Harrisonburg (2013)

We premiered the Carnival de Resistance in Harrisonburg, VA in the fall of 2013.

Carnival night in Harrisonburg We chose Harrisonburg for the chance to partner with Eastern Mennonite University and some noteworthy faith-based activist organizations, especially The New Community Project and Our Community Place. Trinity Presbyterian Church welcomed our Demonstration Village and Carnival world to its lawn with generous hospitality and we enjoyed righteous yummy produce from Radical Roots Farm.

Highlights

Storytelling and a song-writing workshop with young and old at Generations Crossing.
An open-mic event at Our Community Place, where Carnivalistas got to share the mic with local talent.
A large mural in a dorm of EMU, where Dimitri Kadiev collaborated with dozens of students.
Guest teaching 8 classes at EMU and leading 2 chapel services.
Working with a “participant observer” evaluation team from EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
Jay doned his snake robe and feathered hat when we led worship at Trinity.
The Carnival cake made by our friends from Trinity.
The Carnival artists collaborating on a beautiful painting that was gifted to Trinity.
Building a tree platform at New Community Project, the first collaboration between Bravo (the Mexican daredevil) and Bemya (the safety-conscious tree-hugging treehouse designer)
Jesce Walz painting a beautiful sign on the front of Our Community Place, who generously gave their large tent for our use as the Riff-rafeteria.
A potlatch ceremony, where locals and Carnival folk gave gifts and shared meaningful stories.
A parade through downtown that culminated in a City Hall public witness where local activists spoke and we celebrated current justice and sustainability efforts.
Cathartic intergenerational dance parties at the end of each production.
College students (bused to us by EMU) providing pedal power, directing parking, and performing fire safety.
Working with Jonathon McRay, an EMU grad student and NCP member, to provide a resource table within the Carnival midway that hightlighted local efforts around sustainability.
A torrential downpour that broke just in time for our evening fire performance.