This Friday is Culture Night, when Radio 1 will host a special three-hour programme from a number of locations around the country.
Lots of museums, galleries, theatres, music venues and cultural institutions will throw open their doors to the public and the RTÉ station will have outside broadcast inputs from Cork, Limerick and Galway.
The programme, from Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, will feature a specially commissioned work from contemporary Irish composer Stephen Gardner, performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Maloney. Also joining the Orchestra are trad band Lúnasa, whose recent album in collaboration with the Orchestra has been getting rave reviews worldwide.
Presenter Seán Rocks will be in Meeting House Square for a live broadcast from 7-10pm and he and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will be also be joined on stage by a feast of well known artists including; Julie Feeney, O Emperor and The Walls. Poet Dave Lordan will perform Ode to Culture Night, we’ll have comedy, drama, reviews, a guide to what’s on and lots more. Theatre Lovett will also have a treat for younger audiences.
Lorelei Harris, Editor of Arts, Features & Drama on RTÉ Radio 1 said: “Culture is for everyone and RTÉ is contributing to making this year’s Culture Night a truly inclusive event with a three-hour Arena Special from Meeting House Square, in partnership with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
“RTÉ is acknowledged as being a major supporter of the arts in Ireland, and we are delighted to be working in association with the Department of Arts, Heritage and The Gaeltacht, Temple Bar Cultural Trust and the Culture Night organisers to bring Culture Night into homes across Ireland with a great line up. Join us on the night in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and at home on RTÉ Radio 1 on fm, on digital and online at www.rte.ie”
Culture Night is an initiative co-ordinated by Temple Bar Cultural Trust and supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with the regional arts offices and local authorities throughout the island of Ireland. Funding has been generously provided by the Department for the event since 2006.