Tips for Nuit Blanche?
October 1, 2009 7:26 AM Subscribe
Tips for Nuit Blanche/staying up all night?
This Saturday I'll be heading up to Toronto to check out Nuit Blanche, an all-night "contemporary art thing".
This is my first time going. Any tips on how to get the most out of the event? The website suggests heading out after 1 AM to beat the crowds - are the crowds that onerous? And if so, how to best stay awake for someone who's used to going to bed at 11 - is this the time to start drinking Red Bull?
I do have the iPhone app, and marked down a bunch of projects of interest, but if there's anything particularly worth seeing feel free to mention it here (even if it's a self-link).
This Saturday I'll be heading up to Toronto to check out Nuit Blanche, an all-night "contemporary art thing".
This is my first time going. Any tips on how to get the most out of the event? The website suggests heading out after 1 AM to beat the crowds - are the crowds that onerous? And if so, how to best stay awake for someone who's used to going to bed at 11 - is this the time to start drinking Red Bull?
I do have the iPhone app, and marked down a bunch of projects of interest, but if there's anything particularly worth seeing feel free to mention it here (even if it's a self-link).
Booze?! That puts me right to sleep! I'd say coffee + adrenaline (walk or jog or jump or move for a little bit to get that started). I do agree about the slow and steady part of it though, since you don't want to crash at like 2 A.M.
posted by too bad you're not me at 7:50 AM on October 1, 2009
posted by too bad you're not me at 7:50 AM on October 1, 2009
Best answer: 1) It's crowded but not insane. At least wasn't last year. Go whenever it's good for you; time it so you hit the events you want; don't stress over coming in so late.
2) Start drinking coffee around 9pm. Have a late, light dinner. (Sushi is good around downtown!)
3) Make a plan so that you don't get overwhelmed. Plan pit stops.
4) A friend of mine SWEARS that biking is the BEST way to get around Nuit Blanche, if this is an option for you. Plus moving will wake you up.
5) We just got hit with a major chill (5C in the morning, BRRRRRRR) - dress WARM. (On preview you're from around, so you know that)
Somewhat agree with booze...
posted by olya at 7:54 AM on October 1, 2009
2) Start drinking coffee around 9pm. Have a late, light dinner. (Sushi is good around downtown!)
3) Make a plan so that you don't get overwhelmed. Plan pit stops.
4) A friend of mine SWEARS that biking is the BEST way to get around Nuit Blanche, if this is an option for you. Plus moving will wake you up.
5) We just got hit with a major chill (5C in the morning, BRRRRRRR) - dress WARM. (On preview you're from around, so you know that)
Somewhat agree with booze...
posted by olya at 7:54 AM on October 1, 2009
Response by poster: The booze thing reminded me of my favorite thing to stay awake - coffee vodka! I'll start brewing some immediately.
posted by Gortuk at 7:58 AM on October 1, 2009
posted by Gortuk at 7:58 AM on October 1, 2009
I'd diagree that crowds are fine, especially in concentrated areas like West Queen West. Going put for the second half of the evening would definitely be more enjoyable in my mind.
As for tips to stay up latex, caffiene, sugar, good friends, and maybe try to stay up as late as you can tomorrow to try and hack your sleep schedule a bit.
Have fun! I'm not sure if I'll make it out this Nuit, I was astounded by the first one, but the last two years were almost ruined by the crowds and far flung exhibits. Still, it's a night that has great potential for magic, and I'll be sad if I don't make it out to anything this year.
posted by yellowbinder at 8:12 AM on October 1, 2009
As for tips to stay up latex, caffiene, sugar, good friends, and maybe try to stay up as late as you can tomorrow to try and hack your sleep schedule a bit.
Have fun! I'm not sure if I'll make it out this Nuit, I was astounded by the first one, but the last two years were almost ruined by the crowds and far flung exhibits. Still, it's a night that has great potential for magic, and I'll be sad if I don't make it out to anything this year.
posted by yellowbinder at 8:12 AM on October 1, 2009
Up latex? Damn iPhone spellcheck!
posted by yellowbinder at 8:13 AM on October 1, 2009
posted by yellowbinder at 8:13 AM on October 1, 2009
Best answer: Given some of the stuff at last year's Nuit Blanche, "up latex" might not be wholly inaccurate.
