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Bangor will be a hive of activity over Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June when popular maritime festival, Sea Bangor, sails into town with a host of entertainment and activities for all the family!

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council with support from Bangor Chamber of Commerce, South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Bangor Marina and Translink, this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever in what will be one of Bangor’s busiest weekends of the year.

Thousands of visitors from the Borough and beyond are expected to descend on the seaside town over the course of the two days to see lots of entertainment including water and aerial displays.

The AeroSuperBatics Wingwalking Team of high flyers are among the main attractions. They will swoop over the lough in their modified Breitling Stearman biplanes at 4.30pm on the Saturday and 3pm on the Sunday, performing incredible feats in the sky in what will be a spectacular aerial display above Bangor.

A bit closer to earth, you can watch Daniel Doyle create stunning sculptures made out of sand near the entrance to the Long Hole while the Eisenhower Pier will host the popular Rowing Challenge which features local community teams competing for the Sea Bangor Cup. Watch them battle it out for the prestigious trophy!

And if you fancy getting your feet wet, you can take part in one of the Royal Yachting Association’s sailing experiences on the Saturday or try kayaking on the Sunday. There will be boat tours on offer too, allowing you to explore Bangor’s coastline from the sea.

Those keen to keep their feet firmly on dry land can visitthe Army Reserve Village in the Marina car park or head to the Tented Village in Quay Street car park. The Tiddler’s Tent Silent Disco is open for all the family while the ‘Under the Sea’ creative experience marquee will inspire and engage.

If you fancy a gentle ride, you can check out the funfair rides or jump on the Panoramic Wheel and get a bird’s eye view of the marina. You might even be able to spot Detritus of the Deep from above. Having exited the depths of the ocean, he’ll be roaming around the crowds on his stilts in an attempt to find out why his sea home is being destroyed by pollution.

All that activity will get those tummies rumbling and the Sea Bangor Café will serve a variety of food with a focus on local business and local produce. Plus, there will be cookery demonstrations and competitions hosted by SERC, including ‘Bangor’s Best Balti’, helping to find the master chefs in our midst.

The food stalls, street theatre and live music from different local bands in the Open House Shanty Shack will all add to the bustling atmosphere so make sure you come to Sea Bangor during the first weekend in June!

Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is set to make a splash when it returns to Ballycastle and Rathlin Island later this month.

From May 24th – June 2nd get closer to the maritime heritage of this very special part of the Causeway Coast and Glens through an exciting and engaging programme of events.

The celebration is packed full of seafaring, food experiences, artisan produce, live music and lots more on water and dry land while a mesmerising range of sailing vessels will bring the story of sea travel to life. For a must-see sight, watch as a flotilla makes its way across Rathlin Sound on Friday 31st May. A Viking longboat, drontheims and currachs, including the magnificent Colmcille and Menapian which at almost 40ft long are two of the largest of their kind in Northern Ireland, all feature in this magnificent fleet.

Looking ahead to the festivities, a spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is a very special event, set in one of the Borough’s most scenic locations. We have worked closely with our community partners to deliver an exciting showcase of maritime connections which have brought Ballycastle and Rathlin Island together through generations. The Festival brings this to life through food, music, dance, arts, crafts, boat trips and watersports and there will be plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the very best of what the area has to offer.”

For foodies, the Ulster Chowder Championship is a must see in the Cookery Theatre on Bank Holiday Monday (May 27th). This is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate our sea food and skilled chefs. With a chance to compete in the world famous Kinsale competition next year it’s all to cook for in the seafront marquee!

New this year, The School of Irish Archaeology brings ‘The Big Dig’ to the festival.  This fun hands-on workshop is educational, engaging and interactive offering the experience of a real life dig for Viking treasures and artefacts. Guided by a team of professionals, this dig gives children the opportunity to experience what it is like to be an archaeologist whilst learning about the lifestyles of their Viking ancestors.

On Rathlin Island, take an evening tour of the West Light Seabird Centre with the RSPB and watch as the red beam shines out across the sea over one of the biggest seabird breeding colonies in Europe. Visit an art installation in the unique surroundings of a cliff-edge Coastguard hut or meet the crew of the Mamoch Mor Currach and learn more about this inspiring community-built traditional boat for a taste of contemporary maritime culture.

