Down

Getting married in 2016? Don’t miss this Sunday’s Wedding Show at the Culloden Estate and Spa. Hastings Hotels are experts in weddings and host some of the finest wedding shows in Northern Ireland.  Meet the  full team of wedding experts and exhibitors  who will be on hand to provide you with the advice and tips you need to create your dream wedding.

Armagh

Following two sold-out shows last year Neil Delamere returns to The Market Place Theatre this Saturday 9^th January with a brand new show brimming with hilarious stories and incisive wit. 2015 saw the award-winning comedian continue his star turn on the perennially popular ‘The Blame Game’ for BBC NI on TV and radio. Neil also landed his own weekend national radio show for Today FM. Now, however, he’s back to his first love, telling tall tales and spinning side-splitting yarns about the events of the last year.  Recommended for age 18+.

Fermanagh

College survival is a one day cookery crash course at Orchard Acre Farm on 7^th January. This crash course will particularly suit undergraduates who have moved away from home and discovered they can’t survive on pot noodles and frozen pizza forever!

Tyrone

Stewartstown Dramatic Society presents The Wizard of Oz at the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown on Friday 8th January  at 8.00 pm.  Will Dorothy click her heels and discover there really is no place like home? Join us for this modern pantomime twist on the classic story with lots of fun for all the family.

Derry

David Hull Promotions presents – Ireland’s Showbands – ‘Do You Come Here Often’  at the Millennium Forum 7^th to 9^th January – the biggest and best celebration of the Showband era, now in its 19th season, featuring the original stars from the dance hall days.

Antrim

See  the Encore Screening of  The National Theatre London’s Jane Eyre at the Theatre at the Mill this Saturday 9th January. Almost 170 years on, Charlotte Brontë’s story of the trailblazing Jane is as inspiring as ever. This bold and dynamic production uncovers one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms.

Belfast

See Flash Harry perform The Music of Queen at Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast this Saturday 9^th January. Flash Harry brings a show that embraces the very essence of live music, talent, energy, enthusiasm, passion and pure showmanship. Audiences will see the band rocking out Queen’s greatest hits from Radio Gaga, We Are the Champions, to Bohemian Rhapsody and everything in between. Quite simply it’s live music entertainment at its best. For a night of good old fashioned rock Flash Harry is a show not to be missed!

The second issue of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s leisure magazine is due to hit doorsteps this week, just in time to get you moving this New Year!

The magazine highlights the fantastic facilities, events, courses and activities on offer in the Borough, as well as the chance for you to have your say on the Council’s future leisure membership options. There are also some great tips on how you can kick-start a healthier lifestyle for 2016.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg commented, “Reading Active Life is a great way of keeping up to date with the latest leisure events, activities and programmes taking place in our Borough. The magazine will hopefully inspire residents to have fun, get active, and enjoy some of the great facilities we have on offer in our Borough.”

‘Active Life’ will be delivered to households and businesses across the Borough. If you haven’t received a copy by Monday 11 January, or for further information on receiving the magazine in a different format, please contact the Council’s Communications and PR team on 028 9034 0027. The magazine is also available at www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/Residents/Council-Magazines/Active-Life

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh has released details of the new Spring | Summer 2016 season packed full of the best in entertainment including shows, workshop and exhibitions to keep audiences flooding back time and again.

presDue to the success of her 2015 tour Mary Black is delighted to announce another Irish Tour and we are delighted to welcome her back to The Market Place on 21 January. For the last twenty-five years, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. She has shared stages, TV shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time. She has also played a frontline role in bringing Irish music, past and present, to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience.

Now in its 15th year, ‘A Viennese Strauss Gala’ returns on 5 February, with a sparkling new anniversary production. Recreating the romance of the Viennese Festive season, reminding you of a bygone age of glamorous soirees and Strauss waltzes, the show features highlights from some of the great Operettas of the Strauss family, Kalman and Lehar; including ‘Die Fledermaus’, ‘The Merry Widow’ and many more. The European Orchestral Ensemble will accompany four Soloists from major Opera companies; including Opera North, English National Opera and D’Oyly Carte. This wonderful production is cleverly staged and choreographed, and authentically costumed, and will appeal to the romantic as much as the music aficionado.

