LightNight, Liverpool’s one-night arts festival returns to illuminate the city for a sixth consecutive year on Friday 15 May, when thousands of visitors will explore and celebrate the city’s world-class cultural offer late into the night.
The line up of participating cultural venues is already impressive, with events at over 50 city centre locations. Today three of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings have been added to the lineup for 2015; the Cunard Building, Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Metropolitan Cathedral. These incredible spaces are opening up for the LightNight festival for the first time, an exciting development that will see even bigger audiences flocking to events celebrating the city’s arts and heritage.
LightNight explores the theme Looking to the New World for 2015, as part of the 7-week series of events for One Magnificent City.
Visitors will be transported to the Golden Age of Travel as the Cunard Building‘s atmospheric ticket office is transformed by Time Liners, a brand new installation by Make Space Create commissioned by Culture Liverpool. Audiences of all ages can sit at the Captain’s Table or listen to stories from those who worked on the liners, experiencing the hope of departure and the excitement about the adventures ahead.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for culture, tourism and events Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “LightNight signals the start of seven weeks of amazing events in the city, with our iconic waterfront being the focal point for many of the activities.
“We are delighted to be able to open up the Cunard Building to the public on LightNight– for many people it will be the first chance they have had to come inside this beautiful venue. Not only can they take in the stunning surroundings, but the Time Liners project will add an extra, unforgettable element. It will bring the stories of those who worked on board the Cunard vessels to the fore and will be fascinating insight into people who dedicated a period of their lives to transatlantic travel.
“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible on LightNight and we hope large numbers of visitors will make the most of this unique opportunity.”
Merseyside Maritime Museum will open late for the first time as part of the festival with a night of music, dance, poetry and art throughout the night to accompany new major exhibition Lusitania: Life, Loss, Legacy which commemorates the sinking of the passenger ship Lusitania during the First World War on 7 May 1915.
Professor Sarah Peverley and Liverpool University Players also present a series of nautical-inspired readings that show how mermaids have captured the imagination of writers and artists since the dawn of civilisation.
The Metropolitan Cathedral will open on LightNight for the first time, hosting a night showcasing 12 of the region’s best choirs and vocal harmony groups. A Celebration of Song promises to be a beautiful evening where members of the public can hear incredible voices whilst enjoying the unique atmosphere of one of the city’s best-known buildings.
Christopher McElroy, Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, said: “We are delighted to be a part of LightNight 2015. This will be the first ever LightNight event held inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, so it’s a really special occasion for us.
People are invited to stay for the whole event or to pop in at any time throughout the evening. We hope to welcome a broad range of people, especially those who have not previously had an opportunity to enjoy a visit to our Cathedral before.”
Other organisations participating in LightNight 2015 include St George’s Hall, Liverpool John Moores University, Central Library, The Bluecoat, FACT, Liverpool Town Hall, St Luke’s ‘Bombed Out’ Church, Liverpool Cathedral, Camp and Furnace, Victoria Gallery & Museum, Constellations, Open Eye Gallery, Baltic Creative, The Well and many more.
Visitors to the festival can expect to see light projections and street performances, exhibition launches, tours, music, hands-on workshops and much more from 4pm-late.
LightNight 2015 is the launch event for One Magnificent City, a seven-week programme of major cultural events that continues with the Cunard Three Queens celebration from 24-26 May and culminating on 5 July.
The full LightNight programme will be released on 30 March 2015.
www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk
