VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
As many of you know, Merce Cunningham passed away on July 26 of this year at the age of 90. Next week, on October 28th, The Cunningham Dance Foundation will be holding a memorial that is free and open to the public from 4pm until 9pm at the Park Avenue Armory (67th St. & Park Ave). It will feature performances from the current members of MCDC as well as alumni from many different eras. The event has no budget or funding, and is being produced through the generosity of individuals and companies in the production community. Production Resource Group, One Dream Sound, JC Hansen, Baryshnikov Arts Center, ABT, and the MCDC production staff have all donated their time and resources to help honor and remember Merce.

Now we’re reaching out to you, our friends and colleagues, to ask you to donate whatever time you’re able to next week to work on the production of this historic memorial. We understand that at this time of year everyone is very busy, but if you can donate a day, a morning, an evening, or any of your time to this cause it would make all the difference. Stop by for a few hours before or after work, or, better yet, if you work have a full time job in the arts, forward this e-mail to your boss and ask them to give you a day off (it’s worth a shot)! Anyone who has had the opportunity to meet Merce knows what a powerful, gracious, and beautiful presence he was. He changed the world we work in forever, and this is our opportunity to give something back to him. We would be honored if you would help us honor him.

We can use people with expertise in lighting, sound, carpentry, props, and wardrobe, as well as willing warm bodies at various times throughout the week: October 26th – 29th. Please forward this to your friends and co-workers, we can use all the help we can get.

IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN HELP in any way, please email Carolyn Wong (carolyn@merce.org) with your NAME, PHONE #, E-MAIL, AVAILABILITY, AND DEPARTMENTAL EXPERTISE/ AREA OF INTEREST. Also, let us know if you’d be comfortable as a leader in any activity. We will be in touch and will send out a detailed schedule at the end of the week.
10.21.09