Museums at night and in the afternoon too!

Museums at Night and in the afternoon too!

April 2009

 

As part of the Europe-wide Museums at Night celebrations, the museums of Bath and North East Somerset will be hosting an exciting series of events and activities on Saturday 16th May in the afternoon and late into the evening.

 

Stephen Clews, Manager of the Council-run Roman Baths and Pump Room said:" Museums at Night is an international event and our museums in Bath & North East Somerset have been leaders in developing the idea in Britain. This year lots of museums across the country are taking part and there will be eight places to visit in Bath”.

 

“In fact, you don't have to wait until dark to get started as the event kicks off in the late afternoon with a host of activities in Queen Square. You can then move on to enjoy events at museums all over the city”.

 

“The Roman Baths, run by Bath & North East Somerset Council, is staying open until late. So you can enjoy a torch-lit visit, take part in a Roman food tasting session and enjoy live music beside the Great Bath. This is the third consecutive year for Museums at Night and it is now bigger and better than ever before."

 

Starting at 3pm in Queen Square, there will be a lively programme of music, dancing and martial arts performances. Museums will host activities for all ages in marquees in the square, where participants can create a Roman column, discover amazing objects, take part in origami and model-making workshops, meet costumed characters and have fun dressing-up like the Victorians.

 

Eight museums will be open late into the evening for visitors to explore and enjoy. Experience radiophonic music at the Museum of Bath at Work, live romantic music at Number 1 Royal Crescent, learn Georgian dancing at the Building of Bath Collection and find out about Roman cookery, enjoy a tasting, bar and live music at the Roman Baths. Entry to all events is free to Bath and North East Somerset residents, on production of a Discovery Card. For more information on how to obtain one logon to http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/

 

The Museums at Night event is being co-ordinated by Bath & North East Somerset Council in association with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

 

For more information and to download a leaflet, logon to www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritageevents

 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information contact:
Lindsey Braidley, Learning & Programmes Co-ordinator, Bath & North East Somerset Council Tel: 01225 477757 Email: lindsey_braidley@bathnes.gov.uk

For pictures contact:
Maggie Bone, Museums Publicity Officer, Bath & North East Somerset Council. Tel 01225 477736 Email: Maggie_bone@bathnes.gov.uk

Museums at Night

 

1.  Museums at Night is organised by Culture24 and is funded by MLA. For further information visit http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/
2.   Museums at Night Weekend will take place over the weekend Friday 15 – Sunday 17 May, the Europe-wide celebration will be on Saturday 16 May.
3.  Culture24 is a registered charity and not-for-profit online publisher, working across the arts, heritage, education, and tourism sectors.
4.   MLA is the government agency for museums, libraries and archives. Leading strategically, MLA promotes best practice to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all. Visit http://www.mla.gov.uk/
5.  La Nuit De Musée was introduced by the French Culture Department to succeed Printemps de Musées and takes place on the Saturday nearest to International Museums Day (May 18).  It is now supported by the Council of Europe. In 2008, 2,200 museums in 40 European countries took part. For more information visit http://www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/