September 11, 2001 at the Bride
Jazz trumpeter and composer Hannibal Lokumbe was scheduled to arrive via plane that day to conduct a workshop. When the planes hit the towers, the Pentagon and the field in Shanksville, the staff really wasn’t sure what to do. They came into the office and watched the news for hours, awaiting word from Hannibal. Early the next day Hannibal arrived, knocking on the door, ready to complete his mission. Despite all that had occurred he was still prepared to lead the workshop at the Philadelphia High School for Creative And Performing Arts. Even though Philadelphia schools were closed he still met with the students. He prompted them to leave all the negative energy from what was happening in the world outside the door, and delve into the workshop. It was a healing experience for all who attended.
Later in the month, on September 28th the Bride was scheduled to present Shankar: Masters of Indian Music. Just 17 days after the tragedy, patrons phoned in – not only to ask if the show was going to go on as scheduled, but if they would be safe. Certain pockets of society at this point were thick with hate, blaming anyone who looked even remotely Middle Eastern for the lives lost. The staff assured them that the Bride would be a safe space, for people of all colors, nationalities and perspectives.
I’m proud to work for an organization that works with artists dedicated to the work they do, and at a place where audiences are filled with all different types of people in love.
Artist Isaiah Zagar commemorated the day by adding a special September 11, 2001 tile to the mosaic skin of our building:
by LaNeshe Miller-White, Marketing Manager