Rising Stars: Meet Marcus Gladney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Gladney.

Marcus, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I arrived in Los Angeles Feb 2014 with a then-girlfriend from Kansas city who wanted to do special effects makeup in the movie industry six months of being here she wanted to go back and I didn’t. Needless to say, we went our separate ways. I bounced around LA looking for my niche or like-minded people and essentially landed in Venice.

When literally hanging out in Venice daily I was constantly reminded how the beach is dangerous after sunset, so I would always leave before. After a few weeks of coming home and being bored out of my mind, I decided to see what ACTUALLY happens after the Sun sets in Venice. To my amazement, the scenery becomes equally alive in its own special way, and what I mean by that is Most everyone “Locals” have wheel bicycle lights. Upon seeing this for the Very first time, I stopped a guy and inquired about such spectacle. The guy told me the lights are sold on the boardwalk by a guy named “Sebastian the Lightman”. The very next day I went and bought a bike and search for about two weeks nightly looking for Sebastian, I eventually ran into him and purchased my first set. I would go on to befriend Sebastian and he took me under his wing and taught me wheel light installation and from hanging with him, I was introduced to tons of Celebs who ride bikes under the Cover of darkness WITH their wheel lights. One famous couple who purchased Lights was “Pink” and her husband Cary. One evening we also where approached by The Late Late Show before the first episode with James Corden aired he and his cohost are riding our bikes with LED wheels in the Opening Credits.

At that point, I knew this was something cool and I wanted my bicycle to be the biggest and Brightest, this was in 2015 when LED lights came out con a consumer level. I literally wrapped my entire bike in LEDs and would ride around Venice playing music and people would follow me back to Sebastian and some would purchase lights and I would do this every day. I was coined the Pied Piper of Venice. It was at that point I knew I was on top of something. I asked Sebastian ever since 2008 he had been on the boardwalk selling lights and I arrived 2014 and prior to my arrival had ANYONE ever tried to start a bike parade of lights, with a seven years head start? He told me no, I then told him I would and if you build it, THEY WILL COME!!! Hence the start of the World Famous Venice Electric Light Parade I host and lead this Weekly Family-friendly bike parade EVERY Sunday@Sunset. We just recently received our Non Profit 501(c)(3) approval and any contributions of support help us a great deal.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Early on the Bike Parade was a learning experience that we are still currently learning from because the dynamics could and do change weekly. We have been Parading so long local law enforcement are used to us, but in the beginning, it took them a little getting used to. But now the Venice Electric Light Parade is a Venice Institution. And other chapters have formed from our inspiration that I graciously have shared my blueprint with on how to form and host a safe, fun successful Evening bike event. The first rule of success is No Drinking or Smoking..this alone has led to our years of positive, family-friendly events.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The World Famous Venice Electric Light Parade…the Official LED Bike Parade of Venice Beach

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you are just starting your LED Group ride always remember keep it a Positive, Kid and family-friendly event which Inspires and promotes fun, happiness and love in a Safe environment.

Pricing:

• Donations/501 (c)(3)
• Hoodies $50+
• Tshirts $40+
• Hats $25
• Wheel Lights $40

Contact Info:

• Website: www.VeniceElectricLightParade.com
• Instagram: @VeniceElectricLightParade
• Facebook: @VeniceEletricLight Parade
• Twitter: @VeniceLights
• Youtube: @VeniceElectricLightParade
• Other: TikTok@VeniceElectricLightParade

Image Credits
GT Singletary