01/01/2009

Further Info & Photographs From: Katie Porter, PR Executive, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554436, Email: kp@visityork.org
If you're interested in a particular event or would like to do an outside broadcast from York we'd love to hear from you. Looking for a different angle? Why not visit the media room on our website www.visityork.org/media
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January Events 2009

Plague, Poverty and Prayer - Life and Death in Medieval York
New Exhibition at Barley Hall opens January 2009
This new exhibition, funded by the Wellcome Trust, will explore the living conditions for citizens living in York during medieval times, including looking at medical care, cures, illnesses and diseases, attitudes to medical provision, folklore, and many other relevant topics.
Free Workshops at York Art Gallery: Throughout January 2009
In January 2009, York Art Gallery is hosting an exciting series of eight free workshops led by artists from York Open Studios offers a great opportunity to work alongside and learn from professional artists.
Funded by City of York Council through Arts Action York, budding artists can try their hand at a range of art processes and techniques such as:
• Collage
• Handmade books
• Jewellery making
• Ceramics
• Textile Arts
No art training or prior knowledge is needed as the artists will be there to guide and advise, but booking early is advised as spaces are limited!
• Saturday January 17th
10.30 - 12.30 Jane Kenelly, handmade books
2.00 - 4.00 Ben Arnup, ceramics
• Sunday January 18th
10.30 - 12.30 Simon Palmour, photography
2.00 - 4.00 Mark Hearld and Judy Burnett, collage
• Saturday January 24th
10.30 - 12.30 Jacqueline James, textiles
2.00 - 4.00 Lesley Seeger, painting
• Sunday January 25th
10.30 - 12.30 Tim Morrison, drawing
2.00 - 4.00 Jo Bagshaw, jewellery
The workshops are open to adults (minimum age 16) and must be booked in advance. All materials and tuition are provided free of charge although there is a booking fee for each workshop of £5 per person. Early booking is essential as places are limited. Please email co2@copperstream.co.uk or call Charmian Ottaway on 01904 636447 to book a place on your chosen workshop. Your place will be secured on receipt of the booking fee. Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
Stanley Spencer Exhibition at York Art Gallery: 24 January until 19th April 2009
An exhibition of works by one of the most famous British artists of the 20th Century will go on show in York for the first time in January 2009. Stanley Spencer, organised by Tate Liverpool, will mark the 50th anniversary of his death by bringing together a wide selection of works from different stages of his life.

These will include oils, watercolours and intimate sketches as well as his last self portrait, painted shortly before he died.
This is the first exhibition of Spencer's work ever to be held in the city. Admission is free, for more information visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk. Press contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
‘Warp, Weft and the Printer's Block' and ‘Migration' by Cefyn Burgess at The Quilt Museum and Gallery in York: 20 January to 18 April 2009
The Quilt Museum and Gallery in York will begin its 2009 exhibition programme celebrating the use of cloth and the work of contemporary textile artist Cefyn Burgess. ‘Warp, Weft and the Printer's Block' will explore the manufacture of cotton, silk, linen and wool in the 18th and 19th centuries and its use in quiltmaking. Items from the Quilters' Guild of the British Isles historic textile collection will be used to demonstrate the utilitarian, inventive, and often artistic output of the period's needlewomen.
‘Migration' is the story of a personal journey made by Cefyn Burgess as he set about opening up new areas of work. ‘Migration' is a Ruthin Crafts Centre Touring Exhibition. For more information about the Quilt Museum and Gallery and a list of forthcoming activities visit www.quiltmuseum.org.uk or email info@quiltmuseum.org.uk Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm until Sunday 21 December 2008.
Press Contact: Jean Hunter, tel: 01759 306156/07836268059 or email jean@jhunterdid.plus.com For additional information and electronic images of work by Cefyn Burgess and items to be shown in ‘Warp, Weft and the Printer's Block' exhibition contact: Jan Rae at: janrae@ednet.co.uk
February Events

Residents Festival: 31st January to 6 February 2009
York Residents Festival is returning to the city, bigger and better than ever!

