16 September 2021, Thursday
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Cork City Culture Night takes place on Friday 17th September, for the 16th year running, this one-night extravaganza offers several ways for people to enjoy this annual celebration of culture, creativity and the arts. The event website is www.culturenightcork.ie.
The 2021 diverse and impressive line-up features a trio of methods to experience the event, with activities presented in venues, outdoors and online. Achieving such variety has been a goal of event organisers who, in line with this year’s #ComeTogetherAgain theme, set out to devise a programme that was accessible in all the ways people might choose to enjoy their evening. Thanks to the enduring support of venues, performers and artists across Cork city, this goal has been realised and the result can be seen in the phenomenal array of events on offer throughout the course of Cork City Culture Night 2021.
Pictured at FitzgeraldÕs Park launching the Cork City Culture Night programme of events for 2021 are (L to R) Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr Colm Kelleher, along with performers from Cork Puppetry Company, Alex Hindmarsh as the Horse, Noelle OÕRegan as the Eagle, and Natasha Bourke as the Fish.
This year will see over 70 events, both in-person and online, at numerous locations around Cork City, including FitzgeraldÕs Park itself. See full events listing at
Photo: Cathal Noonan
In-Venue Events
Those eager to soak up an evening of live performance will be suitably impressed by the offering within local venues on the night.
The fabulous Nano Nagle Place will host violinist Caitriona O’Mahony, who will be accompanied by organist James Taylor for a performance of the Glorious Mysteries, as part of Heinrich Biber’s Mystery Sonatas in partnership with the East Cork Early Music Festival.
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral is back this year with its ever-popular Choral Evensong. This unique performance is always a memorable experience, so visitors are urged to arrive early as the event will be operated on a first-come-first-served basis.
The doors of Cork Opera House will open once again, to welcome a limited audience of 50 to enjoy an exclusive evening with Karen Underwood. The Cork-based singer will go home to her American roots as she performs a wide range of genres, from classic spirituals and gospel to jazz and soul.
While these in-venue performances will be in high demand, with most requiring boking, there are also a selection of unmissable outdoor events to attract lovers of live music, art, dance and more as they traverse the city in their own time.
Outdoor Events
Fitzgerald’s Park is a key stop-off point for visitors to soak up some unforgettable outdoor action this Culture Night. Hosting a celebration of street art through the event Upstaged – Culture Night in the Park, the well-known city-centre gardens will present a series of short circus and street performance shows that have been specially programmed for Cork City Council by the Circus Factory for Culture Night. More fun surprises await also, as Cork Puppetry Company and other local artists and creatives contribute to this family-friendly extravaganza from 4 to 8.30pm.
One of the highlights of this year’s outdoor billing is undoubtedly at Elizabeth Fort. With two performances from the Lee Sessions at 6pm and 7pm, preceded by more music in the afternoon, this unique space offers the opportunity to enjoy music in the outdoors at one of Cork’s most historic sites.
Another exciting element of the 2021 line-up is Graft, an open air exhibition that sees the placement of five temporary artworks throughout Cork city. This showcase incorporates audio and visual elements, as well as sculpture and other aspects of art and design, as the city itself serves as exhibition space for this innovative event.
Those keen to continue on the art trail will be intrigued by another installation that combines art, performance and audio-visual technology. Taking place as part of a two-week window exhibition at Kopper Hair Salon, This will not be Pretty includes a choreographed performance featuring performer Katrina Foley, with accompanying soundscape by Dr Honor Tuohy videoed alongside an installation of new work by artist Sarah-Jayne Booth.
Online Events
With the gradual return of live performance promoting celebration among those who greatly missed socialising, many fans of the Culture Night experience may prefer their cultural menu served in the comfort of home. This is where Culture Night’s impressive online line-up comes to the fore, with a wide range of exclusive performances on offer for those joining in virtually.
Choose form an online concert with Brian Morey, to classical and contemporary music performance presented by Alliance Française de Cork, or a dance showcase from the Firkin Crane, there is much to be experienced and enjoyed within an online space during Cork’s busiest and most exciting evening.
Some of the events listed above may have limited attendance or require pre-booking or pre-registration. For more information on all events on the Cork City Culture Night programme, visit www.culturenightcork.ie.
Cork City Culture Night is brought to you by the Arts Council in partnership with Cork City Council.
