Many in the Orlando community were excited when Creative City Project announced the return of Central Florida’s signature arts event “IMMERSE 2021.” The event returned for its 9th year to the heart of Downtown Orlando October 15th-17th, primarily at night for the first two days and daytime hours on Sunday. Presented by Orlando Health/Orlando Regional Medical Center, this year’s event showcased hundreds of artists and live performances in the streets and public spaces of Downtown Orlando, taking over 10 city blocks with unexpected creative encounters, epic performances and interactive art.
IMMERSE’s all-new third day, “COLOR DAY”, invites attendees to become the canvas and get colorful. The 2021 experience features colored powder fights, bright eruptions of foam, live performances and tons of bubbles! Color Day can be purchased as part of an IMMERSE ticket bundle.
“We are extremely happy to bring back our signature arts event and make the streets of Downtown Orlando come alive with hundreds of phenomenal artists, epic live performances, immersive art and unexpected creative encounters that is IMMERSE,” says Creative City Project Executive Director Cole NeSmith. “We have an amazing group of artistic collaborations this year to create more innovative experiences and unique performances that audiences cannot have anywhere else in the world. Additionally, we are very excited to extend IMMERSE 2021 and present our brand-new COLOR DAY.”
Cole continued, “Our footprint holding IMMERSE entirely outdoors ensures the comfort of our attendees, which we know is top of mind for our guests. We are doing our best to safeguard our guests and also instill pure joy and awe, which is something we all deserve and need.”
“Thanks to residents who have done their part to get vaccinated to protect our community from COVID-19, the City of Orlando is proud to safely bring back community events,” says Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Featured activations included: JOYBOX, from Orlando Health, which kicked off September 17th. JOYBOX is a large-scale, interactive art exhibition designed around everything happy. It includes art installations inspired by the catchy, familiar phrases of happiness, like the “Don’t Worry. Be Happy” room. This exhibit is illuminated with black lights and full of piles of shredded neon paper. Guests wrote one personal worry on a piece of paper, ran it through a paper shredder installed in the walls and celebrated the releasing of that worry. “Step into the light” features a giant 8’ circular light sculpture in a large room. Visitors could also message life’s blessings into the Blessing Counter in the “Count Your Blessings” room, and large LED scrollers will display their blessings on the walls.
Additional IMMERSE 2021 activations included: X-Factory, presented by Stax. These immersive photo environments are built inside a shipping container structure and encourage everyone to embrace their X-Factor. Plus, the new EA SPORTS Zone featuring Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Magic, a high-energy activation that celebrates EA SPORTS move to downtown where Orlando City brought the fancy footwork of a soccer ball juggling team, and the Orlando Magic’s dynamic entertainment, Magic Beatz and The 407 performed throughout the night. The EA SPORTS Zone featured a mural painted by kicking and throwing paint covered balls at the walls.
Feature IMMERSE 2021 performances included: Dare to Dream, a high-energy acrobatic performance featuring trampoline and silks performers and live musicians on a large scaffolding structure right in the middle of Orange Avenue. Celebration of Diversity, in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Center, features musician and activist Daryl Davis and dozens of local musicians. Plus, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Florida Community Arts and many more performed.
IMMERSE 2021 is put on in partnership with Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, City of Orlando and Downtown Development Board.