Lots of good tips here so far. If I might add:
- I don't think you'll need to wait until 2:00am to beat the crowds, especially if you've driving (assuming you are based on where you're coming from) and have the ability to move long distances quickly. If you attack the outskirts first, you should be able to dodge the big crowds. Start with the eastern edges of Zone B, then scoot over to the westmost reaches of Zone C, then up to the northern bits of Zone A and work your way down. But in any case, you'll definitely need a plan.
- Practice on Friday night. Go for a long walk around 11:00pm, then come home and play videos games until you pass out. Sleep in on Saturday.
- Eat a late dinner, yes, but not too heavy. Bring snacks for that 3:00am craving. Water is good too, and maybe even a thermos.
- Do NOT take any streetcars, especially the Queen car. They are large and pretty, but will be crawling at the speed of snails on Saturday night.
- The long-term forecast calls for a spot of rain! This will water the crowds down a bit, so you might want to do some scouting based on the weather.
- Most importantly: Appreciate what you get the chance to see, and don't sweat the stuff that you don't. It's a big event and nobody can see everything.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 9:15 AM on October 1, 2009
Lots of good tips here so far. If I might add:
- I don't think you'll need to wait until 2:00am to beat the crowds, especially if you've driving (assuming you are based on where you're coming from) and have the ability to move long distances quickly. If you attack the outskirts first, you should be able to dodge the big crowds. Start with the eastern edges of Zone B, then scoot over to the westmost reaches of Zone C, then up to the northern bits of Zone A and work your way down. But in any case, you'll definitely need a plan.
- Practice on Friday night. Go for a long walk around 11:00pm, then come home and play videos games until you pass out. Sleep in on Saturday.
- Eat a late dinner, yes, but not too heavy. Bring snacks for that 3:00am craving. Water is good too, and maybe even a thermos.
- Do NOT take any streetcars, especially the Queen car. They are large and pretty, but will be crawling at the speed of snails on Saturday night.
- The long-term forecast calls for a spot of rain! This will water the crowds down a bit, so you might want to do some scouting based on the weather.
- Most importantly: Appreciate what you get the chance to see, and don't sweat the stuff that you don't. It's a big event and nobody can see everything.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 9:15 AM on October 1, 2009
Following on Olya's friend:
Bike is a *great* way to get around, if you can get a bike, and are okay biking in the city. Getting from zone to zone by car or transit is rough. And some of it is a bit far to walk (though I gather this year's evnet is a bit more dense). I did a marathon 12-hours last year on bike, and really got to see all the zones pretty thoroughly.
And of course - Try to go to bed late on Friday and get up late on Saturday.
posted by ManInSuit at 9:39 AM on October 1, 2009
Bike is a *great* way to get around, if you can get a bike, and are okay biking in the city. Getting from zone to zone by car or transit is rough. And some of it is a bit far to walk (though I gather this year's evnet is a bit more dense). I did a marathon 12-hours last year on bike, and really got to see all the zones pretty thoroughly.
And of course - Try to go to bed late on Friday and get up late on Saturday.
posted by ManInSuit at 9:39 AM on October 1, 2009
Response by poster: Just to clarify - I'll be taking the bus into Toronto Saturday afternoon (seeing NB with my sister who has an apartment in the city), so no car or bike transport for me unfortunately. I do see there's a shuttle bus running to Zone C but I may just stick to A & B if transit is troublesome - I'm used to doing epic walks around Toronto.
posted by Gortuk at 9:57 AM on October 1, 2009
posted by Gortuk at 9:57 AM on October 1, 2009
My winning formula in school was moderate caffeine around 9:30 pm-10:00 pm but then stop after that. For the rest of the night, just stay hydrated, eat things that aren't heavy (not too much cheese--pizza's out) and walk around outside in the fresh air.
posted by umbú at 6:32 PM on October 1, 2009
posted by umbú at 6:32 PM on October 1, 2009
Best answer: You might want to hit up the things on the outskirts early in the night when you're still awake, then head into the downtown core later on. It's much easier to convince yourself to keep going when you don't have to take the streetcar out to zone C at 4am.
posted by krunk at 4:44 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by krunk at 4:44 PM on October 2, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Go Banana at 7:35 AM on October 1, 2009