We live in one of the most unique regions in the world- on the shores of Lake Erie a stones throw away from our good neighbors in Canada. 2009 has been named “The Year of Our Shared Waters” to mark 100 years of the United States and Canada working collaboratively to protect the freshwaters that cross the international boundary. These unique shared waters can be found from the West Coast to the Great Lakes, and the Niagara River region is hosting the party! We will be reporting soon on the long list of activities being scheduled to celebrate “Boundary Waters Week” from June 5-14, ….but first, get involved. Come out tomorrow, because the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeepers is Calling for Boat Dancers.
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?
There are two scheduled performances of the Niagara Boat Dance: June 9th (tentative)at the Canoe Club on the Canadian shore and June 12th at the confluence of the Buffalo River and City Ship Canal directly in front of the Erie Canal Harbor.
How can we be involved?
Sign up at the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER website (www.bnriverkeeper.org) or by calling 852-7483. We’ll have a planning meeting at 5:30pm on April 1st at RIVERKEEPER offices (1250 Niagara St., Buffalo), at least four on-land rehearsals in April and May, a rehearsal in the water in early June, and finally the Great Niagara Boat Dance performances.
Need more information?
Contact Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER’s website (www.bnriverkeeper.org) or e-mail boatdance@bnriverkeeper.org or contact Lynda Schneekloth (lhs1@buffalo.edu) or Richard Butz (butzra@yahoo.com).
