Festivities get underway today for Light City Baltimore hosted by The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, Inc. (BOPA). Last year the festival attracted more than 400,000 people according to BOPA estimates. Light City will run for nine days until April 8th.
Light City features the BGE Light Walk around the Inner Harbor with more than 50 attractions including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors, and a children’s area. The light installations are created by artists from around the world. An LED Ferris Wheel is also installed near the Maryland Science Center.
There will also be light installations in Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, Greater Mondawmin, Hamilton-Lauraville, Hampden, Little Italy, Sandtown-Winchester, Station North, and Waverly. Federal Hill will feature kid-created light lanterns in businesses.
Nightly concerts include performances by Biz Markie, Super City, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, DJ Harvey Dent, and Ama Chandra.
Labs@Light City offers six innovation conferences at the IMET Columbus Center in the Inner Harbor.
On Monday, The HealthLab will “explore emerging technologies and innovative practices that have the potential to affect the quality of life and health outcomes for all people, here and around the globe.”
On Tuesday, The GreenLab will explore “how we think about energy, ecology and economics while providing a glimpse into innovations that provide a more sustainable path to the future.” Reese Ashe of South Baltimore’s Reflex Functional Fitness will lead a stretching session during the event.
On Wednesday, EduLab will “rethink learning” and feature “future-focused education innovators for a dialogue on the central role of education in our society.” Speakers include Greg Cangialosi of Federal Hill’s Betamore, Jason Hardebeck of Port Covington’s The Foundery, and Todd Marks of Locust Point’s MindGrub.
On Thursday, SocialLab will provide participants with an opportunity to “gather with social entrepreneurs, activists, thinkers, and writers to explore, together, how we can build a more equitable and responsible society.” SocialLab will also have a Baltimore Ravens Innovation Challenge. The winner gets a Ravens sponsorship package valued at approximately $200,000.
On Friday, DesignLab will feature “some of the most inventive designers, makers, artists, entrepreneurs, storytellers and thinkers convening to explore how emerging creative practices shape our world and create change.” Guests include Jason Bass of Port Covington’s Treason Toting Co. and Andrew Coy of Federal Hill’s Digital Harbor Foundation.
On Saturday, FoodLab will showcase “acclaimed culinary thinkers and chefs” as they “explore the world of food – how it’s grown, accessed, eaten and innovated. And how our attitudes toward what we eat may change the trajectory of society.” Lunch will be served by Woodberry Kitchen. Speakers include Evan Lutz of Port Covington’s Hungry Harvest.
Local food will be sold at Light City by Federal Hill’s The Local Fry and Berries by Quicha, as well as by BricknFire Pizza Co., Ekiben, Ejji Ramen, Dooby’s, and more. There will also be beverages available from local craft brewers and Sagamore Spirit.
Photos Courtesy of Light City Baltimore
Video from last years Light City Baltimore courtesy South Baltimore’s Heights + Horizons
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