First national Culture Night kicks off

Up to 200,000 culture fans are expected to get a taste of what’s on offer in Irish cities tonight as the first national Culture Night gets underway in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.

The event, which begins today, is expecting a record turnout, with hundreds of galleries, theatres, museums, studios, parks and performance houses throughout the country staying open later to host free events for the public.

This will the third year the event has taken place in Dublin, but new territory for the other cities

The cultural event includes activities suitable for the entire family, with dance, drama and art workshops taking place for the more creative, and giant board games and puppet shows for the young at heart.

From open nights at La Catedral Studios in Dublin, where 24 artists will display their work, to open mike poetry nights at the Unitarian Church on St Stephen's Green, there are plenty of activities laid on in the capital to ensure that culture fans get their fill.

Dance fans can try their hand at bellydancing, salsa, flamenco, ballet, jazz, swing or contemporary dance at taster classes held by DanceHouse, while the Atrium at Dublin City Council will play host to an evening for older people, with dance and drama performances, a photographic exhibition highlighting positive aging, and music.

Dublin Bus will provide free inter-venue transport linking the various venues.

Further south, Cork is putting on performances from guests of Opera 2005 and Cork Folk Festival at Civic Trust House, and poetry readings by Mary Noonan, Tomas Ó Canainn and Eugene O' Connell. Star gazers can take advantange of expert guidance at the Blackrock Castle Observatory to view the Andromeda galaxy, the moon, Albireo and the Ring Nebula with Pegasus rising.

The Gluckman Gallery is hosting a film karaoke night with artist Fiona Dowling, where famous film extracts will be screened and the audience will act out the dialogue, karaoke-style. However, those with sensitive ears will be [pleased to note there is no singing involved.

Limerick attendees Can take part in a céilí with Conradh na Gaeilge, while walking tours of the Walls of Limerick will point out hidden remains in the city, and dance fans can take part in contemporary dance at Daghdha.

Galway is appealing to budding artists with demonstrations and workshops by Lorg Printmakers and Artspace Art Collective at their studios, while the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas is hosting a non-stop showcase of Galway music.

There are also a number fo drama performances taking place, including Druid's Synge documentary at the Town Hall Theatre Galway and the Galway Youth Theatre's performance of Chatroom at the Nuns' Island Studio.
A late addition to the Culture Night programme, Waterford is hosting an evening of scary stories at the Lady Lane Library, and a series of free tours by night at the Waterford Museum of Treasures at the Granary.