Located in the heart of Downpatrick, Down Arts Centre produces a programme of arts events throughout the year; including exhibitions, live theatre, music entertainment and comedy performances, as well as a wide range of workshops and classes.
BOOKING INFORMATION
The Down Arts team are pleased to let our customers know we now have online booking from our website www.downartscentre.com
You can still call us on 0330 137 4014 or drop in to book tickets.
Open to the public Monday to Friday 10am – 4.30pm
Down Arts Centre
2 – 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick BT30 6BP
downartscentre@nmandd.org
downartscentre downartscentre1
BELFAST GIRLS ON THE RUN!
DATE: FRIDAY 10 MAY 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £20
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: TSW MANAGEMENT
The Belfast GIRLS are BACK and up to more mischief! Bernie finds herself in hot water with the police after flogging the latest weight loss pill to half of Belfast so Bernie, Betty & Michelle find themselves ON THE RUN! And what better place to hide than the local Convent, surely no one’s going to look for her there, right?! Or will they? Will Bernie get caught and go to prison? Will she realise her heart belonged to GOD all along and become a nun?
Grab your mates and your Blossom Hill and come and find out! You don’t wanna miss the CRAIC!
ABSOLUTELY FLABULOUS
DATE: FRIDAY 17 MAY 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £20
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: ROZ SHERIDAN
SHE’S BACK! ‘Absolutely Flab-u-lous: Bernie Jones’s journey from Laundry Queen to Slimming Sensation!’ Following the resounding success of ‘Nobody Puts Bernie in a Corner’ which had audiences on their feet with continuous standing ovations during its sold-out tour across theatres in both the north and south of Ireland, Bernie is back with the next uproarious chapter in her story. Get ready to laugh until your laundry comes out wrinkle-free as we follow Bernie’s side-splitting adventure towards life in her forties and her quest for a slimmer waistline!
In this hilarious one-woman show, Rozlyn Sheridan portrays numerous hilarious characters and reprieves the role of Bernie Jones, the lovable laundry business owner who finds herself in a spin cycle of laughter as she forges firm friendships at her local Slimming Watchers group. Audiences can expect an evening filled with laughter, heartwarming moments and a reminder of the importance of friendship. Join Bernie Jones and get ready to laugh your way to a slimmer waistline because who needs squats when you can burn calories with belly laughs?
DIONA DOHERTY: GOT MILF?
DATE: SATURDAY 18 MAY 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £15
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: TSW MANAGEMENT
Star of Derry Girls, series regular on The Blame Game, Soft Border Patrol, The News Quiz, Breaking the News, Secrets of the Circuit, A Perforated Ulster and Give My Head Peace, Diona Doherty is taking a brand new show Got MILF? on her first ever stand up tour around the country.
Diona wrote and starred in her debut play Bridesmaids Of Northern Ireland, which sold out theatres across Northern Ireland, including a week on the main stage at the Grand Opera House Belfast.
This Spring she’s ditching the garters, strapping on a breast pump and picking up a mic, to head out solo on the road in this laugh out loud debut tour show.
DAVID LYTTLE PRESENTS JAZZLIFE
DATE: FRIDAY 24 MAY 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £7
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: LYTE RECORDS
The MOBO nominated drummer/composer presents up-and-coming NI jazz talent from Jazzlife Alliance’s Jazz Juniors scheme.
Drummer/composer David Lyttle started out in the band of Irish guitar legend Louis Stewart and has gone on to bring his projects to almost fifty countries, recently including tours in North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Canada, and receive nominations in the MOBO Awards and Urban Music Awards. He has worked with many global jazz icons and carried out several ambitious artist residencies, including a coastto-coast U.S. road trip performing for subcultures ranging from bikers in California to UFO tourists near Area 51. Closer to home, David is the founder of Jazz Juniors, a jazz improvisation scheme for under 18s based at the MAC, Belfast, and Strule Arts Centre, and funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Recently David had the honour of performing for President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. “The best in jazz coming out of Ireland in recent times” — The Independent
CHRONICLES OF LONG KESH
DATE: FRIDAY 31 MAY 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £23
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: GBL PRODUCTIONS
The hilarious, painful, and shocking story of Northern Ireland’s infamous prison — Long Kesh — is told through the eyes of prison officers, Republicans and Loyalists, a rich assortment of patriots, chancers, leaders, wives, escapers, and hypochondriacs! A huge crowd-pleaser, full of 1960’s Mo-Town songs and wild, irreverent humour, this is the inside story of The Troubles.
