Yes, it’s that time of year again when arts and cultural institutions across the country throw open their doors to the general public for a night of FREE culture!
Here at An Grianán we have another great line up to keep you entertained through to the wee small hours including the Errigal Groove Orchestra, the Blue Ribbon Group and the brilliant Sweeney’s Jazzmen and lots of special guests! It all starts from 6pm this Friday 19 September.
Culture Night provides a terrific opportunity for families to sample aspects of Irish Culture and Heritage. This extraordinary night of cultural festivities has grown each year since its inception in 2006 with inspiring commitment from local authorities, cultural organisations and participants throughout the country. There is a diverse programme of performances, events and exhibitions available to the public.
This will be Letterkenny’s 6th occasion to participate in Culture Night. In common with other participating towns and cities across the country, the town will see an evening of highly accessible, FREE OF CHARGE, family friendly events. The programme is centered around, among others, Donegal County Museum, the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny Town Park, the County Donegal ETB Music Education Partnership, An Grianán Theatre, The Artworks, The Central Library, St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Conwal Parish Church, Create-A-Link Art Studio, ArtCo Gallery, Donegal Youth Service @ The LOFT and the Save The Church Lane group.
You can download the official Letterkenny Culture Night programme right here.
Culture Night at An Grianán
6.00pm -6.45pm
The Errigal Groove Orchestra
Street music performance at the new An Grianán Theatre Plaza
Formed in 2011 by Donegal Music Education Partnership under the directorship of saxophone tutor Sean McCarron, Errigal Groove Orchestra has evolved into a vibrant and talented Jazz Ensemble. Meeting monthly and with its student membership coming from all over the county, this impressive collective breathes fresh life into old jazz standards. Performances to date include the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival and at the headquarters of the Department of Education and Skills in Dublin.
7.00pm – 8.00pm
Blue Ribbon Group
The Blue Ribbon Group, under the direction of Brighdin Carr, has facilitated classes in music, dance and drama for many hundreds of young people in Letterkenny, over the years. Blue Ribbon’s special Culture Night Showcase at An Grianán Theatre will feature solo and choral singing, music and drama as well as choreographed dance routines in popular, hip hop, Irish and contemporary styles.
9.30pm to late
Sweeney’s Jazzmen
Paul Sweeney is one of Donegal’s true musical treasures, a renowned jazz trumpet player who played for many years with the legendary Capitol Showband, while also turning his hand to art and architecture – a true renaissance man. In recent years Paul has enjoyed a regular (and massively popular) Sunday residency in Dublin with his outfit Sweeney’s Jazzmen. For this very special Culture Night appearance, he’ll be joined by a jazz quartet and several special guests, for a night of swinging Dixieland tunes and hot jazz classics aplenty. Also joining Paul will be some of the stars of the An Grianán Theatre / Earagail Arts Festival hit production, ‘Fiesta’. Paul himself played at Letterkenny’s Fiesta Ballroom on many memorable occasions. It’s gonna be a night to remember!
