FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JOIN THE MUSKETAQUID EARTH DAY CELEBRATION!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Natalie VanLandingham
Contact Email: natalie@theumbrellaarts.org
Website: theumbrellaarts.org

JOIN THE MUSKETAQUID EARTH DAY CELEBRATION!

Concord, MA (April 2018) - The Umbrella invites community members of all ages to their annual Musketaquid Earth Day celebration on April 28, 2018 (rain date April 29). Central to this year’s theme, “Gathering Places,” this vibrant town event brings perople of all ages together to provide awareness of local and national environmental issues. This free, four-part celebration welcomes and encourages public participation. For more information, visit http://theumbrellaarts.org or contact Nancy Lippe at nancy@theumbrellaarts.org.

Earth Day Parade: 10:30–11:30am - The event kicks off at The Umbrella at 40 Stow Street in Concord, MA, where participants gather for a parade down Main Street. All are welcome to join. Participants may bring their own puppets and banners or pick up one of the large puppets available in front of The Umbrella. The parade with banners, flags, and beautiful giant puppets which depict local plant and animal wildlife bring color and life to the streets of Concord.  Professional musical and dancing groups aNova Brazil, Dirty Water Brass Band, and Diabolis In Musica entertain the community and join the parade.  

River Ceremony: 11:30am–12:00pm - The parade leads to the banks of the Concord River at the Old North Bridge for a River Ceremony. The Ceremony begins with the emergence of the River Spirit played by CC King. The ceremony is accompanied by multicultural performances: improvisational drumming by Grant Smith, Latin American music and dancing performed by Rosalba and the young dancers of La Piñata, and Geri Barney, Navajo woman, singing Native American songs. The River Ceremony concludes with the launching of “Earth Floats” made of natural materials that carry “wishes for the earth.” 

Arts & Environment Festival: 12:00pm–2:00pm - The merriment continues with a Festival on the grounds of the historic Old Manse, a Trustees of the Reservations property.  The entertainment includes several performances. Eric Bornstein’s Behind The Mask Theater presents “The Woman Who Outshone the Sun”, an allegorical play that combines masks, music, dance and storytelling to create a dazzling theatrical experience.  A contemporary dance performance by the Jody Weber Dance Company engages the public in the expressive power of movement with excerpts from “Her Sylvan Ascent”. Mass Audubon Society’s Drumlin Farm offers a live presentation on Birds of Prey. There will be activities for children including kite building and spoon making, non-profit exhibitors, and food vendors.  

The Earth Month Art Exhibit is on view at The Umbrella Arts Gallery.  This non-juried art show features works using a variety of media around this year’s theme “Gathering Places”.  The gallery is open April 12 through May 6. Exhibit Opening and Artists’ Reception will be held on Thursday, April 19, from 6:00-8:00pm.

While here, step back in time for a local history lesson by visiting The Old Manse once home to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Old Manse will host an Open House from 12:00-2:00pm with regularly scheduled tours from 2:00-4:00pm.