Genevieve Christie CEO of First Light Festival
We’re just over two months away from First Light Festival and it feels as if things are gathering pace, not least for all the community work that goes on in the lead up to the festival!
Last week I went to see the work of two talented artists who are making costumes for our Opening Parade, which we’ve given the title of 13 Moons – inspired by 2026’s 13 Moons including a Blue Moon and of course Artemis 11 journey around the moon. Annie Gough and Sarah Birch have been meeting every Wednesday at The Unit, Annie’s studio in Lowestoft – developing a stylish, couture take on the traditional parade/carnival style costumes. Worm Moon’s costume has of course a fantastic knitted worm, but the dress and headdress are a mass of leaf habitat – with each fabric leaf being crinkled over a candle flame. The Beaver Moon headdress has a pair of bright orange ceramic teeth and the Blue Moon marries an Issey Miyake style dress with a hand dyed kimono and large hat – all in shades of the deepest blue.
The costumes came to life when the members of Next Stagers, the Marina Theatre’s drama/theatre group for over 50s, turned up for their fittings. Here they are – bookended by project manager Jo Leverett and myself with a Beaver Moon headdress!
