If you’re up for trying something a little bit different with your Friday night, there’s no better opportunity than the annual tradition that is Cultural Night. A huge variety of free events will be taking place at venues around the country. You’re best checking out the dedicated website to find out what, when and where events are taking place near you. Here’s a quick guide to some potential highlights taking place in the bigger cities.
Dublin
Venues in Dublin are really pulling out all the stops this year, with the city even divided into six different areas to help make the lineup a bit more manageable. Where to even start: you can take a backstage tour of the Abbey Theatre, check out a ‘speaking choir’ at Alexandra College, participate in ‘An Intercultural Festival’ at Wolfe Tone Square - and that’s only a fraction of the ‘a’ listings (yeah, An Intercultural Festival is pushing it as an ‘a’).
The Arts Council, IFI, Photography Gallery, Oireachtas, Lighthouse Cinema, Mansion House, Block T and Christ Church are just a fraction of the venues participating, along with dozens of smaller bars, museums, galleries, hotels and other miscellaneous venues. Potential highlights? We’re particularly keen to check out the ‘Musical Bites & Storytelling on Dublin Bus / LUAS’, with a selection of storytellers and musicians on a trio of dedicated bus routes. And the Edible Art Gallery - being held by Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School and the Doorway Gallery on Frederick Street - sounds delicious.
Full Dublin details are available here.
Cork
More than ten locations in Cork City will be taking part in Culture Night. The Circus Factory at Albert Quay will be holding circus workshops for kids during the afternoon, with a late night cabaret for older audiences. The Pavillion has a packed line-up of music videos, live performances and DJs from 7 PM ‘til late. Triskel Arts Centre, meanwhile, has a trio of free films with Piercing Brightness (6:30 PM), Museum Hours (8:30 PM) and a late screening of cult oddity John Dies at the End (10:45 PM). Tickets for all films will be available at the box office from 6 PM.
Full Cork details are available here.
Galway
Some particularly intriguing workshops will be taking place in Galway, particularly a puppet one at Branar Drámaíochta and a look at a functioning print studio at Lorg Printmakers. Elsewhere, a Community Circus will take over St Joseph’s Community Centre between 6 and 8 PM, while Tradiohead will play The Small Crane (yes, they do indeed promise a mix of trad music and Radiohead). Tonight will also see the launch of the fascinating year-long Illuminate project at Nuns’ Island Theatre, looking at “how digital media can create virtual spaces in which people can explore their identity and physical presence”.
Full Galway details are available here.
Limerick
Limerick City will be home to a surprising amount of Culture Night activities. Those interested in the history of the city will benefit most from walking tours of the Walls of Limerick and Medieval Englishtown, or perhaps the bell ringing demonstration at St Mary’s Cathedral. There’ll also be the chance to get a detailed look at The Faksimile Verlag facsimile of the Book of Kells, located at the Georgian House. There will be organ recitals, a gospel choir, workshops, live opera, fireside readings and bus tours across the city. Finally, there will also be a free performance of The Lola Morentz Story at the Lime Tree Theatre, featuring a unique mix of music and drama.
Full Limerick details available here.