Chronicles of Long Kesh last played in Belfast in 2012 with a sold-out run and standing ovations every single night! The play has toured throughout Northern Ireland and was a smash-hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
DATE: FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £15 / £13
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: HOTBUCKLE
In this humorous, multi-role-playing adaptation, Hotbuckle invites us to enter the world of The Bennets. From headstrong Elizabeth to proud Mr Darcy, rich characterisations abound as we meet five sisters who deal with marriage, morality, and misconceptions in unique Hotbuckle style. Full of invention and storytelling at its finest, this is Jane Austen as you’ve never experienced her before, so, Hotbuckle up, for the carriage ride of your life!
BELFAST MA: MOTHER OF THE GROOM
DATE: FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £20
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
PRESENTED BY: BELFAST MA LTD
The Belfast Ma is back with her brand-new show Mother of the Groom. Enjoy the antics of everyone’s favourite Ma, Sadie Devine as she prepares for the wedding of the year. Her favourite wee son Thomas is getting married to childhood sweetheart Kirsty and Sadie is determined to give them the best big day ever. She is all over everything, the cars, the flowers, the dress, the cake, the table plan, and off course the hen do. This is one wedding not to be missed, so grab your invitation, stick on your favourite hat, and celebrate the event of the year. Sure, it’s gonna be a geg.
DRAMABILITY PRESENTS HOOD IN THE WOOD
DATE: SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2024
SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2024
TIME: 2.30PM
PRICE: £8 / £5 CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
The Dramability group are currently in rehearsal for their 2024 Summer Show ‘Hood in the Wood’. If you think you know the tale of little Red Riding Hood you don’t! And there’s only one way to discover the true story. This summer you will have a unique opportunity to join with us on a twisty path to find out what really happened in that very mysterious wood. No stone will be left unturned. Why was her mother so keen to send the little girl off to see Gran by herself? What could she possibly be up to with her daughter out of the way? Who was the mysterious woodcutter so beloved by the wolves? And, of course, our wonderful heroine, Red Riding Hood, will she have a few surprises in store for us? It’s certainly going to be a lot of fun finding out. Venture into the forest with us for an action-packed show suitable for all ages. The perfect family outing!
Following the success of our Stages cafe on St. Patrick’s day the group are also planning to ‘pop up’ again as part of our annual summer scheme which is scheduled to take place in Down Arts Centre from 8th - 10th July and then again week beginning 5th August. The cafe therefore will next open in July and will be a celebration of all things summer while Disney themed entertainment will be a feature of the next event on the 8th August.
If you would like more information regarding any of the above please contact Dramability by messaging their Facebook page.
THE BOONDOCKS
DATE: FRIDAY 9 AUGUST 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £16
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
‘Hank Williams, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Merle Haggard…’
‘I’m so Lonesome I could Cry, Galveston, Sea of Heartbreak, Love Hurts, Always on my Mind, Silver Wings…’
Just some of the names and songs that have built the foundations of country music and the craft of great songwriting; lyrics and music that have survived and continue to survive because they speak to the heart. Beautiful melodies, touching words, soaring harmonies and intricate solos are the core of great country music.
Anthony Toner (vocals, electric and acoustic guitar), Mark Crockard (vocals and acoustic guitar) and Marcus McAuley (acoustic guitar and mandolin) have come together as ‘The Boondocks’ to play the old school country songs they love and hope you do too.
