Category: Uncategorized

THE ELVIS SPECTACULAR

Date: Friday 22 March

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University

Contact: 028 70123 123

The Elvis Spectacular, starring Ciaran Houlihan with his TCB is Ireland’s premiere Elvis show. Wearing costumes created by Elvis’s original designer Gene Douchette, Ciaran looks, sounds and moves like Elvis.  Accompanied by his TCB Band and the Sweet Sensations, they bring you the ultimate Elvis Experience. Tickets £18.

JANICE ANDERSON COUNTRY GOSPEL CD LAUNCH

Date: Friday 22 March

Time: 7.15pm. Show starts 7.45pm

Venue: Ballymoney Town Hall, Townhead Street, Ballymoney

Contact: (028) 2766 0230

CD Launch for local country gospel star Janice Anderson. Featuring Warren Smyth, Martin Moore, Nell Hire and the Male Gospel Trio “Acclaimed”. Compere is Martin Moore. Tickets £5 – payable at the door.

THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE 

Date: Saturday 23 March

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University

Contact: 028 7034 123 123

The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, is set in the mountains of Connemara and tells the story of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early 40s, and Mag, her manipulative, ageing mother.Mag’s interference in Maureen’s first and potentially last romantic relationship sets in motion a chain of events that are as tragically funny as they are horrific. .Tickets cost £14 (conc. £12).

ROE VALLEY SPECIALITY MARKET

Date: Saturday 23^rd March

Time: 11am – 4pm

Venue: Drumceatt Square, Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady

Contact: www.naturallynorthcoastandglens.co.uk

If you love local fresh food, quirky handmade crafts and fine art why not learn more and visit one of our market days at the beautiful Limavady town centre location of Drumceatt Square, Limavady town’s only communal public square, beside the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre.

EMIGRATION FROM DUNBOE TO THE NEW WORLD       

Date: Thursday 28^th March

Time: 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Venue: Castlerock Information Centre

Contact: castlerockcommunityassociation@gmail.com

A talk by Alison McCaughan MBE on Emigration from Dunboe to the New World. Refreshments provided. Booking essential.

BRAINMAN – DAVID MEADE MINDREADER

Date: Friday 29 March

Time: 8pm

Venue: Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, 24 Main Street, Limavady

Contact: www.eventbrite.co.uk  (tickets via Eventbrite)

Just returned from the USA to deliver his funniest and most incredible show yet, Mindreader David Meade – the first mentalist to win a Million dollars in a Las Vegas casino – will blow your mind as he does the impossible live on stage, right in front of you. Now performing all over the world, David’s coming back to home soil to blow minds across the country. His last record-breaking tour sold out everywhere, so grab your tickets now and look forward to a jaw dropping performance that your whole family of all ages will never forget! Tickets: £20.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Date: Friday 29^th & Saturday 30 March

Time: 7pm

Venue: Portstewart Presbyterian Church Hall

Contact:

Portrush Music Society presents Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Adults £10. Children £5. Tickets available from Mullan’s Fashions, Portstewart Promenade and SuperValu, Cromore Road, Portstewart.

CHARITY EVENING OF FOOD & FASHION

Date: Friday 29 March
Time: 7pm
Venue: Lodge Hotel, Lodge Road, Coleraine
Contact: 07912 027 770

Fashion show in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association. Charity evening includes a drinks reception, fork supper, fashion show and entertainment with Innova Dance Troupe. Raffle and auction on the night. Compere Sarah Travers. Tickets £15.

ROCK N ROLL YEARS & DANCE HALL DAYS

Date: Friday 29 March

Time:

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus

Contact:028 703 123 123

After last year’s smash hit tour this wonderful nostalgic musical hits the road again.  The all-star cast will once again take you on a whirlwind journey through the musical decades of the 50s and 60s. Playing homage to the lives and music of the Everly Bros, Johnny Cash, The Four Seasons, Ruby Murray, Bobby Darin and Elvis.  Plus many more of your favourites.Don’t miss this year’s new show… You won’t be disappointed!

BALLYMONEY PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

Date: Monday 18^th March – Saturday 27^th April

Time: Open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm and during performanceS and events in the evening and weekends.

Venue: Riverside Gallery, Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus

Contact: 028 70 123 123

Exhibition of works by Ballymoney Photographic Club. Admission free.

EXHIBITION: SNOW

Date: 8 Feb – 30 March

Time: Daily 9.30am – 5pm

Venue: Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady

Contact: 028 777 60650

A stunning exhibition celebrating winter which combines the poetry of writer John Brown, the atmospheric monochrome photographs of James Hughes and a musical response to both photographs and poetry.

