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Lantern Parade

Carols on Norton features an evocative Lantern Parade at dusk. All members of the public are invited to join the lantern parade which is free to all participants due to the generous sponsorship of Leichhardt Council, the Forum and Five Dock Medical Imaging.

If singing is not your forte, why not join in the lantern parade?  Join the workshops and make your own lantern to carry in the parade.  All you need to do is attend one of our free lantern-making workshops. You can attend one of the workshops that we run through your Community Organisation; or you can attend one of the open lantern-making workshops that we run at The Forum. Details about the workshops are set out below.

Places in the open workshops at the Forum are strictly limited to ten per workshop. We provide a booking system to book your free place. Click the button to book now!

Community Organisation Workshops

We can bring our free lantern-making workshops to your local community organisation! Want to know more? Read the invitation letter from our Artistic Director, Michelle Leonard. Then, to register your organisation, click the button below.

Who can join the workshops ?

No one is too old! Lantern making at this level is suitable for all ages. All you need is upper body mobility, and a sense of humour! Everybody can join in.

What does it cost?

It’s free! All primary school-age children must have an adult accompanying them.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes, but please make sure that they register to participate so they are not disappointed if they turn up on the day and the places are booked out.

Who is running the workshops?

Each workshop is run by Phillip Relf, Artistic Director of Ikara Celebratory Events, and Felicity Yorston (Associate Artist).

Phillip studied community celebration at Charles Sturt University (Theatre/Media) specialising in site specific theatre, large scale street puppetry and lantern construction. He has worked both here and overseas on major festivals and with theatre companies such as Welfare State International (UK) and Bread & Puppet (USA). In 2007 he formed IKARA Celebratory Events, a site specific theatre company specialising in lantern parades and fire events. www.ikara.com.au

Felicity is a Sydney artist living in the inner west who has been working in community cultural development for 10 years and as a practicing artist for over 15 years. Felicity’s sculpture is in private and corporate collections both here and overseas. She also has extensive experience in teaching art and cultural programs as well as facilitating large scale lantern constructions and performances at community festivals and events. 

What do I need to bring?

You need to wear fully-enclosed shoes, not open-toed footwear. Also, bring an old shirt to wear over the top while working with glue and paper; and some snacks or money to get a gelato in the Forum! Or bring a cake, some slice and a cuppa to share!

What happens at the workshops?

Phillip and Felicity will run through step by step the process of making a basic pyramid lantern which you will then decorate and prepare for the lantern parade at Carols on Norton. We are only allowing ONE lantern per workshop per participant.

Can I carry my lantern in the parade?

Yes! You can carry your own lantern in the parade. If you feel you will be unable to carry it yourself in the parade (which is the aim of the workshops) then you can nominate someone to carry it for you - or give it to a community member to do so on your behalf.

Can I keep my lantern?

Yes, all lanterns are  free to go home with you after the parade, and can be reused next year as well!!

Can I carry last year's lantern

Yes, the more the merrier!

Where are the workshops?

The open workshops are held at the Forum, Norton Street, Leichhardt, - see Google Map below. The Community Organisation workshops are run at the premises of local community organisation. Register your organisation here.)

View Larger Map
The following diagram will help you locate the open workshop room within the Forum complex. Click the diagram to open up a larger PDF version that you can print.

Diagram: Lantern workshops access - click the diagram for a larger, printable version

When are the workshops?

The workshops will run in November and December. Contact your organisation for details on Community Organisation workshops. The open workshops at the Forum are scheduled as follows:

   Sunday 27 November - 4 workshops

   Saturday 3 November - 4 workshops

   Sunday 4 December - 4 workshops

It normally takes about 90 minutes to make a simple lantern. Choose from the following starting times on each of the three days:

   10:00 am

   11:30 am

     1:00 pm

     2:30 pm

How do I register?

Places in the open workshops at the Forum are strictly limited to ten per workshop. We provide a booking system to book your free place. Click the button to book now!

Sponsors

This community event is proudly initiated by the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus. It is financially supported by Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, Leichhardt Council and Five Dock Medical Imaging.  The Forum donated the use of the workshop venue to the community.