Culture Night

There are many things and varied going on on Culture night this Friday 25th September. I won't be joining you; I've an appointment with some greyhounds.

6.00pm - 11.00pm

For Dublin Culture Night, Poetry Ireland is staging a repeat of last year's hugely successful open mic event. Participants must sign up on the night, on entry to the venue and will read on a first-come-first-served basis for a maximum of five minutes. Throughout the evening there will be a number of special guests including Declan O'Brien, John McNamee and singer Kayla McDonagh, spot prizes, comedy routines and musical interludes, all under the carefree supervision of MC Marty Mulligan.

Unitarian Church, 112 St Stephen's Green West, D2

Take your camera as there's a competition for the best photo that captures the night here.
It's not just Dublin (which has more than 120 arts and cultural venues across the city), Belfast, Cork, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Tralee, Sligo, Letterkenny, Mayo, Wexford and Roscommon.

Belfast @ 7.00pm - New Belfast Community Arts Initiative celebrates Culture Night in the Cathedral Quarter with 'Poetry in Commontion' a Culture Night Slam. Those who wish to participate can register on the night. Each poet has up to two minutes to deliver their poem and will be judged on their writing, performance and audience reaction. The top scorers in the first round will go through to a 'slam off' to win the title of 'New Belfast Poetry in Commotion Slam Champ 2009'. If you'd like to slam you will need: up to 3 poems of up to 2 minutes each; no props or instruments are allowed. The slam will be followed by music from John McGurgan and Pawet Bignell.
Black Box Café, 18-22 Hill St, Belfast

Mayo @ 6.00pm - Ballina Arts Centre is giving poets the opportunity to read their work to a small audience in an intimate surrounding. Poets can register beforehand or they can just turn up on the night. MC on the night will be poet Terry McDonagh.
Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina Civic Offices, Arran Place, Ballina, Co Mayo