ESSENTIAL EVENT // Bring To Light: Nuit Blanche Illuminates Greenpoint This Saturday

Last year New York joined more than 120 cities around the world that have presented "nuit blanche" festivals, which were first started in Paris and quickly spread across Europe and beyond. Literally meaning "white night," these festivals stay open late into the night feature light-based art installations, performances and exhibitions. New York's festival, called Bring To Light: Nuit Blanche, was initiated last year by 3rd Ward teacher Michael Zick Doherty and DoTank, and though it isn't as big as some (St. Peterburg's White Nights Festival featured a Rolling Stones concert in 2007), it's still a must-see event.

This year's festival, which is happening this Saturday, October 1, will feature more than 50 light, sound, projection, performance and new media projects along Greenpoint's industrial waterfront.

The projects include the public video art project Commercial Break, which was originally commissioned for the Venice Biennale; SWINGS, an interactive video sculpture by artist Amanda Long; Sidus Link, a mobile app that allows users to virtually brighten New York City's night sky, and The Perception of Moving Targets, a collection of short films directed by Weston Currie and scored by Portland experimental musician Grouper.

Bright To Light: Nuit Blanche runs from 6pm until 1am, with all events happening around Franklin Street and Milton Street in Greenpoint. For more information and the full schedule check out the festival's website.

-- John Ruscher