To celebrate the completion of the Public Realm scheme, visitors are encouraged to jump down the rabbit hole to Curiously Comber to see the town become transformed into a ‘Wonderland’ on Thursday 24 March with some very curious goings on.

Celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year, Alice in Wonderland is a story of a curious girl who meets fun characters while exploring a magical world and Comber is filled with many undiscovered hidden gems.

This free family event, Curiously Comber will include many fun activities but as Alice says:

“Would you like an adventure now, or shall we have tea first?”

Visitors can start their adventure at the Mad Hatters Tea Party in St Mary’s in the Square Church Hall were visitors may also find some curious creatures!

There will be special appearances throughout the day from Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

A unique acrobatic show ‘Curious World’, will take place around Comber Square at 1pm and 3pm with Alice and the Mad Hatter

Comber Farmers’ Market will run for the day from 9am with the very finest local producers bringing their distinctive seasonal wares.

There will be an array of fun filled themed events across the town.

Using the special Curiously Comber magical map, visitors will be able to discover workshops, displays, special offers, demonstrations, ‘Eat me’ Macaron stations and much more.

Local children have been involved in the event with the ‘Alice in Comberland’ story writing competition and their work will be displayed in venues across Comber.

The Curiously Comber map will be available as a pull out supplement on the day of the event in the Newtownards Chronicle, showing visitors all the best places to explore.

Further information on the event can be found at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com.

Holywood County Down is transforming into ‘Tinseltown’ for the day on Tuesday 29 March.

To celebrate the completion of the Public Realm Scheme, visitors to the town will receive the red carpet treatment with lots of ‘movie madness’ for all the family– bringing all the glitz and glam of ‘la la land’ to Ards and North Down.

Star spotters will be able to draw their own star on the Holywood Walk of Fame, get snapped by paparazzi and pose with celebs in our Holywood Photo Studios.

There will also be themed art workshops, a special ‘Star Search’, music from the movies and an array of other fun activities.

Premises across the town will be joining in the celebrations, running special events and offers on the day.

Hooray for Holywood will offer all the family a very special and unique fun filled day out from 11am to 4pm.  Further information on the event can be found at www.ardsandnorthdown.com.

Easter Monday  The Belfast Giants, together with multi award winning Peninsula Care Services, will be hosting an eggcellent fundraising campaign for Belfast toddler Cavan O’Neill, at the Belfast Giants’ last home game at the SSE Arena against Nottingham Panthers.

Jonny Cook, MD of Northern Ireland’s leading domiciliary care, nursing and recruitment agency is encouraging as many people as possible to attend the Giant’s game and show their generosity to help young Cavan O’Neill take one giant step towards taking his very own first steps. Jonny says;

“Two year old Cavan has a specific kind of cerebral palsy, which means he cannot walk.  Cavan’s family are presently fundraising through the campaign Cavan’s First Steps, to take Cavan to St Louis’ Children’s Hospital, where Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery will, in the words of the American surgeon, ‘allow him to walk unaided in all environments.’  Peninsula raised a lot of money at their annual Peninsula Care Awards last year and we will continue to support the charity throughout 2016.  Hopefully people will dig deep during the Giants’ game next Monday and text donations to help Cavan’s family raise as much money as possible, so that they will get closer to their target of £80,000, a sum that will not only cover the pioneering surgery, but the intensive post-operative physiotherapy and equipment needed.”

Belfast Giant Brandon Benedict, who met Cavan last week says;

“Cavan is full of energy and fun and thoroughly enjoyed it when I took him in my arms for a spin around the ice-rink. On behalf of all the Belfast Giants, we appeal for as many people as possible to come to our last home game of the season and give as much money as they can to help this beautiful, smart little boy walk. Hopefully this time next year I’ll be teaching Cavan to skate.  Now, wouldn’t that be amazing!”

Tickets for The Belfast Giants’ Game cost £16 for an adult and £9 for a child and family (2 adults, 2 children) cost £44.00 from the SSE Arena box office or by calling 02890 739074 or from www.ticketmaster.ie. Face Off is at 7pm.

The Two Cities One Book programme of events was officially launched in Belfast Central Library by DCAL Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín.

The ‘Two Cities One Book’ project sees Libraries NI and Dublin City Libraries work co-operatively, in association with Penguin Random House Ireland book publisher, with the aim of promoting reading.

During the month of April, people in Belfast and Dublin are encouraged to join in the One Book project by discussing and sharing the chosen novel ‘Fallen’ by author Lia Mills.

The novel is a remarkable love story exploring social issues which promise to provoke thought and discussion for all. Set in Dublin against the backdrop of the Easter Rising and the First World War, ‘Fallen’ is a magnificent portrait of a young woman, Katie Crilly, which intertwines history throughout to illustrate how she finds life and independence amid a backdrop of death, destruction and grief.

A programme of events is planned during the month of April which explores and supports the themes raised in the book and these will be held in many Belfast venues including Belfast Central, Falls Road, Finaghy and Ormeau Road libraries.

Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, explains:

“The ‘Two Cities, One Book’ initiative provides a great opportunity for people to connect through reading and we hope to encourage this further with a number of interesting and thought-provoking events.

“The full programme is now available in libraries across Belfast and on our website and these events present the opportunity for people to get involved by not only reading the book but enjoying workshops and presentations focusing on the subjects covered by the book as well as the art, drama, fashion, music and poetry from that era.”

Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Carál Ní Chuilín offered her support for the initiative.

She said:

“Two Cities One Book is an excellent initiative that encourages people to engage with reading. It is particularly appropriate given the enormous significance of the year 1916 within the Decade of Centenaries to both major traditions on this island.

“I am very pleased that the network of libraries in Belfast is teaming up with their counterparts in Dublin City and County in order to help commemorate this important year. A range of stimulating events are planned and, with the novel ‘Fallen’ being available to borrow completely free of charge, it’s easy for anyone to get involved.

“I hope the initiative will encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on the complexity of events in 1916 and its impact on the history of the island north and south.”

This is the first time Belfast has teamed with Dublin for a one book project so whether you read in libraries, in a coffee shop or anywhere else, seize this unique opportunity to make a bit of history.

For the latest information on this exciting project check out the Libraries NI website www.librariesni.org.uk/twocitiesonebook, follow Libraries NI on Facebook and Twitter #2cities1book and keep an eye out in the local press.

Copies of the book are available to borrow for free in local libraries and an eBook version is available to download on the Libraries NI catalogue www.librariesni.org.uk

Spring into action and unleash your inner explorer at Rowallane Garden, Saintfield this Easter Tuesday (29 March) from 10.30am-3pm for our Cadburys Easter Chick Hunt.

Hop along for a fun filled day out exploring the nooks and crannies around the garden and hunt for clues to win a Cadbury’s choocy prize. Every single Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will help us care for our special place for future generations to explore.

There will be loads of other activities to fill your day, get your face painted, egg rolling and visit Phil’s Farm and his animal friends and on your adventure hop by our café and reward yourself with a warming cuppa and a hot cross bun on your adventure, to make your day eggstra-special!

Normal admission charges and Members free apply plus £1 for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Enjoy more events like this by becoming a National Trust Member on the day and help support this special place.

For further details on what’s on and opening times visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden and follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/nationaltrustbelfast

Want to be a pirate for the day? This Easter Monday, March 28, pirates will run amok in Bangor!

If you would like to join in the fun, then come on down and be a part of it! Look out for ‘X Marks The Spot’ signs around the town and make your dreams of becoming a pirate come true! Expert face-painters will transform your little darlings into dashing pirates. Come dressed for the part and take part in a pirate bonanza day! With a pirate parade, street entertainment, a pirate island, free prizes and lots more, your family will love this free day out.

The spectacular Pirate Parade will be taking place at 3pm when over 200 children and young people from local youth and dance groups will make their way around the Town Centre. Look out for pirate ships, colourful bands, pirates, dancers and live music.  Led by The Mayor of Ards and North Down and featuring Bangor Central IPS, St Columbanus College, St Comgalls PS, North Down Scouts and many more local groups, this is an extravaganza not to be missed!

Project 24 will be turned into “Pirate 24” for the day, a fun Treasure Island full of pirate-themed crafts, activities and music. Come and join in the fun in the pirate dress up area, get your face painted or make some crafts in the pirate craft emporium. Walk the plank with some real-life pirates or have a boogie to some Desert Island Discs.

Bangor Chamber of Commerce is also joining in the fun with their Big Coin Giveaway Bonanza. Over 400 local businesses have kindly donated prizes to be handed out on the day – look out for the lucky coins and you could be a winner!

The pirates of the Moto Trial NI Club are very excited to be given the honours of entertaining all ye land lubbers with the biggest arena event to date. The McKee Clock Arena will take centre stage for this dazzling trial bike competition as the Pirates of The Bay pit their wits and skills against each other over various insane obstacles! Picture the scene, The Black Pearl has run aground on the rocks, and its cargo of rum drums and parrot cages along with the wooden rafters of the hull make for the perfect obstacles for these pesky pirates to go head to head to see who is the greatest! Free posters will be signed by the riders between shows so come along and cheer your favourite pirate along.

On The Promenade, a special pirate land train will be giving free rides all day. And look out for the giant seahorse and pirate ship who will be entertaining the crowds in The Sunken Gardens.

So come on down to Bangor with your family and friends for lots of pirate fun this Easter Monday at this FREE event! The fun runs from 12 to 5pm.

For further information check out: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Dana launches her long awaited first EP live at the MAC this spring. Tickets on Sale Now!

Originally from the Deep South in the United States, Dana grew up with sound of soul, rhythm and blues and gospel music all around her. Her love for music developed as she grew up and lead her to study music, majoring in vocal performance at university. Music took Dana from South Carolina to Minneapolis and then onto Los Angeles where she lived for four years and where she met an Irish boy who would later become her husband. In 2008 Dana and her husband moved to Northern Ireland.