A COLLECTION OF RELIEF PRINTS, WOODCUTS AND ETCHINGS

Date: Sat 5 Jan – Sat 23 Feb                           

Time: Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm. Sat 10am – 1pm

Venue: Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart

Contact: T: (028) 7083 1400

Artist and print maker Robert Sellar gifted a collection of his work to Flowerfield Arts Centre before he died at the venerable age of 92. A quiet man, he was a master print maker and his work compares with other post-modernist printmakers like Julian Trevelyan and Eric Ravilious. Each year, we present his collection for everyone to enjoy. Admission free.

1918

Date: Saturday 2 February – Saturday 30 March

Time: 9.30am – 5pm (Monday – Saturday)

Venue: Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre

Contact: 028 777 60650

This new exhibition explores, through local connections with international events, the impact of the closing stages of World War One, the outbreak of Spanish Flu, the General Election in 1918, the role of women and industrial disputes. The experiences of local people, on the battlefront and across the Causeway area, can be heard through letters, diaries and newspaper reports of the time.

BLURRING THE EDGE

Date: Friday 8 February – Saturday 23^rd March

Time: Exhibition Open Daily

Venue: Flowerfield Art Centre, Portstewart

Contact: 028 7083 1400

In partnership with The Hunt Museum, Limerick, we are delighted to host this stunning exhibition featuring five of Ireland’s leading contemporary ceramicists. Each ceramicist in this exhibition pushes the boundaries of this age old practice through their experimentation of form, function and texture.

BEE HEARD

Date: Friday 1 – Saturday 30 March

Time: Exhibition Open Daily

Venue: Flowerfield Art Centre, Portstewart

Contact: 028 7083 1400

Bee Heard Mental Health Peer Advocacy Group work together to support and help people who have experienced or are experiencing mental health issues. Bee Creative is its longest running project which offers participants a space in which they can work individually or together on their art or upcycle furniture.

Children’s favourites Fireman Sam, Noddy and Milkshake Monkey will be singing and dancing their way to Bangor, the only Northern Ireland location on their tour, to put on the most dazzling musical performance families will ever see.

The Milkshake Live musical will revolve around Channel 5’s iconic Milkshake Monkey, who needs a little encouragement from his best Milkshake pals when he gets stage fright.

The Floogals, Digby Dragon, Nella the Princess Knight, Wissper and Shimmer and Shine will all be taking to the stage with two Milkshake presenters at the McKee Clock Arena in Bangor on Easter Saturday where children will be able to learn the songs and dances with their favourite characters.

Milkshake Live! Milkshake Monkey’s Musical will take place at the McKee Clock Outdoor Arena on Saturday 20^th April 2019 with performance times at 12 noon and 3.30pm. Each performance lasts approximately 90 minutes with interval.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 19 March at 9am priced at £5 per ticket, available through www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown Bangor Visitor Information Centre, Ards Visitor Information Centre and North Down Museum.

Milkshake Live! is part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s wider ‘Big Easter’ event on Saturday 20^th April 2019 featuring boat tours, fairy tours, a roller disco, crafts and more. The full programme is available at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/easter

Human Chain, a performing arts project organised by cultural diversity charity ArtsEkta, will see more than 60 young people from diverse communities across Northern Ireland perform together at the MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 19^th March, 2019 at 7.30pm.

Using the poetry from Seamus Heaney’s last book as a springboard for conversations, Human Chain captures the experiences of these young people using drama, music, movement and visual art to explore what it is to be growing up at this time, in this place.  Their stories are full of joy, anger, frustration and hope, highlighting the complexities faced by our young people as they navigate through their formative years, trying to make sense of the world in their own unique way

Aoife Nic an tSaoir, Outreach and Engagement Officer, ArtsEkta who organised the event says:

“We wanted to provide a creative space for young people to explore and express their culture and their identity.  Seven groups from across Northern Ireland were selected for this initiative with initial workshops in January. This was followed by the development of short scenes that reflected the participants’ experiences. As well as these individual pieces, the groups have come together to create ensemble pieces where they have the opportunity to work with young people from different cultures and traditions, highlighting both the similarities and the differences that exist amongst the young people.” 

