Senate Resolution No. 5453

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 25th Anniversary of Dance
Theatre Etcetera's Annual Red Hook Festival on June
2, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and
entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and
cultural enrichment of their communities and the great State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Dance Theatre Etcetera's Annual Red
Hook Festival on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Ikea's Erie Basin Park,
Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's festival is themed Artist and Activist and will
showcase many nonprofit organizations which provide valuable services
and resources to the community, as well as works Dance Theatre Etcetera
(DTE) artists have created with community members exploring the theme of
engaged citizenship; and

WHEREAS, For more than two decades, DTE has made the arts a vital
component of community change in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and has replicated
its programming in low-income communities across New York City; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, DTE unites artists and
community members to co-create cultural activities, using the arts as a
vehicle for critical investigations that lead to personal and social
transformation; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, DTE has provided model school-wide arts
integration programs at high-needs public high schools and has offered
community-based afterschool arts/media programs in Red Hook which help
young people navigate the transition to adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital organization has presented
performance festivals, such as the Annual Red Hook Fest which celebrates
community and animates public spaces; and

WHEREAS, As DTE celebrates 25 years of dedicating its efforts to
creating a more just and joyous world through the arts, it is
relaunching itself today as Hook Arts Media, reflecting its roots in Red
Hook and its new identity which highlights its expansion beyond dance
and theatre; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished history, DTE has demonstrated
continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of DTE is in direct correlation to the efforts
of Founder/Executive Director Martha Bowers and her dedicated staff,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an

impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Dance Theatre Etcetera's Annual Red
Hook Festival on June 2, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Martha Bowers, Founder and Executive Director, Dance
Theatre Etcetera, Brooklyn, New York.