A glimpse of River See at its world premiere in Chicago’s Link Hall this past June
Photo: Dan Plehal
By: Clara Lefton/TRT Reporter—
The final weeks of summer do not mean the end of fun. The Rainbow Times has put together a list of LGBTQI-themed events taking place throughout New England in preparation for the fall season.
Worcester Pride
The Western Mass. city of Worcester will be celebrating pride September 6. The event will begin and end behind the City Hall at 455 Main Street and will be led by former RuPaul’s Drag Race season six contestant Joslyn Fox. The theme for this year’s event is “Just As I Am.”
“Every year we have had more and more participation from all stripes of local politicians,” John Trobaugh, Worcester Pride president, said in a previous interview with TRT. “We contact them all and let them know our community want to hear from them and we want them to hear from us. In fact, we recently met with the city manager to improve Worcester’s city score on the HRC index. The meeting was a success and the city announced its first LGBT Police liaison. In addition, we have made recommendations for legislation that would allow the city to shine on paper as much as it does in person. We love Worcester and it shows.”
For further information visit www.worcesterpride.org.
AIDS Project Rhode Island
AIDS Project Rhode Island will host a 2.5 mile AIDS Walk for Life September 27. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event begins at 10 a.m. from the Rhode Island State House lawn. All proceeds will go to AIDS Project RI and other AIDS organizations. To learn more call (401) 519-2289 or visit www.aidsprojectri.org.
Out-Fit Challenge
The United States’ first ever LGBT mud run will be coming to Amesbury, Mass. October 11. Participants are encouraged to walk, run or crawl their way through this 5k race that includes over fifteen obstacles like the “Vagitarian” and “Hey Sailor.” Race time begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be handed out for best costume and best body, as well as complimentary beer upon finishing the race in Amesbury Sports Park. A post-race party will occur from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring go-go boys and local musicians. For more information go to www.out-fitchallenge.com.
Fantasia Fair
This annual weeklong transgender event happens every fall in Provincetown, and will be held this year from October 19-26.
“I had heard about the fair for years before I finally attended in 1995,” said Professor Miqqi Alicia Gilbert, the events director and a full professor of philosophy at York University, Toronto, Canada. “I just had a wonderful time. In those days things were not quite as open as they are now. The changes have been so dramatic over the past 20 years, it’s amazing. So, for the first time I was able to get dressed the way I wanted to and walk down the street in the sunshine and it was absolutely overwhelming.”
First organized in 1975, the fair will include a variety of workshops with topics varying from how to do one’s hair to how to come out to your kids and transgender history. Additionally, a variety of keynote speakers have been selected this year. Highlights include Mariette Pathy Allen speaking about her new book TransCuba and Jamison Green giving a talk about evolution.
“We have events every night and it’s a lot of fun,” said Gilbert. “We party at night. [There are] two banquets, a gala awards banquet and a fashion show where you can really put on your feathers.”
For more information visit www.fantasiafair.org.
River See
Boston-based organization The Theater Offensive will be home to long-time theatrical writer Sharon Bridgforth’s River See November 13-15. The theatrical experience will feature Bridgforth composing live jazz soundscapes and theatrical pieces via improvisation. The story is set around the migration of African Americans from the deep south to northern parts of Boston like Roxbury and the South End in the 1900s.
“It’s a very different piece, but it’s multidisciplinary and it’s called theater of the jazz aesthetic,” said Nick Bazo, The Theater Offensive’s assistant director of programs. “The base of all the work includes spirituality, music and healing. You have to see it to experience it, but it’s definitely unique and interactive.”
During the 90s, Bridgforth worked with The Theater Offensive as an artist on multiple occasions and was given the organization’s Theater Offensive Out On The Edge Award in 2012.
“Sharon Bridgforth is truly like the matriarch of revolutionary queer literature and theater,” explained Evelyn Francis, the director of programs for The Theater Offensive. “We have admired her work for years.”
One Big Event
The Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective’s (HGLHC) Gala began as a celebration for the organization’s 20th anniversary and has grown into an annual event. The event will take place for the third year in a row at Hartford’s Connecticut Convention Center, and was the first LGBT event in the space. This year’s event will be held November 22. The evening includes a cocktail hour, music by Shaded Soul Band, guest appearances by political figures, and a silent and live auction. Approximately 500 people are expected to attend.
“It’s a pretty spectacular event at an amazing venue in the city of Hartford. It’s a full evening and people are dressed up, looking good and full of smiles,” said Linda Estabrook, executive director of HGLHC.
The night’s emcee will be Jaques Lamarre of The Mark Twain House who will help the HGLHC raise $150,000 at this charity event to support its programs and services. Ticket price packages range from $125-$225. For more information, visit www.hglhc.org.
For continuous additions to the Fall and other LGBTQ events, or to submit your events as well, visit TRT here!
