The Multi-award winning Stendhal Festival of Art is back this summer on August 12/13 and now is your chance to get on the bill and play at Ireland’s Best Small Festival.

The submission process for musical acts opens on Monday, March 21 and will be ongoing until Sunday April 3, so if you or your band wish to be considered for a place on the line-up at the annual arts extravaganza at Ballymully Cottage farm the team at Stendhal want to hear from you.

To apply simply visit www.stendhalfestival.com and click on the news link, fill in the form and email the team at talent@stendhalfestival.com and you will be in the running to take part in an event which boasts an alumni the likes of Donovan, The Undertones, The Divine Comedy, Frightened Rabbit, SOAK and a who’s who of the very best talent from the UK and Ireland.

Festival Director Ross Parkhill says that the submission process is one of his favourite parts of running the festival.

“We really look forward to the submission process every year,” he said. “There is so much talent out there and every year we hear loads of stuff that excites us and we always come across a couple of real gems that go on to put on a great show at the festival.

“We are interested in all genres of music, we pride ourselves on our wide and eclectic mix of musical styles each year and this year will be no different. So if you are a metal band or if you play the harpsicord and harmonica at the same time, please be sure to get your application in.”

“So drop us a line via the website between March 21 and April 3 and you could have the opportunity to help us be Ireland’s Best Small Festival again in 2016.”

• The Easter Bunny stops off at Castle Ward to celebrate the National Trust’s nationwide Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts
• He is set to deliver 362,592 chocolate bunnies to 271 National Trust places across Northern Ireland, England and Wales

The Easter Bunny has kicked off his 2016 schedule in style, with the National Trust unveiling a series of show-stopping topiary bunnies, one of which can be found in the grounds of Castle Ward in County Down.

The 4ft topiary bunnies have been created to celebrate the ninth year of the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts. The hunts will be taking place at 12 National Trust places across Northern Ireland over the Easter holidays and families are invited to unleash their inner explorer at these adventurous hunts.

The 820 acre walled demesne at Castle Ward, on the shores of Strangford Lough is just one of the locations providing a beautiful backdrop for an Easter day out.

Visitors to National Trust places across the Easter holidays will be able to take part in special Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts, with every child receiving a Cadbury chocolate treat for getting involved.

Jacqueline Baird, Castle Ward Visitor Services Manager said:

“We’re really excited that the Easter Bunny dropped off at Castle Ward on his journey to prepare for the Easter celebrations, and are thrilled to play home to one of his exclusive 4ft topiary replicas in our gardens.  We are open every day of the Easter holidays and are encouraging people to try our fun activities throughout the week, not just the Easter weekend.

There is plenty to enjoy on various days including the adventure and woodland playgrounds, animals in the farmyard, ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ adventures with maps and scrapbooks, local food and craft stalls… and not forgetting the famous Cadbury Easter Bunny Hunts. After a very wet winter please bring your wellies for a ‘Welly Big Adventure’ of Easter fun and activities.

“We hope visitors and families participating in our Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts enjoy trying to spot our topiary Easter Bunny. Such visits over the Easter period are so important to us, as they help the National Trust, Northern Ireland’s largest conservation charity continue its conservation work.”

To find other Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts across Northern Ireland head to: Cadbury.co.uk/Easter

The Ashley Hall Red Choir and Chamber Choir from South Carolina will stop off in Derry for a very special Easter Monday performance in the beautiful surrounds of St. Columb’s Cathedral.

Ashley Hall is a preparatory girls’ school in Charleston, South Carolina and the Red Choir is an auditioned ensemble for students who are dedicated to the art of choral music. The choir performs throughout the school year, with major performances at Christmas and graduation. In addition to performing in the Charleston community, members of the Red Choir have performed throughout the United States and Europe, most recently completing a successful tour of Italy.

The choir is conducted by Dr. Robin Garner who is in her tenth year as Director of Choral Activities at Ashley Hall. Dr. Garner studied music and conducting in both Ireland and the USA and is a founding member of the Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, a professional choir based in Asheville, North Carolina.

The youngest member of the group described how “this is the first trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland for many of our singers and we are very excited to have the opportunity to perform in such beautiful venues and to take in so many counties in one tour. We have a beautiful programme of music to share with our audiences and look forward to making friends along the way who share a love of music and singing!”

