Connect Through Culture / Le Chéile Trí Chultúr
Culture Night, Oíche Chultúir, return for its 15th edition today Friday September 18.
Many of this year’s events will take place online and digitally, but there are safe offline events programmed too.
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, events on the Culture Night programme are subject to change or cancellation, but organisers are committed to the health and safety of participants and audiences, and appreciate your understanding of this matter.
Culture Night is an annual public event, taking place nationwide, which invites people to spend an evening exploring the best cultural offerings available to them in their localities.
Culture Night 2020 is a lot different from previous years, as artists and venues strive to offer a diverse programme of events and activities within National Health Guidelines.
“We hope that this year’s programme will provide a great opportunity to recognise the importance and value of our creative sector,” said a spokesperson for the Westmeath Arts Office.
Elevate Academy of Dance
Also performing online for this year’s Culture Night is Elevate Academy of Dance, who will present ‘You Will Be Found’ on YouTube. Another event on the dance theme is the online screening, on Vimeo, of the short film ‘O Before I Dance’ by Robyn Byrne.
Crane Bird Art Studio
Those interested in art and Irish folklore stories should contact Aida at Crane Bird Art Studio on Mary Street, Mullingar on 085 1875458 to book a place on one of two workshops on Culture Night. The theme is ‘Irish Stories and Histories Folklore and Heroes’ (5pm-6pm and 6.30pm-7.30pm).
Front door Lockdown Project
Tanya and Andrea Cullen from Bronte Photography will project portraits of Mullingar people at their front doors, all taken during lockdown on the front of Mullingar Arts Centre from 8pm on Friday September 18. The project has made €5,800 for local charity St Vincent de Paul. It is a snapshot of local people during these strange times.
Doll Making Workshop: The Image Of The Man
Teresa Doyle will meet and engage in conversation with members of Collinstown Men’s Shed in relation to her work as a doll maker. She will work with the group to make a male doll figure (11am-1pm).
Westmeath Libraries
Westmeath Libraries are also hosting Culture Night events. The one at 4-5pm in Mullingar Library is Creative Family Music Time with Noel O’Farrell. It is open to all ages and aims to celebrate the ‘sunny side of life through song’. There is also an opportunity to revisit myths and legends with An Fia Rua’s/ Eoghan Burke collection of Crunniu stories.
MGOW plan to Rock Around the Clock
Culture Night 2020 is a little different. This year Music Generation Offaly Westmeath (MGOW) is inviting musicians of all ages to be part of a mega play along and join the biggest band the midlands has ever seen!
Event details
You are invited to join the MGOW musician educator team to play the 50s classic hit, ‘Rock Around the Clock’.
Everyone is invited – whatever you play, whatever your age. Dust off the instruments, download the music, watch the MGOW Facebook live tutorials if you need a little help, practice and join in!
Taking part
On Culture Night, join a virtual music session to learn your part. Members of the MGOW musician team will give pointers on how to approach learning the music using online resources.
The tutorials will be shown live on the MGOW Facebook page as part of Culture Night.
The following week, September 27, join a virtual recording session hosted on Zoom at 4pm.
The recording will be used to make a video that will be shared afterwards. Please note that by taking part in this event you are consenting to be in the video.
Music, lyrics and a backing track are available at: https://www.musicgenerationoffalywestmeath.ie
Participation is free but registration is required via Eventbrite. A play-along Zoom link will be emailed to all ticket holders.
Technical requirements
For the event, you will need:
• Your instrument or voice
• Sheet music or lyrics for rock around the clock
• Headphones if you have them (this helps the online experience a lot)
• A device to join the zoom and a 2nd device to record your audio
• Fancy dress if you feel up to it!
Registration
Book your place through Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rock-around-the-clock-music-play-along-recording-session-tickets-120192792879.
(Go to the website and put ‘Music Generation Offaly Westmeath’ in the search bar).
For further information email musicgen@offalycoco.ie.
By taking part you are granting your permission for MGOW and Culture Night to use your recording on their website and social media platforms to promote their activities now and in the future.
(Photo at top) Every musician and singer, regardless of age or level of expertise, is welcome to get involved with the MGOW event on Culture Night.
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https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2020/09/15/a-vision-of-ireland-this-culture-night/