This fall, hundreds of performing artists, educators, grassroots activists, scholars, and young people from around the world will be arriving at the All Stars Project (ASP) as part of Performing the World 08 (PTW 08), an international gathering co-sponsored by the ASP and hosted at our newly renovated 42nd Street performing arts and development center.

PTW 08 is a unique three-day “happening” of performances, workshops, panel discussions, lectures, community tours, and improvisation.   Presenters are coming from 37 countries and 20 U.S. states from October 2nd through October 5th.  What this unusually diverse group of people have in common is a commitment to performance as a way of relating to, engaging, and changing the world.  The event grows out of the growing worldwide recognition of performance as an effective approach to youth development, community-building, social justice, citizenry, individual and social transformation, and social entrepreneurship.

In addition to sessions and performances at the ASP on 42nd Street, the conference will be taking place around the city.  On Saturday, October 4th, the ASP of New York, All Stars Talent Show Network will host an International Talent Show at John Jay College where All Stars Project youth can perform their acts alongside international young people in town for the conference.  Then on Sunday, October 5th, the conference will head across the river to Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for more events in the community.  Borough President Marty Markowitz has declared the last day of the weekend “Performing the World in Brooklyn Day.”

In order to make all of this possible, New Yorkers from throughout the city are opening up their homes to out-of-towners as a way to build person-to-person ties with the visiting performance activists and young people. Thanks to the support of volunteers, donors, and young people from the All Stars community, an unprecedented number of international activist working at the grassroots level will be able to afford and attend the event.

If you are interested in attending the conference, volunteering, or putting up a guest in your home, visit http://www.performingtheworld.org.