African Burial Ground - Reinterment Tribute


Friday, October 3, 2003 Wall Street Pier & African Burial Ground Memorial Site Program Outline

10:30 AM	Pre-Arrival Ceremony Recorded Music Photo Op at Pier 11 as boats arrive with coffins Pallbearers receive coffins
11:00 AM	Arrival Ceremony Church bells ring to mark arrival
	Item 1:	Drummers begin
	Item 2:	Clergy/Contingent Procession brings coffins to stage
11:15 AM	Item 3:	Libation and Prayers
	Item 4:	Co-Hosts introduce anthem
11:35 AM	Item 5:	Anthem: ARC - Lift Every Voice
11:38 AM	Item 6:	Statement of the Occasion: Howard Dodson Greetings: Stephen Perry, Administrator GSA
11:44 AM	Item 7:	Statement of Findings: Michael Blakey
11:47 AM	Item 8:	Performance: Boys & Girls Choirs of Harlem
11:52 AM	Item 9:	Statements of Greeting (2 minutes per person) International Chair David Dinkins (Recognize diplomatic corps) Sir Rex Nettleford African Representative Mayor Michael Bloomberg Congressman Charles Rangel Secretary of State Randy Daniels State Senator David Paterson Borough President C. Virginia Fields Rev. Jesse Jackson
12:15 PM	Item 10:	Performance: Boys Choir of Harlem
12:20 PM	Item 11:	Hosts give procession instructions Band/ Drummers move forward
1:00 PM	Vigil Ring Shout: performance around commemorative floor sculpture (inside 290 Broadway: audience will hear on Duane Street) Coffins are removed from carriages and placed in crypts until complete. Four coffins that arrived via flotilla will travel to four other boroughs then return to lie in state at African Burial Ground.
1:30 PM	Vigil continues on Duane Street stage until 9:00 a.m. October 4. Twenty-minute segments have been reserved by church, fraternal, and other organizations and performing arts groups for their rites and rituals.

October 4, 2003 Foley Square, New York City Program Outline

10:00 AM	Pre-Tribute Ceremony Music: Should include a violin tribute along with gospel, jazz, etc. Dance: Should include a tap tribute (Note: Fiddle playing and tap dancing were key forms of cultural expression during the colonial period.)
10:30 AM	Clergy/Coffin Contingents Procession leaves Surrogate Court
11:00 AM	Tribute Program
	Item 1:	Reading: When They Took the Drums Away Drummers lead procession Clergy moves to stage Contingents leave coffins at center stage
11:10 AM	Item 2:	Call to Celebration of Life: Dr. James Forbes a. Tribute mass choir performs b. Prayers & Libation c. Litany with audience participation d. Anthem: Lift Every Voice
11:40 AM	Item 3:	Performance Tributes a. Dance Tribute: Scenes from Revelations, Ailey Company b. Readings:
11:55 AM	Item 4:	Who will speak for the children? a. Girls Choir b. Autumn speaks for girls c. Eulogy for girl children d. Boys Choir e. A young male speaks f. Eulogy for boy children g. Responsive Reading for Children
12:15 PM	Item 5:	Dance Tribute: Marie Brooks Children’s Dance Company
12:22 PM	Item 6:	Who will speak for the women? a. Reading: b. Vocal solo: c. Eulogy: d. Responsive Reading for Women:
12:37 PM	Item 7:	Who will speak for the men? a. Reading: Strong Men b. Vocal solo: c. Eulogy: d. Responsive Reading for Men
12:52 PM	Item 8:	Boys Choir of Harlem – Heroes
12:57 PM	Item 9:	Final Words: Maya Angelou
	Item 10:	African Dancers and Drummers assemble on stage Clergy & Contingent groups assemble for procession to Burial Ground

1:15 PM	Reinterment Ceremony African Burial Ground Memorial Site Audience at Foley Square views procession and Item 1 on Jumbotrons
	Item 1:	Final 4 Coffins are placed into crypts
	Item 2:	Burial of crypts
	Item 3:	Final prayers and libation
	Item 4:	Moment of Release (Drummers)
2:00 PM	VIP Invitation Only Reception at Surrogate Courthouse