Electric Six hit-maker confirms intimate acoustic show this summer at Lulu’s.

Dick Valentine of hit-machine Electric Six rides into Dungannon on a Satanic horse to break it down for you this summer with a special intimate show on Sunday 14^th August at Lulu’s.

He will be playing stripped down acoustic versions of songs from the Electric Six catalogue such as the iconic ‘Danger! High Voltage’, ‘Gay Bar’, ‘Dance Commander’ as well as songs from his three solo albums.  His newest solo release, “Here Come The Bags” is much bigger in sound than his first two solo releases and can be purchased directly from Valentine at the shows.

The acoustic experience with Dick Valentine is low-pressure, high-stakes, medium-rare.  Come feel Dick Valentine feeling you. He’s an American music legend and he’s seeking political asylum in your Irish mind. Let Dick Valentine have access to your sh*t for one night only.

Tickets on sale tomorrow Wed 6^th April from all usual Ticketmaster Outlets nationwide including Stewart’s Music Shop – Tel: 028 87 725 286 & www.ticketmaster.ie. A limited amount is also available from Lulu’s, Lower Scotch Street, Dungannon – Tel: 028 87 729374.

The Merchant Hotel marks its 10^th anniversary in April, with a suite of events and exclusive offers in celebration of ‘A Decade of Decadence.’

As part of the festivities, the hotel will serve up the hottest spring/summer trends this April as The Merchant’s Fabulous Fashion Teas mark their 10^th year on the Northern Ireland fashion calendar.

On Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th April, guests will be treated to two days of sensational style with five Fabulous Fashion Teas presenting the must-have looks from cutting-edge local designers and leading designer boutiques.

Models from The Style Academy will showcase the hottest spring/summer styles from designer shoe and accessories boutique Harper; women’s wear boutique, Walk in Wardrobe in Banbridge; Orchid Lingerie on the Lisburn Road; David Yurman at Lunns the Jewellers; textile designer, Chloe Dougan and up and coming jewellery brand, APD Jewellery, with hair by Andrew Mulvenna and make-up by Lancôme.

During each show, guests will enjoy Veuve Clicquot champagne and mouth-watering patisseries. Afterwards, guests and the public will be able to shop the collections hot off the catwalk, as featured designers and boutiques host bespoke pop-up shops in The Merchant over the weekend.

On Saturday 23^rd April, Harper at The Merchant – home to some of the most sought after designer shoes -will kick off the spring/summer Fashion Teas with a 12noon catwalk show. Exclusive stockists of Christian Louboutin and Miu Miu in Northern Ireland, Harper’s luxurious red soled heels will be the key feature in this opening show, with a mix of classic shapes, colours and fashion forward styles ensuring fashion lovers are well heeled for the season.

Exclusive Banbridge-based ladies wear boutique, The Walk in Wardrobe returns to the catwalk at 2.30pm on Saturday 23^rd April a fashion-forward Fashion Tea packed with stunning occasion wear, hats and accessories sourced from Italy, Spain, Croatia and beyond.  This vibrant collection is perfect for weddings and special events.

For those with their sights on the beach this summer, the Fashion Tea from Orchid Lingerie at 5pm on Saturday 23^rd April is sure to impress. On the catwalk, Orchid Lingerie will showcase the finest swimwear, wraps, beachwear, luxurious loungewear and lingerie. Afterwards, the boutique’s stylists will be on hand throughout the weekend to offer personal advice on the size and shape of lingerie to best suit your shape.

On Sunday 24^th April, the Fashion Teas return with a stunning showcase from David Yurman Jewellery and Lunn’s the Jewellers at 1pm. David Yurman’s master craftspeople use the finest precious metals, rare gemstones and innovative materials to make jewellery of enduring quality and beauty.  The jewellery is exclusively available at its UK and Ireland stockist, Lunn’s the Jewellers in Queen’s Arcade.