The choir will complete an Easter tour of Ireland that includes a series of free concerts in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin), Kylemore Abbey (Galway), Glenstal Abbey (Limerick) and St. Columb’s Cathedral (Derry).

All concerts are free of charge and all are welcome.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin), Saturday 26^th March, 1pm

St. Columb’s Cathedral (Derry), Monday 28^th March, 7.30pm

Kylemore Abbey (Galway), Wednesday 30^th March, 12pm

Glenstal Abbey (Limerick), Thursday 31^st March.

For more information contact Conor Ellard, Tour Operator, 00353 87 290 3407.

Come and enjoy a night of great music and food at our popular Jazz Supper Club on Friday 8^th April.

Taking centre stage will be the hugely popular Linley Hamilton Quartet. A familiar voice on the airwaves trumpeter Linley Hamilton regularly shares his love of jazz with music lovers through his BBC Radio Ulster show ‘After Midnight’. Linley and his talented quartet are a regular feature on the festival circuit, drawing the crowds with their refreshing take on classic jazz, and sheer love and respect for the music.

Tickets for this event are priced £11 for the performance only and £21 for the performance and supper. Supper will include a menu of Spiced BBQ Pork with Sir-Fired Vegetables, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun Spiced Meatballs, all Served With Cajun Wedges, Salads & Breads.

Saturday 9 April will see yet another musical performance with ‘Singing Nina’. Known for her powerful and emotive performances, vocalist Victoria Geelan, and her trio of outstanding Northern Irish musicians bring their celebration of a woman who defied convention and categorisation – Nina Simone.

Jazz favourites mix with stomping gospel, piano ballads and civil rights anthems to create an intoxicating insight into an artist whose musical mastery continues to inspire generations. Together, they tell the story of the life of the late and very great Nina Simone, through songs such as ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’, ‘Feeling Good’, ‘To Love Somebody’ and ‘Ain’t Got No – I Got Life’. Like the woman who inspired it, it’s a night sure to live on in the memory of all present for many years to come. Tickets for Singing Nina are priced £10 each, and 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.

Preparations are well underway for the eagerly anticipated Good Life Festival at Oxford Island this Easter.

The last festival in 2013 attracted up to 8,000 people over 2 days and hopes are high for another great weekend on the shores of Lough Neagh!

Organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the free festival takes place on Friday 25th March and Saturday 26th March.  There are several different zones to explore within the festival, from ‘Good Music’ to ‘Good Laughs’ and even a Viking Village, each zone has plenty of activities to offer for the whole family.

At the centre of the festival site, ‘Good Music’ will showcase some of Northern Ireland’s finest musical talent. Hailing from Lurgan, Garage-punk-blues two-piece the Bonnevilles headline on Friday at 4pm, promoting their brilliant new album ‘Arrow Pierce My Heart’.    At the other end of the musical spectrum, internationally renowned flautist, uilleann piper and singer-songwriter Barry Kerr also plays on Friday.

On the Saturday, the eclectic line-up continues with the ‘Dangerous Harpist’ Ursula Burns, who combines beautiful harp playing with earthy humour to create a truly unique act. Tennessee Hennessees and Cup O’ Joe will both bring a Bluegrass feel to the weekend.

For all you festival foodies, Jenny Bristow will be sharing her culinary tips in the Good Grub Zone. With locally produced chocolate, gourmet street food, and home-baked treats on offer, there will be plenty to tempt your taste buds and keep you going through the day.

Kids both young and old will find plenty to enjoy in the Viking Village, with hands-on activities, longboat races, medieval music, mock battles and fearsome fur-wearing, sword-wielding Vikings everywhere!

Barren Carousel will amaze the crowd with their comedy trapeze routine, while kid’s zones and walkabout circus entertainers will keep the little ones smiling!

If you enjoy the outdoor life, Kinnego Bushcraft will take you on a tour of the woods, demonstrating which wild foods are good to eat, teepee building, kayaking and archery, all you need to survive in the wild!

Meanwhile, adventurous visitors can try their hand at a variety of crafts and age old techniques in the ‘Good Wood’ zone. Get your hands dirty with Moneypenny’s Blacksmith Workshop, try wood turning with Green Woodwork Ireland, or willow-weaving with Welig Crafts. Or why not try playing one of Andrew Cooke’s hand-made ceramic diddley-bows? If you don’t know what a diddley-bow is, come along and find out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!

