LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
SUNDANCE 2008 |
Stefani Deoul |
Happy 21st B'dayRemembering Sundance
This Labor Day we are all invited to celebrate a very special birthday. This Labor Day, Sundance turns 21and we already know one thing for sureit's going to be a spectacular bash. It's hard to believe that it's been twenty-one years since Steve and Murray turned a rainout and an idea of forgoing presents for charitable gifts into one fundraising party that led to another and another and suddenly, as children are wont to do, Sundance has come of age. Its infancy is long past, those toddler years having grown wildly into teenage years and now, suddenly today, that baby is all grown up. So instead of talking of the how and the why and the where of it all, let's celebrate the adult by looking back at a childhood filled with fond memories and fun tales... "I personally met Sundance, already a teenager, the first summer Janet and I moved here. Invited by friends, I still remember the almost "glee" of walking into the Convention Center and being giddy with all the tables chocked full of goods for the bidding. We all stopped to get something to drink and eat and here's where my first Sundance took an interesting turn. One of our new friends, Sharon, asked if I would hold her drink while she ate. Of course. What I didn't know at that time is Sharon is renowned as the world's slowest eater. So while Janet and company ran around putting our name down for I don't know how many items, I stood there, holding a drink that wasn't mine for nearly the duration. Finally Sharon finished and I hurried to find Janet, passing by our friends who were bidding on a boardwalk benchone that somehow now graces my backyard. It seems that while I was holding the drink, Janet bought us a boardwalk benchshe kept right on bidding until we got it beating out those other pesky biddersunwittingly better known as our friends!" Apparently Sundance and I were destined to share a bit of teenage angst together! "Behind the scenes: those of us who count the bids, organize, etc. We race against the clock to have it finished in time to announce the results. We send someone out to get us cookies and drinks to keep us going; we work under Natalie Moss who "drives us" with "hurry we only have x amount of minutes left." Why do we come back year after year to do this count? I don't know! Julie Peters "What strikes me the most about Sundance now is where it started, what it's turned into. I went to the original Sundances back when it was held at the Strand, then a big dance club in Rehoboth. Back then it was so casual. It was relatively small; I think it cost ten dollars. There was a silent auction, but there were only maybe thirty items to bid on. There was no live auction. Today the place is packed and it's about crawling through a labyrinth just to see the items up for bid. So as I get ready to be dazzled with this year's gauntlet, what I remember most is way back when it was little more than a large dinner party." Michael "Hitting the stage dressed as Tinky Winky halfway through the 2001 Sundance auction was one of the highlights in my performing life. It was a pretty funny sight gagbut more importantly, it was a thousand people already having a blast who simultaneously got the joke. I'll never forget it." Eric Peterson "Ketel One Vodka is a returning Sundance Sponsor this year. I keep thinking of their magnificent ice bar from a few years back. Oh, how the Cosmos flowed. The ice shimmered and melted and I thought of snow. I love snow." Louisa Watrel "I believe this is my 16th Sundance. Before I lived here, I would take the week before Sundance off so I could be available to help. In the 16 years I have logged in over 7000 auction items. Every year I get excited and geared up. Everything else in my life goes on holdeven my girlfriend Evelyn says she is a Sundance widow. It is amazing that each year we worry that the items won't come in, but with the help of the many volunteers who call and pick up the generous donations from businesses and individuals, wonderful items roll in. I always wish that someone would do a documentary of the "making of Sundance". The amount of effort that goes into the whole event is beyond the scope of most people. We are very lucky to have such an event here in Rehoboth Beach, the greatest place to live." Natalie Moss "It was 2002 and we were the opening act for the auction. I had rehearsed the number to death to make sure I was letter perfect, but hadn't the foresight to work with the wireless microphone. 30 seconds into the number my right arm knocked the mic out of place and I spent the remainder of the number trying to rectify the situation. The auction and dance that weekend was great and I ran into friends from DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia that I hadn't seen in years. Sundance has a way of bringing people together to celebrate like nothing else does. A nor'easter brought an early end to the weekend, but Sundance made the experience worth driving home in the blinding rain." Doug Yetter "One of the most energizing events I have ever participated in or attended, for that matter. The energy comes from the number of volunteers who make it happen to every last detail of this magnificent weekend. It would not be Labor Day without Sundance!! Love It." Jane Blue "The energy in the room at the Sundance Auction takes my breath away. It demonstrates just how important this event is to our community. It is the celebration of our life here at the beach!" Kathy Davison "My most memorable Sundance was a couple of years ago. I recall everyone smiling, and laughing, and having a good time. Lots of delectable food and beverages added to the party-like atmosphere, as I began placing bids on numerous items. I bid on everything from dinners at local restaurants to bath products from a local store. Some of the items I didn't really need; however, it was a charitable event (I kept telling myself!!) as I signed up for another! One of the more 'unique' items I bid on was a full home extermination service (inside and outside). Since my home was in a heavily wooded