35 culture events lined up next week

Amongst the unique events lined up are a pop-up 1940s-style tearoom in Pump Street and an open air fashion show in the Craft Village.

The city’s one of many European cities celebrating Culture Night. The Mayor of Londodnerry Kevin Campbell said: “As we approach the City of Culture in 2013, Culture Night is an excellent example of partnership working between local cultural organisations and businesses and projects.

“We have had great support from local organizations to extend their programming to ensure their doors are open in the evening, creating a trail of activities which people can move around to take in a real diversity of entertainments. There are ongoing initiatives aimed at nurturing the evening economy of the city and Culture Night shows how it can be done.”

Co-ordinated by Derry City Council, in partnership with a range of organizations, Culture Night is now one of the key autumn cultural offerings providing new and imaginative ways for people from all walks of life to take part in the cultural life of the city.

Now in its third year in Londonderry, 35 cultural venues, restaurants, galleries, theatres, community arts and individual artists are hosting activities free to the public.

Among the highlights of this year’s programme are the opening of a vintage 1940s tearoom with live music and fashion displays at Bedlam Vintage and Antique Market, the Craft Village will host the popular Catwalk Fashion show, a 30 minute improvised dance performance by Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, a denim regeneration workshop for 14-17 year olds in the Craft Village, while the Millennium Forum will host a Stravaganza event for emerging musicians and performers.

The Nerve Centre will be hosting a wide range of events throughout the day including comedy screenings and live stand-up, opportunities to see the centre’s groundbreaking educational programme and archives or take part in a Fab Lab Art Take Part Mash-up.

Local churches, theatres and museums will be open to visitors for the day as will the city’s galleries. There will be a special evening market in Guildhall Square between 4 and 9pm and performances by Tribal Fire and drumming by Tribal Beat on the Walls at 10pm.

Elaine Griffin from Derry City Council added: “This is just a snapshot of some of the fantastic events that we have taking place for the public, and I would really encourage everyone to come along and make the most of the opportunity to attend these free events.

“I would like to congratulate and commend all the contributors for their efforts and for working together to make Culture Night the impressive event it is.”