Sculpture by Cynthia Minet, 2023. Recycled plastics, light.
September 23, 2023
ILLUMINATE THE NIGHT
llluminate the Night is a free, neighborhood celebration highlighting the Taylor Yard Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge that happens every other year on odd-numbered years. We ask attendees to literally "bring the light" to Frogtown.
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The festival is an evening of art and culture featuring music, dance and spoken word performances with light installations along the LA River Bike Path in Frogtown. Visitors are encouraged to wear lights, bring lights, decorate your business, your bicycle and the bike path with all kinds of light. The event functions as a way for residents to get to know each other, celebrate arts & culture and extend an invitation to our neighbors across the bridge in Cypress Park to participate in the festivities and activate their spaces during this evening of light and love.
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We couldn't do this without the help of our generous sponsors and grants from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the California Arts Commission.
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What happened in 2023?
Over 2500 visitors, draped in lights, walked, biked or took free pedi-cabs along the river path to explore installations by Cynthia Minet, Justin Lui, Projected Visions, Erica Halpern and Gautam Rangan. Bloco Obini-All Female African Drum Group got everyone dancing to their hypnotic beats and the Realm Ballet Company brought their gorgeous contemporary dancers to the Taylor Yard Bridge. The young, and young at heart, laughed along with David Prather during his Poetry Jam for kids.
We had live music by local jazz and rock bands, DJ sets by LoveyDove and Peter Woods, kitten adoptions with Luxe Paws, a mosaic workshop with Katrina Alexy, and a literary lounge curated by Mike Sonksen showcasing Los Angeles' brightest poets. Several of our artist members, including Steve Graziani, Erica Goebel and a whole group of ceramicists set up pop-up exhibits along the way.
The 2023 festival was supported by grants from Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and California Arts Council and by our generous sponsors.
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Illuminate the Night will return in fall of 2025.
Illuminate the Night & Bridge Opening Ceremony
(2022)
Thank you to our sponsors!
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GET INVOLVED
Become an Artist Member
Are you an artist interested in joining our community or participating in one of our festivals? Learn more about member benefits to become an EVAC Artist Member and start your Artist Profile.
Browse Artist Profiles
Discover the work of local artist's inside Frogtown, Los Angeles and beyond! Learn more about each artist by checking out their artist profile and social pages.
Sponsor the Event
Is your organization interested in sponsoring Illuminate the Night? Check out some of our sponsorship levels.
Illuminate the Night
Opening Blessing
(2022)
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Illuminate the Night
Mariachi La Victoria
(2022)
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Illuminate the Night
MASHUP Dance Co.
(2022)
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