After all that, if festival-goers need a refreshing cup of coffee to perk them up, try our Love Music tent where Lurgan based company Love Coffee will be supplying exotic blends as well as acoustic vibes from a variety of local artists.

All in all, it promises to be an unforgettable weekend at Oxford Island!

You can park your cars at McCusker’s Equestrian Centre on the Kinnego Embankment, where regular shuttle buses will be available to ferry you to the festival site.

This project is part funded by the Tourism NI Regional Events Fund.

For further information log onto www.goodlifeoxfordisland.com or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/goodlifefestivalni or Twitter www.twitter.com/goodlifeox

Ards has always celebrated the adventurer Lieutenant Colonel Paddy ‘Blair’ Mayne, and his statue remains in the newly refurbished Conway Square in the heart of Newtownards.

Therefore it seems only appropriate that to celebrate the progression of the Public Realm scheme in the town, the Square will for one day only become Ards Adventure Arena on Friday 25 March from 12 noon to 6pm, with free fun activities for all the family.

Conway Square will transform into an exciting outdoor pursuit’s arena with the centrepiece being the only High Ropes Assault Course in Ireland.  Visitors will also be able to experience many other adventure activities including a climbing wall, archery, body zorbes, space horses, bash board, adventure bikes, a jungle photo studio, the latest hits from DJ Dave, meeting jungle creatures in an extreme petting zoo, in-line hockey and golf and special themed art workshops.

Explorers can follow an adventure trail around the Town Centre to see what the retailers in Newtownards have to offer, with prizes for those who complete the trail.

Further information can be found on Ards Adventure Arena at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com.

Theatre at The Mill and The Courtyard Theatre are delighted to offer a variety of workshops to keep budding performers entertained over the Easter holidays.

This year we have exciting drama projects for children and young people from ages 5 to 18 from Monday 28 March to Saturday 2 April.

At Theatre at The Mill our celebrated team of professionals return with smash Broadway hit Oklahoma from Monday 28 March to Fri 1 April, providing students with the opportunity to learn from the best in the business, mastering the dance routines, perfecting the lines and putting on a show for family and friends in just one week.

Celebrating the vigour of America’s pioneering spirit with classic tunes and boot-stomping dances; we follow Curly and the girl of his dreams, Laurey, as they travel down love’s highway on an extremely bumpy surrey ride.

The Cat has Got The Cream at The Courtyard Theatre this Easter with The Aristocat’s  Kids, Monday 28 March to Sat 2 April. Following the success of last Easter’s Youth Theatre productions, Sean and Anna, directors at the Guildford School of Acting return with their talented team this Easter. This unique musical theatre adventure for little ones has been designed so that they too can take part in a fun and structured theatre school environment.

Find out just what a cat is to do when kidnapped and abandoned to the Parisian countryside.  Join Thomas O’Mally and his rag-tag bunch of Alley Cats as they race to the rescue. This comic filled adventure includes the Disney Favourites. The Aristocat’s , Scales and Arpeggios and Ev’rybody Wants to be a Cat Don’t You?

For further information or to book a place on any of our Easter Workshops contact the box office on 028 9034 0202 or visit www.theatreatthemill.com or www.thecourtyardtheatre.com

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is to welcome author Ian Andrew to Larne Museum and Arts Centre for the official launch of his new novel Flight Path.

Taking place on Wednesday 30 March (7pm), Ian is returning to mark the release of this new book in his home town.

Ian Andrew is the penname of Larne man Ian Hooper, who now resides with his wife in Australia and is appropriately ‘jetting in’ for Flight Path’s launch.

“I’m delighted to be having a book launch in Larne Museum and Arts Centre – what I still think of as the Carnegie Library – as when I was a little boy I loved my weekly trips to the library.

“This passion for the institution of libraries remains. Likewise, the ability to value and preserve local history is a phenomenally important aspect for any community so to see the building used in this way is fantastic.

“I’m just incredibly grateful to the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council who have made the event possible,” he added.

Ian Andrew is the author of A Time To Every Purpose, Face Value, Flight Path and The Little Book of Silly Rhymes & Odd Verses, which includes subjects that are Larne inspired and will also be getting its debut on the evening of Wednesday 30 March.

