Fort Macleod residents will come together next week for an evening of music and art designed to strengthen unity in the town.
Everybody Say Love, which takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at the community hall, is a fund-raiser for the Empress Theatre and Fort Macleod Pride.
Everybody Say Love came together after a Pride flag was burned Aug. 26 in Centennial Park and the Empress Theatre was vandalized in an unsuccessful attempt to stop a drag show.
“I, like many others in our town, was shocked and saddened by the events that took place recently at Pride and at the Empress,” Everybody Say Love organizer Lee Holfeld said. “It was deeply upsetting to see our town make the national news for such a negative reason.”
“I realized that we needed a way to collectively show our support and decided that this could be a perfect way to do so. For me personally, I needed to get out of anger and find a way to move forward in a positive light.”
The event will feature musical performances by Juno Award nominee John Wort Hannam, Maureen Chambers and Mick and Dona Guyette.
Hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche, along with Lowell Yellow Horn, will also perform.
Everybody Say Love will also feature a silent auction of local art, quilts, paintings, jewelry, pottery and more donated by local artists.
Artists who have contributed so far are George Kush, Tara Asuchak, Trish Hoskin, Jessica Glombick, Bob Cowan, Dee Collar, Stasha Donahue, Riet Kleissen, Jan Walker, Judy Hamilton, Wendy Aikins, Cynthia Temoin and Lee Holfeld.
Holfeld is hopeful that Everybody Say Love is a successful fund-raiser, but will benefit Fort Macleod in other ways.
“I hope this event is a catalyst for more unity,” Holfeld explained. “We use the word ‘Belong’ to promote this town but sadly there are members of our community who don’t feel that they do. They feel targeted and unsafe.”
“My wish is for people to recognize that and in doing so to do more to foster inclusion and promote acceptance of one another.”
Holfeld said support for the event has been strong, with businesses and individuals quick to donate prizes for draws.
Everybody Say Love continues to evolve as the date approaches, with more people coming forward to offer support.
For updates, check out “Everybody Say Love — A Community Night in Support of the Empress Theatre and Fort Macleod Pride” on Facebook
“Everybody Say Love can serve as a beacon of hope and a testament to our commitment to embracing the identities that make up Fort Macleod,” Holfeld said. “By coming together, I believe we can create a space where everyone feels valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are in the community.”
Tickets are available at Twisted Hummingbird, The Macleod Gazette and the Empress Theatre office on Main Street.
If anyone wishes to make a donation or to volunteer contact Lee Holfeld.
