With 3 weeks to go, excitement is building in Tralee ahead of Culture Night on Friday 23rd of September.
This will mark the seventeenth year of Culture Night – an annual national public event that celebrates culture, creativity, and the arts. Tralee will be host to a programme of events on the night that offers something for everyone.
Siamsa Tire, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, will host 3 events during Culture Night at their venue in the Town Park in Tralee.
Event 1: 20 Shots of Opera
Time: 3.00pm until 10.00pm
Presented by Irish National Opera
Conceived, composed, recorded and filmed in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin in just six months amid lockdowns, INO’s 20 short operas showcase the breadth and depth of Irish operatic talent.
In collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, this is a looped film of 20 operas, each lasting 20 minutes, representing nearly 7 hours of opera at its most vibrant. Audience members are welcome to come and go.
20 Shots of Opera has something to say on a huge range of topics; finding human connection, dealing with rejection, grief, illness and death, coping with psychological challenges, protecting the environment, living off-grid, pandemic dating, wetsuits, latex gloves, super spreaders, Beethoven’s laundry, microbiology and doughnuts.
Event 2: Open Trad Sessions
Time: 7.30pm (for Beginners) and 9.00pm
As part of Mairtín Ó Cathasaigh’s youth programme which he will present for Siamsa Tíre’s Young Curator Scheme 2022, this talented young performer will host two open trad sessions for Culture Night.
An open trad session is a relaxed and welcoming gathering of musicians who are interested in sharing their skills and songs and learning from others. The event will take place in the informal surroundings of the Siamsa Tíre foyer bar. The bar will be open for refreshments throughout the evening and people can listen or join in according to their own level. All are welcome.
The first session of the evening will particularly welcome beginners of any age. Mairtín will be on hand to reassure any younger learners who may feel a little nervous joining in with a mixed age-group of musicians!
The second session of the evening is open to all musicians of any age. Younger learners are welcome to stay for as long as their accompanying adults or their legal age allows on licenced premises.
Event 3: Trad Connections
Time: 9.45pm
Culture night 2022 will see Deirdre Millane, Danny Collins and Róisín Comer come together for a night of lively traditional music as part of the Trad Connections series.
Deirdre Millane is a resident musician in Siamsa Tíre. She recently released her solo album on piano – Idir Dubh agus Bán.
Danny Collins is a multi-instrumentalist from West Cork and plays piano accordion, bodhrán, banjo and fiddle.
Róisín Comer is a native of Tipperary. She plays flute and concertina.
They crossed paths at The Irish World Academy in UL and during this time the trio further honed their skills in playing, arranging and composing while also gaining the opportunity to learn from many great exponents of the tradition. Tonight, they will be the leading lights as part of our night of informal Trad sessions where individuals of all ages and abilities are welcome as we continue our series of “Bothántaíocht”.
Kerry County Museum also have a great variety of events taking place for Culture Night – see details below:
Time: 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Event 1: A Night at the Museum
Enjoy a stroll through the Museum and discover engaging exhibitions and interactive displays. From Casement in Kerry to the Rose of Tralee, our exhibitions highlight the county’s rich history and culture. Special events include a Living History demonstration in the Medieval Experience – fun for all the family!
Event 2: Gowns of Glory – A special exhibition showcasing the Rose of Tralee winner’s dresses
This special exhibition showcases the winners’ dresses over the past 60 years along with memorabilia from the Museum’s collection, including the sash and pocket watch of Alice O’Sullivan, the first Rose of Tralee in 1959. The exhibition also tells the fascinating story of the festival and its enduring popularity through the ages
Event 3: Pigs, pubs and pestilence – Welcome to Medieval Tralee!
What’s that smell? You are about to find out! Stroll through the Museum’s Medieval Experience, meet colourful characters from the past and find out what life was like 600 years ago. From cures for the plague, children’s games to tavern talk, this hands-on living history event with members of Tralee Medieval Society is fun for all the family.
Culture Night invites everyone, everywhere, on one night to discover and celebrate all that our culture is today. One night for all.
For further information about Culture Night or events taking place, please visit www.culturenight.ie.
Shannon Star Entertainments presents a free cultural celebration of the Autumn Equinox with Druids, DJs, Fire and Music from the top Artists and Bands in Kerry featuring the Dingle Druid, Oracle, The Rising, Aftershock culminating in the Awaken Mabon Fire Spectacle.
Location: The Parklands Tralee
Time: 9pm – 12am
The event is an alcohol free event supported by the Arts Council and made possible by Kerry County Council Arts Department & Tralee Municipal District.