Snow Patrol have just celebrated 25 years as a band and Gary Lightbody will be in conversation at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast on Friday, January 31. Their founder and chief songwriter was born in Bangor but says Belfast is his spiritual home. In this intimate evening, in conversation with Steve Stockman, Gary will talk about his upbringing, the impact of the Troubles, writing about Belfast as well as his contributions to building Belfast into a city of grace. There may even be some songs on the night. Tickets are £11.37 and are available from Eventbrite.
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Get into the festive mood at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast with Peter Corry and special guests Barbara Dickson, Patrick Smyth (from Strictly Come Dancing) and the Belfast School of Performing Arts Voices.
World-class singers Peter Corry, Barbara Dickson and Patrick Smyth will be joined by the BSPA Voices for an enchanting show of seasonal celebration in the most stunning of settings.
Premiering on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December, Peter is finalising the full line-up of songs, but Blood Brothers, Phantom of the Opera and the Greatest Showman will feature alongside some seasonal favourites. Christmas at the promises to be a good night out. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.
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Also at St Anne’s Cathedral on Christmas Eve is the Festival of Lessons and Carols. The service will tell the story of the birth of Jesus through a mixture of traditional carols sung by the Cathedral Choir, congregational hymns and readings.
It begins at 8pm and everyone is welcome.
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Xmas For Dummies and it’s on at the Grand Opera House in Belfast and it runs from December 10 to 22.
Following the success of last year’s sell-out hit On The Shelf, Tara Lynne O’Neill (Derry Girls) and Chris Robinson are back with another darkly comic antidote to all the usual Christmas schmaltz. It’s Christmas Eve and Tracey is working late to get the shop window ready for the Boxing Day sales. Suddenly, finding herself locked in, Tracey, is all alone … or is she?
Xmas for Dummies is the 80s movie Mannequin set in Castle Street – with cheaper actors.
This is a Baby Grand Studio event.
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Enjoy a festive movie day at the Stule Arts Centre in Omagh on Saturday 21 December and sit back and watch the Christmas classic The Grinch.
The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit.
It’s a funny, heart-warming and visually stunning film about the spirit of Christmas and the power of optimism.
The cost is £3 per child.
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The Ulster Orchestra Lunchtime Concert Series provides a bite-sized sample of the orchestra in its full glory during lunch time. The new year kicks off with Sparkling Symphonies on 23 January.
Next up in the series is Storybook Escape on 20 February, a concert which gives musical life to three literary figures. Following this is 18th Century Inspiration on 19 March, with three very different composers, three very different pieces, but all inspired by music of the Baroque and Classical era.
The series concludes with Viva Italia! on 23 April.
Join the Ulster Orchestra at the Ulster Hall for a classical uplift on lunch.
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Looking ahead to February and you can join RSPB NI staff on a bus tour, with plenty of stops for nature photography. Setting off from Enniskillen Castle Museum, participants will get a flavour of the area’s natural heritage and history. As the tour makes its way up around Upper Lough Erne, stopping at viewing points along the way, you will see wintering birds including whooper swans, mallards, and kingfishers, wintering thrushes and plenty more. This tour runs on February 1 and more details are available online.
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The Carpenters Story will be staged for one night only at the Waterfront Hall on 15 February. This acclaimed production continues to entertain audiences across the UK with its spectacular celebration of the classic songbook that made The Carpenters a legend in the world of popular music, selling over 100 million albums and singles.
This special Valentine’s Day show features Claire Furley, with Musical Director Phil Aldridge leading The Carpenters Story band.
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There will be a live performance by singer Brian Kennedy at the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen on January 25. This event includes a four course dinner. The cost is £45 per person and it begins at 7pm. More details are available online.
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A special screening of Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life is on at the Old Courthouse in Antrim this Friday (December 20). George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas. As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years.
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Cinema
21 Bridges
The Addam’s Family
Charlie’s Angels
Frozen 2
Knives Out
Last Christmas
Le Mans 66
Abominable
Blue Story
Doctor Sleep
The Good Liar
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