The Precipice
The PRECIPICE tells the story of a friendship between two young girls from very different worlds. As the girls become women they must navigate a narrow path to preserve their identities in an oppressive society determined to keep them stifled and apart.
Miranda Ferriss Jones
Writer, Music & Lyrics
Jeff Chimenti
Music Co-Writer
Laura Benanti
Creative Producer
Bob Weir
Angel Producer
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Featured Broadway Cast Members
​THIS PERFORMANCE IS the apex of a sacred weekend of feminist gathering​
Why This Journey Between Black Women's Blueprint and the Precipice
Now more than ever, we must make it right. All of us. Make it right.
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W.E.B Dubois once said "there is no force equal to a woman determined to rise." We need to be the creators of culture, not just its blind followers.
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In this fearsome time when each of our lives is under threat, where it is almost certain that we will not survive without each other as women, as people, we must rise. We must relearn how to live by love thy sisters in all their diversity, and "love thy neighbor as thyself." We can relearn to live by "first do no harm and "take no more than you need". We must acknowledge the whole truth of histories we know to be incomplete. There must be a return to the belief that we ourselves are not the center of the universe, but simply the custodians of future generations to come. For them, in the urgency of now, we have to stand in solidarity AS WOMEN.
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Why This Journey Between Black Women's Blueprint and the Precipice
Now more than ever, we must make it right. All of us. Make it right.
​
W.E.B Dubois once said "there is no force equal to a woman determined to rise." We need to be the creators of culture, not just its blind followers.
​
In this fearsome time when each of our lives is under threat, where it is almost certain that we will not survive without each other as women, as people, we must rise. We must relearn how to live by love thy sisters in all their diversity, and "love thy neighbor as thyself." We can relearn to live by "first do no harm and "take no more than you need". We must acknowledge the whole truth of histories we know to be incomplete. There must be a return to the belief that we ourselves are not the center of the universe, but simply the custodians of future generations to come. For them, in the urgency of now, we have to stand in solidarity AS WOMEN.
​
A Special Thank You to Rachel Lui Photography for providing all of the photos of the
Bloodroot Experience.
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WILD! is
WILD! is a celebration that involves dance, the arts, and music from all around Yoruba society and pays tribute to female's creative and mystical power from ancestors, elders and deities and women known as our mothers.
Black Women’s Blueprint is introducing the WILD! tradition into African American culture to recapture our African feminist roots, ensuring this tradition no longer remains relegated to singular events but informs new culture and gender relations among new generations of people of African descent.
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Included in our WILD! celebration will be an honoring of trailblazing individuals around the world that have centered the needs of Black women and girls globally.
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This September we do something WILD!
A percentage of all proceeds will go to rape-crisis services where women’s bodies have become the battlefield in war. For the women of Haiti For the women of the Sudan For he women of the Congo For the women of Gaza For the women of Israel For the women of the Ukraine For women everywhere!
Partner & Sponsor
Partner with Black Women's Blueprint and support WILD!
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WILD! is an opportunity to:
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Protect the futures of Women and girls.
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Keep the voices of Black women and girls equally at the forefront.
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Give the gift of healing to women and girls.
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Sustain our collective efforts of centering women and girls.
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Promote and advance survivors’ rights.
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Advance the well being of women and girls.
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Black Women’s Blueprint supports women and girls fullest mental wellbeing and healing journey with WILD! celebrating the power of philanthropy, dance, and music’s ability to tell a story through art. It is an opportunity for more than 250 business leaders, philanthropists, influencers, trendsetters, activists and members of the feminist, gender justice, and reproductive justice communities to come together for an evening of fun, music, dance, and impact.
Location of WILD!
The Clearing at Restore Forward
Sunday, September 22nd
11518 Webster Hill, Rd
Ava, New York
Time of WILD!
