Bexleyheath town centre will host an illuminated parade inspired by prehistoric marine life on Saturday 31 January, bringing large scale lantern artworks and live music to the Broadway.
The centrepiece of the event will be a towering Basilosaurus lantern puppet. The illuminated sculpture is modelled on the extinct prehistoric whale and has been created as a large scale artwork designed to lead the procession through the town.
The Bexleyheath prehistoric sea creatures parade will begin at 5.15pm beneath the canopy near H&M at the Broadway Shopping Centre. From there, the parade will travel along the pedestrianised section of the Broadway.
The procession will be accompanied by drummers from TARU Arts, whose live performance will provide a rhythmic soundtrack as the illuminated sea creatures move through the town centre.
Residents have been invited to contribute to the display by creating their own lanterns at free prehistoric themed craft workshops. Final drop in sessions are taking place at Central Library in Bexleyheath from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Saturday 24 January and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 25 January.
The workshops have been led throughout January by artist Miyuki Kasahara, who has been working with children and families to produce lanterns inspired by ancient sea creatures.
Councillor Cafer Munur, Cabinet for Place Shaping, said:
“Dozens of local families have been busy making lanterns in preparation for this special event that is sure to light up Bexleyheath with sound and colour. I would encourage everyone to come out and see the Basilosaurus come to life and to experience a truly unique new artwork, commissioned specially for Bexley as part of its groundbreaking Night Visions programme, as it’s debuted in the town centre.”
Participants who have created lanterns are asked to arrive at Central Library Bexleyheath at 4.30pm on the day of the event to collect their lanterns ahead of the parade. All handmade lanterns will then be brought together as part of the Bexleyheath prehistoric sea creatures parade.
The event is being delivered through a partnership between Bow Arts and Bexleyheath Business Improvement District as part of Night Visions. Night Visions is a programme of light art themed events supported by £100,000 of investment from Arts Council England in the London Borough of Bexley and its partners within the Bexley Culture Network.
The parade also forms part of #CelebratingBexley, a year long programme of arts, culture and entertainment marking significant local anniversaries. These include 60 years of the London Borough of Bexley, 500 years since the closure of Lesnes Abbey and 160 years of Crossness Engines.Bexleyheath prehistoric sea creatures parade brings illuminated lanterns, music and a Basilosaurus to the Broadway.
