Swallows and Armenians is a passionate and personal project by Appleby artist Karen Babayan which celebrates the inspirational Anglo-Armenian family, the Altounyans, models for the Walker family in the classic children’s book by Arthur Ransome. 

Exhibition runs from 19 February to 15 March 2020

There are also the following special events:

Sunday 1 March 12-4pm FREE family-friendly adventure map-making drop-in workshop.

Saturday 7 March 2pm Karen Babayan Artist’s Talk, Book Reading & Circle Dance Event - An opportunity to listen to the fascinating history of Swallows and Armenians from the artist and author herself. She is joined by Shakeh Major Tchilingirian, a renowned dance artist based in London, who brings an Armenian cultural tradition to Cumbria. No previous dance experience necessary. £4 includes a glass of wine. 

Saturday 14 March 12-4pm Stories We Are Told - a workshop for adults inspired by the stories in the exhibition. Explore themes of identity & hidden histories through relief print techniques. Karen Babayan is an inspiring and accessible tutor. Beginners welcome. £40 per person (materials provided). 

Divine intervention are an up and coming 4 piece pop punk/rock styled band from Carlisle. Known for there energy and enthusiasm on stage alongside there catchy melodies and moshpits. Come down to the old fire station to check them out and hear some new music!

Support from Southern Edge and The Unsung.

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm

Tickets are £6 (£8 on the door)and are available online and via OFS

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Bring your instrument or voice and join in with Roz Sluman's Big Shoes Band at this monthly Jam Session, or simply come down and enjoy the vibe. Have a drink and lunch in a welcoming environment. 

Jazz & Blues standards played via music supplied, or just jamming for non-readers. Guitar amp, bass amp and microphones in place. Keyboards and drums at band members discretion.  

£5 for players and audience free

Starts 1pm 

Workshops plus Paid Placements in London and Industry Mentoring. Fremantle’s Access All Areas aims to demystify the TV industry and bring in fresh and undiscovered entry-level talent from all corners of the UK. Join Fremantle for an interactive workshop held at Old Fire Station and hear from industry experts. Includes tips on how to boost your CV.

Runs from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

Book your place now. 

Snake gives us 25 classics, including Baker Street, Careless Whisper, Will You, Still Crazy after all these Years, Respect, Yakety Yak, and his own solos from Million Love Songs, Moving on Up, Search for the Hero, and Lisa Stansfield’s Change.

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm

Tickets are £15 and are available online, The Old Town Hall & OFS Direct.

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW

They absolutely nail the true vibe of a Foo’s live experience, all performed down to the closest detail making it a truly unmissable show for any rock music fan.

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets £17.50 (£20 on the door)

Available from OFS, Carlisle Old Town Hall & Online

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Don't miss the next installment of the Blues Jam with house band Redfish. 

Doors: 3.30pm
Show: 4.00pm

Tickets are £7 and are available from Mcgrews and on the door.

Banjo fuelled Rockgrass where  AC/DC meet Hank Williams

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets £18.50

Available from OFS, The Old Town Hall & Online

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

2019 has been a hell of a year for the super smoky voiced, hard working, far touring chanteuse Elles Bailey.

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm

Tickets are £12.00 and are available online and via OFS direct.

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Live/Wire is The AC/DC Show. The hugely successful and unique six-man tribute to rock music's greatest band AC/DC, complete with cannons, a wall of Marshalls' and over two hours of High Voltage Rock 'n' Roll in a show critically acclaimed for its closeness in look and sound to the real thing.

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm

Tickets are £15 and are available online and via OFS

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Bring your instrument or voice and join in with Roz Sluman's Big Shoes Band at this monthly Jam Session, or simply come down and enjoy the vibe. Have a drink and lunch in a welcoming environment. 

Jazz & Blues standards played via music supplied, or just jamming for non-readers. Guitar amp, bass amp and microphones in place. Keyboards and drums at band members discretion.  

