Liverpool’s LightNight is back for its fifth year. On Friday 16 May from 4pm until late thousands of visitors of all ages will descend on Liverpool for LightNight, the city’s annual arts and culture festival.
LightNight unlocks the doors of Liverpool’s world-class museums, galleries and heritage sites late into the night to showcase creativity in the city region. Visitors can experience a vibrant mixture of events all on one night; from interactive light projections to a psychedelic sound spectacle, ‘sound battle’ street performances to exhibition launches. With a fire performance, giant dance workshops, big sings, a candle-lit labyrinth, sing-along walking tours, and stargazing at the Tate, there is something for all ages.
For LightNight 2014 over 100 of Liverpool’s finest creative’s and arts organisations have joined forces to offer an unforgettable night of over 130 FREE events. Visitors will be invited to:
- Visit a secret, iconic building for a sneak preview of the building that will be at the heart of this year’s Liverpool Biennial.
- Rediscover Liverpool Cathedral to experience the booming Grand Organ, reflect in the Lady Chapel, join the Big Dance Pledge with Merseyside Dance Initiative, or be mesmerised by PZYKSONG as musicians from Liverpool International Psychedelic Festival and the Cathedral collaborate for the first time.
- Witness a fire performance by Bring the Fire Project, Liverpool’s up and coming fire artist collective as they light up the area around Wellington’s column with fire costumes, installations and live drumming.
- Explore class and taste in modern Britain through the eyes of Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry on the opening night of The Vanity of Small Differences at the Walker Art Gallery. Along with music, dance and drama from LIPA students and the opening of the dot-art Schools Exhibition with winning artwork from 50 local schools.
- Dance the night away in St George’s Hall as the ever-popular late night ceilidh returns.
- Stroll around Liverpool’s Central Library one year after its reopening, when you’ll be invited to lie on the floor for a live musical and visual performance, belt out Sea Shanties with Up for Arts, listen to West Everton Super Strings, join Writing on the Wall up on the roof terrace for Word Up, hear from Scottie Writers, find out about the LJMU’s Merseyside at War project created to commemorate the outbreak of WW1 or the Give Us 5 campaign with The Reader Organisation.
- Experience the new Youth and Community space in the Everyman as YEP (Young Everyman Playhouse) surround you in light, sound and projections.
- Journey into the unknown with Impropriety and Hidden Liverpool as they take you on an exploration of the beautiful banking hall in Martins Bank.
- Spot yourself in the Liverpool Photo Booth Project, 600+ black and white portraits taken by photographer Louise Lowe that opens for the first time on LightNight after a yearlong endeavour to capture the identity of Liverpool today.
- Immerse yourself at the Museum of Liverpool with dance and choir performances, a Liver Bird workshop, exhibitions and films plus the big Bayk-over which celebrates 80 years of the Liverpool invented Bayko model construction set.
- Join the circus at The Black-E as it comes alive with aerial workshops, trapeze and juggling, along with an energetic World Dance performance and workshop courtesy of Movema and free runners Airborn Academy.
- Walk the candle-lit labyrinth designed with the help of LIPA students in the walled courtyard of Blackburne House.
- Discover Baltic Creative, Liverpool’s vibrant creative and digital hub in the Baltic Triangle, as they invite you to take part in workshops, open their creative studios, enjoy live music in the cafe, or even have your tea leaves read.
- Uncover the history of the oldest Chinese community in Europe through photographs and words at the Open Eye Gallery, when you can also try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, be enthralled by the sounds of the Chinese harp or watch the Pagoda Taichi and Dance group perform ancient exercises and Fan dances.
Lorenzo Fusi, Open Eye Gallery Director said, “Open Eye Gallery is thrilled to once again be a part of LightNight Liverpool – it’s a fantastic evening of participation, family activities and fun for all across the city. There’s always a great atmosphere as Liverpool’s cultural institutions offer an exciting tour of the city at night.”
Mark Lawler, Baltic Creative Managing Director said, “We’re really looking forward to throwing open our doors again for LightNight. Last year Baltic Creative was buzzing with visitors and activity. And again this year our programme offers something for all ages, so why not come and find our more about Baltic Creative.”
LightNight 2014 is the fifth edition of this annual late night festival. Each year the audience and the programme grow, with many new arts organisations joining this one-night celebration of Liverpool’s arts and culture. New comers include Mercy, HIVE, Bring the Fire Project, The Friends of the Flyover, Liverpool Biennial, Alison Appleton Studio, The Kazimier, Pagoda Arts, Merseyside Polonia, Karate Union of Great Britain, 20 Stories High, West Everton Super Strings, Scottie Writers, Outpost, Aurora Media, The Reader Organisation, Wanderpool and The Mixnots.
Charlotte Corrie of Open Culture, the LightNight producers said: “LightNight is the city really coming together, its starts at 4pm and doesn’t stop until 4am, so there really is something for everyone. It’s a jam packed one night extravaganza that’s not to be missed. It gives you a taste of what takes place in Liverpool everyday of the year!”
The FREE programme is now online at www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk or available from all participating venues.
