they wanted to be with a financial institution with an all-Ireland presence and where they could meet with their relationship manager when they wanted.

Philip Moore, Partner of Philtech, said: “I appreciate what Bank of Ireland has done for us in such a short space of time. Their expertise in helping us to keep the company lean and flexible has been invaluable and our business manager has given us useful insights into more efficient ways to manage cash flow and keep our accounting up to date. Phil-tech is participating in Enterprise Week as we believe it is a good platform to create awareness about the company and what we do.”

Bank of Ireland’s planned events will be widely promoted and advertised in order to attract both the public and other businesses to the branches to maximise sales and networking opportunities for the owners displaying their goods and services.

For up to date information on Bank of Ireland Enterprise Week, go to www.bankofireland.co.uk

JOURNEY AND FOREIGNER CONFIRM DUBLIN AND BELFAST DATES

November 17, 2010

By whatsonni

CLASSIC ROCK Presents AOR

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
with
JOURNEY
FOREIGNER
And Special Guests

Announce First Ever Irish Concert Dates Together in 2011

Wednesday 17th November 2010 – Journey and Foreigner, two of the biggest names in Classic Rock have today announced that they will be heading to Ireland in June when the they play Dublin and Belfast together for the very first time.

Journey – Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals) – have performed around the world for nearly three years in support of the group’s latest recording project, Revelation. A three-disc CD/DVD package, Revelation sold more than 104,000 copies its first week, marking the band’s biggest first week’s sales in over a decade. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album marks a new chapter in the band’s legendary career. The New York Times hailed: “…the band seems to have taken rock vitamins: it feels alive.” Revelation earned Platinum honors, marking their 11th Platinum album certification to date. There will be a brand new studio album from Journey out in Spring next year.

Journey plays with a passion and commitment that wows both longtime fans and new generations of listeners alike. ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, arguably their biggest hit has featured in both TV shows and films. The song made it back into the Top Ten last year as part of a Facebook campaign to get the track to the Christmas #1 spot. It is the most downloaded catalogue track in the history of iTunes and has featured heavily in some of the biggest TV shows across the board in the last 12 months, having been sung by winner Joe McElderry on The X-Factor as well as the contestants on 2010’s final Big Brother recording it as part of a task and the cast of the hit US show ‘Glee’ making it a huge anthem for a whole new generation.

More than a million fans attended their shows since 2008 to hear new hit singles “Never Walk Away” and “After All These Years” as well as the staggering catalogue of hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin’” “Any Way You Want It,” “Open Arms,” and “Separate Ways.”

On their return to Ireland, Neal Schon said:
“We love our Irish fans and we are excited to return to Ireland”

More than 30 years after releasing their first multi-platinum album, Foreigner’s music resonates globally across generations, thanks to an impressive run of 14 Top 20 hits, including worldwide number one hit ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, ‘Waiting For A Girl Like You’ and video game staples such as ‘Hot Blooded’ and ‘Juke Box Hero’, together with album sales exceeding 70 million. Foreigner’s 2010 United In Rock tour electrified audiences and established the group in its rightful place as one of the top touring attractions of the year in the US. Their latest release, ‘Can’t Slow Down’, broke many Classic Rock sales records and spawned two Top 20 singles on US radio. ‘Can’t Slow Down’ was the band’s first album of new music in more than 15 years. Mick Jones, the band’s founder and legendary songwriter/guitarist, produced the new album with Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith and Buckcherry). It entered the Billboard Top 200 in the Top 30 on its first week of release and it is the first full length album to feature Foreigner’s revamped lineup: Jones, singer Kelly Hansen, bassist Jeff Pilson, guitarist Tom Gimbel and keyboardist Michael Bluestein.

Foreigner’s new live album ‘Can’t Slow Down When It’s Live’ was released on earMUSIC November 15th 2010.

Jones adds
“This will be one of the main events of the summer. Bands who represent the magic era in Classic Rock together for the first time. Get ready to rock!”

