Earlier this week, on the 80th floor of Three World Trade Center, Philippe Petit announced to a room of friends, “We are here, in the best place in the world, to introduce my upcoming shows.
If you’re not afraid of heights, and you look out the window, you will see the footprint of the two towers exactly where they were. Behind me out this window, is One World Trade Center, the majestic Freedom Tower. When you look up where the stories stop, and the crown and antenna starts, that is at the height that I was walking, 110 stories above the ground.”
50 years ago this August, this fearless man walked from one tower to the other of The World Trade Centers on a wire; no harness, no net to catch him, no protection. To celebrate the anniversary, Philippe Petit will reenact the iconic walk and share secrets from that day at two Gala performances. His friend, Sting, will sing, including a world premiere written about Philippe. “The show is called Towering!! with two exclamation marks, for me to walk across”, said Philippe. It takes place August 7th, and 8th,, 2024, 8 pm EST, at Harlem’s Church of St. John the Divine. “It is my dearest place on earth, the largest classic cathedral in the world. My home away from home. I have been an artist in residence for 42 years.”
Tickets are available in Harlem at www.stjohndivine.org/philippe-petit-towering
Dara McQuallin (Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of Silverstein Properties), said “Philippe Petit has a special place in New Yorkers’ hearts, and as somebody who loves New York City and the history of New York City, Philippe did something that no architect, no urban planner, no politician, no government agency could do. He humanized this place. He humanized these buildings at a time when, quite frankly, they weren’t the most popular buildings in town. He brought art and culture and entertainment and love to this place 50 years ago. And after everything we’ve gone through here at the World Trade Center, since that time, I’m glad to say that art and culture and, and entertainment and love is a very big part of this place once again.”
Judith Roze (Deputy Cultural Counselor, French Embassy in the U.S.) shared “50 years ago, Philippe’s Highwire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center was not mere a stunt. It was a poetic dance in the sky that challenged our perceptions of fear, boundaries, and the limits of human potential. His journey meticulously planned and executed with unwavering determination serves as an enduring symbol of what can be achieved when we dare to dream.
The French Ambassador, Laurent Bili, is honored to grant his patronage to this upcoming event.”Guests included Philippe’s longtime partner, Judith Friedlaender and friend Barbara Tober, as well as April Gow, LaVon Kellner and Tom Roush, Thomas Knapp, Michael Musto, Nadja Sayej, and Martha Teichner.
Photo credit: 1) Philippe Petit, Martha Teichner. 2) Leon Wuwu, Jack Vivinetto, Cheryl Thorpe, Jonn Nubian. 3) Gregory Thornbury, Dara McQuillan. 4. Nadja Sayej. 5) Willie Nile, Jimmy Pearl. 6) Luka Ralph, J. Ralph, Victoria Dearing. 7) Luka Ralph, J. Ralph, Victoria Dearing. 8) Parker Calvert, Clayton Calvert, Tori Taylor. 9) Parker Calvert, Clayton Calvert, Tori Taylor. 10) Karen Watuck, April Gow, Barbara Tober, Sharon Hogue. 11) Karen Watuck, April Gow, Barbara Tober, Sharon Hogue. 12) LaVon Kellner, Tom Roush. by PMC/GETTY Jared Siskin.
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