neighborhood I was elated when I won the bid for less than $100! I know there were those who went home with more valuable items, like terrific one-of-a-kind pieces of art; but no one was happier than me! Hopefully the exterminator will have donated the service again this Sundance...he did a great job and I plan on bidding again this year!!" Patz "About the Sundance silent auction which has always morphed, to my way of thinking, becoming the event I needed it to be over all these years: first as a visitor, getting to know people at the event and acquiring those fabulous gift certificates to all the Rehoboth restaurants; then as a part-time resident, still meeting and greeting, but keeping an eye out for those auction items to outfit our beach house; and now as a resident, pretty much done with acquiring stuff, but delighted to see old friends and to give items to support the event. In the "boy was I lucky" department about 4 or 5 years ago I got a special treasure at Sundance. Tony Burns had donated an original mixed media silkscreen on mylar print by Sam Gilliamthe well-known and internationally recognized DC artist. The piece was virtually hidden behind the door at the entry to the side room at the convention center. It was difficult to see and almost impossible to identify; I thought it might be a reproduction of some kindbut a careful examination found the title, number and signature on the piece itself. I made my first bid and committed to watching the item throughout the evening. There were several early bidders at very low levelsand I wondered who they might be and if they really knew what we were all bidding onas I kept bidding myself. The others dropped away as I bid on, and by the middle of the evening my number was holding strong and standing alone. Even so, I kept checking every few minutes right up to the conclusion of the silent auction. And, indeed, I won ita really wonderful work of art by an artist I admire and respect. I have gotten over the guilt I initially felt in acquiring such a treasure worth thousands more than the few hundred I paid for it." (Please don't tell Steve and Murray; I intend to give it back when I am done with it.) Lee "My favorite aspect of Sundance it the feeling of community in the room, particularly at the dance. It's an opportunity to see so many of the people we've shared and created gay Rehoboth with over the decades. You can feel the joy Rehoboth has brought to so many over the years and what an important part of people's lives it's been and is still becoming for a new generation." Chris Riss "Chris and I are both always so in awe when we walk in and see almost everyone we know in the area in one spot!! It is sooo much fun to mingle!! Not to mention the good cause!" Katie Green and Chris Benvenuto "Sundance has become one of the high points of my year. I love working with Murray and the rest of the design team to bring Murray's ideas to reality. We take rolls and rolls of material (I now know the difference between georgette and spandex), yards of PVC piping, and thousands of cable ties and end up with a fabulous disco. It takes us a week to create it and less than a day to take it all down. I'm actually depressed when it's all over. The weeks I've spent working with the Sundance crew are among the best of my life." Cathin Bishop "I would always dance the next night at Sundance, but volunteering under John Berdini's leadership to bartend for the Sundance Auction for many years was always a blast! Amazing how a bartender's "regulars" keep coming back year after year. The hardest part was bending over to hear the drink requests over the exciting din of the festive crowd. But I always stopped briefly during the bidding on Murrary's painting...as we were just as interested as everyone else to see just how high it would go that year!" Tom Jones "Some favorite memories that come to mind quickly are first that ice-sculptured vodka bar. Then, of course there was the boardwalk bench... the actual bidding was great, the best part was getting it home to your place! ( Note: Yesthat would be one of those previously mentioned competitive bidders.) One of our favorite "wins" was Patti Shreeve's artwork. I remember commenting one time how it was funny that all the women seem to gather around the Black & Decker household "tools," while the men... well. I am always amazed at how generous folks are." Pam "Sundance is almost like Christmas to me, but with my chosen family and much warmer weather" Decorations are hung in the Convention Center with care, in hopes that auction items will soon be there. Now, Murray! now, Steve! Now, John and Natalie! On, Kathy! On, Rob! On, Ward! And Charlie! To the top of the stage! To the top of the mirrorball Now dance away! Dance away! dance away all! Happy Sundance to all, and to all a good-night! Steve Hoult There is one other thing I remember about my first Sundance and it is what I would like to close this article with. But first, a thank you to all the people who took a minute to remember and to share it with us. We would love to get more of these stories from peopleso please, send an e-mail or drop a card off at CAMP. Hey, it's a 21st birthday and it deserves an album filled with cards, letters and memoriesan album of all of us, growing up and coming of age together. And the perfect cover for this album would be a Murray original. You see, that's the other discovery I made at my first Sundance. I saw joy when I saw Murray's art. I remember watching the bidding fly when his piece went up on the block. I remember buying a print for myself. And so from me to Murraythank you for your art. It brings great joy. And from me to Steve and Murrayas someone who moved here not so very long agothank you for your vision and happy birthday to your young adult. You should be very proud of all this child's accomplished already. On Saturday and Sunday, August 30-31, the Rehoboth summer season will once again end with Sundance 2008. Now in its 21st year, the event involves hundreds of community members and visitors and raises money for SCAC and CAMP Rehoboth. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 12 August 22, 2008 |