Hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash, blues fusion band G. Love & Special Sauce and synth-pop artist Kimbra will headline this year’s Light City festival.
Light City will take place over three weekends, allowing more flexibility for visitors to attend the light displays in neighborhoods, the light-up displays and performances along the Inner Harbor and the conferences.
Featuring displays in 14 different parts of the city, Neighborhood Lights, which takes place from April 6-8, features the work of 12 artists collaborating with local organizations. The full list of neighborhoods is: Belair-Edison, Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, Darley Park, Federal Hill, Baybrook, Remington, Hamilton-Lauraville, Highlandtown, Hollins Roundhouse, Little Italy, Locust Point, Patterson Park, Pigtown and Waverly.
Taking place for a full week, from April 14-21, the music and arts festival includes 21 installations lining the harbor, a DJ stage featuring Trillnatured, Mighty Mark, DJ LoveGoddess and others, food and drinks, a fireworks finale and more. According to a press release, the works chosen by a panel of jurors focus on the themes of “sustainability, marine life, Baltimore history, social justice, healthy waterways, transformation and relationships.”
And Labs@Light City, “one of the largest and most unique social innovation conferences in the country,” per the release, is scheduled for April 18-21 and will include appearances by activist DeRay Mckesson; ABC News correspondent Byron Pitts; former NFL player and current artist, educator and activist Aaron Maybin; “The Wire” alum and “Baltimore Rising” filmmaker Sonja Sohn, Baltimore Fishbowl‘s own Marion Winik and many more.
The conference this year includes a “pay what you can” model.
Organizers announced the music headliners at a press conference Tuesday morning.
