The Limerick National City of Culture 2014 programme has just been launched. Key elements of the year-long programme that will deliver an unparalleled blend of cultural expression and performance in Limerick throughout 2014 were announced at Daghda Dance Space in the old St. John’s Church in the city yesterday.
Over 200 different performances and exhibitions, spanning all aspects of culture and the arts, that will thrill, calm and even challenge the senses will be delivered by leading and critically acclaimed international, national and local acts in the most varied and embracing year of cultural expression staged in Ireland. The programme will run across 13 different themes – Streets; Stage; People & Places; Visual Art; Music; Secret Limerick; Food, Fashion & Craft; Na Leanaí; New Generation; Architecture; The Artists Call and Sport.
The year will leave a lasting legacy also in the city with some 109 Limerick groups having successfully applied for funding to deliver shows and exhibitions as part of the programme. Further marquee acts for large scale outdoor performances will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
Limerick National City of Culture opens with a New Year’s eve extravaganza that will include a Procession of Light – comprising illuminated floats, carnival, drama and community performers – through the City to the historic and majestic King John’s Castle on the banks of the River Shannon and concert, with tens of thousands of spectators set to be treated to a midnight fireworks and special effects extravaganza.
Among the music events planned throughout the year include “Kids are Alright”, a programme which gives local primary school children a chance to learn the ukulele, percussion, harmonic singing and improvisation techniques, “ICO Sing Out With Strings” where the Irish Chamber Orchestra will work with a new generation of musicians and a special Limerick “Proms in the Park” set to take place next summer.
For full details of the programme of events scheduled to take place throughout the year, see http://limerickcityofculture.ie/
