Magic Lantern Celebration on Paseo
by Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan
The
Paseo Arts District is inviting children and their parents to the Magic
Lantern Celebration held on Sunday, October 30 from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m.
Children and their creativity make an enchanting
combination for this event. Artists on Paseo ask all ages to twist
paper, paste, parade, and have fun doing it. The Magic Lantern
Celebration has been a part of the community for 16 years and is now a
seasonal tradition offering children a hands-on multi-layered
afternoon of making art. Building paper costumes and parading in a
painted Jack ‘o Lantern on the street brings the celebration to life.
Inspired by the verse, ‘We are all Magic Lanterns lit by the Light of Imagination’,
children themselves are the Magic Lanterns. Their own creative sparks light up so that their minds,
fingers and feet construct this event.
Children
of all ages can wear their everyday clothing to Paseo. On Paseo, they
must be ready to surprise themselves. Waiting are all kinds of paper to
be folded, crumpled, ruffled, stapled,
glued and embellished into wearable art. Children can construct paper
pieces intended to be worn over their clothing. Costumes are made using
simple techniques that provide a spontaneous variety of possibilities.
Discovering
and doing are the ingredients needed to become fascinated, delighted
and charmed by this event. Children and their parents can walk from
studio to studio where unusual possibilities
are found to make costumes. Hats can be designed from collage materials
and recycled bits of fancy. Faces can be made to sparkle from behind
transparent masks and Pumpkin Portraits can be evolved from real natural
materials. This is an opportunity for parents
to share in the problem solving of their children’s constructions.
Helping hands and brainstorming are an important part of this creative
process. Parental assistance is welcomed and necessary depending on the
age and needs of each participating child.
Children
are asked to share a wish at the Grand Finale of the Magic Lantern
Celebration. Throughout the afternoon Wish Finders beckon children to
make a wish about ‘A Time of Light Instead
of Fright.’ These wishes are shared during the Pumpkin Parade, the
final gathering at the end of the afternoon. Everyone comes into the
street where they are invited to parade on a painted path in the shape
of a Jack ’O Lantern Pumpkin. Steve McLinn, Ojas
Music, offers his original live music as the dancers of Theatre Upon a
StarDanceSwan inspire all children to spin, sparkle and follow the
spiral path.
All
costume making activities start at 3:00 and end at 5:45 p.m. The
Pumpkin Parade is from 5:45 to 6:15 pm. Lorrie Keller, director of
Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan and founder of this event
says, “There is not a right or wrong way to participate in this event,
we are in the flow of creative time. Children and parents can make
pieces for their costume in all activities, or stay in one place and
make one piece if they wish. I want, however, to
encourage parents to plan the afternoon, so that they take part in the
Costume Pumpkin Parade at the end. Music and dance enchant the whole
experience.”
Rain
or shine, the costume making activities are from 3 to 5:45 p.m. The
Pumpkin Parade is at 5:45 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an
adult. Activities are held on the north end of Paseo
at 30th and Dewey. This part of the street will be closed
for safe walking from studio to studio and the Parade at the end of the
event. Participating studios are Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan, Paseo Art
Space, Rainbow Fleet, and Paseo Pottery. All
activities are free to the public. Donations are accepted to help cover
the costs of the event. The Magic Lantern is made possible through
support of the State Arts Council of Oklahoma, the Paseo Arts
Association and Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan. For information
call the Paseo Arts Association at 525-2688, or go to thepaseo.org.
