Past Events
Good Grief Film Project
Date: Nov. 16, 2024
Partnership: Sisters in Film and Television (SiFT) Media 215
We were thrilled to co-present SiFT Media 215’s screening of The Good Grief Film Project at PhilaMOCA, where eight Philly poets were paired with eight SiFT filmmakers to transform poems of their grief into short films. In addition to the screening and talk back, we led people in memorial candle-making and a musical reflection with recordings from Parallel Wave.
Salt Trails Grief Processional
Date: Oct. 6, 2024
Partnership: Salt Trails Philly
In Fall 2024, we were excited to partner again with Salt Trails Philly for their fourth annual grief processional, Carrying Out Grief Together. Using the five entrances of Vernon Park, grievers moved through Francis Weller’s Five Gates of Grief. We placed our grief in a basket, passing it from arm to arm, while being led in song by Salt Trails and the Threshold Singers.
Community Of Joy Festival
Date: Sept. 28, 2024
Partnership: Germantown Info Hub
We joined many Germantown neighbors, friends, and businesses for the Community of Joy festival, sponsored by GTown Radio, Germantown Info Hub, and Maplewood Mall. Tucked inside of D’Griot Community Gallery, we recorded grief stories from passersby and let them know about the Thread. We had so much fun hanging with friends new and old, and seeing all the best of Germantown.
Vernon Park Opening Celebration
Date: July 20, 2024
Partnership: Friends of Vernon Park
Our second installation opened at Vernon Park in the summer of 2024. In partnership with Friends of Vernon Park, Salt Trails Philly, and members of Parallel Wave, friends and neighbors from Germantown gathered to speak to their grief in community with one another, “visit” with lost loved ones, and add to the installation’s mosaic. Salt Trails Philly led us in communal song, and members of Parallel Wave created songs from tributes and memories from attendees.
During the holiday season, The Thread hosted a story sharing and weaving circle at Asian Arts Initiative for any and all grievers. Friends brought a memento that symbolized an unreachable loved one, shared about their grief, while we made a communal weaving. After the event, we walked to the The Thread at the Rail Park and closed our circle.
Weaving Our Grief
Date: Dec. 3, 2023
Carrying Our Grief Together Community Processional
Date: Oct. 15, 2023
Partnership: Salt Trails Philly
In October 2023, we were thrilled to partner with Salt Trails Philly on their annual community grief processional, held at the Rail Park next to The Thread. Grievers were encouraged to “wear their grief,” gather, sing, and share the communal experience of grief and loss with each other and anyone else in view.
Rail Park Opening Celebration
Date: June 24, 2023
Partnership: Friends of the Rail Park
In June 2023, we celebrated our inaugural installation at the Rail Park in Philadelphia, PA. We gathered with friends, neighbors, and community members to make art together, share stories and welcome everyone to our newest installation along with Friends of the Rail Park. Improvisational musicians Parallel Wave created songs from tributes of lost loved ones written by attendees.