A spell-binding theatrical performance by Cahoots NI takes to the stage at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, 15th and 16th March.

 

‘Penguins’ is a unique production inspired by Roy and Silo, two male penguins living in Central Park Zoo who together hatched an abandoned egg and raised a chick.

Just like other penguin pairs, they walk, play, swim and dance together. When the duo decide to try and hatch a rock in place of an egg, they find themselves on an adventure that could mean raising a chick for real!

The adaption of the story is anticipated to be one of the most magical theatre productions to come out of Northern Ireland this year.

This co-production with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Prime Theatre is a story of friendship, fun, identity which may leave some audience members wishing they were penguins!

The production on March 16th will be followed by a free learning and development workshop for artists, teachers and anyone interested in creative methods of working with young people. The workshop from 12.30pm – 1.30pm has been made available as part of the Fab Families inclusion programme at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre. It will be facilitated by Steve Ball, Associate Director of Birmingham REP and Andrew Moffat MBE. Andrew is the author of “No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools” (Routledge, 2015) and was awarded an MBE for services to Equality and Diversity in Education in 2017. 

Director Paul Bosco McEneaney said: “I am thrilled to be working with Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre. Our team is excited to be not only bringing our amazing show to the North West but also hosting a seminar as part of the Fab Families Programme. We are looking forward to meeting you there.”

The 50-minute performance is suitable for children aged 3+ and will take place on Thursday 15^th March at 6pm and Friday 16^th March at 11am. Tickets are priced at £5. Teachers with school groups go free.

For further information and to book tickets please call 028 7776 0650.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill has officially launched Antrim Live at The Old Courthouse.

Joined by Alderman John Smyth, Councillor Jim Montgomery, Councillor Neil Kelly, Councillor Roisin Lynch, Ursula Fay (Head of Arts & Culture) and some of the performers taking part in this event.

Antrim Live is an arts and cultural extravaganza set for Antrim Town from Friday 6- Sunday 8 April. There is a feast of festivities planned for this two-day cultural festival which includes headline act The Blame Game’s Neil Delamere.

Soda Popz, Northern Ireland’s only 50’s/60’s Rock N Roll band will kick start the line-up of events at The Old Courthouse on Friday 6 April. A Craft & Food Market, Baby Rave, Fun Fair, Live Street Entertainment and Story Telling with Mr Hullabaloo are just a few of the amazing activities lined up for Antrim Live.

A brand new attraction ‘Wonderland Wood Treasure Trail’ will keep treasure hunters young and old entertained. Join an array of quirky characters who will guide and surprise you through our Wonderful Wonderland Wood in Antrim Castle Gardens.

If you fancy yourself as a Busker make sure you are part of ‘Busking Live ‘on Saturday 7 April. Performers must be able to play acoustically or provide their own battery operated sound system if required. With a prize pot of £250 make sure you register today.

With something to tantalise every taste, Antrim Live is guaranteed to bring Antrim Town to life and will be the perfect day out this Easter! Tots, teens, seniors and shoppers are all catered for in what promises to be a fantastic festival of fun.

Check out the full programme www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/antrimlive

and make a date in the diary for Antrim Live! We know you’re going to LOVE Antrim Live!

 

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s LEAN (Linking Entrepreneurs in Antrim and Newtownabbey) Network invite local businesses to take part in an excellent workshop this month.

On Wednesday 21 March from 6pm – 9pm in Antrim Civic Centre, Conor Houston will present the “Delivering Excellence in Customer Service” workshop.

Conor will share his experience and insights, gained as both a lawyer and strategic advisor, into how to develop excellent relationships with your current and potential customers.  During this workshop he will help you to know your customer, impress your customer, manage expectations, develop and improve communications.

This event is open to all businesses in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area and includes a light supper.  The workshop is free to attend however places must be booked in advance by contacting T. 028 9034 0017 or E. events@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

 

 

Stendhal Festival has announced that applications for their 2018 Stendhal Featured Artist prize are now open.

The multi-award winning music and arts festival based in Limavady, introduced the prize for the first time last summer in order to help shine a light on up and coming Northern Irish artists, provide them a platform and have their work be the basis of their visual marketing strategy for the year.

The winning artist will receive a £500 prize, have their work highlighted through Stendhal, have the featured spot in the Stendhal Art Gallery at the event and have their work used in conjunction with Stendhal’s marketing campaign across, posters, billboards, flyers, social media and television.

Last year’s inaugural winner, Rachel Morrow, from Island Magee, said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and urged any up and coming artists to apply for the prize.

