Magic Lantern celebration on OKC's Paseo
Oklahoma City – Creative sparks ignite young imaginations at the annual Magic Lantern Celebration on Paseo on Sunday, October 25 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Paseo Artists open their doors and invite children to jump into their own creativity as they make paper costumes and dance in a twilight parade on a pumpkin painted on the street.
A time of light instead of fright, the Magic Lantern Celebration offers a new unique twist to an old Halloween tradition. All that children need to do to prepare for this event is to be ready to be surprised by what they create. Children of all ages can wear their everyday clothing to Paseo and then, their spontaneous costume transformations begin. Awaiting them are all kinds of paper that can be twisted, folded, crumpled, ruffled, and embellished into fantastic wearable art.
Children and their parents can walk from studio to studio to build their costumes. Unusual and authentic possibilities are to be found as children construct hats from collage materials and bits of fancy. Faces are made to sparkle from behind lantern masks. A pumpkin face evolves from real natural materials. This is an opportunity for parents to share in the problem solving of their child’s constructions.
Wish Finders will be present to help children make a wish and keep it in mind throughout the experience. Magic Lantern finishes with a Celebration at twilight when all costumed characters, their friends and families are invited to dance on a winding path painted in the shape of a Jack ’o Lantern labyrinth on the street. Steve McLinn, Ojas Music, offers his original music as the dancers of Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan inspire all children to spin and sparkle as they follow the pumpkin path.
Lorrie Keller, director of Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan and founder of this event says, “The Celebration is inspired by the verse, ‘We are all Magic Lanterns, lit by the light of imagination’. All of the artists who make this day of visual art, theater, music and dance possible wish to ignite the creative spark every child possesses; the children are the true creators of Magic Lantern”.
Paseo, Oklahoma City’s historic arts district is OKC’s unique arts destination! Rain or shine, the costume making activities are held inside from 3 to 6:15 p.m. The Pumpkin Parade is outside at 6:15 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Activities are held at the north end of Paseo at 30th.
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 email at amanda@thepaseo.org or visit the website at www.thepaseo.org.
The Gayly – October 22, 2015 @ 12:20 p.m.