Matt Farris, Creative Director of this ArtsEkta project says:

 “It is the opportunity to come together and work alongside people from across Northern Ireland – to share stories, hear the stories of others and develop a greater understanding of the diversity that exists within Northern Ireland and the way in which this enriches everyone’s experience. It is the opportunity to showcase the work carried out during the workshops and to provide the participants with a platform on which to have their voices heard, their opinions acknowledged and feel that their views are contributing to the changes being made within their own communities and across Northern Ireland.

“Human Chain is young people telling it how it is for them as they navigate their way through these formative years of their lives – the challenges they face, the hopes they have, the changes that they want to make. It is by them, for them, and for those of us who maybe don’t have the opportunity to hear what the younger generation has to say about Northern Ireland in the past, present and future.”

The seven groups selected for this project which was funded by The Executive Office through the T:BUC Scheme – Together Building United Committees are:  

• Brownlow Community Hub, Theatre, Movement and Film group  – Craigavon
• Highfield Youth Club, Theatre and Music group – Shankill Road, Belfast
• Tides Training, Theatre and Film, Keady
• Colaiste Feirste – Theatre and Movement – Falls Road, Belfast
• The Braid, Dance and Movement – Ballymena
• Rainbow Factory, Dance and Movement – Belfast City Centre
• St. Theresa’s Youth Club, Visual Arts and Prop Making with Graffiti – Glen Road, Belfast

Members of the West Belfast Women’s Choir will join the young groups for a special finale. St Theresa’s Youth Club also worked with artist Eoin McGinn to create a striking backdrop for the performance and all the groups took part in cultural diversity workshops as part of this project.

Nisha Tandon, Executive Director, ArtsEkta said:

“The goal of this project is to give the participants the opportunity to participate in high quality artistic workshops, building their confidence and giving them a voice. Through their participation we have been exploring how they see themselves within greater society and how they relate to people from different backgrounds. We hope to break down barriers to relations between people from different backgrounds and encourage young people to strive toward a society where cultural difference are not only accepted but celebrated. We have worked with young people from various community backgrounds and a key message that is coming through is that they all experience the same issues and they all want the opportunity to be involved in projects where they can express themselves.

“Through the project, ArtsEkta has been able to strengthen existing partnerships and form new relationships with a number of organisations across the province. Throughout the project, the idea of ensuring a legacy to the project has always been at the forefront of the work, gaining a greater understanding of each of the groups that we are working with and ways in which they would benefit from further arts engagement. A true success for this project would be the ongoing and deeper engagement with each of our community partners and further education and celebration of the diversity that exists in Northern Ireland.” 

Human Chain by ArtsEkta at the MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 19^th March, Admission Free, but tickets must be pre-booked via https://themaclive.com/event/human-chain-showcase After the show there will be a reception with refreshments and a chance to meet the creative team and cast of community participants.

Antrim Live returns to the heart of Antrim from Friday 5 until Sunday 7 April. Antrim Town will be buzzing with activity during this weekend of cultural extravaganza.

Now in its third year, Antrim Live is a festival of fun with something for all ages to enjoy. Kicking off this year’s event on Friday 5 April, Nuala McKeever brings her new stand-up comedy show “Letting Go or Losing It” to The Old Courthouse, whilst the funfair arrives in town at the Castle Mall car park.

Take in the sights and smells and sample some of the culinary delights at the Artisan Market. Or join us for The Jurassic Loc Down and Fossil Hunt and dive into the world of prehistoric beasts! Jay the T-rex and his little sister Roxie will be stomping their way into Antrim Castle Gardens in a fully interactive show.  

Come be enchanted as we lead you on a tantalising treasure trail where an array of quirky characters will guide you and surprise you as they take you through our wonderful, Wonderland Wood! The Bop Bop Baby, storytelling with Mr Hullabaloo, street performers and funfair will provide the children with hours of endless fun.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael commented “Antrim Live is a great weekend of activities for the whole family to enjoy in the heart of Antrim Town. This event goes from strength to strength each year, attracting hundreds of visitors to our Borough, showcasing our fabulous Antrim Castle Gardens and other historical sites. I would encourage you all to come along and join in this festival of fun.”

The Long Now by poet Sam Burnside who was born in Antrim will be staged at The Old Courthouse on Saturday 6 April. The Long Now explores one man’s memories of growing up in County Antrim in the 1950s set against the ripples of external political, economic and cultural forces that were to impact so forcibly on life here during that time. Featuring Sam Burnside’s poetic language, The Long Now is an evocative exploration of memory,

Take a Tour of Pogues Entry the home of Dr Alexander Irvine on Saturday 6 April. Meet the Lady of the Chimney Corner and some of the characters who shaped Irvine’s Life and work. Antrim Live has a great line-up for the whole family to enjoy so come along and join us for a feast of festivities in the heart of Antrim Town.

