The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is set to stage some superb sounds over the coming weeks with BRIT award-winning artist Eddi Reader and the internationally renowned Cremona Quartet.

 

Eddi Reader is set for The Market Place stage on Thursday 23 February. Having first hit the limelight in the 1980’s with the group ‘Fairground Attraction’ [who enjoyed huge chart success with their debut No.1 single ‘Perfect’ and album ‘First Of A Million Kisses’], Eddi went on to collaborate on many celebrated projects throughout the years, famously harmonizing with Annie Lennox while touring with ‘The Eurythmics’. However, it has been Eddi’s subsequent solo albums that have cemented her image as a powerful figure in British music.

With an MBE for outstanding contributions to the arts, three BRIT awards, a number one single and eight critically acclaimed solo albums, what sets Eddi apart is the depth and quality of the performance. Support act for the evening is Ultan Conlon. Tickets are priced £17.50.

Internationally renowned for their ‘lyrical sound’ [Strad], The Cremona Quartet will visit Armagh on Friday 24 February with a programme featuring works by Beethoven and Mozart. The Italian quartet’s list of accolades is vast. They have graced the stages of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals and have won numerous international competitions [Vittorio Veneto Competition, Cremona International Competition, Web Concert Hall Competition]. The quartet has released several recordings on the Audite label to critical acclaim, with Gramophone Magazine describing them as ‘nothing less than life-affirming’.

The programme for the evening will include Puccini Crisantemi | Mozart String Quartet No. 16 in E flat major K 428 | Beethoven String Quartet Op.132. Tickets are priced £15 and £13 (concession).

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

 

The amazing Celtic Mindfulness event is making a return to the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh on the 25^th & 26^th February.  This is a unique healing experience of the land and energy. The perfect way to create inner calmness, helping steer you through the year ahead.

Music, Myth and Mediation will be used to awaken your Celtic soul. Creating focus positivity and stillness for the mind.  Workshops during the event will be facilitated by the excellent Sandra Nelson and Kate Fitzpatrick.

Kate Fitzpatrick is an experienced teacher and practitioner in the field of Celtic Wisdom & Spirituality and has guided many people in personal and spiritual development over the past 25 years.

Sandra Nelson is a qualified Reiki Teacher, Artist and Workshop facilitator who has been working within the healing arts for a number of years. Originally from a rural farming background, Moy, Co Tyrone, meditation has been a part of Sandra’s life for many years and is part of her daily practice.

The event will also include light lunch and refreshments.

Admission is £40.00 for a Saturday Pass, £20.00 of for a Sunday pass, or buy a ticket for both days for just £50.00.  Booking is essential on www.armagh.co.uk/celticmindfulness

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

 

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor John Scott, joined Alderman John Smyth, Councillor Jim Montgomery, Councillor Neil Kelly, Bernard Clarkson (Arts Services Manager) and Ursula Fay (Head of Arts & Culture) to officially launch Antrim Live.

Antrim Live is a brand new arts and cultural festival set for Antrim Town on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February.  There is a feast of festivities planned for this two day cultural extravaganza which includes headline act The Blame Game’s Colin Murphy.  The prestigious Antrim Business Awards will kick start the line-up of events at The Old Courthouse on Friday 24 February. A Twilight Market, Baby Rave, Fun Fair , Tea Dances and Story Telling with Mr Hullabaloo are just a few of the amazing activities lined up for Antrim Live.

One of the most exciting events to look out for is Operation Wolfhound, a unique interactive adventure experience created by Big Telly Theatre Company especially for Antrim Live. Teams of special agents will have to unravel a series of secret clues to unlock the mystery and save Antrim from the curse of the White Lady. If you’ve got what it takes then assemble your team and sign up fast.

With something to tantalise every taste, Antrim Live is guaranteed to bring Antrim Town to life in time for the imminent arrival of spring! Tots, teens, seniors and shoppers are all catered for in what promises to be two days of fantastic festival fun…check out the full programme now www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/antrimlive  and make a date in the diary for Antrim Live! We know you’re going to LOVE Antrim Live!

