Solar Nightwalk – A unique experience on Governors Island
Join the event on August 3 on the beautiful island, co-created by Little Sun, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, and immersive theater artist Nate Koch
The special public late night event will bring together close to 200 people of all ages for an engaging, fun, and educational “off the grid” experience incorporating the landscapes and architecture of Governors Island, art, poetry, music and renewable energy. Using Little Sun Solar Lamps to light the way, the participants will be invited to experiences a guided walk of the topography of Governors Island at sunset, and in the process, create a work of art together.
Building on a successful collaborative solar education program between Little Sun and Usdan in 2017 and 2018, the group is hosting this program to extend its reach and to inspire a creative mentality towards sustainability in daily life. The program fosters empathy and awareness of ecological challenges, as well as an understanding of the integral role of children as an active part of the global community.
WHERE:
The Oval at Governors Island (Approximately a 15-minute walk from the ferry, at the southern end of the island)
**The ferry leaves from the Battery Maritime Building in downtown Manhattan: https://govisland.com/visit-the-island/ferry
WHEN:
Friday, August 3, 7:15PM-10PM
6:30PM Ferry departs lower Manhattan
7:15PM Check-in/meet group at the Oval on Governors Island.
*Pick up Little Sun Solar Lamps and enjoy complimentary refreshments in the Oval until 7:45pm*
8:00PM Walk begins promptly at this time – a few minutes before sunset
9:30PM Event concludes
10PM Last ferry from Governors Island
ABOUT THE COLLABORATORS
Little Suns solar solutions are for everyone: they benefit communities living off the electrical grid by working with local entrepreneurs, creating local jobs, and generating local profits. The Little Sun social business was officially launched by artist Olafur Eliasson in July 2012 at London’s Tate Modern to bring clean, affordable solar energy to the 1.1 billion people living without electricity. Since then, more than 600,000 Little Sun lamps have been distributed worldwide, with more than half going to off-grid areas. Purchasing Little Suns in areas of the world with electricity makes the products available in off-grid areas at reduced, locally affordable prices, where they provide a clean alternative to toxic and expensive fuel-based lighting and a steadfast and clean alternative to relying on the electrical grid.
Little Sun has a particular focus on bringing solar to school students everywhere in the world and have developed educational and outreach programs to put the power to read and learn in the hands of the students themselves. www.littlesun.com / www.littlesunfoundation.org
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts (http://www.usdan.org) nearly 100 programs in music, dance, theater, visual arts, creative writing, nature, recreation and chess, annually hosting more than 1,400 students from towns throughout the New York City metro area. Open to all young people from age 4 to 18, no audition is needed for most courses, and transportation is provided in air-conditioned buses that depart from most New York-area neighborhoods. One-third of Usdan’s students receive scholarship assistance based on family need or merit. Although the mission of Usdan is for every child to establish a relationship with the arts, the unique stimulation of the campus has caused many to go on to arts careers. Alumni include members of Broadway shows and major music, theater, and dance ensembles such as the Boston Pops and the New York City Ballet. Usdan is an agency of the UJA-Federation of New York. All programs will take place at the camp’s magnificent 140-acre woodland campus, located at 185 Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights, NY.
Nate Koch is a Lortel-award winning (Sweeney Todd, 2017) and Drama Desk-award winning (Queen of the Night, 2015) immersive theater artist and producer. In 2016 he founded ENVEEKAY, a boutique producing, creative, and management company uniquely positioned to lead the creation and production of projects that often defy general categorization – whether they be site-specific/immersive works, theatrical productions, hospitality projects, or any kind of “it’s ____ meets ____” experience that involves an audience having a transformative experience in an extraordinary location. Current and past projects include: executive producer, Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theatre; SPACE on Ryder Farm, a residency program for artists, chefs, and activists on a 130-acre organic farm in Brewster, NY; Theatre of the Mind by David Byrne; creative and producing consultant for NYU Law’s Center for Inclusion, Diversity, & Belonging (2017); creative producer, 2016 Google I/O Developer Conference at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA; EVP, creative development for music festival producer Superfly (2015); producer, Queen of the Night (2014); design producer, Florian Café + Trattoria + Bar (2014); GM, Ars Nova/Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (2012-2013); co-creator of installation/happening “A Place to Lay My Head” at the Bronx River Art Center (2012); management associate with Broadway producer/GM Joey Parnes (2010-2012); associate producer (development), Sleep No More (2009-2010); producing director, the TEAM (2008-2011); design producer on over 75 projects with David Korins Design (2007-2009). Graduate of NYU/Tisch – Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. @nathanvkoch
Special thanks to the Danish Consulate of New York who made this event possible.
