Nuit Blanche translated means White Night, and on such a night in Paris–the City of Lights–festival goers can find contemporary artisits exhibiting their work throughout the city, in diversity of spaces. Essentially the city itself becomes a museum, the streets galleries.
This matters to you, because such a festival has spread to other cities. In a similar vein, across the Atlantic, InLight Richmond encourages artists to respond to a particular section of the city, with the intention to attract audiences to unique areas of Richmond.
Organized by 1708 Gallery, InLight Richmond is an annual public exhibition of interactive light-based art, large-format projections, sculpture and performances that will engage in the dynamic site.
InLight Richmond 2013 will be held on Friday, November 8, 2013 in downtown Shockoe along the Canal Walk from the Turning Basin to 17th Street. It runs one night only, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Each year the location of this roving festival changes.
The event kick-offs with a Community Lantern Parade at 7:30 p.m.
To participate in the Community Lantern Parade bring a lantern you’ve made at home, in one of 1708’s public workshops, or make one just before the parade kicks off InLight.
A crowd will gather just above the Canal Walk Turning Basin between Virginia St. and 14th St. where everyone will receive an LED candle for their lantern.
There will be food and beer trucks. Alchemy Coffee Cart, Boka Tako Truck, Sticky To Go-Go, RVA Vegan and Carytown Burger and Fries will be on site throughout the festival. Center of the Universe and Legend Brewery will have brews on site. See below for specials that neighborhood restaurants plan to offer.
Click here to view a map of the InLight 2013 site.
This year’s juror is Ken Farmer, the Co-Founder and Creative Director ofNuit Blanche New York. He helps produce the annual Bring to Light: Nuit Blanche Festival and is invested in this projects.
In Decemeber that gallery was awarded a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. Jolene Giandomenico said that the money went to produce the event.
Among the dazzling displays, expect to find an interactive piano. Light panels are installed in the Canal and are illuminate in relation to the keys that are played.
Attendees will be able to vote for their favorite work of art by texting “InLight” and the number of the piece to 30364. The winner will be announced Saturday, November 9.
“Everyone can connect with light-inspired art, whether you are making a lantern for the lantern parade or participating with an interactive installation,” Lucy Meade, InLight Co-Chair, said.
Last year’s event brought between four and five thousand. This year they hope for the same.
The InLight 2013 site is marked by the intersections of Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom, the Kanawha Canal, the Floodwall, Interstates 95 and 195, and railroad lines. It is bordered by the James River, the Virginia Capital Trail, the Richmond Slave Trail, and numerous retail spaces, bars and restaurants, and sites of business.
PARKING
City Parking lot – 15th and Cary – $5
Standard Parking lot – 12th and Canal – $4
Standard Parking lot – 14th and Cary – $5
Parkway Parking lot – 1504-06 Cary- $5
Parkway Parking lot – 14th and Main – $6
Parkway Parking lot – 15th and Cary – $8
The following Shockoe area restaurants will also feature InLight Richmond specials the night of November 8:
Europa Italian Café & Tapas Bar -1409 E. Cary St.
Between 5 and 7 pm, Europa will offer ½ off Tapas and $4 glasses of wine. The drink special for the evening will be an “InLight Cocktail”, made with Absolute Vanilla Vodka, Root Organic Liquer, and pure cane root soda.
The Hard Shell – Downtown – 1411 E. Cary St.
The Hard Shell will offer an “Up All Night” drink special, made with Kahlua Midnight, Bailey’s, and coffee.
Morton’s The Steakhouse – 111 Virginia St.
Morton’s will offer complimentary appetizers in the bar from 5 to 7pm including Fresh Sliced Potato Chips, Chicken Goujonettes, and Steak Sandwiches.
Southern Railway Taphouse – 111 Virginia St.
Southern Railway Taphouse will offer a special martini called the “InLightini” made with Blueberry Vodka, Blue Curacao, Lemon Lime Soda, Lemon Twist, and Bright Sugar Rim.
