From 2009 – 2012, Illuminate Yaletown dressed the downtown Vancouver neighbourhood in an annual display of breathtaking light installations. On Friday March 8th, prepare for Yaletown to light up again for one night only on the 10 year reunion of Illuminate Yaletown. Presented by the Yaletown Business Improvement Association when the sun sets on Vancouver, the lights come on in Yaletown for visitors to experience a free one-of-a-kind light art exhibition.
Celebrating 10 years since the first event, this year’s Illuminate Yaletown will showcase never-before seen light art installations, as well as classics from past festivals. Taking over Hamilton Street, between Davie & Drake, plus at Roundhouse Community Centre will be closed to vehicles for the evening to highlight these incredible installations and showcase the very best in light art technology.
“In many ways this is a reunion of the best of the best of our previous festivals. We’re showcasing a selection of cutting-edge light art technology designers in an exhibition that is urban, inspiring and jaw dropping,” says Annette O’Shea, executive director of the Yaletown Business Improvement Association. “Many of the installations have been designed to incorporate the viewer as part of the installation, so you can play with it, see how it responds to your touch and even build with it. This is very much about how technology, design and light blend to create engaging and provoking experiences.”
In addition to sensational illuminations, visitors can enjoy a host of spectacles throughout the evening. There will be a ‘robot invasion’ of stilt walkers and LED dancers, and an ‘Infinity Mirror World’ – culminating in an unmissable event packed with amazing photo opportunities. Guests can also strike a pose at a 12 ft. lit-up foliage wall, play on LED swings, or even try their hand at the digital graffiti wall to create their own custom street art.
Some of the neighbourhood cocktail bars will be offering a special ‘606 cocktail’ – in theme with the sun setting at 6:06pm – so visitors can embark on self-guided cocktail tours.
Illuminate Yaletown will take place on Friday March 8, from 6:06pm (sunset) to 10:00pm, at Hamilton Street and Bill Curtis Square. The event is free to the public; for more information please visit Yaletowninfo.com/illuminate.