Readying for its second annual Hudson River Pageant, Earth Celebrations is holding free workshops for teens and adults to create the environmental extravaganza’s spectacular costumes, masks and giant puppets, all inspired by the Hudson’s diverse marine species. Workshops started March 3 and will continue through May 19.
The workshops are held in the World Financial Center, courtyard gallery, at 220 Vesey St. (second level, above the food court, near the Winter Garden, just off the Hudson River.) Hours are Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., for costume workshops with artist Michele Brody; and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m., for puppet workshops with artist Lucrecia Novoa.
The workshops will culminate in the pageant on Sat., May 22, (rain date Sun., May 23) from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Hudson River Park’s Downtown section, starting at the World Financial Center and progressing north up to Gansevoort St.
The theme of the “ecological performance-art event” is to restore the Hudson River and address climate change in New York City. In addition to 15-foot-tall puppets, the pageant will feature performances, including music and songs, dance, poetry, an oyster-planting ceremony, a live fish release, a river cleansing ceremony and a boat dance.
For more information on the workshops, including children’s workshops, contact Earth Celebrations, by phone at 212-777-7969 or by e-mail at mail@earthcelebrations.com or visit www.earthcelebrations.com.
