Contenders come to town!

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A tour of some of NI’s finest up and coming talent will end in Draperstown this week as Glasgowbury’s G Sessions host the final leg of the exciting tour.

The Contenders tour, organised by Oh Yeah in Belfast, is taking a host of acts on the road to celebrate the launch of their first ever Contenders CD – a compilation of 12 acts deemed to be holding the candle for the future of NI talent.

In celebration of the CD, acts have been hitting the road over the past number of weeks to help promote the CD, playing in cities and towns throughout the country.

The tour concludes at the Cellar Bar in Draperstown this Thursday night with four of the 12 acts rolling into town to deliver a swansong to the first time initiative.

Taking part in this week’s gig will be Rams’ Pocket Radio, Silhouette, Bellwether State and Wonder Villains.

Derry's Wonder Villains

Currently riding the wings of success, both Rams’ and Silhouette are the epitome of local success, taking the music scene by storm. Give either a piano and be instantly mesmerised by the sounds storming back at you.

As the face of Silhouette, local girl Shauna Tohill will be making a welcome return to the local venue while muse Peter McCauley will double up as both her drummer and the face of Rams’.

Bellwether State will make their first foray into Mid-Ulster. A man woman duo, Bellwether State employ intricacies galore in their musical craft that’s as gorgeous as it is heart felt.

Completing the eclectic bill is Derry pop outfit Wonder Villains, themselves riding the wave of recent success.

A youthful four piece with a zest for catchy tunes and movie masterpiece Space Jam, Wonder Villains are the face of youth and new music in Northern Ireland.

All four take hold of the Cellar Bar in Draperstown this Thursday night as the G Sessions welcome the final leg of the Oh Yeah Contenders tour.

Doors are at 9pm, admissions is £5. For more information see www.glasgowbury.com

Shauna Tohill AKA Silhouette

Magherafelt Tempts the Tastebuds!

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Magherafelt District Council is once again hosting their Specialty Christmas Food Market on the 26th & 27th November 2010 in the Old Market Yard, Magherafelt.

Following on from the tremendous success of 2009, the market has been developed into a two day event starting on the Friday evening from 5pm to 9pm and continuing on the Saturday from 9am to 9pm which coincides with the annual Christmas Lights Switch-on.

Funded by D.A.R.D through the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, the Christmas Market is a truly seasonal experience where visitors are engulfed in the mouth-watering aromas of Northern Ireland produce, with lots of opportunities to sample the fayre on offer.  You will be spoilt for choice as there will be eels, Pig-on-the-Spit, fish, cheese, olives, hand-made fudge and chocolate, seasonal drinks, hot soup and stew, breads, jams, chutneys, cookies, cakes, dairy products and other special delights.

A sausage competition “Magherafelt’s best banger!” is also being held as part of the Food Market.  A number of local butchers will be creating a new sausage, with people being encouraged to sample and vote for the one they like best.  Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper of meat, including a supply of the best banger.

So mark the date in your diary, as the aromas of the food accompanied by live Christmas music drifting through the market, colourful decorations brightening the yard, children’s entertainment, competitions and heated seated areas, will create a magical atmosphere that all the family will enjoy.

Christmas Lights Switch-on

On Saturday the 27th November at 6.30pm join Cool FM and Elvis the Elf for a captivating evening of festive fun, with prize giveaways, lantern trails and the arrival of Santa in style!  Winners of the competitions will be announced on stage, before Santa and his merry helpers switch on the lights and illuminate the sky with a fanfare of fireworks.

For further information on the above events please contact The Bridewell T: 028 7963 1510, E: thebridewell@magherafelt.gov.uk or visit www.magherafelt.gov.uk

All aboard for Model Railway Day at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum

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Four year old James Donnelly from Holywood is on board at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum for Model Railway Day. On Saturday 13th November over 30 railway layouts and associated exhibits will go on show in the Rail Gallery from 10am to 5pm. An exciting addition to the event will be the screening of virtual model railways in the Rail Gallery throughout the day.

