THEATRE UPON A
STARDANCESWAN
PRESENTS THE
MAGIC LANTERN
SUNDAY, OCT. 27
The
Paseo Arts District is inviting children and their parents to the Magic
Lantern Celebration held on Sunday, October 29 from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m.
Artists ask children of all ages to find their
creative sparks on Paseo and have fun doing it. Magic Lantern, created by Theatre Upon a StarDance Swan, has been
a part of the community for 17 years, bringing children, parents,
artists and performers together on Paseo’s colorful streets for a
celebration of the fall season.
This
event is inspired by the verse, ‘We are all Magic Lanterns, lit by the
light of imagination’. It is designed to bring children into the wonder
of their imagination, to set aflame their
creative minds. In this unique setting, children are welcome to
participate in hands-on multi-layered arts activities where they can
build paper costumes from head to foot, make lanterns and parade in a
Jack O’ Lantern painted on the street.
Children
of all ages should wear their everyday clothing to Paseo and be ready
for surprises. Discovering and doing are the delightfully magical
ingredients of this event. Children and their
parents can walk from studio to studio where unusual possibilities
await them. They will find all kinds of paper to be folded, crumpled,
ruffled and embellished into wearable art. Costumes are made using
simple construction techniques. The paper pieces can
be worn over clothing.
Each
studio provides children opportunities for exploration. Hats desire to
be designed from collage materials and recycled bits of fancy.
Lanterns will dance in light. Pumpkin Portraits appear
out of 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 welcome and necessary
depending on the age and needs of each participating child.
Children
must also visit a Wish Finder; here each makes a wish to be shared in
the Pumpkin Costume Parade during the final celebration of Magic
Lantern. After costumes have been made, all characters
and their parents are asked to gather for the parade in a Jack ’O
Lantern Labyrinth painted on the street. The spectacle begins as Steve
McLinn, Ojas Music, plays his original music. Following the dancers of
StarDanceSwan, children spin upon a spiraling path
where wishes float like bubbles.
All
costume making activities start at 3:00 and end at 5:45 p.m. The
Pumpkin Costume Parade is from 5:45 to 6:15 pm. Lorrie Keller, director
of StarDanceSwan and
founder of this event says, “I encourage parents to plan the afternoon
so their children can take part in the Pumpkin Costume Parade. Our
finale captures the spirit of Magic Lantern Celebration. It is as if
children have stepped into a storybook. When all
the elements of Magic Lantern come together, timeless and fascinating
moments arise through the whimsy and beauty of art, music and dance.”
Rain
or shine, the costume making activities are from 3:00 to 5:45 p.m. in
the Paseo studios. The Pumpkin Parade is outside at 5:45 p.m. Children
must be accompanied by adults. 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,
playing on the pumpkin labyrinth, and the Costume Parade. 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 www.thepaseo.org.
