On Saturday night, the City of Ballarat was on display like never before for the inaugural White Night Ballarat which drew estimated crowds of 40,000 people. White Night Ballarat’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer, David Atkins along with artists, musicians and performers transformed the city and made it their canvas.
Locals and visitors filled Sturt and Lydiard Streets navigating their way through the streets and exploring the adjoining laneways and buildings. More than 45 free events including projections, exhibitions, street performances, film, music and dance delighted and thrilled audiences throughout the night in a celebration of culture and art.
“Last night artists, musicians and performers came together to deliver a night like no other for the first regional White Night in Ballarat,” said Artistic Director and Executive Producer, David Atkins. “We would like to thank all of the artists and performers as well as the locals and visitors who attended last night to make the first regional White Night such a spectacular success.”
Ballarat’s stunning architecture and buildings were brought to life with projections creating a kaleidoscope of colour along the streets. Highlights included the façade of the Art Gallery of Ballarat with Nights of Gold – Shall We Dance?, Victoriana at Craig’s Royal Hotel, Nights of Gold – To the Diggings on the exterior of the Post Office Gallery, and More Than 1 Nation (pictured) on the former Bank of New South Wales.
Crowds gathered in The Mining Exchange for the dance marathon Swing City supported by VicHealth which was a smash-hit at White Night Melbourne two weeks ago. The Live Music Marathon stage was also a hot-spot with hundreds of revellers singing and dancing their way into the early hours of the morning.
Interacting and engaging with audiences throughout the precinct were roving installations Crate Expectations and the awe-inspiring White Knight Messenger. Crowds marvelled at Fibre Lane which transformed Town Hall Lane into an ever-shifting environment of light and colour.
Do Not Go Gentle, an audio-visual work by Ballarat artists Christine Tammer and Erin McCuskey moved audiences and The Space Between by award winning local artist Kim Anderson at Ballarat’s Black Box Theatre was also very popular. Crowds watched in wonderment as Wadawurrung Walking with Waa took them on a journey through time from the Aboriginal Creation Story to the present day by projecting their paintings onto the walls of Unicorn Lane.
Ballarat has made history joining Melbourne, Paris, Toronto and Sao Paulo in the international network of colour which attracts visitors in their thousands. Last night, White Night Ballarat showed visitors from all over Victoria and Australia the best of everything the regional centre has to offer.
For more information, visit: www.whitenightballarat.com.au for details.
Image: More Than 1 Nation – photo by SDP Media