Ballymena Creative Citizens Programme

CREATIVE CITIZENS PROGRAMME Festivals, shows, liVe theatre, film, dance and special fringe events "Ballymena and the Borough have always had a deep creative 'pool' in all the arts.

It's wonderful and, personally, exciting for me that this pool is being tapped into and explored by this wonderful creative alliance. I'm very proud of you all!"

Liam Neeson OBE, Freeman of Ballymena – The Creative Borough

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Ballymena – The Creative Borough, we are delighted to have been chosen as an area of outstanding creativity, thanks to Voluntary Arts Ireland, the citizens of our Borough and over 100 arts groups working in the Borough today – from drama groups to music groups, dance organisations to craftspeople. The Borough of Ballymena is a very creative place to live and for the next 4 months we intend to celebrate that fact – why don’t you join us and experience the best in local, regional and international Arts.We look forward to seeing you!

Voluntary Arts Ireland provides a universal voice for the amateur and voluntary arts, promoting participation in creative, cultural activity across the island of Ireland.

“We are very excited to be involved in this project”, said Kevin Murphy, Voluntary Arts Ireland Chief Officer. We know that Ballymena has talented artists and groups, the Creative Citizens programme will provide a perfect platform for this creativity to thrive and grow. As well as involving potentially thousands of people, it has the capacity to build a lasting creative legacy with Ballymena becoming a model for local cultural infrastructure that we hope will inspire towns and cities across the UK and Republic of Ireland to follow.”

Voluntary Arts Week is an annual, week-long celebration of amateur arts and craft activities across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

This year it takes place from 9-18 May with special events happening throughout Ballymena during the week including a top secret mission which will be revealed on Friday 9 May!!!!!!

Our Programme Partners Voluntary Arts Ireland through its Voluntary Arts Association Forum is delighted to be also collaborating with a range of national and international associations and campaigns to support Ballymena - The Creative Borough:

Making Music – with over 3,000 members including choirs, orchestras,

LAUNCH EVENTS Creative Citizens Launch Day – The Big One! Saturday 22 March / 2.00pm / Free admission A Big Big Sing will take place on Bridge Street outside The Braid Arts Centre to launch the programme, with choirs from all over the borough serenading passers-by, including Raise the Roof children’s choir in their yellow double decker bus, Voice of Hope and Seven Towers Male Voice Choir.

The day will have a real festival feel with special guests, massive balloon release, fire breathers, face painters, confetti canons and a live band on the terrace. Refreshments will be served in The Braid Arts Centre for the launch party. Bring the kids along for an afternoon of fun and entertainment.

Today’s Launch Party includes the Official ‘Ballymena Blackboard’ Launch the fastest growing Facebook and Twitter sites in town, featuring updates of all the events in the programme and an ever growing diary of events throughout the Borough – keep up to date with what’s on in the Creative Borough – ‘Like’ Ballymena Blackboard on Facebook / Follow on Twitter for special offers and sneak previews of events.

Ballymena Arts Hall of Fame: Conversations Wednesday 7 May / 8.00pm in The Braid Arts Centre The launch of a new Arts Hall of Fame featuring a world class representation in the arts and cultural fields from residents past and present from the Borough of Ballymena. Why not suggest someone you think should be in the Hall of Fame on: arts.admin@ballymena.gov.uk

The Pop Up Arts Clinic Voluntary Arts Ireland will be joining us and bringing along their ‘Pop Up Arts Clinic’ where local arts & cultural groups can get free one to one professional advice sessions in areas such as marketing or how to approach sponsors.

music promoters, jazz and wind bands, community festivals, samba groups, sitar ensembles, barbershop choruses and brass bands - helping everyone flourish in their music making. www.makingmusic.org.uk

Voluntary Arts Week

Association of Irish Choirs – supporting and representing all forms of choral music in Ireland. www.aoic.ie

Ballymena Cultural Directory Launch

The evening will include the official launch of Voluntary Arts Week.

NIPA: Northern Ireland Photographic Association

This evening will also include the launch of a new arts & cultural website directory featuring details of over 100 local arts & cultural groups currently working in the Borough of Ballymena.

is an overarching association that includes camera clubs in Northern Ireland.

Hazelbank Gallery Open Day

The Pastel Society of Ireland – encouraging and promoting the art and practice of pastel painting throughout Ireland.

Saturday 17 May / 11.00am-4.00pm / 85 Hillmount Road, Cullybackey, BT42 1NZ

Big Big Sing aims to inspire thousands of people across the UK to join

Artist Bob Margrain opens his Studio and Gallery to the public, come along and chat to Bob about his life as an artist.

in the celebrations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games through singing, and to make singing the soundtrack to the Games. Several Big Big Sing events are planned as part of the Creative Citizen programme.

Art Take Part is a website giving amateur arts groups and individuals a free online profile and means to promote their creative activities to the wider public. It also enables the public to search for activities near where they live – watch this space for creative events all over Ballymena.

Online Events Two special social media campaigns will give creative citizens from across NI and the Republic of Ireland a chance to get involved in Ballymena’s programme:

Life Imitating Art will ask people to imitate a piece of art, it could be a statue, painting or even a song, the interpretation is totally down to the individual or group.

Dog Beard will invite man’s best friend to get creative with their owners to see who can make the best ‘dog beard’.

The Virtual Citizen Our online campaign encouraging people to create their own art works which will be published online – poetry, song, visual arts, crafts etc.

These campaigns will be promoted through the Facebook pages of Voluntary Arts Ireland -www.facebook.com/vaireland, The Braid www.facebook.com/Ballymena-Blackboard and Art Take Part www.facebook.com/vai.arttakepart.

Launch of ‘The Fest at Raceview Mill’ Thursday 29 May / 7.30pm / Raceview Mill on Raceview Road, Broughshane A celebration of local artisans with locally crafted food, arts, music and artisan crafted beer.

For more information, contact www.FestatRaceview.com

The Black Sheep Studio/Gallery Open Day Saturday 29 March / 10am-6.00pm / 125 Knockan Road, Broughshane, BT43 7JA Irish/Chilean husband and wife duo Judith Logan-Farias & Hernan Farias open their studios featuring original artworks and prints and HF Photography will be offering special deals on portrait sessions throughout the day. Prices from £50 – to book your slot tel. 07754360251.

It’s DCAL Creativity Month http://creativityni.org/ throughout March 2014 Log on to find out what’s happening in Ballymena – The Creative Borough.

Artists in Residence for Creative Citizens Programme The Artist in Residence Programme has been curated by Marianne O'Kane Boal.

Exploration IV Dublin Sculptor Donnacha Cahill will be Artist in Residence for the programme – Donnacha will be creating a special sculpture and leaving it at secret locations around the Borough – do not be alarmed – this is Art! Please feel free to take pictures of the artwork and post on Ballymena Blackboard.

Culturstruction Dublin based Architecture/Artists company will be working on the streets surrounding The Braid Arts Centre and also in The Braid building on temporary public installations – full details on www.thebraid.com

THE BIG PROGRAMME MUSIC EVENTS AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE

Cambridge House Spring Concert Monday 7 April / 7.30pm / Tickets available from school office The concert will feature the School Band and Orchestra, the School’s Traditional Music Group, and various Choirs including the Senior Choir - recent winners of the Best Choir in Ballymena Borough Section at Ballymena Festival.

Grease & Dirty Dancing – The West End Show Friday 21 March / 8.00pm / Tickets £14.00 After a sell-out show in November, Grease and Dirty Dancing return to The Braid Arts Centre stage by huge popular demand. The perfect show for a girl’s night out showcasing all the songs from both hit movies/musicals. This all singing, all dancing show will have you out of your seat from start to finish.

Performed by 4 leading singers/dancers from London's West End and supported by a live band, bringing the West End right to your doorstep!

Put on your dancing shoes, maybe even your 'Pink Ladies' outfit or 'T-Birds' leather jacket.

If Dirty Dancing is more your 'bag', then sit back and have...The Time of Your Life!

Philomena Begley & Ray Lynam Together Again Tuesday 8 April / 8.00pm / Tickets £20.00 Philomena Begley and Ray Lynam are ‘Together Again’ to take you on a journey of their many hits. They were both a successful duet team, appearing regularly at Wembley both solo and duo. Their albums include ‘We Go Together Again’, ‘Simply Divine’ and ‘Country Stars’.

A great night out for Country fans.

Ballymena Chamber Orchestra presents Saturday Night At The Movies Seven Towers Male Voice Choir in Concert Friday 28 & Saturday 29 March / 8.00pm / Tickets £10.00 In association with Wrightbus, the Choir performs a selection of pieces from its large repertoire. The Concert also features a special guest Soprano Clover Watts. Clover Watts hails from the tropical isles of Jamaica. Clover, with her wide vocal range, has an extensive repertoire from a wide range of musical genres. She is known for her musical versatility, with a unique performance style that is influenced by her rich Jamaican heritage. A fabulous night of choral excellence featuring favourites such as Blowin’ In The Wind, Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Phil The Flutter's Ball, I Dreamed A Dream and Nessun Dorma. The Choir will be supported by Space Biters a trio of musicians from Slemish College. Kate Cannon on bass Milo Dunn-Clarke on electric guitar and Timmy Burns on drums playing a mixture of Punk, Jazz, Blues and Funk/Psychedelica.

