Looptopia
| Looptopia | |
 | |
| Location: | Chicago Loop |
|---|---|
| Time: | 5:00 PM – 8:00 AM |
| Attendance: | 200,000+ |
| Venues: | 30+ |
| Events: | 130+ |
| Debut | May 11, 2007 |
| Website: | http://www.looptopia.com |
Looptopia was a dusk-to-dawn cultural event that was held in 2007 and 2008 in the city of Chicago. Billed as "Chicago's White Night", Looptopia was modeled after Nuit Blanche held annually in Paris. It premiered on the evening of May 11 through the morning May 12, 2007 in Chicago's central business district, the Loop. A wide range of entertainment was offered in public spaces, while many universities, museums, restaurants, parks and tourist attractions in the loop remained open throughout the night or offered extended hours. It was the first event of its type held in Chicago or the United States.
Looptopia 2007 Events
Dance Party
A dance party was held in the Sullivan dock of the former Carson Pirie Scott store. The dance party was produced by MF Chicago, a local creative collaborative made up of artists, DJs, VJs, and musicians, and featured house music, lighting and video projection effects. In addition to a multimedia show, the entrance to the dance party featured a neon and broccoli installation by Chicago-based installation artist Josh Graff.
State Street and Daley Plaza
Theatre event engineering company Redmoon Theater had sight installations all along State Street that culminated in a roving performance with a final show in Daley Plaza that featured the capture of human-sized rat that was locked in a rat wheel that set off pyrotechnics before an audience estimated to number 15,000. Musical ensemble Mucca Pazza performed at Looptopia on the Daley Plaza stage.
Oscar Shorts
In the Gene Siskel Film Center, short films were screened throughout the night. Up first were short films from the students of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. These were followed by Oscar nominated and winning shorts in both animation and live action.
Sci-Fi B-Movie Marathon
At the Chicago Cultural Center from 2 AM - 6 AM, classic sci-fi films were screened. Those shown included Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, It Came from Outer Space, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Miss Looptopia
Nine contestants competed in this mock drag beauty pageant held at the Hard Rock Hotel. Produced by a local LGBT marketing firm, the show was EmCee'd by Andrew Eninger of the gay comedy troupe GayCo Productions. There were comedy, musical and drag performance by GayCo members, local drag queens and other local performers. The announcement of the winner was carried live on ABC/Channel 7 "190 North" by host Janet Davies. The event reached its 350 person capacity before its start time of 6:00 PM.
Aftermath & reaction
The inaugural Looptopia event exceeded attendance estimates and was generally well received by participants. Argo Tea reported their "best day ever" in terms of sales. The Chicago Cultural Center (on Washington Street) hosted a record number of guests (an estimated 10,000–12,000 people). Pizano's Pizza recorded a 50% increase in business. Local newspapers such as the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune printed favorable reviews, with the Tribune reporting "to call the inaugural Looptopia a success would be an understatement."
Criticisms of the 2007 Looptopia
Not all reactions were favorable. Many internet bloggers spoke of the swarms of people overcrowding the event. Looptopia 2007 also fell on an extremely cold night for mid-May in Chicago.
- Although it is legally closed every night, Millennium Park, a public outdoor park next to the loop, was by police control completely closed off at midnight.
- Few restrooms were made available for the large number of people who attended the late night event. Those that were available were in centralized locations.
- Sound system inadequate—many people could not hear the music performed on stage at the Daley Plaza.
- Some museums and other spaces closed their doors at midnight or earlier contrary to the billing and spirit of the evening.
Photo gallery
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An advertisement on the Chicago "L"
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People outside the Art Institute after it closed
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Live electronic music and video projection by MF Chicago
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The installation by Josh Graff. Untitled, wood and neon garnished with broccoli and dolls