Christopher Wangro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher Wangro (born January 17, 1958) is a Producer and Impresario.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Chris Wangro was born in New York City to a family of artists and illustrators. Early on, he became obsessed with the history of magic, circus and vaudeville. While working as a young magician, Wangro met noted Ringling Brothers' clown Freddy Yockers, who gave him his first formal teaching in circus and clowning. Wangro started performing as a clown and magician, eventually landing Off-Broadway as a sword swallower. Wangro graduated from Bard College with a special interdisciplinary arts degree and a grant from the New York State Council of the Arts to launch a traveling one-ring show, The Janus Circus- “an eclectic modern circus of mayhem, mirth and mystery.” He served as Director & Ringmaster for Janus, touring the circus for several years in North America and Europe.
[edit] Career
Wangro's ability to create innovative public spectacle was recognized by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; in 1988 he was recruited to produce free public events in that city’s parks. In 1990, he became the City-Wide Director of Special Events, and is credited with reinstating “Mega-Events” to Central Park where he oversaw the three largest public events in that Park's history: “Earth Day '90,” “Paul Simon's Concert in the Park, August 15, 1991” and “Pavarotti's Concert In The Park,” among hundreds of other events each year.
In 1994, Wangro resigned his position at Parks to begin his own firm, Zaragunda Inc. Working under the banner of Zaragunda, he has operated as an independent producer across an uncommonly broad range of disciplines, spanning the fields of music, marketing, comedy, arts & politics. The impressive number and scale of projects he took on, and his infectious energetic approach to producing, gained him a reputation as a true New York City impresario. Ever the juggler, Wangro spent several years running Zaragunda while acting as Executive Producer and "Vice President of Fun and Profit" for The John Schreiber Group, a national events marketing firm responsible for hundreds of events, touring programs and annual festivals each year.
In 2001, Wangro formed a new company with a group of production professionals - The Usual Suspects.
[edit] Social Justice
After years of successful producing for the commercial and public sector, Wangro began dedicating his time to the creation of public spectacle and events for social causes. In 2003, he teamed up with award winning theatrical designer Tal Yarden, to create NY, America: a hybrid not-for-profit organization that unites the arts world with the community of social justice organizations. NY, America's first effort, “The Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues and Ideas,” coincided with the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. With over 200 events in six days, "The Imagine Festival" was the largest political arts festival to ever take place in the United States and has served as a model for arts and political organizations throughout the country. Wangro received an Obie Award for Imagine and went on to create events for many more social justice organizations including UNAIDS, the United Federation of Teachers and Care for the Homeless.
[edit] Current
Wangro continues his work with Zaragunda, The Usual Suspects and NY, America while acting as a consultant and advisor to a number of marketing firms, arts and social justice organizations. Wangro is based in New York City, and Woodstock, New York.
[edit] Eventography (highlights)
1990-2000
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' estate auction at Sotheby's: A two- week exhibit and auction of the JKO Estate.
- The Rhythm of the World: American Museum of Natural History's 125th anniversary celebration attended by over 100,000 people.
- Pope John Paul II Mass in Central Park
- World's Largest Chicken Pot Pie: creation at Bryant Park, fed thousands and landed in the Guinness *Book of World Records, with KFC
- "Bridges to Babylon": Global broadcast - Rolling Stones' world tour kick-off on and under the Brooklyn Bridge.
- "Private Parts": World premier of Howard Stern's first film televised spectacle and parade outside Madison Square Garden.
- NASCAR Rocks!: 31 city concert tour that combined a live festival with branded radio programming and two independent television specials; a watershed integrated marketing program for NASCAR and CBS Sports
- People Magazine's 25th Anniversary: An international superstar tribute to Carole King at Madison Square Garden.
- The Presidents' Summit on America's Future: Led by four living American presidents and hosted by General Colin Powell and Oprah Winfrey - thirteen events in three days that raised over $100 million for the youth of America.
2000-Present
- Chinese Cultural Expo: created for the Peoples Republic of China and the Cultural Ministry of Beijing, a month long cultural exposition held at The Jacob Javitz Center in New York City
- David Copperfield's Tornado of Fire]: master magician David Copperfield's internationally broadcast "illusion" produced in New York City
- Lincoln Center tribute to the Juilliard School: featuring Itzhak Perlman, Glenn Close, Bernadette Peters, Julie Andrews and Robin Williams.
- The Songwriters Hall of Fame: featuring Paul McCartney, James Brown, Dolly Parton.
- LG: Times Square shut down for marketing event featuring performance by Wycleff Jean, promoting LG Electronics' Cellular Phone Service
- Virgin Cellular Service: launched in the center of Times Square. New York came to a stand still while international mogul Richard Branson was lowered stripping naked from a sky–crane.
- Amsterjam: in partnership with Michael Lang- multi stage rock festival featuring Snoop Dog, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Wycleff Jean
- United Federation of Teachers Rally: Rally at Madison Square Garden for the United Federation of Teachers’ contract.
- Red Cross 100th Anniversary: Gala celebrating the accomplishments of New York Red Cross, featuring President William Clinton.
- Volvo Ocean Race: world's most prestigious round-the-globe sailing race, docked in New York for 1 week of interactive and live events
Social Justice
- Celebration of Hope: Produced on behalf of President Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanity's 25th Anniversary celebration; the first national event held to Commemorate the Sept 11 attacks. Held at Conesco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and Broadcast Commercial free.
- Arts on the High Wire: concert to benefit the 9/11 Arts Recovery Fund. Featuring Philippe Petit, Bill Irwin, Laurie Anderson, Suzanne Vega, Art Spiegelman, Chuck Close, Joe Jackson.
- Freedom Ride Immigrant Rally: The culminating event of the AFL-CIO's national campaign for Immigrant Rights. Over 100,000 attended an event that blended international celebrities & performers, with political figures representing the major immigrant communities in America.
- Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues and Ideas: Timed to coincide with the Republican National Convention. Presented 200+ arts events focusing on Issues and Ideas that affected American Voters.
- The Peaceable Kingdom: Concert at Cathedral of St. John the Divine to support the Parents Circle, an organization of bereaved Palestinian and Israeli families. Featuring Patty Smith, Bright Eyes, Anonymous Four and Erotica Trio.
- Bring 'Em Home Now: Concert at The Hammerstein Ballroom on the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq to benefit Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. Featuring R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, Bright Eyes, Public Enemy frontman Chuck D and Rufus Wainwright, peace activist Cindy Sheehan, actress Susan Sarandon and comedian Margaret Cho.
- An Evening of Remembrance and Hope, Uniting the World Against AIDS: United Nations Commemoration- 25 years of AIDS held in The General Assembly Hall. This event commemorated the 25 years of HIV and the Tenth Anniversary of UNAIDS 25th. Event featured major celebrities representing areas hardest hit by the virus including Whoopie Goldberg, Salman Ahmad and Anjelique Kidjo.