Saturday 12 April / 8.00pm Tickets £10.00 and £5.00 for children under 12 and concessions Ballymena Chamber Orchestra returns to centre stage conducted by Artistic Director Rebekah Durston for a wonderful night of film music. With the help of the Braid Film Theatre a series of film clips will accompany the Orchestra’s performance of arrangements from classic movies such as Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Schindler’s List and Indiana Jones. A concert not to be missed for all music and film fans.

Ballymena Academy School Concert Wednesday 2- Friday 4 April / 7.30pm Tickets available from school office from mid-March An exciting student showcase of choirs, orchestras and ensembles to suit all musical tastes.

Flash Harry in Concert Saturday 5 April / 8.00pm / Tickets £16.50 Queen formed in 1971 and their music has rocked the world across every continent ever since.

When it comes to a night of rock defining entertainment, there is no better tribute than Flash Harry. The band has entertained audiences across Ireland, Britain and America for twenty years.

They have played the largest venues in Britain and Ireland and for one night only Flash Harry re-creates the magic of Queen at The Braid Arts Centre.

Party to classic tracks including Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want To Break Free, A Kind of Magic and Radio Ga Ga – a guaranteed great night out.

North Eastern Education & Library Board - Cello Day Monday 14 April / 7.00pm / Admission Free Come along and enjoy a musical recital

by North Eastern Education and Library Board tutored Cello students.

Ballymena & Harryville Young Conquerors Flute Band Spring Concert Thursday 17 April / 7.30pm / Tickets £10.00 A unique award winning orchestral band from the Borough, in existence since 1886, this large flute and percussion ensemble is currently one of the country's top flute orchestras, so this concert promises to be a fabulous night out for classical and popular music fans.

Compered by Jackie Fullerton, guest vocalist Sheila Greer accompanied by Darren Baird on piano.

The Braid Real Music Club presents Bap Kennedy in Concert Friday 18 April / 8.00pm / Tickets £7.00 Braid Real Music Club is delighted to welcome back ‘The Bap Kennedy Experience’ for a special Good Friday concert. It's 18 months since Bap's last visit to The Braid a sell-out show in Autumn 2012 which brought the house down! Back with a new critically acclaimed album which charted at Number 3 in the EuroAmericana Chart in February 2014. We recommend you book tickets early & often for this show.

The Braid Real Music Club presents The 4 of Us Saturday 10 May / 8.00pm / Tickets £5.00 THE 4 OF US have a big year ahead of them in 2014. As well as celebrating their 25th anniversary, they're releasing their long awaited 7th studio album and hitting the road with their 2 Men - 2 Guitars acoustic show. The musical career of Newry-born brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy the song-writing nucleus of The 4 of Us spans more than two decades. The band has also notched up 6 top 20 Irish charting albums. They will be rocking up to The Braid Arts Centre to kick off their NI Tour.

Support act: John Sloan is a singer songwriter from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and beating it in 2013, he decided to show case the music he had written during his treatment. The result was the recording of his debut EP entitled "A Moment of Calm". With a simplistic, acoustic guitar accompaniment, combined with lyrics and vocals that tell a real story, John has created music that will resonate with your heartstrings.

THEATRE PROGRAMME AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE Molly Sweeney – A Lyric Belfast and Print Room London Production Tuesday 18 March / 8.00pm / Tickets £14.50 and £12.50 concession Blind since infancy, Molly Sweeney is persuaded to have an operation to restore her sight. Her husband Frank is convinced she has nothing to lose; her ophthalmologist Mr Rice is not so sure. The play charts their expectations and fantasies of how the operation will change everything, not just for Molly, but for all three of them. Brian Friel's rarely performed poetic tale weaves together all three characters' perspectives.

Through a journey of memory, hope and despair, the play begs us to not only see, but also understand other people's points of view.

Emily - The Making of a Militant Suffragette A Production Exchange, London performance Thursday 27 March / 8.00pm / Tickets £5.00 Written by Ros Connelly, directed by Kath Burlinson, performed by Elizabeth Crarer.

NEELB Youth Concert Band, Junior Concert Band and Harp Ensemble – The Musical Extravaganza Saturday 17 May / 7.30pm / Tickets £8.00 and 5.00 concession A wonderful night of the best of young local musicians from the Borough & beyond.

Tickets available from NEELB Music Service telephone 94482212 from Monday 5 May.

Morehead State University Concert Choir, Kentucky with Raise the Roof Children’s Choir, Ballymena Monday 19 May / 8.00pm / Admission free but by ticket only We welcome the full Morehead State University Choir to their Sister City home of Ballymena, over 50 singers from Kentucky USA will be delighting local audiences with a wonderful programme of music and song, supported by Raise The Roof Children’s Choir – this promises to be a very special event.

