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Parks & Public Spaces
Bullets 4 Peace application to conduct a fashion show with live performances in Father Duffy Square on Tuesday, September 21, 2010.
WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and
WHEREAS, Bullets 4 Peace has submitted an application to present a fashion show with live celebrity performances in Father Duffy Square on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, between the hours of 7:00 PM and 12:00 AM, requiring set-up to begin at 1:00 AM and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 3:00 AM; and
WHEREAS, The fashion show would be part of an evening-length gala benefit that also includes dinner and a party at the Renaissance Hotel; and
WHEREAS, Proceeds from the benefit would be donated to partnering charitable organizations including Raising Malawi, Yungchen Lhamo, Safe Passage, Aqua Foundation for Women and Kids Creating Peace, among others; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 200-300 Gala attendees would have reserved seating for the fashion show and performances, and otherwise the event would be open to the public; and
WHEREAS, The fashion show would feature clothing and jewelry designed by Rafi Anteby; and
WHEREAS, The jewelry is made from used bullet casings, which are transformed into works of art featuring positive messages of peace, and would be worn by live models body-painted to match the design of the jewelry; and
WHEREAS, The physical set-up would include a stage with video screens in the south end of the square and a runway extending north to near the Father Duffy statue; and
WHEREAS, Although there is a charitable focus to the event, there is also a promotional aspect to the activities; and
WHEREAS, Although the proposed event provides an opportunity for the public to attend a fashion show and live celebrity performances, the public will be excluded from the reserved seating area, and the event will fill a large portion of the park for an entire day; and
WHEREAS, Although Community Board Five is supportive of the art of fashion, we have repeatedly taken the position to deny access to our parks for special events that are exclusive, commercial, and overwhelming in scale; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by Bullets 4 Peace to conduct a fashion show with live entertainment in Father Duffy Square on Tuesday, September 21, 2010.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.