I came to the town of Torino to see their unique way of life with their caravan of 4 wagons, 6 horses, 9 people, and 1 baby. They called themselves Caravana Balacaval, which is Italian for “Caravan of Dancing Horses.” Two wagons were beautifully designed living quarters with beds and storage space. The other two wagons had multiple uses. One was a kitchen on one side and a bar for selling drinks,
cd’s, and literature on the other side. The other wagon was the stage where they performed. It also doubled as a small sleeping room and storage. I came to see these talented musicians and artists to gain some tangible insight for my own wagon project here in Miami. with much more. This wagon project could’ve just been a funny little stage that does shows on the street for entertainment, but I gained a whole new perspective on how this caravan will operate. It will have a sense of daily care, family, love, laughter, sharing, music, creativity, and truly invite the community to be a part of something special. Those are the things I want to nourish and bring to Miami. That lively feeling of true community and togetherness. Why not meet in the streets, or on the beach, or at a park and gather with your neighbors to experience the magic of a travelling caravan. THE IDEA
I will construct an old-time wooden wagon that transforms into a theatrical playing space, and is pulled by a vehicle used for housing and vending. The wagon will host productions that will include, but are not limited to: silent film-like theater that utilizes projections, live music, and live performance, film screenings and other original works. I seeks to transform the streets of Miami into a theatrical landscape that transports the city dweller to an oasis where performance and story break the boundaries that separate performer from audience and bring communities closer to the arts. Workshops and afterschool programs will be held to bring kids and fellow artists into a positive and artistically educational environment. At every show we will have local food and/or art vendors selling their handmade creations, as well as selling our own items like shirts, cd's, and other keepsakes. REACHING OUT
This project began when the James L John S Knght foundation showed their belief in this vision by generously awarding me the Knight Arts Challenge Matching Grant for $50,000. I am simply proposing the possibility of existence of a thing and I am asking for your help. That’s right. Part of this vision is to ask each other for help, lend a hand to your neighbor and come together to create something that will enrich and benefit all of Miami and immerse us in a magical community culture. So I start by asking you, patrons and purveyors of the arts and the growing creative culture of our community in Miami. I ask you to become part of this conversation. An artistic community project like this is like an answer to a problem. The problem: Some people are not economically able to go see live performance or simply go to the theatre at all. The answer: Our caravan will bring innovative performance, that’s been locally created, and is free for all to experience. For this caravan I see a new way for community. It It demonstrates a new way of life, and when people see an out of this world dream realized, when they see something magical that you’ve only seen in movies or heard about in storybooks IN your neighborhood, it sends a message that truly, really, anything is possible. THE GOAL
We are seeking to reach $50,000 dollars in donations. For every dollar you donate, the John S. James L. Knight Foundation will match each dollar up to $50,000 dollars, leaving a grand total of $100,000 dollars. And if my calculations are correct that will be enough to design, build, insure, tag, register, and store a fully equipped performance wagon with light, sound, and projection capabilities, travel sustainably with bio-diesel and other energy efficient resources, fund several productions with the appropriate props, set, costumes, performing artists and supporting crew, broadcast productions globally via internet, acquire the appropriate permits to perform in certain areas in Miami, pay for administrative services, have local art and other local creations to sell at each show, record the musical score of each show and create albums to sell, pay for licensing fees to have film screenings of local and other films, and of course pay for marketing, and that’s just the beginning. THANK YOU! With sponsors like you, all of the above is possible. Together we can enrich and enliven our Miami community with the arts and support local artists. Let us bring new life, let us bring a new meaning of what community and art can be, let us – together – bring the wagon project to fruition here in Miami, so we can roll through a neighborhood near you! Thank you all so much for reading.
