America’s Got Talent Dani Shay will perform live at the Rainbow RiverFest 2012.
Photo: http://www.myspace.com/danishay
The Rainbow Riverfest: A day of music, food, comedy and fun for every age
HOLYOKE, MA – Rainbow Riverfest 2012, the Pride of Western Mass., is an all-inclusive festival to be held Saturday, September 22, at the Holyoke Canoe Club on the banks of the Connecticut River, with special guests Melissa Ferrick, featured in Curve, Go, and Out magazines, and Bitch, heard in Showtime’s hit series “The L Word” and seen in the film, “Shortbus.”
Other performers include Dani Shay, a finalist featured on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Glee Project,” Sister Funk, Karen Grenier and more.
“The aim of our festival is bringing together people from all walks of life, including young people, who we hope are able to safely experience the LGBTQA community for the first time,” said Suzanne Seymour, the LGBT Coalition’s Executive Director. “Our Riverfest blends music and comedy with unique concepts, including a healing Zen Zone for body, mind, and spirit, as well as the Youth Tent, where young people can connect through innovative workshops and uniting activities.”
This year, workshops in the Youth Tent will include Learn to Zumba!, Line Dancing 101, Suicide & Bullying Prevention, as well as healing workshops, free massage, acupuncture and spiritual support in the Zen Zone area. Select entertainers will also appear in the Youth Tent to share their personal and inspirational coming out stories.
Emily Scagel, LGBT Coalition Board Member, stated, “Feedback received from youth participating in last year’s festival stated that Riverfest allowed them to realize the many positive opportunities that await them. It is our hope that we achieve this not only for them, but for everyone in attendance.”
The Coalition sponsors many community events, including the area’s first National Gay-Straight Alliance Day event, held in Springfield, “Loving Your Gay Teen” workshop for parents of LGBTQ youth, Northampton’s Transgender Day Of Remembrance, as well as an ongoing film and forum series.
Tickets for the Rainbow Riverfest are available through The Northampton Box Office. Adults are $17.50 in advance/$25 at the door. Ages 13 – 20 are $5 in advance, 12 and under are free. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the festival will run until dusk. Beer and wine will be available for 21+; positive ID required. This is a rain or shine event. For more information, please visit www.rainbowriverfest.org or call (413) 588-1018.
The Holyoke Canoe Club is located on Old Ferry Rd in Holyoke, Mass. off of Northampton St/Rt-5.
About the LGBT Coalition
The LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts is a non-profit 501c3 tax-exempt organization and a member of InterPride (International Organization of Pride Organizers), the Northampton Chamber of Commerce and CABO (LGBT Chamber of Commerce), and was named 2012 Best Local Activist Organization by the Valley Advocate. To learn more about programs and other events, visit www.lgbtcoalitionwma.org.
