June 6, 2011 2.06 pm This story is over 168 months old

Lincoln to celebrate summer solstice with human celestial map

Summer spirit: Lincoln will celebrate the summer solstice with a human celestial map in the city centre.
Mark Jeffrey and Judd Morrissey (facing)

The summer solstice will be celebrated by creating a human celestial map in Lincoln city centre on June 21.

The Labours: An Astronomical Dance is part of the Cultural Olympiad and has been commissioned by Nightjar, who present contemporary art between dawn and dusk.

Chicago-based artists Judd Morrissey and Mark Jeffrey have been invited to lead the event. They are both professors at The School of Art institute in Chicago, who have been celebrated and are highly acclaimed for their work.

Over the next few weeks they will be taking trips throughout Lincolnshire towns and villages to speak to locals to find out about the work of their ancestors and the county’s history. These stories will then be used to create the choreography which will be taught to volunteers.

Lincolnshire Dance, a county dance development agency, is trying to get local people involved in the event.

The director of Lincolnshire Dance, Keyna Paul, hopes that people will “relish the chance to get involved”.

She said: “To work with such established international artists is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for dance practitioners and keen amateurs alike.”

Volunteers are invited to take part in the final performance which will be presented throughout the centre of Lincoln on June 21.

Participation involves taking part in two daytime rehearsals on Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19, at the LPAC on the University of Lincoln’s Brayford Pool campus.

If you are interested in participating, call Lincolnshire Dance on 01522 811811 or email for more information.

Photo: John W Sisson Jr