City to light up as White Night returns

BALLARAT’S central business district will be transformed into a giant light show when the popular White Night event returns on Saturday 1 June.

From 6pm to midnight, the city’s central streets, laneways and heritage venues will be lit up by laser beams, projections, interactive works and music as the event is held here for the first time in four years.

It will feature more than 40 projections, more than 100 artists and performers, ‘White Night Bites’ food, family-friendly entertainment and activities, and two music stages in Sturt and Mair streets.

Featured works will include Still Here by the late Josh Muir, whose work will be projected across Sturt Street, a series of projections by local artist Deborah Klein, and Slow Curtain by photographer Lisa Walker.

‘White Night Bites’ culinary attractions will be available from businesses in Armstrong and Doveton streets.

Artistic director and creative producer Andrew Walsh, of major events organisation Accolade.art, said Ballarat’s White Night was for adventure-seekers and will attract visitors and locals alike.

“This is a celebration of the unexpected,” Mr Walsh said. “Ballarat is set for six hours of illuminated magic, ready to glow bright for this alluring winter experience.

“We encourage everyone to explore, discover and be dazzled and to take yourself, your friends and your family on a serendipitous adventure.”

Accolade.art’s first involvement with White Night began in 2013 in Melbourne, when it became the first Australian city to host the Parisian Nuit Blanche festival.

Since then, Accolade.art has produced six White Night events throughout the state in partnership with Visit Victoria.

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Ballarat instalment.

“We are thrilled to welcome White Night back to the City of Ballarat for the first time in four years,” mayor Cr Des Hudson said.

“This will be one of the highlights of the year as our city centre comes alive with spectacular projections, music, art and roaming performers – and the best part, it is completely free to attend.”

Details of the White Night Ballarat program are available at whitenight.com.au/ballarat.