LightNight 2018: Our pick of not-to-be-missed events
Liverpool’s free one-night arts festival returns on 18 May with over 100 events across the city. Produced by Open Culture, this year’s LightNight programme explores ‘transformation’ and will look at the many changes happening around us, as well as the city’s revitalisation over the last decade.
With some surprises still to be announced, here’s our pick of the new and not-to-be-missed events occurring on this extra special evening…
Words by Lawrence Saunders
LightNight @ Music Room
Where? Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic
What time? 5-10pm
What’s happening? A handpicked selection of gifted local acts will present their take on the theme of ‘transformation’. Acts including vocal duo Limerance, Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge winner Lydiah and electronic art-pop two-piece St. Jude the Obscure will perform a number of recognisable songs they’ve ‘transformed’ with their own tuneful twist. Each artist will take to the stage for a 10-minute set each hour, so stay for 60 minutes to catch the full line-up.
Food Hub – new for 2018
Where? St Luke’s ‘Bombed Out’ Church
What time? 4-10pm
What’s happening? In a first for 2018, the much-loved ‘Bombed Out Church’ hosts a special food hub to keep LightNight fans well-fed once the sun goes down. Local vendors including Ital Fresh, Skaus and Homebaked will offer nighttime nourishment in St Luke’s garden alongside musical entertainment from the Liverpool Guitar Society.
Anamorphix
Where? Hinterlands
What time? 7-9.45pm
What’s happening? Artist Carlos Bernal presents his 3D light and sound installation ‘Anamorphix’ at the new Baltic Triangle venue. Organisers are inviting visitors to “step into an immersive environment that will play with your perspective” during the event, where “no two people will see the same thing”.
Singing Mirror
Where? British Music Experience (BME)
What time? 6-10pm
What’s happening? Billed as an “immersive light and sound experience”, interactive installation ‘Singing Mirror’ by artists Jack Wates and Alex Mead promises fun for all ages. Audiences will find themselves transformed in a series of projected kaleidoscopic patterns, sounds and moving patterns based on their own movements. The BME’s Star Café will also serve food and drink throughout the evening, with live music provided by the in-house band.
> Related | Review: British Music Experience (BME), Liverpool
The Oratory Speaks
Where? Liverpool Cathedral
What’s happening? Celebrate the transformation of the grounds of the Grade I-listed Oratory into a beautiful wildflower garden. Pupils from The LIPA Primary School have been sketching the garden and its growth as they create it over the spring, whilst learning about the cyclical time of natural systems, biodiversity and ecology. Jayne Seddon, the school’s artist in residence, will show the children’s observational studies with a workshop alongside a display of artwork installed in the Oratory grounds.
Paper Bridge
Where? Atrium at Mann Island
What’s happening? This rather unique event down at Mann Island will see 800 people construct a 15-metre bridge completely out of paper. Created with pieces of paper on which participants will share their aspirations for the future and the transformations they wish to see in the world, the work has been organised by Tate Liverpool, Arup and Open Eye Gallery.
LightNight After Party
Where? Constellations
What time? 8.30pm-2.30am
What’s happening? Round off your LightNight in style with the official festival after party, featuring DJ sets from Sandi Hughes, Giovanna of SisBis and South London’s Manara, as well as a new video work by artist Anna Levin.
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