Tonight is Young & White in Valletta

Visitors to the capital city turn into night birds as they take in a feast of arts, culture and animation until tomorrow dawns

Lights come on as Malta's own World Heritage City takes centre stage this evening, kicking off the second edition of Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal. Valletta's best kept secrets and areas usually out of bounds become public to the satisfaction of visitors who may find the night only too young to gain access, knowledge and appreciation of gems and history, parts of which remain reserved to the few, or shelved away in archived books.

The concept this year has a contemporary feel, highlighting creative works against a historical background to make the packaged lot accessible to a wider audience. Those opting for a sleepless night in the city will be able to witness, through different art forms, all the art and culture accumulated over centuries of history, from fine arts to a decadent past life practised in certain parts of the capital.

Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal will indeed showcase Malta's growing artistic community and cultural gems. Hastings Gardens will host a collection of dance genres, while the Upper Barrakka Gardens will assemble a display of live-making and contemporary visual installations by various artists. Last year's successful JaPoRoSeT - a fusion of pop, rock, jazz, soul and folk, will be staged at St George's Square until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Merchants Street will be transformed into a Maltese traditional festa with roving folk singers (ghannejja), folk dancers, Maltese food and crafts and a unique display of prestigious festive decorations. An interactive mediaeval market will be set up at Independence Square, while the car park adjacent to Castille Square will host food, music and live entertainment with a philanthropic aim.

At different intervals throughout the night, Freedom Square will hold a unique contemporary theatre production and a spectacular aerial show of fire, music and theatre with a synergy of Maltese and foreign artists.

The Mediterranean Conference Centre, the Manoel Theatre, St James Cavalier, the MITP, Aula Magna at The Foundation for International Studies, the National Library, St John's Co-Cathedral, churches, chapels and places of interest will be opened for tours, viewing and live activities.

The main public transport routes will be running throughout the night. There will also be sea transport services from Vittoriosa and Sliema to Valletta and return. The Gozo Channel ferry boat will be operating return trips from Mgarr on the usual schedule to Cirkewwa.

An initiative created and realised by the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal is sponsored by the National Lotteries for Good Causes Fund - Ministry of Finance, Malta Tourism Authority, HSBC Bank Malta plc, Cisk, Nexos Lighting Technology, DJS Trading, Kinnie and Vodafone Malta Limited. The event is supported by the Valletta local council and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts while official entities include PBS Ltd, Capital Radio, Overview Photographers and BPC.

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Art Exhibitions
Sekwenza, an exhibition spread over a number of venues brings together various art forms, from paintings, to ceramics, sculptures, pottery and jewellery. At Vee Gee Bee Art Gallery a preview of Sekwenza I-IV will open from 6 p.m. onwards. Sekwenza I, featuring portrait interpretations by various artists, will be on at the Mediterranean Conference Centre from 6 p.m. onwards. Sekwenza II, an exhibition of pottery, ceramics and sculpture will be held at the General Workers' Union Memorial Building between 6 and 11 p.m. Sekwenza III, at St James Cavalier, is an exhibition of abstract acrylic on canvas, open from 6 p.m. onwards. Sekwenza IV, at the Casinò Maltese, is an exhibition of silver and gold jewellery open from 6 p.m. onwards.

At St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, international prize-winning photographs seen by two million visitors will be on display.

At Palazzo De La Salle (which houses the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce), the Arts Directory Collective Exhibition 2007 by various artists, will be open from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Artists Alive will see various artists painting and sketching beautiful Valletta buildings and surroundings at the Vee Gee Bee Art Gallery from 6 p.m. onwards. At the Upper Barrakka Gardens, there will be Reprocessed, live making and exhibiting of installations from recycled material from 6 p.m. onwards.

At the Auberge D' Italie (location of the Ministry for Tourism and Culture), photographs of World War II by Stan Fraser and curated by Veronica Galea will be exhibited from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Other exhibitions at the same venue feature Maltese abstract paintings, in collaboration with Heritage Malta, and Time for Architecture 3, an exhibition of contemporary Maltese architecture by the Chamber of Architects, from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.

There will be live painting and an exhibition of works by four pediatricians: Victor Grech, Marthese Ellul, Simon Attard Montalto and Anton Mifsud at Palazzo Castellania (Ministry of Health) from 7 p.m. onwards.

There will be a Euro exhibition at the Auberge De Castille (Office of the Prime Minister) from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.; a Trees photographic exhibition by Stephen Vella at the Aula Magna (Foundation for International Studies) between 7 p.m. and midnight; Bottega del Presepio, an exhibition and workshop of crib and pasturi making, at St Francis Hall from 6 p.m. until midnight.

A Chinese graphic design exhibition outlining the country's path to development will be exhibited at the Chinese Cultural Centre from 6 p.m. to midnight while the Italian Cultural Institute will be showing an exhibition of 39 graphic works of Italian artists of the 20th century from the Museum of Peccioli in Italy. At the Tchaikovsky Hall of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture there will be an exhibition of Art Photography entitled My Private Moon by L. Tishkov and B. Vendikov and another exhibition of Acrylic Paintings by K. Batynkov on the theme Another Life, emphasising the current trend to protect the environment.

