A group of 32 dancers and musicians known as PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment) will process through the streets of lower Manhattan on Sunday July 17th as part of an event that involves simultaneous performances in 7 U.S. cities including Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Lafayette-IN, Traverse City, MI.
The New York PURE route traces through lower Manhattan on Sunday, July 17th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. starting at the East Coast Memorial in Battery Park and ending at City Hall. The event will feature a procession of dancing and drumming as well as a series of site specific choreographies. The group will visit a series of sites in downtown Manhattan that are significant to the early development of New York City as well as its history of immigration and cultural diversity. These sites will include the National Museum of the American Indian, the World Trade Center site, City Hall Park, and several locations in Battery Park between the East Coast Memorial to WWI & WWII veterans and the Irish Hunger Memorial.
Visit www.puredance.org for exact route information for all the branches...
The theme of cultural diversity is central to PURE's mission. Kaeshi Chai, professional dancer and PURE facilitator, explains, "Throughout the ages and across cultures, dance and music have drawn people together both spiritually and physically. In our own city, PURE participants aim to bring attention to the power of community through ancient traditions of dance and ritual. The fluid blending of Middle Eastern, Chinese, Romani (Gypsy), Israeli Folk, Flamenco and Indian dance movements in our choreographies is representative of the world solidarity we seek to affirm in the PURE experience."
The history of New York City as a haven and meeting place for immigrants from around the world is an important example of cultural tolerance. The city has also been the site of much cultural misunderstanding and violence, most tragically displayed on September 11, 2001. PURE hopes to remind spectators of this rich history and the responsibilities that go along with it. "We want to inspire individuals to take a moment and reflect on what they can do or give in the spirit of peace," says PURE percussionist and musical director Brad MacDonald. "In the long run, each small gesture contributes to the strength and solidarity we all hope for in our local and global communities."
A group of 32 dancers and musicians known as PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment) will process through the streets of lower Manhattan on Sunday July 17th as part of an event that involves simultaneous performances in 7 U.S. cities including Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Lafayette-IN, Traverse City, MI.
The New York PURE route traces through lower Manhattan on Sunday, July 17th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. starting at the East Coast Memorial in Battery Park and ending at City Hall. The event will feature a procession of dancing and drumming as well as a series of site specific choreographies. The group will visit a series of sites in downtown Manhattan that are significant to the early development of New York City as well as its history of immigration and cultural diversity. These sites will include the National Museum of the American Indian, the World Trade Center site, City Hall Park, and several locations in Battery Park between the East Coast Memorial to WWI & WWII veterans and the Irish Hunger Memorial.
Visit www.puredance.org for exact route information for all the branches...
The theme of cultural diversity is central to PURE's mission. Kaeshi Chai, professional dancer and PURE facilitator, explains, "Throughout the ages and across cultures, dance and music have drawn people together both spiritually and physically. In our own city, PURE participants aim to bring attention to the power of community through ancient traditions of dance and ritual. The fluid blending of Middle Eastern, Chinese, Romani (Gypsy), Israeli Folk, Flamenco and Indian dance movements in our choreographies is representative of the world solidarity we seek to affirm in the PURE experience."
The history of New York City as a haven and meeting place for immigrants from around the world is an important example of cultural tolerance. The city has also been the site of much cultural misunderstanding and violence, most tragically displayed on September 11, 2001. PURE hopes to remind spectators of this rich history and the responsibilities that go along with it. "We want to inspire individuals to take a moment and reflect on what they can do or give in the spirit of peace," says PURE percussionist and musical director Brad MacDonald. "In the long run, each small gesture contributes to the strength and solidarity we all hope for in our local and global communities."