Make Valentine’s Weekend go with a laugh and a smile on 12 February as we present Jimmy Cricket, May McFettridge, William Caulfield, Gene Fitzpatrick, & John Linehan in ‘You Must Be Joking’. The ever endearing Jimmy Cricket with his funny hat and, his wellies on the wrong feet will be reading his letter from his Mammy. The first lady of Irish comedy May McFettridge will abuse all and sundry – don’t be late, sit at the front or draw attention to yourself is the best advice. William Caulfield, the comedy darling of BBC Radio Ulster, with his brilliant eye and ear for local characters will regal us with stories of everyday life. Gene Fitzpatrick the master storyteller and king of the one liners with the wonderfully warm personality completes the line-up.

Continuing the comedy theme, award winning actor, comedian and writer and highly acclaimed stand up, Ardal O’Hanlon has toured to sell out audiences internationally and has released two Top ten stand up DVDs (Ardal O’Hanlon Live and Ardal O’Hanlon Live in Dublin). He continues to be one of the most sought after comedians working, and will visit The Market Place on 18 March as part of the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations.

From 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!] on 13 and 14 April. 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, and Pineapple the paramilitary.

For details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets for can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821.

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.

Work begins on Belfast’s newest hotel.

Owned by the Beannchor Group – the people behind the 5-star Merchant Hotel, the National Grande Café/sixty6, The Dirty Onion, Little Wing Pizzeria and over 50 pubs across Northern Ireland – the highly anticipated new hotel is scheduled to open in the second half of 2016.

The completion of the £4million development will create 100 new jobs. In addition to the positive socioeconomic impact of the business, the new hotel will assist in fulfilling the demand for additional hotel bedrooms in the city centre, which is expected to increase in 2016 alongside the Belfast Waterfront upgrade, particularly in terms of business tourism and conference delegates.

Drawing on nearly 40 years of expertise in the industry to create a new and vibrant hospitality concept for the city, Bullitt – named after the Steve McQueen movie of the same name – will be an exciting new addition to the city’s social scene when it opens next year.

Bullitt will epitomise urban chic with stylish, contemporary surroundings, alongside affordable room rates. Located in a prime city centre location, wrapping Victoria Street, Ann Street and Church Lane, the hotel is a stone’s throw from Belfast’s shopping mecca, Victoria Square and the lively Cathedral Quarter.

In addition to its 58 stylish mod-con clad bedrooms, the hotel will be a social hub for city workers, locals and tourists alike, bringing a fresh approach to work, rest and play.

By day, a welcoming open ground floor public space will provide a refreshing alternative for meetings, catch-ups, coffee and lunch. By night, the buzzing space will morph into a lively place to meet and mingle over cocktails and enjoy a meal in the innovative destination ground floor bar, restaurant and garden; right in the heart of the city.

Commenting on the announcement, Conall Wolsey, director, Beannchor said: “Our vision for Bullitt is to create a new and exciting hospitality concept to Belfast and Northern Ireland. This is much more than a hotel; it’s a space that will be relevant to the modern day lives of our customers; a space led by design, technology and efficiency, all in a friendly atmosphere, with the food, drinks and service that Beannchor is renowned for within the hospitality industry.

“Innovation is at the heart of all of our plans; from our coffee serves through to the food that will be created in our restaurant, we are aiming to challenge the status quo and break new ground.

“The life of the hotel will be the public ground floor space, which will feature a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and garden. We see this space being used day and night by a range of people, not just hotel guests. It will be a place where people can work, relax and socialise, within Belfast’s vibrant social scene in the heart of the city centre.

“For our 100 new members of staff that will be employed at Bullitt, this provides a unique and exciting opportunity to play a part in bringing this new concept to life.”

ONE of Northern Ireland’s very first spas, which first opened its doors in 1990, is celebrating 25 years in business.

The Spa at Culloden, part of Hastings Hotels, was a ground-breaking concept when Sir William Hastings first launched it at Northern Ireland’s premier 5-star hotel.

“We were ahead of our time when we decided to build a spa at the Culloden Estate. In 1990, spas were a very new idea, in fact, we were advised that they would be very expensive to run and could barely be justified to any financial director.

“But as the saying goes, build it and they will come. And after former secretary of state Peter Brooke performed the opening ceremony, come they did, both as hotel guests who loved the idea of going to a spa and as members as it was a place to relax and meet friends in the Cultra area,” Sir William said.

