There’s plenty of opportunity this May to listen to good music,  fall in love all over again with the story of Pinocchio, live through one women’s amazing story, and laugh out loud at some of the best stand up on the scene at the Burnavon, Cookstown.

The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio (Thursday 11th May, 10.30am) is presented by Lyngo Theatre, and adapted and performed by Patrick Lynch from CBeebies. In this children’s show suitable for ages five years old and above, he pulls all the strings and turns all the pages to bring you the true story of Pinocchio – no lie – as he brings one of the best loved classics for children to life. Who ‘nose’? He might even find his father and become a real boy. Come and join him on his incredible journey, you’ll have a whale of a time! (Tickets are £3).

Celebrating a quarter of a century paying tribute to Queen, one of the most outstanding bands in musical history, Flash Harry’s attention to detail is second to none, and you’ll be able to judge that for yourself on Saturday 13th May. If you missed out on tickets for Queen’s forthcoming Belfast concert, then don’t miss this night of sheer energy, enthusiasm, passion and showmanship, not to mention the fantastic music back catalogue. (Tickets are £18).

Music of a different genre will also delight, as for the first time, Donaghadee Male Voice Choir will take to the Burnavon stage on Saturday 20th May at 7.30pm, accompanied by pianist, Ivan Black and compere, Gene Fitzpatrick. Established 84 years ago, Donaghadee Male Voice Choir’s repertoire embraces both secular and scared music, and popular, folk, traditional and operatic works.  (Tickets are £12).

The Burnavon will also be keepin’ it country as JMG Music Group presents their Summer Country Show on Friday 26th May. Featuring Mick Flavin, Louise Morrissey, John Hogan, Joe Moore, and Caitlin and Tony Kerr. Tickets are exceptional value at £19.50.

Stepping out of the shadow of her infamous brother, Brendan O’Carroll, (Mrs Brown’s Boy), Eilish O’Carroll comes into her own with a reflective look on an eventful life which included a strict Catholic upbringing, two failed marriages and coming out as a lesbian at the age of 50. While poignant and deeply moving, it is also packed with humour. The end result is a warm, witty triumph that joyously celebrates being true to yourself. (Tickets for the show on Friday 19th May are £20 and please note the performance may contain strong language).

Fresh from the success of his award-winning show, ‘Selfie’, Pat Shortt returns with a brand new show called ‘How’s Tings?’, which brings May to a close. In a night of music and mayhem (Saturday 27th May), one of Ireland’s most popular comedians explores all sorts of tings. Big tings and little tings. Personal tings and tings that are not so personal. Important international tings and tings that only affect the parish. In Shortt, it’s a funny show about tings! (Tickets are £25)

All shows are at 8pm, unless otherwise indicated and tickets are available now from the Burnavon Box Office, Burn Road, Cookstown, by phone on 028 8676 9949, or online at www.burnavon.com<http://www.burnavon.com>

 

Don’t miss out on a special opportunity to build your very own pollinator home in Crumlin Leisure Centre on Saturday 22 April from 2 – 4pm.

The event will start with a talk from BUGLIFE on ‘the small things that run the planet’ and what we can do to help them. You will then build your very own pollinator homes for our Bee-licious site at Crumlin Leisure Centre, or you can take one home for your garden.

The wildflower meadow restoration work is part of our three year Bee-licious project, which is designed to restore our native flower-rich habitats for pollinating insects. Delivered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the site at Crumlin now joins a number of other Bee-licious sites across the Borough including Antrim Forum and Holywell Hospital.

To book a place, or for further information, please T. 028 9446 3113 ext. 31371  or ruth.wilson@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

 

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is seeking to recruit four young people, aged 18- 24 years, to take part in a European programme, Rybnik Days – the Future of Europe.

The successful applicants will participate in a series of debating skills workshops, prior to travelling to Rybnik, Poland from 15-18 June 2017.  The delegation from the Borough will take part in the debates on the future of Europe, which will form part of a bigger programme of events taking place in Rybnik during the Rybnik Days festival.

The main programme is funded through the Europe for Citizen’s Town Twinning programme, with the debating skills workshops in Antrim and Newtownabbey being funded by The Executive Office and the Council’s Good Relations team.

All travel and accommodation expenses are covered through the programme, however, participants are expected to provide their own passports and spending money.

The call for applications is open from Wednesday 19 April until Wednesday 3 May.  To apply visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/RybnikDays or for more information E. carol.shane@antrimandnewtowabbey.gov.uk

Completed application forms must be received no later than 4pm on Wednesday 3 May 2017.  All shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview, conducted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, on Wednesday 10 May.   To be eligible for the programme you must be aged 18-24 at the time of travel and reside in the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey.

The Curious Wedding Fair is coming to the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Sprucefield on Saturday 22^nd and Sunday 23^rd April 2017 from 11am to 5pm.

