New Year’s Eve 2013 celebrations to mark the City’s Sea Change

Anticipation is building for what is set to be a spectacular welcome to City of Culture 2013 on 31st December in Derry~Londonderry. The city will be marking the arrival of 2013 in style with a fantastic fireworks and pyrotechnic show, along with some fantastic events for everyone. Derry City Council’s Brendan McMenamin, Lead Programmer of the New Year’s Eve evening event said:

It’s going to be a great occasion. From 6:30pm church bells across the city will ring out calling people to join in the celebrations and from 6.50pm the show will commence. It will be accompanied by a musical arrangement that captures the journey of the city towards 2013 including some of the signature moments as part of the bid. There will be reference to the fantastic words from Seamus Heaney that were so central to the bid from the Cure of Troy, that conveys our hope for a great sea-change and the city’s belief that a further shore is reachable from here. The show will place the Peace Bridge and the River centre stage and conclude with the sounds of the Shirt Factory horns to welcome the New Year and our ambitions for a brighter future for the city.

For timings of the event and best viewing areas visit www.festivetime.com with recommendations for Queens Quay area as the prime viewing location. The event zone will be open from 19:00 (7.00pm) with the opening sequence at 19:50 (7:50pm) performed by the Lords of Lightning ahead of the spectacular fireworks and pyrotechnics finale by Walk the Plank at 20:13 (8.13pm).

And as you get ready to come to the celebrations why not be part of the “Voices of Derry~Londonderry” from 4.00pm in Guildhall Square. This is a chance for everyone to share their hopes and wishes for 2013. Using the City Walls in Guildhall Square as the backdrop, you will be able to post your own message card to personally mark the beginning of our year as City of Culture.

To take part you can visit www.cityofculture2013.com and finish the statement

My hope for Derry~Londonderry 2013 is.....’

or alternatively you can come down on the day and write, draw, paint, or submit a photo as part of the initiative. All messages will be translated into a new virtual wall that will be announced later in January 2013.

A selection of online statements will be printed with a total of 400 of these highlighted to welcome not only the City of Culture 2013 but also to mark the beginning of the 400th anniversary of the city’s iconic walls.

Peter Morris, Director Consumer & Corporate Services at BT Ireland said:

BT were the first partner to come on board to support Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture so it gives me great joy to be the first person to write up my hopes for the people of Derry~Londonderry for 2013 as I have no doubt that this fantastic city will have an exciting year. To everyone who is in the city on the 31st, do come down on New Year’s Eve and post your own voices postcard, we want to hear about your hopes for the City. For those who are further afield, do visit the website as you can write up your hopes there on the BT Virtual Wall. I wish the City all the best in 2013 and I know BT is looking forward to supporting, experiencing and taking part in many of the wonderful UK City of Culture events taking place.

And after the fireworks and pyrotechnic show, Culture Company’s Sound of the City will provide musical entertainment across a number of venues in the city to mark the transition to 2013.

The Icon Winebar, Dungiven Road, will be welcoming in the City of Culture year with a spectacular night featuring live entertainment from INDIGO playing a mix of music, ranging from Modern through to Irish Folk. Entrance is free and there will be a free finger buffet and a glass of bubbly to help ring in 2013.

Irelands leading electronic music festival, Celtronic will host an event at the historic St Columbs Hall, Orchard St. In addition to showcases from three of Derry's finest clubnights, the event will be headlined by one of the world's leading DJs and producers Ewan Pearson. Tickets are on sale today at Masons Bar and online at www.wegottickets.com.

The Nerve Centre, Magazine St, will host a celebration of Derry’s thriving music scene when some of the city’s leading bands will ring in the New Year. Among the bands lined up to play are the city’s finest Triggerman, Our Krypton Son, John Deery & the Heads, Little Bear, Best Boy Grip, Intermission, Wyldling and Making Monsters.

And if you have still got energy on New Year’s Day why not pop along to the Nerve Centre where the city’s leading under 18’s music event; Practice Makes Perfect will ensure the city starts off the year as it means to go on, with music performance opportunities for young musicians and DJs. Tickets for both events on sale now at The Nerve Centre Box Office (02871260562). For further information please contact 028 7137 6504 or visit www.festivetime.com or www.cityofculture2013.com