Esperanza Spalding headlined Ladyfest on Saturday, and following her set Carly Simon joined her children, Ben and Sally Taylor, onstage for a surprise performance.
Islanders danced, ate and rejoiced for a good cause at the eighth annual LadyFest music festival on Saturday at Alley Waban Park.
Esperanza Spalding headlined the event, and following her set Carly Simon joined her children, Ben and Sally Taylor, onstage for a surprise performance.
In previous years, Ladyfest had been held on Circuit avenue, but Ms. Spalding, a five time Grammy-award winner, helped establish the new venue as a potent off-season music festival.
Ben Taylor followed Ms. Spalding’s set to perform a cover of Old Note by Lisa O’Neil. He was then joined by his sister Sally and mother Carly as they sang one of his original songs titled You Are Not Alone.
Carly Simon created a stir with a surprise performance with her children Ben and Sally Taylor.
Carly Simon created a stir with a surprise performance with her children Ben and Sally Taylor.
Addition musicians included Nanauwe, Dana Williams, The Outskirts, Dwight & Nicole, and Island Hip Hop performed a dance routine for the multi-generational audience. Rose Guerin, festival producer and co-founder along with Kelly Feirtag, closed out the evening.
Throughout the day, Island vendors lined the stage. Numerous eateries, including Mo’s Lunch, Pocket Dogs and The Swimming Pig, offered an wide variety of cuisines, while local shops and artisans such as Sunny Side MV, Katama Candle Company and Kitzy Pottery set up booths for shopping opportunities.
CONNECT To End Violence set up an informational booth where festival attendees could learn about the essential services the organization provides to Islanders.
“It’s really important for us to get out into the community and have a voice for victims and survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault,” CONNECT director Susan Mercier said. “It’s just good for us to remind people that we’re here, that we offer 24/7 crisis and all support.”
Jack Pachico, men’s initiative specialist for CONNECT, enjoyed the energy displayed throughout the day.
Island Hip Hop performed.
Island Hip Hop performed.
“I am blown away [with] what Rose and Kelly have done today, and just the amount of work that they put into it, and how successful it’s been already,” he said. “People are dancing and having fun and having great conversations with one another. It is awesome.”
Cindy Flanders and Amy Flanders-Sullivan, who work with Community Services, said they appreciated what the event brings to the Island.
“Any time people from our community put together a community event to benefit our community that also provides amazing entertainment and an opportunity to be together and enjoy, the weather, the music, the vendors, the people, all of it is a win,” Ms. Flanders said.
Seniel Hannagan, owner of the Island mobile hair salon named Seniel Style, offered tinsel and feathers for people’s hair. While she was busy adding sparkle into attendees’ hair, her sister Leandra Seward reveled at the emotions on display.
Rose Guerin and her band closed the event.
Rose Guerin and her band closed the event.
“Everybody has worked really hard to get this going,” she said. “Everybody’s been so happy and I’ve heard the word grateful today more than I have in a long time. It’s just been a really good vibe.”
Before Ms. Spalding’s performance, Community Services outreach coordinator Pricila Vilaca thanked the crowd for its support and emphasized the importance of unity.
“For my Brazilian community, I want to say this, you are seen, you are valued, you belong here. Our stories matters, our culture matters, and together we can make this Island stronger, kinder and more united,” she said to cheers in the crowd. “So tonight, as the music fills the air, let’s remember every song, every dance, every donation, is a step towards to a safe future for women, children and families on our Island.”
Comments
The event looked well set up
Congrats!The event looked well set up and clearly the hard work paid off! Congratulations! Any info on how many tickets sold and the benefit to connect? Lots of pics, but none of the crowd.
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