Rounding off the Fashion Teas, local designers Chloe Dougan Designs and APD Jewellery will be a formidable duo with a collaborative show at 3.30pm on Sunday 24^th April.
Chloe Dougan will showcase her stunning collection of rose gold suedes, foiled leathers and copper mesh textures. Nudes, pastels and charcoal greys will be prevalent in the collection and will brought to life with exciting flashes of chainmail and body armour, inspired by the costumes of Game of Thrones.

APD Jewellery – the brainchild of The Merchant’s Marketing Director, Petra Wolsey – will join Chloe Dougan in this striking Fashion Tea finale.  Juxtaposing industrial-style materials such as chains and even seatbelt fabric, with semi-precious stones, richly coloured leathers, lace and upcycled vintage jewellery, the APD spring summer collection includes leather cuffs, show-piece necklaces, hair accessories, collars and bracelets. Combining vibrant blues, oranges and pale greys, alongside its signature moody palette of charcoal, black and burgundy, this is the epitome of statement jewellery.

Tickets to the Fashion Shows are on sale now and cost £35 per person, which includes a Fashion Tea of your choice, champagne afternoon tea and a goody bag.  Tickets can be purchased by calling The Merchant Hotel on 028 9026 2717 or by visiting www.themerchanthotel.com

Information on the full suite of events and exclusive Decade of Decadence offers will be released shortly. Stay tuned to www.themerchanthotel.com and follow The Merchant on Facebook and Twitter for further information.

Saturday 2 April is World Autism Awareness Day, a UN designated day where Autism organisations around the world celebrate with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Autism NI encourages you to embrace the colour ‘blue’ and stand-up for Autism. To support this, Antrim Civic Centre, Ballyclare Town Hall and Mossley Mill will be lit up blue after dusk on Saturday 2 April.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg commented

“With over 30,000 people in Northern Ireland affected by Autism, I would encourage local businesses to get behind this campaign”

For information on local support groups please contact david@autismni.org

Bring along your youngest scientists for W5’s next Little Sparks toddler sessions on Wednesday 13 April!

Visit W5’s under 8s area, the town of Discovery, and take part in a 25 minute ‘Farmyard Fun!’ workshop as part of your visit!

Children are born natural scientists so why not bring them to W5 to let them imagine, explore, play and have fun? The town of Discovery is a place where children can learn about themselves and the world around them. Get hands-on with its interactive exhibits, play animal sounds in the farmyard, paddle in a virtual rock pool at the beach or flick through digital storybooks in the castle.

Little Sparks will be held one morning a month in W5. (Term time only) Your special Little Sparks ticket allows you entry into W5 from 10 am – 11:30am and sessions are aimed at children aged between 18 months and 4 years. Each session will be themed and will include a 25 minute workshop at 11am with one of W5’s education team. Places are limited and must be pre booked by calling 028 90467790 or 02890467793.

Costs:

• Children 4 and under: £1 Each
• Adults: £5.50
• Additional (non-participating) children over 4: £4.50

Details of up and coming sessions

Farmyard Fun! – 13^th April 2016

Little Bunny has lost his Mummy, can your Little Sparks help him find her? Join him on his journey around the farmyard and learn about the animals he finds. Finish off with some fun farmyard craft to take home.

For further information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

Nicholas Collett performs the award-winning “Nelson – A Sailor’s Tale” at The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey Thursday April 14th 2016 at 8.00 p.m.

The show had its World Premiere at the GMT International Theatre Festival in Adelaide, South Australia in October 2013. Since then it has been touring the UK as well as appearing as part of Brighton Fringe 2015 and the Edinburgh Festival 2015. The show won Best of Kansas City 2015 Critics Choice and has also played in the hold of the world-famous Cutty Sark in Greenwich.

Inspirational hero, flawed maverick. Tactical genius. Rebel.

Amidst the shot, smoke and din of battle, a surgeon, a midshipman, a gunner and a powder monkey aboard HMS Victory strive to destroy the Combined Fleet of France and Spain. Their fate – and that of their country – lies in the hands of one man – Horatio Nelson. For two hundred years, Vice Admiral, the Right Honourable, the Viscount Nelson KB has stood patiently on his column in Trafalgar Square, watching the world and its many changes, good – and bad. But what happened to the “tars” who served with him? Through their eyes we find out what it was really like at Trafalgar; and in Nelson’s own words, the hero – and the rebel, then – and now.

