Bellows Falls Pride 2023
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Bellows Falls Pride
Press
Release
Santa's Belles
December 8th
Dance Party
Poster
fall/winter
2023 Press Relese
Tweed Ride Poster
Upcoming Bellow Falls Pride Winter Event
Santa's Bells Holiday Drag - Friday, December 8
(Bellows Falls VT) Bellows Falls Pride has invited Vermont’s premiere drag queens to perform in a holiday drag show on Friday, December 8 at the Moose Lodge, 59 Westminster Street in Bellows Falls. Hosted by Emoji Nightmare, “Santa’s Belles” will take to the stage for an adult-only evening beginning at 9pm. The festivities will include a celebration of local Gay Games Guadalajara participants, Roger Barraby (track) of Windsor and Carl Anhalt (water polo) of Bellows Falls.
Performers for “Santas Belles” feature Anita Cocktail, Emoji Nightmare, Rita Cocktail, Katniss Everqueer, Moxxie Hart and Jack Rose, and Prince Muffin. Music by Mama Dukes. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance on the Rockingham Arts and Museum website at www.ramp-vt.org. Click on the Donate button, choose Other and indicate Drag Show in the note line. Confirmation will be emailed to you upon purchase. Seating is first come first served. Full cash bar will be open (ATM machine on premises) and food can be brought in or delivered. Doors open at 8pm; audience 18+.
Anita Cocktail is the co-host of monthly drag shows at Merchants Hall in Rutland, Vermont and performs in surrounding towns north of Bellows Falls. For the last five years, her performances have included themed stage revues, public events and more recently, the inclusion of burlesque performers from Burning Roses Burlesque. Anita also performs as her drag king alter ego, King Cocktail.
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As a special holiday perk, Jasper Forest of Ludlow, VT will offer their Oxygen Bar experience for patrons. This fast-growing opportunity is safe and provided by business owner, Jennifer Esposito, who travels with the Oxygen Bar to corporate, sports, health, festivals, weddings, and other private events and public venues. The air we breathe daily consists of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, coupled with other gasses and pollutants from car and industrial exhaust. Inhaling a dose of up to 95% oxygen (different from medical oxygen) for only ten minutes can provide relaxation, clarity, concentration, energy, and decreased stress. Athletes have long known the benefits of oxygen therapy and bars are beginning to offer this option on premise.
The cost is $20 for the first ten-minute oxygen session. Additional five-minute increments cost $5 with all sessions including the option of your choice of aromatherapy. Credit cards, Cash and Venmo accepted.
Bellows Falls Pride is a new program of the nonprofit Rockingham Arts and Museum Project, founded in 1997. For wheelchair accessibility and other questions, contact the Moose Lodge at (802) 463-4054, who will have food available for purchase. Visit Jasper Forest at www.jasperforest.com
click above to download the press release PDF
PRIDE Comes to Bellows Falls - JUNE 2023
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(Bellows Falls VT) Throughout the month of June, Bellows Falls will once more become a destination for the LGBTQ+ community in New England and beyond. Echoing the days of the historic Andrews Inn, which was in business from 1973-1984 and located in the downtown Windham Hotel building, the gay community sought out the town as a place of safety and security. Patrons would travel by train to the only LGBTQ+ friendly destination in the state for a weekend of dancing and house parties. Described in 1979 as a “cultural cross between Mayberry and Fire Island,” the Andrews Inn had 56 rooms to rent, a bar, jukebox disco and coffee shop. It was owned by the locally revered Moisis family, whose son, John, had the initial vision which would go on to save the family business.
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Although the town was hesitant at first, once visiting guests began to spend money on antiques, clothing, furniture and memorabilia, the economic impact was recognized. Policemen even began to provide visitors with rides from the train station to the Inn. These patrons were recognized as being good for the economy, men and women who enjoyed a respite from an often harsh world.
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Activities will include something for everyone. Classic Film Wednesdays feature LGBTQ+ themed films at the historic Opera House, with the largest screen in the region and where tickets still cost only $6. Merchants will participate with special window displays, giveaways and staying open late on Wednesdays for your shopping pleasure. Enjoy Pride Pastries and Rainbow Cold Brew at Rockingham Roasters before each film. Gather at Wunderbar for dinner, drinks and discussion. Visit The Field Center for a Queer T-Dance on June 17. Celebrate at the free community dance on June 30 at the Moose Lodge, with DJ Wade the Great. And be sure to pick up your commemorative postcards and buttons at Windham Antiques.
Of special note is the PRIDE Whistlestop Tour on Sunday, June 11, which is also national Making Life Beautiful Day. From St. Albans t0 Brattleboro, LGBTQ+ organizations, individuals and allies will appear at each of the ten Amtrak Vermonter train stations to show support and love for the LGBTQ+ community, under siege across the country, by taking a moment to make our Vermont communities more beautiful. (To stay in Bellows Falls for the afternoon, purchase Amtrak Vermonter tickets in advance.)
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Sponsors include the LGBT Hotline, Windham Antiques, Wunderbar, Pete’s Farmstand, Fuzzy Brothers Construction, Rockingham Roasters, Rockingham Arts and Museum Project, Bellows Falls Downtown Development Alliance, The Field Center, Moose Lodge, Wade the Great DJ, Canal Street Gallery, The Secret Life of Death, and Ezra Veitch.
As events are added they will be posted on the website and social media. For more information, visit bellowsfallspride.com, bellowsfallspride@gmail.com,
#TrainRideForPride
#BellowsFallsPride
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www.bellowsfallsoperahouse.com
For more information about the Andrews Inn: https://www.weareoutintheopen.org/aiohp