A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE FOR FREE!

It’s the one night of the year when the whole country embraces the arts, with venues all over Ireland swinging open their doors to those keen to explore just what’s happening on our stages right now. 

And this year, The Whale are giving themselves over to a wide variety of cultural kicks, from trad-fusion to the oul’ harp, from soundscapes to Cork’s acclaimed Strung. 

The night begins at 6.30pm with Rithim Orchestra, Niall Preston and Aimee Farrell Courtney from Music Generation inviting people to grab a bodhrán and get into the groove. 

Hailing all the way from the People’s Republic of Cork, Strung boasts Maria Ryan on violin and vocals, Lucia Mac Partlin on violin, Sean Warren on cello and Aonghus McCarthy on piano, playing songs from their debut album, boasting original and traditional tunes. 

There’s a chance then to catch your breath in the Trad Sound Bath, offing up a ‘multitude of soundscapes, including traditional, world music, classical, jazz’ and whatever-you’re-having-yourself, all pulled together with a plethora of percussive instruments. 

Having written pieces for the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, as well as picking up the prestigious Prix Salabert for Composition at the Conservatorire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon (that’s in France, we reckon), upcoming composer Sam Perkin will have his atmospheric piece Pause played by a live string quartet. The latter will be accompanied by a recording of a traditional Irish fiddle which has been slowed down by 800%.

Beat that, Ger Doyle! 

Rounding out the night, Strung will strutt their string-driving thing once again, to send everyone rockin’ out into the blue night. 

And did we mention the whole night is free…? 

Thanks to the mighty Brian O’Regan, our guest curator for this special Culture Night 2018 musical extravaganza.