Spectacular line-up for Culture night in Laois

From performances by acclaimed musicians to celebrating 25 years of Portlaoise Musical Society, Culture Night in Laois promises to be its biggest yet. Laois County Council has just launched the packed programme of free events taking place this year on Friday, September 20. 

The annual Culture Night is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity, and the arts, and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. Laois has a broad spectrum of events to enliven the county happening until late. Local groups, musicians, artists, and venues have come together to make this a night to remember for everyone in the county. See below the full programme.

ABBEYLEIX

From 6.30pm – 7.30pm at Abbeyleix Library, join internationally acclaimed Classical musicians David Vesey and Alina Obreja for Nocturnal Soundscapes a concert duet on Piano and Cello, featuring music inspired by the night. If you lean more toward the visual arts try Pat’s Art Class, Abbeyleix Heritage House, where you can join acclaimed local artist, Pat Byrne in a fun and educational lesson on landscape painting. From 6.30 – 8.30pm. Booking is essential email: info@abbeyleixheritage.com

DURROW

At 8pm in Durrow Spink Comhaltas will host a traditional Irish music session in Aylwards Heritage Museum, for a night of traditional Irish music: group, solo and duet performances along with storytelling and singing. Refreshments provided.

MOUNTMELLICK

Mountmellick Library hosts a wealth of experiences for all including music, storytelling, and film. 4pm – 5pm see a screening of the 1995 Mountmellick Famine Commemorative Film and learn how the famine affected Mountmellick. 5pm – 6pm enjoy a trad set with Mountmellick Comhaltas. For those with an interest in drama and writing from 6pm – 6.30pm see the premier screening of Tiny Plays, a series of short films created by members of the Mountmellick Community, directed by Ellen Buckley.

6.30pm – 8pm the evening concludes with an intimate Story Sharing; One Night for All. The Mountmellick Community Arts Collective will share their stories along with invited storytellers from a diverse range of community groups featuring unique stories from traveller, LGBTQ and diverse ethnic writers.

PORTLAOISE

6.30pm Portlaoise Library hosts a magical evening of music and entertainment with the Drawing Room Opera Company's enchanting performance! Singers include Paul Linehan (tenor) and Mary Flaherty (soprano) accompanied on piano by David Wray in a delightful program of popular opera, Neapolitan songs, and Irish classics. At Dunamaise Arts Centre, EXPLORE EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY arts and culture from 6pm to10pm.

6pm come and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the fabulous Portlaoise Musical Society with a musical performance from their upcoming show Guys and Dolls! Refreshments served.

6pm meet Makeup FX artist James Mac for this Makeup and Artistry workshop in Dunamaise Gallery. JMAC renowned makeup 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 hand made crochet with LOETB tutor Courtney Murray.

At 8.30pm, experience the highlight of the Dunamise programme, 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 advised: (057) 866 3355.

PORTARLINGTON

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 and adults a mounted print. Children’s workshop 4pm – 5pm and adult’s workshop 7pm -8.30pm. 6.30pm Join the Port Art Crawl with Port Art Collective. Building on previous Art Crawls over the last two years this event will be a fun mix of art, craft and music and history, including several cultures on the night. Various locations and venues see @portartcollective

RATHDOWNEY

8pm – 9pm, all are welcome to join the Rathdowney Revel and experience a unique blend of performance art from a varied set of performers, especially curated by artist Caroline Conway, sculptor Evgeny Chubatyy, circus performer Maria Corcoran and percussionist Lilia Iontcheva. The event will be held outdoors, and involve children and young people from Scoil Bhríde NS, Errill NS, and St Fergal’s College, as well as the wider Rathdowney community.

STRADBALLY

The Laois Art House and Stradbally Library present visual art, artist open studios, music, andstorytelling.6.30pm – 8pm experience Anseo – Here a group exhibition by the Laois Arthouse Studio Artists,Stephanie Deady, Lia Laimbock, Greg Hallahan and Bernadette Keating along with an opportunity to view the artists studios.8.30 – 9.30pm the Library will host Music by Liarnan and Storytelling by Michelle Quirke. Aperformance on Uilleann Pipes, Harp and Fiddle by the acclaimed performers Liarnan sharing a blend of traditional Irish music, and newly composed tunes, followed by storytelling from Michelle Quirke, sharing local stories and folklore.

7.30pm, at Ballykilcavan Brewery join a performance of Folk Music with Emer Dunne and her band on guitar and fiddle. This performance brings together traditional and contemporary folk music and song featuring music, telling the stories of Laois’ history and heritage - audience participation is encouraged!