Musical Finale Night: ‘Over The Top’ with the Band, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment Saturday 31 May / 7.30pm / Tickets £10.00 Concert proceeds for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund.

As the only remaining military band, of any of the Services, within Northern Ireland, the R IRISH Band has played a major role in providing musical support not only to the NI Garrison but has also been at the forefront in both community relations and community engagements.

The band has travelled to Germany, America, Poland and Canada in recent years. Testament to the high quality of its performance standard and the esteem in which it is held, in 2011 The Band of The Royal Irish Regiment was tasked by Headquarters Land Forces to provide principal musical support to the National commemorative events at The Somme, in France; a task normally undertaken by Regular military bands only. This evenings Concert will be a wonderful musical journey with a world class Military Band featuring a programme ranging from pop to classics.

The Band of The Royal Irish Regiment appears by kind permission of Brigadier R Wooddisse MBE MC, Commander 38th (Irish) Brigade under the Musical Direction of WO1 Chris Attrill.

An extraordinary woman pushed to extraordinary deeds. Emily Wilding Davidson died under the galloping hooves of King George’s Derby horse in 1913. She was campaigning for what she believed in. This is the story of all her life and the events that led to her untimely end.

Set in the context of the struggle for women to have the vote in the first half of the twentieth century, Emily resonates with questions that still challenge the world today: repression of public protest, democracy, militancy, torture, women’s rights and self-sacrifice. Yet at the heart of this play is a real woman with her own hopes, frustrations, humour and beliefs.

Recommended for ages 10+.

Replay Theatre Company presents A Boy & His Box Saturday 17 May / 10.00am / Free admission A brand new show for children aged 4-8 years old, and their families, telling the story of a boy and his box and his vivid imagination! A Boy and His Box has live drawing, projection, some cheesy tunes and some brilliantly ridiculous sound effects. After watching the boy’s story, the audience are invited to decide what their box might be and to see their idea appear around them! A Boy And His Box brings back together the team who created the extraordinary animated drawings for illustrator Patrick Sanders and video artist, Conan McIvor and introduces performer Dan Leith into the mix. For children everywhere and of all ages who enjoyed playing in cardboard boxes!

Ad Hoc Theatre Group presents An Evening of Two One Act Plays

SCHOOLS ARTS PROGRAMME

Friday 23 May / 7.30pm / Tickets £7.00 and £5.00 concession

OFFERING A SERIES OF FABULOUS ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR LOCAL YOUNG CITIZENS

A Light Lunch by Bridget Derrett Laura and Richard Cartwright have lunch at their favourite restaurant to commemorate their divorce. The restaurant brings back a host of memories – differences that push them apart, similarities that hold them together.

To Hell in a Horse and Cart by Ciaran Hanna Three friends Seamus, Peador and Michael regularly meet in O’Daly’s pub. We see them before, during and after the Celtic Tiger years. Their attitude to and experience of those years provides a clear window on recent Irish history.

Emily - The Making of a Militant Suffragette Thursday 27 March / 1.30pm / Details direct to schools See Theatre Programme section for full details

Cullybackey College Performing Arts Tuesday 8 April / 7.30pm / Cullybackey College / Tickets £2.00 This play is about Maggie, an elderly woman who shares her many memories with her grandchild, about her life in the Ballymena area from the 1940's through to the present day. Old schoolyard songs, stories, Ulster Scots words, Robbie Burns quotes, The Belfast Blitz, traditional songs and dances, the Flamingo when it was a club and much more is touched upon. Performed by the GCSE Performing Arts cast from Cullybackey College alongside a showcase of music from the most skilled students. A one hour show perfect for the whole family and friends. A fundraiser for the Performing Arts GCSE course and the Music Dept.

This event is programmed for EU Day of Solidarity Between Generations Bringing generations together to experience the Arts

AJTC Theatre Company, London presents Bin Men By Mike Kenny Tuesday 29 April / 10.00am and 12.30pm / Details direct to schools An exciting new production with music, movement, recycling and fun for young children. Don and Sam are bin men with dreams. Big dreams!

They want to save the world and they want to have fun doing it!

Bin men see everything we throw away – and we throw away so many things.

With Don and Sam around we may just need to think again.

They can find a use for anything!

Nominated for The Children’s Theatre Prize in Germany and The Chronos Prize in France.

Ballymena Arts Partnership in conjunction with Ad Hoc Theatre Group Present Two Afternoons of Rehearsed Readings Saturday 3 May and Saturday 10 May / 2.00pm-4.30pm / Tickets £3.00 concession £2.00 per session Two afternoons of Rehearsed Readings of new play writing by writers from or based in the Ballymena Borough area. Always a popular afternoon at the Theatre! Grab a coffee, sit back and be thoroughly entertained.

dance AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE Dylan Quinn Dance Company presents Fulcrum Saturday 24 May / 2.00pm / Free admission to all young local dancers and modern dance enthusiasts Inspired by the Samuel Beckett play Catastrophe Fulcrum touches on the fragile balance of control and the insidious nature of power.

