Festival City York 2007

Including: Jorvik Viking Festival, Early Music Festival, Festival of Food and Drink, St Nicholas Christmas Fayre, Festival of Angels and Renaissance: Illuminating York……

Illuminating York: Throughout 2007

The ancient city-centre of York is being transformed when it is dark, by a stunning programme of public art commissions and the permanent lighting of some of the most historic buildings in Britain. Contemporary art installations and beautifully illuminated heritage sites, each using the most advanced lighting technologies are lighting up the city to enhance visitors' experience of the historic city centre in the evenings. From dusk, York can now be seen in a whole new light, as visitors can take the short and pleasant walk around the city centre to enjoy ancient and modern York, beautifully enhanced with light. From The Merchant Adventurers Hall to Bootham Bar visitors can now admire the city's historic sites in the evenings as never before.

Three areas of York - Exhibition Square/Bootham Bar, the historic core of the city and along the River Ouse – are now sensitively and beautifully lit to encourage people to enjoy York as much by night as by day. New art installations, some permanent and some temporary, are putting local and international artists in the spotlight in York, showing the dramatic effects of the latest creative contemporary talent in one of the most historic settings in Europe. Press Contact: Kay Hyde, 01904 554451 or email kh@york-tourism.co.uk

Recovered Light: St Williams College green: 6 - 28 Jan 2007

Last winter saw French light artist Patrice Warrener wow the crowds with his transformation of York Minster, The Heart of Yorkshire. This year Recovered Light, an immense projection by cutting edge New York artists The OpenEnded Group, will illuminate the gridwork of scaffolding that now covers the entire eastern facade of the Minster and obscures from view the Great East Window, a masterpiece of Renaissance stained glass. Recovered Light will act as a kind of x-ray, evoking what lies behind the scaffold - the Great Window and the interior of the Minster itself. For more information, please call Visitor Information on 01904 550099 or email info@visityork.org Press Contact: Kay Hyde, 01904 554451 or email kh@york-tourism.co.uk

Spire at York Minster: 20th January 2007

The emptied nave of York Minster will be filled with Spire - a striking, magical exploration of sound and space using organs, voices, turntables and electronics to celebrate the church organ. Using classical pieces and new contemporary compositions, Spire is an evening of bold exploration into the sonic possibilities of the organ by world-class musicians and composers.

The concert will be preceded with performances by the award-winning York Minster bell ringers and at a pre-concert event, the famous composer Michael Nyman will perform a new composition on the Minster’s carillon of bells. Internationally renowned artists, composers and musicians will also be taking part. This production is a partnership between SightSonic, Touch and the University of York’s Concert Series, by kind permission of the Dean & Chapter of York Minster. For more information or to book tickers, tel 01904 432439 or email: boxoffice@york.ac.uk Press Contact: Peter Boardman on 01904 554257 or email peter.Boardman@york.gov.uk

York Chinese New Year Festival Celebrating the Year of the Pig: 27-28 January 2007

The National Centre for Early Music will celebrate the Year of the Pig in 2007 with a weekend full of entertainment and activities, including Chinese Opera Face Painting, a Chinese Craft Workshop and a performance by the London Jing and Kung Opera Association. For more information, please contact the box office on 01904 658338 or email boxoffice@ncem.co.uk Website: www.ncem.co.uk Press Contact: Melanie Paris, Tel. 01904 632220, email: Melanie.paris@ncem.co.uk

Relationships, York Art Gallery: 21st January – 13 May 2007

The way we see a sculpture can depend on different kinds of relationships – between the materials used and the shapes and form they take. This exhibition at York Art Gallery looks at work by contemporary artists who address and challenge ideas of what we expect from sculpture. Sculptures from York Museums Trust’s collection are displayed alongside loans from the Arts Council Collection. Included are works by Yorkshire’s own Damien Hirst and Turner Prize nominee, Rebecca Warren. For more information, contact. For more information, members of the public can telephone 01904 687687 or visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Dancing in the Streets: 18 January – 28th January (tbc)

