My shoes are tied to you.

When I put the Tap shoes back in the baskets, I often tie the laces of each shoe to each other so they won’t get mismatched. Poetically, I am reminded of how two sea otters “hold hands” while sleeping so they won’t float apart during the night. Today, while gathering shoes from a class to put back in the basket, I noticed that I didn’t tie my shoes together. I thought about this after and decided that my shoes are already tied to every shoe in the basket. And just as they are also tied to the drum, the floor, my heart, and my mentors… in this continued poetic way… now my shoes are tied to you.

Recently, I have revisited a quote that once inspired me as an Environmental Science student in the 90’s said by Lilla Watson, an indigenous Australian/Murri visual artist and activist. “If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” 

These words have taken on a new meaning for me because of the work that we do with THEY DANCE FOR RAIN. It is not “them dancing” and “us helping”. It is all of us woven together.  We are bound to each other through this often invisible thread of humanity. When we step outside of our comfortable places we must face our ignorances, insecurities, assumptions, privileges, and differences and find the courage to admit, accept and then embrace in order to create peace and real change. THEY DANCE FOR RAIN encourages this process… here in the U.S. and in Nairobi.

We look forward to returning to Nairobi for the month of January to continue strengthening the awareness of this thread through the process of making dance, photography, art and -most importantly maybe- meaningful relationships. Thank you for being a part in this process.

As we prepare the baskets for more Tap shoes, we have some loose ends to tie-up. $2000 must find it’s way to us in the next 45 days so we can complete our fundraising, focus on our objectives and be ready for our 5th residency in January.

If you have not given and want to, here is the link to make your tax-deductible donation online: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=9160

To mail a check written to FRACTURED ATLAS for THEY DANCE FOR RAINsend to: Stefanie Weber PO BOX 3094 Pittsfield, MA 01202 (I will email you a tax receipt after the donation is processed.)

If you have given already: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

We’ll be in touch again before we venture off. Until then, I hope this little note reminds you of the indestructible and eternal threads between us all.

Be well
-Stefanie

They Dance For Rain is a Fractured Atlas fiscally-sponsored project founded/directed by Stefanie Weber in collaboration with fine arts photographer Monika Pizzichemi and project assistant Josephine McDonald.