Cathedral Removing Chairs from its Nave to Host Special Programs and Concerts

Washington, D.C. – Washington National Cathedral will host an indoor light show, a rhythmic drum circle, an indoor picnic and singers from the Washington National Opera during its annual “Seeing Deeper” program. Every year, “Seeing Deeper” transforms the interior of the nation’s church; thousands of chairs are cleared from the central nave to provide visitors with a fresh look at the building and transform the space for a week of interactive programming.

This year’s “Seeing Deeper” programs are scheduled for Monday, February 1 – Friday, February 5, 2016. All evening programs are free and open to the public. Media are invited to all events and encouraged to list events in their community calendars. Please contact Kim Atterbury to RSVP for events or for more information at (202) 776-7700 or via email at kim@westendstrategy.com.

SPACE, LIGHT AND SOUND

Monday, February 1, 2016 at 7 PM

With thousands of chairs cleared from the building’s central nave, visitors have the chance to see the vast, open space of the Cathedral and experience the building as they can at no other time of the year. For the first night of “Seeing Deeper,” special lighting will highlight the Cathedral’s gothic architecture and people will be invited to prayer and introspection to the sounds of the harp and flute. Visitors can wander the nave, sit, lie down, or weave through a serpentine labyrinth.

PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

Tuesday-Thursday, February 2-4, 2016 at 8:45 AM daily

This early morning session gives photographers an unparalleled look at the grandeur and splendor of the world’s sixth-largest cathedral. This grand space will be on full display and you’ll have access to take pictures on the main level of the Cathedral. Tickets can be purchased for the early morning photography session here.

THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD: SACRED DRUMMING

Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 7 PM

Drumming is an embodiment of prayer, inviting us to listen deeply to the heartbeat of God. Joyful and uplifting, we discover our own rhythms and connect to the rhythms of others. The Cathedral will host a teaching drum circle, inviting novices to learn the basics of how to play the drum and make music along with experienced drum circle participants. Drums and percussion will be provided, or attendees are invited to bring their own.

LOST IN THE STARS: AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND INSIGHT

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 7 PM

Washington National Opera (WNO) and the Cathedral will partner to explore the themes in the upcoming opera “Lost in the Stars.” Based on the South African novel, Cry, The Beloved Country, this story plumbs the depths of faith, hope, mercy and interconnected issues still facing South Africa and the U.S today. This evening will feature music performed by singers from the opera’s cast and members of WNO’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Former South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and the Cathedral’s Canon Theologian Kelly Brown Douglas will also speak at the event, reflecting on the importance of this story today.

BEYOND THE SPHERE OF TIME: A MUSICAL JOURNEY

Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 7 PM

Visitors will be invited to travel through the Cathedral on a journey illustrating the rich tapestry of music from the English Choral Tradition, from the dramatic story of its beginning and the trials and tribulations of history that shaped it and made this music quintessentially English.

PICNIC IN THE CATHEDRAL

Friday, February 5, 2016 at 7 PM

For the final night of “Seeing Deeper,” the Cathedral will open its central nave for an indoor, mid-winter picnic that will feature a special performance by GW Troubadours, a co-ed a capella group based at The George Washington University. The event is free and open to the public. Individuals who don’t have time to pack food can order an individual, boxed picnic here. The deadline to order is Monday, February 1 at 5 PM.