The Soundtrack of BLINK
BLINK, Cincinnati’s dazzling art and light festival, returns October 17-20, 2024, lighting up over 30 blocks from Over-the-Rhine through Northern Kentucky. Known for its stunning light projections and installations, this year’s event turns up the volume by incorporating music as a central feature. More than 40 groups of musicians, ranging from local talents to national acts, will perform across six stages, ensuring festivalgoers enjoy a fully immersive experience with sound complementing the visual spectacle. From interactive installations with live music to DJs and street performances, the festival promises a multisensory adventure.
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.
New this year, music will be a key component to BLINK’s installations, including all light projections. Several light-based art pieces will include special live musical performances. True to the BLINK spirit, over 40 groups of musicians, from local artists to national talent, will play across six stages within the footprint. In addition, festival goers can see special performances that even further integrate light, art and entertainment.
“We are continuously striving to create new opportunities for artists to maximize their creative output," said Andrew Salzbrun, Managing Partner, AGAR. "Adding audio hardware to each site is going to allow for the creative output to reach an additional sense and provide more lasting memories of the event.”
The following light-based installations will include a musical component all weekend long:
Echo Archive by Reality is. Located in Lytle Park.
Free Form by Afrochine. 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 6th.
Scheduled Performances
BLINK LET IT SHINE! PARADE. 8pm, Thursday, October 17th, starting west of Paycor Stadium on Mehring Way, traveling along the riverfront to Great American Ball Park. Come see 2,000+ people light a path of community and wonder!
afterglow. 10pm, Saturday, October 19, MegaCorp Pavilion (ticketed event). Internationally renowned DJ Austin Millz will headline afterglow, bringing his larger-than-life stage presence and fusion of hip-hop and electronic music to the BLINK audience. Featuring DJ Prymtime & DJ Boywife with Immersive Experience by Bunkhouse.
Asianati Night Market. 7pm nightly. Join for performances and free activities including games, meet and greets and a cosplay costume contest. Follow @asianatinightmarket for updates.
Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. Every 20 Minutes Nightly. Catch lighting effects performances at the city's newest tourist attraction, plus dance with DJ JDOUGH all weekend and enjoy great views of the drone show.
Crescendo by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitars. 8pm nightly. Hop on the immersive piano created by artists Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitors and enjoy nightly performances by local pianists. Booked in partnership with Jazz Alive.
The ‘Mystic Eye’ Drone Show. 8pm and 10pm nightly, viewing points on the Cincinnati and Covington riverfronts. This captivating show transforms the night sky into a canvas of ethereal beauty.
Live Magic Show with Anna DeGuzman. 7:30pm and 9:30pm on Saturday, October 19 at the Covington Amphitheater. Presented by Cardtopia and Bicycle Playing Cards.
"Phases & Actions" by Brett Bolton. 9:00 and 10:00pm nightly. Experience live audiovisual drum and projection performances by artist Brett Bolton.
“Suaveciclo” by VJ Suave. 7:30pm, 8:30pm & 9:30pm nightly. Join artist VJ Suave for a moving tricycle projection performance. Meet at Republic St. & Liberty St. and walk along Republic to 12th St.
Warmth Culture. 7-11PM Thursday-Saturday. Showcasing Stallitix’s top collaborators from the past decade, the “living room” stage reflects Midwestern hospitality, while the surrounding area evokes the warmth of an outdoor community gathering.
Who Do You Say That I Am? Fashion Show. 8pm - Opening Acts, 9pm - Fashion Show - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Designer ASHA AMA presents three nights of fashion shows with a line-up of local designers and nightly musical performances.
Stage Entertainment
FINDLAY STAGE - By Jane’s Bar (Elm & Elder)
Nightly DJ Collective Takeovers. 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.
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 jampacked lineup 9PM performances featuring funk, blues and rock local bands. In addition, Saturday night will include performances by world-renowned magician and Bicycle Playing Card Abassador 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 artist installations and performances.