With more than 70 free events planned for Westmeath’s first ever Culture Night, the county is set to become a hive of cultural activity with an endless choice of entertainment on offer.
Westmeath Culture Night, which takes place on Friday September 24, aims to showcase the county’s rich arts and cultural offering and to make the arts accessible to everyone, enthusiasts and novices, young and old alike.
For one night only, Westmeath’s art galleries, theatres, gardens, and other venues will open up to the public for free art exhibitions, lectures, musical concerts, dance performances, literary readings, drama, and much more.
Among the events taking place in Athlone will be a photographic exhibition on the history of the Dean Crowe Theatre and art exhibitions from Athlone Arts Group and artist Dara Ennis.
Transition year students will perform drugs awareness play The Hooded Well, while there will also be performances from Tonnta Street Theatre, Athlone Dance Company, and Attitude Dance.
Literary events will include a reading of PG O’Dea’s comic play Johnnie Britches, and a reading from Joe Ducke’s book of short stories Tell Me Sweet Little Lies. Passionfruit Theatre will also unveil a portrait of the late Joe Ducke by Ruth Ryan.
There will also be performances from Coosan Culture Group, Athlone Community College Orchestra, Encore Dance Academy, as well as contributions from a host of other local talent.
Locals are being encouraged to attend any and all of the vast selection of events for free.
A full programme of events is also planned for across the county, with Mullingar, Castlepollard, Kinnegad, Killare, Delvin, and Fore also offering the chance to experience the county’s culture in its various forms.
Westmeath arts officer, Catherine Kelly, said: “This is the first time that Culture Night has ever taken place in County Westmeath and so we are very excited about the event. We really hope that as many people as possible take advantage of the occasion to check out arts and culture activities which are of particular interest to them.”
For a full programme of events, see posters or information leaflets, or visit www.westmeathcoco.ie/culturenight
