To Support a Community that wants to Preserve and Protect the Greenbelt
Last month I thought someone should do something to protect the Greenbelt because the Ontario government seemed determined to develop it! This ecologically important area has protected natural areas of forest and wetlands and is the headwater area for major river systems that drain into Lake Ontario. It also has some of Ontario’s, sorry Canada’s best farmland and is a very important food producing region, providing local food security and preserving a way of life that is all about food security and a sustainable local economy!!
My idea is to create a one day musical event, or call it a festival because there will be festivities organized in which attendees can interact and feel a sense of being part of the message of the event. Envisioned as an outdoor venue situated in the Greenbelt area, it would be best to have a location that already has a stage, perhaps a grandstand and possibly some indoor areas in case of inclement weather. There would also be room for food trucks, local vendors with produce and crafts, merchandising tables and an open stage for people to participate in. I have ideas for a couple interactive art and communication activities that can be facilitated to produce a compelling message that can be delivered where it needs to go after the event…and photographed and posted to social media as it evolves during the event!
The main show would kick off at 2pm with a couple opening acts and an show opening headliner and then we’d break for dinner about 4:30 and resume the open stage, art activity etc like in afternoon, autographs, and then at 7 or 7:30 the evening opener performs followed by the show closing headliner….and dun dun dun…a surprise (can’t say what it is of course, its a surprise!)
For that past few weeks, I’ve been calling, leaving e-mails and reaching out….waaaaay out and going like a one-armed paper hanger, trying to get some kindred spirits on board to make a team with me or take me on to produce this event as part of an existing spring or summer festival. I am good at facilitating and logistics but know nothing about getting this going except that the first thing I need is a venue and some sponsors so I can have a place and money to get things progressing. The bands will be whoever we can align with the date that the venue is available. I need help, a mentor/helper and preferably someone on another festival board who sees this and wants to help me out and create something super empowering for the people who care about this issue!
Thanks to anyone with ideas, contacts and especially those who want this to happen and would help with collaboration on or with an existing festival that already has access to a venue and the other pieces in place to help this happen this spring or early summer!!!
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