A vertical dance on the sides of the iconic Ann and Robert H. Lurie Tower. A carillon concert that includes the world premiere of a song based on sonified data from the sun. Crowdsourced smartphone harmonies. These and other elements will help mark the celebration of the University of Michigan North Campus bell tower’s 20th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6-7 p.m.

A gift of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Family Foundation, the tower was completed and dedicated in 1996. Today, the carillon and its 60 cast bronze bells are a centerpiece of the newly renovated Eda U. Gerstacker Grove. The tower will be specially lit for the anniversary celebration. Highlights include:

BANDALOOP, an internationally recognized vertical dance company, will perform on the sides of the Lurie Tower, to live music by the Michigan Pops Orchestra.
University carillonist Tiffany Ng, assistant professor in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, will play a set that includes the world premiere of “A Day in the Sun,” an interactive piece based on sonified data from the sun as it completed a full rotation around its axis in July 2016.
“‘A Day in the Sun'” was written specifically for the 60-bell Lurie Carillon and participants with mobile devices,” Ng said. “The piece isn’t complete with carillon alone.”
To craft the piece, Ng worked with Greg Niemeyer, associate professor of art at the University of California, Berkeley; Chris Chafe, director of the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics at Stanford University; and Sue Lepri, U-M associate professor of climate and space sciences and engineering.
The audience can participate in the carillon performance of “A Day in the Sun” by bringing their mobile devices and visiting http://radioflux.org in a manner that will be described at the concert.
Donuts and cider will be served at the celebration, which takes place on the Grove. The event is sponsored by Michigan Engineering. The event is open to the public, but RSVPs are appreciated.