Northern Irelands’ coolest and most unique wedding fair brings together an eclectic range of unique, unusual and traditional wedding suppliers. With our new location at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, The Curious Wedding fair is bringing you their biggest and best fair yet!

 

The Eikon Exhibition Centre is located on the edge of Lisburn and only 10 minutes from Belfast city centre. Away from the traffic of the city, and just off the motorway, this venue is easily accessible and offers FREE parking for all guests.

 

Whether you are just engaged or just looking for a few unique extras, we have you covered! Over 100 exhibitors are taking part in The Curious Wedding Fair, showcasing everything from quirky photography, unusual wedding transport, mouthwatering cakes, classic venues to fireworks and fairground rides!

 

The first 250 attendees to the fair will receive a FREE goodie bag plus there will be 200 FREE cocktails up for grabs over the weekend!!! The fun continues in the Curious Live lounge which will play host to some of the finest wedding entertainment on the market all weekend. You can enjoy the curious live lounge from the luxury of our bespoke bar courtesy of San-greal Bar Tending.

 

If all that isn’t enough we have also managed to bring some of the best bridal shops together for an awesome sample sale. Get there early on Saturday to get first pick of these amazing dresses and accessories at jaw-dropping prices!

 

The weekend will culminate with the final of our Win a 10k Wedding competition where one lucky couple will be awarded the amazing prize live on stage! You know what to do, get your squad together and get yourself to the Wedding Fair of the season!!!
Discounted early bird tickets are available priced at only £6 per adult and £20 for a group of 4. Visit www.thecuriousweddingfair.co.uk

 

     “We don’t do ordinary.”

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is delighted to announce that tickets are on sale for the Silver Wings Chalet at Airwaves Portrush.

Now in its fourth year, the venue has proved to be the ideal location for both new and returning aviation enthusiasts, photographers and other thrill seeking leisure visitors.

Situated at the heart of Portrush’s premier event, and lying directly under the central flight line, it’s the perfect setting to take in all the action while enjoying first class hospitality.

Looking ahead to the event, which takes place on Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd September, the ever popular Red Arrows have confirmed they will take to the skies on both days.

The ‘Reds’ will thrill those in attendance with full displays of their acrobatic skill.

And to add to the exhilaration, RAF’s premier Eurofighter aircraft, the Typhoon, will join them on Saturday and Sunday as well.

With such a great starter line up and more information on participating aircraft to follow, why not book your seat now.

Tickets are on sale from Coleraine Visitor Information Centre 028 7034 4723 colerainevic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or Portrush Visitor Information Centre portrushvic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk 028 7082 3333 priced at £65 per person per day.

 

The Silver Wings Chalet Experience includes:

• Exclusive chalet in premier viewing area
• Over 18 only
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea
• Exclusive access to Silver Wings cash bar and viewing deck throughout the day
• Private toilet facilities
• Dedicated parking adjacent to Silver Wings Chalet for disabled Blue Badge holders only
• Dedicated Silver Wings car parking approximately 200 metres from Chalet
• Opportunities may exist to meet passing display teams who pop into the Chalet for refreshments

Please note that animals other than guide dogs are not permitted.

For up to date information on the event, including the latest confirmed aircraft, go to www.airwavesportrush.co.uk

Ards & North Down Borough Council is delighted to welcome the incredibly talented Canadian fiddler, singer and step dancer April Verch with her band to Portico, Portaferry as part of a Moving On Music tour, on 11^th May.

A captivating performer, April has been touring extensively for over two decades and has recently released an 18-track album documenting her work, ‘The April Verch Anthology’.

While Verch is perhaps best known for playing traditional fiddle styles from her native Ottawa Valley, Canada, her performances extend into old-time American and Appalachian styles and beyond, for a well-rounded tour-de-force of North Americana sounds. Verch tours with world-class musicians as a trio, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass and clawhammer banjo in addition to Verch’s vocals, fiddle and foot percussion.

With an ‘almost superhuman’ presence on stage, April flawlessly intertwines her fiddle playing, step dancing and singing; sometimes she sings, steps and fiddles all at once, with apparent ease and precision. Verch is – as they say – a triple threat in performance, her live show a beautiful companion to her music: versatile, robust, and masterfully executed.

Built in 1839, the beautiful Greek-inspired Portico has recently undergone a £1.5m restoration which included a structural overhaul and its transformation into an atmospheric venue which oozes character and charm.

The April Verch Band will perform at Portico, Portaferry on Thursday 11^th May, 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 and available from www.ardsarts.com or 028 9181 0803

This Friday, 14^th April, Conway Square will host fantastic family fun from 12.30pm-5pm

Look out for world class street theatre acts with a spectacular Spring Street Carnival at 3pm, it’s a treat for all the family this Easter holiday!

Over 180 local children will take part in Newtownards debut Spring Carnival, including children from Abbey Primary and dance groups, VAD Productions, Born to Perform, Excel and Le Chance de Danser.

