Cathedral Of St. John The Divine Explores The Importance Of Water Through Storytelling Series February 28, 2012

Renowned storyteller Laura Simms will enchant audiences with a series of three performances surrounding the vast impact of water on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, March 3 at 4:00 PM and Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 PM at The Cathedral of St. John The Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street), Manhattan. The performances are being presented in conjunction with the Cathedral’s art and programming initiative: The Value of Water: Sustaining a Green Planet.
On February 28 Simms will be joined by musician Steve Gorn for an evening titled “Women and Water” exploring the way women in stories are often portrayed as protectors of the natural world, and embodiments of the strength and fluidity of water.

On March 3 Simms will share tales from India, Africa, Zuni Nation, Haiti, and Russia to entertain and educate children about the power of water in a performance titled, “An Ocean of Story.” The engaging tales will be followed by a water themed scavenger hunt throughout The Value of Water art exhibition.

On March 6 Simms and Kewulay Kamara, a traditional finah – meaning storyteller, in the West African language Mandeng – will perform sections of the epic Mansa Milli Milli (“The Place of Turning Water”) during a performance titled “Mami Wata: Healing Waters.” They will be joined by African musicians and dancers using instruments, voice and body language to weave folktales, myth and contemporary encounters with the sacredness of water.

The Value of Water art exhibition features the work of over 40 contemporary visual artists, including Jenny Holzer, William Kentridge, Kiki Smith, Bill Viola, Pat Steir, Gregory Amenoff, and others whose work focuses on depicting and reflecting on water. Works from the artists, including paintings, sculptures and multi-media pieces, are currently on display in all areas of the Cathedral, from the Great Crossing to the Nave, Chapels, Bays and other intimate areas. The exhibition will be on view until March 25, 2012.

The events are free and open to the public. Contributions are appreciated.

For more information please visit: http://www.stjohndivine.org/storytelling.html