Free Events to Celebrate Temporary Farewell to The Bay Lights
San Francisco is hosting a couple of a free events this week to celebrate a two-year run of The Bay Lights sculpture, which will be temporarily decommissioned Friday morning in order to complete maintenance on the bridge’s cables.
Fortunately, the not-for-profit foundation Illuminate the Arts that supports the innovative lighting exhibit reached its $4 million funding goal to keep the exhibit lit indefinitely. The Bay Lights are scheduled to be re-installed next year just in time for Super Bowl 50.
Check out the details below for happenings this week that honor the temporary end of this monumental lighting exhibit. In addition to the events, there are also a number of nearby restaurants that offer ideal viewing of the bridge for those who want to get one last look.
Artist Talk & LED Tealight Giveaway
Thursday, March 5 at 7:30pm
This casual-attire event is first come, first served and will be held at the patio behind Waterbar (399 Embarcadero). The first 1,000 people that arrive will receive an LED tea light gifted by Illuminate the Arts in appreciation of public support for The Bay Lights. The tea lights serve as a reminder that the darkness is only temporary and will continue to glow while the artwork is removed for bridge maintenance. At 8pm, principal artist Leo Villareal and Illuminate the Arts’ Chief Visionary Officer Ben Davis will speak. Waterbar will be closed for a private party, but Epic Roasthouse (next door) will be open for cocktails and dinner service.
Sunrise Goodbye
Friday, March 6 at 5:45am
For the final hours, Illuminate the Arts will offer free coffee and breakfast pastries on the patio behind Epic Roasthouse (369 Embarcadero). Members of the San Francisco Symphony known as the Sunrise String Quartet will play two violins, a viola and a cello for the last hour that the The Bay Lights remains illuminated.
