The awesome guys at the tourist board know there are stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events every week. So here are their top 10 exciting things taking place this week (22- 28 January 2018)

  1. Owl Man at Castle Espie, Newtownards, 28 January. Don Scott returns to Castle Espie with his amazing selection of owls. Bring the whole family down and learn all about these fascinating birds of prey. This show is covered by the cost of admission to Castle Espie
  2. Arenacross Tour 2018, Belfast, 26-27 January. World-class indoor motocross racing and freestyle motocross returns to The SSE Arena for two nights of ultimate, dirt-filled craziness.
  3. Gilbert and George: Scapegoating Pictures for Belfast, Belfast, 26 January-22 April. Occupying all three of The MAC’s gallery spaces, this large-scale exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of Gilbert and George’s collaborative practice, which began when they met as students at St Martin’s School of Art in 1967. Since this time, they have created work collaboratively, declaring themselves to be ‘two people, one artist’.
  4. Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro, Lisburn, 27 January. The dynamic transatlantic duo of Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro take to the road again for their ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’ tour. Always engaging and far from predictable, these two musicians at the top of their game seek to push the boundaries of blues, folk and American roots music at the Lagan Valley Island.
  5. David O’Doherty, Derry~Londonderry, 27 January. David O’Doherty is delighted to present an evening of his latest jokes and songs at the Millennium Forum Theatre. David has spent the last year on tour round America with Flight of the Conchords and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
  6. Ulster Orchestra – I Love Burns Night!, Belfast, 27 January. Bring on the haggis and join the Ulster Orchestra and friends for the ultimate Burns Night celebrations at the Waterfront Hall. This uplifting spectacle of dancing, singing, pipes and poetry, accompanied by the sumptuous sounds of the Ulster Orchestra, is an ever-fitting, annual tribute to ‘The Bard’ himself.
  7. Print Workshop, Limavady, 18 January – 24 February. Enjoy this new exhibition coming to the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre. Monochrome and colour, sharp lines and atmospheric moods, coming together as a fascinating demonstration of the scope of printmaking as an art form.
  8. Belfast Burns Week 2018, Belfast, 22-27 January. The Ulster-Scots Agency has launched Belfast Burns Week 2018 to celebrate the 25 January birthday of Robert Burns. The week will take place in various venues across Belfast and will incorporate a programme of drama, poetry, music, concerts and lectures. For more information visit VisitBelfast.com.
  9. Imbolc International Music Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 28 January – 4 February. A celebration of music reflecting the diversity of the contemporary Irish music scene. Alongside longstanding masters of the tradition, the festival will showcase music at the cutting edge of genres. With concerts, workshops, film screenings, community and participatory events and events for children, there is something for everyone.
  10. Threepenny Opera, Belfast, 27 January- 10 February.  Northern Ireland Opera and the Lyric Theatre present Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s thrilling and darkly comic masterpiece The Threepenny Opera, featuring classic songs such as ‘The Ballad of Mack the Knife’ and ‘Pirate Jenny’.
Chris Caldwell

Author: Chris Caldwell

Chris Caldwell at your service! My favourite things are eating and Theatre, I have 2 small sons called Alex and Max who are more mustard than Hellmann's. I spend my days trying to wrangle them and exploring my favourite city - BELFAST! My favourite films are horror, my fav music is metal and my favourite Beatle is Ringo, mainly his work on Thomas the Tank.