Created through a collaboration between dancer/choreographer Dylan Quinn, dancer Jenny Ecke and composer/singer Andy Garbi, Fulcrum has been inspired by some of the themes and the context of Samuel Becketts play ‘Catastrophe’ and its relationship to Vaclav Havel.

Fulcrum is part of the development of a body of work by Enniskillen company Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre, which seeks to establish this rural based company as one with an interesting voice and something unique to express.

Jack and The Beanstalk with Trestle Theatre Company, Hertfordshire Monday 12 May / 11.00am and 12.30pm / Details direct to schools A show by Marcello Chiarenza with CBeebies presenter Patrick Lynch Original music by Cialdo Capelli Fee Fi Fo Fum! It’s a giant of a show, we’d love you to come!

This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo treatment so expect lots of surprises, a gripping story and beautiful images as Jack sells his cow for five magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds.

It’s a show for the over 3’s (and their giants) with something for everyone – enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold and a big, leafy explosion!

Suitable for ages 3+. Runtime approx. 45 minutes (no interval)

FILM EVENTS All movies screened in the Studio Film Theatre at The Braid Arts Centre with complimentary refreshments.

Braid Film Theatre presents Hitchcock Season in partnership with The British Film Institute Monday 28 April: The Birds / 7.00pm / Tickets £4.00 / 15+ Tuesday 29 April: Frenzy / 7.00pm / Tickets £4.00 / 18+ Thursday 1 May: North By Northwest / 7.00pm Tickets £4.00 / PG Saturday 3 May: Rebecca / 7.00pm / Tickets £4.00 / PG Ad Hoc Theatre will present a five minute pastiche of Rebecca prior to the screening. £4.00 per film or Season ticket for all screenings £10.00.

GREEN ARTS PROGRAMME Free arts for all!

Throughout the Creative Citizens Programme a range of previously loved books, magazines, CD’s and DVD’s will be available at The Braid Arts Centre for anyone who would like to view, read or swap any item.

Simply visit our bookcase in The Braid Café and view all the recycled arts items available.

If you would like to pass on any books or CDs you may have read or listened to please leave any replacement items when you take a new one home.

EDUCATION PROGRAMME AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE Starburst Theatre School Every Friday during term time Junior's 4.30pm-6.25pm (Ages 4-7) £12 per week Senior's 4.30pm-7.30pm (ages 7+) £18 per week For further details please see www.starbursttheatreschool.com

Braid Film Theatre presents Angela’s Ashes

Writer’s Workshop

Thursday 29 May / 7.00pm / Tickets £4.00 / 15+

Thursday 13 March / 7.30pm-9.30pm / The Braid Art Workshop / Free admission

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Eddy Joseph, retired Sound Editor involved in the making of Angela's Ashes with lots of very interesting stories to tell about the movie industry!

A fascinating workshop for all aspiring Writers – learn tips, techniques and listen to experienced writers.

Director’s Workshop Thursday 3 April / 7.30pm-9.30pm / The Braid Art Workshop / Free admission Come along and learn from experienced Directors and learn tips and techniques.

COMEDY SHOWS AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE The Big Bang presented by Sentinus David Hull Promotions Presents Give My Head Peace

Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 April / 9.00am to 3.00pm / Admission Free

The Big Bang is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK and aims to After another sell out show in 2013 Give My Head Peace returns to the Braid Arts Centre in 2014 show young people, aged 7-19, just how exciting science and with a brand new show featuring Ulster's most dysfunctional family plus the Province's favourite engineering can be. The Big Bang Fair Northern Ireland cleric Pastor Begbie (Paddy Jenkins). There will be topical satire, top class stand-up comedy from is well established as part of Sentinus Young Innovates.

Tim McGarry and guaranteed laughs.

The event at The Braid is part of The Big Bang Near Me programme which aims to take the message of Big Bang 2014 will be a year of anniversaries - it's a year and a bit since they took down the fleg at City Hall,100 years since the start of World War 1, 20 years since the first IRA ceasefire and 18 years to a wider audience of young people across the UK. since Uncle Andy last bought a round in the Kneebreakers. Celebrate in style at GMHP Live at For further information contact rochelle.ohara@sentinus.co.uk the Braid Arts Centre!

Wednesday 19 March / 8.00pm / Tickets £22.00 / 18+ advised

Ballymena Chamber Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Workshop Saturday 29 March / 10.00am-3.00pm / Free of charge ABRSM Grade 5 plus students who play brass, woodwind or strings are invited to join Artistic Director of Ballymena Chamber Orchestra Rebekah Durston to participate in a workshop learning and rehearsing an arrangement of Raiders of The Last Ark from Indiana Jones. Coached by Rebekah and members of Ballymena Chamber Orchestra the workshop will prepare musicians for the unique opportunity of performing alongside the orchestra at their concert on Saturday 12 April.

