Little Amal, A 12-Foot-Tall International Traveling Puppet, Visits Chattanooga

  • Thursday, September 21, 2023

Chattanooga will soon welcome internationally celebrated performance art project “Little Amal” as part of the “Amal Walks Across America” tour. Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee girl who has traveled across 13 countries meeting more than a million people.

Chattanooga was chosen as one of the 37 towns and cities participating in Amal’s 6,000 mile journey across the United States this fall. Local arts and culture organizations have partnered to host two “events of welcome” featuring the larger-than-life puppet, as well as three lantern workshops to prepare for the lantern parade that will bring the Chattanooga community together and serve as Amal’s send-off to her next destination. Chattanooga is invited to attend and participate in these events.

Hummingbird Lantern Workshop
Sept. 28, 5:30 p.m.
Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave.
Make your own hummingbird lantern with Playful Evolving Monsters and join Amal on her lantern walk on Oct. 7. Materials and instruction are provided for free.
https://www.facebook.com/events/663835579052294/

Playful Evolving Monsters at Creative Discovery Museum with Hummingbird Lantern Workshop
Sept. 29, 6 p.m.
Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St.
Join Playful Evolving Monsters at the Creative Discovery Museum for an evening of play. Enjoy a special lantern workshop in the Art Studio at 6 p.m., and a performance with Luminooga, a larger-than-life puppet, at 7 p.m. Join Amal’s walk with your lantern on Oct. 7. Cost of museum admission applies.
https://www.cdmfun.org/event/playful-evolving-monsters-at-cdm

Hummingbird Lantern Workshop & Puppet Glow
Sept. 30, 4 p.m. workshop, 7:30 p.m. Puppet Glow
Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St.
Make your own hummingbird lantern with Playful Evolving Monsters, Art 120, and others at 4 p.m. Venture outside at 7:30 p.m. for a special Puppet Glow featuring Luminooga, a larger-than-life puppet brought to life by Playful Evolving Monsters. Join Amal’s walk with your lantern on Oct. 7. Materials and instruction are provided for free.
https://www.facebook.com/events/686469812985421/

Meet & Greet with Little Amal
Oct. 7, 3 p.m.
Location: 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival, Ross’ Landing, 101 Riverfront Pkwy.
Meet Little Amal at the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival for her first appearance in Chattanooga. Welcome her and learn more about her message of hope. The festival is free for all to attend.
https://www.facebook.com/events/3651712908433589

Lantern Walk with Little Amal
Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St.
Chattanooga will welcome Amal with a Lantern Walk across Walnut Street Bridge. Join Amal and local arts and culture organizations with your own hummingbird lantern for this colorful event. Parade participants will meet on the North side of Walnut Street Bridge at 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at 7 p.m. and proceed across Walnut Street Bridge into Walnut Plaza. Registration is required.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3HhElcUb-HoYGM3L_MPbdcEUh0bJRlZfDxIjpzPsg5hTi1w/viewform

These events are made possible thanks to Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, Playful Evolving Monsters, Art 120, Bridge Refugee Services, Ella Library, ArtsBuild, River City Company, Hunter Museum of American Art, and the Creative Discovery Museum.

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