May Day is fast approaching, and the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) has a terrific celebration for families and everyone looking to spend an afternoon in the park, at a party for Mother Nature and fairer weather. This coming weekend, the FAC will host workshops for building May Day pole ribbons and other decorations, open to all, as with the May Day celebration.
On Saturday & Sunday, April 27th & 28th, from 1p – 4p at the FAC Powerhouse, everyone is invited to lend a hand at free, open workshops for refreshing the FAC Maypole crown, and making decorations for the May Day potluck area. Even those with limited skills can come and help, and learn how, at these public workshops.
On Wednesday, May 1st, starting at 3p, the FAC will celebrate May Day in the Lower Woodland picnic area near N 60th St and Aurora Avenue. Attendees are invited to wear white, bring potluck dishes, and be ready to dance and play – including weaving ribbons around the May Pole.
This year, the FAC has decided to do something new, as described by FAC member Henry Peterson:
“In the spirit of spring, we’re taking a new approach to May Day and Beltane. For many years our May Day picnic celebration has been centered around reconvening our spirits as the sun returns back to the Pacific Northwest. With the new found hours of sunlight, comes a renewed sense of growth, which on May Day, we term fertility. Fertility at our May Day events has focused on conception between a man and woman. Yet there is much more to fertility than reproduction.
“This year we want to celebrate the full range of fertile pursuits: the creation of innovative, visionary, and constructive ideas (Creativity); the pursuit of plants, nature, and gardens so vast you can share with your neighbors (Nature); the growth of relationships with family, friends, enemies, and a lover… or two (Connection); and, of course, there will be a group for those of us just wanting to be Fremont weirdos (Eccentrics). Fear not, we will dance around the maypole! In lieu of a fertile couple, we will elect a representative from each of the 4 groups to be bound in the may pole.
“But why are we deviating from our traditional picnic? Frankly, we are a community that includes folx (sic.) of all identities and we need to respect and include that. Many of us are queer who feel ostracized by the celebration of traditional gender and sexual roles as we watch from the sidelines and many of us are not queer, yet are not interested in or capable of celebrating reproduction. We look forward to dancing around a maypole that is inclusive to all communities!”
So come dance, sing and bring in the Spring with love in your heart, and a hearty community of celebrants. Bring flowers for head wreaths, a dish to share, drinks and good spirits – but remember that everyone will pack out what they pack in.
All are welcome! Fremont Arts Council membership is encouraged (and cheep! cheep!) but not required.