Steaming into the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum on Saturday 13th November is Model Railway Day. As one of Northern Ireland’s biggest model railway exhibitions there will be over 30 railway layouts and associated exhibits on show, alongside the full scale locomotives and carriages in the Rail Gallery.

There is a special addition to this year’s event, with the inclusion of virtual model railways, developed by model railway enthusiast Stephen Flanders. The virtual models will be screened in the Rail Gallery, providing visitors with a very realistic view of railway layouts.

Event Organiser Ian Sinclair from Friends of Cultra said, “This is a great event for model railway enthusiasts and families to enjoy, as they can get up close to the intricately designed model railways and see the miniature trains in action. An interesting feature of many of the model gauges on display is that they are based on real railway lines located in Northern Ireland.”

Curator of Transport at the museum Mark Kennedy said, “The Railway Gallery is a wonderful venue for the event as visitors can explore the impressive full scale steam locomotives, passenger carriages and goods wagons, which are part of the Irish Railway Collection.”

The event, supported by DFDS Seaways and North Down Borough Council, runs from 10am to 5pm and experts will be at the Railway Gallery to answer any questions about the model railways.  Normal admission rates apply.  For more information on this and other upcoming events and exhibitions visit www.nmni.com.

Networking events really work for women in business.

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Businesswomen in Northern Ireland will have the opportunity to take part in a unique province wide networking event, which will show that networking is one of the most powerful ways for women to succeed in running a business.

The event, which is set to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week, is run by Business Women’s Network NI and supported by Invest Northern Ireland. It will showcase how networking works for women entrepreneurs and will be an opportunity for members and non-members from across the province to connect. They can find ideas to help their businesses grow at the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre on the 18th November.

RTE’s dynamic Dragon’s Den star Sarah Newman will be keynote speaker offering new inspiration about how to maximise business potential, and speaking about strategies and ideas to help grow business in today’s difficult climate. She is a highly successful entrepreneur who set up needahotel.com and who is now a private investor looking for new business ventures.

The Business Women’s Network NI with over 600 members is made up of four regional networks, which each help to connect local business women across the province.

Margaret Andrews, BWN NI events coordinator, is delighted to have such an inspirational speaker as Sarah Newman to attend this event and said that there is already a great deal of interest from the network. She explained why women benefit from a business support network that focuses on them. “Research shows that women need a little extra support and encouragement to take the first steps into business.”

“Here in Northern Ireland a smaller percentage of women take the step to set up their own business than in the rest of the UK, in Ireland or in the US. This is a huge loss to the local economy and it is therefore vitally important that we support women with great ideas to realise their potential.”

“Networking really works for women whatever stage of business you are in, but especially as a business growth mechanism. It not only gives access to contacts that may become clients or may give a referral, but many women benefit from the friendships they make along the way.”

The Meet a ‘Dragon’ network event for the BWN NI network will be held at the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre from 4.30-7.30pm on the 18th November. Tickets cost £25 for members and £35 for non members with a hot buffet supper included. They are available to pre-book from the Business Women’s Network website on www.bwnni.com.

The Business Women’s Network is supported by Invest NI and comprises four local groups, Women on the Move (Co Antrim), Enterprising Women’s Network (Armagh & Down), Network for Enterprising Women, (Tyrone & Fermanagh) and Women in Enterprise (Derry/Londonderry). To find out more about events or joining a network in your area contact Margaret Andrews on 028 3083 7575 office@enterprisingwomen.biz

Helena Christensen gets snapped up by Baileys® to give Northern Ireland Facebook fans a chance to attend a VIP party in NYC

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Local Facebook fans have the chance to attend picture perfect party in NYC hosted by Helena Christensen and Baileys®!

