Arts Centre launches new programme

5 September 2018

DOWN Arts Centre has announced its latest arts programme.

The new-look autumn guide, covering September to December, is brimming with a huge range of exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy, talks, classes and workshops.

A varied season of live performances gets off to a comedic start with Owen O’Neill’s new one man play, ‘Ten Songs To Die For’. Also billed for the autumn are local comedians Shane Todd with his hilarious brand new stand-up show ‘Hero’ and Kevin McAleer — a comedy apparition not to be missed.

Musical highlights include celtic and country classics including the Leading Ladies, charismatic singer songwriter Grainne Duffy and the ever popular Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh.

New to Down Arts Centre is local musician Tony Wright who will provide a unique night of story and song with a killer sound track.

Also not to be missed is The ‘Legend of Luke Kelly’, a spectacular tribute to the greatest folk artist of the 20th century, a definite must-see for all fans. Rounding off the season is Malojian, currently one of Northern Ireland’s most acclaimed musical acts.

Theatre highlights include ‘CRACKS’, a darkly comic and deeply moving new play from Quintessence Theatre Company in association with An Táin Arts Centre.

Following the success of Wuthering Heights last year, English-based Hotbuckle Theatre Company are back again with their innovative take on the classic ‘Jane Eyre’ and also making a welcome return is local theatre company, c21 with their brand new play, ‘It Only Takes A Minute’, a superb, fast-paced one-woman show about a young woman with Aspergers.

Comedy theatre at Down Arts Centre comes in the form of two original and exciting productions – ‘Alternative Bedtime Stories’, a hilarious show skilfully written with outstanding comedic performances, and ‘Belfast GIRLS’, the online sensation that goes live on the stage for the first time.

For the younger audience, Down Arts Centre will be hosting, ‘I AM BABA’, a theatre adventure for babies aged 0 to 12 months, created by Anna Newell, presented in association with the Civic Theatre, Tallaght. On the run up to Christmas, family friendly panto guarantees mischief mayhem in ‘Little Bo Peep’s Christmas Mix Up’, presented by Centre Stage Theatre Company.

New weekly classes this autumn include ‘An Introduction to Knitting’ starting Tuesday, September 18, from 7pm to 9pm, for 12 weeks. This course is ideal for beginners and improvers and each week there will be patterns for original projects to work on.

‘The Talking Shop’ is an innovative course that will brush up your communication skills and starts on Monday, September 24 for eight weeks from 7pm to 9pm.

Also new for autumn is ‘The Thursday Singers’ running from Thursday, September 27, from 2pm to 4pm. Come along and meet other people who enjoy singing as part of a group. Beginners are very welcome and all songs are taught by ear so there is no need to read music.

New one day workshops includes ‘Infinity Farm – Beeswax Workshop’ on Saturday, September 29. Spend a day exploring the different products that can be made from honey bee by-products and leave with your own handmade treats.

Print Workshop with Kiera Arnold takes place on Saturday, November. 3 This fun and experimental workshop has been designed for beginners with an interest in fine art printmaking.

On Saturday, December 1, the Paper Quilling workshop will provide instruction on how to quill thin strips of paper and how to shape the paper into many different shapes so that by the end of the day you will have a useful and decorative quilled artefact to take away.

Pick up a new season programme from the centre or go online at www.downartscentre.com

For further information or to book tickets, contact the box office on 028 4461 0747.

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