 

 

Down

The GIANT LEGO brick animal trail will be at WWT Castle Espie rom Saturday 11 February – Sunday 2 April with the sculptures sitting amongst some of their real life cousins!  The awesome models will form a trail for kids (and big kids) to inspire them to build a better future for nature. Visitors will be able to enjoy the trail of nine individually-designed 1.5m LEGO brick animals, some inspired by real species at Castle Espie Wetland Centre. Included are an Hawaiian Goose (the world’s largest and rarest goose), a red breasted goose and a kingfisher.  Workshops take place every weekend (Sat 11 Feb – Sun 2 Apr) and during the February half term holidays (Sat 11 – Thurs 16 Feb) at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Armagh

Family Super Saturday returns to the Market Place Theatre this weekend. This fin-tastic, family musical follows Timothy Pope [and his telescope!] on three exciting adventure.  Timothy Pope is looking through his telescope – but wait, is that a Shark, in the Park!?   From the creative team behind ‘The Hairy Maclary show’ – see all three of Nick Sharratt’s ‘Shark In The Park’ books live on Stage [‘Shark In The Park’, ‘Shark In The Dark’ and ‘Shark In The Park On A Windy Day’].  POST SHOW ACTIVITIES: Ticket price includes post-show one hour of fun activities including Themed Craft Workshop, Face Painting, Balloon Modelling & Fancy Dress Competition with prizes For Best Dress Boy & Girl. Great value for money! Super Saturdays are recommended for age 4+.

Fermanagh

Having been named ‘Entertainer of the Year’ by The Sunday World and ‘Songwriter of the Year’ at the RTE Country Music Awards, Derek Ryan is now back with his 2017 tour performing his much loved hit singles. Don’t miss him this weekend, 9^th and 10^th February at the Ardhowen Theatre.

Tyrone

In partnership with No 8 Bridal, the Cookstown Bridal Showcase at the Burnavon Theatre this Saturday will feature a range of local suppliers who can help exceed every bride and grooms expectations to ensure that your wedding day is perfect. The event provides lots of options for the savvy bride to organise her wedding under one roof with local suppliers close to hand.

Derry

Continuing his run of sell-out tours, Jake O’Kane is back at the Riverside Theatre Coleraine this Saturday 11^th February with his new show, ‘Old Enough to Know Better’.  Combining stories from the year past with photos from the Irish News archive and the wackier side of the Internet, Jake dissects the insane from the mad and the worst from the bad, in his usual inimitable style.  On this tour, Jake is supported by talented comic Terry McHugh.  If you’ve caught Jake’s live tour before you’ll know this new show is not to be missed; if you haven’t, come along and see what you’ve been missing.

Antrim

Calling all 2 – 5 year olds! Join the Braid Ballymena this Saturday for a 1/2 hour storytelling and craft event which will see the museum collection come to life. Toddlers will get an opportunity to be part of a local story through dance and art.  After the stories are told each child will get an opportunity to make their own special piece of artwork inspired by what was heard.  A local artist and storyteller will lead the session. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Two sessions have been organised: 10.30 to11.00am and 12noon to 12.30pm.

Belfast

Following on from the success of last year’s “Big Bang Theatre”, W5 brings you the Silent Science Show! Take your seats for some slapstick science in a unique black and white, silent stage show! Prepare yourself for exciting, experimental and somewhat unusual family theatre this February. Danger, humour, excitement and some very cool science combine to make a really entertaining experience. Running selected dates from 11 February – 26 March. The Silent Science Show is FREE with admission to W5.

 

­For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

 “SSSSSHH… W5 need some Sci-lence!”

 

Take your seats for some slapstick science in a unique black and white, silent stage show! Prepare yourself for exciting, experimental and somewhat unusual family theatre this February. Danger, humour, excitement and some very cool science combine to make a really entertaining experience.

 

 

Running selected dates from 11 February – 26 March. The Silent Science Show is FREE with admission to W5. Visit www.w5online.co.uk for full information.

Six local children’s clubs have been awarded £500 bursaries from the Little Wing Little Stars bursary scheme.

 

Returning for the third year, the bursary scheme is run by local pizzeria company Little Wing and is open to all kids clubs located near its six branches.  Since its launch, 12 clubs from across Northern Ireland have benefitted and this year’s winners are east Belfast’s Ojika NI Kids Kendo Club, Malone Rugby Club Minis, Bangor Swimming Club, Fighting Words Belfast, Carryduff Colts FC and Jets Cheerleading Team from Enniskillen.

Luke Wolsey, managing director of Little Wing Pizzeria, says the scheme is a way for the pizzeria to give something back to the local community: “The Little Wing Little Stars bursary scheme has been running for three years now and it’s been a pleasure to financially assist kids clubs in the local area.

“It is important that children stay active and have hobbies and the bursaries are always very welcome by the clubs.  This year, Fighting Words Belfast will be purchasing tables for the club’s after-schools sessions and Bangor Swimming Club plans to buy specialised equipment and treat the kids to team days out with the money.