£5 for players and audience free

Starts 1pm 

Another tremendously raucous night brought by Punk Rock in Carlisle.

 with support from Bovver Bailey & Fat Albert

Tickets are £8.00 (£10.00 on the door) and are available online, direct from OFS and The Old Town Hall.

Doors: 7.30pm

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

**THIS SHOW IS NOW SOLD OUT**

Due to unprecidented demand, Iain Stirling has added a Matinee show!

Iain Stirling (Love Island and Taskmaster) is taking his ‘extremely funny’ (Telegraph) comedy back on the road for his biggest ever nationwide tour, following his 2018 sell-out smash U OK HUN? x.

Doors: 4.00pm
Show: 4.30pm

Tickets are £18.50 and are onsale now via Online, The Old Town Hall and direct from OFS

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW

Iain Stirling (Love Island and Taskmaster) is taking his ‘extremely funny’ (Telegraph) comedy back on the road for his biggest ever nationwide tour, following his 2018 sell-out smash U OK HUN? x.

Doors: 6.30pm
Show: 7.30pm

Tickets are £18.50 and are onsale now via Online, The Old Town Hall and direct from OFS

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW

THE HARA are a high-energy three-piece alternative rock band comprising Josh Taylor (Lead Vocal), Zack Breen (Lead Guitar) and Jack Kennedy (Drums),

Their stage presence is likened to that of legendary classics Queen, AC/DC and Guns N Roses with an amped up sound taking influences from a wide range of popular artists such as Bring Me the Horizon, Royal Blood, Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Panic! At The Disco, Lower Than Atlantis, The Hunna, Nothing But Thieves, Muse, Twenty One Pilots and Yungblud which combines Josh’s stunning vocals, Zack’s gritty riffs with Jack’s punchy drum beats.

Doors: 7.30pm

GENERAL: £12.50
VIP - £35 (included ticket entry)
M&G - £25 (included ticket entry)

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Brister has it all: a wife, kids, a house and a job she loves (sometimes) so what the hell is she moaning about? Join Jen as she takes an irreverent look at the often controversial subject of 'privilege'. Who has it? Who doesn't? And why does no one like to admit they have any?

***** - The Sunday Times - 
​**** - The Scotsman 

Photo Credit: Idil Sukan

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm 

Tickets are £12.50 and are available from OFS, The Old Town Hall and online 

Suitable for ages 16+

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW

Little Wander Present:

Multi award winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean (Have I Got News for You, Live at the Apollo, 8 out of 10 Cats, Frankie Boyle's New World Order) is back with her fourth full length show. Previous shows have seen her tackle structural racism, sexism, child grooming, adoption and emotional abuse so what seemingly unfunny subject has she picked to turn into laughs this year? Chernobyl? The shrinking size of creme eggs? No, empathy. Which sounds fine actually but maybe not the way Kiri tackles it.  

Doors: 6.30pm
Show: 7.30pm

Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concessions) and are available online

Photo Credit: Kayla Wren
Age Guidance: 16+

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW

A game of Two Halves – An Evening with former Carlisle United Owner Michael Knighton to celebrate 25 years since the Blues' trip to Wembley for the 1995 Football League Trophy Final.

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm

Tickets are £12 and are available via OFS and Online. 

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW

Eden's Daughter is a female-fronted rock band from Cumbria. Recently reformed after a long hiatus, this show at The Old Fire Station on Saturday, April 25th marks the 21st Anniversary of the band.

Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm

Tickets are £10.00 and are available online and via OFS direct.

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Bring your instrument or voice and join in with Roz Sluman's Big Shoes Band at this monthly Jam Session, or simply come down and enjoy the vibe. Have a drink and lunch in a welcoming environment. 

Jazz & Blues standards played via music supplied, or just jamming for non-readers. Guitar amp, bass amp and microphones in place. Keyboards and drums at band members discretion.  

£5 for players and audience free

Starts 1pm