By JANE SHAW
for ArtSpring
“Creating a living room for the community” is how ArtSpring RoundTable chair Lisa Black describes the finale of this season’s events.
On Saturday, June 6, the island community is invited to come together to share a potluck and dance, with Vancouver’s Queer as Funk bringing their irresistible grooves, bold pride and high-energy celebration to the stage.
Supported by TJ Beans and DAISSI – Diverse and Inclusive Salt Spring Island – the all-welcome event marks both Pride month and a hugely successful season of programming by the community-focused RoundTable committee.
Queer as Funk’s mix of powerhouse vocals and a soul-shaking horn section has been described as “uniting community through funk, visibility and radical love,” and turning every event into a joyful dance party, which is at the heart of the RoundTable’s aim of connecting the art of community spirit with the spirit of community art.
Wendy Judith Cutler, who has been instrumental in creating the event, said, “We’re so excited to have Queer As Funk and a community potluck and dance for our queer and supportive island communities. Collaborating with DAISSI is a great way to create connections within our communities and the event is an opportunity for DAISSI to publicize our island Pride on July 17 to 19.”
“It was a very conscious decision to include the potluck and dance,” said Black, “because it’s all about bringing community together, including those who typically might not come to ArtSpring. The support of TJ Beans and DAISSI also means we’re bringing together local businesses and local organizations with the artistic community.”
“Wendy [Judith Cutler,] who also sits on the RoundTable committee, has been the torch carrier for this event for two and a half years, and we are so appreciative of her drive and help. That makes it even more exciting to see it finally happen.
“We all live on this tiny island,” Black added, “and this is a chance for us to get to know people who we might not normally meet, as well as connect with old friends. That’s what I love about doing this!”
The appetizer community potluck starts at 7 p.m. in the ArtSpring gallery, with Queer As Funk playing from 8 to 10 p.m.
Entry is by donation and this is truly an “all welcome” event.