The Braid Comedy Club

Contact Rebekah Durston on 07985160163 for further information, to register your interest and book your place. A packed lunch will be required.

Friday 21 March & Friday 9 May / 8.30pm Tickets £5 in advance, £7 on door

North Eastern Education & Library Board - Cello Masterclass

18+ admission only

Monday 14 April / 1.30pm- 4.30pm / Admission Free A unique event for young Cellists from the NEELB area, with an open performance practice in the front window of The Braid Arts Centre in preparation for their evening Concert Please feel free to come along, grab a seat and listen to the best in young local musicians.

CULTURAL PROGRAMME AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE North of Ireland Family History Society: Using DNA To Help Research Your Northern Irish Tree Wednesday 30 April / 7.15pm / Tickets £5.00 A talk by Dr Maurice J. Gleeson, guest speaker Dr Gleeson is a renowned DNA expert from London who makes this complex subject easy to understand. When researching your Family Tree in Ireland it is often difficult beyond 1800 because of the lack of records. However with DNA testing it will be possible to get beyond that ‘Brick Wall’ and verify existing research, discover living relatives and confirm or deny connections between families. Come along this evening for a fascinating insight into researching your Family Tree.

Mosaic Silk Scarf Workshop by Jacki Sleator Saturday 10 May 10.00am – 4.00pm / £40.00 In this creative workshop we will make a colourful patchwork scarf with cut out pieces of silk and a fine layer of wool fibres to embellish. You will leave with a wonderful & unique patchwork scarf.

Booking forms available from The Braid, to discuss a workshop or check availability please call Jacki on 07715 999 864.

FESTIVALS & MAJOR EVENTS AROUND THE BOROUGH Ballymena Modern Dance Festival Northern Ireland’s newest Modern Dance Festival Monday 10 to Saturday 15 March – The Braid Arts Centre Featuring Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop/Street, Song and Dance and The Northern Ireland Dance Festival Championships – first in Northern Ireland.

Centenary Celebration Pageant for Pride of the Valley Teenies Flute Band & World War 1 Commemoration Saturday 3rd May, Step Off at 2.00pm, Raceview Road, Broughshane A unique celebration event for Pride of the Valley Teenies Flute Band, celebrating their 100 year anniversary and the commemoration of 1914 World War I. Featuring a range of bands from across Northern Ireland, from pipe bands to flute bands, silver bands to accordion bands, flute, fife and drum and a special finale event. Includes a World War I re-enactment display & Wreath Laying Ceremony.

The International Gala presented by Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum Saturday 22 March / 7.30pm / Tickets £2.00 – The Braid Arts Centre A celebration of Ethnic Diversity featuring a range of artists and performers from the full range of ethnic minority groups.

Always a highlight in the cultural calendar of the Borough and featuring musicians, dancers, singers and performers from all over the world ….. an explosion of colour, culture and arts not to be missed.

Solo Drumming Competition hosted by Cullybackey Pipe Band Saturday 5 April / 10.00am -5.30pm / Cullybackey High School £5.00 payable on the door For further information see cullybackeypipeband.com or email hello@cullybackeypipeband.com

Music on the Map Day Saturday 3 May As part of the Centenary Celebrations, Music on the Map Day celebrates music from all over the Borough with a map of musicians playing all day in unusual places 9.00am-9.15am Piper at the foot of Slemish, performance from Davy Reid Seven Towers Pipe Band 11.00am-11.20am St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Ballymena’s bells will ring for twenty minutes 11.30am-12.30pm Ulster Scots band Kailyardery at The Braid terrace

Gatherin’ of The Isles

11.30am-12.30pm The Down And Out Bluegrass Band at The Bandstand

Thursday 24, Friday 25 & Saturday 26 April at The Braid Arts Centre

2.00pm-3.00pm Jazz band in the Tower Centre

A weekend festival of music from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, with concerts, masterclasses, workshops and performances throughout the Borough. In partnership with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association of NI and featuring the best in piping and traditional music from all over the Isles.

All followed by a Centenary Pageant in Broughshane 5.30pm-5.45pm Soprano Sylvia Burnside accompanied by flautists Tyler Ross and Gregory Lutton in Broughshane as the finale of the Centenary Pageant.

