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Media Release

May 11, 2006, Public Dreams Society

Public Dreams Society announces 18^th annual Illuminares Lantern Procession

Public Dreams Society presents its 18^th annual Illuminares Lantern Procession, one of its signature community events. Taking place at Trout Lake Park, Victoria Drive and 15^th Avenue in Vancouver on Saturday, July 29, Illuminares celebrates the light of the summer season, making the community radiant with dreams, magic, and of course, thousands of magnificent lanterns.

This year, Illuminares has a theme: "What grows in your garden? Real or imagined." Katherine Carol, whose energy and enthusiasm led Illuminares for five years, passes the torch this year to new creative director Mercedes Baines.

Over 25,000 people participated in 2005’s Illuminares. Why do they come out and keep coming back? "It’s become a ritual for them... it encompasses a diverse community, gives people a place where there’s no judgement of their creative form," relates artistic director Dolly Hopkins.

"Illuminares has become an accessible landscape, creating a social tapestry where the community can experience the whole spectrum... it's structured enough that people can fit in, but not feel confined... it’s where people can make meaning for themselves under their own motivation and creative input, and they value that."

Although attendance and participation at Illuminares is free of charge, in an effort to support and maintain its scope and energy each year, donations are gratefully accepted at the event’s information booths and by clearly identified Public Dreams Society roving buskers. Public Dreams Society also encourages Illuminares participants to make and bring their own lanterns, by holding lantern-making workshops beginning July 17 at Trout Lake Community Centre.

About Public Dreams Society
Founded in 1985, Public Dreams Society brings art and celebration to the community by creating participatory events, traditions, and rituals that promote healthy neighbourhoods. In addition to its long-running signature events, Illuminares and Parade of the Lost Souls, in 2006, Public Dreams Society welcomed its newest event, Mountain Mardi Gras, a collaborative community initiative.

The organization also mentors communities throughout Canada and internationally to help them create their own lasting arts and cultural celebrations. Imaginate is Public Dreams Society’s full-service event management enterprise, whose proceeds are returned to the Society to help fund and develop its non-profit programming. For more information on Imaginate, contact special events manager Marnie Perrin at 604-879-8611, ext. 106.

"Cities that thrive in the 21^st century will be cities that pay attention to developing a true diversity of human creativity. That means not only more (and more accessible) public art, but a new attention to creative alternatives in development." — Max Wyman, The Defiant Imagination (2004).

For more information on Illuminares, contact:

Mercedes Baines, creative director, Public Dreams Society
Phone: 604-879-8611, ext. 111
E-mail: creative@publicdreams.org
Web: www.publicdreams.org

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