The tour will be sponsored by the brand new title from Future Publishing’s latest title Classic Rock Presents AOR, editor Geoff Barton had the following to say:

“With melodic rock on the resurgence, this tour is going to be one of the must-sees of 2011. We’re happy to set the ball rolling by featuring Journey on the cover of our brand new magazine, Classic Rock Presents AOR, which goes on sale on November 17. And, of course, with Journey’s classic song Don’t Stop Believin’ enjoying a brand new lease of life, it was only right that the track, making it back into the Top Ten nearly 30 years after its release, would be in the running to receive ‘Event Of The Year’ at our prestigious Classic Rock Roll Of Honour Awards.’

MCD Present
A NIGHT TO REMEMEBER
with
JOURNEY
FOREIGNER
And Special Guests

The O2 Arena
Saturday 11th June 2011
Tickets from €49.20 including booking fee

The Odyssey Arena
Sunday 12th June 2011
Tickets from £44.00 including booking fee

On sale Friday 26 November at 9.00am from:

Ticketmaster
In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):
ROI – 0818 719 300, Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

The Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Odyssey Arena Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.odysseyarena.com

IRON MAIDEN REACHES THE FINAL FRONTIER…. COMING HOME FOR A UK ARENA TOUR FINALE IN 2011!

November 11, 2010

By whatsonni

Live Nation (MCD in Belfast) is proud to welcome rock legends IRON MAIDEN back to the UK in 2011 for an extensive 10 city arena tour for the final run of dates on their FINAL FRONTIER WORLD TOUR 2010/11. For the first time in many years, the band will be playing shows across the full length and breadth of the UK, including places they’ve not visited for up to three decades! The dates for The Final Frontier UK Tour 2011 are:

JULY
Wed 20 Scotland, Glasgow SECC
Thu 21 Scotland, Aberdeen AECC P&J Arena
Sat 23 England, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Sun 24 England, Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
Wed 27 England, Nottingham Trent FM Arena
Thu 28 England, Manchester MEN Arena
Sun 31 England, Birmingham NIA

AUGUST
Mon 1 Wales, Cardiff CIA Arena
Wed 3 Northern Ireland, Belfast Odyssey
Fri 5 England, London 02 Arena

Maiden founder member Steve Harris comments; “Everything in the Maiden camp has been so full on these last five years or so that we haven’t travelled around the UK to play for our home fans for almost that long. These fans supported us by coming to Twickenham Stadium, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Download and more recently Sonisphere so we thought we should get off our backsides and do the travelling this time and get round the country to see them all. We very much look forward to playing all four home countries and a couple of places we haven’t been for a very long time, Aberdeen and Belfast! And playing the O2 gets us as close to the East End of London where Maiden started off than we have been for many a year, probably since the Ruskin Arms! All in all l think this is going to be a very special series of shows and a wonderful way to end this whole world tour.

“We intend to take the full stadium show into the UK arenas and fit everything we possibly can into each venue. The set list will be different to this year’s tour. Of course we will play more songs from the new album and some other recent material, but we intend to include a healthy dose of older fan favourites too for those who haven’t seen us before , plus a spectacular light show and stage set, not forgetting, of course, ….Eddie!”

The UK shows will be the culmination of The Final Frontier World Tour, which began in June 2010 with a hugely successful 25 date tour throughout North America, followed by selected European stadium and festival shows, including Knebworth, Sonisphere in the UK.

The band recently announced the first leg of the 2011 tour which starts in February and will be ‘Around The World In 66 Days’ – a fifty thousand mile odyssey aboard a specially customized Boeing 757 – Ed Force One, piloted by airline captain and lead singer Bruce Dickinson. This will carry band, crew and many tons of equipment across 5 continents to thirteen countries, visiting 26 cities for 29 shows

