In support of Juneteenth and Big Teeth Collective

poster for goodbye party the show

Hey y’all.

Due to the hard working efforts of Dr. Ronald Myers, Opal Lee, the 95 year Texas woman who walked 1,400 miles over 4 months to Washington D.C. and many others, Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Act last year making June 19 a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America. Because June 19 falls on a Sunday in 2022, NECCA employees will observe the holiday on Monday, June 20. All programming will be closed with the exception of Intro to Teaching Aerials. Juneteenth recognizes June 19,1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger of the Union army read federal orders to a community of the last remaining enslaved people in Texas stating that all enslaved people were free. It is a day to celebrate the emancipation of all people who had been enslaved in the U.S.

Last year, many NECCA staff decided that it was important to live our values of connection and inclusion by recognizing such holidays as Juneteenth and Indigenous People’s Day. This is in alignment with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey begun last year by our Board. This is a small way to propel us forward to the public as an organization that recognizes systemic racism and oppression and is taking steps to help build a more just, diverse and equitable community here, in American Circus and in the world.

We encourage you to support fellow NECCA staff in the Goodbye Show by Big Teeth Collective this Saturday night, June 18th. The company is composed of NECCA staff (and alumns!), Naomi Ullian, Jessica Hill, Catherine Jett, Megan Gendell and Molly Graves. This is a one night only evening of farewell and catharsis, that workplace ritual where we raise a glass to the best and worst memories at the company that writes all of our paychecks: Earth, the Planet, LLC. The show is largely a fundraiser for BIPOC land access in New England.

Show details:
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Doors @ 7:30, Show @ 8:00
Outdoors: 1965 East West Road, Dummerston, VT
Parking is limited; may park at the covered bridge on route 30 and carpool from there.
Rain Location: NECCA, 10 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, VT
Tickets at the door, sliding scale $10-18, no one turned away, cash or venmo only
*Stay for the Post Show Dance Party*
BYOS / Bring your own seating (blankets, lawn chairs etc).

 

In circus and community,

Jenna