At last plans are under way for an Open Coffee Mid Ulster. I had the pleasure of meeting with Dawn Baird of Sensei Learning and Performance (www.sensei-winbeforehand.co.uk) and Stephen Brown of  The Adventure Team (www.theadventureteam.co.uk) earlier this week to start planning the launch of the first Open Coffee Mid Ulster.

The date has been set for Wed 9th September at 6.30pm with the venue to be confirmed. Open Coffee is a regular, open and informal meeting of businesses ( emphasis on the word “open” ). There will be no formal demos or presentations, just networking and sharing of ideas.

If you are interested please go to the website at www.ocmidulster.com – you can become a fan on facebook from the site and follow us on twitter @OCMidUlster – and check the local press for more details. A full listing will be posted here on www.whatsonni.com under the business category.

Personally I love the idea of informal networking – no pressure, no formalities – just turn up for a coffee and a chat and see what happens.

Thanks to Dawn and Stephen for their help – we make an awesome team!!!!!

After a long absence from the Belfast social scene (approx 21 years!!) my niece and I ventured to the big smoke last night at the kind invitation of Donal Doherty to attend the launch of the Converse Models Agency.

The venue was the fabulous Ivory Restaurant / Bar on the 3rd Floor at the House of Fraser, Victoria Square where we were greeted with welcome drinks and a goodie bag (always a good start).

Belfast turned out in force to support the launch with the press well represented.  We were treated to a fashion show supported by HOF – not to forget hair by Regis, the make up by Estee Lauder and the compare for the evening Citybeat’s Robin Elliott.

Entertainment was in the form of new up and coming girl band Voodoo – what great girls – happily had their pic taken with my neice – and can they sing – they were awesome – in the words of Randy Jackson – you can blow!!

Well I had a great time in Botanic yesterday with my friend Chris – thanks to the Belfast Taste and Music Fest. Not knowing what to expect we were more than pleasantly surprised.

A bargain at a fiver for the entertainment and great company we met on the day. Being from the heart of mid ulster it was fanstastic to meet a friend of mine the minute we got through the gates who very kindly introduced me to the enigmatic Connie Cunningham and her husband – it was a great pleasure.

Two years in planning every angle was covered.  We arrived to the dulcit tones of Juliet Turner – perfect afternoon music – and then the boulevard of chefs mini restaurants with all the aromas floating through the air – it was a very difficult choice but found I spent most of my little branded tokens on original Chicago Pizza.   Believe me – it was more than good!

Although I noticed while I was enjoying my pizza that the longest queue seemed to be for Mr. Paul Catterson of Mango Maghera (almost a neighbour of mine).  All being well Paul will be supplying some gourmet treats at this years Lough Neagh Food Festival  on the 12th September.

Then James Huish and his band lit up the stage with their Micheal Buble style easy listening medley – this guy has a great voice – I loved it, but sadly not as much as I loved Jimmy Bannos’s Blueberry Blasters!!

So huge congratulations to Connie and her team – for all her hard work pulling off such a huge event (it’s not as easy as some people might think).  Everyone is talking about it very positively – NI needs more events like this – pulling people together from all backgrounds to enjoy good the amazing food and music that NI has to offer.

Just a few lines on yesterday’s wedding – what a day!! Not being particularly partial to weddings I was surprised how much I enjoyed myself. A huge hats off and 10 out of 10 to the Greenvale Hotel Cookstown and it’s proprietor Mr. Micheal McIlhatton for a superb venue, great food (hot and no delay between courses), and friendly and efficient staff.

Mr McIlhatton’s hands on approach does not go unnoticed and I am quite sure he affords this personal touch to all guests – joining in the service with his staff and paying particular attention to my 7 year old daughter (thank you).

Apparently he was also the unsung hero for pulling out all the stops when the chair cover hire/balloon company did the unspeakable – and failed to deliver – who in their right mind would do that on the most important day of a young lady’s life???  You know who you are – I certainly won’t name and shame – no need – bad reps usually carry well enough by word of mouth.  But no-one would have suspected anything had gone awry – the room was dressed to perfection and the Greenvale saved the day!!!

Now though incredibly tired from yesterdays celebrations – but thankfully clear- headed I am off to sample the delights of the Belfast Taste and Music Fest at the Botanic Lawns in Belfast and will report back early next week!!  Have a great weekend.

ps

Just in case you are looking for a reputable chair hire company I know of a great one here in mid ulster – Sitting Pretty – you can find them at www.sittingprettyni.com.

OK – thanks to the guys at Glenovation – our blog is now live and hosted on our website.

We will use the blog to let you know about upcoming events, listings, new suppliers eg venues are generally what we are up to from day to day.  All feedback on the site is gratefully accepted – if you have any ideas for any add ons that would make it more interesting, useful or easier to use please send them on through!!

Hope you are all having a great summer – don’t forget about the Taste and Music Fest in Belfast this weekend!!

We are looking forward to heading down to the Belfast Taste and Music Fest this weekend at Botanic Gardens in Belfast.

“Visitors can look forward to a boulevard of restaurants serving delicious food, culinary and cocktail demonstrations, a full bar and continuous staged live music including rock ‘n roll, blues and great tribute bands…plus lots of free prize draws and all for the best and most affordable prices!”

If you are a foodie here’s another date for your diary – the 3rd Lough Neagh Food Festival which is scheduled for 12th September in Castledawson village – it will be packed with quality NI suppliers serving up the finest food to eat on the day or take home.  More details will follow.

Hi!

At last we have set up a blog page for whatsonni – we will endeavour to update every day to let you know what we are up to.  Don’t forget if you have an event to publicise you can do it all here for free!!