Sights & Sounds
New this year, music and sound will be a key component to BLINK’s installations, with nearly every projection including a paired musical composition or playlist. including all light projections.
The following light-based installations will include a musical component all weekend long:
Echo Archive by Reality is. Located in Lytle Park.
Freef Form by AfrCochine. Located at 13th and Republic St.
Loophole by Calidos. Located at Scott St and East 6th in Covington.
River Gaze by Britni Bicknaver and Brianna Kelly. Located in Smale Park.
Stargate by Chalk River Labs. Located near the ICON Festival Stage.
Vivid Volume by Digital Castaway at Vine St and East Sixth.
BLINK illuminated by ArtsWave is not only the nation’s largest free art and light festival, it’s also a bonanza of musical entertainment and special performances throughout the weekend.
Music has always been a part of BLINK, but this year's version amps things up, making music a more integrated piece of the experience. Festival goers will be treated to installations accompanied by music or featuring special musical performances, along with stages with musicians and street performers dotting the map to surprise and delight attendees.
“Musicians and sound are the drumbeat to the BLINK experience,” says Billy Thomas, BLINK co-producer and co-founder of Cincy Nice. “Whether you dance in the streets, get pulled into the art or pause for a special performance, we hope you welcome the moment and let the soundtrack of BLINK transport you into the magic of BLINK.”
FINDLAY STAGE
By Jane’s Bar (Elm & Elder)
Nightly DJ Collective Takeovers kick off nightly at . Invite guests to dance under the neon string and lights by artist Dan Shields.
LIBERTY LOTS STAGE
Liberty and Race
Join the action at Liberty Lots. Mixed into the pop-up Skate Spot activation by the Cincinnati Skate Project Collective, you’ll find the Jake Sweeney Jam Rocker hosting live DJs and emcee’s each night.
FREEDOM STAGE
The Banks
Embrace the feeling of freedom with dynamic performances at the National Underground Freedom Center in The Banks zone. Each night will showcase a different sound and genre of the black diaspora, ranging from soul and R&B to reggae and Afrobeats, and more. Acts include Flagboy Giz from New Orleans and Cincinnati songstress Lauren Eylise.
STAR STAGE AT THE BLACK MUSIC WALK OF FAME
DJ JDough from 101.1 the Wiz returns to the Cincinnati Music Walk of Fame to bring some funky and legendary Cincinnati sounds. After experiencing the city’s new state of the art attraction, stay and dance under the stars at the Star Stage all night long.
CARDTOPIA STAGE AT THE COVINGTON AMPHITHEATRE
Grab a seat at the Covington Amphitheatre for The Mystic Eye Drone Show flying nightly at 8pm and 10pm, come early or stay after for a jam packed lineup with 9PM performances featuring funk, blues and rock local bands. In addition, Saturday night will include performances by world-renowned magician and Bicycle Playing Card AmbassadorAbassador Anna Deguzman.
THE JAKE SWEENEY STAGE AT BRAXTON BREWING
The beers will be flowing and the music will be loud at our southern-most stage this year! Join the team from Jake Sweeney Automotive and our friends at Braxton Brewery for a four-day block party in the streets of Covington. Acts include Sugar Daddy and Ernie Johnson from Detroit.
NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE STAGE & SILENT DISCO
Groove to live music and DJ entertainment nightly from 7 to 11PM. The Levee will also feature Cincy Silent Disco with three different dance stations all night long so bring your friends for a full night of dancing.
Visit blinkcincinnati.com/experiences for more information about stage music lineups and schedules, artist installations and performances.