On Friday 20th September Strabane District will come alive as venues all over the district will be celebrating Culture Night with an exciting range of events suitable for all ages and all free of charge.
The theme of this year Culture Night is Explore, Experience and Enjoy and there is plenty to choose from across seven areas within the district.
The evening begins with a wonderful showcase of dance at the iconic Tinnies Sculptures at Strabane/Lifford Roundabout as Pop Tap Dance Academy & Friends perform ‘Let the Dance Begin’. A celebration of dance from around the world.
The Alley Theatre in Strabane has a range of events including the launch of the Strabane and its Old Memories Photographic Launch. Strabane and its Old Memories is a community facebook page where people can upload photos from days gone by and now a collection of these photos are now in an exhibition in the Alley Theatre Gallery. Come along and reminisce about the past and mingle and hear the story behind the picture. After this in the Alley Café Bar hear the best of the North West talent as local musician Gavin Kelly hosts an open mic night from 8pm till late.
In Strabane Community Library enjoy ‘Releasing Rhythms’ from the Genuine Ghanaian Article – a drumming, dance and musical extravaganza. If its comedy your after look no further than MK’s Bar as local comedian Ruairi Woods will be performing his brand new show ‘Witman’. WITMAN is the highly anticipated follow up to last year’s IMPALED ON A RABBIT CAGE: PROGRESS and is not to be missed. Else where in Strabane enjoy live music in Caffé Fresco, Strabane Concert Brass in Strabane Golf Club. Just outside Strabane in Glenmornan Owen Row O’Neill Gac Club will be hosting a night showcasing some of the clubs talented youth members who are preparing for the Scór na nÓg competitions. The evening will include Irish dancing, music, singing and drama.
In the historic linen village of Sion Mills discover its beauty on an evening walking tour as a guide will take you through the history of this village. After the tour enjoy an evening in Sion Mills Community Centre as they take you through the years with an exhibition of artefacts and photos.
The brilliant singer Patricia Morris will be performing in Ten Square Restaurant in Newtownstewart. Patricia Morris is quickly becoming established as one of Ireland’s finest vocalists. A singer-songwriter, her music is deeply influenced by her Scots-Irish roots. Warm and engaging on stage, she is currently working on her second album. Patricia will be performing her own songs, interspersed with jazz standards and blues classics.
Over in Killeter Heritage Centre they are celebrating Culture Night from Thursday 19th September with a wonderful youth celli dance workshop by Niamh Browne School of Irish Dance. This will be followed by a youth ceili dance with live musicians on the Friday night followed by a traditional music session.
In Plumbridge enjoy the village’s annual event as they host a traditional music session with local talent.
Enjoy something completely different in Donemana as an energetic and fun Zumbathon will take place in Donemana Park followed by a craft workshop in Donemana Drummond Centre.
Bready will be celebrating an evening of Ceilidh dancing as young people will be receiving their awards and performing some of their wonderful dances.
Chairman of Strabane District Council Ruairi McHugh commented ‘This years Culture Night is full of music, dance, comedy and art so come along and ‘Enjoy, Experience and Explore’ what Strabane District has to offer. Culture Night is a way for us to come together, collaborate and promote Strabane District arts and culture in all its forms and is the perfect opportunity to try something new.’
For further information on any of these events contact Strabane Visitor Centre on 028 71 384444 or www.alley-theatre.com