White Night in Melbourne last year. Source: Supplied
THERE are more than 100 events and you have only 12 hours to sample them all.
The starter gun for White Night Melbourne will go off at 7pm on Saturday for an all-night cultural festival that transforms the city into a colourful wonderland.
Local writer Keith Gow put in a champion effort at last year’s inaugural event, staying until stumps when a brass band played on Princes Bridge as the sun rose at 7am Sunday.
Flinders St lit up during White Night in Melbourne last year. Source: Supplied
From the Deep on display during the White Night festival in Melbourne last year. Source: News Limited
The State Library lit up during White Night in Melbourne in 2013. Source: Supplied
Olivia, 5 and Molly, 8 during White Night festival in Melbourne last year. Source: HeraldSun
The huge crowd gathering on the Princes Bridge during the White Night festival in Melbourne last year. Source: HeraldSun
“The crowd just swept you along,” he said. “It was definitely exhausting, but I was so thrilled that I could spend 12 hours in the middle of the city doing all these unexpected things.
“We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. Who knew so many people were going to show up? Everyone was just having a good time. I didn’t see anyone angry or drunk or out of control. I think we were all in awe.”
The first White Night Melbourne was an overwhelming and surprising success, drawing about 300,000 people into the city and trending on social media nationally.
This year Australia’s only dusk-to-dawn festival will again celebrate Melbourne’s passions with a fresh line-up of music, art, performance, film, fashion and design in city streets, parklands, laneways and cultural institutions.
Artistic Director Andrew Walsh said 393 artists and more than 100 staff had created the festival, which would appear to pop up out of the ground on Saturday night.
“We’ve been very quietly building things all over the city, but it’s still had to function as a normal city and it doesn’t stop doing that until hours before the event.”
Tendai Mangwiro, chef from MoVida getting ready for White Night. Source: News Limited
Conor (10) and Finn (7) Howitt, Alice Bright (7, Blonde) and Matilda Handbury (7) getting set for the White Night’s dancing. Source: News Limited
Crowds of people flooded Federation Square for White Night in Melbourne last year. Picture: John Gollings Source: Supplied
The Yarra River during White Night last year. Source: HeraldSun
The Electric Canvas transformed buildings in Flinders Street during the White Night festival last year. Source: HeraldSun
Each individual event has its own paper trail and construction plan; from being commissioned, to built, to signed off by engineers and occupational health and safety officers.
“There’s been a natural growth in the physical size of White Night and I think there’s been a growth in the depth of work as well,” Walsh said.
“There’s a real sense of journey, in my mind, of just being able to spend the whole night on this other-world journey right through the city. And there’s no pressure. You can come at 7pm or 3am and just wander.
“I’m pretty excited. The quality of the work across the whole project is really great.”
Gow said he loved that the event was a mini-festival in one sitting.
“We have these festivals on all year and sometimes they’re a bit overwhelming because so many things are happening, but this is one night that everyone can be in the same place and enjoy it at the same time,” he said.
“Nobody’s experience is exactly the same. I still haven’t planned anything for this year, I want to just go and be surprised.”
Fans of The Cat Empire at the sound stage at Flinders Street Station during the White Night festival in Melbourne last year. Source: News Limited
The Yarra River lit up for White Night in Melbourne in 2013. Picture: John Gollings Source: Supplied
The Cat Empire perform at White Night Melbourne. Picture: John Gollings Source: Supplied
EVENT HOTSPOTS
1. NORTHERN LIGHTS
All-night synchronised swimming at the Melbourne City Baths, an outdoor music stage on the top end of Swanston St and arts programs at The Wheeler Centre, State Library and RMIT.
2. LUCKY DIP
A carnival of sideshow and street performers along Swanston St.
3. J + R&B
Outdoor music stage in the Bourke St mall presenting jazz, rhythm and blues, swing, boogie, ska, soul, contemporary instrumental and a cappella.
4. SHADOWS
Interactive films and visual art from the City Square to Bourke St, including each chapter of Tim Winton’s The Turning screened in 18 different location.
5. RAGS TO RICHES
A focus on Melbourne’s fashion heartland and laneway culture between Collins and Flinders St. Activities include creative workshops, light sculptures, animation and photography.
6. WONDERLAND
Large projections, installations and photography along Flinders St, including Flinders St Station, and Federation Square, plus the I Could Have Dance All Night dance extravaganza.
7. THE VORTEX
An immersive cocoon of sparkling and flickering lights that will turn the Southbank pedestrian bridge into a tunnel.
8. MIDDEN
Homage to the traditional owners at Birrarung Marr. A giant mound of rock illuminating 360 degree projections.
9. ALEX AND THE ENGINEER
Far-reaching light beams, illuminated sculptures and curated exhibition on the Yarra River, Melbourne Boathouses and Alexandra Gardens.
10. TATTOOED CITY
Giant photographic exhibition of tattooed Melburnians on the exterior walls of the National Gallery of Victoria.
11. OUTER LIMITS
Exhibitions at various locations including Melbourne Museum, Chin Chin, Sofitel and Trunk Bar and Restaurant.
White Night signage illuminates Princes Bridge during the White Night festival in Melbourne last year. Source: News Limited
WHITE NIGHT HELPFUL HINTS
* White Night Melbourne is Australia’s first all-night cultural event. It is a dusk-til-dawn celebration of Melbourne’s passions: music, art, food, theatre, sport, fashion, film, design and performance. There are more than 100 free events in city streets, parklands, laneways and cultural institutions.
* Event maps will be available from information booths across city or can be downloaded from website.
* Some Southgate and city restaurants, cafes and food courts will extend opening hours. Special Food Stops from 7pm to 7am.
* All public areas are alcohol free.
* Metro Trains, Yarra Trams and bus services (NightRider after 1.30am) will run all night with special timetables after 1am.
* Traffic closures from 6pm Saturday to 8am Sunday. Roads affected include St Kilda Rd, Swanston, Flinders, Collins, Bourke, Lonsdale, Latrobe and Franklin streets.
* Parking outside event precinct and walking into city is recommend.
* Visit whitenightmelbourne.com.au for more details.
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