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The highlight of the night was the presentation of Fresh Fruit’s Outstanding Achievement Supporting LGBT Arts & Culture award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional support for LGBT arts “on the edge.” The recipients were New York City Council Member Margarita Lopez and roommates “Rod & Nicky” of the popular Broadway musical Avenue Q.

Ms. Lopez, the first openly lesbian Puerto Rican ever elected to office, gave one of the most moving and impassioned speeches I’ve ever witnessed. She recounted her endless and often frustrating struggles with conservative, anti-gay forces in the NY legislature over funding for the arts. She emphasized how important the arts are as a tool in gay liberation and gay human rights; and explained how the arts are like a window from the straight world to the gay world. At the height of her speech she openly wept, as did more than a few of us in the audience.

On hand to accept for Rod & Nicky were Avenue Q residents “Mrs. Thistletwat” and actor/puppeteer Jennifer Barnhart. Jennifer spoke of the impact Avenue Q has had on theatergoers. She told us of the many people who come backstage after the show to express their appreciation, and to testify how deeply the show’s influence is felt. Examples include closeted exec-type men who actually credit the show with helping them “come out,” and gays who remark how similar the onstage lives of the puppets are to their own.

Having seen the hit show myself I fully agree regarding its positive gay-image power. It is at once humorous, sympathetic and intelligent in its treatment of gays living in today’s world. (Avenue Q was one of the shows the Republicans banned conventioneers from attending during last years NYC Republican Convention).

Additional categories, festival artists and works honored at the 2005 Fresh Fruit Awards Ceremony list as follows:

Playwriting/Play – Kevin Brofsky – Albee Damned
Directing – Derek Jamison – Albee Damned
Acting – Katherine Dillingham – Getting It
Musical Performance – Nhojj – Homo Hip-Hop Poetry Jam
Performance Art – Elizabeth Whitney – Skinny Isn’t Sexy or Why I Never Had an Eating Disorder
Comedy Performance – Pedro Angel Serrano – Exotic Fruits: LGBT Latino Performance
Poety – Susan Sherman – Fast Girls, Moons and Kumquats
Fresh Fruit Vision – Homo Hip Hop Poetry Jam
Baron – Curator and ButtaFlySoul – Master of Ceremonies

For LGBT artists who might be interested in submitting their works to the Fresh Fruit for consideration, both short and long works are welcome: music, dance, visual arts, theater plays, vaudeville, stand-up comedy, cabaret, performance pieces, spoken word, poetry and genres that defy categorization. As their brochure says, “Fresh Fruit seeks variety, challenge, excitement, and FUN! “

The Fresh Fruit Festival has welcomed artists from not just the U.S., but, indeed, the world. Australia, Canada, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego and all of New York City’s boroughs and suburbs have been represented.

Fresh Fruit 2003 and 2004 were the most inclusive expression of LGBT arts ever held in the City of New York, with performers of all racial and many ethnic backgrounds honored and in the audience.

Fresh Fruit has established a community of artists and audiences who connect with each other not only on the personal level, but also through a monthly e-newsletter and Internet group. Over sixty performance and networking events took place at the FF Festivals 2003 and 2004. More than a hundred performers and artists took the stage and mike to share their talent and entertain audiences. Four of the Festival’s productions in its first two years have gone on to commercial runs.

It is notable that the work of Lesbian and Transgender artists is represented in proportion more representative of their numbers in the LGBT community than is usually seen in such events. Additionally, Fresh Fruit audiences represent members of all sexual orientations.

This summer’s upcoming Fresh Fruit Festival will occur from July 12 thru July 31, with performances in New York City at The Blue Heron Arts Center, The Duplex and Bowery Poetry Club. To see this year’s line-up of offerings, as well as more info on Fresh Fruit, visit freshfruitfestival.com.

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