Thursday 24 April 2.00pm Afternoon workshop and masterclass with Pat McGoldrick – The Braid Arts Centre 8.00pm Fred Morrison Concert performance – The Braid Arts Centre Friday 25 April

2.00pm Fred Morrison Masterclass – The Braid Arts Centre 8.00pm Donny Monroe Concert performance – The Braid Arts Centre

Saturday 26 April 2.00pm Caroline Moreaux Matinee Concert – Braid Studio Theatre The Headline concert will feature a world-renowned headline act accompanied by an eclectic mix of local talent. Details to be announced shortly on www.thebraid.com

Portglenone Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann host The County Antrim Fleadh Wednesday 18 June-Sunday 22 June Wednesday 18 June:

Junior Session / 7.00pm – 8.30pm / The Wild Duck Inn Singing Session / 9.00pm / The Wild Duck Inn

Thursday 19 June:

Vintage Rally / 7.00pm / The Bank Square Music Session / 9.30pm / The Wild Duck Inn

Friday 20 June:

County Fledh Official Opening Concert / 8.00pm / Riverside Suite at The Wild Duck Inn Ceili / 8.00pm / The GAA Hall

Saturday 21 June:

Fleadh Competitions / 10.00am / St. Mary’s Primary School Street Sessions / All Day / Main Street, Portglenone Singing Session / All Day / Behind MC’s Chippy

Sunday 22 June:

Grupai Cheoil & Ceili Band Competitions / 12.00pm / Riverside Suite at The Wild Duck Inn Street Sessions / All Day / Main Street, Portglenone Singing Sessions / All Day / Behind MC’s Chippy Marching Band Contest / 3.00pm / Portglenone Marina Complex

Fringe Programme for Gatherin’ of the Isles Saturday 26 April 2.00pm Irish Harp recital – Town Centre Barber shop Saturday 26 April covering 4 shifts Musicians/ performances – JTI Saturday 26 April from 11.00am to 4.00pm Bandstand Programme – featuring local musicians Saturday 26 April 2.00pm Folk Band – Tower Centre Saturday 26 April 12.00 mid-day

Piper – Fairhill Centre Multi Storey Car Park – top level

EXHIBITION PROGRAMME AT THE BRAID ARTS CENTRE

FRINGE FESTIVAL

Rotary Club of Ballymena Young Artist of the Year Exhibition

Masquerade Ball & Dinner

Throughout March in the Theatre Club Gallery / Open daily 9.00am-4.00pm and until 10.00pm on show nights

Friday 11 April / 7.00pm Champagne Reception / Tickets £25 / The Braid Theatre

The Cedar Foundation ‘Book of Selves’ Exhibition

Heartbeat NI launching Bravehearts NI Charity supported by Sainsbury’s staff, Ballymena in supporting teenagers and young adults with congenital heart disease. Champagne Reception followed by dinner and entertainment ‘til late. Contact Clare Caulfield for further information and to book tickets on 07769 616 967.

Throughout March outside the Braid café / Open daily 9.00am-4.00pm and until 10.00pm on show nights

NI Craft Bomb with Voluntary Arts Ireland

A project with the Cedar Foundation inspired by ‘The Book of Kells’ focusing on the positive representation of self through a number of mediums, by members of the Cedar Foundation and assisted by artist Diane Wilson.

NI Photographic Association Exhibition on Dereliction and Photographers in Residence Throughout May photographers will be recording events and creative life around the Borough of Ballymena, be prepared to be papped!

Pastel Society of Ireland Exhibition & Master Class Friday 9 May-Wednesday 28 May An exciting new exhibition of work by this prestigious society including a master class for all those using this traditional medium.

The Creative Young Citizens Programme Thursday 5 June - Thursday 26 June /Exhibition open daily 10.00am-4.00pm except Sundays / Admission free A special exhibition in partnership with Ballymena Learning Together featuring some outstanding art work produced by GCSE & A Level students in the Borough. A series of art workshops for teachers and students will be held throughout the programme to develop new skills and initiatives.

Exploring Spaces Exhibition Saturday 22 March – Saturday 31 May / Mid-Antrim Museum at The Braid / Open Monday–Friday 10.00am – 3.00pm, Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm / Late Night Openings Thursday 10 March & Thursday 27 March 5.00pm-9.00pm Mid-Antrim Museum at The Braid presents two unique exhibitions exploring a sense of place and built heritage. 'Exploring Spaces' is a group exhibition curated by Marianne O’Kane Boal, comprising video, drawing, installation and painting by established artists from across Ireland.

Curator’s Tour of Exploring Spaces Exhibition Friday 4 April / Mid-Antrim Museum at The Braid / 2.00pm / No booking required.

Curator of ‘Exploring Spaces’, Marianne O’Kane Boal, will lead an informal tour of the exhibition.

Undeclared: Images and People of Istanbul Saturday 22 March – Saturday 31 May / Mid-Antrim Museum at The Braid See Exploring Spaces opening times Renowned photographer from Ballymena, James Hughes, presents his latest work in ‘Undeclared: Interiors & People of Istanbul’, which documents the interior and exterior fabric of the city where he currently teaches. See www.thebraid.com for further information.

