We round up our pick of some of the best cultural happenings to be enjoyed as Dublin gets its culture on this coming Friday September 18th.
Culture Night Dublin hits the ripe old age of 21 this Friday, September 18th, and as the annual cultural extravaganza gets the keys to the city, we’re gearing up for a bumper night of free art, music, performance, heritage and general cultural craic across the city and beyond.
With plans in train for more than 300 events across the capital, running from 4pm until late, we’ve got some great suggestions of things to do and places to start.
Milling About at Bolands Mills
Culture Night gets a seriously good airing at Bolands Mills, as Milling About – Culture in Every Corner takes over the historic landmark, bringing live music, storytelling and art to the Docklands.
The free evening’s entertainment mixes live music, art, storytelling, and movement with plenty of buzz. Marcus O’Laoire gets the vinyl spinning at Grindstone Coffee, while over on the Factory stage, fans of live music can enjoy stomping performances from AE MAK, Sorcha Richardson and Zaska.
Feast your eyes as, subject only to the vagaries of the weather, artist Kevin Bohan creates a community-led mural live on the night. We’re also looking forward to dropping into local hair and beauty salon Don’t Kill My Vibe, as it hosts In the Chair, an intimate live storytelling session which sees four local legends styled live while sharing stories and memories of the area across six decades.
With gentle movement at Reformation and some smooth jazz and cocktails at Daphni, this one promises plenty for everyone to enjoy. Friday September 18, 6.30–9.30pm.
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The Blue In Between on Wellington Quay
Look up on Wellington Quay this Culture Night for The Blue In Between, a new public artwork featuring five striking cyanotype flags by Dublin-based artist Silvina Sisterna.
Taking inspiration from the ever-changing River Liffey, The Blue In Between explores migration, memory and belonging through experimental photography shaped by water, chance and movement.
Sisterna, who recently received the Mason Hayes & Curran visual arts bursary, also hosts free drop-in workshops at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios on Friday September 18th and Saturday September 19th, inviting visitors to get creative around themes of water, memory and place.
A lovely reason to stop, look up and see the city a little differently. Wellington Quay and Temple Bar Gallery + Studios. Free.
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Segotia – We Make The City
The night that’s in it sees Rathmines based creatives Segotia issue an invitation to the city’s culture vultures to swing by as they host a interactive session called We Make The City.
We’re told that everyone who comes in to the cool yoga/art/coffee spot on the evening will get to shape a little piece of clay and add it to a growing model of Dublin, so that by the end of the night there’s a whole miniature city built by those who showed up.
Also in the mix is a DJ set from BLKCVNS, with photographer Rich Gilligan also doing a set to mark the closure of his show Earth Tourist. 7.30pm – 10pm, free in, no booking required.
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Music Across Dublin’s Streets and Squares
North Earl Street gets in on the action for the first time this year, with Welsh alt-pop artist Mali Hâf, sister duo Zeztra, Korean drummers Doo-Dong, Mongolian music from Khuur Band, jazz from Pompe It Up and local performers including Rainbow 13+ Arch Club.
Over on Dame Street, hear the 60-strong Stellar Choir fill the magnificent Rotunda at City Hall, then head to the amphitheatre on Wood Quay for an open-air mix of neo-soul, breakdancing and global sounds, with a bill featuring music from Avenue 68, Leon “Aleon” Dwyer, Mexican ceremonial dancers Calpulli Mictlan, Dublin Gay Men’s Choir and St. James’s Street Brass and Reed Band.
Temple Bar too gets musical as Meeting House Square becomes the stage for some lively performances with Irish hip-hop from Celaviedmai and Gaeilgeoir rapper Blue Niall, alongside Burnchurch, Holly Munro, Jessie & The Veil and Culture Night ambassador Asha Ari.
Keep the night going on Capel Street, with an open-air electronic session curated by DJ Mooncup, before queer party night BIG FAT SLUT takes over Wigwam on Abbey Street.
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Dance and Drama and Photos
Fancy getting a glimpse backstage? Discover the magic behind the scenes with workshops exploring set, costume and lighting design at The Lir Academy, while Photo Museum Ireland hosts Robert Ellis’ The Forbidden Sun, which explores growing up queer and closeted in rural Ireland, with exhibition tours running throughout the evening.
There’s also a chance to catch Simone O’Toole’s award-winning BENCH dance performance on Central Plaza, before Super Average DJs take over with disco, house and 90s classics from their Mambo Caravan.
And then for fans of something a little more unexpected, the Office of the Attorney General opens its doors to the public for the first time, offering a glimpse inside one of Dublin’s more intriguing historic interiors.
And that’s barely scratching the surface. There’s also Liam Ó Maonlaí bringing sean-nós to Instituto Cervantes, a U2 walking tour celebrating 50 years of the band, Helen Pritchard’s new exhibition at The Horse, new rugs from Ceadogán Rugmakers and a chance to meet the makers at City Assembly House and a guided Irish-language tour of Trinity College.
All events are free, and all ages are welcome.
The only tricky bit is deciding where to begin…
Feature Image: Performer Memphis Shell, drag artist Neon Love and singer Asha Ari pictured ahead of this Friday’s Culture Night celebrations. Image Sasko Lazaro
Culture Night Dublin, Friday September 18, from 4pm.
See culturenight.ie for the full programme.
