Wednesday, August 14, 2024. 85 degrees, sunny with lots of spectacular cloud gathering moving by and accord to weather reports “humidity” – which I was not aware of; and then into the mild 60s after dark.
Meanwhile, Catching up is hard to do: some of you may remember 50 years ago — that is, even if you were around on the planet back then — when Philippe Petit made his iconic illegal high-wire walk between the World Trade Center Twin Towers. Alas, remember the Twin Towers, one hundred stories up!! That’s where the walk (UP THERE!!) took place.
I remember it well. It was amazing and kinda scary. Watching at the same level all the way up there makes it even scarier. However it was magic reality, and I was very impressed and young enough to wonder what it would be like. My eventual thoughts fairly quickly turned to “what are you crazy?”
Nevertheless, the act of, the sight of M. Petit actually doing it takes you, however briefly, into another sphere of reality. Balance balance balance. Just like life always running through my thoughts. The total perfection of Man.
His two-night performance Towering!!, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, celebrates this. “I am a story maker, I create legends, I embellish,” said Philippe, reflecting on his legacy, “but I am now starting to realize that sometimes the truth is even more beautiful.”
As part of the evening, long-time friend Sting, premiered a new song inspired by that famous walk, Let the Great World Spin.
The audience gasped as Sting sang “Fields of Gold” — “You’ll remember me when the west wind moves,” while Philippe peacefully laid down on the wire overhead.
Mayor Eric Adams signed a special proclamation, declaring August 7, 2024 “Philippe Petit Day.” Presenting it on the mayor’s behalf, Natalie Koepff said “We are excited to celebrate this anniversary. Philippe is a great reminder of the enduring global appeal of New York City.”
The show vividly recreated key moments of Philippe’s walk, including a comedic portrayal of Philippe’s arrest, with confused police officers humorously imploring him to come down, and a memorable scene where a bird, puppeteered by Merlin Whitehawk, symbolized Philippe’s fascination with the avian visitor. The cast included Michael Miles, Mia Gosk, Quinn Walters, Prim Zimmerman, David Zohar, and jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen.
Philippe concluded with “So I keep going, walking through life. I refuse to retire, I will keep performing, and pass the torch to the next artists in time.” He then passed the microphone to Sophie Auster, who performed her song Flying Machine, singing, “I’ve been dreaming of the skies, flying high, where the world is free.”
At the reception following the performance, where sparkling wine donated by Aphrodise was served, Philippe was congratulated by friends including Darren Aronofsky, Judy Collins, Tony Danza, Griffen Dunne, Michael Frey, Michael Imperioli, H.E. Sheikha Paula Al-Sabah of Kuwait, Marla Maples, Nicole Miller, Shaggy, Trudie Styler, and Forest Whitaker.
Notably, New York philanthropist Barbara Tober supported the project every step of the way, driven by heartfelt admiration for Philippe and a desire to highlight the profound impact of his art.
Looking ahead, Philippe continues with a high-wire performance at East Hampton’s beloved sculpture garden and nature sanctuary, LongHouse Reserve on September 1st. LongHouse will also host a screening of the documentary Man on Wire, followed by a discussion, on August 31st.
More iconic performances. On Friday, August 2, the family of brilliant writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin hosted a special one-night celebration to commemorate his centennial birthday with “A Century of Baldwin: The Legacy Lives!”
Held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the evening was helmed by bestselling author, motivational speaker and coach Harriette Cole and featured luminaries of art, literature and culture, as well as tributes and acknowledgements to Mr. Baldwin from the Baldwin family honoring his life and legacy.
Kicking off with a chic and festive cocktail pre-reception, the show opened with a moving rendition of “Precious Lord” by Mama, I Want to Sing! performers Letrice Arlene Sturdivant and Bishop Kevin RJ McKoy followed by welcome remarks from Cole as the evening’s host.
Highlights from the Celebration included: a powerful monologue channeling the spirit of James Baldwin performed by actor Jo D. Jonz; acknowledgments, ancestor tributes and testimonials delivered on behalf of the Baldwin family by Karim Karefa-Smart, Darlene Burnett and Daniel Baldwin.
There was the never-before shared reading of the letter James Baldwin wrote to his nephew Trevor at his birth; additional readings by Dr. Frank Leon Roberts and Robert Jones Jr. (known as the Son of Baldwin on social media) and a special performance by Grammy Award winning artist, songwriter and activist Rhymefest of his latest album James & Nikki: A Conversation.
Released earlier this year, the full length musical composition was inspired by the legendary conversation between Baldwin and renowned poet Nikki Giovanni. The night culminated with all show participants and audience members joining together to sing “Happy Birthday, Jimmy!”
During the program, Trevor Baldwin (James Baldwin’s nephew and Founder, Baldwin United Fund) also officially announced the launch of the Baldwin United Fund, a collective action fund in partnership with Tides Foundation, a 501©(3) non-profit organization. This family operation will provide grant assistance to global programs while promoting the legacy of James Baldwin through art, literacy and social justice.
“A Century of Baldwin: The Legacy Lives!” was co-produced by famed choreographer George Faison and the James Baldwin Centennial Committee (JBCC), an arm of the Estate composed of Baldwin’s nieces/nephews created to facilitate special initiatives in conjunction with the centenary.
In addition to the event, Vintage just released a stunninglydesigned box set of James Baldwin’s principal novels, featuring Go Tell It on the Mountain (introduction by Roxane Gay), Giovanni’s Room (introduction by Kevin Young), and If Beale Street Could Talk (introduction by Brit Bennett) with cover art by Baldwin’s friend and contemporary Beauford Delaney.
Everyman’s Library has also just released a major hardcover compendium of Baldwin’s nonfiction, including The Fire Next Time, Nobody Knows My Name, No Name in the Street, and The Devil Finds Work, with an introduction by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. and timed to the celebration of the Baldwin centenary.
The New York Public Library is also celebrating the centenary of James Baldwin with special exhibitions, free programs for all ages, book giveaways, and more.
Visit Celebrating 100 Years of James Baldwin for more information.
