The world comes to Derry, the U.K. City of Culture
160 events planned through the year
Derry’s designation as the inaugural U.K. City of Culture will bring many top acts in music, art, dance and theatre to the city this year, while also encouraging scores of community-based initiatives.
“This is a city transformed that has seen the benefits of 20 years of peace,” explained City of Culture communications executive Chris Mc- Cann. “And we have an opportunity here to tell a new story about this place.” Below is just a small sampling of some of the bigger events from more than 160 in total that will help tell that story.
(All information is from www.cityofculture2013.com.) Hofesh shechter’s Political Mother (March 9). This critically acclaimed dance piece has been mesmerizing audiences since 2010.
The City of Culture performance will feature a live band that includes 20 young local musicians alongside the musicians and dancers of Shechter’s world-renowned company. The company will also create five new choreographies in collaboration with specially selected local dance groups. The London symphony Orchestra (March 18). The orchestra will play works from Steven Spielberg films in a unique cine-concert accompanied by big-screen film excerpts.
The Royal Ballet with the Ulster Orchestra (March 30 and 31). The ballet will perform in Northern Ireland for the first time in 12 years. Music City (June 21). The event will put a call out for amateur and professional musicians to perform on the streets of Derry on the summer solstice. Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (Aug. 11 to 18). The biggest festival of Irish culture anywhere in the world is taking place north of the border for the first time since its founda- tion in 1951. The city expects 300,000 visitors to take in the traditional music and other events. Field Day Theatre Company and sam shepard. Founded in Derry in 1980 by Stephen Rea and Brian Friel, Field Day has made a return to the city for the City of Culture year. Inter nationally acclaimed writer, director and actor Sam Shepard’s new play, a reworking of Oedipus, will première under the company’s direction in November. The Turner Prize (exhibition opens Oct. 23, with the winner announced Dec. 2). This will be the first time the visual-arts event has been held outside England and the second time it has visited a venue outside the Tate in London. Lumière (Nov. 28 to Dec. 1). Lighting designers and community groups will be invited to transform Derry, using light as their medium and the city as their canvas.