Returning for its third year as part of the Illuminating York initiative, First commissioned by Renaissance: Illuminating York in March 2004 KMA Creative Technology’s hugely popular Dancing in the Streets uses the movement of its own audience to create a kinetic light sculpture that is projected into the streets after dark. The pavement becomes the canvas for this work that actively invites passers-by to walk all over it. Once within the piece, the public become the performers in a constantly changing dance between themselves and the projections that surround them. For more information, please call Visitor Information on 01904 550099 or email info visityork.org Press Contact: Kay Hyde, 01904 554451 or email kh@york-tourism.co.uk

LUX: 19 – 28 January 2007

Lux is a mini festival of light, which will reveal and animate Micklegate – once the gateway to the city for kings and queens, with a series of site specific after dark artwork. Further details to be announced. Press Contact: Kay Hyde, 01904 554451 or email kh@york-tourism.co.uk

Fingerprints of Time: 10 February – 31 December 2007

How do your know a crocodile is 165 million years old? What’s the one man-made object that we use today that has been in use for 500,000 years? These are questions that will be answered in a brand new interactive exhibition opening at the Yorkshire Museum in February.

Fingerprints of Time investigates the age of everything, giving visitors the chance to crack the dating code by experimenting with methods used around the world. Runs until December 31 2007. For more information, please visit www.yorkmuseumtrust.org.uk Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Jorvik Viking Festival: 14th – 18th February 2007

Celebrating its 22nd year, the JORVIK Viking Festival has become something of an institution in York, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The festival returns once again and promises to be as spectacular as ever, bringing Viking mayhem and madness to the streets of York. Between the 14th and 18th February, a packed five-day themed programme will celebrate the richness of Viking life offering an exhilarating mix of spectacle and culture, surprise and intrigue with storytelling, traditional craft making and Viking combat drills among the events.

The focal point of this year’s programme is the explosive invasion day on the 17th February, with Vikings from all over the world descending on the city to wage a fiery battle that will light up the night sky. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 543403, www.viking-jorvik.com Press Contact: Parmjit Dhillon, Tel: 0870 606 0960, email ParmjitD@harrisoncowley.com

Richard Fozard: Printmaker: 17 February – 3 June 2007

Evocative prints capturing the beauty of rural England will go on show as part of a new exhibition at York Art Gallery. Richard Fozard: Printmaker will include some of the Yorkshire artist’s most well known works as well as rarely seen pieces.

Fozard, (1925-2000), had a passion for nature and many of the works going on show will be of rural scenes from across Britain. The exhibition will examine the techniques, skills and different printing mediums used by Fozard to create his work. The work on show will include examples of etching, aquatint, engraving, woodcuts and dry point printing. For more information, please contact Tel: 01904 687687 or visitwww.yorkartgallery.org.uk Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

York Festival of Science and Technology: 9-18 March 2007

As part of National Science Week, Science City York, the University of York and partners from across the city will be hosting the tenth Festival of Science and Technology to celebrate the exciting science, technology, maths and innovation that takes place in York. This years themes include ‘Bringing Colour to Everyday Science’ and Sustainability’ and will include a variety of lectures and hands-on and educational activities. The Festival will be launched on Friday 9 March with an interactive talk by a celebrity and the climax of the festival will be the Discovery Days Exhibition on Saturday 17 March followed by the presentation of the prizes for the 'Our Fragile Planet Photography Competition by BBC TV Scientist, Adam Hart-Davis on Sunday 18 March. For further information, please contact Science City York Public Contact: Tel: 01904 554533, website: www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/community Press Contact: Rose Lindsay Smith, Tel: 01904 554533, Email: rose.lindsay-smith@york.gov.uk

York Open Studios: 23 – 25 March 2007

Artists and makers open their doors to all! York Open Studios Weekend sees over 40 professional artists opening up their homes and studios to the public and inviting them in to take a look around. Featuring York based, internationally renowned artists and makers including Mark Hearld, Ruth King, and Peter Wray, as well as a student showcase, people can tour around the studios, view (and buy!) a huge range of professional art work in informal surroundings, and sometimes even watch the artist at work. Public and Press Contact: Anne Huntchinson, 01904 422193, Email: info@yorkopenstudios.co.uk or visit: www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk

Unfair Trade: 25 March 2007 – March 2008

York Castle Museum’s new thought provoking exhibition will mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade.

