Carson City's BAC hosts 'Unsilent Night' to create luminous soundscape along local streets
Sunday, Dec. 19, at 5:30 pm, the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City and Michael Tedesco will be hosting a citywide unique take on the classical caroling holiday tradition called "Unsilent Night," an international event created by Phil Kline.
Unsilent Night is an original composition by Phil Kline, written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December. It takes the form of a street promenade in which the audience becomes the performer. Each participant downloads one of four tracks of music in the form of an Mp3.
Together all four tracks comprise Unsilent Night. The fact that the participants play different "parts" simultaneously helps create the special sound of the piece. Participants carry boomboxes, speakers, or anything that amplifies music, and simultaneously start playing the music. They then walk a carefully chosen route through their city’s streets, creating a unique mobile sound sculpture that is different from every listener's perspective.
The music is composed to create a unique listening experience where the sound bounces off the streets and walls of the town. Starting in 1992, Phil Kline created a 45-minute long composition as a public artwork event but soon took off and became an annual tradition and a worldwide sensation.
These street promenades are held both nationally and internationally this time of year. This is the third time Carson City will participate and it will begin on the Brewery Arts Center’s ground and lead throughout the downtown area. Participants should download the free app or music from unsilentnight.com and bring their own speakers and flashlights and dress for cold weather.
Organizers also encourage any reflective clothing or article that light up for a fun and festive effect. Visit the event’s Facebook page, Phil Kline's Unsilent Night 2021, hosted by the Brewery Arts Center’s account for more information and RSVP at Breweryarts.org for this free holiday, family-friendly event.