For one night only, on Friday September 21st, all over Ireland museums, galleries, churches, artist’s studios, cultural centres and more, open their doors late for a free night of entertainment, discovery and adventure. 2012 marks the seventh year of Culture Night and this year’s programme is the most diverse yet.
People of all ages are encouraged to take advantage of this national night of adventure and discovery, as cultural organisations and regional authorities across a record 34 towns, cities, counties and islands in Ireland pull out all the stops to produce an unforgettable and unique evening of FREE cultural experiences for all to enjoy.
- The Culture Night Arts Fair in the Theatre Royal. This Friday find out about everything Arts-wise happening in Waterford over the coming months. The Foyer in the Theatre Royal will be packed with arts organisations, arts groups and artists showing and demonstrating their wares. 6pm to 8.30pm
- Soma Contemporary Gallery reopens its doors with an audio visual exhibition named and influenced by the French contemporary Art and technology historian Frank Popper. Popper is the author of ‘Origins and Development of Kinetic Art’ as well as ‘Art, Action and Participation’. Music on the night will be from Noize Kulture. Free wine reception at 7pm.
- From 7pm to 9pm Spraoi Studios (adjacent to the An Post sorting-office at Carrickpherish Northern Industrial Estate) invite you to get an exclusive look behind the scenes of Ireland’s largest street theatre workshop. Parade floats, masks, costumes and props will all be on display. Make sure to bring a phone or camera and take away great shots of you and the magic stuff. Tea and coffee are free and there will also be a chance to make your own memento of a visit to Spraoi Studios.
- Central Hall Studios (beside Jordan’s, the Quay) will open their doors to host an open platform mixed media exhibition featuring work by Denis Power, Bláthadubh, Martin Riverpost, Alistair Duckett, Gary Camon, Chris O’Brien Shanahan, Enda Sheridan, Katie Kavanagh, Simon Curran, Danny Mills, Alan Walshe. Video Installations and Live Performance by Mixile and Maryam Bash with accompanying Visuals from David Kelly.
- HELP is the name of a new exhibition opening at 2 Bank Lane Studios on Culture Night in anticipation of the move to a fabulous new gallery space in the centre of the City. HELP is a group show by some of the finest emerging artists musicians, designers, photographers around. Open from 6.30pm till late.
- Waterford Healing Arts Trust presents two events at the Regional Hospital. Artist in Residence Martin Fahy will give a tour of his exhibition entitled The Quiet Heart at 7.30pm meeting in the W.H.A.T. Centre for Arts & Health. A Healing Sounds performance will also take place in the main foyer of Waterford Regional Hospital from 7.30pm to8.15pm by local group Jordan’s Rigout.
- Greyfriars Municipal Gallery host three great free events.
7.15pm Artist Jill Bouchier will lead a tour of the current exhibition Our view… describing the processes involved in the making of over 30 works by young artists based on some of the jewels from the Municipal Collection.
8.30pm cult band The House of Cosy Cushions will perform as part of their whistle stop national tour of Ireland.
10pm Neil O’Driscoll will present the Waterford premier of his award nominated short film ‘Never Worn’ staring Holly Browne & Robert Doherty. - Garter Lane presents a special free late night performance of ‘47 Roses’ by Peter Sheridan. Peter Sheridan conjures up the voices, sights and songs of his 1960’s childhood in Dublin, in a powerful coming-of-age story, peopled with deliciously eccentric characters and wonderfully bizarre incidents. By turns, brilliantly funny and intensely moving, this remarkable performance packs a considerable punch – a cultural gem. Time 10.30 p.m. Free entry by booking at Garter Lane Box Office 051 855038
- Waterford Youth Arts will be opening their world at the Arch on Barrack Street between 6pm and 7.30. The public is invited to sample the following:- a Drama Workshop, a Film session, an Art Work shop or be involved in a creative writing session.
- Comedian Konor Halpin will present: Konor’s Kultural Komedy Kabaret, at Philly Grimes Bar, Johnstown, Waterford at 8.30 p.m. Pop along if you want to tell a joke or a story or even just to sit back and laugh with some of Waterford’s brightest new comedic talents.
- Gary Kenneally Films will be screening ‘The Cineplex’ in the front wall of the old Cineplex complex on Patrick’s Street from dusk. This wonderful short film animates the real observations of a caller to The Billy McCarthy Show about the time she brought her three Granddaughters to that same cinema a couple of years ago.
- Loose Screw Theatre Company will be performing two short extracts at 6pm in Blackfriars in the City Centre. Both plays from this vibrant new company are thought provoking studies of the sex industry in Ireland and are not to be missed!
- Kite Design Studios of Henrietta Street will open on Culture night from 6-8pm, for demonstrations of glass blowing, printmaking and jewelry design.
- Vulcan Artbox and Koliba Polish Restaurant presents: BORSCHT, BEATS & BEAMS. A fine mix of home made light beams, juicy beats and delicious borscht for an evening of fun and food (situated across the road from the Granary).
- The stunning new medieval museum in the Choristers’ Hall has just opened, telling more of the fascinating stories of medieval Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. Why not take a ‘Telling Tales’ tour – let mayor Thomas Wyse, Lady Este, the indomitable Mrs Rickards and Mr Whatswhy take you on a journey through a thousand years of history. Enjoy the elegant sophistication of the 18th century in the Bishop’s Palace. Waterford Museum of Treasures, one museum three great attractions. Opening Culture Night free of charge until 8.30pm, last tour 7.15pm.
- Candlelit Drumcircle in CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL: Doors open at 6pm, drumming will start around 7pm.
- BOOK CENTRE
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will provide trad music in the Waterford Book Centre, John Roberts Square from 7.30 pm – 8.30pm.
MORE EVENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!