Unfair Trade will explore the impact of slavery on ordinary people and how York played an active role in its abolition. The exhibition will draw upon the York Museum Trust’s collections to look at the ways that slavery touched to lives of those living in Yorkshire and how their consumption of slave produced goods contributed to the trade. The exhibition has been organised to coincide with the bicentenary of the abolition of the British slave trade in 2007 and will be held at the museum for 12 months from March 25 2007. Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Horse Racing: May – October 2007

York Racecourse, known as the Knavesmire, has been a favourite amongst racegoers since it was founded in 1731. This year 17 meetings combine top class horseracing with world-class facilities to make it a sporting and social occasion for all to enjoy. Even if your horse fails to come up with the goods, it’s a fabulous day out in a beautiful location, a chance to dress up, and jolly good fun into the bargain.

The Memory of Place by Keiko Mukaide: 4 May - 28 October 2007

Internationally renowned Japanese artist Keiko Mukaide will create a challenging new contemporary installation at York St Mary’s this summer. In ‘Memory of the Place’ Keiko responds to her sense of the sadness and emptiness of the former medieval church and to the visual remains of the building’s former life - the stained glass, grave covers and carvings. Using fire, water, glass, stone, light and sound, she will transform the interior of the church, creating a spiritual space in which to reflect on the memory of loved ones.

Specifically, Keiko will construct a shallow pool of water, which fills the nave of the church. Water will gently flow from the west end of the church towards the transept, where a small waterfall will allow it to return to the starting point. In the transept, a suspended column of glass rods will be dramatically top-lit, suggesting a spiritual path to a higher place. Visitors will be invited to interact with the installation by quietly lighting a votive candle and floating it on the pool. St. The exhibition runs until the 28th October 2007 and admission is free. For more information, visit www.yorkstmarys.org.uk Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

York Live Music Festival: 25 - 28 May 2007

For the eighth year running, York Live celebrates the city’s vibrant music scene. From folk to funk, blues to big band swing and guitars to gospel, York Music Live provides a city-wide showcase for the best in local talent. With a stunning line up, local, regional, national and international artists will take to the major venues, bars, stages and streets of York proving that York really is live. Public Contact: For programme details, check: www.whatsonyork.com For information on participating please email info@yorklive.co.uk Press Contact: Peter Boardman: 01904 554257

Late Music Festival: 1-10 June 2007

The 2007 Late Music Festival will take place at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate. The ten-day Festival will feature exciting new developments in classical, jazz and world music. Highlights will include concerts by the Hilliard Ensemble on Friday 8 June and Icebreaker on Saturday 9th June. Full details are available on the festival website - www.latemusicfestival.org.uk For more information or to book tickets, please contact the National Centre for Early Music box office - (01904) 658338 or visit www.ncem.co.uk Press Contact: Steve Crowther, Tel: 01904 426372 or 07761009861

Painting the Summer – Henri Fantin Latour: 2 June – 23 September 2007

Taking place at York City Art Gallery – further details to be announced. For more information, please contact Tel: 01904 687687 or visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Mad Man and the Minster: 9 June – 21 October 2007

York Early Music Festival: 5 – 14 July 2007

What is early music - not early morning, nor for early years - rather music written in medieval times through to the 18th century – a perfect match for York - mix of old, historic and best of the new. Celebrating its 30th birthday in 2007, Britain's premier festival of early music, attracts visitors from all over the world to enjoy a mix of medieval architecture and world class musicians with concerts taking place in unique venues including York Minster and the National Centre for Early Music – an award-winning restoration of a medieval church. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 632220, Box Office: 01904 658338. Press Contact: Gill Baldwin, Tel: 01904 645738, email: gill.Baldwin@ncem.co.uk

