PURE September 2009 Newsletter

The breathtaking photos above are from the Fri Sept 18 PURE Reflections: Beauty Reimagined theater shows taken by the talented Ken Stein.
Starring 25 dancers, 2 live vocalists, 5 percussionists, a complete story line, stunning visual projections and a moving set.

The PURE Reflections theater show is a 13 year dream come true. It is a personal project that I had to get out of my system, and I'm glad everyone jumped on board and it seems like it became other people's personal projects too. Based on audience feedback, it seems we have created something groundbreaking that can really make a huge difference to people's lives. It does not beat around the bush, but dives straight to the core of very important issues that affect us all. Most of the audience were profoundly moved once they saw it and reflective of their value systems afterwards. Because of this, I hope we have a chance to share it with more dancers and people in the future. We accomplished a lot in the last 2 intensive weeks leading up to the show and I know that with more time, we can make it even better and stronger.

I want to thank PURE for such an incredible weekend. I am very happy, satisfied and proud of everyone. Photos and stories are still trickling in from other chapters who also held processions on Sat Sept 19. In the meantime, I will share PURE NYC's story as well as a photo from PURE Chicago.

PURE NYC in Central Park and Roosevelt Island
Saturday's procession was so much fun. The weather was perfect, most of the crowd were warm, appreciative and respectful with many people erupting into spontaneous applause at the mere sight of us. We even got some "Bravos!" at Grand Army Plaza. I loved listening to the water in the fountain at Columbus Circle, looking up at the green leaves in the trees overhead, and seeing the afternoon light glinting off the tops of the skyscrapers. It was also very empowering to see the beautiful lines of dancers in white stretching back into the distance and to hear the steady, primal beat of the drums calling to the crowd and keeping us in pace with each other.

I appreciate the dancers who traveled from far away to join us, Holly and her Mom from Detroit, Michigan with her uniquely decorated white costume, Sherry Paris from Philadelphia with her 100 watt smile, Matt and Leann from Orlando, first male PURE dancer in NYC... (Happy Birthday Matt!!! So glad you and Leann could make it.) Katie from Connecticut. (Special thanks Katie for helping to lead ATS on the tram platform.)

Unfortunately, Elliah and Andy from DC, Sherry McDonald from Las Vegas, and Jeanine Galvan from New Jersey were not able to come due to getting sick or other commitments, however they send their thoughts and prayers. Perhaps next year!

My highlights were running into the bride and groom next to the pond in Central Park and doing a spiral formation blessing for them among a sea of paparazzi, as well spontaneous ATS on the platform waiting for the tram going to Roosevelt Island. Many dancers told me they also loved saluting the sun on top of the rock next to Wollman Rink.

I am speechless with Jenna and Aaron's Barth generosity and help. Not only did they donate $2000 (which covers the theater rental, insurance and the set for our PURE Reflections show), they borrowed and drove their neighbor's car to conveniently transport our belongings from our starting position to Roosevelt Island, AND assisted on the route giving us snacks and water on the way. Plus they provided us an incredible array of delicious food, drinks and dessert next to a starlit view of the stars and tranquil water against an impressive city scape. We could not have asked a fairy godmother for more. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Dwan topped off the weekend with bringing out her fire fans, transporting both the PURE dancers as well as the Roosevelt Island residents to another world.

PURE NYC is going to take a well deserved break for a few weeks while I travel to Vancouver, Canada Sept 25-27 sponsored by Leona and FuZhou, China Oct 16-18 sponsored by Xiao Feng. We will meet up again from October 26th onwards.

Love and light,
Kaeshi (Main facilitator for PURE and director of Bellyqueen.)

PS. Join me for a PURE workshop, show and more in Las Vegas on Nov 21-22, sponsored by Sherry McDonald.

In the looking glass, the self who is watching reflects on the self being watched. In this way, your mirror image is like a visual echo between mind, body, and spirit. There are times when a mirrored moment seems to divide the inner from the outer self. Other times, a reflection brings a welcome gift of self-acceptance and harmony. Then, seeing and being feel united in the looking glass. This synthesis of the physical self with the mental and the spiritual self is the basic element of bodylove.
Face-to-face, the eye helps to embody the I. In fact, our eyes have been called the window to the soul. Mirrors let us gaze deeply into our own eyes, into this spiritual pool of light to find enlightenment. A mirror can be a friend or a foe, a source of bodylove or shame, depending on how you view your image. What you see in your mind’s eye changes who you think you are. Conversely, who you think you are may alter what you see. A healthy self-reflection can nourish bodylove.
-Rita Freedman, Ph.D. from Page xvii of “Body Love”

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Please support PURE by coming to see the show and/or give us a donation to help us manifest our vision!
Putting on a theater show requires a mammoth amount of effort and impressive expenses once you add up theater rental, insurance, set, lights, sound, marketing, postcards, programs, photography, video projection, props etc etc.

Thank you to Aaron and Jenna Barth and Microsoft corporation for making a $2000 donation!
Thank you Joe Yip from Je'Bon Restaurant for donating $150 to the PURE Reflections Show.
Thank you Megumi Oyama for donating $50 to the PURE Reflections Show.
Thankyou to Anasma for donating $20 to the PURE Reflections Show.
Thank you to NY Chinese Cultural Center for $60 in discounts for studio rental.

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PURE's 6th Procession is also celebrating We, The World's 11 Days of Global Unity (www.WeTheWorld.org/11days).