Brighten up the dark nights at the Seapark Fireworks, Holywood

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Trick or Treat?!

There’s a chill in the air and some spooky goings on, as Holywood gets ready for its annual Seapark Fireworks Display on Saturday 23 October 2010.

This fun annual event, that takes place at the Seapark Recreational Grounds, Holywood is the perfect remedy to the approaching dark nights with its mix of music, entertainment and glittering fireworks.

Crowds at this year’s event will be able to keep the cold night at bay with wonderful soul warming food made from the freshest and finest ingredients from 5pm.

There will be tantalising gourmet burgers from the Lisburn Road based Rocket & Relish, delicious Asian Noodles from Tuk n Tuk and traditional fish and chips from Gina’s Diner to name but a few.

But seeing as the cold weather will be biting, maybe you’ll want to take comfort in some hearty soup and chunky crusty bread from The Bay Tree or perhaps some sausages and champ from Superchamp.

We haven’t even begun to tell you about the other parts of the event that include a children’s funfair that will be open from 4:30pm, or that Holywood favourites ‘The Jukes’ will be taking to the stage from 6:30pm followed by show stopping fireworks from 8pm that will bring the event to a close.

Commenting on the event, Wendy Smith, North Down Borough Council said, “We’re looking forward to another great night at Seapark this year – good food, good music and spectacular fireworks – perfect ingredients for a fun night for all the family.  Make sure you wrap up warm and bring a torch!”

So come along and join the fun on Saturday 23 October 2010, from 4:30pm at the Seapark Recreational Grounds, Holywood.

For further information on this event please contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069 or email tic@northdown.gov.uk.

A rocking new choir…that needs a rocking new name?

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Ross Wilson, Courtney Majury and Anna Knight ponder a name for North Down’s new community gospel choir. For your chance to name this rocking new choir and win a brand new ipod nano simply send your name, contact details and most importantly your suggested name for the choir by Thursday 14th October by email to events@northdown.gov.uk or by post to Events Department, Tower House, 34 Quay Street, Bangor, BT20 5ED.

North Down Borough Council in conjunction with a host of North Down schools is putting together a community gospel choir to perform at this years switching on of Holywood’s Christmas Lights.

This rocking new choir, especially one full of talented performers with bundles of star potential and led by the charismatic and internationally acclaimed Marie Lacey, Director of the Belfast Community Gospel Choir, needs a rocking name…

Help us to complete the choir by giving them a name.

Simply send us your name, contact details and most importantly your suggested name for the choir by Thursday 14th October for your chance to win a brand new ipod nano.

Send your entries by email or post to:

Email:         events@northdown.gov.uk

Address:    Events Department

Tower House

34 Quay Street

Bangor

BT20 5ED

THE MAGIC NUMBERS ANNOUNCE IRISH TOUR

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The Magic Numbers have announced an intimate date at The Spring & Airbrake on Tuesday 7th  December as part of an Irish tour which they will play:

Thu 2 December:      KILLARNEY, The Acoustic Room at the INEC
Fri 3 December:       CORK, The Pavilion
Sat 4 December:       GALWAY, Roisin Dubh
Sun 5 December:      DUBLIN, Whelan’s
Tue 7 December:      BELFAST, Spring & Airbrake

Tickets for Spring & Airbrake are priced £15 and are on sale this Thursday, 7 October at 9am. Special guests for the tour will be Dry The River.

At the end of 2007, The Magic Numbers finally took their feet off the gas after almost four years on the road. Two albums released in quick succession – 2005’s The Magic Numbers and 2006’s Those The Brokes – had made them platinum-selling chart stars, but toil had taken its toll, culminating one night in a heated, all-family fall-out. The Stodarts and Gannons realised it was time to stop. They needed to reconnect with the joy that music had always given them, and remember the sparks that first flew when Romeo and Sean started playing together as teenagers in a front room in Hanwell, West London, and the fortuitous moments when their sisters Michele and Angela joined them – originally just providing backing vocals then quickly fulfilling and completing their unique sound. Only now, with their real knowledge of the studio, their confidence as songwriters, and their ever-growing love of a wider orchestra of instruments, they could create something they’d always dreamed of.

