Fairy Ball frolics in the Paseo for the 17th year
From the succulent delight of fashioning and wearing a wreath of real, fresh flowers to the heady thrill of dancing at twilight under the trees and stars, Lorrie Keller is issuing an invitation to sprites, elves, imps and all sorts of magical creatures to enjoy an enchanted evening of make-believe.
“To be involved in something like a fairy tale is still important today. It’s still relevant and longed for, because it activates and energize and enlivens our children in positive and loving ways,” said Keller, founder and creative director of Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan.
The nonprofit dance company is offering children and families the opportunity to awaken their imaginations at the 17th annual Fairy Ball, a venerable Paseo Arts District tradition that yearly draws hundreds of youngsters. The event is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the historic Crown Jewel Amphitheater, tucked among the towering trees on the grounds of the nearby First Christian Church, 3700 N Walker Ave.
“I think it lends itself to the feeling of an old, enchanted place where magical creatures would hang out … especially in the middle of the city,” Keller said. “It is well-titled the Crown Jewel Amphitheater.”
Surrounded by the essence of nature, the amphitheater is a great location for a beguiling evening of flower crowns and parading fairies, said Amanda Bleakley, executive director of the Paseo Arts Association.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with StarDanceSwan and the Oklahoma Arts Council again this year to help bring Fairy Ball to life,” Bleakley said in an email. “This event is unlike any other in not only Oklahoma, but the country. It’s a combination of creative imagery, theater, dance and whimsy!”
Playing pretend
As with any ball, the fun of the Fairy Ball begins at home with the dressing for the event. Fairy Ball attendees are invited, but not required, to dress as fanciful creatures, from pixies and bugs to dragons and leprechauns.
Instead of buying expensive commercial costumes, Keller said parents and children are encouraged to make their festive finery by mixing and matching thrift store finds or items tucked into the back of closets with plenty of imagination.
The Fairy Ball festivities begin from 7 to 7:50 p.m. with Flower Magic, when youngsters will have the chance to embellish their costumes. Real flowers, palm fronds and colorful ribbons will be offered, and artists will show children how to fashion wings, crowns, wands and other adornments.
“It brings in the aspect of the visual art experience,” Keller said. “It also gives a touch experience and smell. How many of us in our days have been able to be offered those real flowers to deck ourselves out with? … The sparkle in their eyes when they see those flowers is beyond words.”
Making the music
Her StarDanceSwan dancers have been working on an invitational piece to entice children to dance. Her company members will lead the attendees in a fairy parade into the dance spaces.
Oklahoma City’s Steve McLinn, of Ojas Music, who has been working with StarDanceSwan since 1982, annually makes music at the ball, creating an electronic-acoustic fusion sound that is both earthy and otherworldly. “It’s part of the reason the ball is so moving and beautiful, because he’s a dancer’s joy to work with. He understands dance, and he puts that movement into his music,” Keller said. “Steve has the ability to capture the range of human emotions and beauty in his music.”
Admission to the Fairy Ball is free, but donations are accepted to help offset costs. Bleakley said it is one of several
community events the Paseo Arts Association supports through its fundraising activities, including the recent Paseo Arts Festival.
The opportunity for youngsters to put away their phones and tablets and freely create, dance and play outside under the trees and stars is the purpose of the Fairy Ball, Keller said. From Disney Princesses to “Star Wars” sequels, she pointed out that fairy tales and make-believe never go out of style, even in our high-tech modern times. “It lends itself to creative play, since children seem to fall into creating their own stories. They are able to sense the warmth of the evening under the stars, hopefully the cool breeze of summer, the feel of grass under their feet, which is important to their physical natures,” she said.
“Watching it on TV and going to the movies, yes, that’s all fun. But what do children do? … They step inside the characters and become those characters and play and pretend and develop the themes — and that also develops who they are and who they can become.”