[Cwgrad-announcements] Call for Proposals: This River is Our Parade

[cwgrad-announcements at lists.ucr.edu]

is there something you want to propose for our parade?

THIS RIVER IS OUR PARADE

along the Santa Clara River / a CalArts studio project / Valencia,
California / Sunday, May 14th

Proposals welcome from anyone that wants to march along the river with
us, including, but not limited to / dancers & musicians / performers &
magicians / acrobats & contortionists / animals & children / activists
& pacifists / artists & designers / runners & walkers / hobbyists &
enthusiasts / bikers & hikers / students & protesters / individuals &
organizations / storytellers & mimes...

This event will celebrate and attract attention to one of the United
States 10 most endangered rivers which happens to flow through
Valencia. The Santa Clara River at times runs underground and is often
only visible after it has rained. It is the only natural river system
remaining in Southern California, flowing approximately 100 miles from
its headwaters near Acton, California, to the Pacific Ocean. Students
from Fritz Haeg's CalArts spring studio will be producing, curating
and organizing this ephemeral community event involving participants
from Valencia, Los Angeles and beyond.

The parade will begin at 3:30pm at the Pavillions parking lot on
McBean Parkway (north of Magic Mountain Parkway) where it crosses the
river. Paraders will first head west on the biking/walking path along
the river for about 1/2 mile where one may view its more natural
state. The route will then turn around headed east, past the beginning
point, under the McBean Parkway bridge, and a 1 mile further east. In
this area one may see the river become a concrete channel lined by
terraced hillsides soon to be filled with housing developments. The
marching will conclude back where it began at around 5:30, with events
and performances to continue until the sun sets at 7pm.

Since the parade route is a relatively narrow biking and walking path
with no other points of access, those arriving to view the event will
also enter at the Pavillions parking lot. Spectators will become part
of the parade as they move along the river, watching another part of
the parade pass them in the opposite direction. There will also be the
opportunity to stage performances at gathering areas along the 3 mile
route.

A few practical points:
- The event will be 'unplugged' and 'engine-free', the path will only
accommodate, people or animals on foot or bicycle (or similarly sized
human powered vehicle).
- We will be designing and producing a poster to be distributed
throughout Los Angeles and Valencia area to promote the event.
- The website www.ourparade.org now contains information on the river,
and later include detailed information about all of the participants
and projects & will ultimately have documentation of the event.
- Each participant will be entirely responsible for any resources they
need for their project.
- There is no budget to support projects, but we suggest contacting
local Valencia and Newhall businesses for financial support or
donations in kind. Depending on your needs, we may be able to locate a
local business that would be interested in supporting or sponsoring
your project.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be proposing a
project for the parade, so that we may include you in the press
release. Initial proposals for the parade will be due on Monday, April
3rd. The website will be constantly updated with information on the
participants and their projects. Participants are encouraged to
schedule visits to our studio at CalArts, to present projects, find
out more about the parade and to visit the river and parade route. The
meetings will take place Tuesdays from 9am-noon in room c202 at
CalArts on April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, May 2nd and 9th. Please let us
know as soon as possible if you would like to schedule a meeting time.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Ken Christianson
Kristen English
Sam Graham
Fritz Haeg
Emily Lacy
Dashiell Manley
Nikhil Murthy
Ingrid Von Sydow
Curtis Winter

More information on the parade and the river can be found at www.ourparade.org
Inquiries and responses should be directed to info at ourparade.org