Beam of Hope lights up Cincinnati

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

Go downtown, and you might see this new Beam of Hope lighting up the sky over Cincinnati.

The installation at the Banks serves as a beacon of solidarity as the Cincinnati region manages through the COVID-19 pandemic, say its designers, Brave Berlin and Vincent Lighting Solutions. They are the same team that successfully executed BLINK, Cincinnati’s record breaking light and art event, in October.

The Beam of Hope started shining on April 10^th and will continue to be lit from dusk until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. Beam of Hope is designed as a visual symbol of solidarity and not an attraction that people should be compelled to visit.

“We have learned that light and art bring us together in moments of joy and sorrow,” said Steve McGowan, Partner at Brave Berlin. “Let this small gesture remind us all that we are in this together and that we will come out of it a brighter more unified people.”

It is sponsored by the Carol Ann and Ralph V Haile, Jr. Foundation, and made possible by the producers of Blink.

“We respect work ethic and the brave sacrifices that are being made for us to feel safe, secure and healthy,” said Tim Maloney, President & CEO, the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation. “We’re proud to put Cincinnati’s creative spirit on display to show our respect and gratitude for everyone giving of themselves to tackle this global crisis.”

Details:

Number of light fixtures: 6 Clay Paky Mythos high Density light units

Lumens: 23,000 Lumens per fixture for a total of 138,000 Lumens

Don’t miss BLINK

October 12, 2017October 13, 2017 janellegelfandLeave a comment

BLINK Parade — Example of a parade such as will be seen at BLINK tonight at 7 p.m. Photo provided

BLINK starts tonight with a parade from Findlay Market to Washington Park in OTR. What exactly is BLINK? Think Lumenocity on steriods. The four-night event, 7 p.m. to midnight each night, is a spectacle of light “projection mapping,” art installations, lighted displays, Cincinnati’s famous murals “painted” with light, and much more, along the path of the Cincinnati Bell Connector. There will be interactive displays for “hands-on” participation as well as live entertainment all along the 3.6 mile streetcar line, from Findlay Market to The Banks.

And it’s all free.

“It’s shaped around unity and the values we hold as a community,” says Timothy Maloney, president & CEO of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, founding sponsor.

But with 60 attractions spanning 20 city blocks, you need a plan. Take it all in (or parts of it over a few days) by planning dinner, drinks or a performance in tandem. I plan to go the Cincinnati Pops season opener in the newly renovated Music Hall — which is incidentally right across the street from many of the attractions, and right on the streetcar line. I might decide to just jump on the streetcar and hop on and off.

Click here to see the map or download the event guide.

However you decide to see it, you can be sure that BLINK will be like nothing Cincinnati has ever seen.

The biggest story of the year in the arts

October 23, 2014October 23, 2014 janellegelfandLeave a comment

To me, it was Lumenocity — even the name has instant recognition, at least locally. Who knew, in its second year, that free tickets would all be gone within 12 seconds?

At least 42,500 people flocked to three performances and a dress rehearsal of the orchestral light show. About 50,000 TV households tuned in to the live simulcast on TV. Hundreds more watched from rooftops and streets surrounding Washington Park. Another 1,300 saw live feeds to Fountain Square and Riverbend. Online, more than 6,000 logged on to watch a live video stream from as far away as Russia and Sweden.

No one knew what it was last year, until we told them. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra officials were stunned when 35,000 people showed up over two nights.

This year, coverage included the announcement of big plans and big changes.

The ticket snafu (some showed up eBay)

The guide (including an interactive map)

What’s next?