“RELEASE OF SOULS” 9/11 Memorial Exibit and Concert Launches Two-Year North American Tour in Pasadena
Tribute To 9/11 Emergency Response Teams to be Held on September 3, 2004
PASADENA, CA (PRWEB) August 16, 2004 -- The 9/11 terrorist attacks became a
sobering reminder of the importance of uniformed public servants who daily put
their lives on the line to help others. As a tribute to these brave men and
women and the lives lost during this tragedy, the World Memorial will premiere a
two-year North American tour – Release of Souls Memorial Exhibit and Concert –
this Labor Day weekend at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. This unique event
combines artwork with World Trade Center remnants and live music for an
uplifting experience.
The opening ceremony and concert will be held on
Friday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m., while the interactive Release of Souls
sculpture will be available for the public to experience throughout the
remainder of that weekend until Sunday, September 5. Tickets for the concert are
$30 for general admission and $20 for all emergency service and military
personnel. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit World Memorial, Firefighters
Quest for burn survivors and the FDNY Cross country Bike Tour. Tickets are
available now through Ticket Master or online at http://SouthPasFirefighters.org.
“Release of Souls is
a gift of healing and an homage to our emergency response teams’ unfailing
dedication and courage,” says Kathleen Tonnesen, creator and executive director
of the Release of Souls memorial exhibit and concert. “We appreciate everyone’s
outpouring of support, especially from local firefighters all over North
America, such as Pasadena, South Pasadena and Los Angeles departments, to help
us expand this internationally.”
The art exhibit first debuted in Maple
Ridge, British Columbia last year and grew into a concert for Vancouver’s
Veterans Day ceremonies. Accompanied by a full Honor Guard detail, Release of
Souls will continue across North America on a two-year, 24-city tour, with its
last stop in New York City. On September 11, 2006, the sculpture and
accompanying authentic World Trade Center steel ingot will be presented to FDNY
at Ground Zero. Following the fifth year 9/11 anniversary ceremonies, it will be
on exhibit before embarking on a world tour.
The Release of Souls
Sculpture
Symbolizing the thousands of souls unleashed that infamous morning,
the unique 18-feet-tall monument forges two artistic mediums – sculpture and
painting. The twin paintings are symbolic of the Twin Towers at the moment of
collapse and the two empty metal structures represent the present day empty
space. The five-sided base pays respect to the Pentagon attack and the aluminum
structure symbolizes the only survivors of this horrific event – the surviving
metal World Trade Center columns. Visitors may walk through the interactive
artwork, stop by the contemplation areas, and upon exit, view the wall of
remembrance, which contains the names of emergency workers who lost their lives
while saving others. Photographs of the sculpture and an 8-minute documentary
are available on www.releaseofsouls.org.
Release of Souls Concert and
Memorial Ceremony
The concert will bring the artwork to life by the joining
together of the California Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums, military
band and Pasadena Fire Department Honor Guard. Adding to this world-class
tribute are vocalists Fiona Blackburn and Glenda Rae, accompanied by composer
and jazz pianist Miles Black and percussionist Tony Chamberlist. Emceed by
Erroll Southers, Deputy Director of the California Governors Office of Homeland
Security, featured guest speakers include Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA),
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, South Pasadena Mayor Mike Ten and Bradley
Burlingame, brother of Capt. Charles Burlingame whose American Airline Flight 77
crashed into the Pentagon.
“We think people will support this great cause
and join us in this tribute concert to remember those who’ve given the ultimate
sacrifice – their own lives – to protect ours,” says Brett Hill, South Pasadena
Firefighters Local #3657 and Los Angeles project manager, Release of Souls
memorial exhibit and concert.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prweb149956.htm