1 September 2023
“Culture Night is a crucial part of our city’s event calendar and key part of the city’s sense of identity. With so many free events on offer, there is literally something for everyone. The big thing is to plan in advance what you want to see, view, and engage in. It is an evening to turn the TV off, come into town, relax and soak up the atmosphere. And I’ll see everyone there!” says Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy.
A hugely anticipated, annual, all Ireland event , Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir celebrates culture, creativity, and the arts, and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured, and nurtured in peoples’ lives.
A key event of Culture Night Late 2023 in Cork will be a celebration of the mesmerizing interplay between sound, vision, and movement presented by The Electronic Music Council. Faoi Choim na hOíche will be in Cork’s City Hall from 9pm until late. Candy’s Sweet as Circus Cabaret, presented by Cork’s own Circus Factory, will invite audiences to participate in a fantastic feast for the senses from 10pm at The Marina Market. Indeed, Cork Circus Factory is involved in several Culture Night events, as the date co-incides with their own Pitch’d Festival.
One new venue of note is the refurbished Elizabeth Fort, which will host the Barrack Street Band, while the Butter Exchange Band opens its band room doors on the Northside. UCC, as always, hosts many events across its various campus buildings, as does MTU on the Grand Parade, in Bishopstown, and on Union Quay, where the School of Music has an interesting repertoire on offer.
Venues that are always very popular to visit on Culture Night include the Wandesford Quay Complex which includes Backwater Artists, Cork Printmakers and the Lavitt Gallery, plus the central gem in Cork’s classic cultural crown – the Crawford Gallery. Open Studio events are also always popular as a great opportunity to learn more about the practicalities of the artist’s work – Cork Sculpture Factory and Benchspace invite visits, as does Cork Community Art Link.
Free Culture Buses provided by Bus Eireann for the event, run from City Hall to venues outside the city centre, entertaining revellers with performances on board.
Patrons are advised the while all events are FREE, some require booking. This week, selected venues issue partial ticket releases, including both of the events above, while the full selection will be live 2 weeks before Culture Night on September 8th. See the Culture Night Social Media pages to be the first to know about Ticket Releases
Commenting at the recent launch of the Culture Night programme, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said: “Culture Night is always a major highlight in the cultural calendar, and I look forward to seeing people across Ireland celebrating One Night For All on Friday 22nd of September. This year’s fantastic programme will see events take place in villages, towns, and cities, across the country.
I am thrilled that additional funding from my department for the Culture Night Late scheme will support 19 flagship arts events across Ireland that will begin after 9pm and continue late into the night. Innovative and inclusive in scope, and catering to a range of audiences, these events highlight the key role the cultural sector has in realising our vision for a vibrant and safe Night-Time Economy.”
Maureen Kennelly, Arts Council Director, also speaking at the National Launch said “As well as the vast array of events showcasing our vibrant culture, one of my favourite things to see on Culture Night is generations of families and groups of friends, young and old, coming out to explore together and enjoy the richness and diversity of Ireland’s culture today. We in the Arts Council, as stewards, are delighted to bring this important collective cultural experience to life. This year we are celebrating Culture Night’s coming of age and I encourage everyone to come out on Friday September 22nd, have fun and wish Culture Night a happy 18th birthday!”
For more information on Cork City Culture Night 2022, visit www.CorkCity.ie/culturenight. Keep up to date with programme additions by following the conversation online #CultureNight / #OícheChultúir and #CorkCultureNight. Check out Facebook corkcityarts or Twitter and Instagram @corkcityarts
Culture Night Cork City is brought to you by Cork City Council in partnership with the Arts Council.