Gemma Garrett with friends Kaz Lynas, and Jeane Simpson celebrating the announcement that Baileys® has teamed up with one of the worlds greatest and original supermodels, Helena Christensen, to launch its new ‘let’s do this again’ campaign

Baileys® have announced it has teamed up with one of the worlds greatest and original supermodels, Helena Christensen to launch its new ‘let’s do this again’ campaign. One lucky winner in Northern Ireland will receive an exclusive invitation to a VIP party in New York co-hosted by Helena Christensen and Baileys® as part of the global ‘let’s do this again’ competition on Facebook.

Helena Christensen has both shot and appears in a never-seen before collection of photographs for the campaign, which show a day in her life, hanging out with her close friends at her upstate New York home. The campaign, aims to encourage close friends to share quality moments together more often, and will inspire people to capture and share their own unique moments enjoying Baileys® with close friends for a chance to win this fantastic prize. The winner will receive an exclusive invitation to a VIP party co-hosted by Helena and Baileys® at one of her favourite hang outs in NYC for themselves and a friend.  People from Northern Ireland can upload their photos now on the Baileys® Facebook page www.facebook.com/Baileys to be in with a chance to win from now until the 16th December.

On the latest Baileys® campaign Helena Christensen says: “My most memorable moments are often when I’m with friends because everyone is completely at ease, which makes the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable. Capturing these special moments on camera is very important to me, because those are the ones that stay with you forever, so to be able to look back at them for the rest of ones life is something to be grateful for and look forward to.”

She continues: “Looking at the images also reminds you of how much great friends mean to you and how important it is to get them all together as often as possible. This is what the new Baileys® campaign holds at its very heart, encouraging close friends to enjoy time together more often and I’m thrilled that Baileys® joined me and my friends at home in New York for the day.”

Jennifer Kiernan, Baileys® Brand manager said: “We’re thrilled to have Helena Christensen on board for the Baileys® ‘Let’s do this again’ campaign and very excited about being able to give a lucky person from Northern Ireland the chance to attend a VIP party in NYC co-hosted by Baileys® and Helena. Northern Irish people love getting together and we like capturing those moments on camera so we can continue sharing them. We’re looking forward to seeing some of those moments where friends have come together to do something they enjoy again uploaded onto the Facebook page over the coming weeks!”

On Baileys® Helena says:

“I love Baileys®, it’s simply delicious and perfect to enjoy with friends. It’s definitely a drink that, once someone has suggested it, everyone wants a glass.”’

To be in with chance of winning this fantastic prize, visit the Baileys® Facebook page for details:  http://www.facebook.com/Baileys

The competition will run until the 16th December 2010.

Over 18’s only. Terms and conditions apply.

Drink Responsibly

www.drinkaware.co.uk for the facts

Celebrating Serendipity

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AMERICAN-BORN photographer Kelly Morris is celebrating a decade of capturing unique photographic images of life in Northern Ireland, with her new exhibition Serendipity.

The exhibition opens at Molly’s Yard, Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Sunday 7 November, 5-9pm (entry free) and runs until Thursday18th, when it begins a week-long run at St Malachy’s Old Boys, Antrim Road, Belfast (entry free).

Celebration is an apt term for Morris’s photography. In a world flooded with digital and manipulated images, the axis of Morris’s work is the fleeting, meaningful moment between subject and witness. Focusing mainly on people, and frequently on relationships, Morris has an uncanny eye for emotional dynamics. They are captured instants of unself-conscious communication which are, by turns funny, engaging and, often, moving – without ever veering into the sentimental or voyeuristic.

‘I think a lot of photographers use their cameras as a barrier between themselves and their subjects,’ explains Morris, who has lived in Northern Ireland for 13 years. ‘But I think of the shutter as a blink of my eye. There’s a relationship between me and the moment I am photographing.’

Morris works primarily in black and white, which, she says, offers a more immediate and nuanced effect, without the distraction and clutter of colour. She also prefers to use film, which she regards as more tactile than digital. The results are an oddly timeless salute to the larger human truths evident in smaller human moments.

This makes for a collection which is a positive and emotionally satisfying experience, reflecting a point of view steeped in empathy and the spontaneous.

