X Factor stars coming to Gilford

MK1 will be the debut act at Rapture, a new teenage disco which is coming to the town’s community centre.

The discos are being organised by Cathal McCartney and Adrian Patterson, who have been running a successful teenage disco in Newry Town Hall.

“We decided to take it somewhere else so we got in touch with Banbridge Council who, after various meetings, put us in contact with Gilford Community Centre,” said Cathal.

“We aim to cater for secondary school children in the Gilford, Banbridge, Tandragee, Poyntzpass area with teenage events held in Gilford.

“Our events are very well organised and run by professional people with child safety our number one priority. All staff who work at the events have been trained in child protection and a number are trained first aiders.

“We also have a strict no alcohol and no bullying policy which are issues we also deal with as part of our events. In Newry we have organisations such as PIPS Suicide Awareness, SELB drug and alcohol awareness and the Anti Bullying Forum of Northern Ireland who set up stalls at our events to help kids with these problems and we will be bringing these organisations to Gilford for future events.”

The organisers believe that there is a need for events like this as, Cathal says, “Like adults kids are no different - they need a social outlet where they can come together and dance and have a bit of fun.”

The first disco on February 8 will see Gilford Community Centre transformed with a massive sound system, club lighting including UV, strobe and rolling lights and, just announced, a foam party.

But the biggest attraction will be X Factor’s MK1 who will be performing on the night. Cathal added, “For kids to see acts like this they would have to travel to Belfast, so we are trying to take big acts close to home for a reasonable price because not all parents can afford to go there and pay big money.

“Our DJ on the night is Kealan who was resident in Bed/The Relic, Newry for 10 years and has also played up and down the country in major clubs across Ireland.”