Join The Vanaver Caravan at the City of Kingston’s department of Arts & Cultural Affairs America 250 opening ceremonies. The Caravan joins a roster of Hudson Valley artists, previewing 20 minutes of original, never-seen before, choreography from our new work, America in Motion.

CITY OF KINGSTON EXHIBITION OPENING

250 YEARS OF AMERICA’S VOICES, STORIES, AND HISTORIES

Saturday, December 6, 2026
1:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Kingston City Hall

Exhibition Viewing & Reception

Ground Floor & 1st Floor

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

• Ground Floor: Visual Arts Exhibition

• Ground Floor: Hardwoods Trio

• 1st Floor (Opposite Foyer): Light Fare

• 1st Floor Corner: My Kingston Kids MLK Virtual Reality

• 1st Floor Foyer: Pine Street African Burial Ground and Persen House Exhibition

Program Schedule

Main Program: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Council Chambers

• 2:30–2:45 PM Libations & Burial Ground Talks: Tyrone Wilson, Eddie Moran (Ulster County Historian)

• 3:00 PM Welcome: Mayor Noble

• 3:05 PM USA250 Artistic Perspective Statement: Lisa Kelley

• 3:10 PM USA250 Historical Perspective Statement: Ulster County Clerk (presented by Taylor Bruck)

• 3:15 PM Event MC: Mike Jurkovic, Ulster County Poet Laureate

• 3:20 PM Keynote: Key of Q

• 3:35 PM Native American Songs & Stories: Evan Pritchard

• 3:50 PM “Oh ___ War” Performance: Samuel Mutter Ensemble

• 4:10 PM Sojourner Truth Readings: Kate Hymes

• 4:20 PM Puerto Rican & Latin American Songs: Alessandra

• 4:30 PM Indian Meditation Solo: Steve Gorn

• 4:50 PM America in Motion Dance Preview: Brian T. Lawton and The Vanaver Caravan

• 5:10–5:30 PM Closing Remarks: Kitt Potter

Reception & Viewing: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

• 5:30–6:30 PM Exhibition Viewing, MLK Virtual Reality, Light Fare & Fellowshipping, Closed Event

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Vanaver Caravan’s America in Motion is a vibrant music and dance production that celebrates the resilience, creativity, and spirit of working people across America’s history. Conceived and directed by Brian T. Lawton and developed in collaboration with The Vanaver Caravan’s Artistic Visioning Committee, this show embodies The Vanaver Caravan’s mission: to use the power of the arts to build understanding, connection, and hope.

Drawing inspiration from the Caravan’s signature works (Pastures of Plenty, Turn, Turn, Turn, and EarthBeat), America in Motion expands the legacy of Bill and Livia Vanaver’s vision into a contemporary, inclusive, and urgent conversation about our shared humanity. Through live music, song, and dance, it explores the American labor story: miners and mill workers, farmers and factory hands, railroad builders and dreamers all bound by rhythm and song.

As we approach the 250th Anniversary of the United States, America in Motion invites audiences to reflect on who we are, where we’ve come from, and the world we hope to create together. It’s a show for all ages: educational, inspiring, and profoundly entertaining.