Free events in Laois on Culture Night
Laois arts officer Muireann Ní Chonaill (left) with cathaoirleach cllr Pádraig Fleming and colleagues at the launch of Culture Night. Photo: Renata Metelicka
A rich and varied feast of free events will be served in towns across Laois to celebrate Culture Night on Friday 20 September.
Classical and folk concerts, art workshops, guided tours and a special performance to mark Portlaoise Musical Society’s 25th anniversary will be among the treats on offer to celebrate culture, creativity and the arts.
The programme launched at Laois county hall promises a night to remember for the county, as part of the annual national Culture Night. The programme for individual towns includes:
Internationally acclaimed classical musicians David Vesey and Alina Obreja will present Nocturnal Soundscapes, a concert duet on piano and cello, from 6.30pm – 7.30pm at Abbeyleix Library.
For visual arts fans, acclaimed local artist Pat Byrne will host a fun and educational lesson on landscape painting at Heritage House from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Booking is essential, email: info@abbeyleixheritage.com.
Spink Comhaltas will host a traditional Irish music session in Aylward’s Heritage Museum at 8pm, featuring group, solo and duet performances along with storytelling and singing. Refreshments provided.
Emo Court will host a 40-minute interior guided tour of the magnificent mansion at 6pm, with guides dressed in period costumes.
Mountmellick Library will host a wealth of experiences for all ranging from music to storytelling and film from 4pm – 5pm. A screening of the 1995 Mountmellick Famine Commemorative Film will explore how the famine affected the town.
A trad set with Mountmellick Comhaltas will run from 5pm – 6pm. For those with an interest in drama and writing, there will be a premiere screening from 6pm – 6.30pm of Tiny Plays, a series of short films created by members of the Mountemellick community, directed by Ellen Buckley.
The evening will conclude with an intimate ‘Story Sharing; One Night for All’ from 6.30pm – 8pm, when the Mountmellick Community Arts Collective will share their stories along with invited storytellers from a diverse range of community groups, with unique stories from Traveller, LGBTQ+ and diverse ethnic writers.
Portlaoise Library will host a magical evening of music and entertainment with the Drawing Room Opera Company’s enchanting performance at 6.30pm. Singers include Paul Linehan (tenor) and Mary Flaherty (soprano) accompanied on piano by David Wray in a delightful programme of popular opera, Neapolitan songs and Irish classics.
Dunamaise Arts Centre will present ‘EXPLORE EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY’ arts and culture from 6pm to 10pm. The event will include a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Portlaoise Musical Society at 6pm, with a musical performance from their upcoming show Guys and Dolls. Refreshments served.
Make-up FX artist James Mac will present a Make-up and Artistry workshop in Dunamaise Gallery. The renowned make-up artist and Netflix/ BBC finalist from GLOW UP series 2 will demonstrate unconventional methods connecting art and makeup design.
Visitors can also grab a coffee at Dunamaise Café and enjoy a display and demonstration of beautiful handmade crochet with LOETB tutor Courtney Murray.
The highlight of the Dunamaise programme at 8.30pm is From the Roof of the World, a performance by eight Tibetan monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The group will present a fascinating experience of cultural chant, mantras, music and dance, opening a magical window on a world of reincarnation and mysticism. Booking is advised at 057 8663355.
Visual art lovers are invited to Explore Painting with artist Mary Slevin in Mount Henry Art Studio. Mary is delighted to welcome adults and children to her art studio at Mount Henry to explore painting, print and other art techniques. Children will create personal journal covers, while adults will create a mounted print. Children’s workshop 4pm-5pm and adult’s workshop 7pm-8.30pm.
The Port Art Crawl with Port Art Collective will start at 6.30pm. Building on previous Art Crawls over the past two years, this event will be a fun mix of art, craft, music and history, including several cultures. For various locations and venues, see @portartcollective RATHDOWNEY All are welcome to join the Rathdowney Revel from 8pm – 9pm, with a unique blend of performance art from a varied set of performers specially curated by artist Caroline Conway, sculptor Evgeny Chubatyy, circus performer Maria Corcoran and percussionist Lilia Iontcheva. The event will be held outdoors and will involve children and young people from Scoil Bhríde NS, Errill NS and St Fergal’s College, as well as the wider community.
The Laois Art House and Stradbally Library will present a variety of visual art, artist open studios, music and storytelling.
The group exhibition Anseo from 6.30pm – 8pm will feature work by Laois Arthouse Studio Artists Stephanie Deady, Lia Laimbock, Greg Hallahan and Bernadette Keating, along with an opportunity to view the artists’ studios.
From 8.30pm – 9.30pm, Stradbally Library will host music by Liarnan and storytelling by Michelle Quirke. The performance on uilleann pipes, harp and fiddle by acclaimed performers Liarnan will share a blend of traditional Irish music and newly composed tunes, followed by storytelling when Michelle Quirke will share local stories and folklore.
Ballykilcavan Brewery will present folk music with Emer Dunne and her band on guitar and fiddle at 7.30pm, bringing together traditional and contemporary folk music and song telling the stories of Laois.
For more information and to download the programme, visit www.laois.ie. Brochures are available from Laois County Council, libraries and from the arts office by emailing arts@laoiscoco.ie