“It was a fantastic experience to be Stendhal’s first featured artist,” said Rachel.

“Not only was it extremely enjoyable but I also benefited a lot from the opportunity, experience and of course, exposure.

She continued. “With over 6000 people in attendance, the exposure I gained as an emerging artist was priceless. Stendhal gave me the opportunity to raise my artist profile, network and sell.

“It was also a great experience learning how to exhibit in a non-traditional space, the vibes of the event and the ethos behind my work really meshed together well.”

Since Stendhal Rachel has continued apace with her art work, she completed a large commission for Electric Picnic Music Festival, been involved in more exhibitions and has sold more paintings, all while working on an online store and a new collection of prints.

She concluded by saying: “The festival is getting bigger and better every year. If you’re looking for exposure and an exciting opportunity to network, sell and raise your profile, it’s a no brainer, apply this year.”

To apply for the Stendhal Festival Featured Artist Prize 2018, simply visit Stendhalfestival.com, click on the BLOG link at the top right hand corner of the landing page and then click on the Featured Artist Link for all the info.

For any general enquiries about the prize contact Colm O’Donnell at colmo@stendhalfestival.com

Entries are open now and close on Friday, March 9.

 

“brilliant and hilarious” – Daily Telegraph

Abigail’s Party is the play everyone remembers, from the decade fashion forgot.

 

A revival of Mike Leigh’s acclaimed play, Abigail’s Party takes to the stage in the MAC Belfast in April. A biting, hilarious, disco-infused satire of British suburbia in the 70’s,

this is one of the most iconic stage plays of the 20^th century.

A new MAC production starring Belfast actress Roisin Gallagher as Beverly, Abigail’s Party will open for a three-week run from 14 April until 5 May 2018.

 

From a time when the height of urban sophistication was cheese and pineapple on a stick, served nonchalantly on a Lazy Susan, comes a tragi-comedy about social climbing,

prejudice and fear of not doing ‘the done thing’. The production is directed by Richard Croxford with an ensemble cast featuring Brigid Shine, Will Irvine, Craig Miller

and Imogen Slaughter during a cocktail party which Beverly and her husband Laurence are hosting for their neighbours. The evening is fuelled by plenty of alcohol, an

array of savoury bites and olives, and Donna Summer on the record player. But as prejudices are unmasked and tempers flare, Beverly’s perfectly planned evening

unravels before her eyes.

 

The award-winning writer and director Mike Leigh called his play “both a celebration and a lamentation of how we are”, because this isn’t just a play about 1970s Britain,

it’s a peek into the frustrations and struggles endured by everyone who has ever floundered and grasped their way through life.

 

Commenting on the production Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC, said: “We’re delighted to be producing Mike Leigh’s bitingly acerbic play at the MAC this spring,

perhaps introducing to many that which is familiar to a whole generation of us, thanks, partly, to its legendary 1977 ‘Play for Today’ production on BBC1.”

 

Tickets for Abigail’s Party are now on-sale. For more information about the show or to book, visit themaclive.com.

Victoria Square Says Thank You for the Memories with a Month-Long Celebration to Mark 10^th Birthday

Northern Ireland’s leading leisure and retail destination, Victoria Square turns 10 in March and is saying thank you for the memories with a host of exclusive events and over £10,000 worth of giveaways to celebrate its big birthday.

From the beginning of the month, the mall will be bedecked with an impressive floral installation and on Friday 3^rd and Saturday 4^th March, a big birthday shopping weekend will offer an array of exclusive offers across the centre.

Throughout March, shoppers will benefit from a fantastic range of promotions, offers, giveaways and events, as Victoria Square goes into full on celebration mode.

Live music on the mall will create a party atmosphere, as Victoria Square partners with the Oh Yeah Music Centre to host 10 live performances from up and coming local artists. To mark the official anniversary on Tuesday 6^th March, five children who share the same birthday will join in the celebrations with a private 10^th birthday party in the dome.

During the 10^th birthday month, customers will also have the chance to win an array of prizes and VSQ experiences. A massive £10,000 worth of Victoria Square prizes will dished out through giveaways on the mall and in partnership with Visit Belfast, Cool FM and Q Radio. A special arcade machine in the centre from 16^th-25^th March will offer visitors the chance to win fantastic gifts, ranging in value from £5 – £500, with proceeds going to Victoria Square’s chosen charities for 2018.

