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Arts & Entertainment

Planning for Pride in Manchester Week Underway

Pride in Manchester to celebrate its 20th year in June.

Save the date! Planning for the June 4 through June 12 town-sponsored Pride in Manchester week of festivities is well underway, with a wide array of fun and free activities for the whole family.

"This is our 20th year and I'm so delighted to be able to be a part of this and give back to the town that made a home for me," said Pride Week Chair Joyce Hodgson, Executive Director of the Little Theater of Manchester at Cheney Hall.

The daughter of Salvation Army officers, Hodgson said she moved around a lot as a child but as an adult settled in Manchester where she spent 23 years raising a family and becoming a part of the town. She moved away for a few years, but the draw of Manchester eventually brought her back.

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Hodgson noted that while the events of Pride Week may seem to move along seamlessly each year, in reality it takes a tremendous amount of behind-the- scenes preparation from a broad range of community volunteers to make it happen.

This year's planning committee is the largest ever and includes volunteer representatives from the town's Board of Directors, the Little Theater of Manchester, the Manchester Historical Society, WDRC radio, the Downtown Manchester Special Services District, the Manchester Arts Commission, several local organizations and clubs, and many individuals.

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"Manchester is a town that is so very committed to its history, to enjoying each other and celebrating who we are," she said.

And Manchester does enjoy a good celebration. Pride Week will kick off at 5:00p.m. on Saturday, June 4 with a concert in Center Park (beside Mary Cheney Library) featuring local and regional bands. At their most recent committee meeting, Concert in the Park chair Kevin Zingler, a member of the Manchester Board of Directors, said his group is in negotiations with "The Great Escape," a "Journey" tribute band out of the Boston area, as well as the very popular local band, "Stealing Jupiter."

A senior dance at the Senior Center is slated for Tuesday, June 7 and a band is in place for that popular annual event.

The Strollin' on Main festivities will also be returning with two hours on Thursday evening, June 9. Family and friends are invited to take a leisurely walk along downtown Main Street, enjoy a horsedrawn wagonette ride and indulge in a bit of free ice cream.

Strollin' on Main Chair Tana Parseliti, overseer of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District, said her group is working with Beller's Music to secure  musical groups to perform along Main Street for the entertainment of passersby. She said she is also hoping to line up a few dance demonstrations from local studios.

While last year's rain on Thursday spoiled things a bit for performers with electronic equipment, she said acoustic peformers were still able to tuck in under awnings and continue to entertain.

Parseliti said she sees the Strollin' on Main event as a low key, relaxing opportunity for people to meet up and talk, and perhaps duck in to a local restaurant for a bite to eat. "We're really happy to have the whole town integrated into the week," she said. 

Several other activities including an art show in the park, a family hike, a history walk, and the New England Fiddle Contest will ensure an exciting time for everyone.

The week of events will culminate with Heritage Day on Saturday, June 11. The day is based on "Homeland Day," a day set aside beginning in 1914 by the Cheney Brothers to recognize the ethnic diversity of skilled workers from throughout the world that left their respective homelands to work in the Cheney silk mills. 

Opening ceremonies for Heritage Day will be held  at 10:30a.m. at Cheney Hall.

"Cheney Hall was built for the performing arts. It was built as a gathering place," said Hodgson.

In the morning hours of Heritage Day, Hodgson said several actors will be on stage in period dress, portraying historical figures. The afternoon hours will showcase the present day performing arts organizations that utilize Cheney Hall, such as the Little Theater of Manchester.

Outside the Hall, local not-for-profits will have booths for selling food and drinks and will disseminate information on what their organizations do in town and how interested people can get involved.

During the day, the Manchester Historical Society museums--including the Connecticut Fireman's Museum, Cheney Homestead, and the Keeney Schoolhouse--will open their doors for the visiting public.

"The Manchester Historical Society is just thrilled to participate in Pride Week because we have all our museums open for free and we see a lot of visitors," said Susan Barlow, treasurer for the planning committee and a member of the Society's Board of Directors.

 "There are so many dedicated volunteers who truly love this town," said Hodgson. "I'm so proud to be a part of it."

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