Portico launches new season

Portico launches new season

29 August 2018

CHORAL, folk and pop music, as well as comedy and film, are all lined up at Portico in Portaferry for the new season.

Classical music lovers will love the male vocal ensemble from Renaissance music specialists Sestina, performing on Saturday, September 8.

Then on Friday, October 5, the Damselfly Trio (soprano, harp and flute) present pieces by Britten and Gershwin, as well as the premiere of ‘Buaine na Goithe’ — an original song cycle by Irish composer Ryan Molloy, with words by the award-winning poet Martin Dyer.

On Saturday, September 15, local comedian Shane Todd comes to Portaferry, followed on Saturday, November 17, by Irish comedian Neil Delamere, best known for his appearances on BBC’s The Blame Game.

Pop fans of all ages will also enjoy Motown tribute act The Iconettes with their band The Hitzvilles on Friday, September 28. 

Presented by Musicon Ents, the same team behind The Bjorn Identity, this upbeat homage to the girl groups and divas of the 60s and 70s will have everyone dancing in the aisles to the Do Ron Ron Ron and paying RESP.ECT to Aretha Franklin. 

More pop follows with the Eurovision representative for Ireland and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ryan O’Shaughnessy. Best known for his “no name” song, the hugely talented 25 year-old will be bringing his ‘Civil War’ tour to Portico on Saturday, October 6.

BBC Folk Awards Best Singer (2017) winner Kris Drever is currently touring with John Blek and will delight folk fans old and new when he plays Portico on Sunday, October 28.  Then there’s more folk music with Eilidh Patterson and Ruth Trimble on 

Friday, November 23 when the two combine forces for a vocal match made in heaven. 

American folk rock band The Mulligan Brothers provide expertly crafted Americana on Friday, November 16.

If you like traditional Irish folk music then don’t miss Sing Me The Old Songs (The Tommy Makem Songbook) on Saturday, November 3.

Presented in association with David Hull Promotions, this show features Tommy’s nephew Tom Sweeney and colleagues paying tribute to Makem’s many ballads, foot stompers and comical masterpieces.

Alternatively, jazz and blues lovers will enjoy Karen Underwood on Friday, November 9. The African-American singer’s show pays tribute to Nina Simone. New wave French electronica band Deleyaman joins forces with cinematic composer 

Jules Maxwell for a concert of melodic post-punk music on Saturday, October 13.

Finally, on Saturday, October 27, just in time for Halloween, a special screening of the classic German Expressionist silent movie Nosferatu will take place, with a live improvised score by Richard Hills, the American Theatre Society’s Organist of the Year.

Portico manager Dr Verity Peet said: “We have a brilliantly diverse programme for this season – if you can’t see anything you fancy then you can’t say you like live entertainment.”

For further information or to book visit www.porticoards.com or telephone 028 4272 8808. Tickets can also be bought in person at The Rock Bakery in Portaferry.