FAIRY BALL ON THE
PASEO THIS SATURDAY.
CHANGE OF VENUE:
1st CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Photo by Skip Largent
The annual TheatreUpon a StarDanceSwan Fairy Ball On The Paseo has been moved to the First Christian Church at N. W. 36th and Walker because of predicted weather. Enter through the north door of the sanctuary.
“How shall we beguile the lazy
evening, if not with some delight?”
This question inspired by Shakespeare is the theme of the 14th
annual Fairy Ball on Paseo to be held on Saturday, September 20, from 7:00 to
9:00 p.m. Paseo artists invite children to dress up for a Fairy Ball and come to the
historic arts district to create an eveningmade of visual delights, music and dance.
The Fairy Ball is a time for
make-believe when children of all ages are encouraged to create a costume at
home to wear to the ball. Many kinds of whimsical
characters are expected to appear at this year’s gathering. Bugs, blossoms, elves, muddy trolls, an array
of fairies, autumn leaves, vegetable imps, sky creatures, comets, moon men and dragons, little
mice and furry kittens, any fanciful being that can be imagined is welcome.
The Fairy Ball begins at 7:00 PM with ‘Flower Magic’ when
artists show children how to finish their costumes by weaving flowers into
crowns, wings and ‘flowerfulls’. Mysterious
music fills the air at 7:45 as twilight gathers children to the sound of a
whisper. Rainbow lights inspire the
StarDanceSwan Fairies to spin color into motion and invite all children to
follow them in rounds of dance. Children
are encouraged to move in their own naturally expressive ways to music made
just for the ball. Steve McLinn’s Ojas Music bedazzles the ears, makes little
feet spin and fills the evening with his electrical acoustical fusion songs of
the imaginary world. Parents can watch their
children dance and there will also bean area where families can dance together.
“The Paseo Artists and StarDanceSwan dancers wish to evoke a
sense of wonder in each child as this yawning eve of summer welcomes the awakening
of fall, “ says Lorrie Keller, designer of the event. “The Fairy Ball is a playful time, while
offering an authentic learning experience that provides the ideal stimulation
and engagement to expand imaginations.”
The fun begins at home before the ball starts when children
and their parents explore the endless possibilities for a costume. Parents are encouraged to let their children
be the guide.When beginning to make a costume, parents can enrich the creative process
by engaging their children in imaginative thinking. Parents can even step into
the creative realm with their children to make a story and a dance.This event
offers infinite ways for parents and children to explore the arts at home together.
“Where can one find the materials to make a Fairy Frock? You can rummage through vintage clothing
stores and thrift shops. What goodies lie in your grandparent’s trunks? Find forgotten treasures in the back of your
closets. Repurpose what you find and go
for originality,” suggests Lorrie Keller, who has been building costumes for
StarDanceSwan with these ideas in mind for years. “You will be surprised by
what you can create. The characters who
come to the Fairy Ball are always enchanting and bring the Ball to life.”
On the eve of the Fairy Ball, everyone gathers in the sanctuary of the First Christian Church. ‘Flower
Magic’ is from 7:00 to 7:45 PM. The
dance is from7:45 to 9:00 PM. The Fairy
Ball is free to the public; donations are accepted to help offset the costs of
the event. Children must be accompanied
by an adult. The Fairy Ball is made
possible through the support of the State Arts Council of Oklahoma, the Paseo
Arts Association and Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan. For more information call the Paseo Arts
Association, 525-2688, or go to www.thepaseo.com
