Illuminated artist installations, pop-up performances, luminary procession, and live music are
highlights at this favorite downtown Ypsilanti event.
Ypsilanti shines bright at the 7th Annual ypsiGLOW on Friday, October 28 on N. Washington Street from 7 pm to 10 pm. Downtown will come alive with gleaming, illuminated artist installations, pop-up performances on the street, a luminary procession and the return of the ypsiGLOW dance party. Event-goers will experience interactive art displays and have an opportunity to sparkle at this favorite Ypsilanti event. With a theme of Where the Wild Things GLOW, guests will be transported to a land of lights, so let the wild GLOWmpus begin!
“We are GLOWing with excitement to be able to bring the fun back to N. Washington Street to
harness the energy and fun of gathering and celebrating together. We are very proud of our reputation as an event that brings the whole Ypsilanti community together and one that supports artists, of which we have some spectacular ones for this year,” said Jeri Rosenberg, Board President for WonderFool Productions, producers of the event. “This year’s line-up of artist installations is going to WOW our guests.”
Artist installations and performances will take place on N. Washington, surrounding local businesses and on the ypsiGLOW stage.
N. Washington St. Artists
– Allida Warn brings Sail into the Night. In this installation, participants will be invited “to sail through a day and a night and in and out of weeks over a year to the land of the Wild Things” along Max on a glowing, childlike sailboat where they will be invited to share dreams of comfort.
– Blue Moon Dance and Music presents “Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing” as their newest performance pop-up by CM Sears and Friends. Expect fun, theatrical experiences, a selfie station, live and recorded sound, playful props and a brief, guided creative movement experience.
– Illuminatus presents “Dancing with an Alien.” When you stand where the alien can see you, it will mimic your dance moves!
– Patrick Elkins will be featuring “Stone Candy Soup” and other short shadow puppet plays inspired by real and imaginary events.
– Stardust Vagabond, Angel Vanas, will become Glowma, the friendly Wild Glow Monster!Glowma lives in the twilight. She is the friendly guide for those who seek the glow. For, in order to truly glow, one must venture where the wild things are…in the dark.
– Steve and Her Hoops will perform circus-style multi-hooping. Using LEDs she creates shapes & optical illusions sure to delight audiences of all ages.
– This, That & the ODDer Thing and its owner Claire Broderick will bring animalistic fashion to the community. Guests are invited to create their own wild beast wearables using fake fur, feathers, bones, lights and more.
Local Business Artists
– Clever Creations by Amy Balzer-Pemberton, working with at least 50 of her students at EMU’s Bright Futures locations, will help them create joyful, black light reactive and glow-in-the dark creatures playing, like in the wild rumpus scene from Where the Wild Things Are. Each student will use polymer clay to create their critters and it will be energetic, creative and inclusive.
– At Dreamland Theater, an interactive multimedia installation will bring guests into the strange, glowing realm of Planet Uglopia of the Omega Prime star system. Upon entering, visitors will be transported into the Botanical Gardens of Uglopia where they will discover the wild flora and fauna of this extraterrestrial world through interactive displays, puzzles and creative stations.
– GLOW to the Wild Rumpus with Neighborhood Theatre Group, who will perform an interactive window dance party at The Back Office Studio. Guest will choose which rumpus style wherein the wild things GLOW.
– Local maze enthusiast Patrick Elkins presents another winding installation in the windows
of Betty Green Salon. Passersby will have an opportunity to use lasers to attempt to solve one of Patrick’s most untamed mazes to date. Journey into the recesses of your own glowing heart as you help the Thing find the Wild!
ypsiGLOW Stage Line-up
7:15pm: Ypsilanti Community High School Choir is a concert, festival, pop, gospel, jazz and show choir all rolled into one, under the direction of Ms. Crystal Harding.
7:45pm: Boylesque Michigan is a drag troupe based out of Ypsilanti, Michigan who loves to put on a fabulous show & create change by raising money for local non-profits. They work hard to make a welcoming and inclusive environment at their shows and this event will include Jadein Black Host, Hershae Chocolatae, Lana Sevol, and Erika Norell.
8:30pm – 10pm: DJ Nitro will lead the famous ypsiGLOW dance party in the tent with his passion for DJ’n and energy to keep the crowd dancing!
Plus, this year, the luminary procession returns, starting on S. Washington at 6:45pm and looping through Michigan Avenue before joining the celebration. Lead by the Ypsilanti Community High School Choir and Marching Band and joined by Karma Bellydance and Gina’s Dance, guests are invited to join this lighted march through downtown with their own luminaries, lighted costumes and other creations.
In addition, ypsiGLOW and its partners are hosting free workshops all October long to create art to bring to the event. From luminary workshops to lantern-making, human GLOWworms and more, there are lots of opportunities for the community to build art with us.
“As a supporter of ypsiGLOW from its inception, we couldn’t be happier to share the good news that Destination Ann Arbor is once again a sponsor of this wonderful event. It is truly remarkable in so many ways. It brings together people all month long in a creative, collaborative way, and instills a sense of purpose and place among Ypsi residents. Visitors are warmly embraced and leave the event looking for more of what Ypsi has to offer. ypsiGLOW is one of those events that you simply cannot miss,” said Amy Karbo Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Destination Ann Arbor.
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