The Portico of Ards

What's new in 2024? - https://mailchi.mp/porticoards/comingrightatcha-15389849

Delighted to have the very lovely Anthony Toner Music back at Portico on Friday 2 Feb. Catch up with him here!

Sleeve Notes - Anthony's Newsletter... Hello 2024 - back in the saddle again! : https://bit.ly/3NRDkAG

Here's a good option for your tree from our friends at The Echlinville Distillery!

If you have just taken down your real Christmas tree and need some help disposing of it, bring it to the distillery between 11am-4pm Monday to Friday and we will gladly take it off your hands. Unwanted trees will be put through our wood chipper and the chippings used on our walking trails and pathways.

Tonight!

Two weeks until Jake O'Kane! Limited tickets remaining…

The annual tradition of going to see Jake O'Kane with his guest Mchugh Comedy is well under way now.

Thursday 4th January 2024 is the turn of the McNeill Theatre, Larne, (limited tickets)

Friday 5th and Saturday 6th January 2024 Theatre at The Mill & The Courtyard Theatre
(limited seats left)

Saturday 13th January 2024 - The Portico of Ards Portaferry

All on sale now

https://davidhullpromotions.com/event/1/jake-okane

PAVEL KOLESNIKOV
Portico of Ards

Sunday 4 February 3pm

"Very few pianists of Kolesnikov's generation share his abundance of intelligence, sensitivity, musicality, imagination, and sheer instrumental mastery". Gramophone

Find out more:

https://www.porticoards.com/whats-on/pavel-kolesnikov

Supported by Lottery Good Causes through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

If you are an artist or maker considering applying to one of Ards and North Down Borough Council's Arts Bursaries, then come along to the Arts Bursary evening.

Join us for a relaxed event with recent participants who have benefited from our bursary programme. If you are not an artist but would like to hear these artist talks, you are also very welcome.

This event is timed in order to inspire and have the opportunity to ask questions before the bursary submission deadline the following week.

ℹ For more info and to book your space, visit:

📍 Ards Arts Centre
📅 Thurs 11 Jan
🕙 7pm
🎫 Free (pre-registration required)

A reminder that the Hidden History series of talks at North Down Museum is now available to book. 📢

The fascinating talks are themed to heritage exhibitions that will be held in the museum in the New Year. The talks are FREE to attend but pre-booking is essential.

👉 Princess Victoria Disaster Talk
Join author Stephen Cameron as he discusses the Princess Victoria Disaster, the worst shipping disaster in the history of the province.
Thursday 22 February, 7pm
Book at: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/princess-victoria-disaster-talk

👉 Hidden History Talk and Artefact Clinic
Archaeologist Stuart Alexander will talk about the fascinating new archeological discoveries found in our Borough and its unique heritage. Please bring along any archaeological objects you would like to have identified.
Friday 8 March, 7pm.
Book at: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/hidden-history-talk-and-artefact-clinic

👉 Transport Museum Curator Talk
In conjunction with the 'Trains, Boats and Planes' Exhibition, Clare Ablett, Curator of Transport and Industry at National Museums NI will give a talk on the most prestigious vehicles found in their galleries and explore the history of transport.
Thursday 18 April, 12noon
Book at: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/transport-museum-curator-talk

Check out North Down Museum's upcoming events and exhibition programme here: https://bit.ly/4anbGFi

Thank you Kellie Armstrong MLA

😘 Merry Christmas everyone! 😘

Thank you to everyone who came to the Carol Service with The Newquay Singers at Portico yesterday and especially to all those who played a part in making in happen. Merry Christmas everyone!

Photography by Adrian McClure.

Supported by National Lottery Good Causes through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

😱 🎁 😩 PANIC BUYING? 😱 🎁 😩

Buy local. Buy ethical. Buy fun!

Tickets give your loved ones wonderful experiences instead.
We have tickets for all tastes at porticoards.com

Some lovely events in this festival from our friends at Belfast Music Society

We’ve been keeping a little secret 🤫

Booking for the International Festival of Chamber Music 2024 is now LIVE and what a line up we have for you including the award winning Pavel Haas Quartet, Simon Höfele & Elisabeth Brauß, Ailish Tynan & James Baillieu.

To view full programme details and book tickets head over to: www.belfastmusicsociety.org/events/

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

🎅🎁🤣 JAKE O'KANE: THE INAPPROPRIATE TOUR 🎅🎁🤣

Roll up, roll up, the Jake O’Kane circus is back in town!

After a decade of sell-out tours, Jake is back with his annual multimedia roundup of the year’s events in NI and beyond. It’s going to be a no holds barred fun fest of puncturing political pomposity. Nobody is safe as Jake turns his keen wit on himself and his personal peculiarities. As always, he’s ably supported by ringmaster two-stroke Terry McHugh. Don’t miss this colossal combination of comedic clownery - book early, book often!

Presented by David Hull Promotions

😘 We are delighted to announce this new initiative in partnership with Recharge - Workshops & Retreats and with funding from the Rural Engagement Arts Porgramme from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Places are limited so get in quick. Booking is direct at the Recharge - Workshops & Retreats website here:

https://www.rechargeworkshops.com/store-1/p/january-amazing-affirmations-5wks-wed-10-jan-7-feb-10am-1pm

No panic necessary 🎁 - https://mailchi.mp/porticoards/comingrightatcha-15388733

🎅❤🎁 More perfect present ideas... 🎅❤🎁

THE BRIDGE: Ahmed Dickinson Cardenas and Edouard Martin
🎸Sunday 14 April 3pm 🎸

The Bridge is Cuba’s most internationally acclaimed guitar duo. With astounding performances last year we just had to bring them back!

With their musical empathy, Eduardo Martín and Ahmed Dickinson transform their concerts into a vehicle that connects, incorporates and juxtaposes their different generations; and the spiritual journey that drives their thrilling yet soothing performances.

Like many other Cubans or Caribbean, they enjoy a natural sense of rhythm. The guitar is their favoured instrument, which idiomatically conveys all the melodic and rhythmic intricacies of South- America's cultural diversity.

The Bridge is a compilation of the most alluring works for two guitars by Grammy nominee composer Eduardo Martín. Here, classical styles and rock merge with son montunos; old Yoruba chants, feel-good rumbas, funk- boleros, new age tunes and cinematic pieces sit alongside Cuban tumbaos with slap bass.

Supported by National Lottery Good Causes through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

ANNUAL CAROL SERVICE WITH NEWQUAY SINGERS

THIS FRIDAY - 22 DEC 7pm

Join us for Portico's annual Carol Service from Portaferry Presbyterian Congregation, featuring the NewQuay Singers accompanied by Richard Campbell on organ.

Aside from the usual sing-along Christmas favourites, the choir will perform pieces by Mendelssohn, Ledger, Taverner, Vaughan Williams and a stunning arrangement of Noel Nouvelet by Stephen Jackson.

Everyone is welcome - whatever your beliefs. At the start of the Christmas holidays, what better way to get the whole family into the mood for the Christmas season?

This event is not ticketed. A retiring collection will be made by Portaferry Presbyterian Church congregation.