Shakefest 2023 – Return to Charleville Castle

Finally after an impatient 3 years, Shakefest returns to its physical form to

Charleville Castle once again!

Rahan Comhaltas and Friends are back at Charleville Castle for Culture Night 2022

Culture Night takes place on one night each year in September. Originating in Temple Bar, it has now extended to hundreds of venues that host free events which take place throughout the whole country in the majority of towns and cities in Ireland. Its purpose is to celebrate international creativity in this country, and also for each county, town and city to be aware of and appreciate its multicultural, talented citizens.

Venues in Tullamore, Co. Offaly also host a variety of Culture Night performances each year in various venues throughout the town through the Offaly County Council Arts Office.  Approximately 15  venues will open up their doors and showcase some of County Offaly’s best talent through poetry, theatre, craft, song, dance and comedy this year;  physical events now able to open without hesitancy instead of being waylaid because of the threat of Covid-19.  Charleville Castle was no exception, but again with Rahan Comhaltas, after a two year absence, the Culture Night epicenter of the excitement this year is back with a physical event once more with an amazing variety of international songs, dance and revelry!  They will open their doors, alongside other venues and organizers this year, and present a wonderful mix of cultural and creative talent as well as Rahan Comhaltas’ own trad song, dance, stories and craic!

Culture Night takes place this year on Friday, September 23rd.  Rahan presents ‘Faces of Culture and Creativity’- a variety show that will once again take place in the grand Ballroom of Charleville Castle.   At 7pm, a complimentary tour of the mezzanine floor will take place before sitting at 8pm for various performances from artists of a variety of cultural and creative backgrounds, Expect an opening of the festivities by long-time Volunteer and Poet Roseanna Tyrell, followed by amazing performances by Rose Carey of The Celtic Blondes dancing  Irish Trad with a modern twist, Oriental Dance by Tracy McEvoy of The Red Embers dance troupe, amazing Bollywood and Indian Classical performances by Ishani Acharya, and  finally a special set of Indian Classical Dances by members of Noopura Naada, before making way for the wonderful talent and inspiring acts of Rahan Comhaltas.

 

Rahan Comhaltas bring to you the very best of their own Irish traditional culture with a show that both captivates the audience, welcoming participation – all are invited to join in on the Seisiún experience, taking to the floor as they wish … with a step, tune, song, or story which will bring the evening to a fantastic crescendo that will have you singing, participating and dancing along. Music, song, dance and storytelling await the lucky audience on this anticipated night!

Double your fun – experience amazing cultural talent in County Offaly’s Culture Centre of the Midlands on the heel of successful Rahan Comhaltas Sesiún evenings this past July, experiencing it in one of Ireland’s Neo-Gothic Architectural and Artistic Masterpieces – Charleville Castle once again.

Shakefest 2022 Virtual Hafla

Be sure to look out for Shakefest 2022’s Virtual Hafla on Facebook Watch, or on www.shakefest.net on Saturday, May 28th from the Charleville Castle Ballroom and abroad at 7pm, featuring Meghana Vasisht, Aparna Shukla, Marble’s Eye Studio, Darrendajourney, Tracy McEvoy, Roseanna Tyrrell and more, celebrating the diversity of cultural arts and dance in the Culture Centre of the Midlands.

 

Rahan and Friends: Cultural Crossovers Animation Projections and Performances

 

For this Culture Night Offaly 2021, taking place on Friday, September 17th at 9pm and once again taking their show to the realms of the internet, expect Rahan Comhaltas to bring you an exciting selection of music, song and dance infused with traditional Irish and abstract animated imagery by Matthew Watkins, projected onto the front of Charleville Castle, Tullamore.

View our show on Charleville Castle and Rahan Comhaltas Facebook Pages at 9pm, as well as www.offaly.ie/arts on the night.

Shakefest Online is Back for 2021

Join us once again for another exciting and fun filled online festival with Shakefest this year!  No matter the size or format, Shakefest will bring an amazing variety of dance, arts, music, drama and culture workshops and performances to the comfort of your own homes!  Visit www.shakefest.net for full details and www.brownpapertickets.com to book Zoom workshops.  See you there!