HUNDREDS OF free cultural events will take place around the country next month on Friday, September 19th as part of an expanded Culture Night organised by the Arts Council, it was announced yesterday.
The event, which is in its third year, has been expanded to include Cork, Galway and Limerick.
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend in Dublin alone, an increase of 20 per cent on last year.
Among the highlights are painting classes at the National Gallery of Ireland; Open Mic Poetry at the Unitarian Church on St Stephen's Green in Dublin; giant board games and puppet shows at Limerick's City
Library; and workshops by Lorg Printmakers and Artspace Art Collective in Galway.
Arts Council chairwoman Olive Braiden said the event "is a night of opportunities, a night to entice people out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary",
with more than 100 organisations and cultural venues taking part.
Director of Culture Night and head of cultural development at Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT) Gráinne Millar said the aim of the event, which is costing over €300,000, was to "open cultural venues and experiences to people".
"The inclusion of Cork, Galway and Limerick gives us the opportunity to reach more people than ever before," she said.
The first "culture night" took place in 2006 but until this year the event has taken place in Dublin only.
Ms Millar said modern life, with its time pressures, can prevent people from exploring Ireland's varied cultural offerings, and the event will now give young and old alike the chance to explore the range of free events on offer.
Liz Meaney, arts officer for Cork City Council, said in excess of 30 venues would be taking part in the Culture Night in Cork.
Events will include film karaoke in the Glucksman Gallery, music performances in the Civic Trust House and tours of City Hall.
"We are hoping to have local councillors leading some of the tours," she said.
Joe Woods, director of Poetry Ireland, which is hosting Open Mic Poetry, said the night "is a marvellous idea which provides people with the opportunity to catch cultural events they might not normally get to see".
Chief executive of Dance Ireland Paul Johnson said "the event was very successful for us last year, with several thousand people coming through our studios in DanceHouse for classes such as ballet, jazz, flamenco and salsa".
Tribute was paid to the late Séamus Brennan at the launch, for his dedication to increasing access to the arts.
Ms Millar said it is "a tribute to the late Séamus Brennan for his motivation and commitment to access for all in the arts that makes it possible to stand here today to celebrate the launch of this national initiative".
THE HIGHLIGHTS
DUBLIN
Venue: National Concert Hall
Events: Music workshops, dance workshops, guided tours of the hall and the Iveagh Gardens and an evening concert presented by the hall's resident orchestra.
Venue: Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
Events: Tours of the gallery's centenary exhibition, poetry readings by the Bealtaine writers and a workshop for children.
CORK
Venue: Civic Trust House
Events: Poetry readings, film and art installations, music performances from guests of Opera 2005 and Cork Folk Festival and a poetry workshop for children.
LIMERICK
Venue: Limerick City Library
Events: Music acts, giant games including snakes and ladders, jenga, connect 4, and circus acts including juggling, mime, a puppet show and face painting.
GALWAY
Venue: Artspace Art Collective
Events: Try your hand as an artist with demonstrations and workshops, view finished works and exhibitions by the artists.