Coming Together Again

By Cian PierceThis September classes and events will return to being held on campus for the most part. While the past year introduced many new creative solutions and outlets for students to share their appreciation for and engage with art and literature, for example, UCC Dramat Society’s “Wish You Were Here”, UCC Musical Theatre Society’s production of “Mean Girls” and book clubs hosted by a variety of societies. As appreciative and impressed as we all are by the Societies and students’ dedication to keeping the arts alive in our brief venture into the digital world, it is about time we returned to our rightful place on campus so we can ensure that UCC’s creative spark never goes out and that the arts thrive once again in our university and city at large. To start our return to campus out on a high note and to give incoming students a taste of college life, “Give it a Go Festival” will be on from the 13th September to 1st October. The festival is open to all students of UCC, we highly encourage you to meet members from 106 of the active societies in UCC and get involved in their activities. The Festival is a great way to meet new people, connect with all our societies in UCC and learn something fun while you’re there! The events will be held in-person and online throughout the three weeks. Some events being run by the Social Societies include the LGBTQ Society’s “Gaymes Night”, which will be held online; Southeast Asia Society’s “Taste of East Asia”, which will be held in-person; and Sci-Fi Society’s “How to be a Geek 101”, which will be held in-person. Some events held by the Political & Activism Societies include Feminist Society’s “Sleepover Club – Movie Night: Little Women”, which will be held in-person; Cooperative Society’s “Activist Evening” which will be held in-person; and Disability Activism & Awareness Society’s “Introduction to Disability Activism & Awareness Society”, which will be held in a blend of online and in-person. Some events held by the Cultural & Debating Societies include Psychological Society’s “Mind Yourself Now: Self-Care Techniques with Psych Soc”, which will be held in a blend of online and in-person; and An Chuallacht Society’s “Bingó leis an gcuallacht” which will be held both online and in-person. Some events from the Creative Societies include Choral Society’s “Speed Choir”, which will be held in-person; and Scribble Society’s “Scribble Sesh” which will be held online.For more information, the full events guide and sign up for events, visit the UCC Societies’ website or social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Festival will be a great way to familiarise yourself with Campus, society events and the thriving artistic culture that the University has to offer!The annual tradition of Culture Night will be in full swing on Friday 17th September. This will be the sixteenth edition of Culture Night, brought by the Arts Council in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations that all seek to elevate and celebrate the resilience and creativity of the Rebel County. The full evening of cultural activity will be onwards from 4 pm to midnight. Over 100 events have been created, truly a testament to the fervour of the artistic community in Cork. Many events will be held online – through live streams, file footage or pre-recorded content; but there will also be plenty of live events in-person across venues in the city, both indoors and outdoors. Some events to look forward to include five temporary public artworks that will be put up throughout the city; “In Habitat, In Transition”, a solo exhibition by Deirdre Frost in St. Luke’s Crypt; Slow Puncture, a solo exhibition by Lily O’Shea: A series of reflections on precarious labour and the experience of burnout; “A Night of Culturally Diverse Communities and Performance”, based on the theme of diversity and inclusion this will take place in the Historic Spine of the City; and “My Chronic Pain Diary”, a Cork city art trail chronicling life with chronic pain for September – Pain Awareness Month.  Along with street art festivals and outdoor band rehearsals, this Culture Night will be one to remember! For more information visit culturenightcork.ie or follow the official Culture Night social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up to date:Twitter: @UCC_ExpressInstagram: @UCC_ExpressFacebook: @UCC_Express