Below the column in Trafalgar Square, a homeless Falklands veteran shivers in the cold…

Nicholas Collett portrays 16 characters in this thrilling excursion into Royal Navy life in 1805 – the minute-by-minute danger, excitement, tragedy and laughter – drawing sharp parallels with society’s relationship with service personnel today.

Tickets available from Box Office:  028 9034 0202 or online wwwthecourtyardtheatre.com

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is staging two dramatic performances next week, each taking a different look at moments in our history.

From Martin Lynch and Grimes & McKee, the team that brought you ‘The History Of The Troubles [accordin’ to my Da]’, comes the comedy sequel ‘The History Of The Peace [Accordin’ To My Ma!]’. A peaceful tale of street protests, riots, guns, bombings and more riots. Karen Reid is a Belfast community worker struggling to keep house and family together in the face of Northern Ireland’s unique form of peace. Through the 1994 ceasefires, The Good Friday Agreement, The Chuckle Brothers and the ‘fleg’ protests, she fervently believes in a new Northern Ireland.

Thankfully, Karen has the ‘total support’ of her loyal band of friends such as: Fireball (now working in Roselawn Crematorium), her dingbat best friend, Stacy, flute band leader, Roberto, Pineapple the paramilitary, Claire, the secret lesbian, Aaron, the serial ‘fleg’ protester and many more. ‘The History Of The Peace [Accordin’ To My Ma!]’ will be staged on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 April at 8pm. Tickets are priced £18 each. Please note that this performance will contain strong language.

‘Nelson – The Sailor’s Story’ tells the tale of the inspirational hero, the flawed maverick, the tactical genius, and the rebel. Amidst Trafalgar’s shot, smoke and din, the crew of the Victory strive to destroy the Combined Fleet of France and Spain. Below the column in Trafalgar Square, a homeless Falklands veteran shivers in the cold – above, Nelson’s thoughts on the world today. This promises to be a compelling story…highly amusing, sobering and poignant.

‘Nelson – The Sailors’ Story’ will be told on Friday 15 April at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 and £11 (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.

Northern Ireland boasts a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for an ideal short break and Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Three Night Break, Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, Co. Antrim. From £135pps. Ideally situated in the heart of Northern Ireland just off the M2/M22 motorway junction, the 3-star Dunsilly Hotel is perfect for both business and pleasure trips. Relax, unwind and enjoy a three night stay, with full breakfast and an evening meal on two nights of your choice. Available until 17 April. Quote ‘Spring Offers’ when booking. To book call (028) 9446 2929.

• Spa Break, Culloden Estate and Spa, Holywood, Co. Down. From £155pps. Relax on a spa break at Northern Ireland’s leading 5-star hotel. This offer includes overnight accommodation in one of the Culloden’s exquisitely decorated bedrooms, full Irish breakfast and a 55 minute Espa Spa treatment of your choice. Available until 17 April. Quote ‘Spring Offers’ when booking. To book call (028) 9039 3000.

• Foodie Delight, Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Chalets, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. From £109pps. Enjoy two nights at the 4-star Killyhevlin Hotel, situated on the beautiful shores of Lough Erne. The offer includes a four course meal on each night of your stay, and a full cooked breakfast each morning. In addition, the offer includes use of the Killyhevlin Health Club complete with swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and gym. Available until 31 May. To book call (028) 6632 3481.

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

*All offers are subject to availability.

Down

Enjoy some family fun every weekend in April at the Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport. This Saturday 2^nd April join the CSI Detective workshop and balloon modelling and on Sunday 3rd April there will be children’s crafts and archery.

Armagh

Superman to Batman…choose your superhero and let’s get printing this Saturday 2nd April at the Market Place Theatre. Using foam printing techniques, fabric paints and fabric markers you will create your favourite superhero design that will be printed onto your t-shirt.  Bring your own plain white t-shirt to design on.  Dress for mess!

