Aura is a 5 metre high puppet who is visiting Crawley in August as part of her odyssey in the UK. Crawley will welcome her with open arms, sharing stories, music, dance and art with her as she travels around Crawley from 11 – 14 August 2022 as part of the Enliven: You’re Welcome season funded by Crawley Town Centre BID, Arts Council England and Crawley Borough Council.
We are celebrating the welcoming and diverse nature of Crawley and it’s residents and the 75th anniversary of the new town with this new art project.
Aura arrives at Gatwick Airport on Thurs 11th August. On Friday 12th she travels to neighbourhoods in Crawley on an open top bus. On Sat 13th August she’ll explore the town centre and on Sun 14th we’ll say goodbye to her at Tilgate Park.
Aura’s Odyssey is an epic reinvention of the story of the Trojan Wars made by Yorkshire based Animated Objects Theatre Company. It was originally commissioned by The Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District and Aura first arrived as a survivor of the Trojan Wars on the Yorkshire Coast in April and May this year. The next chapter in her odyssey sees her visit Crawley, the only other place outside Yorkshire that she is visiting this year.
Thurs 11th August: Aura arrives at Gatwick Airport
Fri 12th August 11am – 3pm: She tours Crawley on an open top bus taking in Maidenbower Park, Bewbush West Playing Field and Manor Royal Business District on her route.
Sat 13th August 11am – 4pm:
Aura walks about the town centre visiting the High Street where local bands and dancers will greet her and she’ll be presented with a giant comic book made by local residents and The Comic Book staff.
She’ll walk down The Broadway, accompanies by Bloc Do Sol Samba Band and move into Queens Square where she’ll be greeted by local dance schools curated by Dance Hub UK.
She’ll have her lunch in Memorial Gardens where she’ll be greeted by local bands, stories from Crawley Library and workshops from Crawley Museum. People are invited to bring a picnic of international food to celebrate the diversity of Crawley.
She’ll then walk to County Mall up the Martlets where she will be presented with a giant blanket made by local people and sung a lullaby written by local mothers and Murmuration Arts theatre company.
Sun 14th August 11am – 3pm:
We’ll wave goodbye to Aura at Tilgate Park where she will be joined by Audio Active & Crawley Community Youth Service’s Kustom Vibes live music stage with acts from emerging local artists.
We welcome Crawley residents to greet her on her journey around Crawley
In July there will be a workshop programme you can get involved in to create welcome artworks for Aura.
You can make a flag or banner and/or wave at Aura on her route. Find out more here: HELP US WELCOME AURA TO CRAWLEY
You can create an artwork to welcome her. More info here.
You can contribute to a giant blanket we are making to give to Aura. More info here.
You can become a Guardian of Aura. More information on volunteering here.
Find out more about how you can get involved by watching a film here.
Watch the Teaser Trailer here
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