Dancing mailboxes deliver voting info in Honesdale, Hawley, and Scranton on Oct. 24 through Election Day
From a press release:
“Delivering Democracy,” presented by the Farm Arts Collective, will appear at public outdoor locations in Honesdale, Hawley, and Scranton starting Saturday, Oct. 24 through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The nonpartisan performances feature a chorus of dancing mailboxes made up of members of the collective and participants from the community. The short street theatre shows consist of a choreographed song and dance to the tune of “Please Mr. Postman,” followed by a distribution of pamphlets to share state voting rights information.
“Delivering Democracy” is a playful, uplifting voter information campaign designed to help voters across Pennsylvania know how and where to vote safely, expanding participation in democracy. Performer-citizens will provide flyers with accurate information about how voters in the county can vote by mail, drop off their ballots, or vote in person.
The Farm Arts Collective is still accepting performers, so interested actors can call 570-798-9530 or email tannis@farmartscollective.org.
“In light of confusion and misinformation, voters might need a reminder about how and when to vote. The dancing mailboxes will also make sure that local voters know that they can always call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to get up-to-date and accurate information on all of their voting options,” the collective said.
These flash mob-style performances were initiated and developed by Larry Bogad at the University of California, Davis/Center for Tactical Performance and the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble in New York City, with national support from the Center for Artistic Activism as part of their Unstoppable Voters Project.
“Delivering Democracy” schedule on Saturday, Oct. 24
10 a.m.: Dave’s Super Duper and Wayne County Farmers Market (200 Willow Ave., Honesdale)
10:15 a.m.-noon: Various stops on Main Street in Honesdale, including The Cooperage (1030 Main St., Honesdale) and 7th Street Pavilion
1 p.m.: The Hawley Hub (318 Main Ave., Hawley)
1:30 p.m.: Hawley Silk Mill (8 Silk Mill Drive, Hawley)
2 p.m.: Bingham Park (133-179 Main Ave., Hawley)
The Farm Arts Collective is a farm-based community hub in Damascus where art and performance intersect with agrarian and ecological ideas. It is based in a large greenhouse centrally located at Willow Wisp Organic Farm, a solar-powered organic vegetable farm serving Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Catskills, and New York City.
The collective is home to workshops, performance, meals, and special events that engage community members in education and creative practices that deepen connections to the area and each other.
Original theatre performance is the artistic mainstay at the Farm Arts Collective, with ongoing workshops, rehearsals, and public performances. Open to all members of the community, artistic director Tannis Kowalchuk leads the ensemble of performers, designers, stilt-walkers, and makers in projects that address important contemporary issues. Productions are spectacular indoor and outdoor works presented on site and often tour regionally.
“Farm Arts Collective is a dream come true,” Kowalchuk said.
“It is an opportunity to combine what I love to do most: farm, create powerful theatre, cook, eat, and connect with my community. Farm Arts Collective is a remarkable opportunity to provide nourishment on so many levels – artistically, physically, spiritually – as we work on unique projects and learn from one another.”
