Halton is out of this world (but you already knew that) – But don’t be shocked if you see alien parades around a mini-pop up flying saucer museum at Runcorn Shopping Centre (yes you read that right!) and people with Lego and UFO books wandering around its library.
The ‘Flying Saucer Museum’ is a pop up space aiming to raise awareness and research the potential for an Alien Festival later this year. 2017 being the 60th anniversary of Europes first reported Alien contactor, Runcorn’s James Cooke in September 1957.
Runcorn artist Chiz Turnross came across the story whilst researching Cheshire folklore and began to investigate further. Halton Borough Council is getting into the spirit with themed events at Halton Lea Library this week and later in the year including Lego UFO workshops.
He said: “The Runcorn Library microfilm held a copy of The Runcorn Weekly from 1957 with the headline ” Runcorn Flying Saucer Anticipates Red Moon” in reference to the blood moon that month. The story tells of James Cooke’s disapperance, a visit to Planet Zomdic.
“At first I was researching blind until I hit upon the idea of an Alien Festival for Runcorn and Halton, a heritage project with a difference. Beyond the James Cooke story, Halton appears to be the prime UK window for UFO activity.”
The pop-up Museum is a Chiz Turnross collaboration with curator Jane Anderson ( Models For Practice), composer Lucy Pankhurst and a host of family, friends and locals; Introducing a mini archive of UFO related material, workshops and performances, engaging public opinion on their ideas and future plans for the Festival, whilst researching international collaborators for what would be the UKs first Alien Festival.
The fortnight long mission will culminate in a specially composed ‘alien music performance in the old Mecca Bingo hall in Runcorn Shopping Centre, which organisers hope will celebrate findings.
Organisers will be inviting special guests to play specific scores and musical interactions in the ‘Flying Saucer Museum’. The performance will be a ticketed event £5 entry.
Tickets can be brought on Eventbrite in advance. The performance will be a live event in the old mecca bingo hall and will begin at 4pm.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jane-anderson-tickets-33465348759
From the week of the 10th the artists will be working in the gym space on the upper floor and from the 18th will be transferring the Museum into the old bingo hall.
The pop-up museum is there until Saturday 22 April. For more info on Halton Library events follow @Haltonbc or @Haltonlibraries