A Savoy Galentine and Savvy Valentine

Egads! How is tomorrow Valentine’s Day already? I guess that makes today Galentine’s Day. For those who might begrudge someone a made-up holiday, take a walk. They are all made up. We choose to celebrate the arbitrary things we think are important. Be they the Earth’s position around the sun, the resetting of a calendar year, or the date which some notable person was thrust from the womb. They are all kind of ridiculous.

What’s important is the meaning with which we imbue these occasions. So what we are really celebrating are things like love, renewal, and justice. The names and the specific dates that accompany these holidays matter less than the feelings they inspire in those who observe them.

If you’re not feeling it, then these dates are just another day to skip work, get drunk, and eat.

So today some people want to take a moment and celebrate sisterhood. Tomorrow, it’s about romantic love. Yes, I’ve been cynical about Valentines Day in the past, largely based on the commercialization of the holiday. Or rather, its modern popularity, which has been driven by a desire to capture consumer spending.

But these days, I’m looking for all the joyful moments I can find. And a celebration of romantic love sounds like a great idea. And if you don’t know how to celebrate sisterhood, I was just sent a great idea from my Facebook friend Jason Pierce who is one of the owners of Albany’s Savoy Taproom.

It’s been awhile since I’ve printed a press release in full. But I think this one is worth sharing.

ALBANY MAYOR KATHY SHEEHAN TO HOST GALENTINE’S DAY FUNDRAISER FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Local singer/songwriter Girl Blue, indie rockers Stellar Young & others to perform

ALBANY, NY – February 13, 2018 – Savoy Taproom today announced that City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan will be hosting their third annual Galentine’s Day Fundraiser at Savoy Taproom on Lark Street in Albany on Wednesday, February 13th from 6pm to 10pm. The yearly event raises funds for Planned Parenthood and will feature special musical performances by Flying Rob & Friends, Olivia Quillio, Girl Blue and Stellar Young along with comedy interludes from local comedians Shafi Hossain, Tommy McGuire, Jr. and Marcus Meehan. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and may be purchased online at https://galentinesdayfundraiser.eventbrite.com – 100% of ticket proceeds to benefit Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson.

“Planned Parenthood is not only a trusted provider of reproductive health care, they are a passionate advocate actively furthering reproductive rights and justice for women across this country and right here in the Capital District,” states City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “Both as a woman and as the Mayor of the City of Albany it is my honor to host this years annual Galentine’s Day Fundraiser and to strengthen and further our city’s commitment to the accessibility of reproductive health care.”

This year’s Galentine’s Day musical lineup includes performances by local favorites Flying Rob & Friends, singer & songwriter Olivia Quillio, praised for her “commendable lyrical guile” and “refreshingly honest” and passionate music, Girl Blue, renowned for her diverse sense for vocal arranging and storytelling through song and a special acoustic set by Albany based Stellar Young, who bring to the stage a captivating blend of atmospheric indie-rock and upbeat post-punk. Local comedians Shafi Hossain, Tommy McGuire, Jr. and Marcus Meehan will deliver their funniest material during comedic interludes between the musical performances.

Albany Distilling Company, Nine Pin Cider, Shogun, Yang’s Bistro, Edible Arrangements, Dunkin Donuts, El Loco, The Book House, Silver Parrot and various other local area businesses have shown their support for Planned Parenthood by donating products, services and gift cards to be offered as raffle prizes during the event. The $25 entry price includes raffle tickets and additional tickets will be available for purchase during the event.

“For over 100 years Planned Parenthood has provided critical care services in communities across this country,” states Savoy Taproom owner Jason Pierce. “The Galentine’s Day Fundraiser is our way of showing support for their organization, standing by a women’s right to choose and raising funds to ensure the continued availability of the critical services they provide to both men and women here in the Capital District.”

One hundred percent of the funds raised from ticket sales for the Galentine’s Day Event, event sponsors, raffle ticket sales and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of special Galentine’s Day Cocktails will go directly to Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson who operates ten health centers in the Capital Region and Mohawk Valley.

As far as Valentine’s Day goes, my hope is to once again feed the kids a quick dinner of macaroni and cheese from a box–maybe with some microwaved peas–and send them off to bed early. Then I want to make those Lobsters of Love and serve them with a nice Champagne, Prosecco, or other sparkling wine. Whatever the case, once again, we’ll be staying in. Largely because I think expressions of romantic love are best when done in private. But you do you.

I only wish I was available tonight to help lend my voice to the celebration of sisterhood. I know I’m not exactly a sister, but I probably have more “mom” friends than “dad” friends. And I’ve always been able to hang with the “girls” be it for spa days, nights out, or just kibitzing in the carpool line. While I may not have all the right parts, I’m pretty up to speed on the issues, and an advocate against the patriarchy whenever I can.

But whatever you choose to celebrate—or not—tonight, tomorrow, or in the future, I hope you do it with feeling. You don’t have to buy stuff or spend money to celebrate. You just need to give the moment your time and attention.