“When the spa was created it was more of an upmarket leisure-centre and we called it The Elysium, the heavenly place. But over the last 25 years it has evolved and is now called The Spa at Culloden and continues to lead the way with innovative treatments, first-class facilities and a fantastic team of staff.

“Still to this day, we have 10 founding members who have been part of the spa since the very beginning, we call them our lifers, and it is lovely to still see them coming to use the facilities after all this time,” Sir William continued.

“At Hastings Hotels we do not rest on our laurels and are committed to a continuous annual investment programme throughout our six hotels and two spas. And as part of this, at the beginning of January the Spa will undergo an eight week refurbishment programme to ensure we continue to offer our guests the top class facilities that The Spa at Culloden has become known for,” Sir William added.

The Spa at Culloden boasts eight treatment suites, private couples suite, a pre and post treatment relaxation room, a health club with a state-of-the-art fitness suite with cardio theatre, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, Zest Juice Bar and will soon launch a new designer nail bar. There is also a unique Medi Spa offering a range of treatments including Botox with the Rejuvenating Anti-Ageing Clinic, personalised health assessments incorporating cutting edge technology with innovative diagnostic testing to assess health in detail with Randox Health and the Room One Physiotherapy.

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

• Out To Lunch Festival 2016, Various locations, Belfast, January 8–31. A mouth-watering menu of live music, comedy, spoken word, literature and theatre (and food) will be served up during the lunchtimes and evenings of January to sustain fun lovers and festival goers in the dreaded post-holiday lull.

• Flash Harry – The Magic Of Queen, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, January 9. Enjoy a night of good old fashioned rock. Flash Harry brings you a show that embraces the very essence of live music, talent, energy, enthusiasm, passion and pure showmanship. Audiences will see the band rocking out Queen’s greatest hits from We Are the Champions to Bohemian Rhapsody and everything in between. Doors open 7pm.

• Newcastle Junior Glees Present: Beauty And The Beast, Annesley Hall, Newcastle, Co. Down, January 1-9. This production features local children and young people from age 9 to 18 and is packed full of lively song and dance routines with a hilarious script and all the crazy fun and laughter that traditional pantomime offers. It is a guaranteed fun family outing right on your doorstep.

• Titanic Winterland, Titanic Exhibition Centre, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, until January 10. Visit the Titanic Exhibition Centre for Christmas and New Year carnival fun! Enter the Titanic Winterland and enjoy hours of fun as you explore great fairground attractions, including family and children’s entertainment, thrill rides for all ages and some of the best fairground rides in Europe, all under one roof!  Open daily from 12.00 Noon – 10pm.

• Dick Whittington, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, January 7-16. Lakeland Players present Dick Whittington. This class tale of young Dick, who travels to London accompanied by his cat, hoping to make his fortune. An assortment of comic characters cross his path in a series of great adventures with the usual happy ever after ending.

• Emily Barker & Ciaran Lavery, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, January 9. Emily and Ciaran will perform solo sets and selected duets in our intimate auditorium in one of a handful of special concerts in Northern Ireland this January. Catch these amazing singer songwriters in Limavady whilst you can! This is a candlelit, cabaret style set-up and BYO event.

• CTRL+ALT+DELAMERE, The Market Place Theatre, Market Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh, January 9 and 10. Following two sold-out shows last year comedian Neil Delamere returns to The Market Place with a brand new show brimming with hilarious stories and incisive wit. So book a seat at The Market Place Theatre and enjoy Neil telling tall tales and spinning side-splitting yarns about the events of the last year. Show begins 8pm.

• Kenneth Branagh Theatre – The Winter’s Tale (Encore Screening), Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, January 7. Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is re-imagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan. Judi Dench will play Paulina and Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes. Begins 7.45pm.

• An evening of Traditional Music with Donal O’Connor, Paul McSherry and Sean Og Graham, Ranfurly House, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, January 9. Enjoy an evening of traditional music this January. This creative and compelling trio will take you on an emotive and uplifting musical journey, from Ireland to the neighbouring Celtic regions.

• Big Houses: Hidden Gems of the Causeway Coast, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Main Street, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, until January 30.  Enjoy an exhibition that gives visitors the opportunity to view period images of the houses that are hidden gems of the Causeway Coast.

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. 

The Merchant Hotel is offering guests a cosy setting this winter as it has transformed its rooftop into a Narnia winter wonderland theme, complete with the unmistakable Narnia wardrobe.