The Spring Street Carnival will leave St Marks on Church Street, travel through Regent Street, Frances Street, Castle Place, High Street, Mill Street, Gibson’s Lane then back to Regent street.

The Beat Initiative have been working for months creating costumes and floats to represent spring.Come watch and welcome spring with giant puppets, animals and creatures with fantastic live music. This will be a chance to show off and celebrate all things Ards!

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Deborah Girvan said ‘It’s very exciting to be leading this Spring Carnival in Newtownards, I am looking forward to meeting all the children who will take part’  

Don’t miss Bruce Airhead, Bang On and Comedy duo Airborne who will entertain in Conway Square form 12.30-5pm. Come and have a go in the 3D Art Workshop or make spring flower bottles, bumble bees and birds throughout the afternoons festivities!

Newtownards is the only place to be this Good Friday!

Come to Bangor this Easter Monday, 17^th April to see a Spectacular Spring Street Carnival travel through the town at 3pm. Led by The Mayor of Ards and North Down this is a Springtime spectacular not to be missed!

Over 180 children and young people from local schools, dance and performance groups will take part including Kilmaine Primary, Glenlola Collegiate, Le Chance de Danser, Tiny Beat, SERC Music and NI Stars.

Look out for mythical and magical creatures, budding flowers and baby animals, Spring faeries and fantastic live music as Spring will awake with The Beat Carnivals most ambitious creation yet!

The Spring Street Carnival will leave Bangor Town Hall at 3pm, travel Castle Park Avenue, Main Street, Bridge street, High Street, Bingham Street, Mills Road, Hamilton road back to Main Street and the Town Hall.

Family Fun will be in full swing from 12pm-5pm with Project 24 being the place to be for all you budding artists as there will be an array of interactive and amazing Spring Street Art and Crafts including a giant cube of live cartoon drawing!  Why not stroll the promenade and enjoy the free children’s Land Train?

Bangor Super Trial will transform McKee Clock Arena into an eye opening daredevil course. World number 2 Adam ‘The Destroyer’ Raga will showcase his death-defying stunts The 7 times World Champion will be returning to Bangor where he made his arena debut at the tender age of 16. The event will start at 12 o’clock with two qualifying heats before the final at 4pm. Andy Perry from Trialstar NI said ‘We are very excited to have Adam as part of our many superb Trial Bike supremo’s in our Super Trial in Bangor. With the hugely popular Springtime Carnival and the first class family entertainment on offer, this Easter Monday will be better than ever!’

The North Down Museum will have a fabulous Easter Trial. Tickets £1. Follow clues throughout the museum in order to solve the puzzle and get your Easter egg. Afterwards make Easter crafts to take home. A great time for all the family!

The Train, a musical based on the 1971 contraceptive train with music by Riverdance composer Bill Whelan, takes to the stage at the MAC this Easter.

 By Arthur Riordan and Bill Whelan

Directed by Lynne Parker for Rough Magic Theatre Company

Rough Magic Theatre Company have announced that their musical The Train will take to the stage at the MAC in Belfast from April 19-23.

This completes an important step of the journey for this fictional celebration of a remarkable media coup; when 47 women challenged the restrictive laws of the Irish State in 1971, by taking a train to Belfast and returning to Dublin with forbidden contraceptives.

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC, said: “We always strive to offer our audiences the best in homegrown Irish drama and we are delighted to welcome back Rough Magic to present their fantastic musical, The Train, at the MAC. Direct from its run at The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, it is fitting that we re-trace the steps of 47 trailblazing women from Dublin to Belfast.”

The show is directed by Belfast-born Lynne Parker, with book and lyrics by Arthur Riordan (‘Improbable Frequency’) and music composed by Bill Whelan (‘Riverdance’).

“To take The Train – literally – to Belfast is a hugely exciting prospect, mirroring the original journey and giving us a tremendous platform to raise awareness of the issues in the piece.” said Lynne Parker.   It was a time, as the women of ‘71 said, ‘when the world turned on its axis’. We are living through such a time now and this history has real currency.”

The cast will be Clare Barrett, Danielle Galligan, Kate Gilmore, Darragh Kelly, Lisa Lambe, Karen McCartney, Sophie Jo Wasson Louis Lovett and Ross Gaynor, with a live band under the musical direction of Cathal Synnott

In an environment where gender equality in theatre has never been more pertinent, this watershed moment in Irish social and political life is joyously captured by Arthur Riordan’s wit and Bill Whelan’s dynamic score.

Bill Whelan said of this 2017 production, “When Arthur Riordan and I began working on the Train for Rough Magic some years ago, it seemed that the issues raised in 1971 were still startlingly relevant. Given recent political upheavals, it would now appear that the further we move from the actual historical event, the more relevant and urgent those issues have become.”

For more information and to book, visit themaclive.com.