4pm Cocktails
5pm Dinner & Performance
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Event Co-Chairs
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Abby Epstein
Cecile Lipworth
Kinkini Banerjee
Aleyamma Matthew
Angie Wang
Helen Rosenthal
Jamia Wilson
Tragil Wade
Nancy Rebold
Kenya Crumel
Byron Hurt
Tarana Burke
Ivy McGregor
Purvi Shah
Iakowi:he'ne' Oakes
Susan Shah
Honoring Sacred Space
On behalf of the artists, storyweavers, creators, goddesses, healers, witches, and conjurers, we are elated to proclaim that Black Women's Blueprint will be bestowing the magnificent monuments and sacred landmarks in honor of the following esteemed individuals:
The Peace Gardens
The Legacy Forest North
The Reflecting Pools
The Legacy Forest South
The Visual Arts Center
The Sacred Sites of Conscience
The Center for Earth and Technology
The Healing Center and Birth Center Sponsor
The Holistic Medicine Grove
The Freedom Trails for Harriet Tubman
The TEMPLE
The Legacy Theater
The Girls Healing Center
The Matriarchal Village
The Sacred Havens
The Library
The Orchard of Muses
The Runway in the Trees
The Haudenosaunee Matriarchal Village
The Dreamer's Meeting Point
The Feminist Sanctuary Cabins
The Legacy Forest East
Sponsors
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Kalliopeia Foundation
The Rockefeller Capital Managerment
Dalberg Strategies
The NoVo Foundation
Production by Second Bolt
Honorary Host Committee
Paul Williams, Managing Trustee of the Ntozake Shange Estate
Delethia Riddley, Daughter of Dorothy Pitman Hughes
Ricki Lake, Cultural Icon, Actress and Filmmaker
Ariel Jacobson, Collective Future Fund
Teresa Younger, The Ms. Foundation
For more Information
For sponsorships, capital campaign & fundraising questions, contact:
Abby Epstein
Event Co-Chair
Lucienne Noel
For FAQ and Logistics, including planning your stay and how to get there contact:
Dailisha Rodriguez, Board Chair
WILD! Travel
HOW TO GET TO THE WILD! GALA, DINNER & THEATER IN THE WOODS
BY AIR: From your destination city, the nearest airport to listed lodging and the event site is Syracuse Hancock International Airport. From the airport, it is about an hour drive to Restore Forward.
BY CAR: For navigation, please input the following address:
11518 Webster Hill Rd, Boonville, New York 11309
BY TRAIN: The nearest Amtrak station is Utica; it’s about a 35 minute drive from the land at Restore Forward.
TAXI SERVICES
ELITE TAXI SERVICE
1120 STEUBEN ST,
UTICA, NY 13501
(315) 542-8999
AROUND THE CLOCK CAB & CAR SERVICE
1001 PARK AVE,
UTICA, NY 13501
(315) 922-7711
WILD! Attire
Enchanted Woodland Elegance
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Step into a realm where wild elegance and enchantment entwine under the starlit canopy of an ancient forest. Embrace your inner goddess, witch, healer, and conjurer with flowing gowns and robes in rich, earthy tones or jewel hues, adorned with intricate embroidery, lace, or celestial motifs, reflecting the spirit of nature and wilderness.
Crown yourself with floral wreaths, leaf tiaras, or moonstone jewelry, and add nature-inspired accents like feathers, crystals, or shells. Mystical layers such as capes, shawls, or kimonos with magical patterns enhance the mystery, while elegant yet comfortable footwear allows for graceful wandering through the woods.
Let your makeup be ethereal and enchanting, with shimmering highlights and bold accents, and style your hair in puffy afros, locs, twists, loose waves, intricate braids, or adorned with nature-inspired clips and pins. Complete your look with a mystical prop—a staff, a book of spells, or a delicate lantern—embodying the wild, the wise, and the wonderful as you weave a tale of enchantment, celebrating the extraordinary spirits that gather to feast, honor, and revel in the magic of the woods.
WILD! Stays
Lodges, hotels, treehouses, and grottos​
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Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, the location boasts more than 2,000 miles of hiking trails, over 3,000 lakes and ponds and 1,200 miles of rivers. Restore Forward’s land features pavilions and hammocks, meditation yurts, an open meadow, and a 12,000 square foot event space. If you walk to the edge of the forest you will find a peaceful point. We are a preservation space for the natural world, including wetlands and Monarch butterflies. The land lends guests to hours of sun and forest bathing.
