FAQs and Important Information

Dark Days, Luminous Nights

‘Dark Days, Luminous Nights’ is a project by Manchester Collective, featuring the work of artists Simon Buckley and Blackhaine, which will premiere at The White Hotel in Salford in 2021. 

UPDATE AS OF 4 MAY 2021

In line with the government’s Covid-19 roadmap, ‘Dark Days Luminous Nights’ has been rescheduled from January 2021 to 3–10 June 2021 when socially-distanced, indoor events are due to have resumed. If you booked for the original dates, check your email (search for “Important changes to your booking”) which contains further information about your ticket(s).

On this page, you will find further information about:

The Experience
The Venue
Covid-19 and Your Safety
Access
Booking and Tickets 

If you have a question that’s not answered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What is it?

At the heart of ‘Dark Days, Luminous Nights’ is an immersive audio-visual installation, which audiences will experience within 60-minute ticketed slots. The installation is indoors and comprises a film with music, an exhibition of photographs, and a sound installation.

The work explores themes of transformation and change within the context of cities. All artistic content – music, film and photography – has been captured or recorded in Manchester and Salford during the Coronavirus pandemic, observing relevant guidelines.

We have strived to create a safe and immersive environment, so each timed experience will be open to no more than 12 people at a time. You will be seated at a table with your bubble or by yourself, at a safe distance from others, and will be given the opportunity to look around the space. 

Is it suitable for children?

There is no age limit, however the recommended age for this event is 13+. Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

The visuals do not contain explicit or disturbing material, and you can get a better sense of the content by watching this trailer. Please take into account that this event takes place in a dark, cold space. You will be asked to observe social distancing at all times and stay within your group for the duration of the performance. 

I’ve booked my ticket. What happens next/on the day?

All important information, including how to prepare for your visit, will be sent to the email address you use to book your tickets. 

On the day, we ask that you arrive ten minutes before your specified time slot, so you can be checked in and ready for the start of the experience. The waiting area is outdoors so we don’t advise arriving any earlier than fifteen minutes before your slot is due to begin. Please note latecomers will not be admitted, and we cannot guarantee there will be the opportunity to experience the event at a different time.

You will enter and exit the venue at the times specified on your ticket. Covid-permitting, there will be a bar available with a small selection of hot and cold drinks, serving guests at their tables. All payments will be contactless.  

There is no heating in the venue. Please wear warm clothes and sensible footwear.

Where is it taking place?

‘Dark Days, Luminous Nights’ takes place at The White Hotel – a former MOT garage which now operates as an underground music and arts venue in Salford. 

How do I get there? 

The White Hotel is on Dickinson St in Salford, M3 7LW. It is a fifteen minute walk (or a five minute drive) from Manchester Victoria Station, and can be easily reached by bus, car or taxi. 

If walking from Victoria Station, you will need to head north on Bury New Rd. From there, turn left onto Sherborne St, walk past the car park to your right, then turn right onto Dickinson St.

For guests coming by car, drop-off and pick-up will be available outside of the venue on Dickinson St. There is plenty of paid parking nearby – there’s an open car park right by the venue, and Greengate car park (10-minute walk away) is open 24 hours. If you’re coming by bike, you can leave it securely by the venue entrance at the rear.

Please note the entrance is at the rear of the building, so you will need to turn left at the end of Dickinson St to access it. Walk all the way to the end of the road, and follow the signage to the entrance.

What facilities are there on-site?

Due to Covid restrictions, there will be no cloakroom provided at the venue. Please avoid bringing large bags. Personal belongings can be left by assigned seats and tables at guests’ own risk.

Public health restrictions permitting, a bar with a small selection of hot and cold drinks will be operating a table service. No food is permitted on site.

There are toilets on site for guests to use, however, please note they are not accessible to larger wheelchairs.

Is it safe for this event to proceed under Covid restrictions?

‘Dark Days, Luminous Nights’ is compliant with guidelines for socially-distanced, indoor events. The Manchester Collective team have put a comprehensive set of systems in place to make the experience an enjoyable and Covid-secure one for all our guests.

How will you ensure people’s safety on the day?

If you’re feeling unwell, are presenting with Covid symptoms, or are self-isolating, please cancel or amend your booking (see Booking and Tickets for full information on refunds)

Whilst on site, guests will be required to stay within their bubbles and observe social distancing at all times. Wearing a mask is also mandatory for the duration of the experience, unless you are exempt for medical reasons. If any guests present with Covid-19 symptoms whilst on site, they will be required to leave immediately (and receive a ticket refund).

Hand sanitiser will be available for use on site, and tables and chairs will be sanitised between every showing of ‘Dark Days, Luminous Nights’. If you have any concerns or questions at any time during the experience, please speak to a member of staff, who will be nearby and available at all times.

The main entrance to the venue is via three steps. There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance to the front of the building on Dickinson St. Let us know if you need to use this at the time of booking and we will make the necessary arrangements. Please note that the toilets on site are not accessible to large wheelchairs. Assistance dogs welcome.

The installation is a multi-sensory experience, which comprises both visual (film, photography) and sound elements. It takes place in a dark environment with immersive sound, which may be loud at times. There is no strobe lighting in the film or installation. The floor in the main space is uneven at places, but there will be markings to highlight where that is the case.

There will be a verbal briefing by a member of staff before you enter the space where the installation is – let us know if you’d like to have this information emailed in advance. If you have further questions or specific needs which we can help address, please get in touch. 

How do I book?

Advance booking is required for this event. E-tickets are exclusively available from the event page on the Manchester Collective website. If you’re experiencing difficulties with the pop-up window on the event page, try booking directly via the Eventbrite website. On arrival, you will be asked to show your e-ticket or confirmation email – either on your mobile device or as a print-out.   

Please book for your support bubble only as you will be seated together. No more than 5 tickets allowed per booking. 

We use Eventbrite to process all bookings and safely store customer data. We will not use your personal information for any other purposes other than to fulfill your booking. We will also keep your data for track and trace purposes. The reason we ask for your home postcode is so that we can analyse and report to our funders on where our audiences come from – your data will be anonymised in any such circumstances. 

What will happen to my booking if the event is rescheduled/cancelled?

If the event can’t go ahead due to Covid restrictions or for any other reason, you will be given the choice to either transfer your booking over to a new set of dates, or to request a full refund. 

To get a refund, log into your Eventbrite account and find the option under the Tickets section, or refer to your online order confirmation. If you’re having any issues with Eventbrite, you can also write to us directly.

What if I or a member of my party is feeling unwell? 

If you can no longer make it to the event because you are feeling unwell or are self-isolating, you can cancel/amend your order and request a refund via Eventbrite up to 12 hours before the performance starts. 

If you have a question that’s not been answered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.