ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – A melting pot of musicians, poets and dancers will gather and perform in Forest Park on the grounds of the Muny during the St. Louis Earth Day Festival April 21 and 22, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The performances, to be held in a unique space called the Peace Garden, will include dancers, storytellers, a drumming circle and more.
The headline performance on Saturday, April 21, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm is Gitana Productions’ presentation of We The People of the Planet, an artistic celebration of unity through live world music, dance, poetry and even hugs! 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. Gitana’s performance will feature local poets and musicians Farshid Ethinko Soltanshahihe (world strings), Tahira Mari (vocals and dance), Gary Sykes (drums), Jerome Williams (Alto Sax) and Baba Mike of the Unity Ensemble (musical director, world drums, steel pan and horns.)
“Through the Peace Garden, Gitana Productions and a number of other organizations hope to bridge cultural gaps and bring us together through the arts and an act of kindness,” said Jodie Jessmon, organizer of the Peace Garden. “A simple hug can be the first step to bridging cross-cultural gaps and nurturing community closeness.”
“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. “Our ability to act as a united human family requires expressed fellow-feeling and an appreciation for our shared home on this planet.”
PEACE GARDEN SCHEDULE AT ST. LOUIS EARTH DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 21 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Victor Farwell of Moon Tribe: Opening ceremony, meditation for peace
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Paneurhythmy: Dance to sacred music of the soul
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Interplay: Community play through expressive arts, storytelling and movement (Jori Martinez)
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Gitana Productions: We The People Of The Planet a celebration of unity through live world music, dance, poetry and hugs!
SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Faye Folkie and Sonia: Storytelling of peace and laughter exercise
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Paneurhythmy: Dance to sacred music of the soul
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Shanti: Sufi dance instruction, Dances of Universal Peace 50th anniversary
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Jabula: Drumming circle
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Amalghemy: Closing celebration and meditation
Volunteers will offer hugs and souvenirs on Saturday, April 21. Those interested in volunteering as huggers must register by contacting [email protected] or calling Gitana at 314-721-6556. Last year, Gitana organized the highly successful Grand Blvd. Hug-In giving 700 hugs to people in the South Grand area. Businesses are invited to contribute mementos, coupons and other items for the volunteers and those who attend. To donate, contact Gitana Productions at 314-721-6556.
ABOUT ST. LOUIS EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
The 2018 St. Louis Earth Day Festival will feature performances, exhibitors and vendors throughout Forest Park, including the Peace Garden, with performances on the Muny grounds from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. 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.
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.
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Media Contact: Sharon Thatcher
Gitana Productions
314-721-6556
[email protected]