he Gertrude Street Projection Festival is back to light up some of our favourite Fitzroy landmarks for the fifth year running.

With the aim of supporting the culture and community services of Gertrude Street, the Projection Festival creates a free, annual outdoor art exhibition. Spanning across 30 locations, the event presents, develops and mentors local artists and media art projects.

The event represents a voluntary coming together of passionate artists, including installation artist Yandell Walton and experienced animators Olaf Meyer and Richard de Souza, along with traders and the local community, who have come together to create a rare opportunity for us to view prominent buildings and landmarks in a fresh and unique light.

Working around the theme of Elements, the festival promises to be brighter than ever before, with buildings, shopfronts, laneways and tree-trunks set to be illuminated with site-specific projections. Special music events and art tours will also be in full swing to add to the experience.

The event kicks off tonight at The Workers Club, with Vento, Agua, Fogo e Terra ‘Abada Capoeira in collaboration with Womboyn Spirit to present a multimedia Brazilian/Australian fusion of rhythm, movement and life.

Other highlights include In De Loop, on Thursday July 26 at The Wilde (153 Gertrude Street), where creatives of all disciplines can partake in Loop de loop’s monthly animation challenge. Themed Elements, it features drink specials and prizes in honour of the festival.

So take a walk down Gertrude Street to see a favourite Fitzroy strip light up in more ways than one.

The Gertrude Street Projection Festival runs July 20 to 29, 6pm to midnight on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. For more information on artists and events, visit The Gertrude Association.