Richmond Sponsors Earhart Festival
With the Earhart Festival less than one month away Mayor Colum Eastwood joined Festival organisers and sponsors to launch the Earhart Festival which commences on August 8th.
An exciting week of events has been planned for mid August with a high profile headline act taking to the stage on the final day being supported by local talent. 2009 Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity will descend upon the festival in a group of fourteen to show the people of Derry exactly what made them winners in the first place.
Speaking at the launch the Mayor congratulated organisers on a wonderful programme of events.
“The Earhart Festival has brought over a decade of top class events to the Greater Shantallow area. This year’s headliners, Diversity, are set to bring an exciting edge to the event with their extraordinary talents, but this is only one of a range of family friendly events which will take place this year. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate organisers on a fantastic programme and wish them the very best in their preparations over the coming weeks.”
The Festival was first launched in 1999, beginning life with a different name but with the same concept as today; to provide something for young people throughout the summer, offering an opportunity for communities to come together and an alternative to negative customs such as bonfires.
Throughout its life the festival has been seen in a positive light. Through the power of social media locals have been able to give their views and opinions. The fan page is growing everyday and gives residents the chance to have an input on exactly what is going on as well as ensuring they miss none of the events.
The sponsor of the festival this year will be The Richmond Centre; centre Manager Fergal Rafferty said
“Richmond Centre is proud to be the sponsor of The Earhart Festival and recognise the tremendous effort by festival Director Oliver Green and the greater shantallow community arts committee in attracting local and international artists, the organisation of a full week of diverse and fun filled events for the local community and indeed tourists and visitors. The festival really gives the community an opportunity to showcase itself and Richmond is delighted to be associated with this prestigious annual event.”
The Richmond Centre will be hosting a showcase of music, dance and talent on Friday 13th August as well as sponsoring a football tournament.
The Festival will begin with a family fun day in Northside Village Centre, glengalliagh road from 1pm until 5pm. It will be fast paced and exciting with live music, puppet shows, balloon modeling, face painting, bouncy castles, storytelling and so much more. All aimed at launching the event with a proper kick start.
Sinn Féin councillor for the Greater Shantallow Area, Cllr Tony Hassan, has welcomed this year’s Earhart Festival and has commended the Festival organisers for giving people the alternative to the bonfire culture.
Cllr, Hassan said: “As councillor for the Greater Shantallow Area I welcome this year’s festival. This will be the 11th year that this event has been run for the people of Greater Galliagh and Shantallow and I do believe that there is a big interest in the festival this year.” He went on to say: “It is important to hold festivals in August to deter young people from getting involved in the bonfire culture. Events such as the Earhart Festival play an important role in providing a positive alternative for young people during the long summer break.”
The name of the headline act seems to be an ongoing theme within the Earhart Festival. There will be events to cater for all ages and lovers of all kinds of music. With over forty events planned there should be something to suit absolutely everyone. This is what makes Earhart Festival different to any other in the City.
Amelia Earhart will of course be remembered, The First Lady of Aviation will be honoured by Letterkenny Flying club doing a low level fly by and wave. Amelia Earhart not only lends her name to the festival but she put the city on the map many years ago when she landed here and an event of this size is an excellent way to highlight such an historic event.
Tickets for the festival are available in numerous outlets throughout the town and are priced from £8. For more information on Earhart in the Park contact 028 7135 7443 or follow the facebook www.facebook.com/theearhartfestival
Angel Face of the North West
This summer Angel Promotions have teamed up with the Richmond Centre to search for the Angel Face of the North West; in a bid to find a new face for the Angel Model Agency and a face for the Richmond Centres advertising campaign’s in the forthcoming year.
However this competition differs to normal model searches. The Angel team have no bias when it comes to entrant’s physique. Angel are welcoming all entrants who believe they have what it takes to become a model.
Beginning on June 1st a search will be launched across the North West area encompassing Co. Tyrone, Co. Derry and Co. Donegal to find a new local model. This competition will be open to 17-30 years throughout the region with the opportunity to win huge prizes and propel their career forward.
Prizes for this event are supplied by the sponsors. They are aimed at providing a would-be model with all the essentials to make sure she always looks and feels great. The Richmond centre is not only offering £2000 worth of gift vouchers for the shopping mall; they guarantee that the winner will become the face of their advertising for the upcoming year. Taggart photography will be taking the winner on location to create an amazing portfolio. Jackie Crossan the jeweller in Buncrana will be providing the winner with definite ‘bling’ to make them stand apart from the rest. Caitlin’s candles will be giving each of the twelve finalists with a gift basket of their products. Crawford Health Fitness and Lifestyle will be giving the lucky winner a 6 months free membership at their gym in Crawford Square. Powerworld at Killea and Bridgend will be giving the winner an LCD TV and a gift voucher to the value of £500 is being offered by Suede Hair and Beauty in both Strand road and Carlisle road. The winner will become a member of Angel promotions and Model Agency maintaining this contract for a year.
The value of the tangible products is a staggering £5520; however, year’s modelling contract and the face of a shopping mall’s advertising campaign are priceless.
So how can you enter this amazing competition I hear you ask? It’s quite simple, check Angel’s facebook on Tuesday 1st June to find the phone number which you can text your photograph to or you can attend the Richmond centre every Wednesday night in June from 5pm until 9pm where the Angel team and photographer will be available to take your picture. Keep an eye on who has entered the competition and how to enter at www.facebook.com/angel.events.
Jazz at Richmond
Click here to see some photos of the Richmond Jazz experience.
The 2010 Derry City Jazz and Big Band Festival was in full flight in April and May and to Richmond hosted several fabulous acts:
Friday 30th April - 1.00pm to 2.30pm
Live in the Richmond Centre
Les Swinging Lovers
Saturday 1st May - 3.30pm to 5pm
Live in the Richmond Centre
King Pleasure and Biscuits Boys
Sunday 2nd May - 2.00 to 3.30pm
Live in the Richmond Centre
Extraordinaires
Saturday 1st May - 2.00 to 3.30pm
Live performance outside on steps between Richmond and Foyleside
Jive Aces
Stavros Flatley at Richmond
Click here to see a slideshow of images from the Stavros Flatley appearance at Richmond
Demetrios and Michalakis are father and son and describe their act as two fat versions of Michael Flatley with a Greek element.
This act originates from when Demetrios owned a Greek restaurant seven years ago. In the restaurant he would provide entertainment to his customers after their meal. He took centre stage and would perform acts such as Stavros Flatley.
His son occasionally visited the restaurant, however he had only heard what his dad did, he had never saw the act. Demetrios noticed an advert for the show and thought it would be funny to enter. Michalakis said that - if you enter dad I’ll do it with you. Demetrios has been teaching Michalakis their routine and he’s picked up all the moves extremely quickly, considering he’s only ever danced at weddings and parties!
Britain’s Got Talent was their first big performance and Demetrios is extremely proud of his son. They both love it and think it’s the funniest thing they have ever done together. Demetrios, 40, and Michalakis, 12, live in Enfield with wife Karen, 39, and daughter Elle, 11.
Easter Shopping
Hop on in to Richmond this Easter and enjoy our Fantastic Easter Entertainment.
Meet our two Life size bunnies on the mall with loads of chocolate giveaways Easter Saturday, Monday and Tuesday 12noon - 4pm
Live Road show on Easter Saturday 12noon - 4pm with DJ Dennis
Free Easter Face Painting Easter Monday and Tuesday
Don't forget to enter our Macmillan Easter draw.
Click here to view a gallery of images from our Easter celebrations
St Patrick's Day
The Richmond Centre is the place to be this St Patrick's Day for live traditional music, fun and games
