BGHV Weekend, November 5th; Rally for Equality, Pippin in Rhinebeck, and Bluecashew Grand Reopening Party!

Welcome to Another Big Gay Hudson Valley Weekend!

This latest edition is coming to you under less than ideal conditions; Marriage Equality has been defeated in Maine by Proposition 1, and closer to home, the openly-gay Deborah Schneer lost her race to Judge Don Williams, the previous Ulster County District Attorney that was the first to press charges against New Paltz Mayor Jason West in 2005 after he began wedding gay and lesbian couples there.

The New Jersey Governorship also went to Chris Christie – surely a future set-back in a State that was so close to approving its own Marriage Equality legislation.

Closer to home, it is likely that the New York State Senate will vote on Marriage Equality legislation on Tuesday, November 10th during a special session that has been called by Governor Paterson. How that vote will turn out, no one is really sure. Organizations like the Empire State Pride Agenda feel confident we have enough votes for passage, although as we have learned in California – and now Maine – we cannot “count our chickens until they hatch”.

That said, now is not the time to back down. Please join us this coming Sunday, November 8th at 5pm in New Paltz in front of the Elting Memorial Library on Main Street in New Paltz as BGHV and the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center host a candlelight vigil/rally in support of Marriage Equality.

Also, please call your State Senators (and ask your heterosexual allies to do the same), and urge them to vote in favor of Marriage Equality… OK, on with the listings!

Friday, November 6th

Opening Night of Pippin @ Center for Performing Arts, Rhinebeck @ 8p
The Broadway-famed anachronistic fairy tale brings its toungue-in-cheek humor to Rhinebeck for two weeks. Shows run Saturday & Sunday at 8p and on Sundays at 3p.

Half Moon Theatre: “Emerson High”, Cunneen-Hacket Arts Center, Poughkeepsie
A compelling, very human drama about a high school band teacher’s relationship with his student. This brand-new play asks the question ‘Is love ever wrong?” Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, 12 Vassar St., Poughkeepsie. Thurs.-Sun. Nov. 5-15th. Visit their website, or call 724-653-6903 to purchase tickets.

“The Women”, Presented by 90 Miles off Broadway, New Paltz Community Center, New Paltz @ 8p
Friday, Nov. 6th and Saturday, Nov. 7th at 8pm, Sunday, Nov. 8th at 2pm, at the New Paltz Community Center on Route 32N, behind Town Hall. Tickets $15; available at the door, or by calling (845) 256.9657

Saturday, November 7th

Come Out & Find Out Conference, Holiday Inn, Kingston @ 9:30a
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center presents their 4th Annual Educational Conference at the Holiday Inn in Kingston. Featuring national speakers, hot issues, changes happening in our community. Tickets are $25, and includes lunch.

Grand Tasting @ Arlington Wines & Spirits, Poughkeepsie @ 12p – 5p
Poughkeepsie’s Arlington Wines and Spirits celebrates one of their biggest tasting events of the year! It’s a great way to check out some new wines leading into the Holidays, and be sure to say “hello” to Bob Brink, their fabulous wine buyer.

Bluecashew; Grand Reopening in Rhinebeck @ 6p
Come celebrate with BGHV as big gay gourmands, Sean & Greg, open the doors of their hip & ecclectic kitchen pharmacy with bluecashew: Rhinebeck. Store specials, music and proceeds benefiting the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

Sunday, November 8th

Lighting The Way To Equality, New Paltz @ 5p – 7p
Join BGHV and the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center as we hold a candlelight vigil/rally to show our support for Marriage Equality in New York State. We will gather in front of the Elting Memorial Library on Main Street at 5pm. Visit BGHV for more information.

Taste of the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie @ 12 noon
The 21st annual Taste of the Hudson Valley will be held at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. Highlighting the best and brightest gastronomic experiences of our community, proceeds from the event benefit St. Francis Hospitals and Health Care Centers.