York Roman Festival: 28-29 July 2007

A fantastic ‘Colosseum’ style theatre, Gladiator show and a Roman military display are among the events taking place at this year’s York Roman Festival to celebrate the city’s Roman history. In its fifth year, the festival entertains and educates thousands of visitors to the city each year. Highlights for 2007 will include displays & marches around York by Roman military re-enactors, Battle Drills, Chariot Racing, Gladiators, Romans v Germanic Barbarians battles and much more… There will be a Living History Camp where people can see how the Romans lived, listen to their stories, watch them demonstrate their skills, taste real life Roman cooking and view displays of Roman weapons equipment and tactics. For more details about these entertaining and educational events and activities, please visit www.yorkromanfestival.com Press Contact: Nick Eggleton, 07866720600 or email press@yorkromanfestival.com

York Dune Jazz Festival: 5 –7 July 2007

Now in its third year, the York Dune Jazz Festival is a unique festival, which brings 30 of Britain’s brightest young black jazz and urban musicians from the Dune record label to the city.

This year's bill opens with sensational saxophonist SOWETO KINCH, who merges jazz and hip hop in his new project B19 Tales from the Towerblock (Thursday 5 July at 8pm). Mercury prize winner DENYS BAPTISTE brings his 10-piece band to present Let Freedom Ring! - a jazz tribute to Martin Luther King's famous speech in commemoration of 200 years since the abolition of slavery act (Friday 6 July at 8pm). NU TROOP present A Kind of Blue - a celebration of the work of American legend Miles Davis (Saturday 7 July at 5.30pm) and the Festival finishes with Britain's answer to the Buena Vista Social Club - JAZZ JAMAICA - a 12 piece band who fuse reggae with jazz in their re-working of Trojan records ska of the 60s and 70s (Saturday 7 July at 8.30pm). To book tickets and for more information, contact York Theatre Royal Box on 01904 658162. Press contact: David Porter at Creative Arts Promotion on 01759 303454 or Duncan Clarke at York Theatre Royal on 550149

BA Festival of Science - 10 - 14 September 2007

This year, the University of York will host the annual BA Festival of Science – the UK’s leading science communication event.

From 10-14th September, York will welcome over 400 of the top natural and social scientists from around the world to talk about, debate and present the latest developments in science. Taking part at various venues on the University of York campus, the festival attracts over 35,000 visitors inviting them to take part in a variety of events that feature the latest advances in science, engineering and technology and debate the social implications of the pace of technological change. The Presidential Theme for 2007 is ‘Energy and Human Progress’. Full program details available in Spring 2007. For more information visit www.the-ba.net/the-ba/Events/FestivalofScience Press Contact: Peter Boardman, Cultural Events Manager, Tel: 01904 554257

The largest UK Festival of Food and Drink: 21-30 Sept 2007

The York annual Festival of Food and Drink is the largest event of its kind in the UK, and a massive showcase for the restaurants, hotels, shops and food manufacturing companies, which are so much a part of the city, its history and its economy. For ten days food simply takes over as the city hosts an extravaganza of specialist markets, celebrity chef demonstrations, themed dinners, product launches and any number of special events. UK celebrities support the festival, and it continues to grow each year. Public Contact: email: info@yorkfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk Press Contact: Michael Hjort, Tel: 01904 635149, email: mh@yorkhospitality.co.uk website: www.yorkfestivaloffoodanddrink.com

National Book Fair: 21 – 22 September 2007 York 2006 Antiquarian, Rare and Out of Print Book Fair is Europe's largest, and offers a wonderful range of books for experienced collectors and first-time buyers alike. Public Contact, Email: info@yorkbookfair.com Website: www.yorkbookfair.com

