Niagara Power Station Opens With New Light and Sound Experience

September 4, 2021 ctn_admin

Niagara Parks last night hosted the world premiere of “Currents: Niagara’s Power Transformed”, a new sound and light experience created by Thinkwell that brings the historic power station back to life each night with captivating visuals and a breathtaking musical score. 

Niagara Parks’ newest landmark attraction, the Niagara Parks Power Station, will be open daily for guided or self-guided tours and at night, guests can now experience the power station in an entirely new way with “Currents: Niagara’s Power Transformed”. 

Produced by the creative minds at renowned design firm, Thinkwell Studio Montreal, Currents is a riveting adventure that triggers your senses as you become part of the transformation of water to energy and feel the power station awaken through playful interactive media.  When you enter through the main doors of the power station at night, the illuminated generator hall or “cathedral of power” is almost unrecognizable as you pass through to the forebay, where your adventure begins. You will then be ushered into the heart of the power plant as you prepare for your role in bringing the historic power station back to life.

The show unfolds over three acts, spanning about thirty minutes in length. The first act interprets the geological creation of the Falls, as the rushing waters of the Niagara River flow down the 60-foot walls of the power station and freeze onto the floor around you. As the earth warms, the landscape is transformed into a lush environment of trees and rivers, along with a new geological wonder… Niagara Falls! 

The second act shows the world’s most powerful waterfall as the source of inspiration for engineers and inventors who seek to harness its energy to power the industrialization of Southern Ontario and Western New York. You will see the station’s massive machinery light up and come to life for the first time, powered by the currents of the river, before going dormant. 

The third act is the reawakening of the sleeping power station – your presence has brought back the same energy and buzz that used to fill the station when it was in operation. Electricity begins to pulse from the generator, flowing up the walls and into the ceiling and currents flow around you once again, but this time they are the currents of electricity, travelling out of the station to power our cities and industries, transforming our lives.

“It’s really almost like we’re treating the space as a playground. We want people to walk around and we want people to keep being surprised and entertained, and touched by the tiny stories that they trigger themselves by just being present and engaging with the space,” said Émilie F. Grenier, Creative Director, Thinkwell Studio Montreal.

“This show could not happen anywhere else in the world. From concept to execution, it was inspired by the history, architecture and identity of this spectacular heritage building and its proximity to the Niagara River and Niagara Falls,” added Kim Viney, Senior Director of Business Development, Niagara Parks.

Currents will be presented each night at the Niagara Parks Power Station. Shows will run hourly on the half-hour, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests can purchase tickets online or in-person for Currents individually or packaged with daytime admission. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit niagaraparks.com/power. 

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