For many New York City residents, the city has lost its brightness and vibrancy as New York has gone into lockdown. Yet, while many of us stay sheltered in our homes, the Empire State Building, known for its colorful light displays since 1976, is lighting up the city with a new light and sound show. A collaboration with iHeartMedia’s Z100 and Empire State Reality Trust, Inc., the Empire State Building will be lit up in sync to the Alicia Keys and Jay-Z song “Empire State of Mind.”
With its computer-driven LED system, the Empire State building can display 16 million colors, which makes for a spectacular array of lights to brighten New Yorkers’ lives. Designed by lighting artist Marc Brickman, the new light show, which began on Friday, will replay on Monday, March 30, through Thursday, April 2. Last night, the Empire State Building also displayed a heartbeat-like pulse in support of the “IHEART LIVING ROOM CONCERT FOR AMERICA.”
Photo courtesy Empire State Realty
According to the press release, Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia, said, “New Yorkers always find a way to unite and encourage one another during challenging times. Our hope is to continue to provide some comfort to our listeners through the healing powers of music, as we show our country’s resilience and strength with a music-to-light show through New York icons Z100 and the Empire State Building.”
Z100’s host Elvis Duran will open each light show at 8:55 p.m. to highlight the efforts of first responders who risk their lives to fight COVID-19. Z100 hosts Danielle Monaro, Medha Gandhi, Froggy, and Skeery Jones have also participated in the radio show. On Friday, Duran interviewed Nicole, a paramedic with the FDNY for eight years, who notes that she never saw anything to this extent. “Only call 911 if it is extreme, the call volume was at 7,000 yesterday. That’s the highest number we’ve ever seen, and if we can self-diagnose like the radio keeps telling you, self-diagnose, stay home, it would help us greatly,” she advised. Additionally, following this week’s light shows, the Empire State Building and iHeartMedia’s Z100 will premiere new shows every Friday night to help people through this crisis. “Remember to comply with the directions of authorities and maintain social distance while you watch from your window, rooftop, or sidewalk,” the press release said. “The power of iHeartMedia’s Z100 and the icon of New York City, the Empire State Building, join to help our city, our country, and our world heal and maintain perspective.