For all of this and much more make sure that you experience Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival for yourself between Friday 24th May and Sunday 2nd June. As the programme is subject to change due to tides and weather conditions please follow the festival’s social media channels on Twitter (@RathlinSoundMF) and Facebook (@RathlinSoundMaritimeFestival) for the latest updates. To view the full programme of events go to www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com.

National Theatre Wales kicks off its first ever island of Ireland tour at the MAC on 22-23 May with politically charged play, Cotton Fingers.

Written by award-winning Welsh writer, Rachel Trezise and starring Northern Irish actor, Amy Molloy, Cotton Fingers tells the story of a young woman’s journey from Belfast to Wales to access free NHS abortion care. 

Molloy, who stared in Prime Cut’s Tejas Verdes at the MAC in 2013 and in Cyprus Avenue with renowned actor Stephen Rea in 2017, now performs in this bold, one-woman show about the cycles of secrecy and the power young women hold over their futures, directed by National Theatre Wales’ Associate Director, Julia Thomas.

Written during the Irish referendum to repeal the 8th amendment in 2018, Cotton Fingers originally formed part of National Theatre Wales’ NHS70 Festival, celebrating the National Health Service’s 70th birthday.

The female led production will tour to venues in Belfast, Derry~Londonderry, Dublin and Bray from 22 May until 1 June 2019, marking one year since the historic referendum took place.

Announcing the tour, National Theatre Wales’ Artistic Director, Kully Thiarai said: “We are very excited to be making our debut across the Irish Sea, bringing this funny, poignant but important production to audiences in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Marking a year since the historic referendum, Cotton Fingers highlights the stark differences between women’s rights on either side of the border. It’s a fantastic work of snappy Welsh writing, made by an extraordinary trio of talented women.”

National Theatre Wales is a multi-award-winning theatre company that has been making English-language productions in locations all over Wales, the UK, internationally and online since March 2010.

Tickets for Cotton Fingers at the MAC are on sale now at the maclive.com or call box office on 028 90235053.

Following a hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2018, multi-award-winning theatre company, Two Destination Language will visit the MAC on 11 May with a powerful one-woman performance, Fallen Fruit.

Based on the real-life memories of Bulgarian performer Katherina Radeva, Fallen Fruit is a beautiful and captivating story of love, breaking free and Europe, set in 1989 against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Told by a seven-year-old girl, a couple in turmoil and a sharp-tongued 80s game show host, all played by Katherina, Fallen Fruit tells the story of Bulgaria’s acceleration away from its past in the communist bloc, into the uncertain future of today.

As Britain prepares to leave the EU and across Europe people celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the end of the Cold War, the story takes us back to another society on the brink of change.

Described as “evocative and full of insight”, Fallen Fruit is a show about complex choices, barriers and walls in our minds and in our cities.

Katherina, together with dramaturgy expert, Alister Lownie make up Two Destination Language, with Alister’s Scottish heritage and Katherina’s Bulgarian background informing their visually rich and stimulating work.

Tickets for Fallen Fruit at the MAC are on sale now at themaclive.com or call box office on 028 90235053.

A story of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of The Floral Hall, written by Brenda Winter-Palmer developed by Antoinette Morelli and The Karma Theatre Company.

KEEP TELLING ME LIES

Of all the iconic buildings in Belfast, the now derelict Floral Hall still stands; a monument to the history of life, love, loss and the music of the Showband era.

‘Keep Telling Me Lies’ tells of the journey of two Belfast women. Set against the backdrop of the crumbling Floral Hall, they recall the fateful night they met their future musician husbands.

Old grudges resurface and sparks fly as they reminisce about the lifestyles of their globetrotting husbands who experienced fame and fortune while the wives they left behind struggled to bring up their young families, working all day and lonely all night.

This is a story, driven by the music of the Showbands, the people who made the magic happen and those left on the sidelines.

Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th May 7.45pm. Matinee Saturday 11th May – 2pm.

Tickets Are Now on Sale and Available from The Mac Box Office

Tel: 028 9023 5053

https://themaclive.com/event/keep-telling-me-lies

Ards and North Down is getting ready to celebrate some magical ‘Merry May Day’ moments with a packed programme full of fun for all the family in Holywood on Monday 6 May!

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Holywood and District Community Council, there will be a feast full of activities centred around Holywood’s Maypole to keep the little ones entertained when they’re off school for the long Bank Holiday weekend.

