Bigger, Better, And Back: Arts Council New Orleans' LUNA Fête Begins Sunday, Uber Offers Free Ride
NEW ORLEANS – A visionary initiative to transform the community through arts, the Art Council New Orleans’ LUNA Fête 2015 merges contemporary light, motion graphics and video-mapping practices in a series of vibrant installations in Lafayette Square and along the historic Julia Street and Oretha Castle Haley corridors from Sunday, November 29, to Saturday, December 5, 2015
LUNA (Light Up NOLA Arts) Fete 2015 will feature 1 international artist, 2 national artists, and 20+ local artists along with two community workshops, a series of live arts performances and two weekend after parties.
The event will position iconic local architecture as a canvas for an impressive display of cutting-edge, outdoor light installations across the city and spark cross-sector collaboration between New Orleans’ dynamic creative industries and activate light-based solutions for improving civic life.
Envisioned as an opportunity to both foster international economic commerce and increase arts awareness, LUNA Fête aims to grow the scope of worldwide partnerships in order to expand the festival’s footprint within New Orleans in the years leading up to the city’s historic Tri-centennial anniversary in 2018.
Arts Council organizers say their aim is to ultimately create a world-class, international destination event comparable to Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Luna Fête 2015 will also be partnering with Uber to offer attendees a free first ride. To redeem, download the Uber app here and enter code LUNAFETE for $20 off your first ride.
MAIN EXHIBITIONS
OCUBO
Sunday, Nov. 29 – Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ashé Power House Theatre, 1847 Polymnia St.
Free and open to the public
OCUBO’s New Orleans installation was developed in conjunction with local children, supporting LUNA Fête’s ongoing objective to create an education initiative that engages youth. The projection will unfold as a theatrical play, with children from Ashé’s KUUMBA Institute and St. Martin’s Academy playing essential roles in the film, not only as actors, but also as creators of the graphic material serving as the foundation of the animation, which accompanies work by local artist Terrance Osborne and animations produced by OCUBO’s multimedia team in Portugal.
Jen Lewin: The Pool
Sunday, Nov. 29 – Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lafayette Square
Free and open to the public
The Pool is an environment of giant, concentric circles created from interactive circular pads that create a world where play and collaborative movement create swirling effects of light and color. As multiple users play in The Pool, their interactions become mesmerizing patterns of shifting and fading colors.
On Friday, Dec. 4, Yelp New Orleans, that connects web and app users with local businesses, will be hosting a Get Glowing Booth in Lafayette Square with couches for chillin', a prize wheel for spinnin', and a station to charge up mobile devices to capture all that is LUNA Fête.
Miwa Matreyek: Myth and Infrastructure and This World Made Itself
Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, 900 Camp St.
$10 general admission tickets available here.
These are live performance pieces in which the artist's shadow is constantly present as the world around her shifts and transforms. She becomes an integral part of fantastical animation worlds as she traverses oceanscapes, cityscapes, and domestic spaces to conjure dreamlike scenes with light and shadow.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
Arts Council New Orleans’ Arts Market New Orleans
Saturday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 29, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Palmer Park
Free and open to the public
Featuring more than 150 regional fine arts vendors, a children’s craft tent and activities, food and beverage vendors and live music from local musicians.
Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Tech Talk – Please Touch the Art
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m.
Zeitgeist, 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
Free and open to the public
The Pool’s Jen Lewin shares her insights and experience on the power of interactive art.
Arts Council New Orleans’ Community Arts Awards
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Civic Theatre, 510 O’Keefe Ave.
Tickets prices begin at $75 and are available here.
A celebratory and entertaining evening honoring outstanding contributions in the local arts community. Carlo Miguel Prieto will receive the Chairman’s Award.
Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Bazaar
Thursday, Dec. 3 – Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lafayette Square
Free and open to the public
Enjoy shopping under the stars at this special nighttime pop-up market featuring more than 30 local, contemporary artists and artisanal retailers.
Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Fete at New Orleans Arts District
Friday, Dec. 4 & Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
300 – 600 blocks of Julia Street
Free and open to the public
Local light artists exhibit along Julia Street, and select galleries will also be open. Enjoy an art walk on Saturday.
Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Tech Talk – Art & Place
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:00 a.m.
Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market, 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
Free and open to the public
A presentation by local artists on the impact of art on building a community.
Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Fete After Party
Saturday, Dec. 5, 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Ashé’s Power House Theatre, 1847 Polymnia St.
Free and open to the public
Celebrate the LUNA Week finale with a special performance by Tank and the Bangas until midnight, followed by local DJs until 2:00 a.m.
