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Ease Into the New Year with the First Minster Nights of 2010
Published: on 6th January 2010 by Kendal Mosley-Chalk in Minster News
Visitors are invited to unwind after the stresses of the festive season as York Minster once again hosts ‘Minster Nights’ on the evening of Saturday 9th January, 2010.
‘Minster Nights’ is a popular evening which takes place at York Minster every few months and allows visitors to stay as late as midnight, experiencing the wide range of activities on offer as well as several artworks and installations by local and national artists.
This is the third ‘Minster Nights’ to take place, and this time the focus of the evening will be on relaxation, contemplation and reflection. Visitors can experience the Cathedral at night, as it comes alive with light and sound installations, sculptures and performances, all of which work within the cathedral’s space and the evening setting to challenge the visitor’s perception.
Among the artists present will be Airvent Media who will create a light and sound walk-in experience in the Chapter House, and Tony Murray who will be installing figures around the Five Sisters window. Kayla Kavanagh, an Irish singer and songwriter, will perform using numerous instruments including keyboard, guitar, electric violin, flute and the hammered dulcimer. Local favourites, the Mooted Theatre Co., who have performed before at Minster Nights, will be returning to perform an excerpt of Chekov’s ‘The Evils of Tobacco’.
All artwork, installations and performances will be spread throughout the interior of the Minster and visitors are able to wander at leisure and discover the evening’s exciting programme.
As usual, there will be ‘Hidden Minster’ tours, which allow visitors to experience areas of the cathedral not normally accessible to the public. These include the mysterious Mason’s Loft and Chapter House Roof void, the fascinating crypt passages and walkway over the enormous Five Sisters Window, and also the incredible tour of the West End Bell Towers. The three different tours depart at 7pm and 8.30pm at a cost of £8 per person. Due to their high demand, tickets are available only in advance from York Minster Box Office on 01904 557208 or https://www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org/public Health restrictions apply and visitors must be 16 or over to go on these tours.
The Undercroft and Treasury will also remain open, allowing visitors to explore the foundations of York Minster as ambient music plays. Likewise, tower top trips will be available at 45 minute intervals throughout the evening, weather permitting, offering visitors the chance to see breathtaking views of the city of York at night. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for concessions.
As part of Minster Nights, the Dean and Chapter are inviting all budding photographers to take part in a photography competition through the Minster Flickr site. Photographers are invited to come along and photograph Minster Nights, and then submit up to three shots they feel best captures the evening to the Marketing department (kendalm@yorkminster.org) , who will upload each photo on the Minster’s Flickr gallery for the online community to discuss. After three weeks, the most creative and innovative shot will be chosen to be used in future publicity of Minster Nights and the winner will receive an exclusive tour of the Minster for themselves and four friends.
The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said, “The Minster is a holy place, and an amazing monument to the faith of many generations expressed in stone and glass. It’s also full of life, creativity and fascinating hidden places: so this special evening of artistic expression and enjoyment of the Minster has been arranged. We look forward to welcoming visitors and locals on the night of the 9th January to see and hear some new and different sides of a building that we all think of as a well-loved friend.”
Minster Nights is free to York residents with either a York Minster resident card or proof of address. For non-residents of York the normal Minster admission prices apply. For further information on admission charges or the programme of events on the evening please visit www.yorkminster.org.
Flickr Photograph Competition
As part of Minster Nights, York Minster is running a photography competition using Flickr, an online image gallery.
The Dean and Chapter invite photographers to come along and capture Minster nights, and then to submit up to three images to the Minster’s Marketing department, who will then put them online using Flickr.
The images can be as creative and innovative as possible, following the normal photography restrictions inside the Minster, and people will be invited to discuss these images and engage with one another using Flickr’s online community forum.
After three weeks, a panel of judges will select the image they feel best captures the evening.
This image will then be used in future publicity for the ongoing Minster Nights series. Please note, any use of the image will include the photographer’s name, however the Dean and Chapter retain full copyright of the image to use in any and all promotional purposes of York Minster.
The winner will receive an exclusive Hidden Minster tour for themselves and four guests and their image will appear in posters, leaflets and other promotional purposes in the future.
For further information please contact Kendal Mosley-Chalk on 07540883407 or kendalm@yorkminster.org