Nekalab Night

Members of the Nekalab art community at the Nekala Cultural Centre

Welcome to Nekalab Night as part of the Night of Events during the Tampere Theatre Festival! Nekala Cultural Center Nekalab invites visitors to discover the diverse artists working in the building and enjoy the celebrated offerings of our restaurant.

Throughout the evening, the program includes performances, workshops, open studios, exhibitions, and other surprises throughout the building. Nekalab's artists and creative practitioners offer visitors a chance to glimpse the everyday reality of artistic work, participate in creative activities, and experience art in a unique environment.

Nekalab Night invites you to relax, meet artists, and discover new perspectives on art—right where it is created.

10:00 AM–11:30 PM | 3rd Floor
HOUSE ARTISTS' EXHIBITION & ART SALE
The third-floor corridor at Nekalab features an exhibition and art sale showcasing works by the building's resident visual artists. On display are paintings, prints, textile collages, and a variety of printmaking works. The exhibition is curated by visual artist Ville Pirinen. Featured artists: Petra Heikkilä, Tiina-Kaisa Leppänen, Teemu Saukkonen, Pilvi Hyväri, Kaisa-Tuulia Tuomi, Jan Anderzén, Anne Hakala, Kristiina Sario, Henrietta Soininen, Sanni Seppä, Leena Lehti, and Aino Louhi.

10:00 AM–11:30 PM | Gallery
J.C. MUYONJO EXHIBITION
J.C. Muyonjo is a multidisciplinary artist from Uganda whose practice spans music production, sound design, digital illustration, visual communication, and other creative new media techniques. On display at Nekalab are printed works from the audiovisual Abatuuze project. Visitors can also access the accompanying audio-reactive illustrations via QR codes.

2:00 PM (3:15 PM) | Courtyard
FLAMMA FIRE COLLECTIVE: CHILDREN'S FLOW ARTS WORKSHOP & PLAYFUL FIRE SHOW
Welcome to the wonderful world of flow arts! In this workshop designed for children, participants can explore movement, music, and a variety of flow props while creating art together with others. Flow arts offer a fun, freeing, and accessible way to express yourself. Come join us and let your imagination flow! The workshop is led by two experienced performers from Flamma Fire Collective. After the workshop, at 3:15 PM, they will take the stage to present a fun and entertaining fire show for children. The workshop and fire show are free of charge. Location: Courtyard sand field.

5:00 PM–10:00 PM | 3rd Basement Floor, Room 3027
VISUAL ARTIST TIINA KAISA LEPPÄNEN: OPEN STUDIO
Meet visual artist Tiina Kaisa Leppänen and explore her unique expressive landscape paintings! Location: Level 2.5 (accessible as Basement Level 3 when arriving by elevator).

6:00 PM & 8:00 PM | Room 3014
CREATIVITY EDUCATOR HEIDI KORMANO: MANDALA STONE PAINTING WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS
Join us on the third floor to paint your own mandala stone. Mandalas are geometric patterns often used as tools for meditation. This workshop invites participants to let their thoughts wander freely and enjoy a relaxing creative moment—conversation and laughter are warmly encouraged! The workshop is intended for adults. You may keep your finished stone or give it to a friend as a small pocket-sized gift.
Maximum 8 participants per session. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Duration: 60 minutes. Materials fee: €5 per person.

Handcrafted products, artwork, and the Don't Freeze crochet and knitting book will also be available for purchase!

7:00 PM–12:00 AM | Restaurant Nekalab
DJ ALASKAN PETE
Saxophonist Sami Sippola spins a carefully selected collection of records. Jazz – Country – Folk – Finnish music. Exotic sounds, rock 'n' roll, melancholy, and unexpected combinations.
Free admission!

10:30 PM | Courtyard
FLAMMA FIRE COLLECTIVE: FLAMMA IN SPACE
Experience Flamma Fire Collective's Flamma In Space performance in Nekalab's courtyard!
In this spectacular performance, patterns created by fire and LED props intertwine to paint a visually rich canvas in the darkness. The show takes audiences on a narrative journey through space, traveling across three distinct worlds, each with its own atmosphere, colors, and themes. The visual experience extends onto Nekalab's façade, transforming the building into a living cosmic canvas through a collaboration between Stereo:ID and Loihtumo. Using video projection technology, the performers' movements are captured live by multiple cameras and integrated directly into the projection mapping on the building. The cosmic soundtrack is created by electronic music artist Nekatronix, whose synthesizer-driven compositions unite the story and visuals into a seamless immersive experience. Free entry!