Serendipity promises to be a retrospective with its lens firmly set on the future.

Pretty Child Backfire cue up G Session headline

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Pretty Child Backfire

Following the success of their new self-made single All The Things Said In The Twilight, Pretty Child Backfire will headline the G Sessions this Saturday night celebrating its local launch.

The young Draperstown four piece have built a strong reputation since they started their career a few years ago and with early slots at Glasgowbury and some of the most exciting local gigs around including last year’s IMRO Showcase Tour, PCB have hit the mainstream.

With their new single, PCB have established themselves with gusto, riding on the back of success after being picked as one of NI’s young contenders, making their way on to Oh Yeah’s compilation album as ones to watch.

Honing their craft at gigs up and down the country they’ve found a sound that’s instantly recognisable and catchy and also one that tends to surprise and enchant even more so.

At the helm of the ship, Mark McAllister steers his comrades on the good ship indie and throughout their short career thus far, the young group have built up a strong storage of songs that’ll steer them well over waters still and calm.

Returning to the Glasgowbury G Sessions will be very much a homecoming for PCB, most of who have experienced and developed from the group’s early workshops, and headlining the coveted local showcase will cap an already impressive career that looks set to continue in its success.

Punk outfits The Q will and Gascan Ruckus will complete the November G Session bill, both returning to the showcase amid a degree of hype.

The Q will debut their new line-up, now made up as a four piece, following the departure of guitarist Tom. Themselves preparing to hit the road again with plans for a new single, this week’s gig will give the Derry band a chance to debut some new material while reminding locals of their prowess.

Armagh’s Gascan Ruckus complete a bill of youthful endeavour, themselves riding the crest of a wave of late.

Delivering a high energy brand of punk rock, the Ruckus have proved how exciting they are with slots at the likes of this year’s Glasgowbury Music Festival and will no doubt endeavour to cover every last inch of the stage as they take you on a whirlwind tour of what rock music means to four boys from Middletown in Armagh. Pssst: it means a lot.

The November G Session takes place at the Cellar Bar this Saturday (November 6th) with doors from 9pm. Admission is £5.
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www.glasgowbury.com
small but MASSIVE!

bmibaby celebrates Halloween with some spooky fun!

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Francis Gunn onboard a return flight from Belfast to Birmingham to tell some Halloween tales over the aircrafts PA system.

In advance of Halloween this weekend, low cost airline bmibaby has been helping passengers get in the mood for some spooky fun.

On Tuesday 26 October 2010, bmibaby sent Belfast born storyteller and award winning actor, Francis Gunn, onboard a return flight from Belfast International to Birmingham to give passengers a special Halloween treat.

From dungeons and dragons to witches and wizards and even a tale about a tail, anyone travelling on the flights was greeted through the P.A. system by Francis and his Halloween tales.

Julian Carr, managing director, bmibaby, said:

“Halloween is a fantastic opportunity to recite some ghoulish tales and this spooky passenger treat was all part of our programme of events being rolled out over the next few months, in a bid to put the fun back into flying.”

Story teller Francis Gunn also commented:

“Storytelling onboard an aircraft was a first for me. The passengers, who ranged from business people and students to families and kids, had no idea the event was happening so once the seat belt signs where off I began telling my stories. People seemed pleasantly surprised when they heard my voice over the P.A. system.”

bmibaby currently flies from Belfast International Airport to East Midlands, Birmingham and Manchester.

For more information and to book visit www.bmibaby.com

KATHERINE JENKINS CONFIRMS DUBLIN AND BELFAST CONCERT DATES

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Katherine Jenkins has announced two Irish dates.  She will perform live in concert at The O2, Dublin on 28th May and The Odyssey Arena, Belfast on 29th May 2011.

Tickets for both shows go on sale on Thursday 4th November at 9am.