Fermanagh

Borderline Players are back this Easter with pantomime adventure, Robinson Crusoe at the Ardhowen Theatre 1st and 2nd April.  Set sail on a voyage across the high seas as the Crusoe family seek their fortune, but with the villainous Blackbeard out to thwart their attempts, and with the notorious pirate, The Crimson Hawk on their tails, the Crusoes will need the help of friends and strangers to complete their mission. Robinson Crusoe is fun for all ages. A meet and greet with the cast is available after each performance.

Tyrone

Join the very talented Encore Performing Arts Academy students this Saturday 2nd April at the Alley Theatre Strabane, as they bring High School Musical to life on stage! Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends, and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.  With classic sing a long songs such as ‘Breaking Free’, ‘When there was me and you’ ‘Start of something New’ and ‘We’re all in this together’ along with an unforgettable cast who will sing, dance and perform their hearts out, this classic Disney show is the perfect family show.

Derry/Londonderry

Local girl Cara Dillon returns to the Roe Valley Arts Centre Limavady this Friday 1st April.  Renowned as one of the most successful contemporary folk artists today, Cara has won every folk music award going. It has been five years since the world last heard from her but she has returned with her most gorgeous album yet. A Thousand Hearts, her fifth solo album, is another small masterpiece of song and emotion, ethereal and radiant, beautifully honed and perfectly true.

Antrim

Don’t miss the Theatre at the Mill’s live screening this Saturday 2nd April of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Anthony Minghella’s breathtaking production has thrilled audiences ever since its premiere in 2006.  One of the world’s foremost Butterflys, soprano Kristine Opolais, is in the title role. Tenor Roberto Alagna sings Pinkerton, the naval officer who breaks Butterfly’s heart. Karel Mark Chichon conducts.  This is a live screening broadcast by the Metropolitan Opera New York.

Belfast

Take your seats and cover your ears at W5  for the Big Bang Theatre, because this show gets loud! Prepare yourself for exciting, experimental and somewhat explosive family theatre. The time travelling explorers have crash landed in a strange laboratory. Here they must find a way of producing enough energy, and the biggest bang they possibly can, to jump-start their malfunctioning time machine. Searching the lab for chemicals, gases and equipment, our explorers must attempt to create a series of energy releasing flashes, bangs and explosions! Bubbles are set alight, fireballs are shot through the air, balloons explode and rockets whoosh into the audience!! See a series of wild experiments, culminating in one final BIG bang!  This spring, danger, humour, excitement and some very cool science combine to make a really entertaining experience for all the family.

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Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (April 4-10).

• Circuit of Ireland Rally 2016, various locations, Northern Ireland, April 7-9. Top rally drivers from around the world are gearing up for this year’s 85^th Circuit of Ireland Rally. The King’s Hall complex in Belfast will host the Rally HQ, whilst fans across Northern Ireland will have several chances to catch rally action. The qualifying stage will take place on April 7 at Antrim Castle, followed by a ceremonial start outside the Irish Linen Centre, Lisburn, with special guest Louis Walsh, and free entertainment throughout the evening. Stages on April 8 will take place in Larne, Ballymena and the Causeway Coast, and also a special Ards TT stage, with action rounding up in Belfast on April 9.

• Ards International Guitar Festival, various locations, Newtownards, Co. Down, April 6-10. Ards International Guitar Festival returns with an eclectic mix for every taste, celebrating all that is brilliant locally with a clever mix of international artists. Newtownards will come alive with the sound of blues, folk and flamenco. Every genre is covered; whether you play yourself or just love music, there will be a gig for you, as well as opportunities to get hands on with guitar clinics and tours of the Avalon guitar factory.

• 6^th Armagh City Toy Fair & Model Display Show, Armagh City Hotel, Armagh, Co. Armagh, April 10. The Fisher Suite in Armagh City Hotel will play host to some 30 model displays, with exhibitors from Northern Ireland, the South of Ireland and Scotland. Displays include construction, farm, railways, cars, steam engines and many more, with a large collection of Meccano models on display for the first time at the event.

