Nuit Blanche in Toronto

Saturday night was the 7th annual Nuit Blanche festival here in Toronto.  Although I’ve been at every event since I moved to the city, I felt no great pull to attend this year. The idea of opening up the city’s spaces to art and performance for 24 hours is a brilliant one, but the ugly truth is that I’ve never had a particularly good time at Nuit Blanche.

It always seemed a little bit like New Year’s Eve to me. I’d feel all sorts of pressure to have a great time, make fancy plans, and then at the end of it all, feel as if I’d been at the wrong place all night, and then bitter and depleted, would end up walking home.

The sheer volume of people who attend Nuit Blanche disassembles whatever plans I had, and inevitably I’d spend most of my time texting lost friends.

Yr @ Dufferin Grove??

U said Dundas, did’t u??

The commissioned works that have the most promise always have endless, Disneyesque lineups that stretch 90 minutes into the future and the ambient art that serves as the connective tissue between the major installations has a souvenir stand feeling to it. In short, it gives me the sense that I just participated in some weird variation of spring break.

And so this year Rachelle and I felt little remorse about skipping the event. Instead, I participated via social media, opening up my Twitter feed to all the glory that was Nuit Blanche:

E-gene

Get ready for a stupid flood of poor-lit photos of unknown subject matter tonight on Twitter and Instagram. #sbnb

MryW

“Let the art speak for itself” — a girl after overhearing my bf’s interpretation of an exhibit. #sbnb

ESTRONG

Man beside me carrying bananas. Art or groceries? #sbnb

KMcKinnon

I’m at a high five competition … Haha #sbnb

Ion

I am supposed to be looking with a critical eye at #sbnb pieces, but really I am just drink drank drunk.

Alfagrrl

It’s the little things during #sbnb that make me smile. Nothing new here but makes me love my city!#sbnb

Petalpusher

Green frogs light up. Sometimes less, sometimes more. In background people scream about vodka. Latter not part of exhibit. #sbnb

Petalpusher

Some ass just fell off friend’s shoulders and whacked me in leg. He then tried to apologize with Italian opera. Yep, #sbnb is now messy

Blackcrown

#sbnb Not going out for Nuit Blanche is the new going out for Nuit Blanche.

cathy martha

if i ever find the FUCKING asshole who stole my seat & straps i will fucking CUT YOU TILL YOU BLEED & take my fucking bike gear back. #sbnb

gameoftombs

Overheard: “Nooo! They are not having sex! They are being hung upside down by fish hooks!!” #sbnb

ashsper

Saw some interesting #sbnb stuff along bloor. Especially liked the ‘choir’ at the church at Walmer/Bloor. Soothing

Friendlyfirefly

“Yo, that sh*t is f*cking sick!” Woman (on drugs?) repeatedly yelling at performers in classroom at end of the world exhibit #sbnb

shannnnon

If you’re on a bike, you better ding that bell. Losers running into streets, taxis are swerving, drunk people barfing on curbs. #sbnb

sytc

45 minute wait at All Night Convenience at #sbnb you know where to find me

shedoesthecity

In Trinity Bellwoods people are playing tennis & renegade dance parties compete with shite #sbnb dance party. Skip park, go to castle!

Overherd

The funny thing is we’re not even looking at art we’re just drunk #sbnb

Anchorman2

Cab Driver: “let’s get the fuck out of here” #sbnb

HelenofCry

CRAZY lineups!!!#sbnb

AnnaVanna

LOVE Nuit Blanche, beautiful art!!!#sbnb

sighfactory

For those of us who have lived here for every rendition of#sbnb, tonight is just a yearly nightmare.

Makhoul

A field of glowsticks. #sbnb

Nina24

I walk #sbnb alone. Much prefer it solo. Ending night on a swing. Sean Paul blaring in background but tranquil here. Love this city.