Festival weekend planned at new Portaferry centre

11 May 2016

PORTAFERRY’S new arts and heritage centre has announced the programme for its opening festival weekend.

Star of stage and screen, English actor Simon Callow, and the Ulster Orchestra will be among those performing at Portico for ‘Festiv-Ards’ between Friday, May 27 and Monday, May 30.

The four-day festival will be packed with over a dozen concerts featuring all kinds of music and performance, with BBC Radio 3 recording some for broadcast.

Friday night is jazz night, with a double bill to slide into the bank holiday weekend.

The best-selling David Rees-William Jazz Trio kicks off, transforming classical repertoire into contemporary cool jazz. Linley Hamilton and his quartet follow delivering versions of anthems like Happy People, Soppin’ the Biscuit and Have a Good Time.

Saturday has no less than five events including the organist of Westminster Cathedral Martin Baker showcasing the newly restored Portico organ, the sensational Soprano Sarah-Jane Brandon accompanied by pianist Gary Matthewman, the international phenomenon of Craig Ogden on classical guitar, the performance poet Alice McCullough and the Gala Concert of the festival with the Ulster Orchestra.

Simon Callow appears on Sunday in his one-man show, Bring on the Bottled Lightning: Charles Dickens in Person. A further treat follows with the great actor ‘in conversation’ with arts critic Michael Quinn.

Sunday also features a broadcast service (Radio Ulster), while the spectacular Berlin ensemble the Armida Quartet provide the evening concert.

Three more concerts on Monday include International Organ Competition winner Richard Gowers, the beautiful combination of harp and cello courtesy of sisters Cliona and Margaret Doris, and the concluding concert with pianist Finghin Collins.

A catering marquee will be on site throughout the festival provided by The Portaferry Hotel.

For further information or to book tickets visit www.porticoards.com Tickets can also be purchased locally at the Rock Bakery in Portaferry.

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