Here We Are: An American Sunrise Kickoff

Join Dance Waterloo at Barnes & Noble Sunset Valley on Saturday, September 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for Here We Are: An American Sunrise Kickoff, a free, all-ages celebration launching An American Sunrise: A Season of Embodied Return.

Inspired by Joy Harjo’s poetry collection An American Sunrise, the event invites participants to explore belonging, memory, home, and land through storytelling, movement, writing, visual art, and shared discovery. No previous dance, writing, or art experience is required.

Any purchases at the Sunset Valley BN store or BN.com will benefit Dance Waterloo when linked with our voucher code. Select 'Apply Bookfair ID' at checkout and enter: 12970463.

Event Schedule

11:00–11:15 a.m. | Storytelling Through Dance-Making
Enjoy a family-friendly reading from one of Joy Harjo’s children’s books, followed by guided movement prompts that invite participants to bring the story to life through dance.

11:15–11:25 a.m. | Community Line Dance
Learn a short, beginner-friendly line dance and perform it together. Participants of all ages and movement experience levels are welcome.

11:25–11:30 a.m. | Welcome to the Big Read
Learn about An American Sunrise: A Season of Embodied Return, how to receive a copy of the book, and the free discussions, workshops, performances, and creative activities happening throughout the year.

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Open Activity Stations
Activity stations will remain open throughout the event, so participants may arrive at any time and choose the experiences that interest them:

• Add a self-portrait to a collaborative mural about belonging
• Write a memory-inspired haiku
• Create a postcard-sized collage representing home
• Make botanical art inspired by Central Texas native plants
• Explore the bookstore and contribute to a community-curated collection of books about belonging, memory, home, and land

Participants are welcome to join the scheduled group activities, explore the stations independently, or do a combination of both. All activities are free, and participants may engage at their own pace and comfort level.

This project was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from Arts Midwest. To learn more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. This project has been financed in part by the City of Austin’s Elevate Grant Program. Additional support provided by Barnes & Noble.