For a full programme of events please visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/antrimlive.

This Mother’s Day let Hastings Hotels take away the worry of how to spoil your mum with lots on the menu at the seven hotels across Northern Ireland including delightful lunches and Afternoon Teas.

Mother’s Day Lunch:

• Europa Hotel in Belfast – Table d’Hote lunch menu in the Causerie – £30 for adults with children’s menu available   
• Everglades Hotel in Derry~Londonderry – Grand Buffet Lunch – £30 for adults and £16 for children
• Stormont Hotel in Belfast – Grand Buffet Lunch – £38 per person and £15 for children
• Ballygally Castle in Co Antrim – Grand Buffet Lunch – £35 for adults and £18 for children
• Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle – Grand Buffet Lunch – £48 for adults and £25 for children or £30 for adults in the Percy French (kids menu will be available)
• Grand Central Hotel in Belfast – Seahorse a la carte menu – £50 for adults and £30 for children
• Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast – 5-course table d’hote with a glass of Pink Champagne – £55 for adults and £25 for children in the Mitre Restaurant and a Buffet lunch in the Cultra Inn is £35 for adults and £20 for children

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Saturday 30^th and Sunday 31^st March:

• Culloden Estate & Spa – £45 per person and includes a glass of Pink Champagne and ESPA gift
• Europa Hotel – £32 per person or £42 per person with glass of Prosecco
• Stormont Hotel – £22 per person or £32 person with glass of Pink Prosecco (also available Friday 29^th March)
• Ballygally Castle – £28 person or £38 per person with glass of Prosecco
• Everglades Hotel – £24 per person with a gift for every mum (also available Monday 1^st April)  
• Slieve Donard Resort & Spa – £30 per person with a gift for every mum or £40 with a glass of Prosecco (only available Sunday 31^st March)
• Grand Central Hotel – Observatory Afternoon Tea – £45 per person with a gift for every mum

And to show your mum just how much she means to you, a Hastings Hotels Gift Card is the perfect present as it can be spent in any of the seven hotels and redeemed against an indulgent Spa treatment, a delicious afternoon tea or a relaxing break away, there’s something to suit everyone and every budget which she can enjoy in the future.

For further information or to book Mother’s Day lunch in the hotel of your choice simply contact 028 9047 1066 or go to www.hastingshotels.com.  

An inclusive cycling session will take place at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney on Sunday 24^th March from 2pm-4pm.

The event follows on from a previous session delivered in January which proved a resounding success.

The inclusive cycling session will give participants a chance to come and try out a range of specialist cycling equipment available through the Disability Hub.

Organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Every Active 2020 Coaches, the event is tailored for all abilities and will provide an opportunity for people with a disability to experience the inclusive cycling initiative.

To register contact lisa.mullan@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk, for further information telephone Sports Development Manager Stephen McCartney on 028 7035 5048.

Further sessions are planned throughout the year at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney as outlined below:

• Sunday 28^th April 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 26^th May 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 16^th June 2pm-4pm
• Thursday 13^th June 7pm-9pm
• Thursday 4^th July 7pm-9pm
• Sunday 7^th July 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 28^th July 2pm-4pm
• Sunday 18^th August 2pm-4pm

Appropriately trained Every Body Active staff will be on hand at each session to offer guidance, equipment demonstrations and safety advice.

 C.S. Lewis Square has a new feature – the Poetry Jukebox. 

Only 52 jukeboxes exist across global locations and this is Belfast’s second ( the other location is Crescent Arts Centre).  The Poetry Jukebox is placed on street locations with the aim of making poetry accessible to all.

For the C.S. Lewis Square Poetry Jukebox, the curators Maria McManus  and Tade Ipadeola (Nigeria) put out a call for poetry based on the theme, ‘A Deeper Country’ which features in The Chronicles of Narnia by east Belfast-born author C.S. Lewis.

Over 100 submissions were received from around the world, but only 20 could be included.  The poets featured come from NI, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, US, Australia, Canada, Nigeria and Argentina. The project is supported by Arts Council NI from National Lottery Funds, EastSide Partnership, Belfast City Council and Connswater Community Greenway, and will be in place until 1^st April 2019.

