It's time to brighten up, Richmond.
InLight Richmond, the arty outdoor festival, returns to downtown Richmond this Friday, Sept. 25.
You'll see all kinds light-inspired art -- from projections on buildings, to illuminated art in storefronts, to a parade of homemade lanterns as they march down Broad Street.
Last year, over 5,000 people turned out for the free festival. But part of that was due to weather. InLight had a rainy start to the event with the skies clearing around 9 p.m. This year, and with a forecast for better weather, organizers hope to see 10,000 or more hit the streets for free, glow-in-the-dark art.
And here's what you'll find at this year's InLight:
New Location:
First Friday Artwalkers, don't head to your usual stomping ground along Broad Street between Belvidere and Foushee. InLight Richmond is in a new location and it all centers around the new Richmond CenterStage Complex. Head for Broad and Grace Streets between 5th and 8th Streets. Those six blocks will be jam-packed with artist installations, performances, lights and music at the Main Stage behind CenterStage. Click here for the map.
Organizers say the idea is to host InLight in a new neighborhood every year. They also hope to leave behind a permanent installation in each neighborhood. Last year, they were able to keep "InLight Walk," a series of eight concrete panels installed in the sidewalk in front of 1708 Gallery that have solar-powered "stars" in them and light up every night. This year, they're hoping to leave behind a pair of large scale solar trees to the front of the Richmond Convention Center. See the prototype to the right.
Lantern Parade:
Follow the light, my friends. The event kicks off with a community lantern parade from the Marriott Hotel at Broad and 5th Streets at 7:45 p.m. 1708 Gallery has been hosting a series of lantern-making workshops with local artists all month long to get people ready and involved in the parade. About 250 lanterns have been created in their workshops so far. And they're hoping that people will make their own lanterns at home and bring them to Broad Street to join in the fun. There's still time to make your own lantern. Get some DIY ideas here and here.
Beer Garden:
Heck, yeah! New this year, a beer garden at the public parking lot directly across from Richmond CenterStage on Grace Street between 6th and 7th Street. Art, beer and outdoor music? I think we have a winner, my friends.
The Art:
You'll see light-inspired work from 27 artists -- culled from Richmond and beyond -- at the outdoor festival. Much of the work will be displayed in the empty storefronts along East Grace Street and others in the Miller & Rhoads building on Broad.
Art on walls: There will be a video projection called "A Show of Hands" from Brooklyn artist Ed Purver on the Verizon headquarters directly across from the courthouse. It will look like two hands coming out of the windows that are telling you something.
Dance in a box: Renata Sheppard, a performance artist from Chicago, will be performing with two other dancers in a storefront. They will wear recycled paper costumes that are illuminated and will literally fall apart during their perfomance.
Shoes on a wire: Michael Dulin, a mixed media artist from Richmond, is producing 12 pairs of shoes that will be dangling from trees and lit inside by LED lights.
Wearable art: What is she wearing? Richmond designers have created works of art that they will wear and walk through InLight. You'll see luminous dresses, outfits that look like trees, themes of the phoenix and much more as designers walk down Broad Street to take the stage behind Richmond CenterStage for a very unique fashion show at 9 p.m.
Music: Doctors of Jazz, Richmond Shakespeare, Silly Bus, 4 the Streetz Choreography and Blue Highway will be performing for free all night long at the Main Stage behind Richmond CenterStage.
Street Closures: Watch out for street closures on Broad and East Grace Streets betweeen 5th and 8th Streets. Public parking can be found around the event at Center Parking Garage, 700 E. Franklin Street, 8th and E. Marshall Street, 7th and E. Franklin Street, 4th and E. Franklin Street, 700 E. Main Street, and 6th and E. Main Street.
Rain or Shine: Updated: There is a chance of showers. InLight will go on rain or shine. Get the forecast right here.
To get a taste of InLight, check out our video from last year:
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