Cathedral bosses are planning another silent disco in a bid to raise cash despite religious groups continuously slamming the scheme.
After the ‘90s ‘Rave in the Nave’ in February, Canterbury Cathedral has confirmed plans to host a 1980s version of the event in August.
Dancers will be able to sing along to hits from icons such as Kylie Minogue, Prince and Madonna – with hundreds of throwback tunes lined up.
Senior clergy and staff at the monument say alternative ways of fundraising are required in order to tackle the almost £30,000-a-day costs the cathedral incurs while also offering the chance to “engage with wider communities”.
Again hosted by ‘Silent Discos in Incredible Places’, the firm has organised more than 60 similar sell-out events and has previously taken over venues such as Newcastle Cathedral and Chester Cathedral.
The Dean of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith said: “We’re delighted to welcome back Silent Discos in Incredible Places.
“Our February event was hugely popular, and the overwhelming response we received was positive - one attendee wrote of the ‘wonderful experience of life and connection with others in the amazing cathedral space’ and that to them ‘it had felt like God was in the midst’.
“It is – as with the rest of our events programme – also missional, helping us to engage with our wider communities, many of whom will never have set foot in a place of worship before, and to demonstrate that regardless of background or belief, they will find a warm welcome and a special experience here.”
Similar to the last event, three channels of music will be available on the night with two sessions booked in for Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16.
Session times across both nights are from 6.30pm-9pm and 9.30pm to midnight and will again be hosted in the nave.
The main body of the building, the nave is one of the key congregation points for religious services and extends from the entrance to the transepts or chancel. The Martyrdom site of Thomas Becket’s murder is in the north-west transept.
A limited bar offering will be available, including cocktails, mini bottles of prosecco, canned drinks, and water.
The Friday night sessions of the silent disco in February proved to be so popular the event sold out within an hour of tickets being released.
The cathedral says hosting the event earlier this year brought in almost £20,000 of income to the church’s coffers.
However, despite the valuable income, religious groups have maintained a strong stance opposing the idea.
Upon hearing the news, critic and churchgoer Dr Cajetan Skowronski posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “It's back. On the feast of the Assumption, Canterbury Cathedral will be honouring a certain Madonna... but not Jesus' mother.”
He previously told KentOnline: “Discos and parties and things are absolutely great but only in their proper place – it’s all well and good in a nightclub but Canterbury Cathedral was not built for this.
“It’s an unprecedented way to use this sacred place. It looks like more cathedrals will be used this way but Canterbury is the most important of them all.
“It’s not going to make younger people take the church more seriously, it’s not going to make people think Christians take their faith seriously – no other religions would do this and it’s not effective evangelism.”
Responding to previous criticism, Dr Monteith said: “Obviously, as was demonstrated by the media interest in our February event, and the 15 or so protestors who gathered outside on the first night, not everyone feels that a silent disco is appropriate.
“However, cathedrals have always been part of community life in a way much wider than their prime focus as centres of Christian worship and mission, and what we are doing is a continuation of this history.”
It is expected that 750 people will attend each day, with two sessions on both the Thursday and Friday.
Tickets start at £25.95 – with VIP options up for grabs at £32.95. Entry is via pre-purchased ticket only.