The magnificent sky high area overlooks the breath-taking Belfast skyline, is laden with comforting furs to keep guests cosy and is adorned in glistening snow to set the festive mood. The unique destination is the perfect choice for an alternative and memorable private party from now until March 2016. Guests to The Merchant Hotel’s Narnia Rooftop can enjoy private hire, a delectable drinks reception and exquisite finger food. Packages start at just £30pp and can accommodate 40-70 guests. To book your special night, contact The Merchant Hotel Events Team on 028 9026 2717 or email events@themerchanthotel.com for more information & availability.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (December 21-27).

• The Muppet Christmas Carol, Belfast Waterfront, December 23. Enjoy the big Christmas movie on the Waterfront’s big screen! The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge. Arrive from 2pm for face painting and lots of festive fun!

• Elf – Christmas Classic, Strand Arts Centre, Holywood Road, Belfast, December 24 and 26. Enjoy the ultimate Christmas movie – Elf. The chaotically comedic blockbuster film will be making a festive appearance at Strand Arts Centre this Christmas. Tickets are £3.50 and are available to book online. Showings: Christmas Eve at 2pm and Boxing Day at 6pm and 8pm.

• Boxing Day Race Meeting, Down Royal Racecourse, Maze, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, December 26. Have a great day out at the Boxing Day Race Meeting at Down Royal – Ireland’s oldest race coursing venue which was first established 1685. Since the 17th Century Down Royal Racecourse has brought the “Sport of Kings” to generations of people in Northern Ireland – it’s a race course steeped in history. Experience the excitement of the day and try some local food and drink at Taste@downroyal.

• Get Happy! Emily Olive Boyd sings the songs of Ella Fitzgerald, The Black Box, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast, December 27. Come and enjoy some of your favourite songs performed by musicians of unparalleled talent, bring your friends and sing along in what promises to be the perfect Christmas night out. Following her recent run in The Commitments on the West End, Emily Olive Boyd returns home to Belfast to perform the hits of the jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald. Backed by her “fellas”, the superb Linley Hamilton Band, Emily will sing swing classics such as ‘The Lady Is A Tramp’, ‘I Got Rhythm’ and ‘Mack The Knife’. From 8pm to 11pm.

• Mystery of the Christmas Star, Armagh Planetarium, College Hill, Armagh, Co. Armagh, until December 23. Join Armagh Planetarium this Christmas as they journey back more than 2,000 years to Bethlehem, and seek to discover a scientific explanation for the star the Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus in the digital theatre show ‘Mystery of the Christmas Star’. This modern re-telling of the Christmas story will charm and captivate audiences of all ages.

• Smokie, Millennium Forum, Newmarket Street, Co. Londonderry, December 27. Soft rock legends, Smokie, return to perform their most famous hit singles including ‘If You Think You Know How to Love Me’, ‘Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me’, ‘Lay Back in the Arms of Someone’ and their most popular hit single ever ‘Living Next Door to Alice’. This is your chance to reminisce and is a night most definitely not to be missed. Begins at 9pm.

• Magical Christmas Show with David Meade, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle, Co. Down, December 27. TV star performer, entertainer and mentalist David Meade, the man with the mind-boggling mind reading powers will be hosting a Magical Christmas Show at Slieve Donard Resort and Spa. Show begins at 8.45pm.

• Santa’s Grotto Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, December 21. Come visit Santa’s Grotto where children can write their letters to Santa, meet Santa and receive a gift. Entrance is £5 per child and includes a selection box, visit to Santa and professional photograph. There will also be snacks provided including tea, coffee and mince pies. From 6-9pm.

• Christmas Sleeping Beauty and Christmas Singalong, Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, December 22. Come along to this fabulous Christmas family show ‘Sleeping Beauty and a Christmas Singalong’ presented by Mid Ulster School of Music.  At 8pm.

• C21, Panto Season At The Braid, The Braid Arts Centre, Bridge Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, December 21 and 22. It’s the night before Christmas and after a lot of excitement and a little bit of ‘magic’ Lucy finally drifts off to sleep but her sleep is short lived! She suddenly awakes from her slumber to find herself trapped in her dream. She is dazed and confused, but also intrigued. Come along to this fun and festive panto this Christmas. Show begins at 3pm. Family rates available. 

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. 

