By Brian McLachlan

Like the rest of us, Torontoist illustration Brian McLachlan spent Saturday night at Nuit Blanche. His cartoons—scenes from a Nuit Blanche that still has quite a bit to improve on—are above.

It feels bad to be negative about Nuit Blanche. Not only does the all-night art thing let people experience Toronto in new and exciting ways, it also inspires them to look for the beauty that they might otherwise ignore in their city. But for those people who’re always looking out for gargoyles, funny shop names, and other whimsy, criticism comes more naturally. Do the installations really add a unique and meaningful experience to our already amazing and surprising city? It’s not helped by the format: the spread-out exhibits, only some of which you’ll experience—and those, perhaps, not at their best moments—invite haggard walkers to judge each piece not just as art but also destination. With all that in mind, here are a few observations about what was great and not-so great about Saturday night’s art in the dark.