Victoria Square’s iconic dome will act as showcase area for a range of prize-winning artistic creations, submitted through a public art competition to mark its 10^th birthday. The 10 winning artworks, which draw their inspiration from Belfast over the last decade, were judged by local artist, Aly Harte following a public art competition that attracted a staggering 1000 entries.

A Mother’s Day Fayre on 10^th and 11^th March and Easter activities kicking off on 30^th March will bring further buzz and excitement to the centre during the 10^th anniversary month.

For further information, visit www.victoriasquare.com Share your Victoria Square memories on Facebook @victoriasquarebelfast Twitter @Victoria_Square and Instagram, @victoriasqbelfast using the hashtag #VSQ10

Ahead of World Book Day (Thursday 1^st March), The Merchant Hotel has announced a magical new charity partnership with the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, which will kick off with a Harry Potter themed fundraiser later this month.

The JK Rowling bestseller is the subject of the first in a series of bi-monthly pub quizzes, which will take place in The Cloth Ear to raise much-needed funds for the charity.

Trivia lovers are being invited to delve into the wonderful world of Harry Potter and put their wizarding knowledge to the test at the special quiz on Wednesday 28^th March. There will be prizes for the best dressed witch or wizard and the team with the most creative name, as well as Harry Potter themed drinks on offer (over 18 only).

Throughout the yearlong partnership, The Merchant will host a range of fundraising events and initiatives, including an ambassador dinner event.

Gavin Carroll, general manager, The Merchant Hotel said: “We are proud to partner with NI Children’s Hospice and are looking forward to hosting a range of events over the course of the next year to raise funds for this fantastic local charity.”

Katie Pollock, Head of Fundraising at NI Hospice said: “Each year, we rely on partnerships and events to raise funds, which in turn enables us to offer specialist paediatric palliative care to children with life limiting and terminal conditions. For families caring for a sick child, Hospice support is invaluable. We are delighted that The Merchant has chosen to support our work this year and look forward to an exciting and action packed partnership.”

The Harry Potter Quiz is the first in a series of themed pub quizzes that will take place in The Cloth Ear throughout the year. Entry costs £5 per person and a maximum of 6 people are permitted per team. To register, visit https://merchant.glistrr.com/e/112 or call The Cloth Ear on 028 9026 2719. Entrance is strictly for over 18s. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to NI Children’s Hospice.

COMM/ON 18, an event exploring the issue of mental health amongst freelance workers, will take place on Wednesday 14 March from 2pm – 5pm at the Black Box in Belfast as part of Imagine, The Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics.

Founded by Adam Turkington from Seedhead Arts, a freelancer himself, the first COMM/ON event took place in March 2017.  Adam explains:

“While there are numerous advantages to working as a freelancer such as greater flexibility and control over the work you do, there are obvious downsides too such as lack of security and isolation, which can have a negative impact on mental health. 

The aim of COMM/ON is to bring freelancers of all backgrounds – artists, bakers, tailors, brewers, designers, baristas, entertainers, etc. – together in one space to share their experiences, support each other, network and collaborate. Our hope for COMM/ON is that it will start a conversation which improves the working lives of freelancers and celebrates the contribution that they make to society.”

According to a recent report from the Office for National Statistics, “…the rapid growth of self-employment has been a pronounced feature of the UK labour market in recent years. The number of self-employed increased from 3.3 million people (12.0% of the labour force) in 2001 to 4.8 million (15.1% of the labour force) in 2017.”

COMM/ON 18 will feature a range of mental health professionals and researchers who will be looking at the mental health issues that affect freelancers in particular and what can be done to address them.

COMM/ON 18 is free and open to all freelance workers, but places are limited so please register in advance – click here for tickets or search “COMM/ON 18” on Facebook to find out more.

Have you ever dreamed of being a King, Queen or Khaleesi?  Do you love the worldwide Book & TV hit Game of Thrones, where you win or you die?

Unlike Ned Stark, there is no need to lose your head to achieve your dream of sitting on the iconic Iron Throne of the Kingdom of Westeros, as it will be exclusively in Bow Street Mall Lisburn in association with Q Radio, on weekends March 10^th and 11^th, and March 17^th and 18^th 2018. Open Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 6pm to the public to take their seat on the Iron Throne. Tickets available at the event and online, with no booking required.

