GUILFORD — In celebration of their 10th anniversary, and to fete Pride Month, Vermont Performance Lab (VPL) is joining forces with Green Mountain Crossroads (GMC) to throw “A Party Under the Stars” on Saturday, June 25.
For the last 10 years, VPL has worked with local organizations, “to position artists as vital and inspiring presences in community life,” according to their news release. VPL has supported over 400 artists working in dance, theater, music, and film, offering them residencies to develop new works that have won multiple awards and toured nationally and internationally.
“Hitting the 10 year mark is a big deal for us, and as I look back we've been so fortunate to have so many great partners and artists over the years who have both trusted us and stretched us to try new things,” VPL Director Sara Coffey said in an email.
Some of those partners and artists will be at the party, contributing their talents.
The evening will be emceed by performance-art icon and lesbian artist Carmelita Tropicana, with performances by So Percussion, Time Lapse Dance, poet Verandah Porche, and other surprise guests, according to the news release.
“Roughly 40 percent of the artists we support identify as LGBTQ, and it has always been important for us to connect with our local LGBTQ community. And now more than ever we need to come together and celebrate the beautiful diversity that is here in rural Vermont and dance together,” Coffey said.
GMC, an organization promoting community, visibility, knowledge, and power for rural LGBTQ folk, is co-sponsoring the evening's 1970s and '80s themed dance party, with music by DJ Jim Andrews and lighting by Jonathan W. Jensen and The Latchis Hotel.
The party is part of a closing weekend of activities - including the CineSLAM film festival at the Latchis Theatre - celebrating Gay Pride in Southern Vermont.
GMC and its Executive Director HB Lozito have “been an amazing partner over the last two years ... and we are so happy to be joining forces to both be together and celebrate together,” Coffey said.
“We love collaborating with Vermont Performance Lab and are so happy to be continuing our work together for this Party Under the Stars this month,” Lozito said in an email, adding, “In the wake of the Pulse shooting in Orlando, it is important for us to stand together and to find all the ways of processing our individual and collective feelings. Sometimes that looks like a vigil by the river with rage and tears, sometimes that looks like a big LGBTQ community dance party under the Guilford sky!”