Submission by Matthew Peter Nagowski:
Waterfront enthusiasts are organizing a boat dance for the Erie Canal Harbor on October 2nd.
Think of self-powered boats moving in choreographed fashion on water. So like synchronized swimming, only in boats. Our group put together our first boat dance two years ago to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the signing of the Boundary Waters treaty, and we had so much fun we decided to organize another one in conjunction with the UB Humanities Institute 'Fluid Culture' theme this academic year. From Great Lakes United in 2009 (see post):
So, what is a Boat Dance? Imagine synchronized swimming or a marching band. Now think of our (non-motorized) boats on the water. We will work with a choreographer, Gerald Trentham, to develop the moves appropriate to our small vessels and skills and to combine them into a dance. We'll have music, lights on the vessels, and we're even working to see if we can put singers in some of the boats. This will happen at dusk-- light enough to see, and dark enough to be effective. Where and when will the Boat Dance be performed?
Our performance is going to be at 5PM on October 2nd in Erie Canal Harbor, but we are also actively seeking participants to join our dance in the water as well. Interested canoeists and kayakers can sign up online at www.boatdance.com. We practiced this past Sunday the 18th on Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park and will practice again next Sunday the 25th at 4pm at the Buffalo Riverfest Park in the First Ward.
It's not too late to sign-up as a canoeist or kayaker for this event! Our final practice will be this Sunday afternoon at 4PM on the Buffalo River, so please head on over to boatdance.com to register for our mailing list!
For everybody else, hope to see you on shore on October 2nd!