As the sun went down this evening, Harrogate’s Valley Gardens was lit up with fire and lights on the opening night of a new event.
The Fire and Light Experience is curated by Harrogate International Festivals and Culture Creative.
For tonight and the next two nights, they have taken over the lower part of Valley Gardens and filled it with fire lanterns, art installations and fire dancers.
The trail is open from dusk until 10pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday.
Here are some images from the opening night of the fire and light spectacle:
Jane Porter, who was visiting Harrogate on holiday, said:
“It’s just something completely different and it’s lovely to get outside whilst it’s warm too. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s definitely not the thing I expected to be doing in Harrogate but I’ve loved it!”
Six-year-old Edward said the fire dancers were his favourite:
“I can’t believe they can do that, he’s got spiky hair like me and it didn’t get burnt! It’s really cool.”
Most of the earlier time slots have gone, however there are tickets left for most of the later times.
Tickets for the event are priced at £12 for adults, £6 for 5 to 16-year-olds, and under-fives go free. You can buy tickets here.
Ripon was given an insight into the festivities associated with Dawali at a special event in the city’s library this week.
The five-day Festival of Lights, whose principal day is today, is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Its focus is on new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
Sarita McDermott, who owns Realitea, the Indian tea room and bistro on North Street, organised the event at the library with outreach librarian Claire Thompson.
She told the audience:
“Diwali is like Christmas in this country. People put on their best clothes, enjoy some lovely food, music and dancing.
“I wanted to show friends and other people in Ripon, the peaceful joy that this festival brings.”
Sarita McDermott leads the dancing.
Among those joining in the celebrations was a team of dancers from Jennyruth Workshops who wore traditional Indian dress.
They had been practicing for a month prior to their performance, which included dancing to music from the Punjab and the Gujarat region as well as Bollywood-style dance.
Following the display, there was an opportunity for the performers and members of the audience to enjoy some authentic Dawali dishes and treats.
Ms Thompson said:
“We had planned to stage an event of this nature for some time and I’m delighted that it has now happened and gone so well.”
Pictured: Claire Thompson (left) and Sarita McDermott, with Jennyruth dancers (from left) Matthew, Bethany and Ben Evason and Martin Grainger
Read more:
District theatres support ‘red alert’ campaign to highlight crisis
Theatres across the district are looking at ways they can support a campaign to highlight the struggling live entertainment industry.
The #WeMakeEvents “Red Alert” follows months of closure for venues and a lack of work for freelance workers. Across the Harrogate district local theatres support the message but none have the facilities to light up red this evening.
Harrogate Theatre is looking into projecting red lights at a later date.
David Bown, chief executive of Harrogate Theatre, said:
“Of course we want to support the campaign it’s keeping the plight of theatres in people’s consciousness -our technicians are looking into it. The movement is to remind people of what is happening and the impact on the industry.
It’s the health and safety that we have to be careful with, leaving lights on when no-one is in the building. I can’t say for definite they are going to go ahead but it is something we are looking into.”
Ensuring social distancing in auditoriums is making reopening too difficult for theatres in the district.
Read more:
- Knaresborough theatre says social distancing measures make reopening too difficult.
- Pateley Bridge Playhouse is optimistic for its future after coronavirus having huge ramifications on its finances.
John Pearce, vice-chairman Frazer Theatre, said:
“It’s something we are very much aware of, but unfortunately the Frazer doesn’t actually have any way to light the exterior up red, so we’re not able to join in. We completely support the campaign though, and do think it’s a really effective way to highlight just how many wonderful spaces could be lost without support.
We absolutely hope it makes people think about what could be gone forever if funding isn’t received urgently.”
Both theatres have suspended their reopening until 2021 following doubts over making their return financially viable.