Enlighten Festival: Light and Sound at Central Library + Bridgewater Hall

For three evenings this month, the public spaces of the Central Library and Bridgewater Hall will be transformed for the Enlighten Festival. A celebration of light and sound, there will be installations from acclaimed international artists. Taking over the library’s reading room will be Surrounded by Strangers, a digital choir. 14 TV screens, each showing a choir member, will be placed around the edges of the room, and the audience sit in the centre to get the full musical experience. Light Wave Power by Paul Friedlander will be presented in the Library’s entrance hall. A kinetic structure that continuously changes shape and colour, this work evokes the movement of sound waves. Luminous Birds by Kathy Hinde features rows of origami cranes suspended overhead in the Bridgewater Hall Piazza. Strobing LEDs will give the illusion of movement. There will also be family activities including: UV face painting, glow in the dark badge making, and a caricature studio. Booking is required but the festival free/pay what you want.

Thu 10 – Sat 12 Dec, Central Library and the Bridgewater Hall, Civic Quarter, Manchester, 5.00pm – 8.00pm, FREE (donations), enlightenmanchester.co.uk