Brooklyn is Not a Sacrifice Zone; a Series of Performances Along the North Brooklyn Pipeline Route
Photos by Ken Schles and Tewodros Tamirat
When I received the Brooklyn Arts Fund, the world was a different place. I had to adjust the original vision for the piece and began collaborating with members of Al Límite to devise a new project that would aid in our current struggle against the North Brooklyn Pipeline.
In collaboration with the movement against the North Brooklyn pipeline, theater collective, Al Límite, chooses to fight back with creative resistance. Each performer lives along National Grid's fracked gas pipeline path and understand what's at stake. This is a series of devised pieces set safely and physically distanced outdoors in each neighborhood along the route:
The performances are love letters to the communities impacted by this dangerous and unnecessary project. Through Agit-Prop, ritual, music and storytelling, we celebrate the people who have endured years of gentrification and environmental racism, years of being pushed aside for industry and have continually fought back for their homes, health, rights and communities. We share their stories and our own, living in Brooklyn through the pandemic, the recession and now this pipeline battle.
National Grid intends to quietly lay down a massive high pressure fracked gas pipeline under our feet without our consent, making us pay for it with rate hikes, poisoning our bodies and the environment, pushing us further into climate disaster. We say, Hell No! Brooklyn is NOT a Sacrifice Zone!
Each piece will only be performed ONCE in each neighborhood. Each of the 5 pieces are all different so come to each one!
Friday, Sep. 18th @ 6pm in Brownsville:
In the tradition of Teatro Campesino and San Francisco Mime Troupe, a short history "lesson" on Energy in the US and a procession to a community garden for stories and dancing.
Saturday, Sep. 19th @ 2pm in Bed-Stuy: The Bed-Stuy presentation will highlight its proud history and gritty spirit in game show format. Do or Die!
@ 5pm in Bushwick : Live Storytelling and a Teach-in and Art Build led by Mi Casa No Es Su Casa
Sunday, Sep. 20th @ 2pm in Williamsburg:
A seemingly foreign but familiar story of explosions. From visiting oral histories to enacting bodily experiences, we will investigate how we react to the potential explosion of the pipeline.
@ 6pm in Greenpoint
A movement piece set in an industrial dead end, with pieces from interviews with community members woven throughout, ending with everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic brass band, Funkrust Brass Band.
Locations will be sent to you when you RSVP.
IMPORTANT INFO:
In order to keep the audience and the performers safe, please maintain a safe physical distance and all participants must wear a facial mask. Most performances will require standing and sometimes walking. To maintain safety protocols, each performance will be limited to 45 people. Please RSVP to receive locations.
The performances are free with a suggested donation of $15. All proceeds will go to community gardens and local organizations that are supporting the fight against the North BK pipeline. No one is turned away for lack of funds but if you can give, please do. Your generosity will help these communities thrive.
You can donate through Venmo at @BK_Is_Not_a_Sacrifice_Zone and please say what the donation is for. Thanks!
This series is made possible through the generosity of Brooklyn Arts Council
Brooklyn Arts Fund (DCLA) is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
Co-Devisers and Performers:
Leah Bachar
Monica Dudárov Hunken
Shadow
Dragonfly Wilson
Dennis Yueh-Yeh Li
Recorded Songs created by Benny Woodard
Live performance of Funkrust Brass Band in Greenpoint on Sep. 20th
In collaboration with No North Brooklyn Pipeline Coalition, Sane Energy Project, Mi Casa No es Su Casa, FrackOuttaBK, Brownsville Residents Green Committee, Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance foundation, Patch of Inspiration Garden.
#NoNBKpipeline @AlLimiteCollective @noNBKpipeline