Gay & Arty: LGBTQ Exhibitions in Hudson & Pittsfield
The Hudson renaissance has always had a gay subtext with so many of the antique dealers, shopkeepers and home restorers being gay. But it wasn't until this spring when the drag queen/event planner Trixie Starr organized (in just two months!) the first Hudson Pride Parade that the city of Hudson really came out— and into its own— as a gay nexus. "The Hudson Pride Foundation is the first gay and lesbian organization in Columbia County," says Starr, who also organizes dance parties (at Trixie's Whorehouse), BINGO games, film nights, bakes cookies ("from Trixie's Oven"), and writes the sometimes naughty, GayHudson.com blog. To raise money for next year's parade and college scholarships for LGBTQ youth (or for straight youth who champion LGBTQ rights), Hudson Pride is holding an "Out of the Box" silent auction of works by Hudson artists on Saturday, October 9, at 555 Warren Street from 6 - 9 p.m.
"I will be the emcee of the evening, and there will be an after party at p.m. Wine Bar," says Trixie , who allows that s/he has been overwhelmed by the community's response to the parade, which was especially historic because the grand marshals were Charlie Ferrusi and Tim Howard, the two gay teens who had been elected prom king and queen at Hudson High School. "This is a pivotal moment in Hudson's history," says Trixie. "The parade brought the whole community together, which is why we called it Hudson Pride, not Hudson Gay Pride. We're all proud to live in this little, beautiful, accepting city."
Pittsfield also prides itself on being a gay-friendly city, and it's hosting its second Out in the Berkshires weekend. "It was Mayor Ruberto's idea that we have an art show featuring artists from the gay community," says Megan Whilden, the city's director of cultural development who runs the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, where the first ever "Out in the Berkshires Art Show" opens on Friday, October 9, from 5 - 7 p.m. "It's not gay themed art, but art by members of the LGBTQ community, including Joe Wheaton who is currently exhibiting at the Berkshire Museum and Susan Mikula who had a show at the Ferrin Gallery this summer." The Lichtenstein has had other minority-themed shows (one devoted to African American art and one devoted to Jewish art), and Mayor Ruberto has made inclusiveness a cornerstone of his administration. “Our goal is for Pittsfield to be a welcoming, supportive community for everyone, gay or straight, black, white, brown or any other color," says the mayor. "We especially want every child growing up here in Pittsfield to know that they are loved and supported for who they truly are. That’s why we are co-sponsoring the second annual Out in the Berkshires weekend with events open to everyone. We do not and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, hate or bullying in our community.”
Besides the exhibit, the Out in the Berkshires Weekend includes "Karao-Gay" on Friday night at the New Stage Performing Arts Center at 55 North Street (above the Beacon Cinema) hosted by Ken De Loreto of Southfeld and filmmaker Erica Spizz (photos above.) There will be a dance party on Saturday at the New Stage, and a friends-and-family drag brunch at Jae's Spice on Sunday. "Well, it was going to be a drag brunch, but they could not find any drag queens," says Whilden.
Did you hear that Trixie? Pittsfield needs you.
Hudson Pride Foundation Silent Auction
554 Warren Street
Saturday, October 9; 6 - 9 p.m.
After party at p.m. Wine Bar
119 Warren Street
Out in the Berkshires Weekend
Opening reception at Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
28 Renne Avenue;
Friday, October 8; 5 - 7 p.m.
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