Culture vultures to swoop on city

DUBLINERS are being encouraged to come out, catch a little culture and lose themselves in imagination and an explosion of creativity at this tomorrow's Culture Night (September 21).

Organisers are hoping to build on last year’s phenomenal turn-out of 175,000 people in the capital as venues across the city vibrate to the rhythm of dancers, musicians, poets, actors, artists and storytellers.

Culture Night is aimed at bringing people together to create unique, shared experiences and memories at over 500 events taking place across the capital city on the night. And the good news is that it’s all free or affordable.

Dublin City Council Arts Officer, Ray Yeates, says it’s the perfect opportunity for people across Dublin and anybody visiting the city to enjoy an evening of cultural exploration.

“From historic venues to smaller, more unusual ones there’s definitely something in the programme for you to enjoy,” he said.

“Why don’t you plan your night in advance so you can enjoy as much as possible, maybe even trying a cultural genre you might never have before?”

Culture Night features a kaleidoscopic programme of creativity, storytelling and Dublin’s unique culture. Those taking part include photographers, illustrators, designers, composers, visual artists, dancers, aerialists, scriptwriters, conductors, graffiti artists, authors, singers and musicians.

Highlights this year include Bank of Ireland Cultural & Heritage Centre where you can enjoy the ‘Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again’ exhibition, while visitors to Dublin Airport will have the chance to experience talks on the history of the airport and explore the ‘Creative Journeys’ art installations.

Dubliners can also experience an evening of storytelling and conversation in the beautifully restored 14 Henrietta Street and discover what life was like in this Georgian Townhouse turned tenement dwelling through a taster tour of the newly opened museum.

Twice Oscar-nominated Brown Bag Films will host family friendly workshops and activities led by Emmy Award-winning Director Marten Jonmark and Taking Flight invites families to take part in aerial movement workshops and later witness a spectacular circus arts performance by the Taking Flight group.

One of the first charitable hospitals in Dublin, Dr Steevens’ Hospital (1784), is opening its doors on Culture Night to allow visitors a sneak peak at its outstanding Edward Worth Library and their ‘Mystical Creatures’ exhibition.

The Culture Night website has added features this year so people can plan their routes in advance. There’s also a Culture Night Podcast with contributions from familiar faces and emerging talents in Ireland’s cultural sphere. 

Episodes will be available to download across all platforms and from www.culturenight.ie tomorrow morning.

Culture Night is also coming to a number of public spaces with Attention Bébé bringing major party vibes to Meeting House Square with a high-octane set of their patented big-band covers of 90s hits.

Nestled between Dame Street and Dublin Castle, Barnardo Square will be transformed with projections and pop-up performances throughout the evening including a selection of short films from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

At Wood Quay the Amphitheatre open-air stage area will come alive with pop-up performances throughout the evening. 

The full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2018 is now available on www.culturenight.ie.