Culture Night 2018: where will you be?

The thirteenth annual Culture Night is almost upon us – that one night a year where arts and cultural organisations, venues and public spaces throughout Ireland throw open their doors to host a programme of free, late-night entertainment and events, as part of an all-island celebration of arts, heritage and culture. Culture Night 2018 will take place on Friday, 21 September and, as in previous years, many Music Generation partnerships will be at the centre of the action.

Carlow culture-lovers will have a chance to hear two of the county’s finest young ensembles, Reelig and Mouthbox, during a varied performance of traditional and pop music at Cobden Hall, Carlow College, from 7pm.

In Cork City a full evening of activity kicks off from 5pm in a range of locations, offering performances and participative workshops rap and beats, Gamelan, rock, pop and more in Cork City Library, City Hall, Hollyhill and Knocknaheeny.

In Clare, Culture Night falls ahead of the weekend-long ‘Musicale Festival’ featuring introductory Uilleann Pipes sessions with Na Píobairí Uilleann and workshops in musical creativity.

Donegal Music Education Partnership will join a jam-packed line-up at Letterkenny’s Regional Cultural Centre, with soloists, duets and special guests playing ‘tiny concerts’ and The Donegal Youth Orchestra welcoming audiences to listen in on an open rehearsal.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown local library, the LexIcon, will partner with Music Generation dlr to include a musical element in their Culture Night programming, including a chance for curious musicians to try out new and different instruments.

Music Generation Laois will host singer-songwriter and recording artist James O’Connor as part of a free gig at the Dunamaise Arts Centre from 9pm, showcasing songs from his forthcoming album ‘A Cluster of Narratives’.

In partnership with Youth Work Ireland (Midlands) and the Edenderry Youth Café, Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath will present an open mic night showcasing the work of the Edenderry Rockers in St Joseph’s Hall.

On the stage of the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Music Generation Sligo’s ‘Sligo Youth Voices’ children’s choir will give a free performance from 5pm.

Together with Tallaght Community Arts, Music Generation South Dublin returns to the Pearse Museum, St Enda’s Partk this Culture Night, where young artists from across South Dublin County will showcase their musical skills through traditional Irish music, Ukulele Workshops, Dance Workshops and more.

Wherever you’re based, and whatever your musical tastes, we encourage you to dive into Culture Night 2018! For more information about the full programme in all counties visit CultureNight.ie