By Megan Sims • Photo by John Donabedian
The moment is burned into my memory: meeting Earthella changed the trajectory of my life.
It was a typically beautiful autumn afternoon in Ann Arbor, and I was happily wandering around the Farmers’ Market in Kerrytown, heading toward the People’s Food Co-op. Well, I was mostly happy, aside from that sort of nagging feeling rolling around in the dark back corners of my mind—that antsy sense of restlessness about what’s happening, (and not happening) with our environment, our climate, our depleting soil, our very soul as one entity—human…. “What is really happening here?”
Then, while crossing the street, something caught my eye and tickled my curiosity. It was some kind of art installation on wheels—a whimsical, satirical moving mobile with a wheelchair at its base, an owl at its peak, and a huge “blue marble” Earth beach ball juxtaposed with a huge world globe in a garbage bag that is over-weighted by a money bag. A woman sat in the wheelchair, kind of feeble and huddled over wearing a nature scene-imprinted cape and hood. I was mesmerized, perplexed, and bursting with a joyful belly laugh.
Feeling some intuitive sense of “Yes,” and of electric curiosity which indicated that I’m colliding with something special, I asked the tall man pushing the wheelchair, “What are you guys doing?”
“We’re with Extinction Rebellion Ann Arbor,” said John Donabedian (creator of Earthella). “We’re just trying to catch some eyeballs and raise some eyebrows about our planet.” Donabedian and I talked about Earthella, the urgency of finding a sustainable balance with nature, and our mutual admiration of performance art. What really struck me was his contagious optimism about the human potential to solve our challenges. From talking with him, I was inspired by a sense of the human spirit’s natural inclination to seek the path to equilibrium between people and planet.
Then we talked about Extinction Rebellion (XR), how it began in England and rapidly grew into an international eco-conscious movement known for its creative approach to non-violent protests and “staged disruptions” targeting business-as-usual institutions.
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Although the group’s name seemed to not be a great use of the Law of Attraction, I was hooked on the energy I felt being in conversation with folks using artistic expressions to make a difference in the world. I took a flyer and made a silent vow to show up to their next event.
That event was a group meditation on the sidewalk in front of Liberty Plaza in December. While meditating on being good stewards of our beautiful planet, my toes and nose froze despite my red snowsuit. But I had finally found a community who felt as passionate as I do about making positive changes, and my heart was warm.
After a few meetings with XRA2, a theme began to emerge. Donabedian and I consistently encouraged a joyful, constructive, affirming approach. The rest of the group wanted positive change and action, but their methods were more confrontational, antagonizing, and just didn’t feel as good. They felt more like pushback against the negative rather than standing firm in the positive.
There is not necessarily a right or wrong on this approach; we all must contribute in the ways we feel called to, but in a world rife with fear and opposition, when it comes to addressing the immensity of our challenges and the ensuing anxiety that can leave us feeling paralyzed and powerless, Donabedian and I agreed that creating joyful, unifying experiences that celebrate life on our amazing planet might just be the way to inspire others to stand up and protect our dear Mother Earth, and to move from feeling powerless to being empowered.
So, somewhere out of the ether, Ann Arbor’s Planet Parade & Action Network was born. We wanted it to be a monthly event (every first Sunday) so it could gain momentum and build a good reputation as a sure-fire way to invert the negative feelings of eco-anxiety into feelings of positive empowerment. We are taking steps, albeit baby steps, toward a more joyful and sustainable existence on our planet. It’s been almost two years, and the snowball is growing! …a sort of balance for our melting glaciers.
So, what exactly is Ann Arbor’s Planet Parade & Action Network? It’s part dance party, part lecture hall, part spectacle, and part educational. It’s entertaining and it’s productive, a community’s roundtable and workshop. It’s sobering, uplifting, and always big fun with palpable positivity. More specifically, it’s a sidewalk parade on Main Street with Earthella leading the way. It’s live music from our house-band, Mary & The Huz Band, and other special musical guests. It’s an open platform for issues of the day. It’s street art / performance art with a poignant purpose, and it’s an interesting discussion with a guest speaker addressing important local and global issues. Past speakers include State Representative from the 53rd District, Yousef Rabhi, Michelle Deatrick, National Chair of the DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis, mayoral candidate Anne Bannister, Ann Arbor for Public Power President Greg Woodring, A2P2’s own Lauren Sargeant, and representatives from the anti-war/pro-eco/pro-female international organization Code Pink. In closing, we circle up for inspiration to feed our more spiritual sides and to nourish our hearts and minds so we may continue to keep walking, moving forward on a positive path.
Eco-activist Linda Wan said, “I look forward to the Planet Parade every month. It recharges my spirit. Music, dance, art, education, and calls to action—all of these things, in equal measure. The serious parts help me to be a better advocate for action on the climate crisis. The fun parts are just plain joyful and remind me why this life and planet are worth agitating for.”
At this hour in our world, experiencing community, taking a stand for what matters to us, experiencing joy, having fun, and recharging our spirit can definitely help us overcome the weightiness of our times. Gathering monthly helps us recognize and realize our collective power to make the change and find hope for a brighter tomorrow. Please feel warmly invited to join us every first Sunday. We welcome your questions, stories, viewpoint, concerns, and creative endeavors. So come as you are, come as you can, do you, and help lift and be lifted by the power of pure positivity!
Every first Sunday of the month the Ann Arbor’s Planet Parade & Action Network event begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Sculpture Plaza near People’s Food Co-op (Fourth & Catherine Street). The parade steps off at 3:00 p.m., and returns to Sculpture Plaza before 4:00 p.m. for the second half of the event which finishes around 5:00 p.m. For questions or for more information email a2planetparade@gmail.com.
John Donabedian contributed to the writing of this article.
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