The band needed to find themselves again outside of each other and so took some time out to work on other inspirational projects. Romeo was invited by Damon Albarn to join his Africa Express project, leading him over to Lagos, Nigeria. He spent an immensely rewarding time working with many African musicians, including Amadou and Mariam, with whom he collaborated on the song All I Believe In, featured on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack. Alongside this, he played guitar for numerous other artists, both onstage and in the studio, an experience that inspired and rejuvenated him as he began to write. Michele was busy working on songs for her future solo album, whilst preparing for the life-changing experience of becoming a mother to a beautiful baby girl, Maisie. Angela also found time to work with her friends The Boxer Rebellion on their last album. But it was only a matter of time before The Magic Numbers fell back into each other’s arms and got back to work.

After two years away they’ve managed to craft their finest record to date with love and ambition. The Magic Numbers are back, and more special than ever.

Imagine a record that begins with a song so grand and so glorious that it sounds like it’s descending from the heavens, asking us what it is to love, and what it is to feel. Imagine the album that soars from its searching, stirring strings, shifting beautifully between perfect pop, heart-wrenching soul and country folk, woozy with harmonies and deep, dreamy melodies. Imagine it arriving in the world after the birth of a new child, and the death of the man who helped bring it to life.

That record is The Runaway.

Tickets for The Magic Numbers Irish tour are on sale this Thursday at 9am.

For more see: www.themagicnumbers.net /  www.cdcleisure.com / www.myspace.com/drytherivermusic

For further information please contact Dino or Sabrina at CDC Leisure
T: 028 90 269 949 / M: 07501 229 318 / E: dino@cdcleisure.com /Sabrina@cdcleisure.com

Alley launches YouTube Social Media clips

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Mark Nagurski and Mark Patterson

Building on the success of this month’s Alley Theatre social media seminar “Like – Building Social Networks”, supported by BT and NWIPP and funded by Arts & Business NI, the award winning venue has just launched a series of YouTube clips featuring guest speakers from event. Viewers from around the world can now watch Derry Digital Champion, Mark Nagurski, Andy Ferris (Smalltown America Records) and Michele Canning from the NWIPP, share their experience of Social media and how people, whether from an arts background or business, can benefit from the various social media tools.

“Over 260 people involved in the arts industries and New Media courses from across the North West took part in interactive social media workshops, however we had requests from Dublin, Belfast and even Scotland about the event” commented Nathan Flatman from the Alley. “Embracing the theme of the event, we filmed the guest speakers and have shared these clips via our unique YouTube channel, allowing not just the North West, but the whole world to benefit from the discussions and ideas shared on the day from such eminent guest speakers.”

Beverly Coomber from Arts and Business NI commented ““Arts & Business Northern Ireland would like to congratulate BT and NWIPP for working with the Alley on this fun and educational interactive seminar, and we are delighted to see the information and discussion shared on the day can now be accessed via YouTube. This innovative approach to covering the event is the living embodiment of the key message, the power of social media is here to be fully utilised and should be embraced by everyone.” To watch the “Like” clips visit www.youtube.com/alleytheatrestrabane.

A tasty lunchtime treat with the Ulster Orchestra

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Busy Belfast shoppers and office workers are being urged to take a well-deserved lunch break this week and head down to the Ulster Hall for a feast of a different kind.

The Ulster Orchestra’s new lunchtime concert series, supported by JTI, kicks off on Wednesday 6 October with music by Rossini, Borodin and Smetana and a solo appearance by the Orchestra’s very own Martin Wilson, who plays Ferdinand David’s Concertino for trombone and orchestra.

The monthly concerts – always held on a Wednesday – will start at 1.05pm and end no later than 1.55pm, giving people working nearby the Ulster Hall time to get back to work.

“At just £5 per ticket, this is a great way to relax and unwind away from the stresses and strains of working life and daily routine,” said Lydia Gamble, the Ulster Orchestra’s Head of Marketing and Development.

“It is amazing how the music can just transport you to another time and place allowing you to return to work, or whatever you have to do, refreshed and ready for the afternoon! And the good news is, every month for the next eight months we have a lunchtime concert,” she explained.

More…

November’s concert will be on Wednesday 10 November when the Ulster Orchestra will be joined by saxophonist Kenneth Edge who plays Milhaud’s Scaramouche.

There will be lunchtime concerts each month until 8 June next year and further details can be found at www.ulsterorchestra.com or by contacting the box office on 028 9023 9955

All the latest news from the Alley Theatre, Strabane

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It’s Friday and in the spirit of having that “Friday feeling”, we have 2 tickets to giveaway for the new Des Bishop comedy gig coming to the Alley on November 26th. Interested? Well read all the Alley news and maybe you could win yourself a treat at the Alley!

