With compere Sean Wallace and special guest Deirdre Bonner, the 'Country Music Showtime' production starring Brendan Shine comes to the Ardhowen Theatre stage this Friday 26th January at 8.00pm.

With the show heading for another Ardhowen sell out, Brendan Shine's popularity has never waned and his many hit records which include 'Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down', 'Clock On The Wall', 'Shoe The Donkey' etc., have ensured he has stayed one of Ireland's top stars of T.V., radio and stage over many years.

January Blues

In complete contrast this Saturday in the Theatre's Gallery Bar, the talented and popular blues trio 'Crossfire' take to the stage. Formed in 2005 in Fermanagh, the band play classic blues and rock, featuring material by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rory Gallagher, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, ZZ Top etc.

The band features Gary Flemming on bass and vocals, Des Campbell on drums and Crispin Gill on lead guitar. The band has many individual credits to their name.

Both Gary and Des have performed at the Monaghan Blues Festival, the Cork Jazz Festival, the Templebar and Castlebar Music Festivals and the International Rory Gallagher Festival.

Crispin has toured extensively for over 20 years and performed with a huge array of blues, ska and reggae artists such as trombone legend Rico Rodriguez (now with the Jools Holland Band), Joe Louis, The Trojans, Phil Guy, Little George Suref and the legendary John Mayall.

The Collective energy and passion the band has for the music is sure to provide Ardhowen blues patrons with a very entertaining evening indeed. Crossfire take to the stage at 9.00pm.

Drama Première

Big Telly Theatre Company are now one of Northern Ireland's most popular and busiest professional theatre companies and over the 20 years that they have been touring have brought many fine productions to stages all over Ireland.

Their current policy of touring Irish classic plays has proved hugely popular and their current production of 'The Country Boy' by John Murphy continues that work, which brings together the Company's contemporary approach and its reputation for theatrical innovation and visual flair.

This bittersweet family drama focuses on two brothers, Eddie, living the American dream and Curly, stuck in the muck, working the family farm and fighting with his father.

After fifteen years away, Eddie brings his wife back home to meet the folks and take Curly back with them, prompting a flurry of new curtains, posh napkins and panic about what they'll eat - she'll never have seen anything like the spuds and cabbage we have...

At first it seems that the former country boy is now a high flyer in the land of opportunity, but layers reveal more layers and maybe the grass turns out to be not quite so green on the other side of the fence after all. This beautifully written and uplifting play perfectly captures the comedy and heart-break of family life, and has much to say to anyone who's ever thought about staying here, or going away, or coming back. Breathe in that country air – it'll do you good.

Directed by the Company's Artistic Director Zoë Seaton, the cast includes the popular Northern Ireland actor John Hewitt. The Company is at the Ardhowen all next week with their opening première performance on Friday 2nd February at 8.00pm, with a second performance on Saturday 3rd. The Company then embarks on an extensive tour of Ireland.

Northern Bank Lecture

The Northern Bank, in association with the Ulster Museum, is running a series of lectures across Northern Ireland involving some very interesting speakers who include Journalist Feargal Keane, David Blunket MP, Kate Adie and others.

On Tuesday 6th February at 7.30pm Ardhowen plays host to one of the lectures in this series, when the well-known writer, photographer, television presenter and producer Lucinda Lambton gives a lecture entitled 'The Charm Of The Curious'. Lucinda has written and produced dozens of programmes for ITV and the BBC. Lady Lucinda Lambton specialises in taking a quirky view of architectural history.

She is an Honorary Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and President of the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings.