The Grand Traverse Earth Day Parade date has been set to occur on Saturday, April 26th….you can check here on our website for updates.
This is the call to our community of parade building artists and mentors who would like to join our evolving and fun-loving Earth Day Artist roster list….If you are interested please contact me asap for an Eday Artist/Mentor application and the date of our first artist and mentor training!
We are also inviting local businesses and organizations to sponsor the 2008 Earth Day parade through our North Woods Family Concerts and Storytelling Series held at Horizon Shine Bookstore. We do need additional support to present the final three concerts, held on the third Thursday of the next three months. Please contact Penny for more information about Earth Day sponsorship opportunities at 231-510-3491.
We are beginning our programming and organizing for the parade building which is annually held in TC beginning in mid February at the ArtCenter of TC. Little A is helping to organize a satellite Earth Dy Community Art Studio in Benzie Co, at Betsie Elementary School in Thompsonville, and at The Boys and Girls Club of Peshawbestown.
A Parade Design Team residency program is scheduled to begin in February in TC at the Artcenter, where a group of students from the Boys and Girls Club of West Jr. High and a team of Eday Artist/Mentors will outline and frame in the design of the parade sections of our storytelling parade. The parade storyboard will be completed by March 15th, when our Eday Kick-off event happens and the public workshops begin at the Community Art Studio (CAS) held at the Artcenter for a month prior to the parade on April 26th.
This years' parade theme continues with our past year themes in regards to issues surrounding our WATER home-place near the lovely Lake of Michigan, and the reality of effects we've created with GLOBAL WARMING–The storytelling parade focus will be on educating about ZERO-Trash and our crazy, carbon FOOTPRINT. We expect to get creative and have some fun with our FEET!
Opening a satellite Eday CAS will require a certain amount of management and a good deal of volunteerism, and also funding to pay for artist salaries and materials and supplies that we can't dumpster-dive or grunge for.
Please join us in any way that you're able in the creation of this annual spring event!
A little background information on the Grand Traverse Earth Day Parade…
The Earth Day parade has been a joyous spring ritual in the Traverse City area for over 18 years. In 2008, again it is our wish to create a testament to community and to express our gratitude to the beautiful place on planet Earth that we share. Using the ancient tradition of puppet and mask theater, and through the use of costumes, masks, big puppets, non-motorized floats, fantastic drumming, and garbage art instruments, the Earth Day parade will communicate our love and concern for air, water, earth, fire and all species.
Our stated goals, written in 2003 are: The Earth Day Parade seeks to bridge the arts, the environment and our local community. As a celebration of art, it involves citizens in a creative process affirming art's place in the forum of public expression. As a celebration of species, it awakens public sensibilities to the issues surrounding environmental awareness and protection. As a celebration of community, it enhances the exchange between local schools, local government, businesses, and civic organizations.
Designed to create a cultural exchange rather than an entertainment event, the Earth Day Parade is an open invitation to participate in imagination, creation and sharing. By fostering inclusiveness and collaboration, the Earth Day Parade engages area residents regardless of age, background, or ability. Providing schools, social services, businesses, tribes, and fellowships with the same opportunity.
The Earth Day General Council is the organizing body of the parade with the artistic direction and staff of Little Arthsram and Rhythmic Adventures, overseeing the entire Earth Day parade and Community Art Studio (CAS) workshops held at the ArtCenter of Traverse City. The Earth Day General Council extends an open invitation for Grand Traverse area community members to join planning meetings that begin in December as the the Earth Day project gets underway.
We expect our parade route to be the same as last year, beginning at Central Grade School, on 7th & Pine, left onto Union, right on State, left on Park, left on Front, left onto Union and right on 6th to Hannah Park for a puppet performance and community picnic. We have three rules that guide us: No pets, no words, no motors to help make this a safe and family friendly community event.
Interested in being a part of the Earth Day General Council? We've already begun to plan for the 2008 parade and invite you to join us.
