By Andrea Pineda-Salgado
Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet representing a refugee girl, landed in New York on Sept. 14. Designed and built by Handspring Puppet Company, she is supposed to depict all refugee children fleeing war, violence and persecution. Little Amal has traveled to more than 12 countries since July 2021, urging people not to forget about refugee children across the globe. From now until Oct. 2, she’ll be making her way across the five boroughs. Here is a list of the places she will be:
Queens events:
In the garden of hope
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 21
Time: 11 a.m.
Address: 55-25 Van Cleef St. Corona, Queens
Little Amal and the indigenous dance group Cetiliztli Nauchcampa will perform in a community garden created by the organization Mujeres en Movimiento.
When I find an unexpected friend
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 21
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Address: Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows, Corona Park
This event will be an outdoor theatrical processional. Little Amal accidentally mistakes a piñata for a donkey about to get a beating. As she rushes to its rescue, she makes an unexpected friend.
Beating heart
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Address: Jackson Heights, Queens
This event is a music and dance procession. Little Amal is feeling fearful late at night. Her heartbeat will be echoed by a performance by a group of drummers. The moment will pass and she will find the courage to keep walking. The exact location is yet to be determined. Stay updated here.
Bronx events:
In search of the waterfront
Date: Sunday, Sept. 25
Time: 4 p.m.
Address: Willis Playground, Willis Ave, Mott Haven, the Bronx
Little Amal will visit Mott Haven to gather with members of the community. They will search for the waterfront in hopes of breathing some fresh air.
A really, really high bridge
Date: Monday, Sept. 26
Time: 11 a.m.
Address: High Bridge Bronx entrance, the Bronx
This event is a musical performance about Little Amal wanting to cross High Bridge but being afraid of heights. The community comes to her aid and helps her find the courage to walk toward the other side.
Brooklyn events:
Connections
Date: Thursday, Sept. 22
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Brooklyn Children’s Museum
This event is an installation held on the rooftop of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Little Amal will join children of all ages and backgrounds to weave a massive web of yarn. Children will share stories about where they come from and where they hope to go. This event is indoors and free; advance registration is required.
Bed Stuy is buzzing
Date: Thursday, Sept. 22
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Restoration Plaza, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Little Amal will arrive in Bed-Stuy and be led through its streets with music from drummers. She will be guided to Restoration Plaza, where community members will throw her a party she will never forget.
A quiet refuge
Date: Friday, Sept. 23
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery, Gothic Archway, Brooklyn
Little Amal will head over to the Green Wood Cemetery to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. As she walks, she’ll discover that she is not alone; local children will come and sing to her.
Almost like home?
Date: Friday, Sept. 23
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Address: Bay Ridge, 5th Avenue & 68th Street, Brooklyn
This event will be a musical procession about Little Amal getting caught up in a Syrian wedding. She realizes she still remembers the lyrics to the songs and it makes her feel as if she is back home in Aleppo, Syria.
Time to Fly
Date: Friday, Sept. 23
Time: 7:30 and 8 p.m.
Address: Berry Street & North 5th Street / STREB, Inc.
As she walks through Williamsburg, Little Amal is searching for a place to sleep when she comes across the STREB Lab for Action Mechanics. There, she will find that there is nothing stronger than willpower — not even gravity. Little Amal’s walk through Williamsburg will be free and open to the public. However, to see the performance inside STREB, you must pre-book here.
When the pigeons flock
Date: Saturday, Sept. 24
Time: 10 and 11 a.m.
Location: St. Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn
Before Little Amal’s arrival, at 10 a.m., families can attend a puppet-making workshop at St. Ann’s Warehouse. A free RSVP is strongly encouraged. Little Amal arrives at 11 a.m., where she’ll be part of a participatory theatrical performance. She will be chasing pigeons through Brooklyn Bridge Park when she comes across the families making pigeon puppets. After the performance, families will lead her across the Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan.
It’s antic in Atlantic
Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Address: Atlantic Avenue & Clinton Street, Brooklyn
Little Amal will be invited to join Annual Atlantic Antic, the oldest and largest street festival in Brooklyn, where she will explore a vast selection of food, live music and crafts.
All the friends I have made
Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
Time: 5 p.m.
Locations: St. Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn
This event will be a theatrical event where Little Amal will walk one last time through Brooklyn Bridge Park encountering once again all the people she has met, all the puppets she has befriended and all the musicians with whom she shared a dance. There will also be a huge celebration for her near St. Ann’s Warehouse.
Sail away in a ray of light
Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: St. Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn
This event will be a musical performance where Little Amal will hop on a boat, bid farewell to all the people and friends she has met and sail away.
Staten Island events:
The big ship
Date: Friday, Sept. 30
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Little Amal will ride the Staten Island ferry over to the borough enjoying the breathtaking views of the city. This event will be free, although attendees will need a ticket to ride the Staten Island Ferry with Little Amal. Ferry departure pier and time to be revealed soon. Stay updated here.
Little butterfly, don’t be afraid
Date: Friday, Sept. 30
Time: 5 and 6 p.m.
Location: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
At the botanical garden, Little Amal will find herself surrounded by a huge cloud of butterflies that lead her through Snug Harbor, where she will be welcomed by a collaborative parade. Arrive at the botanical garden at 5 p.m. to create crafts before Little Amal’s arrival at 6 p.m.
