So sorry to hear that Donna Henes left this realm on September 21, the eve of the Fall Equinox, the timing of which is entirely appropriate. For decades Mama Donna led public rituals celebrating equinoxes, solstices and other celestially auspicious occasions. Many remember Donna for leading the annual Halloween Parade in New York City with her Blessing Band. Much of her work focused on helping women find their personal power. Donna was the proud author of five published books, a CD, and countless articles. She was a spiritual leader who officiated over weddings, funerals, baby blessings and other kinds of ceremonies to see people through significant passages of their lives. And she was, foremost, a teacher who taught so many of us how to find wonder and make meaning in the world around us. The celestially auspicious occasions she organized and celebrated, her performances with Disband, and a large body of visual work speak to her long standing career as a fine artist, who received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. I met her when she was an artist-in-residence for High Performance magazine. (fb)

Kim Anno attended the Feminist Studio Workshop, back in the day! Very proud of her accomplishment. (fb)