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Party like it’s 1969 in the shadow of the giant telescope at Jodrell Bank that captured the first pictures of the Lunar Landings, and watch a blockbuster movie beneath the stars in Chester’s Roman Gardens. Explore the fusion of cosmic sound and vision at Luke Jerram’s ‘Museum of the Moon’ in Warrington, and see a rainbow of illuminations light up a dark winter’s night in Crewe. These are just some of this year’s experiences that promise to be out of this world.
| Item |
|---|
| bluedot |
| Space Odyssey & Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival |
| Luna Cinema |
| LUMEN: Crewe’s Night of Lights |
| Moonlight Flicks |
| Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre |
Macclesfield
A stellar line-up from the worlds of music, science and cosmic culture will gather on the plain beneath the great white dish of the Lovell Telescope in July to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landings.
Don’t miss your chance to join an audience of thousands, young and old, at the mighty eye on the sky, which captured the first images of the surface of the moon when Apollo 11 touched down in 1969.
There’ll be sounds from the likes of Kraftwerk and the Radio Science Orchestra, mind-expanding talks from astronaut Helen Sharman, theoretical physicist Prof Jim Al-Khalili and more, as well as stargazing, science shows, experiments, and galactic games.
You can even catch a screening of the children’s classic The Clangers, who also notch up their half-century this year. Whether you come for the day or camp (or glamp) and make this mission control for the weekend, one thing’s for sure, bluedot promises to be out of this world in 2019.
Warrington
Did you know, Warrington has played an important role in European space missions for nearly 50 years?
Find out more at this summer’s special exhibition, ‘Space Odyssey’, a special exhibition featuring parts of rockets built right here in the town by ESR Technology, including the solar array deployment arm of the Hubble Telescope.
And don’t miss The Black Arrow – the UK’s only successful orbital launch languished for decades in the Australian outback, where it crashed to Earth. It will be sitting in Old Market Square in June and July ready for you to inspect. Make a note in your diary for October, when Luke Jerram’s touring artwork ‘Museum of the Moon’ visits Parr Hall.
Wonder at this fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround-sound composition, the centrepiece of October’s Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, which will blast off in Queen’s Gardens on 4 October with Light Night, featuring outdoor performances by 2 Faced Dance Company, Illumaphonium, and Squid Soup.
Knutsford
In August, this historic estate – featuring a medieval hall and neoclassical mansion set amid landscaped grounds, gardens, and a deer park – will play host to a three-night festival of film.
Is there anywhere finer to watch a blockbuster movie than in the glorious grounds of Tatton Park?
On the bill are recent smash hits A Star Is Born, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Bohemian Rhapsody, all shown on a giant screen surrounded by woodland near Tatton’s old stableyard.
Order pre-show drinks from the Luna Bar, serving everything from beer to bubbles, and gourmet snacks such as eco-friendly boxes of Comté, Bath Blue and Perl Wen from The Cheese Geek. Premium tickets include fast-track queues, a perfectly positioned director’s chair, and a complimentary drink. Movies start just as dusk descends over Tatton’s treetops, with the stars on screen mirrored by those – weather allowing – in the skies above.
Crewe
As the winter nights draw in, the old railway town of Crewe will become a beacon in the darkness once again, with the return of seasonal festival LUMEN.
Head to Memorial and Lyceum Squares to see breathtaking contemporary light installations whirl around the urban landscape.
Last year works by Double Take Projection and ArtReach included the tale of a magical fairy played out on the venerable sandstone walls of the Municipal Building. The mesmeric kaleidoscope of colourful lights will be accompanied by street performers such as Spark!, who dance and drum to the rhythm of changing illuminations.
Take little ones on a lantern procession and see their jaws drop at the spectacle of giant walkabout puppets, while fireworks crackle and bang, showering stars overhead. If there’s a chill in the air, grab a hot chocolate in the winter market and take a rousing ride on the funfair. This dazzling rainbow is sure to brighten up your night and warm your heart.
Near the Newgate and Chester Amphitheatre, Chester
Enjoy the silver screen by the light of the silvery moon at Chester’s Moonlight Flicks.
The popular summertime open-air cinema, set amid the crumbling columns, bathhouse mosaics and cypress trees in the Roman Gardens, will feature Stanley Kubrick’s Oscar-winning classic 2001: A Space Odyssey in this lunar-tastic year.
Rug, shooting stick or hired deckchair, whatever your choice of perch there’s no fixed seating, so arrive early to get a good spot. You’re welcome to bring a picnic or order a hot, tasty pizza (and a glass of wine or beer) to be delivered to your pitch.
Then sit back and relax, tuning in with the wireless headphones for a fully immersive al-fresco night at the movies.
Macclesfield
The 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landings is a bumper year for visitors to Jodrell Bank.
The observatory played a unique role in this momentous occasion, capturing the moment when the Eagle lander, carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, touched down on the surface of the Moon in 1969. No wonder UNESCO is considering listing Jodrell Bank as a World Heritage Site, a decision due to be announced in July. Dip into the packed programme of special events at the family-friendly Discovery Centre, including the thrilling opportunity to get your hands on pieces of the Moon brought back to Earth by the Apollo astronauts (Moon Rock and Meteorites, 19 July-30 August). From walking tours beneath the Lovell Telescope to live science shows and hands-on exploration of our Solar System, there’s plenty here to entertain budding astronauts, large and small.
There’s an extensive gift shop too, packed full of science and space-inspired gifts, games, and books. And, don’t miss out on a visit to the Planet Pavilion Café, complete with a stunning terrace overlooking the telescope, were you’ll find delicious breakfasts, salads, stews, sandwiches, and home-made cakes.
There’s plenty of extra activity throughout the year too, including our ever-popular family science shows throughout the school holidays, an evening lecture series, and of course, the annual science and music festival Bluedot. The Centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
| From | To | Distance * (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| bluedot (53.23357,-2.30266) | Space Odyssey & Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival (53.38619,-2.59545) | 23.26 |
| Space Odyssey & Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival (53.38619,-2.59545) | Luna Cinema (53.32952,-2.38593) | 13.76 |
| Luna Cinema (53.32952,-2.38593) | LUMEN: Crewe’s Night of Lights (53.09739,-2.43911) | 23.48 |
| LUMEN: Crewe’s Night of Lights (53.09739,-2.43911) | Moonlight Flicks (53.18839,-2.88758) | 28.45 |
| Moonlight Flicks (53.18839,-2.88758) | Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre (53.23385,-2.30407) | 35.31 |
| Total Distance * | 124.24 miles | |
| Estimated Journey Time | 4 hours | |
* Approximate distance by road
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