One will illuminate a church façade with photos of Little Italy. Another encourages visitors to make music using artist-made controllers, and then turn their songs into visual projections. And yet another features an installation that showcases a community’s answers to the question, “What gives you light?”
Starting Friday, the Neighborhood Lights portion of Light City Baltimore will hit full swing, continuing into the weekend with performances and activities designed to extend the celebration past the Inner Harbor.
Here’s a run-down of what you can experience:
Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello: “Back In Our Minds” (Saturday, April 2, 7 to 10 p.m., 2701 St. Lo Drive)
Animation, music, and poetry will enliven the Clifton Park band shell. Artist Isaac Ewart used community storytelling workshops to come up with the animations, which will come alive during a performance hosted by hip hop artist Eze Jackson and featuring Joy Postell, Blaqstarr, the Speak Life Tour, and St. Veronica’s Steel Youth Orchestra.
Greater Mondawmin: “Open Beats” (Friday, April 1, 3 to 8 p.m., 2401 Liberty Heights Ave.)
In the heart of Mondawmin Mall, music will take the forefront on Friday, as visitors are encouraged to create their own songs, and then turn them into projections. Later in the day you can catch performances from Llamadon and Kariz Marcel.
Hampden: “#HampdenLights” (Through April 3, 7 to 11 p.m., 36th Street)
We’re used to Hampden lighting up (think December), but artist Diana Reichenbach has taken a different approach. Animations projected onto storefronts will lead visitors to a 16-foot in diameter geodesic dome. It seems to be saying, “Go on, immerse yourself,” and you should.
Little Italy: “Il Tartufo Lucente” (Through April 3, 7 to 11 p.m.)
St. Leo the Great (227 South Exeter St.) is transformed this week. Artist Joe Reinsel will project images of the people and places that make up Little Italy onto its stonework.
Station North: “The Dark Lab”
Friday night marks the opening of “Dark City,” the first portion of this art exhibit—an installation featuring performances by Ada Pinkston and Hoesy Corona at Penn Station Plaza. Then, on Saturday, Sondheim Prize-winning duo Wickerham & Lomax premiere “Uncool” at the gallery Terrault Contemporary (1515 Guilford Ave.) Both explore Baltimore history from the advent of the gas street lamp 200 years ago forward as we grapple with the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray.
Fells Point
Though it is not technically included in Neighborhood Lights, Fells Point has made an effort to be included in Light City. Check out the interactive Lite Brite (yes, like the ones from our childhood) in the main square that is pure fun and embraces the spirit of the festival.