Dear Supporters and Donors–
2011 was the largest and grandest All Souls Procession yet, and we have you to thank! As I crunch the numbers, I am heartened by everyone’s generosity and also dismayed at how expensive this little event has become. I think we all agree this year’s route and expansive finale site made it easier and safer for everyone to participate and enjoy the festivities. Public agencies worked with us to keep costs reasonable and we are appreciative.
However, our costs for safety and security went up from $6,000 to almost $10,000 and street closure costs went from around $2,000 to $10,000. (click here to see the Profit and Loss Statement for All Souls Procession 2011)
Most artists and directors were not paid this year, including Artistic and Technical directors; others donated their stipends back to Many Mouths One Stomach to help. We are still approximately $15,000 short though as the year comes to a close. So if you have not helped out yet, now is the time. Please click here to go to our online donation page. For all who have been donating to support All Souls Procession 2011, we thank you!
For 2012, we will work again with our friends at Popcycle on a bigger and better All Souls Procession Art Auction. We will offer tiered VIP seating for personal donations over $1000 –2 seats right up close and personal to the Finale– and for small businesses that donate more than $3,000, up to 10 boxseats. We will also be paying stipends to folks who will collect donations from the Finale crowd, creating donation crews, and expanding our merchandise to include higher-end handmade crafts.
It is important to bear in mind that the cultural currency we hold in our community does not necessarily translate into the coin of the realm, that the value of the artistic expression and beauty created together by all of us as a community is in itself a thing so precious it cannot be monetized, and as the organizers of this event we are committed to uphold and protect the merit of your contributions while ensuring the sustained life of the event.
•Part of the mission of Many Mouths One Stomach is to educate and empower folks to create their own culture through the performing arts. Tucson Circus Arts had a huge year with 2011 Circus Camp attended by over 100 students and ongoing classes almost every day of the week.
Our Critical Stilt “Frisky Frolic” Dance Party at Second Saturday gave us all a chance to get out in a crowd and shake it here at home, and on Friendship Day students from Tucson Circus Arts, Ajo, the Tohono O’odham Reservation and Sonoita, Mexico all shook it together!
Our Crash Course Circus Intensive wrapped up just this Sunday (12/18). Over 25 students attended classes in aerial silks, intermediate stilts, poi-spinning and Circus Open Gym and then showed off their talents to benefit MMOS. A big round of applause for all the students and instructors, especially assistant TCA Director Katherine Tesch!
We look forward to more tricks, more dances, more students and more fab guest instructors in 2012! For details on what’s coming next, go to www.tucsoncircusarts.com
Cheers
Nadia Hagen Artistic Director/ MMOS
•Also on the horizon, filmmaker Leslie Ann Epperson will be hosting a screening of Souls Solace –a documentary in progress depicting the All Souls Procession Weekend and the creative and communal expressions of grief– and hold a discussion of and suggestions for the movie. Place and time to be announced after the holidays (we will announce via our All Souls Procession Weekend and Many Mouths One Stomach accounts on Facebook). The screening of this work in progress will provide a way for people to comment on and critique the project, helping Leslie to shape the film so that it accurately reflects the All Souls Procession community
Nadia Hagen and Paul Weir –MMOS board members and Artistic and Technical Directors respectively for the All Souls Procession grand finale ceremony– will be in attendance at the screening and foster a lively discussion about the importance of festal culture in the Tucson community and the mission of MMOS.