Show updates

Tonight (October 1st) we welcome the Omagh comedian, Kevin McAleer on stage, tickets, priced at £14, £12 (con) are only available via the Alley Box Office (028 7138 4444). See you at the bar at 7 p.m.!

On Saturday the Alley welcomes “Fashion Rocks The Alley”,with a host of top Strabane retailers invading the Alley. Want great fashion, music and a few surprises thrown in? Then book now for this wonderful event, all proceeds going towards St Mary’s Boys Primary School, Strabane. Click here to book.

Next week we have two fantastic shows coming, Stars In Their Eyes with Strabane Grammar School and the wonderful kids magic and mayhem show, “Leon and the Place Between” on October 9th. Both shows have very limited seats, so don’t delay in booking! Click here for a full performance listing.

North West Social Networking conference a major success!

Strabane’s Alley Theatre was at the centre of the digital world last week as it hosted the groundbreaking “Like – Building Digital Networks” conference, aimed at raising the business awareness of students and those involved in the arts via the medium of social media. Over 260 people involved in the arts industries and New Media courses from across the North West, including students from the North West College and Holy Cross College,  took part in a host of interactive social media workshops, whilst listening to expert social media commentators including Derry’s Digital champion Mark Nagurski, Strabane Chronicle’s Michele Canning  and Mark O’Flaherty, Platform Director from BT.

“This unique social networking conference, supported by BT and the Strabane Chronicle, with funding from Arts & Business has made a major impact in revealing the social media opportunities that are available to people online” commented John Kerr Alley Theatre Manager. “This intensive day, not only involved keynote speakers on social media, but it also provided a series of educational interactive workshops from Derry’s Nerve Centre social media tutors. Today will leave an amazing legacy within the North West and we would like to thank all our funders and sponsors for making this wonderful event possible.”

Peter Morris Consumer Director,  BT, said “Supporting young people in developing their online and entrepreneurial skills is something that we are passionate about at BT – nothing demonstrates this more clearly than our long history of involvement with the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.  Events like today can show people how  to use social media tools to best effect.  Through continual investment in our own innovations such as BT Infinity we continue to drive online capability providing users with an even greater online experience.  Congratulations to all the team at the Alley for putting on such a successful innovative event today”

“Some people assume that everyone under the age of 30 knows all they need to know about social media but in reality, getting yourself known online, in the arts or business, is a skill that needs developed. With this in mind, it was great to see so many local people taking an active interest in doing just that and I hope there’ll be more events like this in the future.” Mark Nagurski, Digital Champion for Derry.

Beverly Coomber from Arts and Business NI commented ““Arts & Business Northern Ireland is delighted to support The Alley Arts & Conference Centre to develop its creative partnerships with its local and national business sponsors through the Reach Investment Programme.  We would congratulate BT and NWIPP for working with the Alley on this fun and educational interactive seminar”.

For more information on the “Like – Building Digital Networks” Conference, including images, information handouts and video’s, visit www.facebook.com/thealleytheatre or www.alley-theatre.com for more information.

And finally ….

Want to see Des Bishop at the Alley on November 26th?

We have two tickets to give away for his new show at the Alley, all you have to do to win is simply answer the following question and email your name, address, telephone number and email to nflatman@strabanedc.comand cross your fingers!

Winners will be announced on October 8th.

Tickets for this new show are very limited, for more information on this cracking gig which cleaned out Edinburgh of all the SOLD OUT signs, click here.

Question

Des’s new show is about his Dad nearly being picked to play which silver screen secret agent?

was it?

A) James Bond

B) Jason Bourne

C) Jack Bauer

Don’t forget to send your name, answer and contact details to nflatman@strabanedc.com

We look foward to hearing from you! Good luck and have a great weekend!!!!

Upcoming Performances

  • Fashion Rocks at the Alley

Saturday 02 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Stars in Your Eyes’

Tuesday 05 October 2010 Wednesday 06 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Leon and the Place Between

Saturday 09 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Concerto – Malaga – Massimo Paris

Monday 11 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • “Low Pay? Don’t Pay”

Wednesday 13 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • American Wrestling Invasion Tour

Thursday 14 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

Featured Event

Wonderful children show at the Alley

Leon and the Place Between – A wonderful new musical adaptation by Paul Mc Eneaney and Ursula Burns from the popular children’s story by the same name, written by Angela McAllister.

When little Leon goes to see a magic show with his brothers and sisters, he is the only one who truly believes in the magic. Magician Abdul Kazam appears on the stage to entertain the audience with his spellbinding illusions and fascinating conjuring tricks.

