Detroit’s nighttime festival of art and light, features 39 art and light installations,family programming, performances, Light Bike Parade and more
This weekend Midtown Detroit will light up with DLECTRICITY, presented by DTE Energy, where thousands are expected to walk, bike and explore an illuminated Woodward Corridor for the nighttime festival of art and light. The two-day free, outdoor Nuit Blanche festival features artists from around the world and Detroit whose works of art and light will span more than 1 mile from the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, September 26–27, from 7 p.m. to midnight. A complete listing of DLECTRICITY programming is available at DLECTRICITY.com.
“We are privileged to have some of the city’s most remarkable cultural and architectural gems in Midtown that will serve as the backdrop for DLECTRICITY,” said Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “DTE Energy along with the generous support from foundations, cultural institutions and our corporate and community partners make this world-class event possible, showcasing Midtown Detroit as an international arts destination.”
Produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., DLECTRICITY is modeled after other Nuit Blanche festivals known for bringing the best of contemporary light and technology-based arts to the streets of major cities like Paris, Rome, Toronto, Minneapolis and New York.
The Woodward Corridor will be transformed into an urban spectacle with art installations of light, video, performance, interactive engineering and other unexpected works of art. Venues hosting installations include: Detroit Institute of Arts, College for Creative Studies, Michigan Science Center, Detroit Historical Museum Plaza, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit Public Library, C.H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more.
For two-electrifying nights, visitors can walk, bike or take a free shuttle along the festival route to explore DLECTRICITY presented by DTE Energy:
World-Renowned International and Local Artists
DLECTRICITY features artists from around the world, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Detroit. The collection of acclaimed international and local artists will illuminate the city with 39 art and light installations: Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg | The Black Pot; Sue de Beer | The Legendary Leland City Club; Shaun Gladwell | Broken Dance (Beatboxed); Mindfield | P.O.V.; Compagnia T.P.O. | Kindur: The Adventurous Life of Icelandic Sheep; Osman Khan | House; Casa Magica | Sound Spheres and more.
Sparking Imaginations of All Ages
The DLECTRICITY Family Zone at Woodward and Warren will spark the imagination with interactive art installations the entire family will enjoy. Jump into D MET Design’s “Mike Teavee” stage set, allowing children and kids-at-heart to fulfill the ubiquitous fantasy of being ‘sent by television.’ Also don’t miss the children’s performance by Compagnia T.P.O. of Italy at the Garden Theater (performances at 7 and 9 p.m. each night) and MineD Intervention by Rebekah Blesing at the Detroit Institute of Arts where this Minecraft-inspired project has Detroit’s children reimagine the city’s urban landscape. Check out https://mined2014.org for more information.
Special Events and Performances throughout the Weekend
There are many special events happening before and during DLECTRICITY, including:
• In partnership with the College for Creative Studies, DLECTRICITY artist Sue de Beer will present a public lecture on her work and ideas as part of the Woodward Lecture Series, Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m., in CCS’ Walter B. Ford II Building, Wendell W. Anderson Jr. Auditorium.
• The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will feature a live video projection of the Pops performance, “Let’s Dance,” conducted by Jeff Tyzik, at 8 p.m. each night. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy this celebration of the art of dance as tango, tap and ballroom dancers are projected onto the façade of the Carpenter’s Building on Woodward.
• The Hyper Interactive Hip Hop Carnival is a participatory performance featuring Hip Hop, Caribbean costume design and interactive technology produced by Jeff Sturges, Ralph Taylor, Sicari Ware and Piper Carter. Performances each night at 8 and 10 p.m. outside of the Museum of African American History.
• Musician, producer and composer Hans Berg will perform a live set of electronic music set to animations created by Nathalie Djurberg in the Detroit Institute of Arts Loggia, 10 p.m. each night.
• Sameer Reddy’s Mother is a two-night performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Café, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. – midnight.
• Many DLECTRICITY artists will give talks about their works and creative practices throughout the weekend. Casa Magica (6 p.m., Friday, 9/26, Socra Tea), Andrea Polli (3 p.m., Saturday, 9/27, Cathedral Church of St. Paul), Zackery Belanger (4 p.m., Saturday, 9/27, Cathedral Church of St. Paul), Shaun Gladwell (5 p.m., Saturday, 9/27, MOCAD), and Heidi Kumao (6 p.m., Saturday, 9/27, Detroit Artists Market).
• The Unofficial DLECTRICITY After Party is on Saturday, Sept.27 from 11 p.m. and beyond at the Lincoln Street Art Park, 5926 Lincoln Street in Detroit. The party is an explosion of sight and sound that incorporates the structures and paintings at the Art Park.
DLECTRICITY Light Bike Parade
Light up your wheels. The DLECTRICITY Light Bike Parade is on Saturday, September 27 at 8 p.m., where cyclists will bike a 4-mile route through Midtown, adding extra light and energy to the streets. There are three different start times: Quick Riders, Moderate Riders and Family Riders. Cyclists are encouraged to register for the Light Bike Parade in advance at: www.lightbikeparade.eventbrite.com
Intersection of Art + Design DLECTRICITY is pleased to join forces with the Detroit Design Festival (DDF) this year to explore the juxtaposition between art and design when these two distinct festivals intersect September 26-27. At the center of DLECTRICITY’s footprint, the DDF will host a Design Village, featuring the work of dozens of Detroit’s independent designers and a range of displays from furniture, interior, and graphic and fashion design. The Midtown Design Village will be located at the southwest corner of Woodward and Warren, September 26-27, 7:00 p.m. – midnight.
Debuting in the fall of 2012, DLECTRICTY attracted 75,000 people to Midtown. To experience DLECTRICITY presented by DTE Energy, visitors can walk, bike or take a free shuttle bus with three stops along the festival route: Woodward and Kirby, Woodward and Garfield, and Woodward and Selden. Free bike valet is available to the public at Woodward and Warren. New this year, visitors will find a food truck rally on Kirby outside of the Park Shelton and a beer garden on the lawn of the Hellenic Museum. Visit DLECTRICITY.com to download the program guide, event map, details on parking and more.
DLECTRICITY Program Update: The Scott Reeder “Shhhh” neon artwork has been relocated to the façade of the G.R. N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art.
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