May – Watch out… there are crafters about… you have been knitted!

Writers’ Block at Ballymena Central Library Tuesday 13 May 2014 / 12:00pm -1:00pm / Admission free, no advance booking required / Ballymena Central Library 5 Pat's Brae Ballymena Come along and enjoy readings by creative writing group Writers’ Block.

The group will perform a selection of original stories from their extensive repertoire.

The Sound Bath Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 May / Free admission / The Studio Theatre at The Braid Arts Centre Sessions daily 10.30am-11.30am, 12.30pm-1.30pm, 2.00pm-3.00pm, 3.30pm-4.30pm If you would love to take a retreat come to our sound bath, where you can experience relaxation through a deep relaxing journey with sound.

The Sound Healing Spa Team, play a range of instruments such as, Tibetan singing bowls, crystal singing bowls, gongs, percussion and drums to provide you with a wonderful experience of sound and oneness.

Our Sound Baths have been welcomed as a hugely calming experience for all involved.

Come along and treat yourself … you’re worth it!

Phoenix Project A pilot programme is planned to revive unused spaces in the town centre. Ad Hoc Theatre Group are hoping to hold some pop up theatre in the form of rehearsed readings in various locations in Ballymena on Saturday afternoons throughout the Creative Citizen Programme. Details to follow, for further information contact Bob Margrain on 028 2588 0417.

CREATIVE EVENTS AROUND THE BOROUGH The Creative Garden Award sponsored by Creative Gardens, Galgorm Castle Creative Gardens Galgorm Castle is the latest addition to the Creative Gardens family, and has recently opened to the public.

As part of the Creative Citizens Programme we are asking the gardeners of the Borough to step up to the pitchfork! Create a special display or feature in your garden especially for the programme based on a famous artist of your choice and register your entry to be in for a chance to win a £100 gift voucher from Creative Gardens Galgorm - simply call The Braid Arts Centre and ask for a registration form 02825 635900 ..... Happy digging!

The Creative Chef The ‘Best of The Best’ at Northern Regional College Art & Design, Trostan Avenue, Ballymena Tuesday 10-Monday 16 June / Northern Regional College Art & Design, Trostan Avenue, Ballymena / Open 10.00am-4.00pm daily Featuring the work of Foundation Art & Design students, moving on to study higher education level Art & Design.

Our campaign in local cafes and restaurants to create a special dish/cupcake/cocktail for the Creative Citizens Programme – watch www.thebraid.com for details of all offers

A-HOG-HILL! The Yew Tree in Ahoghill will be serving “A-Hog-Hill” two big fat pork sausages served on a hill of mash with onion gravy at £6.95 March to May.

How to get your tickets?

A Major Exhibition of the Work of Desmond Monroe

Tickets & Customer Information

The John Street Gallery - 6 John Street, Ballymena, Co Antrim BT43 6DU

Tickets can be booked in person, by post or by telephone.

The exhibition runs until Saturday 29 March.

INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE PROGRAMME Connecting with our Creative Cousins Throughout April Exchange of arts & cultural postcards with our twinned cities and towns including Gibraltar & Morehead, Kentucky, USA encouraging connections between citizens. Pick up a postcard at The Braid Arts Centre and write the name of your favourite movie, book, painting, poem, piece of music, song or play. We will send your postcard off to a citizen in one of our sister cities to connect you with a cultural friend.

Morehead State University Concert Choir, Kentucky with Raise the Roof Children’s Choir, Ballymena Monday 19 May/ 8.00pm / Admission free but by ticket only

In person: The Braid Arts Centre, Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ Box Office open: Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 9.00pm. Also open one hour before shows.

Box Office Hotline: 028 25 635 900 Online: www.wegottickets.com/thebraidartscentre please note there is a 10% additional charge for online bookings, you can also click the ‘Buy Tickets’ button on our website.

By phone: Credit Card sales on the Box Office Hotline – 028 25 635 901.

A small charge may be applied for credit card sales.

Group bookings: For many performances a discount is offered for party/ group bookings and school groups. Please ask at the Box Office for more information.

Facilities for patrons with disabilities: The Braid Arts Centre is fully accessible throughout. It is important that you mention your requirements to our staff when booking, we will be pleased to assist you in any way we can.

The Braid Arts Centre reserves the right to alter or cancel any event/ project without advance notice.

Adult content: some performances contain adult material and are therefore suitable for over 18’s only. Any performances containing adult material will be highlighted in the programme.

Tickets cannot be exchanged nor money refunded. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy in the compilation of the events listing. Ballymena Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. It is recommended that you check dates and times when booking tickets.