Down Arts Centre lives up to its reputation for offering something for everyone this weekend, with two wonderful live performances, an afternoon celebrating words in all their forms, and a two-day basket-making workshop taking place at DAC between Thursday 27 and Sunday 30 November.
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Niamh Kavanagh and the Illegals will be returning to the Down Arts Centre.[/caption]
Down Arts Centre’s annual Christmas family show, The Snow Queen, is guaranteed to get you into a festive frame of mind on Thursday 27 November at 7pm.
When Gerda’s friend Kay is taken by the Snow Queen no one knows what’s happened to him, but the heartbroken Gerda decides she must set out to find him. A long and dangerous journey ensues until she eventually reaches the Snow Queen’s palace, only to find Kay irretrievably under the Snow Queen’s spell. Can Gerda break the evil spell and bring her old Kay back once more?
Michael Whitmore’s delightful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s magical tale conjures up a captivating mix of fantasy, fable and love triumphing over evil in this ever-popular Christmas favourite.
On Saturday 29 November at 8pm, The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh present the ultimate classic rock tribute to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.
Arguably, one of the best live bands in the country and better than ever, The Illegals make a welcome return to Down Arts Centre with their popular Common Thread show. Every year the band, featuring the brilliant Niamh Kavanagh on vocals, delves deeper into the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac back-catalogues to keep their dynamic live show fresh but familiar.
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The Illegals in action.[/caption]
Featuring classic favourites including Hotel California, The Chain, Desperado, Dreams, The Last Resort and Everywhere, and a few songs from Linda Rondstadt, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt and Tom Petty, the band never fails to raise the roof. Expect an entertaining night of vocal harmony, superb musicianship, unforgettable songs and great fun, all served up by a band at the top of its game.
On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November (10am – 4pm daily) join tutor Clive Lyttle from Welig Heritage Crafts to create your own traditional log basket. Clive will guide participants through the processes and techniques of working with willow over the course of the weekend, so that each participant will leave with a finished log basket on Sunday. No experience is necessary, and nothing is more satisfying than filling your own basket with logs and placing it by the fire. Log baskets also make wonderful Christmas presents! All tools and materials are included, and the price includes a sandwich lunch.
On Sunday 30 November at 2.30pm, Down Arts Centre is delighted to be hosting Amnesty International as the featured readers at Poems on a Sunday Afternoon. Amnesty members will read ‘Even if we loose our Lives’ – first hand accounts from Afghan women human rights defenders, featuring some of our PoSA regulars. As always, we invite budding readers, writers and singers to join us in celebrating the written word in all its forms. Offering a friendly space to read, we hope that those gathered will share a piece of their own writing with us, or perhaps a favourite song or poem. Please join us for what is sure to be an entertaining and inspiring afternoon of words, music, and a welcoming space to share your own work.
To purchase tickets (The Snow Queen £7 adult / £5 child; The Illegals £15 / £12; Log Basket workshop £70 / £65; Poems on a Sunday Afternoon is a free event) and for further information on any Down Arts Centre events, please contact the box office on 028 4461 0747 or visit thewebsite:
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