Switch on to ‘Transition’ - a new festival of light and sound in Bury town centre

Transition, a development of the former Bury Light Night, is an exciting new festival taking place on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 November.

The festival kicks off at 6pm on Friday, with afternoon and evening activities continuing on the Saturday.

People of all ages are invited to come to Bury town centre to experience the festival which includes elements of light and sound with live music, sound sculptures, storytelling, flash fiction, workshops and lots more.

The festival will be focused in three main areas within Bury Culture Quarter – at Kay Gardens, Library Gardens/Gallipoli Garden and outside the Castle Armoury on Castle Street.

Tony Trehy, head of Bury Art Museum and Tourism, said: “This year we’re moving on from the traditional one-night light night we’ve held previously to a weekend festival incorporating a stronger sound element.

“We felt it was time for something new, so we’ve re-named the event ‘Transition’ to symbolise changing into something fresh every three years.And with the event extended to run over two nights and during Saturday afternoon, we’re offering lots more opportunities for local people and visitors to join in.

“We’ve got a great list of artists lined up with something for everyone, including another memorable light projection created by Illuminos.”

Transition Festival highlights include:

Friday 18 November

• Sacred Sounds Women’s Choir performing live in sync with a beautifully choreographed large format projection on the side of the Castle Armoury. Live music performances will follow.

Saturday 19 November

• It’s 1845 and The Dragon of Unsworth has returned – join Professor Jigget at the Bakelite Radio (converted from a shipping container for live performances by Wild Rumpus) at Kay Gardens to find out more and experience live music, flash fiction performances and live art workshops.
• Head to the Castle Armoury for 6pm where the Dragon of Unsworth will be revealed through large format light projections, accompanied by a finale of a story called 1845.Sacred Sounds women’s choir will perform live and the light projection will respond to their performance. (Sacred Sounds women’s choir were formed as part of Manchester International Festival and are directed by local musical director Beth Allen).
• At Gallipoli Garden, delight in the magic of Jez Mansfield and enjoy a bedtime story performance by Dominic Berry at 7pm.

On both days

• Experience a specially commissioned Sound Garden by Wild Rumpus, producers of the award-winning Just So Festival, in the Church Gardens next to Silver Street. Families can adventure and play through a fantastical and multi-sensory exploration of sound featuring vintage sound equipment, instruments, soundscapes and show-stopping design including a canopy of instruments overhead.

To keep up to date with all the latest about Bury Transition Festival, like TransiitionFestivalBury on Facebook or follow @TransitionBury on Twitter.

Bury Transitional Festival is delivered by Bury Council in partnership with the Hamilton Partnership and sponsored by Pennine Telecom.

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 November 2016.