On the 20th of September each year, Culture Night, the island of Ireland is transformed into a hub of cultural and artistic events and venues across the country will open their doors, inviting you in to experience all the weird and wonderful events they have to offer.
Dublin offers a wide variety of events ranging from spoken word poetry, to comedy shows, all free of cost. So, dive in and experience first-hand this unique celebration of arts, heritage and culture.
Here’s a brief look at just a few of the many events happening throughout Culture Night:
Drag and Draw:
33-34 Parliament St, Temple Bar, D2, D02 YP97, 5pm – 7pm
Calling all artists and drag fans out there! Love drawing and Ru Paul’s drag race? This event might be a match made in heaven for you. Street 66 in Temple Bar offers a rare opportunity to take part in a fun and fabulous life drawing class, with drag queen model, Bonnie Ann Clyde! All basic materials are provided, along with music and drinks. Although, with only 30 participants at a time, this one is sure to fill up quick!
Spoken Word:
Lower Ormond Quay, D1, D01 R9Y5, 6.30pm – 9pm
Spoken Word is an art form which focuses on the beauty of word play, tone and voice inflection. It’s like acapella for poetry. The Open University will be opening the doors of The Winding Stair Bookshop to allow everyone to enjoy this unique art form. Eager to get involved? You can take the plunge during the open mic part of the night.
Gaiety School of Acting:
15-19 Essex St W, D8, D08 T2V0, 8pm – 10pm
Are you a theatre aficionado? Perhaps an aspiring actor? Maybe you’re vaguely interested in acting but have never gotten into it. Either way, there really is something for everyone, at the Gaiety School of Acting. You can try a variety of taster classes throughout the evening, these include a beginner class (8pm - 9pm); an acting for camera class, (8pm - 9pm); and a musical theatre class (9pm - 10pm). Not eager to participate? Not to worry, you are also welcomed to enjoy a multitude of colourful performances by the talented students of the Gaiety.
Flying Turtle Productions:
27 Pearse Street, D2, D02 K037, 5:45pm – 10:30pm
Dying to channel your inner villain? Now’s your chance, small groups of 12 audience members are welcomed to take part in an immersive live performance, involving trained actors, with a special emphasis upon everything noir. This is one of the more exclusive Culture Night events, as an audience member can’t take part unless they know the password: “Speak Easy.” Each performance lasts about 30 minutes, book well in advance and make sure to arrive five minutes early or you might lose your place!
Jesters at Sin É:
14 Ormond Quay Upper, North City, D7, D07 TF10, 7pm – 11pm
Jesters is one of the most lively and vibrant comedy clubs in Dublin and this year, they’re hosting a comedy marathon! Get ready to laugh till you cry, as Jesters showcase Dublin’s funniest, wittiest and quirkiest comics. The twist? Each set is only five minutes! This means that each comedian has only five minutes to make you laugh out loud! If you love live comedy or haven’t yet explored Dublin’s incredible comedy scene, now’s your chance to catch some of the funniest comics around, completely free of charge.
Arran Street East:
1 Little Green Street, D7, D07 K744, 5pm – 9pm
You’ve all seen wrestling matches, fist fights and brawls outside of pubs, but have you ever watched a pottery throw down? Arran Street East is an animated ceramic studio and café, and on the 20th September, they welcome you to join their potters for their first ever pottery throwdown. Here, you will act as both audience and judge, as artisans participate in the ultimate test of pottery skill. To win the throwdown, Arran Street East’s potters will take the wheel and quickly throw together pieces suggested by the audience. These pieces will then be judged by the audience, taking into consideration timing, accuracy and aesthetic.
ActionAid Ireland:
172 Ivy Exchange, Granby Place, Parnell Sq, D1, D01 V125, 6pm – 8pm.
ActionAid is bringing a piece of Africa to Dublin through music, food, talks and visual art. Rhythm Africana, an African music group, will be bringing with them a variety of traditional and popular African songs, between 6.30pm to 7.30pm. In addition, there will be a small exhibition, showcasing ActionAid’s new programme which challenges harmful cultural practices through an innovative approach to behavioural change. They will also be providing information on campaigns to end violence, harassment, as well as information on volunteering.
More information on events is available at: www.culturenight.ie/dublin.