Fiona Breslin reports from Pittsfield.Perhaps it was the gypsy theme that set the wild, whirling scene for Alchemy Initiative’s third annual Earth Day fundraiser on Friday, April 20. Held in the second-floor event space above Spice Dragon, the evening kicked off with music from Hudson’s Pamelech Klezmer Orkester as guests moseyed and mingled, enjoying drinks and bites from local eateries — including The Meat Market and Mission Bar + Tapas— and eyeing mannequins dolled up in handmade, upcycled clothing for auction. For additional stimulation, guests could have a palm reading or get a henna tattoo. The younger set was ushered out before the start of a burlesque show by Williamstown's Gypsy Layne troupe. Titillating acts were interspersed with a live fashion show, in which the the Gypsy Layne crew fiercely strode the runway, modeling original upcycled ensembles by local designers, including Alchemy board member Crispina ffrench, Kelley Keefner, and Stephanie Woodruff, whose garbage gown (above) played with the idea of opulence and waste. After the show, guests had a chance to get a closer look at (and vie for) the clothing at online bidding stations set up in the room. While the clothes were tempting, few could resist the raucous, infectious beat laid down by the horn-heavy, percussion-driven band Brooklyn Qawwali Party; the dance floor filled while artist Joe Wheaton projected mesmerizing, psychedelic images on the walls.
Cultural Pittsfield czarina Megan Whilden with designer Crispina ffrench and event volunteer Jennifer Morse; Lana Carron and her mother Wendy Darling with a design by Darling.
Artist Joe Wheaton and his husband novelist Dick Lipez flank gallerist Mary Childs; Alchemy board members Diane Firtell and Sandra Thomas, executive director of Images Cinema in Williamstown, with Alchemy director Jessica Conzo.
Scot Vighi reads Shelby Giaccarini's palm; Pittsfield resident Carrie Wright with her children (from left) Parker, Pilot and Paige, with Olivia Karbott, center.
Musicians Jeff Arp-Sandel and Keegan Schelling with Alchemy board member Alison Basdekis and artist Karen Arp-Sandel; cigarette girl Michelle Forth strikes a pose with Michael Newson.
Local ladies Raina Weber of Project Native, designer Stephanie Woodruff, and Sarah Zukowski; The Meat Market's Jazu Stine with Christopher-Michael Vecchia of Mad Macs and his son, Wylder Stone.
Gypsy Layne dancers nearly took it all off; Brooklyn Qawwali Party band fans Hillary Melville and Devin Febbroriello.
Coffee cognoscenti Matt and Jessica Lamb hit the dance floor with their daughter Esme; hair stylists Chelsea Quenneville and Alicia Levardi flank salon owner Michele Wilkinson.
CATA board president John Whalan and photographer Susan Geller; the decorating committee's Nina Silver is all smiles with Cheryl Campoli, a medical technologist.
We Are Pittsfield co-founders Sue Kelly and Andy Kelly; yoga teacher Jane Ciepiela and Adrienne McCallister, rocking frocks by Kelley Keefner, flank actor Colin Gold.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