Down

Local charity, FASA is bringing back their outdoor Christmas Market on 18th -19th December to Eden Village, Ballywalter. Up to 30 stalls festively decorated with fairy lights and tinsel will add some extra sparkle to Ballywalter for the 3rd year bringing a little bit of Christmas to your doorstep!  Stalls will include delicious sweets and treats, to stocking fillers, local art and handmade crafts and culinary delights and their very own Santa’s Grotto!

Armagh

Celebrate Christmas with a visit to the beautiful Craftswirl this Saturday 19th December, at Armagh Visitor Information Centre. The gift shop has crafts and gifts to suit all tastes and budgets and for the festive period.  Enjoy some festive fayre and savour the tastes of Christmas through the ages.  Step into the world of crafts and gifts while taking a step back to a taste of 1940’s Christmas. Customers can sample the famous Hersey’s chocolate as they shop.

Fermanagh

See Flash Harry live at the Ardhowen Theatre Enniskillen this Saturday 19th December.  Flash Harry have been celebrating the music of Queen all over Ireland and the UK for more than 20 years and still fans come to pay homage to the greatest rock band of them all. Flash Harry brings a show that embraces the very essence of live music, talent, energy, enthusiasm, passion and pure showmanship. Audiences will see the band rocking out Queen’s greatest hits from ‘Radio Gaga’, ‘We Are the Champions’, to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and everything in between.

Tyrone

Join the Silverbirch Hotel Omagh this Christmas for a festive celebration for the whole family, with a Santa Sunday Lunch. Children will be thoroughly entertained with the Kids Christmas Party, face painting, disco and entertainer.  A visit from Father Christmas will be the perfect start to your festive season. Sunday 20th December 12.30pm – 3pm.  Kid’s Christmas Party: 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Derry

Support local independent businesses, or individuals that have turned a hobby into an enterprise this Saturday by visiting the fabulous local  artisan art, craft and food producers at the Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Christmas Market ran in conjunction with the Limavady Crafters in Limavady at the Drumceatt Square.  Saturday the 19th of December from 11.00am – 4.00pm.

Antrim

Join Braid Film Theatre Ballymena for a very special sing-a-long screening of The Sound of Music this Saturday 19th December. The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical drama film produced and directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film follows a young Austrian woman studying to become a nun in Salzburg in 1938 who is sent to the villa of a retired naval officer and widower to be governess to his seven children.  Tickets are only £4.

Belfast

Join The Mac this Christmas as they bring a little mischievous magic to the stage in their adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin – the classic Brothers Grimm tale with a typical, mystical MAC twist. Meet Emily, the heroine – brave, beautiful, witty, and smart. Be outraged by her father and the King who contrive an unusual and infamous bargain, and encounter the strange little man who can do the impossible… at a price.  Family Christmas shows are becoming something of a tradition – live music, fun and spectacular action. Suitable for all ages, why not treat the whole family to Christmas at the MAC?  Each child is different but we think those aged 5+ will get the biggest kick.

Add your events free at www.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.

Panto season is well under way at the North West’s premier venue and if you haven’t yet booked your ticket to the biggest show of the year, then you’d better be quick, as the Millennium Forum has just revealed that tickets for Aladdin are flying!

Since opening on Friday 4^th December, over 20,000 children of all ages have screamed, booed, hissed, sang and cheered along to the latest festive offering from the cityside theatre. Schools from as far away as Fermanagh, Leitrim, Omagh, Ballyshannon and Arranmore Island have also made the journey to the city for the annual Christmas show.

Box Office Manager, Lisa Heaney, said that bookings for panto have been very busy in the run up to Christmas:

“Tickets have been selling fast for Aladdin and it’s no surprise; it’s a spectacular production again this year and has something for all the family to enjoy. I would strongly advise anyone who hasn’t yet booked their tickets to do so before they sell out.”

The magical adventure story of Aladdin will be brought to life in a spectacular production complete with stunning sets, beautiful costumes and lots of comedy.

With an all local and Northern Irish cast including Mikey -Jay Heath as Aladdin, children’s favourite, Gerard McCabe as Wishee Washee and Keith Lynch as the evil, Abanazar, this sparkling festive treat is guaranteed fun for all the family.  Book your seats now for the carpet ride of a lifetime!

Aladdin, sponsored by Dunnes Stores, performs at the Millennium Forum from Friday 4^th December until Sunday 3^rd January.  Tickets are now available from the Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.