Live music at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn

BIB readers are already familiar with the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, as the venue for the monthly Bluegrass Get-Togethers hosted by Dangem Quality Instruments of Craigavon, Co. Armagh. It also presents a vigorous programme of activities and shows including live music; so thanks to Una at the Island for drawing attention to concerts in the coming months which may well interest the bluegrass fan.

No actual bluegrass is scheduled, as yet; but this month's concerts include two strong blues acts. The Mary Ryan Blues Trio - Mary Ryan (gospel vocals), Mark Braidner (Delta blues guitar), and Simon Templeton (ragtime and stride piano) - perform the older forms of blues from the 1920s onwards, together with sean-nós, Scottish Gaelic, and Ulster-Scots material, at the Island on Saturday 18 Feb., at 8.00 p.m. A week later (25 Feb.) guitarist Ronnie Greer brings his Chicago-style blues band to the Island. More info and booking facilities are on the Island Arts Centre website.