Astra Lumina brings the stars down to Stanley Park

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When: Opens Oct. 22 for a limited engagement. Runs Wednesdays to Sundays, with entry times between 5:45 and 9:15 p.m.
Where: Stanley Park, Old Railway, 690 Pipeline Rd.
Tickets: Starting at $27.20 at astralumina.com/vancouver

Of course, there are several “wow” moments in Astra Lumina, according to one of its chief architects, Thomas Pintal.

But when pressed, he specifies two.

One, he says, is the location of the multimedia night walk.

“Stanley Park is so different and so majestic,” said Pintal, multimedia director of the spectacle’s Montreal-based production company Moment Factory.

“That coastal rainforest is unique. Walking beneath the canopy of those trees, surrounded by music and magical lighting, will be a huge part of the experience. The park itself becomes another character in the story.”

The self-guided, 45-to-60-minute nighttime experience takes visitors of all ages through nine themed zones featuring large-scale light installations, projections and immersive soundscapes.

The idea behind the project is simple, said Pintal: “What if the stars could reach for us?”

He continued, “We imagined stars descending into the forest to rest and regenerate before returning to the sky to create new constellations.”

Visitors follow the story along a linear path, moving from one installation to the next at their own pace.

Music plays a central role in the experience. Each four-minute sequence combines lighting, projections and an original score by Moment Factory composer François Beauvais.

“The composers, motion designers and lighting designers all work together,” says Pintal. “When a melody moves in a certain direction, the lighting might follow it. It’s all orchestrated.”

It’s the first time Moment Factory, along with ticketing and entertainment partner Fever, is presenting Astra Lumina in Canada.

“It’s not our first Lumina, though. The first was in the province of Quebec, and we’ve since created others, including Vallea Lumina in Whistler and one in Nova Scotia. So now we’re coast to coast, and we’re very proud of that.”

Unlike the site-specific Lumina productions, Astra Lumina was designed to travel. Since its debut in Tennessee several years ago, the experience has visited cities in the U.S. and abroad, with installations adapted to suit each location.

Stanley Park proved to be a complex location, due in part to strict environmental regulations.

“We’re using the area around the old miniature train attraction, which makes things easier. But everything has to be free-standing. We can’t pour concrete, and there are restrictions on attaching lighting to trees. We’ve had to find new ways of installing lighting and speakers.

“We also wanted to respect the First Nations who have such a strong connection to Stanley Park.”

As for the other wow factor?

“One of my favourites is the falling-star installation,” Pintal said. “It’s epic. The scenography is powerful, and the music becomes very intense but also poetic.

“I’m particularly happy with it because it communicates the idea of a falling star without literally showing meteors or anything like that.

“It’s abstract, but you understand what’s happening through the music and visuals. It’s incredible.”

As for timing, Astra Lumina is opening just in time for Halloween. Mere coincidence, says Pintal.

“If someone is looking for a Halloween experience, I wouldn’t necessarily suggest Astra. But the timing is perfect for fall and the coming holiday season. It has a wonderful atmosphere. People leave the experience feeling good and feeling connected to others.”

The team behind Astra Lumina doesn’t just illuminate the installations, he says.

“We also light the areas where people gather to watch them. That way, visitors can see one another’s reactions.

“Yes, you’re surrounded by beautiful lighting and music, but you’re also sharing those moments with someone you love, your family or your friends.”