Admission to the launch of Flight Path is free however places are limited and must be booked in advance.

Contact Larne Museum on 028 2826 2443 or email marian.kelso@midandeastrim.gov.uk to secure a place.

To celebrate Bangor’s annual Pirate Invasion, taking place this Easter Monday, March 28, local businesses have generously donated 400 prizes to be given out to lucky visitors.

In conjunction with the Bangor Chamber of Commerce, the give-away bonanza will be an added bonus to the day which will see the town transformed into a pirate wonderland.  With lots of local organisations getting behind the event, it should be a fantastic day out for all the family.

Speaking about the event, Paula Kane, Director of Development at Bangor Chamber of Commerce said: “Bangor Chamber is once again delighted to have had overwhelming support from Bangor retailers and businesses in donating prizes for the Easter Pirate Coins Giveaway. Everything from free ice-creams, teas, coffees, lunches, theatre tickets, shopping vouchers, gift vouchers and much more, there are over 400 Pirate Coins to be ‘won’ on the day. The Easter Monday parade is a fantastic annual event which brings in many visitors from across the province and we look forward to giving them a fantastic day in Bangor that all the family can enjoy.”

The major highlight of the day will be the spectacular Pirate Parade, taking place at 3pm when over 200 children and young people from local schools, youth and dance groups across Ards and North Down will make their way around the Town Centre. Look out for pirate ships, colourful bands, pirates, dancers and live music. The parade will also include many other local school and youth groups including; North Down Scouts, Bangor Central IPS, St Columbanus College, St Comgalls PS, Victoria School of Dance and the fabulous Open House Choir!

Project 24 will be turned into “Pirate 24” for the day, a fun Treasure Island full of pirate-themed crafts, activities, street theatre 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. There will also be “X Marks The Spot” face-painting stations located throughout the Town Centre and North Down Museum where children can have their faces painted as pirates. There will also be free pirate masks available on the day. Come along and have your little darlings transformed into pirates! And on The Promenade, a special pirate land train will be giving free rides all day.

The McKee Clock Arena, will play host to a special Moto Trial NI motorbike competition guaranteed to thrill and entertain young and old alike! The Pirates of Bangor marina have run aground and Ireland’s best trials riders will be competing over a challenging course of giant drift wood, treasure chests and even a ship wrecked Galleon in this specially designed, arena show to see who can win the treasure!

Be prepared to be thrilled as these talented bikers showcase their amazing skills and perform some breath-taking stunts and manoeuvres! Starting at 12pm, this spectacular show is not to be missed!

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

For further information check out: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council today announced the annual Armed Forces Day is set for Antrim on Saturday 18 June.

This Family Fun Day event will commence with a parade of Regulars, Reserves, Cadets and Veterans through Antrim town and Antrim Castle Gardens to Antrim Stadium, followed by a Drumhead Service.  In the stadium a full line up of family fun events awaits, from assault courses in the military recruitment village to arena acts to wow the crowd, street traders, military bands and a capability demonstration showing the current work of the Tri-Services plus much more.

At today’s launch Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg, commented “The Council is delighted to host this year’s Armed Forces Northern Ireland Regional event in Antrim and it is fitting given the town’s garrison history and central location. Our facilities at both the Antrim Forum and Antrim Castle Gardens are second to none and lend themselves to hosting a major event such as this.  I would urge everyone to tell all contacts and friends to put Saturday 18 June into their diary.”

Brigadier Commander Andrew Roe commented “All members of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland as well as veterans and youth involved in the Cadet forces are hugely appreciative to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for hosting what is going to be an incredibly enjoyable day for ourselves and families from far and wide.  Our links with Antrim go deep and the organisational support for this event on the 18th of June has been immensely professional.  Although it’s Armed Forces Day, it is really a family day when every one of all ages will enjoy a great day out.

You are invited to join in this annual event which is a celebration of the Armed Forces. This event attracts thousands of visitors from across Northern Ireland and beyond, we are looking forward to welcoming day trippers and tourists to our Borough.  The Council would also like to take the opportunity to encourage local people to support the event by lining the parade route on Saturday 18 June and supporting our local traders.

For further information on Armed Forces Day please visit our website www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/afd