Let's Take a Walk #64 LTAW to The Voting Booth

Dear Friends,

Let's Take a Walk #64 took place through the heart of my neighborhood, the East Village, as we made our way to the Voting Booth. We gathered in person at Tompkins Square Park and also conneected with many of you  via Instagram Live @letstakeawalk_world and Twitter X, where Paul served as our TweetMaster/ XMaster. Our storytellers for the day were the wonderful Mercedes and Miriam, along with two inspiring Nepalese sisters, Choekyi and Tshiring. 

The focus of LYAW #64? the upcoming elections of course, and everything that's at stake: from the environment, to human rights, to women's right to choose. It was a call to action _ a reminder that every vote counts and every voice matters.  #environment, #humanrights, #womenrightstochoose. On the night of the election, as part of White Box End Game I performed Hangers 101 & a Litany of Hashtags #CautioneryTale with the wondrous Mary Abrams. Post-election  I performed Hangers 101 & a Litany of Hashtags #rewind. You can view the entire project on Instagram @mcayer27. 

As we all know now, the election results left many of us in a state of disbelief. So, What to do next? 

To watch the full recording of LTAW #64 please click on LTAW #63 Instagram Live.

As always I am deeply grateful to all the participants near and far, #walkingtogetherapart, and for your continuous support.

 

                                                         Photos in this post by Sonam Choekyi

Let's Take a Walk is a global performance I started in 2009. I lead walks that connect people worldwide via Twitter X @mcayer and Instagram Live @LetsTakeaWalk_World. Over time, it evolved into an on-site performance, with participants still joining virtually. On-site, a Town Crier, Tweet Master, and Drummer assist me as we explore themes like #Peace, #EarthDay, and #HumanRights, prompting dialogue and encouraging participants to share kind words or songs.

During each walk, I wear a knitted overskirt made by passersby over two days, which unravels as we move, leaving traces behind. The walks are documented through photos, film, and performance artifacts, creating a collective experience of walking together, even when apart, #WalkingTogetherApart. So far, there have been 64 walks, each a shared moment—a step toward peace. Each walk requires two days of knitting and conversation prior to the walk, the performance last about forty minutes. Twenty minutes are shared live on social medias. 

#WithLoveforPeace.

Marie Christine

Let's Take a Walk #63, walking for the environment, as part of Jane's Walk.

Dear Friends, Let's Take a Walk #63 took place as part of Jane's Walk NYC 2024 and in collaboration with We Are Atlas, We met in person at Beaver Noll Park Brooklyn and via Instagram Live @letstakeawalk_world.  A point of interest for Let's Take a Walk #63, The fan of Star Wars celebrates May 4th, May the Force be with you became an important motto. The Star Wars films explore complex themes and motifs, including the struggle between good and evil, the power of the Force, and the importance of family and community. These themes deepen the characters and the world of Star Wars, making it a beloved and enduring series. "May the Force be with you" was a phrase used to wish luck or goodwill, generally when individuals parted ways or the object of the expression was facing some imminent challenge. During LTAW #63, together, we will search, in a treasure hunt fashion, for what is good for families, the community, and our world. To see the recording of LTAW #63 please click on LTAW #63 Instagram Live. Jane's Walk 2024 weekend is May 3rd, 4th, and 5th. During the weekend, the simple act of exploring the city was enhanced with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.  Jane's Walk NYC encourages people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and connect with visitors and neighbors alike. We are Atlas mission is to encourage us to make significant changes in our way of life for the environment. My deepest thanks to We Are Atlas and Di Di Champagne for their collaboration and participation.  I am so grateful for your support and participation. #withloveforpeace, à bientôt. Marie Christine.

    

On my way to the starting point. NYC Subway.

We are Atlas signature reusable bag.

 

Recycled cardboard wrap served as a megaphone and reusable bottle holder.

The world we leave for the children.

Check Di Di Champagne music on bandcamp. 

Let's Take a Walk #62 for The International Women's Day

Dear Friends 

Thank you so much for joining us on March 8 for Let's Take a Walk #62  in person and via Twitter X @mcayer & Instagram Live @LetstakeaWalk_World. We celebrated #InternationalWomensDay. #walkingtogetherapart for #allwomen #withLoveforPeace

This year's Women's Month theme: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress. Inspiring Inclusion, highlights the significance of diversity and empowerment across all sectors of society.

The Color, purple.

What song or a poem that celebrates All Women and speaks of #womensrights & #EmbraceEquity do you sing or recite?

Let's Take a Walk #62 began in Washington Square Park, on the side of the ephemeral artwork of Felix Morelo, The International Day of Women's Circle. Nearby, musicians were playing, and Kanami Kusajima @Laithairdown was dancing. We walked under the Arch, where The Suffragettes marched for women's rights on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. It was one of the first organized strikes by working women, during which they called for a shorter workday and decent wages. In addition to the Women's March for Suffrage on October 23, 1915, over 25,000 women marched up Fifth Avenue in New York City to advocate for women's suffrage. At that point, the fight had been ongoing for over 65 years, with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 first passing a resolution favoring women's suffrage. Unfortunately, they wouldn't find success for another five years.

My gratitude to the excellent Storyteller and city guide Erin Donnelly who presented Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in understanding American Art and the founder of The Whitney Museum and so much more. Paul suggested Women Hold Up Half Sky, Tanasha took up the challenge and sang Women Hold Up All the Sky,

Tanasha sang her original song Love is Here accompanied by her mother, Penni. The poet and painter Cheryl Kaplan read Chartless by Emily Dickinson.

As we enter the outstanding New York Studio School on the former site of The Whitney Museum. Walking along 8th Street, we discussed the History of the 8th Street artists, particularly women such as Elaine De Kooning, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell. Their stories are wonderfully told in the book The Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel. Our walk's last stop was at The Jefferson Public Library, formerly The Jefferson Market Courthouse and Women's House of Detention. As Wendy read its history, we learned that Mae West was detained at the Jefferson House of Detention and accused of Obscenity Charges following the Broadway opening of her play Sex. She had to pay a $500.- penalty and served a sentence of 10 days. 

Thank you so much to all for your continuous participation. I want to highlight Wendy Wasdahl, Alvin Eng, and Paul Katz for their long-time support and participation, Laura for recommending The Ninth Street Women, as well as Uli and Estraya from London, who joined us in person. My gratitude goes to people who followed LTAW #62 via Instagram Live, and to everyone who were with us in thought. To see the video of our journey please go to @letstakeawalk_world LTAW#62

Together, as always, we walked for Peace, thinking in particular about the horrendous war taking place in Israel and Palestine. Our thoughts of comfort and wishes for Peace to all. 

#WalkingTogetherApart #withLoveforPeace. 

 

Chartless by Emily Dickinson.

I never saw a moor,   

I never saw the sea;   

Yet now I know how the heather looks,   

And what a wave must be.   

I never spoke with God,

Nor visited in Heaven;   

Yet certain am I of the spot   

As if the chart were given.

 

 

                                             

Let's Take a Walk #61

Dear Friends.

Let's Take a Walk #61 took place on January 2024, 100 days after the terrible attack on Israel from Hamas, the beginning of the current conflict. The hostages taken by Hamas have yet to be brought back home. Today's event occurred in Central Park, a march to free the hostages.

Walking for peace as participants chanted, "Bring them Home." Marching for Peace and Compassion for all people in Israel and in Palestine.  #WalkingTogetherApart #withLoveforPeace.