The magical fun and frolics will run from 10am to 4pm with an enchanting variety of entertainment that includes dancing, puppet shows, magic shows, fancy dress competitions, plus plenty of craft, charity and food stalls to keep those rumbling tummies at bay!

The McElhinney School of Dance will provide some jaw-dropping performances with their Irish dance routines. The Holywood based group has performed as far away as Disneyland Paris but now the young dancers are super-excited to bring their stunning acts to the May Day festivities.

Local children will be able to perform their own routines too when they dance around the Maypole and there is an opportunity to join in the fun with the Jump, Jiggle and Jive interactive dance activities.

The crowning of the May Queen will take place in the morning while kids (and maybe some adults too!) will gather around for a fancy dress competition with ‘kings, queens, superheroes and my favourite book character’ providing the themes for 2019.

A painting competition will satisfy all budding artists out there but if you just want to be entertained, there will be three 30-minute puppet shows as well as magic shows where you will be amazed and witness the seemingly impossible!

Another highlight of the day will be the programme of fantastically enchanting and vibrant street theatre complete with the stunning Forest Walkers, the majestic Gliding Butterflies, the beautiful Maiden of Flowers and the gentle Blossom Lion.

Don’t miss out…join us between 10am and 4pm for a great day out in Holywood on Monday 6 May!

For more details, including a full itinerary, visitardsandnorthdown.com or call 028 9127 0069.

The Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships will take place on Saturday 11 May 2019 at Newtownards Airport, from 11am – 5pm.

Ards and North Down Borough Council, in association with the Northern Ireland branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, will host what will be a superb day out for the whole family.

Come along and see the world’s best Pipe Band and Drum Majors in action together with more than 1,000 musicians in 35 pipe bands contesting this year’s Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships.

There will be plenty to do for the whole family with face painting, children’s highland games, food stalls and a mini funfair* (*minimal charge applies). Plus, there will be a colourful display of talent in the Highland Dancing competition!

It promises to be a day of music, colour and pageantry that will culminate in a spectacular Grand Finale March Past and Salute to the Chieftain, before the presentation of prizes.

You could even make a weekend of it and explore the area in and around Newtownards. Go shopping in the town centre which is filled with lovely gift shops, boutique shops and cosy cafes – perfect for those who love to shop or simply browse.

Maybe even make use of the fantastic facilities at the newly opened Ards Blair Mayne Leisure and Wellbeing Complex where those tired feet would definitely enjoy a trip to the relaxing surroundings of the spa.

Just outside the town centre, Mount Stewart is a beautiful spot to take a walk or enjoy a picnic while the view from Scrabo Tower is simply breathtaking!

For more information, visitardsandnorthdown.com/pipebands or rspbani.org, or call 028 9127 0069.

Newtownards is preparing for a puppet invasion next month when the Ards Puppet Festival returns to Ards Arts Centre and Conway Square.

The popular festival which is taking place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May presents a full-programme of puppet mayhem and will be fun for all ages!

popular festival which is taking place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May presents a full-programme of puppet mayhem and will be fun for all ages!

The popular festival which is taking place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May presents a full-programme of puppet mayhem and will be fun for all ages!

Over the two days, Ards Arts Centre and Conway Square will be buzzing with an eclectic mix of scheduled performances, free puppet workshops and plenty of madcap puppet shenanigans! Expect puppets in all shapes and sizes, from socks to strings and even glow in the dark!

The Festival is thrilled to welcome Lyngo Theatre to this year’s programme to perform their ‘Tom Thumb’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ shows at Ards Arts Centre. Not your usual puppet shows – these classic fairy tales will be brought to life with fascinating and magical performances by Patrick Lynch of Cbeebies fame. The whole family will be entertained!

Clydebuilt Theatre will make a welcome return to the festival with their adorable ‘Lost Bear’ production and the much-loved Banyan Theatre will also return with their enchanting show ‘The Hedgehog Prince’. All scheduled shows cost £3 per ticket, advanced booking is required.

There’s lots happening outside in Conway Square too with a full-programme of street-theatre, walkabouts and puppet workshops. Watch the ‘Billy Goats Gruff’ as they tussle with the grumpy troll, queue up at the ‘Rat Choc Chip’ ice-cream van and get more than you’ve bargained for, enjoy a ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ or traditional ‘Punch and Judy’. More creative visitors can get stuck into puppet making at the free interactive workshops where children can build their very own puppets, with help from professional artists.

