Prepare for a night where the ordinary turns extraordinary — Nuit Blanche is back this weekend to light up Winnipeg with a whirlwind of art, imagination and late night surprises.

This free event, taking place on Sept. 28, invites Winnipeggers to immerse themselves in a diverse range of artistic installations and performances, with each piece encouraging participation, contemplation, and wonder.

Since its Winnipeg debut in 2010, Nuit Blanche has become a beloved tradition, part of Culture Days, a national movement aimed at raising awareness and engagement with the arts across Canada.

Originating in Paris in 1984, Nuit Blanche has spread to cities worldwide, offering a unique nighttime experience where art intersects with the urban landscape.

This Saturday, the Exchange District and downtown will serve as the backdrop for hundreds of art lovers to explore creativity through installations, performances, and workshops hosted by artists, galleries, and independent curators.

One of the featured pieces this year is Concentrate and Ask Again, an installation by local artists Ian August and Andrew Bart.

This larger-than-life magic 8-ball, glowing under purple lights and enveloped in fog, will be displayed in Elgin Alleyway, providing answers to visitors’ most pressing questions. Participants are invited to ask their questions aloud, and the 8-ball will respond, much like the familiar toy that many have turned to for fun guidance over the years.

The creators, long-time friends and collaborators, are thrilled to be part of Nuit Blanche, bringing their playful, interactive concept to life for the public.

“We feel great. We feel super excited. The idea kind of came together and once we got the opportunity to do it, we’re very happy,” said August.

Bart added, “as long-time participants in Nuit Blanche from the other side, just going and enjoying the art. I think it’s a super great event, and to be able to show some artwork at it is like double the fun.”

Their journey from Nuit Blanche attendees to artists was fueled by years of attending similar events in Winnipeg and Toronto.

For August, the opportunity to create something that engages the public and invites interaction was key.

“I always kind of thought if I had the chance to do it, what would I do? I wanted to be able to do a fun one. So then when I actually got the chance, it was kind of hard to think of one that would actually work and be good,” he said.

The creative process was not marked by an immediate flash of inspiration. Instead, it was a gradual unfolding of ideas, with the artists working to ensure the installation would engage visitors for a prolonged period, keeping them entertained while prompting introspection.

“We were trying to think of, like, does it work for one person, or does it work for a whole bunch of people at the same time? Can different groups use it at the same time? Is it engaging enough to stand around and look at?” August said.

“The 8-ball is a bit of a weird symbol. I think it’s been around since the 50s, it’s kind of like the toy that nobody really plays with that much but it’s the one that you can still have in your house at any age.”

For Bart, working on the project has been an enjoyable experience.

“This project kind of just blended our two skills really nicely, […] with the video and the sculptural nature of this particular piece,” said Bart. “And this one was fun […] Even just today, we were driving around trying to pick up all the different parts.”

For those looking to experience a different side of Nuit Blanche, the event will feature a wide variety of installations and performances, each offering a different take on contemporary art.

One such piece is moonGARDEN with Spectra by artist Anna Binta Diallo. This captivating light installation, located in Old Market Square, will bring the cosmos to life with a mesmerizing array of human, animal, celestial, and natural silhouettes.

Drawing inspiration from mythology and folklore, Spectra encourages visitors to contemplate how various cultures perceive cosmic phenomena such as eclipses and moon phases.

Meanwhile, those with an appreciation for dance will want to explore Phantom Dances, a hybrid contemporary dance work by Thomas Oberlin and Natalie Sluis, graduates of the School of Contemporary Dancers’ Senior Professional Program.

Set to projections and intricate choreography, Phantom Dances explores themes of connection, loss, and self-destruction, asking what happens when someone you depend on is no longer around.

For fans of drag performance, The Longest Continuous Drag Show at 171 McDermot Avenue promises to dazzle. The interactive show features local drag artists showcasing their talents in a bid to break the record for Canada’s longest continuous drag show.

In addition to these installations, Manitoba Music will partner with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to provide an immersive auditory experience. Local musicians, including Louie Lovebird, Gully, Osani, MA BWE, and the Kaptain, will perform throughout the night, offering festivalgoers an opportunity to enjoy live music while engaging with interactive art exhibits.

“It’s always really exciting, and that’s what I’m most excited for — to show this off and to see the people out, letting them enjoy it because we’ve just been giddy over here laughing about it and making it happen.” August echoed his sentiment, emphasizing how public art is vital to Winnipeg’s culture. “It’s really encouraging when you see how many people want to come out and see public art. It shows how important public art is to the city.”

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit nuitblanchewinnipeg.ca.