Katherine Jenkins in Concert

The O2, Dublin, 28th May 2011

Tickets priced from €49.80 including booking fee

The O2, Dublin: Tel (01) 8198888

Book On-Line: www.theo2.ie

The Odyssey, Belfast, 29th May 2011

Tickets priced from £55.00 including booking fee

24hr hotline (NI) 0844 277 4455
Odyssey Arena Box Office 028 9073 9074 www.odysseyarena.com

Ticketmaster:

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

KATHERINE JENKINS BIOGRAPHY – 18 SEPTEMBER 2010

Compiling a list of the contemporary music world’s most illustrious divas is an interesting mental game to play. Instantly and obviously the figure of Barbra Streisand springs to mind. Streisand is in a rare band of perhaps three international women that can commandeer a devotional gasp from an audience of thousands with one single note. Floating behind her, wind machine positioned just out of frame, ball-gown drifting/flowing gently in the breeze, one might alight upon Céline Dion.

A diva is a singer with a talent that is rare and magnificent enough to border almost on the eccentric; a voice that monopolises the air when it is at full strength and can break a heart at whispering volume. The diva sits outside the realms of casual whim and the daily turn of trend. She is powerful enough to stand and sing alone.

Now where might a lovely young woman from the tiny village of Neath in the Welsh Valleys fit into all of this?

Katherine Jenkins has performed for The Queen, The Pope and The Prime Minister. From her breakout in 2003 where she signed the biggest ever classical deal, 30 year old Katherine has become the premiere ambassador of bringing classical music to a mainstream audience. She is cherished as one of Britain’s favourite singers, equally at home performing in her homeland Wales, or performing on The X Factor.

Throughout her career Katherine Jenkins has broken records, selling millions of albums worldwide, picking up numerous awards and has performed at every single high profile tournament on the British sporting calendar, cementing her status in the classical crossover field.

Outside of Katherine’s recording duties, she has broadened out into the TV world. The last year has seen Katherine present a special BBC series, ‘The Week We Went To War’, as well as be a judge and mentor on the hit ITV1 show, ‘Popstars To Operastars’. This Christmas, Katherine appears in the Christmas special of BBC Television’s Doctor Who.

2010 has been another huge year for Katherine; not only has she released her first record in North America, but she was also personally asked by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to record a version of the theme tune to Love Never Dies, the highly anticipated Phantom Of The Opera sequel, which appeared on the Special Edition of her latest album Believe, released late March which coincided with her sold out UK arena tour.

Her most ambitious album to date, Believe was recorded in the sun-kissed Hollywood Hills, under the expert guidance of world-class star-maker and producer David Foster. Having become one of the UK’s biggest stars, Katherine now feels embedded in her home culture enough to take a risk on cutting loose for the international stage.

As Katherine readily admits, this was the album she always wanted to make; this time she wanted to craft a record that she could take to a new audience, with what producer Foster would call ‘growth without alienation’. Pushing the boundaries on traditional crossover repertoire, Katherine has created a record for the world stage.

‘There is a discussion about women in the music business at the moment,’ she says, ‘I’m always being asked whether I have noticed a change with all these great new female artists coming through. And of course for pop music that seems quite radical. It is fantastic to see these women doing what they are doing and doing it so well. But in the classical world, we are filled with big, strong female characters. It’s something that you almost take for granted. So in the world that I come from the whole idea of strength and femininity is not odd. It’s usual. Strong women are what opera is all about.’

Believe, released through Warner Brothers Records in October last year shot straight into the top 10 of the UK charts. In the last three months of 2009 Katherine sold a staggering 400,000 albums in the UK alone..

Internationally Believe has stormed the charts in various territories including Germany and Argentina as the album is rolled out globally.

Katherine Jenkins releases the Platinum Edition of Believe on Friday 26th November in Ireland.  It includes four brand new songs including In The Bleak Midwinter, a Live Version of O Holy Night with Michael Bolton, and two new John Shank (Take That) produced tracks, Gravity and the new single, Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming.

She also releases a live DVD on Friday 5th November that was recorded at a spectacular show at the London O2 Arena.

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