• Zoo Lovers’ Day, Belfast Zoological Gardens, Belfast, April 8. Each year on April 8, Zoo Lovers’ Day is celebrated. Learn more about the role of a modern zoo, the animals that are cared for in Belfast Zoo, and the dangers that these species are facing in their natural habitat at the special keeper talks. Normal zoo admission prices apply.

• The Golden Years of Country Music, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, April 6. Hit after hit, song after song, this is a show not to be missed, defining an era in country music never to be surpassed, featuring Jimmy Hendry and his band. Over two hours of hit songs we all know and love, this is the most authentic show of its kind. Show begins at 8pm.

• Starman – A One Man Circus Comedy Theatre Show, Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, April 7. Have you ever looked to the heavens for inspiration or guidance? Starman, the latest show from the award winning Tumble Circus, is an entertaining expedition into what happens when circus and comedy collide. It follows the journey of one man and his life as a circus artist, a dad, and a clown. Show begins at 8pm.

• Meet the Artist – Terry Doherty, Larne Museum & Arts Centre, Larne, Co. Antrim, April 9. Larne Museum & Arts Centre will be open on Saturday 9th April featuring temporary exhibition “TAMED”, an arts exhibition by the Doherty Family. Terry Doherty will be available on the day to discuss or answer any questions on any of the works.

• Irish Vegan Festival, Ulster Hall, Belfast, April 9. The Irish Vegan Festival brings an array of vegan stalls and entertainment to the Ulster Hall. Ranging from hot food for consumption on the day, to sweets and chocolates, cosmetics and campaign stalls, there will be a great choice for everyone! Also enjoy live music throughout the day, film screenings and children’s entertainment.

• The Factory Girls, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, April 9. Set in a Donegal shirt factory, five women face the thread of redundancy. The play, written by Frank McGuinness, articulates their anger, courage and compassion. The Factory Girls presented by the acclaimed Newtownstewart Theatre Company is guaranteed to be very funny, engaging and moving. Show begins at 8pm.

• Easter Arts Scheme, Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, April 4. Calling all Easter bunnies wanting to get creative over the holidays! Put down that chocolate egg and hop along to Ards Arts Centre to enjoy a whole day of arts, crafts and drama. Suitable for ages 6-12, from 10am-4pm.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland. 

Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd is to take over the daily running of Belfast Waterfront from Friday 1 April.

The new arm’s length company will be responsible for the operation and commercial growth of the venue, along with the Ulster Hall, on behalf of Belfast City Council, which will continue to own both buildings.

The handover comes as the newly expanded venue prepares to open for business in just over a month’s time, following a £29.5 million investment from the council, Tourism Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund, through the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson, will officially open the new facilities on Friday 29 April, with the first business event – the NI Chamber Champions Dinner 2016 – taking place on Wednesday 4 May, ahead of the first major conference – the annual International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) – on 11-13 May.

“This is good news for both Belfast Waterfront and ratepayers, as it puts the venue in the best position possible to achieve our ambition to transform Belfast into a major destination for international business tourism,” explained Councillor Brian Kennedy, Chair of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd Shareholders Committee.

“Commercial flexibility is essential in competing with other cities to attract the biggest and best events to Belfast, and ensuring that we fully maximise the potential of this investment to be a major stepping stone in the city’s development.”

Ellvena Graham, Chair of the new Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd Board, said staff were looking forward to welcoming the first delegates to the new look facilities, which have doubled in size to host up to 5,000 visitors at a time.

“This is the start of an exciting new chapter in Belfast Waterfront’s history, and both the board and employees of Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd are hugely excited about the journey ahead,” she said.

“With over 20,000 people expected through our doors in the first six months of opening, and more than 30 national and international events already on our books for the first three years, we are confident of creating a fantastic experience for our customers which really sells Belfast to the rest of the world and helps reaffirm the Waterfront as a key driver in the city’s economic growth.”