When Abdul asks for a volunteer Leon knows that it must be him. He bravely steps onto the stage, through the door and into ‘the place between’. It is a place where magic becomes real, full of mystery and illusion. But when his adventure is over will Leon be able to find his way back to where his brothers and sisters are waiting for him?

This is a delightful tale all about magic and the power of believing.

The show features a live music, magic, circus, dance, illusion and lots lots more! Ideal for all ages.

Saturday 09 Oct @ 00:00 AM

BOOK NOW »

NI Sporting Stars Launch Dairy Council’s ‘Milk in Action’ Website

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International rugby professional Bryan Young and rising sports star, pro-biker Jacob Dickson, urged young people to ‘Milk it for all it’s Worth’ today as they helped launch a dynamic new website from the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland.

www.milkitforallitsworth.eu is designed to deliver a fun, high impact, digital resource that explains the nutritional qualities of milk in a way that will resonate with the younger generation in Northern Ireland, especially those involved in sport.

The ‘Milk it for all it’s Worth’ site offers an interactive way of learning about the benefits of the nutrients milk provides through its quizzes and games and downloadable video clips. It provides users the chance to upload their own videos as well as the opportunity to win great prizes at its competition section.

Commenting on the new website, rugby star, Bryan Young, said: “My father is a dairy farmer so I know only too well the benefits of drinking milk. I’ve grown up drinking milk and enjoy it first and foremost because of its taste and secondly because I think you can’t beat the stuff for its nutritional value.

“I’d recommend that young sports people or anyone who enjoys being active check out the ‘Milk it for all it’s Worth’ website. It’s a fantastic and fun site where you can get some tips on how to eat healthy so that you can give your best performance, whether you’re into rugby, dance, snowboarding or athletics.”

Twelve year old biker Jacob Dickson from Dromore, added: “This website is seriously cool. It tells you what you need to know about milk in an exciting way.  I always knew that milk was good for me but if I’m honest I didn’t really understand the number of nutrients in milk and their benefits.

“Mountain biking and BMXing can be pretty intense so it’s important that I have the energy to keep going, especially during competitions. The website has helped me understand how the nutrients in milk such as calcium, protein, vitamin B12 and B2, iodine and potassium can help with an active lifestyle”

Visit www.milkitforallitsworth.eu for yourself to see how a balanced diet can improve your game and to be in with a chance to win some itune vouchers!

The ‘Milk it for all it’s Worth’ website is part of the Dairy Council’s ongoing Milk in Action campaign. The initiative is financed with aid from the European Union.

Calling all greenfingers!

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Grab your wellies and your trowel and come to Minnowburn in Belfast on Saturday 9 October to help National Trust staff and volunteers plant 1,000 Bluebell bulbs.  Even if you don’t know your dicotyledon from your morifolium the National Trust needs your help to plant the bulbs in a new part of the wood.

Visitors to Minnowburn in previous years have enjoyed the colourful carpet of bluebells that lead up to the old rose garden at Terrace Hill. The wash of blue is an all too familiar sight and the intense colour and sweet scent that comes from this delicate perennial make it a breathtaking spectacle when out and about.  The display of colour next spring in the newly planted area will be stunning.

Unfortunately the popular plant is an endangered species. Despite the UK playing host to half of the world’s population of bluebells the number of bluebells we see on our travels is on a steady decline.  The Spanish bluebell is frequently planted in gardens and over the years hybridised with the native bluebell to form a hybrid.   This hybrid is threatening the population of the pure native bluebell.

As Northern Ireland’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust relies on its volunteers for support and extra hands for bulb planting will be very welcome.  It’s a great way to spend a lovely autumnal day, getting soil under your fingers and being out in the fresh, crisp air.  Bring the children along too and engage little minds with nature.

The woodlands at Minnowburn play host to a diverse range of flora and fungi and the trees will alive with autumn colour, so make sure you come along on the 9 October.

Meet at Minnowburn car park at 11am.

Catch up with all the latest news from the Alley Theatre!

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Did you notice a slight chill in the air this morning? Well it does feel that summer is finally over and the winter season is certainly starting to get into full swing at the Alley.

After a majestic series of shows over the last few weeks, including three sell out shows by Conal Gallen and Channel 4 stand up star, Kevin Bridges, the Alley is set to reveal further show news today! So take a break for 2 minutes and see what’s on offer at the North West’s leading arts venue this month!

Time to hit the catwalk!