One of the programme highlights will be performances by the Budapest Marionettes. Performing for the first time in Northern Ireland, Bence Sarkadi is a Hungarian marionette artist / puppeteer who travels the globe, entertaining crowds with his award-winning, one-man show. Prepare to be amazed as Bence’s mastery brings his puppets to life. All Conway Square performances are free of charge.

From 13 – 24 May, the Puppet Scavenger Hunt will take place around Ards Town Centre. Follow the clues and spot the crazy characters to win a prize and be in with a chance of winning a Family Pass to the Black Adventure Zone at the Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex.

Speaking about the festival, Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer with Ards and North Down Borough Council said; “As always, we are thrilled to be launching our programme for Ards Puppet Festival 2019 with plenty of unique performances to entertain the whole family. Alongside festival favourites like Banyan and Clydebuilt Puppet companies, we are very excited to be welcoming the Budapest Marionettes and Beautiful Creatures to the festival and to Northern Ireland, for the first time.”

Ards Puppet Festival takes place from 26 – 27 May in Conway Square Newtownards. Copies of the Puppet Festival programme are also available from Ards Arts Centre, North Down Museum or any of the Council’s Visitor Information Centres.

For more information, to book tickets or to download the programme go to: www.ardsarts.com

Join us on Friday 7 June at Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey for the Simon and Garfunkel Story – 50^th Anniversary Celebration.

Has it really been 50 years since the most successful Folk/Rock duo of all time recorded their first no1 hit single ‘The Sound of Silence’?

Direct from a week long run in London’s West End and performing to SOLD OUT audiences in over 50 countries worldwide, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back.  This show is currently the biggest and the most successful theatre show celebrating the lives and career of Folk/Rock sensation Simon and Garfunkel.

Featuring a cast of talented West End actor- musicians, their performance will take audiences back through the Groovy times of the 1960’s. It tells the story of both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as Rock n Roll duo ‘Tom and Jerry’, right through to their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishing with a stunning recreation of the 1981 Central Park reformation concert.

The show features 1960’s photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence and many more!

From Sydney to Seattle and now set for Newtownabbey, this is an evening not to be missed!

Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online theatreatthemill.com

“FOR ONCE, YOU CAN REALLY BELIEVE THE HYPE” – British Theatre Guide

www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com

This Easter Whitehead Railway Museum will be open for an extended run including both Easter Monday and Tuesday. Opening times each day are 10am to 4pm with conducted tours at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Self-guided tours are also available.

Whitehead Railway Museum will be playing host to the Easter Eggspress special from Belfast. The RPSI steam train, hauled by recently restored engine No. 131, will be operating Monday April 22, making two round trips from Belfast. The train departs Lanyon Place at 11.30am and again at 2.30pm and will be at Whitehead Railway Museum for 45 minutes from 12.15pm and again from 3.15pm.

An extra attraction for people living in the East Antrim area is the Belfast Shopper – a trip by steam train that gives you a full day in Belfast – where you can shop, visit some of the attractions and have a leisurely lunch. The train leaves Whitehead Railway Museum at 9.55am on April 22 and returns from Lanyon Place at 5pm, and you can sip a cup of coffee as the train skirts the shoreline of Belfast Lough. The train calls to collect passengers at Carrickfergus at 10.10am.

Acting General Manager at Whitehead Railway Museum, Siobhan Dillon, said: “We are thrilled to announce our timetable for the Easter weekend at Whitehead Railway Museum. Any time where we can open our doors to the public for an extended period feels special, and we wanted to mark the occasion with as many activities as possible.

“We had a record number of visitors on April 6 when we held a 100^th birthday party for our little blue shunting engine No. 3BG Guinness. Now we’re keen to build on that memorable occasion and have a record Easter. We are offering lots of different attractions which will appeal not just to railway enthusiasts but to the public looking for a day out with a difference.”

The highly acclaimed Edwardian Tea Room will be offering a special Easter menu with a range of new dishes over the weekend. The Tea Room opens from 10.15am serving homemade lunches, snacks and teas and coffees. For more information about the Museum and to book tickets for the Easter Eggspress steam train, visit https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/