ypsiGLOW is back for its 6th annual event in an expanded format across all of Ypsilanti.
ypsiGLOW is an annual Halloween art and light show in Downtown Ypsilanti. It has traditionally been held on Washington Street, but is expanding across Ypsilanti to include Riverside Park, Depot Town, and Cross Street near EMU’s campus.
ypsiGLOW is a WonderFool production – the same group that produces Ann Arbor’s FestiFools and FoolMoon each April.
Read their press release for more information
ypsiGLOW Bigger and Brighter than Ever in 2021
Art. Lights. Luminaries. Costumes. Music. Dance. GLOW TV. YOU!
In Town. At Home. Online.
October is GLOW time in Ypsilanti! WonderFool Productions is excited to announce plans for ypsiGLOW 2021, the annual community-created celebration of the power of art and light in building commUNITY across Ypsilanti.
In its sixth year, ypsiGLOW 2021 will be bigger and brighter than ever with art and lights shining all over the heart of Ypsilanti on Friday, October 29th from 6pm to 10pm. With a month of GLOWmaking activities all October, Ypsilanti shines the brightest on ypsiGLOW night when everyone — all ages, abilities, and corners of the community – is invited to dress up, mask up, light the luminaries, and get ready to GLOW in town, at home, or online–wherever YOU want to shine your light!
This year’s theme – CONNECTIONS: Stars Shine Brightest Together – uplifts the power of Ypsilanti’s diversity and creativity in building a strong, resilient community filled with promise and hope for the future. Highlights of plans for ypsiGLOW 2021 include an abundance of art, illumination, music, dance, theater, and so much more.
- Socially distanced art installations and interactive experiences by local artists will activate storefront windows and public spaces across the Downtown, Depot Town, and West Cross Street districts and Riverside Park. From interactive theater and dance in windows, to walk-through maze puzzles and glowy constellations, hula hooping and belly dancing, living Ypsilanti portraits and mannequins in bubble wrap fashions, there will be creative sights and sounds all over town.
- Ypsilanti jazz musician John E. Lawrence will perform on stage in Riverside Park from 7 to 9pm with a synchronized laser display created by Illuminatus. The Ypsilanti Community High School Choir led by director Crystal Harding will open the program at 6:00pm. Bring your folding chairs and glow sticks for a night of great music and glowing fun.
- Ypsilanti’s iconic landmarks will be aglow — from the Riverside Park pedestrian “tridges” to the Depot Town Alley and Ypsilanti District Library downtown plaza, with lighting designed by TLS Productions in partnership with EMU’s Theater Tech program. Even the historic Water Tower is hoping to glow bright this year!
- EMU’s Boone Hall will bring ypsiGLOW to West Cross Street with a video projection display designed by EMU’s Theater Tech program in partnership with EMU Theater, Orchestra, and Dance departments.
- A new downtown mural created by local artist Curtis Wallace, in partnership with youth artists from Educate Youth 501c3 and the community, will be celebrated at 11 S. Washington Street. The mural is made possible th anks to support from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, building owner Sim Sethi, and WonderFool Productions.
- ypsiGLOW is a great opportunity to share some love with Ypsilanti’s local businesses who continue to navigate tough times during the pandemic. Participating businesses will be offering special GLOW menus or beverages, special treats, discounts, swag, or other activities. • Engage@EMU is sponsoring an EMU GLOW Pass to encourage EMU students to visit and support participating businesses to get their passes stamped and enter to win GLOW prizes. Interested businesses with gift cards, coupons or prize offerings can contact Tyler Calhoun, Engage@EMU at tcalhou6@emich.edu for more information.
- A GLOW Map will highlight all the ypsiGLOW happenings in town, including participating businesses, and be available at www.ypsiGLOW.org or by QR code on event posters and signage.
- GLOW TV returns this year with even more video creations showcasing local and youth artists for premiere viewing in the Puffer Red’s windows and at this year’s ypsiGLOW Facebook event on Friday, October 29th at 7:00pm.
- Under the Radar Michigan’s zany hosts Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman will film live video segments, interview ypsiGLOWers on the street, and capture the magic of ypsiGLOW.
- GLOWmaking art activities are happening all October thanks to community partners and all ages and abilities are invited to make and share their creations for ypsiGLOW. The Ypsilanti District Library is offering hexagon kits for a community-build sculpture in the downtown library plaza. The Ann Arbor Hands On Museum is creating an LED Community Quilt connecting squares made by Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor participants. The University of Michigan Museum of Art is partnered with EMU Bright Futures and getting kids making shadow puppets as part of afterschool programs.
- Masks, social distancing, and frequent hand sanitizing will be encouraged so everyone can GLOW safely. Art installations and experiences will be socially distanced, outdoors, or designed for viewing from sidewalks, streets, or park areas.
WonderFool Productions is grateful for the generosity of community sponsors that are helping Ypsilanti GLOW brighter than ever this year- – Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, Destination Ann Arbor/Ypsi Real, Bank of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor SPARK East Innovation Center, Puffer Red’s, Beal Properties LLC, Dick Mattie/Charles Reinhart Realtors, Level One Bank, Eastern Michigan University Credit Union, and the Back Office Studios.
WonderFool Productions is still seeking funds to support the array of artists and creative experiences for this year’s event. For more information, visit SUPPORT or email wonderfoolproductions@gmail.com.
The light-filled, creative spectacle that is ypsiGLOW will feature experiences across Ypsilanti to surprise and delight all ages, so dust off your luminaries, dress up, mask up, get the kids in the strollers, and come to town to do the GLOW Stroll + Roll, celebrate at home, or online wherever you are on Friday, October 29th!
ABOUT WONDERFOOL PRODUCTIONS
WonderFool Productions invites and empowers communities to connect through the inclusive, illuminating, and transforming power of creativity. Best known for producing community- created, light-filled, public art events — FoolMoon, Festifools, and ypsiGLOW — we believe that:
- Communities are stronger when people create and celebrate together.
- People of all ages and abilities can create something extraordinary out of the ordinary.
- Artists and the arts are essential to vibrant and thriving communities.
Visit us at wonderfoolproductions.org to learn more and join us!
