Spontaneous Celebrations refers to both a building in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, United States which acts as an arts and education center,[1] and to a community group which is based there. The mission of the group is to create a cultural life through the arts, and especially through seasonal celebrations in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, Massachusetts and education.[2] Its classes emphasize dance, stiltwalking, trapeze, and other circus arts.[3]

History

Spontaneous Celebrations dates back to the defeat of the proposed Interstate 95 in Massachusetts extension through many Boston neighborhoods. The first “Wake Up the Earth” Festival, in 1979, was partly a celebration of the coalition which fought the highway.[4] Spontaneous Celebrations was then founded by Femke Rosenbaum [1] to continue the local organization and festivals, and eventually acquired the building around which its community and events center. Of its influence on the Jamaica Plain area, The Boston Globe says: "One Woman (Femke Rosenbaum) Changed JP" (Jamaica Plain).[5]

Festivals

  • "Wake Up the Earth Festival"[6] in early May,
  • ‘Lantern Parade’ on Jamaica Pond just before Halloween[1]
  • ‘Tropical Festival’ in February[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Community Toolbox, University of Kansas, "Improving Parks and Other Community Facilities: Example: Femke Rosenbaum and Spontaneous Celebrations"
  2. ↑ Robin Cuthbert Lee, Jamaica Plain Patch, September 24, 2010, "Spontaneous Celebrations"
  3. ↑ Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe, Dec 31, 2001 "9-11 CHILL WON'T FREEZE OUT FIRST NIGHT AFTER SCHOOL AT FULL STILT"
  4. ↑ Southwest Corridor Park Conservancy, "Southwest Corridor Park Conservancy, Southwest Corridor Park Origins and Upkeep"
  5. ↑ Johnny Diaz,Kierra Mills, The Boston Globe,Oct 13, 2002 "FEMKE'S SENSE OF FUN STILTS, BRAZILIAN DANCERS, LANTERN FESTIVALS. HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED JP THROUGH FRIVOLITY. CAN IT LAST?"
  6. ↑ Ethan Bronner, The Boston Globe Archive, May 4, 1986 "'CORRIDOR' RESIDENTS CELEBRATE SPRING"
  7. ↑ Michelle Kearns, The Boston Globe, Sunday, June 9, 2002. Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe, Dec 31, 2001 "9-11 CHILL WON'T FREEZE OUT FIRST NIGHT"AFTER SCHOOL AT FULL STILT"

Sources

42°19′03″N 71°06′20″W / 42.3175°N 71.1056°W / 42.3175; -71.1056

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