ST. LOUIS, MO – Gitana Productions will present We the People of the Planet at the St. Louis Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 21 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The performance is an artistic celebration of unity through live world music, dance, poetry and even hugs! The performance will be held on the grounds of the Muny in Forest Park at the St. Louis Earth Day Festival’s Peace Garden.
Gitana’s performance will feature local poets and musicians Tung (acoustic alto bass), Tahira Mari (vocals and dance), Gary Sykes (drums), Dbudz (Alto Sax) and Baba Mike of the Unity Ensemble (musical director, world drums, steel pan and horns.) Volunteers from many social and cultural backgrounds will carry “Free Hugs” signs to promote our common bond as caretakers of each other and planet earth. Last year, Gitana organized the highly successful Grand Blvd. Hug-In giving 700 hugs to people in the South Grand area. Those interested in becoming a hugger may contact Gitana Productions at 314-721-6556 for registration and training.
“Whatever your race, religion or politics, whether you have a physical challenge, are a member of the LGBT community, or are an immigrant or refugee, we invite you to come and share in this act of kindness and common connection to the planet through the arts,” said Cecilia Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions, a nonprofit dedicated to cross-cultural connection and community building.
Started in 1989, the St. Louis Earth Day Festival is now one of the largest Earth Day celebrations in the country, attracting more than 60,000 visitors. The Peace Garden at the St. Louis Earth Day festival will feature a melting pot of musicians, poets, dancers and more from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm both days of the festival.
ABOUT GITANA PRODUCTIONS
Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration using music, dance and drama in the St. Louis region. Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. Gitana also developed Global Education through the Arts, a community project that uses the arts to promote intercultural competence among economically challenged youth living in South St. Louis and Ferguson. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or contact Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556.
###
Media Contact: Sharon Thatcher
Gitana Productions
314-721-6556
[email protected]