Plans are taking shape for Lumenaura, a light festival to take place in downtown Aurora this fall.
Aldermen on the City Council Finance Committee on Thursday recommended approval of $214,500 in contracts for the festival, about $141,800 of which would be paid by the city. The other $72,700 would be paid by a state grant.
“We’re trying to create an event that hopefully will become one of our signature events,” said Alex Alexandrou, the city’s chief management officer.
Jenn Byrne, the city’s Public Art director, said the festival will include light installations, interactive displays, artistic works and roving performers.
Some of the artists involved in creating light works would be Liviu Pasare, a Chicago artist; Miguel Gonzalez, a Miami, Florida, artist; Joel Edward Sisson; Adam Molski; and Alex Rudek.
Some two dozen roving performers will circulate through about four downtown blocks during the event. They will include circus-type performers, acrobats, those playing live music and puppeteers, among others, Byrne said.
There will be a preview of the artwork for the event Sept. 6, and the lights will go on during October’s First Fridays event downtown on Oct. 4. The final day of the light festival will be Friday, Nov. 1.
October was chosen for the event because days are shorter then and there will be more darkness. Aldermen asked if the weather would be a problem.
“Regardless of weather, we will carry on,” Byrne said.
slord@tribpub.com