Although she sang sporadically, music generally took a back seat while Dana settled into life in a new country and culture. That all changed in early 2012 when Dana had a chance meeting with Linley Hamilton at a local music venue.  During that year Dana, Linley and some of the best Jazz musicians playing in Ireland began a weekly residency in the basement of McHugh’s bar in Belfast, the inspiration for Dana’s first EP.

From live work with BBC Radio 4 and Proms in the Park to singing regularly with Van Morrison, Dana’s reputation as one of Ireland’s top vocalists continues to gain momentum.

Calling Northern Ireland home, Dana is passionate about music as a vehicle to make people and communities vibrant. Dana and her husband Andrew live in Lisburn with their three children.

Dana Masters will launch her debut original soul EP at The MAC, backed by a band of some of Ireland’s most esteemed musicians:

Dana Masters vocals
Linley Hamilton trumpet
David Howell sax
Johnny Taylor piano
Gareth Hughes bass
James Nash guitar
Paul Hamilton drums

Tickets for The MAC are available:

In person from the Box Office

By Telephone: 028 90 235350
Book On Line: www.themaclive.com

Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic experience, is on the lookout for its latest recruit – a child reviewer for 2016/17!

Is your child…

– Inquisitive
– Enthusiast
– Over the age of 5 and under the age of 13 (as of May 2017)
– with a nose for a story
– as well as an interest in Belfast’s history, the sea or Titanic’s story!

Then, you may want to find them gainful employment as Titanic Belfast’s Junior Explorer this Easter?

Titanic Belfast, the word-class visitor attraction, is offering one lucky child the opportunity to experience all it has to offer for free – for an entire year – whilst casting their eye over its child friendly offering.

This includes its brand new audio guide, family trail and mascots, which allows children to learn about the world’s most famous ship in a fun and challenging way interacting with characters throughout the exhibitions nine interpretive galleries, as well as hopping on board SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel with an array of WW1, WW2 history on top its Titanic connection. Not forgetting its world-class and exclusive summer exhibition and Magical Christmas Experience!

And the best bit – parents and siblings get to tag along too to the world-class attraction, which has now welcomed over 2.7 million visitors. It was also recently included in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist of 500 of the world’s most striking locations and was named the ninth best rated museum in the UK Travellers’ Choice™ awards, announced by TripAdvisor.

This Easter, on top of exploring the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the City and people which made her, Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic will also have an egg-cellent Easter Trail, Kids Eat Free in Bistro 401 (with one adult meal – 25th – 29th March) and a special Easter Sunday Afternoon Tea (27th March).

To enter, please download the form from www.titanicbelfast.com, specifying why your child should be the Junior Explorer and return it by email to competitions@titanicbelfast.com or by post to Junior Explorer, Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT39EP before 9^th May 2016.

THIS Easter, Hastings Hotels is offering an exciting range of ways to relax and enjoy time off with friends and family – from luxurious overnight stays and afternoon teas, to tasty dining experiences and rejuvenating spas.

Enjoy a delicious Easter Sunday Lunch with family and friends at a Hastings Hotel on Sunday 27^th March. All six hotels and the Percy French at Slieve Donard, and Cultra Inn at Culloden are hosting a range of superb Easter dining options with an opulent array of the finest locally sourced produce.  With a host of stunning locations to choose from and something to suit everyone, including the kids, there’s nowhere better to enjoy a special lunch and get together with the family.

Get away this Easter!

Everyone loves a short break away to celebrate spring!  Hastings Hotels is offering guests some exciting offers for a fun short break in either the Europa or Stormont Hotel in Belfast this Easter.  There is an excellent family break offer available which includes overnight accommodation, full Irish breakfast, a chocolate welcome treat on arrival, late checkout and complimentary WiFi, starting from just £100 per night for a family room with up to two children.

The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle is offering visitors a choice of three fantastic Easter Break packages which include breakfast and dinner each evening, with one night stays from only £85pps, two nights from only £150pps and three nights from only £210 pps.

For further information or reservations contact Hastings Hotels on 028 9047 1066 or visit hastingshotels.com

Ireland’s leading Status Quo band, Q The Quo will be ‘Rockin all over the World’ when they play The Europa Hotel on 2 April. This gig will kick off the band’s European tour.

Daniel Crozier from Q The Quo says;

“Thousands of Status Quo fans were left gutted a couple of weeks ago when the band announced that they’re hanging up their electric guitars this year and not doing any more electric concerts, so hopefully all the Status Quo fans will come out to our gig and enjoy all the energetic Status Quo hits.”

Tickets for Q The Quo concert at The Europa Hotel on 2 April cost £12 and are available from The Europa Reception on 02890 271066 or from ticketmaster.ie and www.irishtourtickets.com or phone 028 90310101

Tickets include ‘Johnny’s Big Night Out’ disco after the gig with U105’s Johnny Hero.