During the festival, residents will be able to gain free and discounted entry to many of the city's world class attractions and exhibitions, as well as enjoying exclusive shopping discounts and special rates at superb restaurants. To benefit from these generous offers, residents have to simply present a valid YorkCard.
As well as the fantastic offers, enjoy live music, street circus and exhibitions or take part in a talent contest in Parliament Street.

For more information on the Residents Festival, log on to www.visityork.org or telephone 01904 550099. Press contact: Kay Hyde, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org

A Private Audience with the Cawood Sword and other Viking Treasures
Yorkshire Museum - Friday 20th Feb, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
An exciting opportunity to join the curators of the Yorkshire Museum for a close up look at some of the finest Anglo-Scandinavian artefacts in England, including the mysterious Cawood Sword and the magnificent Ormside Bowl. Spaces are limited and £5.00 entry fee. Please prebook by ringing 01904 650333. Press Contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

JORVIK Viking Festival: From Wednesday 18th until Sunday 22 February 2009
The seafaring exploits of the Vikings will be celebrated as York marks its Viking heritage in the 24th annual JORVIK Viking Festival.

The five-day long festival is the largest event of its kind in the UK, attracting over 40,000 visitors from around the world, many from the Scandinavian countries who come to participate in the various events. The Festival celebrates Viking crafts, song, storytelling, seafaring and battle tactics.

Many of the events are free, whilst others carry a charge and should be booked in advance by calling the JORVIK Viking Festival booking line on 01904 615505 or visiting www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk. . Press Contact: Karen Nixon, Tel: 01904 610077, email karen@partners-group.co.uk

Family Fun Days at the National Railway Museum: 14-22 February 2009
Enjoy nine days of fantastic family fun this February half-term. There'll be plenty to entertain visitors of all ages, with train rides, fairground rides, live theatre, face painting, giant games and much more. Plus, join our friendly Explainer team to discover the stories behind some of the more weird and whacky objects in our collections, storytelling sessions, craft activities and lots more family fun.
A small charge applies for some activities. Learning events are free.

WorkSHOP of the World (Search Engine Gallery) at the National Railway Museum: 2 February - 6 July 2009
Visit the latest exhibition in the Search Engine gallery - part of our new £4 million library and archive centre opened in 2008. Discover how Britain built the world's railways including the Indian railway network - the fourth largest in the world. Find out how railways were delivered to places with no rails and how obstacles like deserts, mountains, bush and jungle were overcome. Admission is FREE.
Press Contact: Catherine Farrell, Press Officer, Tel:01904 686281, Email: catherine.farrell@nrm.org.uk

Events running throughout January and February 2009

York Theatre Royal
Throughout January and February 2009

Main House

Dick Turpin Pantomime - Thursday 11 December to Saturday 31 January 2009
Join Dame Betty Turpin, her nephew Dick, and his horse Black Mess in what promises to be the most hilarious historically incorrect pantomime you're ever likely to see. Not only is this Berwick Kaler's 30th panto at York Theatre Royal but our abominable villain, David Leonard, is also celebrating his 21st with us.
7.30pm (except Fri 9, 16, 23, 30 Jan when the evening performance will be 8.00pm with a 4.30pm Matinee) 2.30pm Matinees Jan 1 - 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk .Tickets range from £10.00 - £24.00.

Comedy Night: Saturday 7 February, 8pm
BBC Radio 4's ‘The Now Show' writer and performer Mitch Benn is joined by former snooker player now Jongleurs headliner Sean Meo and the ‘Inspired' (Edinburgh Evening News) John Gordillo. Compered by Trevor Lock.

York Light Opera - 42nd Street: Tuesday 10 February until Saturday 21 February, 7.30pm (2.30pm Saturday Matinees)
Forty Second Street is possibly the greatest showbiz musical of them all, the winner of numerous awards. This terrific family entertainment sparkles with showbiz pizzazz and is guaranteed to leave you tapping your toes, with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. (An amateur production)

Boeing Boeing: Tuesday 24 February until Saturday 28 February, 7.30pm (2.00pm Thursday Matinee and 2.30pm Saturday Matinee)
A hit on the West End and Broadway, audiences and critics have been unbuckling their seatbelts and rolling in the aisles for this first-class Tony Award winning comedy (Best Revival 2008).

