An Earth Day celebration
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
Brooklynites celebrated
Mother Earth with singing,
dancing, and storytelling at
Marine Park’s Salt Marsh
Nature Center’s annual
Earth Day celebration on
April 28, six days after the
official holiday.
Attendees were treated
to the Native American narrative
work of Roman “Redhawk”
Perez, the soothing vocals
of August Michael, and
a variety of dance routines
courtesy of the Brooklyn
Dance Center, whose leader
called the event a success.
“It went very well. We
had about 75 people,” said
Gail Kroog. “We used to
get a lot of people from the
neighborhood, but now we
get people from all over
come to celebrate.”
Kroog treated guests to a
nature-inspired performance
with her seven-strong dance
squad, she said.
“We do a couple different
dances, we do belly dancing,
some contemporary dancing,”
she said. “All the dances
are Earth Day themed.”
Mother Earth even played
a starring role in the festivities,
as rain forced the celebration
into the Nature Center
Visitor’s Center.
“We did the event indoors
because of the rain,” said
Kroog. “But, it went great
anyway. We had the doors
open, and everyone had a
good time.”
6 COURIER LIFE, MAY 3–9, 2019 M BR B G
CELEBRATE THE EARTH: (Above) members of the dance group the Bellymystics
performed to “Spring Awakening.” (Left) Roman “RedHawk”
Perez leads the Snake Dance. Photos by Steve Solomonson
Ecologically friendly
Aesthetically pleasing
Get the garden you deserve!
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