The first show will be on Feb 11th in Moscow’s Olympic Stadium, after which the Boeing 757, which will have new designs to tie in with the new album and tour, will fly the band to Singapore and Indonesia for Maiden’s first ever shows there, before arriving in Australia to headline two arena dates and five Soundwave Festivals. EF1 then turns its attention briefly to the Northern Hemisphere with a first show ever in South Korea and two shows in Tokyo, before heading all the way across the Pacific, a journey which (believe it or not!) is 6660 miles, for two shows in Mexico. An extensive series of stadium shows through five South American countries follows, and, via Puerto Rico, the band will play the final show on this leg of the tour in Tampa, Florida, USA on April 17th, exactly 66 days after Moscow! (full dates below)
Says Bruce, “We were taken aback by the fantastic reaction from everyone to EF1 during the 2008/09 World Tour. As our fans all know from the “Flight 666” film, which documented the trials and tribulations we underwent in order to get the whole project literally off the ground, the end result was well worth all the effort and complex logistics we had to deal with! The band and crew enjoyed themselves so much travelling that way, it seemed only logical to set up this part of The Final Frontier tour in the same way so we could get to see as many fans as possible all over the World, only this time we’re pushing the boundaries even further and going to more places Maiden has never been before… in true Frontier style!! We very much look forward to playing in Singapore, Indonesia and South Korea for the first time, as well as revisiting our fans elsewhere.”
This Around The World tour will be followed by an extensive series of European dates starting late Spring. Nordic and Russian shows have already been announced (as below) and there are many more dates to follow, before Maiden comes home to the UK in July. It will be an historic return for a number of reasons, not least as it will be the first time the band has played in Aberdeen since their first UK headline tour back in 1980! And although the band played earlier this year in the Republic Of Ireland at Dublin’s O2 Arena, it was 1993 when they last performed in Belfast, so shows in these cities are well overdue! The last show of the tour will see Maiden’s first ever performance at London’s O2 Arena.

The Final Frontier World Tour is in conjunction with the band’s 15th studio album released in August through EMI Music and their most successful chart album to date, registering the #1 sales chart slot in 28 countries around the globe; from Lebanon, Arabia and India in the East, to Canada in the West, New Zealand down South, throughout UK and Europe and across Latin America, as well as reaching No.1 in Billboard’s European, Tastemaker and Rock Charts, and No.4 in the USA, which is the band’s highest position ever there.

Wherever possible, members of the Iron Maiden Fan Club will get the opportunity to win The First To The Barrier competition where 60 lucky members (plus a guest each) get the chance to enter the venue before the general public and grab themselves a prime viewing position right by the front of the stage barrier.

As well as competition entry to ‘First to The Barrier’ access on show day, there will be an exclusive first ticket pre-sale for Iron Maiden Fan club members, before tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday November 20th. Information on this special pre-sale will be posted on www.ironmaiden.com

BIG COUNTRY PLUS SPECIAL GUEST SPRING & AIRBRAKE 20TH APRIL 2011

November 10, 2010

By whatsonni

THE LIMELIGHT COMPLEX PRESENTS

BIG COUNTRY

PLUS SPECIAL GUEST

SPRING & AIRBRAKE

WEDNESDAY 20^TH APRIL 2011

£20 / 8pm

Legendary 80’s rockers Big Country are all set to return to the stage and have announced a UK tour next year. They have enlisted The Alarm’s Mike Peters as lead singer for their 30^th anniversary tour. They will play Spring & Airbrake on Wednesday 20^th April 2011. Tickets are priced £20 plus £2.50 booking fee and are available from Friday 12^th November at www.cdcleisure.net.

The band exploded onto the scene in 1982 with anthemic songs which as ‘Fields of Fire’ and ‘In A Big Country’ which were culled from their classic debut album ‘The Crossing’ which sold several million worldwide. They followed up with a number one album ‘Steeltown’ and released 8 studio albums all of which entered the Top Ten. Big Country released 28 singles 5 of which were also Top Ten.

Approaching their 30^th anniversary, the band are lining up concerts for a period of celebration that will not only embrace their illustrious past but also honour the life and times of original lead singer, guitarist and co-founder Stuart Adamson, who passed away so tragically in 2001. Taking on the mantle of lead singer and joining the band for these dates and more will be Mike Peters of fellow celtic rockers The Alarm.

