Saturday the 23rd of February 2013 was the first ever White Night Festival in Melbourne!
The White Night is a worldwide phenomenon, originating in Paris in 2002 titled Nuit Blanche. It has since spread to over 20 cities globally and the success of the first ever Melbourne event can only be described as phenomenal. Over 300,000 people descended upon the city center to explore over 80 different free events. Notable acts included the transformation of the iconic Flinders st station into a stage where local bands enthralled visitors.
A jazz stage in the middle of Degraves street created a road block that no one really minded.
If you happened to be riverside you would see a spectacular laser light show that transformed jets of water into surreal living streaks of light. Projectors transformed the faces of some of the most iconic buildings including an animated feature at the Chapter House.
Did you see the ghostly woman lurking in one of the windows?
What about the slightly disturbing feature that videoed visitors to Flinders Lane only to playback their excited faces up on a wall with creepy zombie like eyes?
The NGV threw open its doors all night and so did many restaurants, bars and cafes. If you wandered along a packed Flinders lane you may have come across a multitude of projections, street artists, musicians or the smoke machine hidden down an alleyway. It is a credit to the spirit of this beautiful city that the night went off without any hint of violence or misbehaviour. Judging by the success of this night, I hope to revisit the White Night Festival next year with even more music, art and that wonderful vibe that is unique to the streets of Melbourne!
iliveinmelbourne 