Malden Reads and Project Misik Present Words on the Water

“Words on the Water” (10am – 2pm) & “Project Misik” (12pm – 4pm)
“The Boat Yard” behind the Malden DPW City Yard
356 Commercial St. Malden

Malden Reads & Project Misik collaborate on a day-long community event celebrating nature, community and cultural expression in a “hidden” spot along the Malden River that will someday be transformed into a climate resilient waterfront park accessible to all.

“Words on the Water” (10am – 2pm)

Malden Reads, the Friends of the Malden River, and Malden River Works, with support from the City of Malden, invite participants to celebrate themes from the 2022 Malden Reads book selection, An American Sunrise by former US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. The event will feature:

• Blessing of the water & opening ceremony
• Free canoe rides
• Storytelling & poetry
• Family activities & games led by local Native American tribe members
• Demo of a Native American canoe & more
• Native arts & crafts for sale
• Join in traditional dancing

Project Misik (Noon – 4pm)

Project Misik brings the voices of the African diaspora and celebrates the power of inclusive community. Founded in Haiti in 2010, Project Misik is led by Kera Washington, features members of Zili Misik, and strives to bring visibility to, and love for, the work of BIPOC artists in the area — including the performing & visual arts. Their events invite the entire community to participate in music, dance and the sharing of food in celebration.

• Free food
• Drumming & dance workshops
• Participatory music/dance performance

This event is held at the site of Malden’s Department of Public Works (DPW) where a proposed park will transform the area into a 1.25 to include a new boathouse, new public dock, flexible lawn area, rain gardens and a shared-use path that is part of the Malden River Greenway. This is part of the larger Malden River Vision Plan being led by the Mystic River Watershed Association, resulting in 3.5 miles of continuous paths around the river.

Through this interactive event, Project Misik will help demonstrate how this proposed waterfront park can serve as an inclusive cultural hub for Malden and plant the seed for a tradition of multicultural celebrations to enliven and activate this area along the Malden River.

“Words on the Water” and “Project Misik” is supported in part by grants from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency, supported through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

THANK YOU TO OUR COLLABORATOR & SPONSORS:
City of Malden, Eastern Bank, Mass Cultural Council, NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts), Malden Cultural Council, Mystic River Watershed Association, Malden River Works, Friends of the Malden River, Urban Media Arts