Revolutionary Spaces to Hold First-Ever Gala
Event at State Room in Boston to honor The Honorable Byron Rushing and Professor Danielle Allen; featuring harpist Lishan Tan and Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola
For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 14, 2022
Contact: Amanda Bertone
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BOSTON — Revolutionary Spaces will host its 2022 Inaugural Gala to celebrate the two years since the organization’s formation from a merger of The Bostonian Society and Old South Association in Boston. The event will take place at 6pm on Thursday, September 22 at The State Room at 60 State Street in Boston, and will feature guests of honor The Honorable Byron Rushing and Professor Danielle Allen.
Through his longtime support of Old South Association, his service in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and his enduring passion for social justice, Byron Rushing has been a champion for broader civic participation. Similarly, Danielle Allen has been a fervent advocate for greater access in our democracy, and works to connect understanding of our history with how we live today. “We are delighted to welcome these two distinguished guests to our Inaugural Gala and celebrate with them all that we’ve accomplished so far,” said Nathaniel Sheidley, President and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces. “Their record of service serves to inspire us, and we look forward to partnering with both of them as we work to make our vision for the future a reality.”
The evening’s program will invite attendees to explore Boston’s Revolutionary story through live music, poetry, conversation, and interactive games. In a continuation of Revolutionary Spaces’ relationship with New England Conservatory tapping the power of music to inspire connection, Singaporean harpist and NEC doctoral candidate Lishan Tan will perform live at the event. Additionally, guests will be invited to participate in a preview of Revolution is Brewing, a new immersive role-playing game focused on the aftermath of the Boston Tea Party, built on the VoxPop platform (Winner, Best Civics Game, 2022 Games for Change). Finally, Poet Laureate of Boston Porsha Olayiwola will attend the event and collaborate with guests on an original piece in a program called Revolutionary Poetry. Using responses from attendees to open-ended prompts, she will weave together a community exploration on transformation, history, and democracy.
“Revolutionary Spaces works to foster a critical understanding of the past as a means of bringing people together to imagine a brighter future,” said Board Chair Martha McNamara. “Our sites, the Old State House and Old South Meeting House, embody a legacy of civic participation that inspired the fight for independence and shaped the early years of this nation. We want to carry that legacy forward, engaging all people in writing the next chapter of the American story.”
“When we launched in 2020, we were immediately met with a confluence of crises of public health, civil rights, and faith in our democracy,” said Sheidley. “This is a critical moment in America’s collective understanding of the challenges our society faces, and we are extremely proud of Revolutionary Spaces’ leadership in creating meaningful, accessible connections to the roots of the American experiment. This night is really an opportunity not just to celebrate what we have accomplished in the face of intense national turmoil during our first two years, but to look ahead at what is to come as this country celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence.”
Revolutionary Spaces is grateful to its corporate sponsors and individual benefactors. For information about sponsorships or to purchase tickets to the Inaugural Gala for $250, visit gala.revolutionaryspaces.org.
Revolutionary Spaces Inaugural Gala
Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 6pm
The State Room, 60 State Street, 33rd Fl, Boston, MA 02109
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ABOUT REVOLUTIONARY SPACES
Revolutionary Spaces stewards the historic Old South Meeting House and Old State House as landmarks, museums, and gathering spaces for the open exchange of ideas and the continuing practice of democracy. Viewing history as a powerful tool for today, Revolutionary Spaces brings people together to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free society.
About the Old State House: The 1713 Old State House served as the seat of government for the province of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary era. Today, it is a museum and historic site offering tours, exhibits, and public programs exploring Boston’s Revolutionary-era history.
About the Old South Meeting House: The 1729 Old South Meeting House was a Congregational church and the largest gathering place for popular politics in Revolutionary Boston. Today it is a busy museum, treasured landmark, and active center for civic dialogue and free expression.
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