In less than one week, voters in three countries – England, Iran and France – elected more progressive leaders. Let’s take a moment to thank these 30 million voters and then ask ourselves what we can learn from them.
For example, let’s start talking about the rights we enjoy, and want to expand, about what our government does that makes our lives good, and what a better future might look like. This is the gist of Citizen Joy, a project I started in January that launches across the country this weekend.
“Pessimism is the ultimate short-term strategy. I’m involved with Citizen Joy because it’s all about looking for what’s good and working to make it better.” Artist and executive coach Barbara Kibbe
Citizen Joy launch events range from circus performances on flatbed trucks in New York City to an on-line art show, a dance tribute to the first transgender district in the country, a ‘Thin Mobility’ event in Chicago, a community puppet fest in North Carolina and a choir at George Mason University.
Here are some details from around the country. En-Joy!
Friday, July 26
Washington, D.C. George Mason University will present ‘Citizen Joy: A celebration of democracy through agency, harmony, and gratitude’ at Mason Exhibitions Arlington with the Sandpiper Jazz Collective, Community Choir, readings from James Baldwin, Audre Lorde and bell hooks, and a community dialogue based the three Citizen Joy questions:
- What does the government do that brings you joy?
- What choices do you get to make that are dear to your heart?
- When do you feel in harmony with your fellow citizens?
Saturday, July 27
- New York, NY: Bindlestiff Family Cirkus will offer free shows on 31st Ave in Astoria Queens and Harrod and Jennings Streets in the Bronx. These shows are pure Citizen Joy since they are made possible by local and national government funding.
- St. Paul, MN: Ten Thousand Things will release the video The Little Light of Mine led by artist Regina Williams, the final verse includes the idea of letting one’s light shine in the voting booth, with an encouragement to get out the vote.
- Pacifica, CA: Among their numerous Citizen Joy projects, Sanchez Art Center will invite California artists to submit their work for a juried, in-gallery exhibition of art that celebrates democracy, by exploring the Citizen Joy questions.
- Arcata, CA: Playhouse Arts Executive/Artistic Director Jacqueline Dandeneau will launch a project with Bay Area artist Barbara Kibbe to create an ever-growing tapestry using ten inch squares of Reemay fabric. This process will include community dialogue around the core Citizen Joy questions about gratitude, agency and harmony as Jackie and Barbara invite submissions through outreach to community organizations, at farmer’s markets and fairs, and individual artist solicitations.
- Graham, NC: Paperhand Puppet Intervention will have a community puppet building event that will include conversations about the core Citizen Joy questions.
Sunday, July 28
San Francisco, CA: Bow & Arrow Circus presents Genie Cartier’s solo show ‘The Curve,’ a multi-disciplinary exploration of the trials and tribulations growing up as a circus performer and Landyn Endo’s own Citizen Joy piece, a dance/storytelling tribute to the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. 6pm at Circus Center.
