Jacob G. Wideman

Nuit Blanche TO - A Beginner's Guide

        While you may be sweating your way through the hot and wet weather, time ticks closer to the 13^th annual Nuit Blanche TO. One of the most popular events for artistic and adventurous Torontonians, Nuit Blanche has seen over a million attendees for the last seven years and has had over half a million every year since its introduction. This year follows the theme, “You Are Here”, and calls those attending to think about how Toronto is made up of individuals who are different, yet together in their difference; how we are all here, our stories with us, defining Toronto together.

            Veterans of the event will be prepared to explore until dawn, but this year may be the first “White Night” for many looking to join in on the artistic event. You may be confident in yourself, but don’t be overzealous; getting through the entire night is a challenge in itself. If you are planning on trying to stay up though, here are a few tips to ensure you actually enjoy your night.

1. 1. Proper attire is key – Part of the Nuit Blanche experience is the cold weather. Without the sun to warm the city up, the temperature gets colder and colder as the night goes on. The historical average, according to The Weather Network, is a chilly 9*C that is far from the mid-20s we have been getting used to. That being said, any indoor installments are going to be heated for the visitor’s pleasure. This, tied with the risk of rain, makes it important to have attire that you can easily change for optimal comfort but not be burdened by when you have to carry it around. This means a light jacket, a sweater, and maybe a long sleeve shirt will prepare you best for the night.

Proper shoe choice is also something you will want to keep in mind. Walking is the only way to get around Nuit Blanche, and with over a million attendees expected, there will be some pretty big lines to wait in for your favourite projects. Consider getting new insoles or a nice pair of socks so you’re on the top of your game while walking around all night. 

1. 2. Pre-event preparation – 80 exhibits can be found at this year’s Nuit Blanche, mainly around the streets of near Nathan Phillips Square and in Albert Campbell Park in Scarborough. Some you can see while passing by, but many will have line-ups or will be hidden down side streets. One of the most important things you can do beforehand is to go on the Nuit Blanche website and check out all the projects for this year and where they are. Then you can find the projects that interest you most and figure out the best route you can take in order to see them all. Then you can save time and see every project you want to see.

You may also want to consider what you want to take with you while going around Nuit Blanche in regards to money. Carrying just your ID and a method of payment means you will have less to worry about when walking through large crowds at night. Many food trucks and vendors will be out and selling food, and there are plenty of 24h convenience stores in the area. Line 3 of the TTC will be free all night, so anyone starting their night in Scarborough will be able to get Downtown for free, but you’ll need to pay to get back from Union.

1. 3. Snacks and drinks – Unless you work midnights, staying up all night is going to be difficult. You can try to stay up the night before and have a nap before you go out, but the night is going to be rough unless you’re prepared. Your best friend in this case is caffeine, so you may want to have a Red Bull or coffee on hand for later in the night. Those who don’t like energy drinks or coffee can also find energy in soda, notably Mountain Dew or Pepsi Zero Sugar. If you want to try and get every last bit of caffeine you can get, check out https://www.caffeineinformer.com/the-caffeine-database to compare your drink of choice, or any coffee brands to one another.

As far as food goes, sugar is a bad idea. Sugar gives you a quick kick but it does more harm than good when you’re crashing an hour or two later. Your best course of action is to go for foods such as fish, red meat or eggs, and bananas. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon and tuna help reduce fatigue, and the vitamin B12 helps your body utilize iron better, increasing possible energy. Red meat and eggs are full of protein, which acts as a slow-burn in the way of giving you energy. While sugar gives you a lot of energy for a short amount of time, protein gives you a little energy over a long time, like during an entire night of artistic adventure. Finally, bananas have carbs, potassium, and vitamin B6, all of which increase your energy levels. This all means that sushi, beef jerky, and those $0.60 bananas in convenience stores will be your greatest allies all night.