“We’ll be running the scheme again in 2017 and I would encourage all local clubs to keep an eye out for the launch of this year’s scheme in September if they want to become involved.”

Little Wing is part of the Beannchor Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, which boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.

For further information, visit littlewingpizzeria.com

Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady has been chosen as the only arts centre in Northern Ireland to host this year’s international World Illustration Awards exhibition.

Opening on February 18^th, it features over 50 of the very best artworks submitted to the World Illustration Awards across eight categories, including advertising, children’s books, editorial and public art.

The pieces on display range from posters, book illustrations, animations and GIFs to sculptural pieces and textiles.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey said: “We are delighted that an exhibition of such global significance is coming to Limavady. It represents artistic talent from the UK and Europe, as well as much further afield including South Korea, Australia, Israel, China and Japan. This is a fantastic opportunity to view such a wealth of talent in one of our local facilities.”

Desima Connolly, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Cultural Facilities Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to be the only arts venue in Northern Ireland to host this amazing touring exhibition for the second year running. Last year, many local schools and college groups visited the show and gave us wonderful appreciative feedback.

“We are so excited to be able to offer local communities the opportunity to see such internationally acclaimed, award-winning artwork once again. We have Education Packs to accompany the exhibition and there will also be a gallery family corner for adults and children to engage with the display.”

“Well worth a watch” – Independent.ie

“Honest and personal song-craft, paired with beautiful vocals… This Northern star is rising fast” – Hot Press magazine
Belfast singer-songwriter & video maker Owen Denvir is pleased to announce the launch of his new video EP “Motion Picture Soundtrack” on 12th February 2017 in Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast. Throughout the show he will be joined by a brass trio, a string trio and Hannah McPhillimy (who will also be performing a warmup slot).

Tickets are available here: www.wegottickets.com/owendenvir

Training as a young orchestral viola player, Owen Denvir was drawn by the alternative sound of Bon Iver over Bach. These two styles of music influence his songwriting, which Hot Press magazine have described as “honest, personal… complex and affecting”.

An avid video and mashup maker, Owen caught the attention of Coldplay with his “Best Of” mashup, performing a fusion of hits from their first 7 albums. His full series of split-screen multi-instrumental arrangements reached over 800,000 views in 2016, across Youtube and Facebook.

Owen’s Live Video EP “Motion Picture Soundtrack” offers an original alternative to releasing new music, keeping with his signature “split-screen” style and one-man multi-instrumentalism. Coverage has come as widespread as Irish television spots on UTV Life and TV3, with features from ITV News, Independent.ie & Belfast Telegraph, as well as major Irish radio stations Cool FM & BBC Radio Ulster.

 

Email: press@owendenvir.com
Website: www.owendenvir.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OwenDenvir
Twitter: www.twitter.com/OwenDenvir

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor John Scott showed his support as Big Telly Theatre Company in partnership with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council opened their creative workshop in Castle Mall Shopping centre.

 

The workshop will be open until Saturday 25 February with lots happening from theatre, music and dance workshops to art installations, poetry slams and adventures. This workshop is loosely themed around games so look out for those favourite board games and don’t forget to tell us what your favourite games are either at home or in the playground! There may even be a game you used to play that isn’t popular anymore if so, let us know!

 

The Creative  workshop is leading up to a unique event ‘Operation Wolfhound’ which involves history, mystery and stories rooted in Antrim and is part of Antrim Live Festival, a two day extravaganza of arts & culture set for Antrim Town Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February. A full list of events can be found at www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/antrimlive

 

Big Telly Theatre Company invite everyone in the area to tell them something new about the town of Antrim or do you know a story about Antrim in the past? If so they would love to hear from you.  This project is very keen to support older people to allow them to share their skills to the wider community.  So if you are part of a group or an individual who would like to get involved please contact Big Telly on

E: bigtellyshop@gmail.com or 07928647683.

 

This Creative workshop is a professionally led arts programme which supports communities and traders to reanimate town centres.

 

Join us for a special Mid-Term treat as Theatre at The Mill’s Home Spun Youth Theatre present the Broadway classic musical Annie JR from Wednesday 15 – Sunday 19 February.

This much loved family favourite sees young Annie run away from the orphanage and the cruel arms of Miss Hannigan.

Annie stumbles upon exciting new adventures and life changes before her eyes when she softens the heart of business tycoon Will Stacks and goes to live with him in his luxurious mansion.

Featuring musical hits including It’s a Hard Knock Life, Your Never Fully Dressed without a Smile and Tomorrow, this will be the perfect treat for families this mid-term.

Tickets from £10, family tickets available from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online www.theatreatthemill.com