THE UNHOLY GOSPEL BAND
DATE: FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2024
TIME: 8PM (BAR AVAILABLE FROM 7PM)
PRICE: £16
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
Authentic American-Style gospel, country & rock, delivered live and straight from the soul in true (unholy) gospel style. Fronted by Cormac Neeson (of The Answer) and featuring songs by Mahalia Jackson, The Staple Singers, Gregory Porter and more. The Unholy Gospel Band, as the name suggests “ain’t holy but the music is gospel’.
“Great line-up, [and] pot of songs. The Unholy Gospel Band... at the service of saints and sinners alike.” The Irish News
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STUDIO NIGHTS: TERRY CHRISTIAN SONGS & STORIES
DATE: THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
TIME: 7 – 9PM
PRICE: £12
VENUE: STUDIO BAR AT DOWN ARTS CENTRE
Born in Llangollen, North Wales in 1950, Terry has been making music since 1968. From 2 years old he lived in Belfast and then moved in 1971, to England and worked there as a teacher in and around Manchester where he also played in folk clubs, pubs and working men’s clubs solo as well as with other musicians. Terry spent the summer of 1976 as a DJ and folk singer in Denmark. Since 1981, he has travelled and recorded extensively whilst working as an educator in Jamaica, El Salvador, Colombia, Turkey, Mauritius, Japan, and Venezuela. He currently lives in Downpatrick.
In October 2009, after a period of musical inactivity, he recorded songs in Mauritius, and Cool Hand Records released the CDs ‘Rain Songs’, ‘Broken Hearts’, ‘Sugar Cane Road’ and the DVD ‘Old Fashioned Cowboy.’ This was followed by the release, in November 2013, of two CDs recorded in Japan: ‘Relax Unwind’ and ‘Washed Away.’ He digitally released the CD ‘Sometimes’ in July 2020. Currently Terry is writing and recording new material as well as completing postproduction on several CD and live audio and video performances of recordings he made in Japan during October 2014 to June 2016. This is Terry’s first time performing at Down Arts Centre and we look forward to welcoming him to STUDIO NIGHTS for Songs & Stories!
PAINTING
DATE: TUESDAY 7 MAY FOR 8 WEEKS
TIME: 1:30 – 4PM OR 6:30 -9PM
PRICE: £75/£70 CONCESSION
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
TUTOR: GEMMA MARIE BLAKELY
This painting course is aimed at both beginners and those who have some experience of acrylic painting. The sessions will cover essentials such as getting started, choosing subject matter, composition, colour, perspective, still life and landscape. Materials needed are acrylic paints or oils, brushes, a canvas or painting board, sizes ranging A3/A4, an image to paint, and a mixing tray.
SILVER JEWELLERY
DATE: TUESDAY 7 MAY FOR 8 WEEKS
TIME: 6:30 PM – 9PM
PRICE: TUESDAY £130 / £110 CONCESSION
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
TUTOR: KAREN DAYE – HUTCHINSON
Suitable for beginners with no previous Silversmithing experience. An exciting course to include a traditional and contemporary approach to jewellery making and design. You will be guided through the basics of annealing, cutting, soldering, doming, texturing and the use of safe enamelling to build towards a little jewellery collection. Corse tutor: Karen Daye-Hutchinson owner of ‘Ghost & Bonesetter’ jewellery. Materials and Tools: Basic materials including copper sheet and wire will be given as part of the class. Individuals may wish to purchase precious metal, stones, etc. as you go along. The price of these can be discussed and advised individually with your tutor. If you have some jewellery making hand tools, you can bring them along.
POTTERY
DATE: WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 8 WEEKS
TIME: 6:30PM - 9PM
PRICE: £110/£100 CONCESSION
VENUE: DOWN ARTS CENTRE
TUTOR: ÁINE MCKENNA
Learn how to work with clay using hand-building techniques such as slab work, pinch pots, coiling, using formers and more. Create unique pieces from pots, figures, animals, bowls and more. Fee includes clay, glazes and firings.
