A VARIETY of musical acts await at the Ardhowen Theatre this June.

Highly regarded Irish singer Louise Morrissey kicks off proceedings tonight (Thursday), followed by Canadian band The Paperboys’ return on Friday with a night of country-folk-celtic-bluegrass-rock-ska-reggae music. And for the younger audience, Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre presents Gingerbread Man on Saturday at 3pm.

LOUISE MORRISSEY AND FRIENDS Louise Morrissey has long been one of Ireland’s best loved singers and entertainers. She has achieved great success in both Ireland and the UK, and has brought her easy style of country and folk to many other countries. Her hits include: ‘Music In My Heart’, ‘Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain’, ‘The Tennessee Waltz’, ‘Grandpa’ and ‘Tipperary On My Mind’.

Louise has worked with many great people both in Ireland and abroad, She has toured the UK with Foster and Allen, Charley Pride and Dominic Kirwan; just a couple of years ago she was invited to open for Kris Kristofferson in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in Canada. In Ireland she has toured with ‘The Queens of Country’ which featured Philomena Begley, Billie Jo Spears, Lynn Anderson, Jeannie Sealy and also ‘The Irish Queens’ featuring Sandy Kelly, Philomena Begley, Gloria, Margo and Kathy Durkin.

Join Louise Morrissey and her special guests Patrick Feeney, Gary Gamble with his hilarious Daniel O’Donnell tribute and The Ryan Turner Band for a great night of Country and Irish music tonight at 8pm.

THE PAPERBOYS After their outstanding performance in June last year the Ardhowen Theatre is delighted to welcome back The Paperboys on Friday at 8pm. This acclaimed Canadian-based band serves up a heady blend of country-folk-celtic-bluegrass-rock with a bit of traditional Mexican music thrown in for good measure. It defies labelling. Renowned for their energetic live performances The Paperboys have wowed festival goers the world over. Mexican Son Jarocho mixed in with Irish Jigs and Reels and a good dose of Country and Bluegrass. It has healthy servings of Ska, Soca and African Highlife and possibly a little White Boy Reggae. There are strains of soul, pop and funk and a deep respect and appreciation for tradition.

GINGERBREAD MAN Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre presents The Gingerbread Man on Saturday, June 7, at 3pm. Established in 1987, Clydebuilt is one of Scotland’s leading puppet companies, touring extensively throughout the UK and annually performing over 200 shows. Imagine a world made entirely of biscuits: trees, houses and stars in the sky. Into this beautiful world comes The Gingerbread Man, creating havoc wherever he goes. He meets a majestic Cow, a stubborn Goat and an opportunistic Bird. Gingerbread Man’s journey takes us through an ever changing world from kitchen to field to mountains and finally to the river.

But can Gingerbread Man outwit the dastardly Fox? With a foot tapping ‘Yummy Chase’ soundtrack, this is a tremendously popular story and a visual feast specially devised for younger children aged three years and over.

ULSTER PROJECT ANNUAL CONCERT The Ulster Project is an international peace project geared towards providing a safe environment to unite young people when differences divide them through a variety of educational and recreational activities including a Summer residential in the USA. The Ulster Project concert on Friday, June 13 at 8pm features young people from both sides of the community performing in a variety show highlighting their many talents in an evening of music, singing, sketches and dance.

CLARA TRACEY: SOUNDTRACK Enniskillen born Clara Tracey presents her musical Soundtrack on Saturday, June 14, at 9pm in the Gallery Bar, tracing the eclectic mix of influences that have inspired her to leave the conventional careers of law and international marketing to pursue her passion of making music. From her days spent playing classical piano morning, noon and night; to attending sessions around Fermanagh; to the French inspirations of years spent listening to Piaf and absorbing the art of jazz in a Parisian jazz cafe. Back in her home town, Clara takes to the mic and piano to showcase her unique influences and compositions in the company of special guests.