Strabane fashion retailers will be taking centre stage at the Alley this weekend (October 2nd from 7.30 p.m.) as the Alley Theatre is set to host “Fashion Rocks the Alley”, a fabulous fashion show featuring the very best on show from Strabane and across the North West.

Over 12 local retailers are set to take part in this superb fashion show, with models set to take to the catwalk wearing the latest fashions from the sizzling Electric Candy, Menary’s, La Moda, George of ASDA, Mark James, O’Neills, Crafty Yarns, Strabane EyeWear and Blanca Bridal to name but a few. Strabane’s popular “Orlagh’s Hair and Beauty Salon” will be on hand to offer models those stunning hairstyles, while DSL will be providing the show’s sound track! “Fashion Rocks the Alley will be hosted by the very dashing Paddy Hunter from Q102 FM, so don’t miss out and book the last available tickets now. Priced at only £5, it offers a great night out!” commented John Kerr from the Alley Theatre. “This event is one of the final nights of the St Mary’s Boys Primary School 50th Anniversary celebrations, so it would be great to see as many parents, friends and families associated with the school attending”. Click here to book now!

Expecting a new arrival?

Surestart Strabane are set to host another packed “Mums2Be” information night at the Alley on Thursday, Sept 30th from 7 p.m. Packed full of guest speakers, information stalls, this now annual event is almost a sell out, with only 30 free tickets now available at the Alley Box Office. “If you are expecting a new arrival over the next 9 months, then this event offers essential information on what you need to know and what is available to support your new family”. For more information click here.

What’s coming up?

October features a packed programme for the Strabane venue, with leading clairvoyant Sharon Neill returning to the Alley by public demand on October 20th, the Johnny Crampsie Festival featuring the Fureys and Davey Arthur, The Border Collies and CRAIC takes place between October 21st – 23rd, while Bruiser Theatre company visit the Alley with their hit new comedy “Low Pay, Don’t Pay” on October 13th.

Superb magic show for kids coming!

Parents and children from across the North West will be delighted to hear that the world famous children theatre company, Cahoots NI, are set to return to the Alley with “Leon and the Place Between”, after their sell out run at the Belfast Opera House with the award winning “Snail and the Whale”. Their new show, based on the top selling children’s book by Angela McAlister, takes place on Saturday, October 9th at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

“When little Leon goes to see a magic show with his brothers and sisters, he is the only one who truly believes in the magic. Magician Abdul Kazam appears on the stage to entertain the audience with his spellbinding illusions and fascinating conjuring tricks. When Abdul asks for a volunteer Leon knows that it must be him. He bravely steps onto the stage, through the door and into ‘the place between’. It is a place where magic becomes real, full of mystery and illusion. But when his adventure is over will Leon be able to find his way back to where his brothers and sisters are waiting for him? This is a delightful tale all about magic and the power of believing and features live music, magic and circus acts on stage, ideal for all ages! Tickets for this wonderful children show are only £5 and can be booked from the Alley Theatre Box office or by clicking here!

Wrestle mania set to sweep North West

Strabane’s Alley Theatre is preparing for an invasion of some of the world’s top wrestlers on October 14th, including special wrestling guests from Mexico, the US and Japan!

“I grew up with the 1980’s icons of wrestling like Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks, however this new generation move so much faster, get into tighter grips and fly through the air

like wild bats, it has to be seen to be believed!” commented Nathan Flatman from the Alley Theatre. ”So let’s get ready to rumble at the Alley! Catch the event of the year when the Superstars of American Wrestling roll into Strabane for the American Invasion Tour.”

“The Alley will be transformed into an exciting fighting arena for this unique occasion, as some of the best wrestlers from the USA, Mexico, Japan and Europe line up to produce the thrills and the spills that we have come to expect from major league wrestling. It will be the biggest wrestling event seen in the area as the heroes and villains of the squared circle go one-on-one using a combination of strength, skill and expertise, often defying gravity and serious injury”. Tickets are only £15, with show time starting at 7 p.m. To book click here.

And finally …….

Finally, patrons are being warned to book early for the Alley’s Christmas shows as strong demand has already seen some show sell out early. “Not only will we have a fantastic festive concert by the Ulster Orchestra at the Alley on December 1st, but we are set to welcome Des Bishop for the first time at our award winning venue. Limited tickets now left on sale for Des’s show, which has had a sell out run in the Edinburgh Festival.

