To our beloved dancers,

When I first settled on 9/11 as the date for the next Ecstatic Dance Uptown, I didn’t dwell on it. As in, it was a Thursday, it worked with the venue, and the spacing between the date before and after it made sense. 

In other words, I knew it’d be 9/11 but I chalked it up as just another day. The truth is, however, it is not. 

The more I sit with and share the date, the more conviction I develop that this particular Ecstatic Dance can be greater than what it already is.

As New Yorkers, this particular date is a notable ring in a chain of suffering deserving of continued acknowledgment independently and as a part of a larger global narrative. 

So - let’s hold space for it. For it all. Not with an agenda, not to propagate suffering, not to dwell on it or point fingers. Not to demonize anyone or pick sides.

But to let it pass through us like electric current - to shake it out.

It doesn’t matter what your views are or what your level of patriotism is right now. Without moral judgement, can we hold space for the totality? For the breadth of experience and in honor of our collective suffering? Can we release blood-curdling sacred rage on the dance floor? Can we walk through the flames empowered, and come out on the other side lighter and in love? 

I hope your answer is yes. If so, it would be an honor and a privilege to provide you with an alchemizing sonic journey at Ecstatic Dance Uptown, this Thursday, 9/11/25.

With love, rage, and unity,

Lewaa

Ecstatic Dance Uptown