Renai’s Solstice Movie

June 20, 2024. Sunset 8:30 PM. East River, NYC. Special thanks to Harvestworks and the wonderful group of interns working there this summer-- Jay Reinier, Grace Schmidhauser, Liam Schoenholt and especially to Renai Heath who documented and created this terrific video of our Solstice crossing on the 20th.

(Keep an eye out for that Strawberry Moon)

Strawberry moon rising over East River Sunset Solstice--

June 20. 2024. Sunset 8:30 PM. East River, NY.

Beautiful Strawberry moon rising over Brooklyn on the 20th, nice cool breeze and sprinkling of many little bells-- It was a magical moment.

Thank you everyone who came along for either or both rides across the East River to celebrate the sunset on the Solstice and the next day as well.

FYI- While the sunset is holding for 16 days at 8:30, the daylight has begun shrinking by several seconds a day-- thanks to the steadily, but later creeping sunrise. For those of us who are NOT early risers, it's pretty wonderful having the sunset at the same time for over 2 weeks.

The Full Moon of June: A Special Solstice Strawberry Moon!

June 21, 2024. Brooklyn, NY.

June 21, 2024. Brooklyn, NY “This year, the Full Moon coincides with the summer solstice! On the evening of June 21 —just after sunset—look towards the southeast to watch the full Moon rise gently above the horizon. June’s full Moon will reach peak illumination at 9:08 P.M. Eastern Time. Since the Full Moon is always opposite the Sun, it uses the solstice occasion to sink to its very lowest point in the zodiac, in Sagittarius.

But there’s more.

The Moon’s tilted orbit revolves around Earth in an 18 ½ year period, like a dropped dinner plate rattling around a bit before settling flat. This year, it’s flirting with its extreme angle of wobble, which makes the Moon sink an extra 10 Moon-widths lower than the Sun ever gets to go."
quote from Bob Berman, editor Farmer's Almanac

Solstice Celebrations- COMING SOON!

This a such a short and sweet event but totally worth it! Once you purchase your ticket for the Ferry ride on the East River Ferry route from DUMBO to Wall Street, the bellringing event is free and fun. If you are in the New York City area on the Solstice this year, please join us for either or both of these events.

Here's the description and info for the event--
(This will be the 3rd summer in a row and though short it's a surprisingly magical moment ringing bells with people you know and have just met as we cross the East River together on a little Ferry)

dailybell- Sunset Cross-River Bell Ringing

Something as inarguable as the movement of the earth can be used as a point of unity and awareness among large groups of people who might otherwise find it impossible to agree. (a pleasant thought to hold onto at this moment...)

Brenda Hutchinson and dailybell are presenting 2 opportunities to celebrate the Summer Solstice this year: the actual Solstice on Thurs, June 20th and again on Fri, June 21st as it joins Make Music NY. We will board the 8:29 PM East River Ferry from DUMBO to Wall Street/ Pier 11. Arrive early to receive your complimentary bells (while they last) before boarding the Ferry and celebrate the Solstice with a lovely sprinkling of bells as we cross the East River together.

SCHEDULE:
We will be doing this on two evenings (June 20th- actual Solstice and June 21st- Make Music Day NY Solstice celebration):
8:00 PM We will be there to meet and gather with one another and to distribute bells.
8:29 PM Ferry Departs

River Crossing Time:
4 minutes! The East River is very narrow at this point.

ADDRESS:
East River Ferry – DUMBO landing- Old Fulton St And Furman St, Brooklyn

FARES
NYC Ferry (General Schedule and Ticket Info). Adult OW $4.00. Seniors $1.35 (need to register in advance for discount)
Purchase your Ferry ticket(s) from DUMBO to Wall Street/Pier 11.

Here's a link to the Make Music Day dailybell event on the 21st-- dailbell Make Music Day event info HERE.

FOR MORE GENERAL INFO ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MAKE MUSIC DAY
Click on this LINK to find an event in a city near you.
This is an amazing international celebration of the Solstice and Music) FREE events all day throughout the 5 boroughs on NYC.

Earliest summer solstice in 228 years!

This just in from Joe-- Earliest summer solstice in 228 years!

At 20:51 UTC (4:51 PM EDT) on June 20, 2024, Earth will experience its annual moment of summer solstice: when the Earth’s north pole is maximally tipped toward the Sun. (Winter solstice for the southern hemisphere.) The last time the solstice was this early in the year, George Washington was serving as the first President of the United States, and the year was 1796. The solstice, on average, will continue getting earlier and earlier every 4 years until 2096, which will be the earliest solstice of the century. Then, that pattern will end. Here’s the science of why.