‘Youth Lates’ programme launched in Galway

The Galway City ‘Youth Lates’ programme has officially begun with an open mic night and is set to run for two months from October to December 2024.

The initiative is a collaborate effort between Galway City Council, and Youth Work Ireland Galway City.

Galway City Comhairle na nÓg , Music Generation Galway City and Galway Arts Centre Nuns Island Theatre are also involved.

Additionally, the programme is supported by the Galway City Night-Time Economy and Creative Ireland Programmes.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media will be funding the ‘Youth Lates’.

Kate Howard, Galway City Council’s Night-Time Economy Advisor, spoke to Galway Pulse about the initiative.

She stated it was a “direct response to consultations with young people, who expressed a desire for more engaging and inclusive options within Galway’s night-time economy.”

She added that the programme “aims to create a safe and engaging space for young people (aged 14-19) to participate in Galway’s vibrant night-time economy.”

“The programme seeks to provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents and express themselves creatively, offer diverse and inclusive events that cater to a range of interests.”

A closer look

The initiative also aims to “encourage social interaction and a sense of community among young people and enhance Galway’s night-time offering for younger audiences.”

There will be a variety of events that will take place during the two-month duration of this programme.  The first of these events includes Open Mic and Live Music Nights.

Kate Howard explained that this event aims to “provide a supportive environment for young musicians, poets, comedians and performers to share their talents.”

These nights will feature talented young musicians involved in Music Generation Galway City programmes.

There will also be a “showcasing the skills of Galway’s up and coming young DJs” which will be seen at the event on 15 December.

Laura O’Connell (DJ LOLz) and four other young emerging DJs will feature at this event. Established musicians will also be invited to attend alongside emerging performers.

The Open Mic and Live Music Nights are held at the Galway Arts Centre Nuns Island Theatre from 7:30pm to 10pm.

The first ones took place on 4 and 25 October. The next events will take place on 11 November and 15 December.

The events on 25 October and 11 November will feature different support and headline acts before the open mic/live music aspects.

‘Youth Lates’ events

Kate described the second event, a Craft Café & Dungeons and Dragons as a “more relaxed atmosphere for socialising and creative expression.”

Previously, the first session of the ‘Crafty Café’ took place on 11 October. The next event will be on from 6-8pm on 11 and 22 November at Youth Work Ireland Prospect Hill.

As the Dungeons and Dragons event have already taken place too, the next one will commence on 29 November from 6-8pm at Aras Na Gael Dominick Street.

All the events require prior booking. For the Open Mic and Live Music Nights you can register on www.galwayartscentre.ie/whats-on/.

People can find more information about the workshops and how to book by following @galwaycitycomhairle and @youthworkgalway on social media.