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THE WILD GALA WILL TAKE PLACE AT RESTORE FORWARD. A LIMITED NUMBER OF ROOMS HAVE BEEN RESERVED UNDER “WILD” AT:
THE HAMPTON INN, ROME
1352 FLOYD AVE, NY-12, ROME NY 13341
PH: (315) 709-0000
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THE LODGE AT HEADWATERS
13524 NY-12, BOONVILLE, NY 13309
PH: (315) 942-2027
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THE EDGE HOTEL
3952 NY-12, LYONS FALLS, NY, 11368
PH: (315) 348-4211
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Join us for an unforgettable stay at Restore Forward, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, where adventure and tranquility await with over 2,000 miles of hiking trails, pristine lakes, and rivers, alongside serene pavilions, meditation yurts, and sun-drenched meadows—culminating in the extraordinary WILD gala that promises an enchanting celebration of nature and community.
WILD! Feast
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Prepare for an extraordinary culinary adventure at WILD!, where the menu, artfully designed by the talented Pericles, highlights the rich flavors and natural bounty of our surroundings.
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The Menu
Our feast features savory selections such as venison, squab, wild pork, quail, and lamb, all roasted outdoors to perfection. Accompanying these meats are hearty sides like wild rice, roasted beets, wild mushrooms, corn, purple potatoes, and seasonal favorites like pumpkin and squash, along with fresh wild greens and edible flowers.
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The Cauldron
A cauldron will bubble with a rich, hearty stew that combines the best of our wild ingredients.
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Sweets
To satisfy your sweet tooth, indulge in decadent dark cakes infused with dark liquor and local sweets featuring maple, dates, honey, fruits, and berries.
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Teas and Elixirs
Complementing the feast, we will have an herbal tea station with an assortment of soothing teas, as well as a variety of wild cocktails and mocktails featuring flavors of maple, honey, and local ingredients. A curated selection of local cheeses and wines will also be available to enhance your dining experience.
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The Bar
The bar will showcase a cocktail menu reflective of Restore Forward's spirit, blending traditional favorites with innovative creations using local and wild ingredients.
Join us at WILD for an unforgettable evening of gourmet delights and natural beauty, where every bite and sip celebrates the essence of our land.
WILD! Volunteers Needed​
Join us for an unforgettable evening in the woods, and help us make WILD! on the Precipice, a Feast and Festival with Dinner and Theater in the Woods a success! This unique Feast and Festival will feature a Dinner and Theater performance by the Precipice.
Volunteer Opportunities: We are looking for 30-40 dedicated volunteers to help with various tasks to ensure the event runs smoothly on-site.
Roles include:
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Event Setup and Breakdown
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Registration and Guest Services
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Food and Beverage Service
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Parking and Transportation Assistance
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Performance Support
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General Support
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Logistics Coordinators
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Technical Support
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Hospitality Hosts
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Environmental Stewards
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Medical and Safety Support
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Runners
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Social Media and Photography
Why Volunteer?
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Be part of a meaningful initiative that promotes mental health through arts and nature.
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Gain experience in event management and hospitality.
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Network with professionals and community leaders.
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Enjoy the beautiful setting of The Clearing at Restore Forward.
How to Volunteer: If you're interested in volunteering, please contact our Board Chair, Dailisha Rodriguez, dailisha.roriguez@heytherebeautiful.org.
Join us at WILD! on the Precipice and make a difference in our community. We look forward to seeing you there!
WILD! Gifts​
Sponsor a Magnificent Monument and Sacred Landmark: View our sponsorship packet and learn about the 20 luminaries we are honoring.
Buy a Table at WILD!: Click here to reserve a table for 10 in the WILD! Garden under the stars and over the shoulders of our honorees.
Donate online:
Click here
Mail a check to:
Black Women’s Blueprint
271 Cadman Plaza E.
P.O. Box 24713
New York, NY 11202
Visit our Capital Campaign Catalog:
Click here
Bring your gifts and meet us at the Giving Tree: WILD! is a gift exchange. Come to receive gifts and come to give gifts. Bring your pocketbook or checkbook in your satchel and deposit your gift when you arrive.
Join the Live and Online Daisy Stem Auction.
Get a Raffle Ticket and Win a Retreat Abroad with Us.
