New Season Programme Of Events Launched For Down Arts Centre and Down County Museum

Down Arts Centre and Down County Museum are delighted to announce their new joint Season Programme which runs from May – August 2015.

[caption id="attachment_56414" align="alignleft" width="390"]Rachel Kennedy, Arts Officer, left, with Cllr Naomi Bailie, centre, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council welcomed Sarah McQuaid to the Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick on Saturday 2 May who performed at the Centre on the opening night of the new May - August Season. Included is Programme. Rachel Kennedy, Arts Officer, left, with Cllr Naomi Bailie, centre, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, welcomed singer Sarah McQuaid to the Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick on Saturday 2 May who performed on the opening night of the new May – August Season.[/caption]

There is a packed and varied programme at the Down Arts Centre (DAC) and Down County Museum this summer, when fans of all types of arts should find something to satisfy their appetites. Commenting on this season’s line-up, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Naomi Bailie said: “There are some real treats in store especially when it comes to theatre including The Belvoirs Players’ ‘Allo, Allo’, the ever popular Brassneck Theatre Company’s ‘The Holy Holy Bus’, ‘Wanted: One Body!” by theSouthbank Play House and ‘Separate Beds’ by Theatre 3 Newtownabbey.”

Cllr Bailie is also delighted with the performing arts programme, and said: “On the music scene there is a very strong line-up of big names including Ronnie Greer Band, Anthony Toner, Brigid O’Neill, Elluna Music Trio & Guests, The Soda Popz, The Bjorn Identity and the Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh to name a few.”

During the summer term DAC will host five major exhibitions starting with ‘Telling Stories’ by David McClelland and ‘Drawings & Woodcuts’ by Connor Maguire; Ghost Images by Rosin Kelly and TRACES by mixed media artist Patrick Conyngham will grace the Centre in June. Don’t forget the Annual Schools Exhibition and History Repeating (featuring Artist in residence Aine McKenna in August.

The Centre will also be running a busy programme of workshops and classes from painting, beginners and intermediate dressmaking, pottery and jewellery workshops to glass fusing, silk batik and guitar classes. August is dedicated to Craft and tutor Naomi Whan has a range of one-day workshops at the Centre during this month.

Speaking about Down County Museum’s line up Cllr Bailie added: “Down County Museum invites you to unlock the past with a great line-up of family events starting with ‘The People’s Story: Commemorating World War I in County Down’; ‘Pikes and Prisoners! Living History at the old Gaol’; ‘Discover Downpatrick’ and the ‘Down Heritage Network Conference’ in May”

“With an array of quality local arts, great comedy, theatre, children’s events and more, this is just a flavour of all that’s happening at Down Arts Centre and Down County Museum. There’s certainly enough to keep everyone busy this summer.”

Copies of the new season programme can be obtained by telephoning 028 4461 0747 or visiting the following websites:

www.downartscentre.com www.downcountymuseum.com]]>