We expect heavy bookings for the Strabane Community Christmas Carol Concert as it was announced this week that RTE ‘s All Ireland Talent Show winner Chloe Coyle is set to appear in the show, with proceeds on the night going towards Marie Curie Cancer Care.”

To get your free copy of the Alley Theatre Winter Events Guide click here or to book tickets, please contact the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 7138 4444 or visit www.alley-theatre.com

Upcoming Performances

  • Mums 2 Be

Thursday 30 September 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Kevin McAleer’

Friday 01 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Fashion Rocks at the Alley

Saturday 02 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Stars in Your Eyes’

Tuesday 05 October 2010 Wednesday 06 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Leon and the Place Between

Saturday 09 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

  • Concerto – Malaga – Massimo Paris

Monday 11 October 2010

MORE INFO | BOOK NOW »

Featured Event

Get Ready To Rumble!

Catch the event of the year when the Superstars of American Wrestling roll into Strabane for the American Invasion Tour.

The Alley will be transformed into an exciting fighting arena for this unique occasion, as some of the best wrestlers from the USA, Mexico, Japan and Europe line up to produce the thrills and the spills that we have come to expect from major league wrestling.

It will be the biggest wrestling event seen in the area as the heroes and villains of the squared circle go one-on-one using a combination of strength, skill and expertise,  often defying gravity, to bring us wrestling with a capital E – that’s E for Entertainment!

Thursday 14 Oct @ 20:00 PM – 22:00 PM

BOOK NOW »

ULSTER BANK OFFERS UP HUNDREDS OF FREE FESTIVAL TICKETS

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What are you doing on October 27th?

With three weeks to go until Ireland’s largest international arts festival gets underway, the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s have launched a major online scheme to give away almost 600 free festival tickets.

Building on the success of last year’s ticket give-away, the website www.ulsterbank.com/arts gives would-be festival goers across Northern Ireland the chance to apply for free tickets to all festival events taking place on Wednesday October 27.

If you’re feeling blue and don’t know where to go to..why not try the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s: Ulster Bank staff Brian Haslett (Fred Astaire) and Bernie Crossan (Ginger Rodgers) quickstep their way to the Ulster Hall where Ava Astaire McKenzie will host a musical tribute to her father in Putting on your Top Hat as part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s. The Festival has launched a major online scheme to give away almost 600 free tickets to shows taking place on October 27 including Putting on your Top Hat, Black Watch, Circa, Roddy Doyle, and Colin Bateman’s first-play National Anthem amongst others. To claim your free tickets log on to www.ulsterbank.com/arts

From toe-tapping music to jaw-dropping acrobatics and thrilling drama, theatre lovers have the chance to bag free tickets to National Theatre of Scotland’s infamous army regiment drama Black Watch, the exhilarating acrobatic circus performance Circa, the first-ever play by local novelist Colin Bateman National Anthem and Alan Bennett’s latest smash-hit play for the National Theatre The Habit of Art.

Music fans can apply for free tickets to see Ava Astaire McKenzie host a musical tribute to her father in Putting on your Top Hat, Grammy award-winning artist Imogen Heap and the Jagodzinski Trio or why not apply for free tickets to see one of Ireland’s favourite comic writer’s Roddy Doyle.

Speaking on the initiative Festival Director Graeme Farrow said;

“From entertaining talks to world-class theatrical drama and dance, A Night for Belfast gives everyone across Northern Ireland the chance to come to Belfast, experience our award-winning festival and enjoy internationally-acclaimed productions courtesy of our festival supporter Ulster Bank.

“Circa is majorly entertaining and will be enjoyed by all members of the family. Black Watch is a world-wide phenomenon and not your typical theatre piece as it hurtles from Fife to the battlefields of Iraq. If you loved Divorcing Jack and Murphy’s Law you will love National Anthem and as for any History Boy fans – The Habit of Art is not to be missed.”

Whatever you are interested in – I guarantee there is something to be enjoyed by everyone.” Graeme added.

Mike Bamber, Chief Executive of Ulster Bank, Retail Markets, says
“Ulster Bank’s support for the festival is not confined to helping with running costs and finances. We fully endorse the creation of accessibility to festival events so that people from all sections of our community can participate. We are very proud to be part of a festival which aims to open the arts to as broad and wide a public as possible.”

To apply for your free festival tickets log on to www.ulsterbank.com/arts. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are only available for performances taking place on Wednesday 27 October.

For more information on the festival programme or to book tickets, log on to www.belfastfestival.com or contact the festival box office Mon-Fri 9am-6pm and Sat 10am-2pm on 9097 1197.

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