Liverpool LightNight 2017 Preview

The annual LightNight festival is coming back to Liverpool for its 8th consecutive year. Mark your calendars for Friday, 19th May – with the festivities kicking off at 5pm until late.

Festival-goers can choose from over 100 different events across the city, with something for everyone, including art, music, performances, workshops, walking tours and arts and crafts.

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Time’ so you can expect a unique look at the past, present and future of the city of Liverpool. 

Information on all of the events planned can be found here but the following are just a few to look out for:

Liverpool Philharmonic

Music fans should head to the Liverpool Philharmonic for a full night of auditory enjoyment. In the grand foyer, The Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company Ensembles perform original pieces from young composers. In the main auditorium, you will find the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir with performances throughout the night. Festival-goers can also visit the music room for classical guitar from Craig Odgen, a contemporary piano piece from Jonathan Raisin and something a bit different from the Rubber Duck Orchestra.

Ropeworks

The Ropeworks is playing host to an interactive installation called Light Field. Described as an “inter-related, constellation of people, light, sound and movement”, Light Field sounds like a unique and captivating experience, not to be missed.

LMJU

Liverpool John Moores University will be hosting a number events at a variety of locations across the city.

The John Lennon building is showcasing four different events, including the Serving Library which lets visitors take a look at the library of the future, Time to Hit the Gym which illustrate methods for incorporating exercise in to day to day life, Poetry & Projection which includes experimental film projections and multi-media performances and The Story of a Pioneering University which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Liverpool John Moore’s University.

The LMJU John Foster building will be taking visitors on a trip amongst the stars with an event called Time, Space & Climate Change. Created with the help of experts from the LMJU’s Astrophysics Research Institute, this installation involves a little bit of time travel, with visits to climate past, present and future.  

Georges Dock Building

Those that are interested in taking a walk through history can go on the Mersey Tunnel Tour. The tour includes a look inside the Georges Dock Building, including the old control room, giant fan chambers and the original Georges Dock area from 1771. As the name suggests, the tour also includes a walk through the tunnel itself. This event is completely free but it’s probably best to book early to avoid disappointment.   

Lipa

Lipa will be getting in to the LightNight spririt with two different installations. Particles uses a combination of psychical theatre and projection in their performance which is inspired by relationships.

Their second performance is titled Kronos’ Fields and is inspired Greek mythology and the Fibonacci sequence. Based in the Arts Studio Theatre, this piece is going to be both a classical and contemporary take on the theme of “time”.

Steble Fountain

There are two performances of Here be Dragons at the Steble Fountain from the group Headstrung Puppets. A mix of performance and lantern puppets, Here Be Dragons is set to be an unmissable event for people of all ages.

Liverpool Cathedral

Visitors to Liverpool Cathedral will be able to play on the Illumaphonium, a sculpture which produces both light and sound. As different people interact with the Illumaphonium, each performance will be completely unique.

Jamie Lewis