Yesterday, in the midst of scheduling, press-release drafting, and other assorted madness relating to this Sunday's benefit where we will be screening the Tokyo production of PURE Reflections: Beauty Reimagined (which I've been blogging about -- albeit belatedly -- in parts One, Two, Prologue and sort-of-Epilogue), I got an email from Kaeshi saying that Bellydance Japan wanted to cover the benefit as well as Belllyqueen's Silk Road show, and could we answer some questions for the photoessay.
She took the Silk Road questions, and I fielded the PURE ones.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the mission of PURE -- on a personal, social and cultural level -- and these questions helped me focus and articulate some key ideas about PURE's work.
So here they are....
(1) How did the Je'Bon benefit come together?
In early March, we learned that the DVD of PURE Reflections would be ready by the end of the month, so we planned to do a small screening for PURE members, their friends and family.
When disaster struck Japan on March 11th, we of course wanted to do anything we could to support our Japanese sisters and their country, so we decided to turn the screening into a full-fledged benefit for Japan.
(2) To which organization(s) will the money be donated?
We are raising funds for two highly-rated non-profit relief organizations: AmeriCares and American Humane Association. AmeriCares specializes in disaster relief, providing invaluable aid to the victims of the 2010 earthquakes in Peru and Haiti, and now has a team on the ground in Japan. The American Humane Association provides emergency relief to animals and has created a special fund to assist Japan in its animal rescue, care and sheltering operations.
We chose to support these lesser-known charities because they have demonstrated tremendous efficiency in their use of funds and are focused specifically on disaster relief.
(3) What you wish to achieve through your performance?
As members of PURE, we hope that audiences will be moved by our work and come to a new understanding of dance, beauty and women. We also hope that sharing the Yokohama production of PURE Reflections: Beauty Reimagined with an American audience will inspire a sense of personal connection to and profound respect for these powerful women who are now facing a terrifying struggle.
(4) What is your message for the Japanese people and/or dancers?
We in America -- who endured the tragedies of 9-11 and Katrina -- are watching with awe the inspiring resilience of the Japanese people, who are facing devestation that is beyond our comprehension. You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we will help you in every way we can -- but most of all, we want you to know that we trust you. We trust the strength of your spirit and the power of your community. We stand with you through this crisis, as you have stood with us, and have the deepest faith in your power to rebuild. And we hope that, even through such tragedy, our cultures can develop deeper bonds and greater mutual understanding.
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