Culture night brings explosion of creativity to the county
ON Friday September 21st hundreds of thousands of people across the county will lose themselves in their imagination and an explosion of creativity as Sligo comes alive for Culture Night, Ireland’s annual nocturnal cultural extravaganza. There are thirty-six free events across Sligo for you to enjoy. The programme of activities across the county is now available on www. culturenight.ie
Culture is catching and each year Culture Night brings people together to create unique shared experiences and memories. All for free. In Sligo, Visual Artists across the county are opening their doors and getting ready to welcome visitors. Sylvia Callan in Aclare; Open Art Studio, Garavogue Weir and The Model Niland Art Studios will be hosting meet and greets with their exhibiting artists. A pop up exhibition ‘Connections’ featuring the work of twelve local artists inspired by past history of the shop unit will launch on John Street. BaHa Sligo’s new 3D artist collective will showcase their debut work at The Nest on Lower quay street. Contemporary Artists Anna Spearman and Jennifer Walsh will give bespoke Culture Night tours of their work at The Model Niland.
Directly inspired by work from her first solo show, Artist Rebecca Massey will facilitate a ‘Walk-In-Watercolour Workshop’ in Hyde Bridge Gallery in the exhibition space. The Hamilton Gallery, Castle Street will host ‘Ready Steady Draw’ a fun drawing competition open to those under 18 years of age. The Hamilton Gallery also hosts ‘Luminance’ an exhibition of recent paintings from father and daughter Brian and Lisa Ballard. Yeats: Portrait of a Family is an intimate look at the Yeats Family through the portraits of John Butler Yeats and a selection of other artists. The show features a body of work newly added to The Niland Collection at The Model. Discover a beautiful city oasis! St Mary’s Community Garden, Summerhill Sligo will have an open evening and nature craft workshop for children. The Ox Mountain Heritage and Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Drummartin, Aclare presents ‘Living Culture’ with a wonderful mixture of arts and crafts from the surrounding vibrant rural community. An Taisce Climate Ambassador Connie Nell will host an interactive exhibition on Sustainable Cultures in Osta Café.
Children and families can look forward to a magical evening with plenty to see and do. ‘Lullabies from Around The World’ is a gorgeous musical experience for babies which celebrates global lullabies. Drop in and build with Bricí Spraoi’s Imagination Playground- a breakthrough play space concept to encourage child-directed free play. Most suitable for children aged 3-10 years. Parents and Guardians are encouraged to get involved and build! The imagination playground opens in two locations; Hawk’s Well, Temple Street & The Model Niland, The Mall from 3pm. Late afternoon, families are welcome to make sculptures in clay under the tuition of artist Bettina Seitz in Thomas Connolly’s pub. There will also be an evening workshop at Bettina’s studio in Area 4, Lower Quay Street.
An annual highlight of Culture Night Sligo is Branching Out’s Workshop Buffet whereby you can join in taster sessions of all activities that are ongoing at The Nest. Children will love Rabbit’s Riot Theatre company’s mystery tour in Yeats Building and the hunt for the poet in residence Alice Lyons. Advance booking recommended as spaces are limited. You can take part in a novel bi-lingual photography challenge with Aoife Porter (pictured). Starting at Hawk’s Well Sligo the photo challenge will bring you around the streets of Sligo. While having fun taking photos you can also try out new Irish phrases. On return to the theatre there will be a pop up exhibition.
Wayne O’Connor, Cathy Quilan and friends kick off music events with a gentle acoustic afternoon concert at Osta Café. There will be a performance from Childrens choir Sligo Youth Voices in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. Harps & Bards ‘Below The Caves’ will feature the songs of Claire Roche plus local poets, storytellers, songsters and musicians. Going beyond the traditional into the three strains of joy, sorrow and dreaming. This concert will take place in Keash Community Hall.
Cathy Jordan and her Sligo Songbird Collective will present a late night performance and sing along. This feel good event takes place at Hawk’s Well Theatre. The Model Niland galleries will be filled with professional dancers offering taster group classes in a wide variety of dance styles. The sessions are curated by Jennifer Walsh as part of Project for the reclamation of the Irish Body. The dance sessions are tailored to absolute beginners and all are welcome. Discover and explore the amazing Sligo Masonic Hall and find out more about the world’s oldest fraternity. Entry is by pre-reserved tickets only and available via Eventbrite. Join author Jack Fennell for a talk on adventures in Irish Science Fiction at The Model Niland. Due to the recent fire in Tricky’s McGarrigles Dungeons & Dragons Live will now take place in The Glasshouse Hotel. No knowledge of the world famous game is required.
Theatre lovers will be thrilled by the variety and high quality of free performances across the town. Dark Leaves Theatre Company present two productions; Displaced takes place at Hearts Desire Café. Frank has displaced his keys and Declan is afraid they will never be the same. Old Time Radio comedy takes place at Sullivan’s On the Mall. Sligo Youth Theatre present a witty and whimsical journey exploring the fascinating works of radio talk shows. ‘Radio Silence’ is an original and unique perspective on the world view from behind the microphone.
Families can take part in The Blue Raincoat’s Family Theatre Workshop. In his unique, humorous and intrepid style John Carty will provide a theatre workshop for the whole family that will get everyone moving and shaking! The final theatre performance of the evening will be No Smoke Without a Fire. A comic drama by Paddy Murray, full of sharp Dublin wit, the story of Larry, the cash, the camper van and the deceased husband, starring acclaimed actress, Mary Murray (Love/Hate).
As ever Culture Night will be online and the culturally curious are encouraged to explore the website this year with added features to plan their Culture Night adventures and routes in advance. All events are free!
Culture Night Sligo is co-ordinated by Hawk’s Well Theatre on behalf of Culture Night Sligo partner venues Hawk’s Well Theatre, The Model Niland and Blue Raincoat Theatre Company and is brought to you by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in partnership with Sligo County Council.