Kaleidoscope Night brings together Dublin’s finest classical and contemporary performers for a spellbinding midweek escape the first Wednesday of each month. Held at Bello Bar just south of Harcourt Street on the Grand Canal, The Lower Deck downstairs harnesses an air of relaxation and mystic wonder.

April 5th’s event was titled, “the mask, the muse & Mishima” after its three performance groups. Doors opened at 8pm with a small gathering outside the sealed entrance. As the gate was risen, footsteps huddled their way down carpeted steps and away from the brisk evening air. Hands were stamped as more footsteps poured in to fill the small underground room.

Without a stool to spare, Kaleidoscope was completely sold out. Candlelit faces mumbled and chuckled and smiled from right up against the stage to the bar as the clock neared 8:30pm. As the emcee approached the stage, lights dimmed and chatter diminished. A violin bow peaked out of the red curtain to the side of the stage and all eyes fixated on the musicians taking their seats.