Enjoy Arts Performances From Down Arts Centre

The Rapparees will launch their much anticipated second album, Wrapped Up, in County Down at The Lodge Cultural Centre, Castlewellan, at 8pm on Saturday 12 February. (The Centre is being currently renovated and performances are being held between the Annesley Hall in Newcastle and The Lodge, Castlewellan.) Wrapped Up is the culmination of two years work for this lively bunch of Antrim musicians, collecting and composing music, not to mention enlisting multi-instrumentalist and Beoga front-man Liam Bradley as album producer.  When the band’s debut album Clarity hit the folk world it achieved rave reviews at home in Ireland and opened doors abroad, resulting in back-to-back tours of France and Germany, not to mention a sell-out gig at Down Arts Centre. In Wrapped Up, songs that have been plucked deep from the depths of the folk archive take centre stage with self-composed songs that are relevant to today.  The album also includes three sets of tunes that reflect the diverse cross section of musicians that the Rapparees have collaborated with in the recent past and indeed even borrowed the odd tune from.  www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rapparees [caption id="attachment_19866" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Don't miss the Rapparees in The Lodge, Castlewellan, on Saturday 12th February."][/caption] Whether the Rapparees are belting out rip roaring ballads at full throttle, or reflecting upon life and love with their distinctive self-penned songs, their live show never fails to entertain, delivered with a conviction and energy that has the audience singing and stomping along. Their line-up in Castlewellan will include a series of guest musicians that have appeared on Wrapped Up. Tickets are £10 / £8 concession. The Liquid Lunch. On a totally different musical note, the second Liquid Lunch will take place on Wednesday 16th February at 12.30pm in Denvir’s Hotel, Downpatrick.  This exciting new initiative from Down Arts Centre allows customers the opportunity, once a month, to enjoy a unique short performance followed by soup and a roll, in some of County Down’s best-loved restaurants. Wednesday’s Liquid Lunch performance, A Lunchtime with Tom Lehrer, combines music, poetry, and humour.  The subversive songs of Tom Lehrer, the mathematics teacher and sage who gave us The Vatican Rag, The Masochism Tango and Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, have corrupted millions of people and been totally ignored by millions more. Revived for Liquid Lunch by David Wray and Andrew Holden, come and enjoy the tasteless japes and tired wheezes of one of the twentieth century’s most brilliant satirists, followed by a delicious bowl of soup. Tickets £10. Opera Reminder. Opera returns to Downpatrick with The Medium by Menotti at 8pm on Wednesday 9th February at The Great Hall, Downshire Estate, Downpatrick.  Tickets £12 / £8, suitable for age 12+ For tickets and further information please phone Down Arts Centre’s box office on 028 4461 2233.  The Ultimate Guide is available for download at www.downartscentre.com and can be picked up throughout the district. For further information about The Medium please email Abigail Toland,  abigail@secondmovement.org.uk or visit www.secondmovement.org.uk / www.niopera.com]]>