Rituals of Release: A Tea and Composting Ceremony
Join Lia for an afternoon of tea at Panchos Garden in Manhattan.
Composting is a sacred ritual of transformation, honoring the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. We’ll begin with a sensory tea ceremony, then write down something we’re ready to release. Finally, we’ll compost the tea leaves and our notes, trusting the earth to transform them—and ourselves. This event is part of International Compost Awareness Week.
Sessions will begin approximately at 12PM, 1PM, and 2PM. While waiting for the next session, participants can enjoy a painting with food scraps activity, a playful and creative way to transform your scraps into art. This event is a collaboration between Tea, Arts & Culture, the Lower East Side Ecology Center, and Pancho's Garden.
FREE event! All are welcome!
Meet Lia Lucero:
Lia is a native New Yorker with deep Ecuadorian-Andean roots. For over a decade, she has been actively involved in community composting and environmental initiatives across the city. Lia spent her childhood summers in the highlands of Ecuador, where gathering around a fire with a warm beverage was a cherished ritual. Today, she brings that same spirit of warmth, joy, and togetherness to her tea practice. For Lia, serving tea in a community setting is a way to foster connection and stay rooted.
About the garden:
Born from grassroots beginnings in 1979, Pancho's Garden is a beloved oasis in the Lower East Side featuring lush flower paths, vegetable gardens, turtle pond, cozy seating areas, children's area, reading nooks, and winding pathways. The perfect setting for your next community event.
We welcome music, art, gatherings, workshops, and more. Fill out this form to request use of the space and we'll be in touch!
Private support is provided by City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks through the NYC Green Fund.
Special thanks to:
