I joined Purple Moon’s supporters after meeting founder Jill Togawa when she performed at a special meeting where Asian and Pacific Islander Lesbian and Bisexual, Queer and Transgender (APLBQT) community members presented before the Presidential Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders back in November 2000. [Ahhh, the good ole’ days of President Clinton.] Along with dance, Purple Moon does a lot of healing movement work in the community with women who are terminally ill or in recovery. They work with groups of terminally ill women in Japantown and Chinatown who are amazing in their strength and sense of community in the face of mortality.

[On a sidenote, I also joined Purple Moon to be in community and conversation with different generations of women and, specifically Asian American women and women of color. Sometimes, when I look around at meetings or social events, I am alarmed that the majority of people I know are 25-40. I live away from the community I grew up in – and the older generations of my family are in India – so working with older women and younger women has really enriched my life. Anyway, Hyphen always makes me think about community building and the make-up of the Asian American community … anyway, more about this another time.]

This weekend, Purple Moon is holding their annual Community Garden Healing Festival at the Children's Rooftop at Yerba Buena Gardens,
located near 4th and Howard Streets in San Francisco:

The festival brings together leading women’s health professionals, practitioners and accomplished artists with women, children, youth and families to promote healthy living in a transformative afternoon of communal dance, music, art and wellness. Free activities include bodywork, massage, reiki, yoga, children’s art-making, refreshments and informational resources from a variety of health agencies. Bring a picnic and join us in a multi-cultural, intergenerational event of healing!

Also, Purple Moon is holding nominations for their DreamSpeakers awards. “Last year Purple Moon Dance Project closed its 15th anniversary season with a special awards celebration and performance honoring ten women artists who inspire us, reflect our own brilliance, and light our way through their work. Women who tell our stories, 
heal our hearts and spirits, embody our wisdom and preserve and enrich our culture.
We are continuing this tradition and invite you as part of our community, to nominate a woman who you would love to see honored as a DreamSpeaker.”

DreamSpeakers 2008

Call for Nominations

We are honoring women whose work meets some of these criteria:
~ not been widely honored or celebrated
~ intercultural and interdisciplinary
~intergenerational
~ is creating community
~reflects the lives of lesbians and women of color

please give us as much of the requested information as possible

Name _________________________________________

Cultural Heritage _______________________ Age________

Years working as an artist and discipline______________________

Please attach a separate sheet telling us about this woman’s work and how she has inspired you and why you would love to see her honored. Please use specific examples and take as much room as you need.

Mail to: Purple Moon Dance Project, 26 Seventh St, 6th Fl, San Francisco, CA 94103 or email information to jill [at] purplemoondance.org
Nominations are due by September 28, 2007