POPULAR Country artist Robert Mizzell returns on Thursday 5th and the Portadown Male Voice Choir perform on Friday 6th at Ardhowen. Acclaimed local dance company, the Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre presents their newest work ‘The 5th Province’ on Saturday 7th February.
AN EVENING WITH BRENDAN GRACE
Celebrating 43 years in comedy, Brendan Grace returns to Ardhowen stage on Wednesday 4th February at 8pm. Featuring some brand new material and some ‘Old Favourites’, Brendan’s act owes more to the best of the traditional stand-up-comics than it does to modern alternative humour making this very much a show for all the family. Now based in Florida, Brendan still plays the Irish theatre circuit regularly and in fact still considers Ireland his first love. The genial Dubliner has a very special bond with Irish audiences and is much loved by audiences young and old.
ROBERT MIZZELL IN CONCERT
Following their sell-out appearance at Christmas, Ardhowen Theatre is delighted to have Robert Mizzell and his band The Country Kings back by popular demand for another energy filled show on Thursday 5th February at 8pm.
Born in Louisiana, Robert Mizzell has made Ireland his home for over 20 years. His early musical influences came from his parents – both performed in a Church Gospel group. Following a move to Connecticut where he worked with his father in the painting and decorating business and a number of years in the US army, he moved to Ireland with dreams of a career in country music. Robert’s hit ‘Say You Love Me’ made him a household name in Ireland, followed by ‘Mama Courtney’, ‘Louisiana Saturday Night’, ‘Cajun Dance’, ‘Papa Loved Mama’ and ‘Wham Bam’. Robert served his apprenticeship and is now one of the top country artist’s in Ireland and the UK.
AN EVENING WITH PORTADOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR
Formed in 1926 Portadown Male Voice Choir is the premier Male Voice Choir in Ireland. Under the guidance of Musical Director Gordon Speers the Choir has attended numerous festivals and competitions with resounding success. In 2014 the Choir won the Male Voice Classes at Cork, Bangor and City of Culture Festival at Derry/Londonderry.
Portadown Male Voice Choir will be joined by Mezzo Soprano Patrica Caffola and Gene Fitzpatrick as Compere on Friday 6th February at 8pm when the audience can enjoy a varied selection from their vast repertoire of music.
THE 5th PROVINCE
Local dance company, Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre, brings together the collaborative talents of five international dancers; leading visual artist, Seamus Harahan; one of Ireland’s most recognised fashion designers, Gráinne Maher and prized composer, Andy Garbi for a dynamic new production on Saturday 7th February at 8pm.
‘The 5th Province’ is a conceptual piece, creating a provocative space for participating performers and audiences to explore multicultural, social and political identity in a changing society. The notion of a 5th province, also known as Kingdom of Mide or The Middle Province, has its roots in ancient Irish legend and folklore and was believed to have occupied the space between Ulster in the north and Leinster in the south. A company well known for their unflinching exploration of what many may consider contentious or challenging themes, Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre premieres ‘The 5th Province’ at The MAC, Belfast, before appearing at the Ardhowen Theatre.
ISLA GRANT IN THE ‘FROM THE HEART’ TOUR
Scotland’s most popular singer-songwriter Isla Grant makes a welcome return visit to Ireland after an absence of two years. Isla is now established in Ireland, Australia, the UK and America as a singer/songwriter of the highest quality. In the last year she has completed hugely successful tours of New Zealand, Australia and the UK and once again received a ‘Gold Disc’ for CD sales. Add this to nine ‘Platinum Discs’ already received in Ireland and you can see why this ‘Scottish Lass’ is so popular. Her highly entertaining concert show features all her wonderful hit songs. As always Isla’s genial husband Al Grant will make his popular contribution to the show on Wednesday 11th February at 8pm.
ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE SPRING CONCERT
An evening of musical excellence is guaranteed when St. Michael’s College presents its Spring Concert on Thursday 12th February at 8pm, highlighting the wide range of talent that exists within the College. Among those featuring will be the College Brass Band, the Traditional Group, The College Choir and a number of soloists. Please note, this concert is now sold out.
GRAINNE DUFFY
Grainne Duffy is a unique talent, raw and powerful, edgy and elegant. Her early influences ranging from the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and the Pretenders to the subtle playing of Peter Green on such songs as ‘Need Your Love so Bad’ and ‘Albatross’, led Grainne to listen to other guitarists such as BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and, of course, Rory Gallagher.
All the while she was developing her vocal ability by singing in her local church choir and listening to artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Linda Rondstat and Bonnie Raitt and Grainne has now become recognised as a rare, honest talent.
So far in her short career, Grainne has already graced the stage at Glastonbury for three electric performances, toured much of Europe and been the only Irish to band to play twice at the Dark Season Festival in Svalbard. She was asked to open alongside Paul Brady in the newly refurbished Ulster Hall in Belfast and more recently was asked to open for Jools Holland on his tour. Her wonderful mix of blues, rock and soul in her original material and her treatment of a few carefully selected standards charged with true emotion and feeling can win over any audience.
Enjoy an evening of superb blues with Grainne Duffy on Friday 13th February at 9pm in the Ardhowen Theatre Gallery Bar.
THE FUREYS
On Saturday 14th February at 8pm The Fureys make a welcome return to the Ardhowen stage. Renowned for their hit songs ‘I Will Love You’, ‘When You Were Sweet Sixteen’, ‘The Green Fields of France’, ‘The Old Man’, ‘Red Rose Café’, ‘From Clare to Here’, ‘Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway’, ‘Leaving Nancy’, ‘Steal Away’ and many more, The Fureys have been entertaining audiences worldwide for many years. Along with all their hits, they will also be including songs from their new album ‘The Times They Are A Changing’.
COMING UP
Following the phenomenal success of last year’s production, ‘Allo’ Allo!’, Enniskillen Amateur Dramatic Society returns with William Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ on Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February.
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