SightSonic–York’s International Festival of Digital Arts: 20 Jan, 2 March & 26-28 Oct 2007

This year, Sightsonic moves to year round programming! Starting on 20 January with Spire, a digital concert which will see artists from Touch – a London based, independent digital record label congregate and perform in York Minster to celebrate the mighty church organ and the Minster bell ringers with world renowned composer Michael Nyman. This is followed in March with Storm, a digital concert featuring Touch, the University of York Concert Series, digital artist BJ Nilsen and Chris Watson (David Attenborough's soundman) at the Rymer Auditorium, University of York. The eighth annual two-day festival in October will focus on the best of British digital arts with concerts, exhibitions, installations/projections, seminars and new and emerging talent in the Artists' Platform. For further information, please visit www.sightsonic.org Press Contact: Tel: 01904 644829 or email: enquiries@sightsonic.org

York Ghost Festival: - 27 – 31 October 2006 (2007 Dates tbc)

York based PSI (Psychic and Spectral Investigations) will be celebrating the city’s haunted heritage in all it’s glory (or should that be gory!?) with a packed agenda of ghostly goings-on including the opportunity to take part in a real ghost-hunt! Public and Press Contact: Rachel Lacey, Email: ghostfinder.general@gmail.com or visitwww.yorkghostfestival.co.uk

York Lesbian Arts Festival – 26 – 29 October 2006 (2007 Dates tbc)

The Libertas York Lesbian Arts Festival celebrates lesbian art and artists including writing, music and film. It’s an exciting event for up to 3,000 people at York Racecourse, City Screen cinema, York University and around the city. The festival includes concerts, a club-night and workshops and although it is largely aimed at lesbians and bi-sexual, anyone who likes the arts and clubbing should enjoy most of the events. Public and Press Contact: Helen Sandler, Tel: 02074858317, Visit www.ylaf.org.uk or www.libertas.co.uk

St Nicholas Fayre: Christmas: 29 Nov – 2 Dec 2007

The run-up to Christmas finds York in truly festive spirit with the St Nicholas Fayre. This is when the city becomes a sparkling, enticing concoction of decorations, lights, Christmas trees and old-fashioned Victorian street stalls, all helping to create the kind of cheerful, authentic Christmas atmosphere you thought had gone for ever. St Nicholas Fayre is one of the most popular Christmas markets in the UK, with thousands of visitors coming to York over the four-day event. The Fayre offers a range of markets specialising in gifts, crafts, and the very best in local farm produce. The city comes alive with bustling stalls, carol singers, and buskers, just at the right time to get you in the spirit of Christmas. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 554430. Press Contact: Elenid Davies, Tel: 01904 554532, email: elenid.davies@york.gov.uk

York Early Music Christmas Festival: 7-10 December 2006 (2007: 6-9 December)

Organised by the National Centre for Early Music, York’s Early Music Christmas Festival takes place in a wide variety of uniquely attractive venues including the Chapter House of York Minster, the stunningly simple beauty of St Mary’s Church, Bishophill and the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate. Public Contact: Tel: 01904 658338. Press Contact: Gill Baldwin, Tel: 01904 645738, email: gill.Baldwin@btconnect.com

Festival of Angels: 9-10 December 2006 (2007: 8-9 December tbc)

The Festival of Angels takes place in The Swinegate Quarter of York. The two day festival includes a stunning display of ice sculptures exhibited in the streets, plus a parade of angels of all ages and sizes, street artists, music, outside food and bars, children’s Santa and guaranteed snow, not forgetting quality Christmas shopping in The Quarter’s unique, individual shops. For more information, tel 01904 610676 or visit www.festivalofangels.co.uk

For any further information and your free guide to York, please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

For any further information, please contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, York Tourism Bureau, Tel: 01904 554451, Fax: 01904 554460, e-mail: kh@york-tourism.co.uk websites: www.visityork.org www.goodeveningyork.com