“I first met Stuart on stage at a U2 concert in Hammersmith Palais back in 1982” says Mike Peters. “Bono introduced us to his audience as being “part of the new breed” and Stuart was literally passed up onto the stage by the glance and I shook his hand as I handed him a guitar – an unforgettable entrance. The last time I saw him was also on stage with Big Country at Glasgow Barrowlands for the last night of the Final Fling tour in 2000, when we sang Neil Young’s ‘Rockin In The Freeworld’ together. When Bruce Watson called and asked me to sing for Big Country, it was something I didn’t need to think twice about. I’m looking forward to meeting all the fans again and playing a part in keeping the spirit of Stuart Adamson alive and celebrating the music of a band I have loved from near and afar for the whole of my adult like”.

Bass guitarist Tony Butler says “To play again as Big Country was something that was only going to happen if we could find someone who could compliment the band and sing the songs in the way they need to be sung – with heart and soul. Mike Peters from The Alarm has stepped in to fill the premise. It’s about time the songs got another airing, and we think Stuart would be pleased too”.

The new line up consists of:

Tony Butler – Bass Guitar and Vocals

Mark Brzezicki – Drums and Vocals

Mike Peters – Vocals and Guitar

Bruce Watson – Guitar and Vocals

Jamie Watson – Guitar

Big Country are set to play Spring & Airbrake on Wednesday 20^th April 2011. Tickets are priced £20 plus £2.50 booking fee and are available from Friday 12^th November at www.cdcleisure.net or from Katy Daly’s.

Find out more about Big Country: http://www.bigcountry.co.uk/home.php

Venue: Spring & Airbrake

Date: Wednesday 20^th April 2011

Ticket Price: £20 + £2.50 Booking Fee

Doors: 8.00pm

Support: To Be Confirmed

TICKET DETAILS

In person:                     From 22 Ticketmaster outlets province wide (Including Easons) / Katy Daly’s Bar
24hr hotlines:                Tel: (NI) 0844 277 44 55 (ROI) 0818 719 300
Buy online:                    www.cdcleisure.net

Ulster Orchestra project shortlisted for Composer Award

November 10, 2010

By whatsonni

Composer Brian Irvine with a pupil from St Kieran’s PS, Poleglass, Belfast.

Rain Falling Up, a new oratorio for children commissioned by the Ulster Orchestra and written by its Associate Composer for 2009, Brian Irvine, has been shortlisted for a 2010 British Composer Award by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

Rain Falling Up tells the story of Jake, a young boy who has an insatiable curiosity for all things scientific, especially gravity. The project was primarily an education event, providing children with opportunities to participate, explore and learn about music outside the classroom. It encouraged collaboration between different and diverse communities and the children were able to create artwork, animation and poetry in response to what they had discovered about gravity in school.

The unique project involved a choir of 210 children from three schools, a community choir of 240 children from a further six schools, the full Orchestra and residents of a Holywood care home – all of whom performed in front of a 1500-strong audience at the Belfast Waterfront in March.

Brian Irvine, alongside fellow Artistic Director of Dumbworld Ltd, writer John McIlduff, created this new work as a musical and visual exploration of the phenomena that is Gravity. Funding and sponsorship were provided by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery and Ulster Bank.

Brian Irvine said: “I’m delighted and honoured that Rain Falling Up has been nominated for this award. It was a wonderful and exciting opportunity to work with such a diverse and creative range of participants and ended my tenure as Associate Composer with the Ulster Orchestra with a fantastic finale”.

The project has been nominated in the Community or Educational category of the Awards which will be presented at a ceremony in London on 30 November. The results will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Performance on 3 at 7pm the following day.

Mid-Ulster business people get ready for Start-Up Live!

November 9, 2010

By whatsonni

Leading Mid-Ulster business people will share their successes, failures, challenges and ambitions with an audience of entrepreneurs from start-up and early stage companies at a major event in the Burnavon Arts Centre on November 23.

