Australia’s most celebrated cultural event, White Night Melbourne returns for one night only from 7pm Saturday 21 February to 7am Sunday 22 February transforming Melbourne’s city streets, major cultural institutions, public spaces, gardens, landmark buildings and laneways.
Minster for Tourism and Major Events, Hon John Eren said, “In just under a month, White Night Melbourne will turn our city into a cultural playground for locals and visitors.”
“In three short years, White Night Melbourne has become a highlight of Victoria’s major events calendar, stimulating the State’s economy and providing our creative industries with a platform to showcase their work locally, nationally and internationally.”
The full programme is now confirmed and features more than 80 free events and activities with artists from Victoria and around Australia as well as France, Portugal, Greece, Canada, UK, USA and Morocco.
Highlights from the second release of the programme announced today include a large format flame sculpture The Crucible at Birrarung Marr, the State Library façade will amaze with a tribute to the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland with Rabbit Hole.
Circles of Light in the Queen Victoria Gardens will offer the chance to interact and experiment with an electronic herbarium of plant life with emotions, Chapter House will come alive with sculptural installations Everything is Just Something and the Melbourne Athenaeum’s inflatable sculptures Illuminate Athena.
The White Night Melbourne music programme has been expanded this year to include the Music for a World Stage on Melbourne Museum forecourt. Programmed by Ali Bird, the line-up features Tek Tek Ensemble, Bobby Singh and Jeff Lang, Stella Angelico, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Cumbia Cosmonauts, Ngaiire and BRIGGS.
The Indie Music Stage in the Alexandra Gardens also programmed by Ali Bird includes performances from Airling, Hierphants, Jonny Telefone, REMI, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, Cela, Deaf Wish, Total Giovanni, NO ZU, White Wash, Jen Cloher and Superstar.
Jazz returns this year with the Jazz @ The Forum line-up programmed by Julie O’Hara. Artists include The Cairo Club Orchestra, Tijuana Peanuts, Movement 9, Mingus Amongst Us, The Band Who Knew Too Much, Emma D & The Putbacks, Madmen, Swing Sunrise with the Furbellows and a special performance from Los Cabrones who are reuniting after a 3 year break to celebrate their 20th Birthday. Other musical highlights announced include all night classical music performances inside the Block Arcade with Baroque at The Block.
Artistic Director Andrew Walsh reminds visitors that, “White Night Melbourne 2015 will once again transform the city and showcase an array of performances and installations from both local and international artists.”
“See the beauty of the 4 Elements come to life on the façade of the Royal Exhibition Building, experience the transformation of the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr into a Little India in Sita’s Garden and watch luminous plastic bodies dance across the National Gallery of Victoria as part of Keyframes.”
“Remember that whatever time you arrive you will have the same experience, so there’s no need to worry about missing out. Come early or come late, and most of all have a great night.”
Australia’s contribution to the major global phenomenon, White Night Melbourne is a State Government initiative created by Victorian Major Events Company and inspired by the international Nuit Blanche movement.
For more information including the full programme, visit: www.whitenightmelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Northern Lights – Billboard – Amanda Morgan