The ‘Iron Throne Experience’ is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Calling it “impressive” is an understatement. On the epic Game of Thrones TV show, the Iron Throne was constructed by Aegon I Targaryen, the first king of the Seven Kingdoms. He made it from the swords surrendered by his enemies. Legend has it, it’s made of a thousand swords that took 59 days to hammer out into a throne. Spikes and jagged edges in every direction make this one very intimidating lounge. Iron Throne Experience’s HBO commissioned Game of Thrones life-size prop replica measures over 7’2” in height, 5’11” in depth and 5’5″ in width. Also on display and available for posing with are the Game of Thrones Crown of Joffrey Baratheon, and swords Ice, Longclaw, Needle, Oathkeeper and Jaime Lannister, and Dragon eggs prop replicas.

Tickets available at the event and priority tickets online (ironthrone.co.uk) from £10 (£5 Under 12’s) include seated professional photos. Why not dress up for the occasion, and take a photo with your henchmen or handmaidens? The only decision is what house colours will you wear?

“In Game of Thrones many people die in the battle to rule Westeros from the Iron Throne, but the people of Northern Ireland don’t need to lose their heads to sit the Iron Throne.  They can come along to the Iron Throne weekend events at Bow Street Mall Lisburn in association with Q Radio from March 10th to 18th” says Karen Marshall, Centre Manager at Bow Street Mall.

Be the envy of all your friends, take your seat on the Iron Throne exclusively at Bow Street Mall Lisburn in association with Q Radio. Open hours March 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 6pm. See IronThrone.co.uk for more information. Event produced and presented by Fancosmic.

Spring has sprung, and with it, comes the promise of two packed weekends of free cultural events in March, the Belfast Arts Weekender.

Thanks to funding and support from Belfast City Council, there’s a range of events to experience spanning music, film, visual arts, theatre and urban art from 2-4 and 10-11 March – all free of charge.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister said: “We decided to create this programme with our cultural partners to animate different corners of the city and to open up the arts to people who may not have considered

them before, or who might find ticket prices a barrier. Belfast Arts Weekender is an amazing way to find out more about our great city – and to take a step out of our normal routines to enjoy something completely different.

It’s free, so you really have nothing to lose.”

Creative Exchange Studios’ ‘Lightning Talks’ kicks off Belfast Arts Weekender at 6pm on Friday 2 March in The Engine Room Space, Portview Trade Centre, bringing together leading lights who are shaping east Belfast’s growing cultural landscape for an evening of inspirational discussion.

Across the city in the Duncairn Centre, north Belfast at 7:30pm, musician Conor Caldwell will début a specially commissioned piece of music ‘Our City, Our Home’, reflecting on growing up in the city and produced in collaboration with musicians from a range of cultures and musical backgrounds. An exhibition of photographs and video clips portraying life in Belfast, lectures, workshops and music sessions will also feature.

The next day, Saturday, 3 March, there’s an afternoon celebration of urban arts from 2-5pm at CS Lewis Square, entitled ‘Eastside Wardrobe Jam.’ Expect local and international street mural artists working live to transform ‘previously loved’ wardrobes and walls in the surrounding area, urban sports and dance displays by Thunder Action Sports, and music by Le Boom and Girl DJ Collective.

And on Sunday, 4 March at the Cultúrlann on Falls Road, west Belfast, Aisling Ghéar Theatre Company invites you to take an intimate glimpse into the fascinating world of the Fadgies – native Irish speakers from Omeath who settled and worked in Belfast’s famous markets.

The following weekend, the Ulster Orchestra presents U:O Interactive at the Indian Community Centre, north Belfast on Saturday, 10 March from 11am-3pm. For one unforgettable day, experience the orchestra as a living exhibition, try playing orchestral instruments under the expert guidance of professional musicians and you could even make music with your body.

Or pop over to Conway Mill’s Saturday market from 10am-3pm and immerse yourself in tales of the ‘Millies’ with Kabosh Theatre Company, actors including Gerard Jordan and Antoinette Morelli, historian Myrtle Hill and traditional musicians Jane Cassidy and Maurice Leyden – against a backdrop of amazing footage of the mill and its workers from the Northern Visions archive.

Over on south Belfast’s ‘Golden Mile’ on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March from 12-4pm, enjoy curious tales during Accidental Theatre’s ‘SPOKE’ mini mobile theatre festival. The hub at 12-13 Shaftesbury Square will also host music, screenings, talks, and a chance to explore the neighbourhood (past, present, and imagined) through sparkling new writing and gripping performances.

And finally, you’ll have an opportunity to ask ‘Where am I in the photo?’ as Golden Thread Gallery and Belfast Photo Festival exhibit iconic photographs from Belfast people’s personal collections over both weekends.

For more information, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/artsweekender or join in the conversation on social media #BelfastArtsWeekender