Hidden in the center of Fort Lauderdale, Lumonics Light & Sound Theatre has created a nontraditional performance in its nightclub that remains unmatched anywhere in the world. The hour-long laser light show, surrounded by a variety of freestanding sculptures, is said to relieve stress due to its healing effects.
“It’s the idea of a creating a PLURR community; Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, Responsibility,” explained Dorothy Tanner, creator, owner and manager of Lumonics. Fort Lauderdale’s Lumonics is a specialized environment for the senses in the most comfortable surroundings imaginable.
Just north of Fort Lauderdale Airport on N.W. 60th St., Lumonics opens its door Saturdays at 10 p.m. for $20 and $15 after midnight, fairly inexpensive for a college student’s night out. The Tanners conceived and constructed everything as pieces of art from the crystal chandelier to the plush sofa I was sitting on.
The Lumonics laser show appealed to all five senses. The impressive art served as eye candy. Dim lights strobe over acrylic dotted sculptures on all sides. Neon illuminations inside fountains and pictures danced with the music. Freestanding pieces of art were found in a variation of colors and little garbage cans with plastic bags were placed neatly in a corner of each room. The sound of trickling water falling is topped with “ambient electronica,” music designed to relax, perfect for exam time. The effects, all coordinated by an upstairs control room, change each Saturday night with speed and style depending on the audience’s glow from inside the room. It’s reminiscent of Epcot, only no two shows are ever the same. Spectators taste energy bars that are for sale and drink down herbal tea, bottled water and anything but liquor inside Lumonics.
Even though none of the crew considers themselves “party people”, ultimately Lumonics becomes a college students’ rave. The atmosphere had completely changed by 1:00 a.m. and the professional, Dorothy, was asking me to dance later in the night. Everyone on and around the dance floor was chill, presenting zero tension, with no worries of either gangsters or pushy security guards. Lumonics has been almost incident-free and the few staff members were soft spoken, as opposed to South Florida’s infamous roid-raging bouncers.
Occasionally, there are couples in their 30s hanging out, but over 200 kids, many from FAU, pack the dance floor at Lumonics. Local talent, including Ed Cocaine, spin into the morning with a second Lumonics show at 3 a.m.
“The atmosphere is perfect for dancing or just hanging with friends, there is nothing but positive energy in this place,” explained Melly Murphy, a 23-year-old psychology major.
True, the show is not meant for everyone. While some may find the art show slow and unmoving, others do appreciate an outer-body experience from Lumonics, whether it’s under a natural or an altered influence. Lumonics has the potential of being a beautiful encounter, opening peoples’ minds up to foreign ideas in South Florida.
