‘Culture Night Armagh’ is set to take place in Armagh City and across the district on Friday 19th September with over 100 free events [and counting] taking place in 21 venues as musicians, artists, performers, DJ’s, tutors, writers, authors, poets, tour guides, dancers, singers and schools take to stages and venues to provide an evening of entertainment all for free.
TRADITIONAL IRISH & SCOTTISH DANCE
Following hot on the heels of their spectacular performance and show last year at Culture Night, The Lorraine Scallon School Of Irish Dance returns this year for another performance. Riverdance eat your heart out! Culture Night is also delighted to have the Curran Rooney School Of Irish Dance and Clan McCaul Irish Dance School performing in The Market Place Theatre and The Bandstand in Market Square and The Olivia Daly Dance School performing in Poyntzpass. Tassagh Scottish Country Dancers delighted audiences last year so their return this year is a colourful highlight of the programme, performing in Market Place Theatre. Scottish Highland Dancing via the Ulster Scots Community Network will take place in Armagh County Museum.
CHOIRS
Armagh is renowned for the quality and quantity of its choirs so this is reflected in this year’s programme with ‘Cor Gaelach’, Oriel Choir, Makaton Choir, Voices Of Recovery Choir and Choir Of The Passes in Poyntzpass.
‘ARMAGH’S GOT TALENT’
Lots of young bands and solo performers will get a chance to show off their talents at Culture Night including young singers Michael Haughey, Emma Timlin, Oisin Glendinning, Noel McClean, Hanna Donnelly, Guth’s Gleas and the well-known groups ‘Cup O Joe’, ‘Castle Street’ and ‘HOW’. Culture Night is also delighted to welcome back the cast from the summer blockbuster musical ‘Oliver!’ to perform once again.
‘The Keepers Of The Hill’ is a short performance piece taking place in Vicar’s Hill, created by children from Armagh under the direction of SoundMór depicts the magical nature of The Hill of Armagh
SUCCESSFUL AUTHORS
Following on from the success of this summer’s John Hewitt Summer School in Armagh, top writers Dara Carville and Stuart Neville continue the tradition with readings from their published work in Armagh City Library. Novelist Emma Heatherington reads from her book ‘Crazy For You’ in Armagh Visitor Centre and published author John McAllister reads from his trilogy of ‘Barlow’ novels in The Market Place Theatre.
DRAMA
Armagh Theatre Group performs the WW1 play ‘We Were Brothers’ in Abbey Lane Theatre. Space is always limited! Loughgall WI perform ‘The Northern Ireland WI Bake Off’ in The Market Place Theatre. Local professional actor Denis Halligan shows his latest short film ‘An Actor Prepares’.
DANCE
Contemporary Dance is always one of the visual highlights of Culture Night Armagh and this year is no different with Sutemos in various venues across the city and JD Dance who are just back from a successful World Championships.
LEARN ABOUT OTHER CULTURES
Culture Night Armagh is a multi-cultural event and this year is delighted to welcome the very colourful Amber Lithuanian Community Folk Dance to The Market Place Theatre and The Bulgarian Traditional Folk Dancers.
GUIDED WALKING TOURS
Listen to Baron George Minn play the cathedral bells in the iconic St Patrick’s RC Cathedral or get a guided tour. The Church of Ireland Cathedral Tour is also followed by an organ recital by Stuart Nelson. Cairde Teo and Gael Linn take audiences on an irish Language walking tour of Armagh and there are also tours of Armagh Gaol, The Palace and Ghost Stories On The Mall.
MAKE MUSIC
Anyone interested in learning or making music can enjoy the SU Sinfonia Orchestra, get an introduction to recording music in The Amma Centre or an Open Circle Music Making session in The Market Place Theatre by SoundMor.
TRADITIONAL & BAND MUSIC
Armagh Pipers Club have an open trad session in Armagh Pipers Club and there is a Traditional Music Night in Ye Olde Dyke Inn in Poyntzpass. Armagh Old Boys Band and Poyntzpass Silver Band are on hand for enthusiast of Silver and brass bands.
JAZZ MUSIC
A highlight from last year’s programme, The New Rhythm Band return with their big band sound and exciting rhythms. There is also a Jazz Jam in the Charlemont Arms Hotel.
EXHIBITIONS
Armagh Art Club will be on hand to chat and demonstrate to the public, there will be Graffiti Art with DJ’s on the theatre veranda and the Irish Woodturners Guild, ceramics and potters.
Brochures for Culture Night, Armagh are now available in venues across the City & District or from The Market Place Theatre, Armagh. The programme can also be downloaded from the theatre website at www.marketplacearmagh.com.