VBSR Event
Vermont 350 Dance Party
Date: Saturday Oct 24th, 2009
Time: 12:01 AM
Location: Across the State
Address: Vermont
For More Info: Visit http://www.vt350dance.com
Event Description
Join The Party To Save The Planet
Statewide Dance Party Helps Fight Climate Change
As the destructive effects of climate change continue to mount, and public pressure increases for a successful outcome to the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen this December, the global warming group 350.org has helped focus the call for a powerful climate treaty by organizing a world-wide day of climate action.
On Saturday, October 24, there will be over 1500 climate events in 116 countries - and amongst the numerous Vermont actions is the Vermont 350 Dance Party, organized by local actor and activist Kathryn Blume.
Blume has put together a concert at Higher Ground with the bands Spiritual Rez, and Barefoot Truth. The concert will then get simulcast on line and on cable so that people anywhere in Vermont can have dance parties in their own communities with the live feed from the main event.
“Many people feel helpless and alone in the face of a crisis which threatens the whole planet,” explains Blume. “So, our idea is to bring the people of Vermont together in an action which builds community, expresses our deep desire for a healthy world, and is also really fun.”
Blume adds, “in order to support both community-building and effective action-taking, we’ve built a website - vt350dance.com – which not only lists all the dance parties, but also has a wealth of educational material about climate change. We also have a page with numerous volunteer opportunities into which people can channel their dance-inspired energy. All the groups who need volunteers are listed by issue category, so that from agriculture to transportation to climate justice, people can really focus on the area they care about the most.”
The featured bands have also expressed great enthusiasm about participating in the party. "As a touring band we have a tremendous opportunity to reach a broad and diverse group of people,” says Burlington native Will Evans, the drummer and lead singer for Barefoot Truth. “The way we see it, it is our responsibility to promote ways to move towards a more sustainable future.” Harmonica player and St. Michael’s College alum Garrett Duffy adds, “We are happy to have partnered with the Vermont 350 Dance Party in their efforts bring people together to celebrate and preserve the planet."
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, GroSolar, and The Point are serving as sponsors for the Dance Party, and promotional partners include Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Earth Institute, Vermont International Film Festival, Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, Local Motion, Smart Growth Vermont, VPIRG, RETN, Vantage Press, CatalystNow, Shadow Productions, VCAM, The Willowell Foundation, Vermont Oxfam Action Corps, and Channel 17 - Town Meeting Television.
“We’re also far from the only 350 event in Vermont,” says Blume. “There are numerous events happening throughout the state including a 350-second bike ride in Putney, hikes in Lincoln and Montgomery Center, a bell-ringing and prayer service in Bethel, a silent walk and art show in Burlington, a talent show in Hardwick, and a vigil on the streets of Strafford. They’re all listed on our website as well as the main site, www.350.org.”
As a side note, Blume will also head to Copenhagen for the climate talks in December. She’ll be performing her critically-acclaimed solo show The Boycott, in which First Lady of the US launches a worldwide sex strike to combat global warming.
For more information, visit vt350dance.com, email or call 802-233-5856.
