All About Love (and Love!)
I’ve got love on my mind this week. Two kinds! First, the romantic kind of love that exists between couples; second, the dance event called Love.
True Love
In a history making moment this week, Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed the Civil Union and Equality Act of 2011 into law. It was a wonderful and moving ceremony that thrilled the more than 600 spectators gathered together to witness its momentous passage.
My partner Steve [Elkins] is on the Board of Equality Delaware, and along with all the other members of that board, has worked hard for the passage of SB 30 and other bills before it. As I sat listening to the Governor speak passionately about equality, I couldn’t help but reach out and touch Steve’s shoulder. This was personal. This was about us. This was about the love we have for one another. Finally our deep commitment to one another was being recognized.
A couple of weeks ago, Sal Seeley, our CAMP Rehoboth Health Services Director, suggested we put couples on the cover of Letters to celebrate the signing of the SB 30. Great idea, I thought, so we assembled nine of the many couples who make up our Rehoboth community.
The couples on the cover of this issue have been together for a wide variety of years, ranging from 4½ to 53. All together their relationships represent 250 years of love. Finally, their love is being recognized.
Since the passage and the signing of SB 30, I feel different. That surprises me a little. I underestimated how good it would make me feel!
Red Love, Blue Love, Lady Love
For 17 years the Love dance has been a part of the July 4th Weekend festivities in Rehoboth Beach. This year, Love returns to its roots as an all dance event and is being billed as the “biggest dance weekend of the summer!”
First the facts: Saturday, July 2, 8 p.m-2 a.m. is Red Love with superstar DJ/Remixer Joe Gauthreaux ($40, open bar); Sunday, July 3, 9 p.m-2 a.m. is Blue Love with DJ Mike Reimer ($40, open bar); also on Sunday, July 3 from 4-8 p.m. is the Ladies 2000—Lady Love Tea Dance ($15, cash bar). All three events will feature the amazing work of lighting designer Paul Turner, and all are open to everyone. Love 2011 is a benefit for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.
A Red and Blue Love Ticket Package is available at the reduced cost of $75 for both events.
Producing an event on the magnitude of Love requires the help of many Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts who are the backbone of the event. Sponsorship begins at $1000 and includes logo placement. Supporter level begins at $500. Host level is $100, and VIP Host level is $150. Access to the popular, private Love Lounge at the Red and Blue Love dances is available at VIP Host level and higher. Tickets and all Host and Sponsor packages are available by calling CAMP Rehoboth or can be purchased online.
Joe Gauthreaux (pronounced Go Trow) has 14 years of main event and club appearances under his belt, and has played a wide range of events, from the Black Party in NYC to the San Diego Pride. In recent years he has begun to produce his own remixes including: “You Are” by Tony Moran featuring Frenchie Davis; Kristine W’s, the Power of Music; “ Feel Good” by Edison Pride featuring Jeanie Tracy and many more. He always creates a “musical journey” that keeps a crowd on the dance floor all night long.
Blue Love DJ Mike Reimer joins the Love Team with a strong following in DC and Rehoboth. In 2010 he won the DJ Contest at Cobalt and a spot on the Cherry roster there as well; currently he plays the Confessional Parties at Sweet Spot and can sometimes be found at Stallions in Harrisburg and at Grand Central in Baltimore.
Lady Love DJ Steve Singer has been rocking the Ladies 2000 events for years. He has a weekly radio show (WCJE 1520.com, from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday afternoons), and spins at Sister’s in Philadelphia. He’s played many of the major clubs in Philly—dating back to Pulsations—including: Maui, Egypt, and Shampoo. He’s worked as a DJ on other radio stations including Y100, WMMR, and WIRE.
Lighting designer Paul Turner has been a part of Love for many years and is an integral part of the design process. When he’s not in Rehoboth Beach for Love or Sundance (Labor Day Weekend), his work takes him all over the world. Paul has been lighting events for over 24 years, and his resume includes the 1999 Super Bowl halftime show and BET Television Music Awards. He’s toured with Liza Minnelli, George Benson, Patti LaBelle, and Amusement Parks on Fire, to name a few. His work has been seen on Broadway and on many U.S. and international tours and includes: The Scarlett Pimpernel, Sesame Street Live, The Will Rogers Follies, Phantom of the Opera, Remixed Japan and much more. For the last 12 years he has worked on the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
For the first time in Love history, the Love 2011 team is partnering with Ladies 2000 to present Lady Love Tea Dance on Sunday, July 3. In recent years, Ladies 2000 and CAMP Rehoboth have partnered on a variety of dances, but this is the first one that with include the full scale production technology of Love or Sundance.
Also supporting the Love event this year will be the Boys of Summer: Love Bachelor Auction at Aqua on June 18. High bidders on the beach house bachelors will enjoy a meal at one of Rehoboth’s fine restaurants as well as receiving a VIP Host level listing and benefits for Love 2011 (including access to the private Love Lounge).
Love Note
Yes, I’ve got love (in all its forms) on my mind this week. I consider myself very fortunate, indeed, to live in a community that is filled with so much love. With Civil Unions “signed, sealed, and delivered”, and red, white, and blue love fireworks on the horizon, who knows what fun the summer will bring. Maybe it’s time for a brand new “summer of love!”
Murray Archibald, Founder and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, is an artist in Rehoboth Beach.