Casa Brunet (Malta School of Art) will be turned into a Baroque Palace to host an exhibition by tutors and students and still-life classes in action between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Il-Bottegin ta' San Martin, an exhibition, hands-on experience and live demonstrations by artists will be held at Il-Bottegin ta' San Martin, Old Bakery Street, from 6 p.m. onwards; Valletta Then & Now - images of Valletta presented by YMCA Homeless - will be held at the President's Palace Courtyard from 6 p.m. onwards; an audiovisual presentation, Bringing Books to Readers for Enjoyment and Enrichment, will be held at the National Library every hour from 7 to 10 p.m.; The Art of Fortress Building in Hospitaller Malta, an exhibition curated by Stephen C. Spiteri, will be held at the National Library from 7 to 11 p.m.; and a visual installation by Gaspare di Caro, Caravaggio Exposed, will be displayed in St John's Square from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

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Dance
At Hastings' Gardens, Dancescape will hold an exhibition of dance genres every hour from 8 to 11 p.m.

At Auberge De Castille (Office of the Prime Minister), Alegria Dance Company will perform Flama Flamenco from 9.30 to 10.30 p.m.

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Magic
Magic of The Night, an illusion show by Brian Role and Lola Palmer, will take place at the Malta Chamber of Commerce at 7.45, 8.45, 9.45 and 10.45 p.m.

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Street activities
Live events will be animating the capital's streets during Notte Bianca - Lejl Imdawwal, including surprise performances by various artists. There will be architectural lighting designed by Joe Vella; influential music videos, Veni Vidi Plastik by Kinemastik, in Ordinance Street, from 8 p.m. onwards; and firing of guns from the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barrakka Gardens at 9 p.m.

The Italian Cultural Institute will be commemorating Luciano Pavarotti by showing tapes and DVDs featuring his singing career and opera.

At St Catherine of Italy church, artists will be working live on large stretched canvas between 8.15 p.m. and 1.15 a.m.

Food, music and entertainment will be available at the car park of Castille Square from 6.30 p.m. onwards. In Merchants Street, the theme Maltese Islands: Festas And Traditions will see prestigious decorations from towns and villages; Astra Folk Group; Il-Banda tal-Qiegha; roving folk singers; Maltese food and crafts from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

In Freedom Square, Atmo will perform Storie Tra Raggi Di Luce, the story of the king, the wizard, Mother Nature coming to life in contemporary street theatre from 8 to 9 p.m. It-Taqbida, a battle spectacular of aerial work, fire, music, drama by Atmo and Accademia dei Remoti will also be held at Freedom Square from 0.30 to 1.45 a.m. Independence Square will be turned into a Medieval Market, with adventures and romance from the Middle Ages, between 8 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. At City Gate, there will be ultra violet setting from 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Il-Horza Wine Bar, No. 6, St Christopher Street, (near Lower Barrakka) is holding Il-Festa tal-Festi (a feast of feasts) from 7 p.m. till late. A celebration of Maltese feasts with songs written and sung by Steven Mizzi while traditional Maltese food will be served

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Crafts
At Palazzo De La Salle (Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce), artists and lace makers will be at work as part of Arti u Bizzilla fil-Palazz, between 6 p.m. and midnight. While at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church there will be a unique and prestigious display of Maltese Lace. The 19-piece collection dates back from the 16th to the 20th century.

A booklet describing each piece of lace garment and written by Fr Martin D. Schembri O.Carm will be available.

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Exclusively for kids
Children and adults will be entertained by an original musical on the Maltese environment Wara l-Hajt tas-Sejjieh prepared by KidZone at St James Cavalier. Performances are at 6, 7, 8, 9.30 and 10.30 p.m.

At Palazzo Ferreria (house of the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity), there will be Ejja Onxor Poezija by PoezijaPlus. Poems are written by children and displayed and read by the Misrah Kola personalities between 6 p.m. and midnight.

At the General Workers' Union Memorial Building, a Junior Singers' Festival will be held for singers aged from five to 16 years from 7 to 11 p.m.

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Music
Lovers of music of all forms, from pop, to classical, choral and folk will be spoilt for choice during the Notte Bianca - Lejlet Imdawwal on October 6.

St Augustine Church will open its doors to the public for a choral concert and youth Mass at 8 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. respectively. At the Ta' Giezu Church, the Amadeus Chamber Choir and Orchestra will play Gounod's Messe Solenelle en l' Honneur de Sainte Cécile between 11.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. St James Church will host a live concert, Reaching for the Sky, by OrangeSky and an exhibition by Anthony P. Vella and Matthew Kassar from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. While the Church of St Barbara will be hosting a Gospel Concert by the Joy Gospel Singers from 8.30pm to 10 p.m.

At Palazzo De La Salle, which houses the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and, Commerce, Marc Galea and Steve Delia will play guitar in duo from 8 to 10 p.m.

The National Orchestra of Malta Ensembles, made of strings, wind and brass, will play at the Auberge D'Italie, the seat of the Ministry for Tourism and Culture at 6.30, 7.15, 8, 8.45, 9.30 and 10.15 p.m.

In St George's Square, JaPoRoSeT Concerts will take place with various genres of music, Morena & Spectrum will play pop music between 7 and 8.30 p.m. The Band Explicit will play rock from 9 to 10.15 p.m. A soul concert by Mike Spiteri and Band will take place from 10.30 p.m. till midnight. At 0.30 a.m., Etnika will revive folk music until 2 a.m., followed by jazz by Fabian Kadherll and Co. from 2.30 to 4 a.m.

Palazzo Parisio, (which houses the Ministry for Foreign Affairs), will host Kantawturi featuring Tony Micallef Grimaud, Greenfields, Walter Micallef, Frank O'Neil, Mark Spiteri Lucas and Vince Fabri. Performances are held every hour from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m.

At Tchaikovsky Hall of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, a concert by Young Maltese Musicians at 7 p.m.

Freddie Mizzi Big Band and top musicians perform popular tunes in Great Siege Square between 7.30 and 9 p.m., followed by a music showcase by George Il-Puse and Yuri Charyguine from 11.15 p.m. to 12.45 a.m.

Renzo Spiteri, Walter Vella and Mark Attard will perform Trania, a Mediterranean musical fusion at the Manoel Theatre. Performances are at 7.30, 9 and 10.30 p.m.

Auberge de Castille, the Office of the Prime Minister, will host the Victoria Clarinet Quartet for a session of chamber music in the courtyard between 8.15 and 9.15 p.m. The Enkor Choir in Concert will play a varied selection of classical, gospel and original works by Maltese composers from 11 p.m. and midnight, followed by a performance by an acoustic band between 12.30 and 2 a.m.

Mistaken Identity will play blues, funky, soft rock and pop music near the Victoria Gate from 9.30 to 10.45 p.m. The Bridge Bar (next to the Victoria Gate) will host a final session of jazz between 12.30 and 2 a.m.

At the Royal Opera Ruins the Demo Morselli Big Band Orchestra will give a live concert from 10.30 p.m. until midnight.

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Theatre
At Palazzo De La Salle (Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce), Maleth's troupe will perform a Commedia dell'Arte with Goldoni's Il Servo Dei Due Padroni (excerpts) at 7 p.m.

At the Mediterranean Institute Theatre Programme (MITP), Particles of Fate, a theatrical presentation, will take place at 8, 9.30 and 11 p.m. Oreste Calleja's Igsma Ihirsa, a tragic-comedy written in the 1970s and directed by Peter Busuttil featuring Pino Scicluna, will be held at the Aula Magna (Foundation for International Studies) at 9.30 and 11.45 p.m.

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Must-sees From 6 p.m. until midnight
Museum Egalité (GWU)
South Street

National Museum of Archaeology
Republic Street

St John's Co-Cathedral
St John's Square

The Armoury, Palace State Rooms and Paladini Chapel
Merchant Street

Domus Pauli Museum
St Paul's Street

Toy Museum
Republic Street

Our Lady of Victory Church
South Street

St Albert the Great
Old Theatre Street

Auberge D'Aragon (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Independence Square

La Vallette Band Club
Republic Street

King's Own Band Club
Republic Street

National Museum of Fine Arts
South Street

Rodex Arts and Crafts
Old Bakery Street

Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Old Theatre Street

St Barbara Church
Republic Street

St Lucy Church
East Street

Italian Cultural Institute
Great Siege Square

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Tours Duration 1 hour
Children's City Tour greeted by Karusinu from HSBC
Departure Castille Square near Upper Barrakka Gardens (every 15 minutes).
From 6.30 to 9.30 p.m.

Augustinian Cultural Centre
Former crypt and World War II air raid shelter.
From 7 p.m. until midnight

Casa Rocca Piccola (16th century palazzo)
A Maltese House Museum full of the aspirations and taste of Maltese people.
From 7 p.m. onwards

Sacra Infermeria during the time of the Knights. Re-enactment tour
Mediterranean Conference Centre (every hour).
From 8 p.m. until midnight

Palaces and Auberges
Departure Castille Square near Upper Barrakka Gardens (every 15 minutes) .
From 8 until 11 p.m.

Movies City
Departure Castille Square near Upper Barrakka Gardens (every 15 minutes).
From 9.30 p.m. until 0.30 a.m.

Sex 'n' the City tour
Departure Castille Square near Upper Barrakka Gardens (every 15 minutes).
From 12.30 until 3.30 a.m.

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Parades
Malta Police Band and Precision Drill
Marching and drills in various streets and squares
From 7.30 to 9.30 p.m.

Knighting Entourage
Pomp and pageantry brought into the City by the Grand Master and his entourage
At 8, 9.30 and 11 p.m.

Karnivalata
17-piece Dutch street orchestra accompanied by Maltese grotesque masquerades and dance groups
At 9.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m.

City Parade
Street theatre parade by Atmo and Accademia dei Remoti.
From 10 to 11 p.m.

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