The New York Climate Exchange, the Climate Museum, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) presented World Oceans Day: A Musical Celebration, an ocean-inspired concert and reception at the Arts Center at Governors Island for World Oceans Day on Monday, June 8, 5:45–7:45 PM (program: 5:45-7:15; reception 7:15-7:45).
Bringing together music, dance, and advocacy, this event featured musicians from the Metropolitan Opera and American Modern Opera Company, convened by Zoë Martin-Doike, performing works by Native Hawaiian composer Leilehua Lanzilotti, featured composer at the New York Philharmonic and Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Attendees also enjoyed performances by Te Ao Mana, a dance company bringing Polynesian culture to New York City, and had the option to dance a little themselves with instruction from the company. A panel discussion featuring Te Ao Mana co-founder Anthony Aiu and acclaimed visual artist Leslie Wayne rounded out the program. Wayne’s newest exhibition, The Unintended Blues, will premiere this summer as part of LMCC’s River to River Festival, connecting themes of water and climate change.
This evening along the waterfront explored our connection to the sea and lifted up meaningful ways to take collective action for our oceans, while celebrating the role of the arts and the contributions of Pacific Islanders to human culture.
The event was free and open to the public.
This program was supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.