To find out more, visit @poetryjukebox on Twitter

Australian comedian, Eleanor Conway returns to the MAC 5-6 April with her hotly anticipated sequel, Walk of Shame 2 (Reality Bites).

Fresh from the success of a 100 date, 10 country tour, Conway is back at the MAC with her award-winning sequel about what happens when you stop chasing the ‘perfect’ version of you and realise she’s been there all along.

Winner of the 2019 FRINGE World Weekly Comedy Award, Conway has been performing nationwide since 2014, appearing at Edinburgh Fringe, Glastonbury and the famous Comedy Store.

Her original show, ‘Walk of Shame’ sold out at the MAC last April, and part two is set to be just as popular. The perfect girl’s night out, expect more confessional life advice and laugh out loud anecdotes from this ex-party girl.

Make a night of it with a pre-theatre meze platter or cocktail from the MAC’s latest menus, launching this month in the Café Bar. The new menus offer a selection of tasty treats and tipples for guests to enjoy before and during the show. Beat the queue and pre-order interval drinks from the bar before the show begins or using the handy link in your pre-show text. 

Tickets for Walk of Shame 2 (Reality Bites) are on sale now at www.themaclive.com, or call the box office on 028 9023 5053.

Escape to the Causeway Coast’s natural play area this spring, as the Giant’s Causeway opens its doors to the local community and visitors from near and far on Saturday 9 March for two special events.

Experience the outstanding beauty and award-winning Visitor Experience free of charge during the National Trust’s Community Open Day which will take place from 9am – 6pm.

The Open Day coincides with the Randox NI Potato Festival which has returned once again to the Causeway Hotel, boasting a variety of attractions including Naturally North Coast and Glens artisan market with food and craft producers, cookery demonstrations and talks, bouncy castles, potato inspired games and a petting farm.

On the day visitors will enjoy free admission to the Visitor Centre and embark on an interactive journey through 250 million years of captivating history, experiencing the mystery, myth and legend of the Giant’s Causeway. The Ranger team will be showcasing the National Trust’s conservation work at this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with wild flower planting taking place between 1pm and 3pm. Visitors will also have the option of exploring themselves with an audio guide or joining one of the inspiring guided tours, followed by a well-earned local delicacy in the café or the chance to browse the handcrafted items in the gift shop, 90% of which are from local suppliers.

Ciara McClements, Visitor Experience Manager at the Giant’s Causeway commented, “Since 2012 more than 30,000 people have come along to our Community Open Days, availing of the opportunity to enjoy the Visitor Experience free of charge to connect with friends, family, and meet new people. Visitors of all ages can take part in arts and crafts sessions, face painting and celebrations galore creating memories at our special place. We are also delighted to host the Randox NI Potato Festival on the grounds of the Causeway Hotel once again, allowing visitors to enjoy even more activities and a jam-packed family day out set against the backdrop of our famous World-Heritage Site.”

Final admission to the Community Open day is 5pm, with the Visitor Centre closing at 6pm. There will also be a free Park & Ride from Bushmills to the Giant’s Causeway. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway

The next concert in the series of Music In The Chamber concerts at Bangor Castle, is taking place on Thursday 21 March and will feature the Irish folk sensation Daoirí Farrell.

Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoirí Farrell worked as an electrician, until a Christy Moore performance on Irish TV inspired him to down tools. The trade’s loss has been our gain, with Daoirí quickly becoming one of the biggest names in Irish folk and one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years.

Six months after the release of ‘True Born Irishman’ in 2016 Daoirí had picked up two prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Newcomer and Best Traditional Track, and also performed live at the awards ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

He has since toured Australia, Canada, Denmark and Belgium, featured at the likes of Festival Interceltique Lorient, Shetland Folk Festival and Cambridge Folk Festival, and toured alongside the Transatlantic Sessions project. 

He is a musician championed by the likes of Christy Moore and has been described by Donal Lunny as; “one of the most important traditional singers to emerge in the last decade.”

Just last week, Daoirí launched his third album ‘A Lifetime of Happiness.’ In his own words ‘This is my third solo album and it feels different, somehow more grown up. That for me is partly down to the song choice. Each song was very carefully chosen and each is beautiful in its own way. I really enjoyed the process of searching each one out and arranging them all.  And I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have recorded it with some of my favourite musicians.’

The Bangor Castle date is part of a five-venue Northern Ireland tour presented by Moving on Music and supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Tickets cost £12 and are on sale now at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown.

Tickets can also be purchased from North Down Museum or any of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Visitor Information Centres.