Start-Up Live in Cookstown, organised by Ulster Bank in association with www.smallbusinesscan.com, is part of a tour of 14 dates across the island, which are free of charge to all attendees. The series of events, which target those with aspirations of going into business, are part of the bank’s commitment to supporting new and emerging companies.

Beginning at 6pm, the get-together will feature Jacqueline McGonigle, founder and owner of www.whatsonni.com; Yvonne McFarland who owns three local outlets – Bra Boutique, Lingerie Rooms and Orchid Lingerie, and William Allingham, owner of Allingham Quadcrate.

The panel will be chaired by entrepreneur and founder of www.smallbusinesscan.com Fionan Murray.

John Cassidy, area manager with Ulster Bank, says that the panel promises to provide excellent insights into how to start-up, establish and grow a successful business.

“The event will provide an opportunity for those with business ideas or who have recently started up a company to learn from others and to share their experiences and insights. We have an excellent and diverse panel in place for the event who will provide the benefit of their considerable experience,” he points out.

“We’ve developed a helpful online platform in Smallbusinesscan where start-ups, small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing insights, ideas, knowledge and experiences. Start-Up Live is a natural extension of that,” Mr Cassidy adds.

More information about Start-Up Live is available from Ulster Bank branches or www.smallbusinesscan.com. The event is expected to last until 8pm.

Tour dates:

Monday 8^th November, National Software Centre, Cork
Tuesday 9^th November, UL Kemmy Business School, Limerick
Wednesday 10^th November, Galway Museum, Galway
Monday 15^th November, The Granary, Waterford
Tuesday 16^th November, Kilkenny Design Centre, Kilkenny
Wednesday 17^th November, Science Gallery, Dublin
Monday 22^nd November, Crowne Plazza Hotel, Dundalk
Tuesday 23^rd November, Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown
Monday 29^th November, Model Art Gallery, Sligo
Tuesday 30^th November, Cavan Crystal Hotel, Cavan

RECORD NUMBERS SIGN UP TO TEST DRIVE THE ARTS

November 9, 2010

By whatsonni

First time arts enthusiasts from across Northern Ireland have shown overwhelming support for Audiences NI’s initiative to bring the art world to the masses – with a record 3,000 signing up in just under a year.

These would-be arts lovers, who have never been to a local live theatre or performing arts event before, have enjoyed on-the-house tickets to some of the hottest shows, celebrating the best that Northern Ireland’s rich cultural scene has to offer – all courtesy of Test Drive the Arts NI.

Cathy Mackle from Armagh became the 3,000^th ‘test driver’, after logging on to the easy to use website – www.testdrivetheartsni.org. Featuring a host of Northern Ireland’s most exciting performances, the website enables users to request tickets from a broad range of must-see shows. This month Five Guys Named Moe is showing at Theatre at the Mill and the 20^th Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival gets underway (11-26 November). New shows are added daily, so check the website for details.

The initiative is managed by Audiences NI – set up to boost attendance numbers to arts organisations across Northern Ireland – and funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Booking could not be easier. Simply select the performance you are interested in attending and complete the registration form online to request tickets. Tickets will be regularly available on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner you go online the better the chance you have of securing the tickets you want.

Audience Development Manager Christine Adams, Audiences NI, said:

“Northern Ireland has a rich cultural and artistic heritage that is enjoyed by thousands of people every year. Yet many arts lovers have not sampled the full range of arts on offer. We want to change that. The principle behind testdrivetheartsni.org is simple – it’s about giving arts enthusiasts the chance to ‘test drive’ the arts, whether that’s opera or comedy.

“There are huge benefits to using the online offering. You can browse the website in your own time and request tickets when it suits. There are few places in the world that offer the diversity and quality of performances that are readily available right here in Northern Ireland and we hope that after experiencing a live performance you will want to come back time and time again.”

“Building audiences for the arts is a priority for the Arts Council, and Test Drive the Arts NI is the perfect vehicle to attract newcomers. There’s an amazing choice of arts activities on offer out there for all ages and interests and, if they just give it a try, we know people won’t look back.”

To find out more and request tickets log on to www.testdrivetheartsni.org.

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