Studio

Beltup Theatre Co - ORESTEIA: Tuesday 10 February until Saturday 14 February, 7.45pm (3.00pm Saturday Matinee)
A relentlessly fast paced reincarnation of Aeschylus' classic tragic trilogy, where a terrible curse runs deep through a family's blood. (An amateur production)

York Settlement Players - The House of Bernardo Alba: Wednesday 18 February until Saturday 28 February, 7.45pm
A tragic tale of frustration and explosive passions in a household of women ruled by a tyrannical mother. (An amateur production)

For more information and to book tickets for York Theatre Royal, please telephone the Box Office on 01904 623568 or book securely online at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk . Press Contact: Kathrin Treacy, Tel: 01904 550149 Email: kathrin.treacy@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Grand Opera House

Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime - 12 December 2008 to 4 January 2009
Fe, fi, fo, fum... This year's fantastic family pantomime at the Grand opera House is Jack and the Beanstalk! Starring Leah Bracknell from Emmerdale and The Royal Today plus Ace from Gladiators!

With the usual mix of traditional pantomime fun with lots of singing and dancing, plus beautifully bright costumes and sets, including a magical growing beanstalk, this year's pantomime is sure to be another magical hit for all ages.

The perfect festive treat, book now for the best seats. Just remember to watch out for the giant!

There is a show to suit all tastes over the next two months at the Grand Opera House. Performances taking place throughout January and February include: Huge -the Ultimate Party Band; How Sweet it Is - celebrating 50 years of Motown music; Coppelia; Harvest; Fifi Live - The Fairy and the Flowertots and The Jungle Book.

For more information about all the shows taking place throughout January and February or to book tickets, please contact the Grand Opera House on 0870 606 3595 or visit www.grandoperahouseyork.org.uk Press Contact: Celestine Dubruel Tel: 01904 678711 Email: celestine.dubruel@livenation.co.uk

York Minster

Trio Medieval : A Worcester Ladymass, Wednesday 4 February 7.30pm in the Chapter House
Part of the University of York Concert Series. Tickets: £12 (£10 concession), £3 students, under 16s free with an adult ticket holder.

Ebor Singers : Visions of Heaven and Earth , Saturday 28 February 7.30pm in the Chapter House
Tickets: £15 (£12 concession), £3 students

For more information please visit www.yorkminster.org or telephone the Box Office on 01904 557208. Press contact: Kendal Chalk, Communications and Marketing Officer, Tel: 01904 557248, Email:kendalc@yorkminster.org

Ongoing Exhibitions

Major American Exhibition for York's Quilt Museum and Gallery: Throughout October and November until 11th January 2009
Despite the exhibition title, there is nothing commonplace about the extraordinary array of quilts from around the world that will be on show at York's new Quilt Museum, from 10 October (08) - 11 January 2009! ‘Quilts in Common: Quilting around the globe and across the centuries' is a guest exhibition from the International Quilt Study Center (IQSC) in Lincoln Nebraska, and represents quite a coup for the Quilt Museum, being the first time the IQSC has sent an exhibition outside the U.S.
‘Quilts in Common' explores the relationships between quilts made on different continents and even in different centuries, highlighting commonalities in design elements, construction techniques, and symbolic and thematic content: revealing that quiltmakers from widely varying times and places have approached their creations in remarkably similar ways. Quilts are shown to tell stories too, as illustrated by a German quilt on the theme of human rights, and a quilt from Zimbabwe that tells the story of village life. The exhibition includes both historic and contemporary pieces of work.
Quilts from Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Norway and Pakistan, as well as the United States will be displayed, selected from the IQSC collection by IQSC Curator of Exhibitions Marin Hanson and Curator of Collections Carolyn Ducey. For more information about the Quilt Gallery and Museum, please visit www.quiltmuseum.org.uk or email info@quiltmuseum.org.uk. Press Contact: Jean Hunter, tel: 01759 306156/07836268059 or email jean@jhunterdid.plus.com

 

Press Contact Details: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org, Katie Porter, PR Executive, Visit York Tel: 01904 554436 Email kp@visityork.org

Public Contact Details: York Visitor Information Centre Tel: 01904 550099 or visit www.visityork.org