Day
To Be Gay 2001[Outvoice] Gay Day in the Catskills!
Hi everyone,
Well, I just wanted to tell you all how fabulous the first ever Gay Day in the Catskills was! Fellow Outvoicer, Kathy Reiser, who does her show, "Out Loud and Queer" on WJFF (the hydro-powered station up there) Friday nights at 10:00 PM did one HELL of a job with this event. I've been involved in many a queer music event as a planner as well as a performer and this one was really well done.
It was incredible! Not only is it gorgeous up there in Callicoon, NY (on the PA border), but everyone was so friendly and welcoming, I now feel like I have an entire new branch of my family. Now, they'll find me on their doorsteps for the major holidays!
The weather was perfect, the people came and the support of the straight community up there was truly heartwarming. I think I can speak for others that were there by saying that it was a blessing to all of us to have that much support from non-queer folks. There had been a bit of that ugly homophobia rearin' it's head prior to the event, but nothing came of it. As a matter of fact, the big bad boys who threatened to come on down "and show you what real men are" never appeared. Of course! Besides, we already HAD real men there!
Kathy and her committee of wonderful volunteers really did an amazing thing, and I can see this happening for many years to come. I hope I'll get to be there for every one, on stage or off! I had a great time MCing, and my only regret is that since I was so damn busy hauling my butt on and off that stage, I never got to shop! There were about 10 vendors and I only got to see one (on my way to the bathroom, of course!).
A lot of money was raised for the station with auctions and admissions, and a bunch was also raised for the community center where this took place. The center took some heat for doing this and just in case some rich homophobes decide to not continue to give the center money, we passed the basket and raised a HELL of a lot for them! They were in tears. I got choked up myself. It really was a beautiful thing.
I'd say about 200-250 people came along with assorted pets and kids, balloons, blankets and sunblock. One of the highlights for me was the Times Squares dance club getting the folks to dance with them...they're Manhattan's only GLBT square-dance club (all are welcome, BTW), and 8 of them came with a wonderful caller to entertain everyone. They were great!
We had some wonderful talent up there on that stage and I can only continue to applaud Kathy's amazing efforts in making this first ever gay day a HUGE SUCCESS! Most of the artists were from the city and beyond, with myself and my ASL interpreter friend, Abie Abrams coming from Waterford, CT. and Rochester, NY, respectively.
There was a wonderful after-party and I tell ya, this will only get bigger, so plan now on attending next year. Great talent, great food, great people and a beautiful day. I even got a lipstick-smearing kiss from Yolanda in all her pink satin-shiny glory! Not everyone gets one of THOSE!
To the best of my addled-brain recollection, here's a listing of the artists that appeared, and not in order! Forgive any mispellings of names as I am not good with remembering names...
The Circus Amok Band (fabulous circus band doing world-influenced music) John Hannan and Eric Barsness (vocals and piano, doing women's music) Electrolysis (3 bearded guys doing Phranc's "Bulldagger Swagger!") Tanisha Thompson (very talented singer/guitarist) Yolanda (our gorgeous and fabulously talented sister!) accompanied by the incredible multi-dimensional percussionist, Robin Burdulis The Times Squares (them square dancers I've already yakked about) Massimo (the shortest act up there: one fabulous & funny poem!) L.Monique (amazing poet!) Charles Barron (Carol Channing out of drag and a great auctioneer) Peggy Shaw (excerpts from original theatre pieces - great!) The Holy Cows (country/rock band that closed out the day) and me, your lovely hostess with the mostess interpreted by my pal, Abie Abrams.
I just KNOW I've probably forgotten someone, and I apologize if I have, but hey, I think I did pretty well, actually!
I do encourage anyone thinking that their rural area could possibly do a Gay Pride event to contact Kathy and JUST DO IT! It was great, very empowering and just a hell of a good time. I can't WAIT for next year...
Julie Nicolay