Looptopia

Looptopia is a dusk-to-dawn cultural event first held in May 2007 in the city of Chicago, planned to be an annual event. 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.

Daley Plaza

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.

ci-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 contenstants competed in this beauty pageant among local drag queens held at the Hard Rock Hotel. Tickets were sold out and 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."Fact|date=July 2008

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

ee also

* Long Night of Museums
* Nuit Blanche

External links

* [http://www.looptopia.com/ The Looptopia Website]
* [http://chicago.metblogs.com/archives/2007/04/looptopia.phtml]
* [http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2007/05/looptopia.html]
* [http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_130140052.html]
* [http://victorgrigas.blogspot.com/2008/01/looptopia-2008.html]