Saturday, May 22, 2010 2:45 p.m. Pier 40, Hudson River On Saturday, May 22, 2010 (raindate: Sunday, May 23), Earth Celebrations, a non-profit ecological arts organization, launches 2nd annual Earth Celebrations' Hudson River Pageant: to restore the Hudson River and address climate change in New York City. Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatrre will perform to live instrumental music from Julliard musicians at Pier 40 on the Hudson River using the pier, ramp, and floating dock. The performance will begin at 2:45 p.m. Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre will preview the performance at ACA Galleries in Chealsea at Earth Celebrations' Benefit Party on Friday, April 23rd at 8:30 p.m. This ecological parade and performance art event is directed by theatrical pageant director, Felicia Young, Founder/Director of Earth Celebrations and the creator of the Rites of Spring: Procession to Save Our Gardens for 15 years in the East Village. The new Hudson River Pageant features a magnificent parade of giant 15-foot river species puppets, spectacular costumes representing oysters, sea horses, blue crabs, wetlands, river grass, alternative elemental energy spirits, and over 70 species of local fish. Music, dance, performances, songs, and poetry, including an Oyster Garden Planting Ceremony, Live Fish Release, River Cleansing Ceremony, and a Boat Dance , highlighting the river, and its' species, habitats, and issues, are presented at the various piers and significant sites along the parade route, from the World Financial Center/ Marina, moving north to Gansevoort Street, in the downtown portion of the Hudson River Park from 1-6pm. The spectacular Water Dance of Boats & Harmonic Chant Concert closing ceremony combines on-the-river boat choreography andDavid Hykes and the over-the-river concert world premiere of "River Goddess Flowing" by renowned composer-singer with The Harmonic Choir. The choreography includes 30-foot rowboats festooned with spectacular marine-life sculptures and costumed kayaks performing a dance movement on the water. Boat participants include: Downtown Boathouse, The Harbor School, and individual kayakers, paddle boarders, and wind surfers. The pageant is a magnificent creation of art, performance and community engagement to honor and restore the Hudson and address climate change. Children and community people participate creating the spectacular puppets and costumes through Earth Celebrations Art & Ecology/ Puppet & Costume Workshops with Artists-in Residence, Michele Brody and Lucrecia Novoa. From March - May the educational environmental art workshops are based at the World Financial Center's Courtyard Gallery, every Wednesday 6-9pm and every Saturday 12-4pm, through the in-kind Sponsorship of Brookfield Properties/arts>World Financial Center. |
||