Have a night of culture

ON Friday, people across the country will enjoy a Culture Night, an evening of entertainment, discovery and adventure, which is taking place across the country.
Museums, galleries, churches, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres will open their doors late into the evening, welcoming people of all ages to taste and sample cultural delights for free.
Glór is celebrating Culture Night 2011 with a night of entertainment and discovery. The night will kick off with free tours of the venue and then Cherish the Ladies will hit the stage at 8pm, with material from their new album, Country Crossroads.
Under the leadership of Joanie Madden on flutes and whistles, the group have grown from a one-time concert concept to an Irish traditional music sensation and are currently the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music.
The past few years have seen the group touring North and South America, the UK, Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand, performing at some of the finest concert halls and international festivals. During their travels, they have attained numerous awards and have shared the stage with noted entertainers such as James Taylor, Joan Baez, Emmy Lou Harris, The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, The Chieftains and dozens of symphony orchestras.
Ballyvaughan’s events take place in both Burren College of Art and Ballyvaughan village. A seminar based on an exhibition presented by Burren College of Art and The Rubicon Gallery, Dublin, entitled Between the Lines, takes place at 2pm.
The eighth Burren Annual exhibition, curated by Josephine Kelliher, features a collaborative project from artist Marie Hanlon and composer Rhona Clarke linking the visual arts and music. The exhibition features both individual and collective pieces, prompted by and developed in response to the unique environment of the Burren.
This is followed at 5pm by the screening of Love and Savagery shot in the Burren, West Clare and St John’s, Newfoundlandand. An evening of poetry and song headlined by Declan O’Rourke at 8.30pm is sure to prove popular. A pop-up gallery at The Tea Junction and on the streets of the village at 7.30pm will explore cultural identity by examining the famous Ballyvaughan signposts.
Finally, an exhibition of paintings by local schoolchildren entitled The Burren – Our Future will give an insight into children’s vision for the future of the area. Further details and booking information are available at www.burrencollege.ie or 065 7077200.
At Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery, artist Rita Wobbe will talk about her work and inspiration. Rita has been working as an abstract painter in the Burren and abroad for many years. Her sculptural abstract works explore the colours and textures of nature.
Following this talk, invited guests will present an object of particular significance, tell its story and point out its importance for them personally and to North Clare in general in an event entitled History is lying and dying all around us – if only the walls could speak.
In Ennis, The Midnight Court, a comic participatory event, will take place in the Temple Gate Hotel at 6.30pm on Friday. It is a colourful adaptation of the most famous Clare Poem, written by Ennistymon poet Brian Merriman in the 18th century.
Members of the audience will enter a modern court where the fairy judge is presiding over a case where the sexes are battling it out, airing their opinions and complaints about marriage and relationships.
The court case is scheduled for a one-hour hearing. Following this, the court will put on public viewing a limited edition book of drawings by artist Pauline Bewick based on The Midnight Court. This book is from the collection of the Clare County Arts Office. Children are welcome to the event.
Maeve Collins and Marie Connole are members of Ground Up Artists Collective (www.groundupartists.com), which supports, promotes and advocates for rural-based art projects and events that engage with local communities. Anyone interested in participating in The Midnight Court should contact Marie on marieconnole@yahoo.com.
Other events in Ennis for Culture Night include a performance by the The Really Truly Joyful Ennis Gospel Choir, who will celebrate their sixth birthday with their Across the Waters performance from the Rowan Tree Hostel at 9.30pm. Viewing for the performance will be from the bridge and Abbey Street car park.
Earlier in the day, the Clare Music Makers’ string quartet will perform at the Old Ground Hotel. Ennis classical music enthusiasts will have an opportunity to hear the talent being nurtured in their own community at the venue at 4pm.
Also in Ennis, there will be guided walking tours of the town, which will reveal the characters and stories that shaped its history, with the help of Clare Youth Theatre.
Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare arts officer, is encouraging locals and visitors to take advantage of the free events taking place around the county during Clare Culture Night.
“Clare Arts Office is delighted to partake in this national initiative and we are looking for volunteers to help out with the events. Those interested should get in touch with Clare Arts Office at 065 6899091 or email clareculturenight@gmail.com,” she said.
Full details are available at www.clarecoco.ie and www.culturenight.ie. Follow Clare Culture Night on Facebook for updates.