The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Middletown Arts festival highlights ‘trashion’ trend
Outfits made from disposable wrappers and other materials will be on display
MIDDLETOWN — One of the highlights of Friday night's Middletown Arts Fest will be a unique showcase of apparel made from unusual materials in the form of a “trashion” show.
During the monthly event, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street, models will walk the runway clad in creations by Cinder + Salt owner Rachel DeCavage — made from chip, popcorn and other snack wrappers, drinking straws, VHS tapes shipping pouches and packages, and other items that can't be recycled.
Her business focuses on sustainable clothing and accessories.
“Trashion is a fun way to look at creative reuse of materials that people look at as trash. If we reinvent how we see things, we can use them for a lot of different purposes,” DeCavage said.
The event, now in its second year, runs from May through October. The event spans several Middletown blocks and features ballet, tap and live music performances, gallery openings, fire dancing, clothing vendors, chalk art, gallery displays and more.
The festival draws people to the downtown area and serves as a reminder “how walkable and nice our downtown is,” according to co-organizer and Middletown Framing co-owner Dmitri D'Alessandro. “On Friday night, you don't have to go somewhere else. We have it all here.”
Previous activities have included open mics and live acoustic music, vendors and independent designer shopping pop-ups, special gallery showings, signature cocktails at Conspiracy, and works from local teens at the Youth Art Collective, according to co-organizer DeCavage.
The fashion show is meant to inspire people to look at discarded items in a different way, she said. “People's interest in sustainability and doing what's not only healthy for the planet but themselves is definitely a growing industry and trend.”
DeCavage and her staff spend a lot of time introducing people to the concept in the form of education.
“My ethos is that everybody deserves to have a clean, healthy planet to live
on, and all the resources we need to live our best lives. We believe in protecting nature so all those resources are there for everyone,” DeCavage explained.
She admits it is tough to live a fully environmentally friendly life. “People can't be perfect. We don't live in a perfect world, but every step we can take to do a little bit less makes a big difference,” DeCavage added.
Recycling is confusing, she said, especially with towns that collect different items. “I used to be a ‘recycling psychopath,'” the store owner explained.
Now she is more discerning, using less “stuff,” and taking fewer trips. “It's really streamlining my life,” DeCavage said. “I don't stress anymore about needing stuff, because I plan ahead.”
Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet, located at the Church of the Holy Trinity, will host a performance by the Connecticut Tap Collaborative with and without music. It also features a participatory element, where event-goers with tap experience will be invited on stage to take part in a Shim Sham, a traditional choreography among such dancers, Business Manager and dancer Sasha Biagiarelli explained.
She loves the concept of a large gathering that celebrates the arts and culture of Middletown.
“It's a really cool thing that's happening right under their nose, right in their backyard,” Biagiarelli said.
“You don't necessarily have to go somewhere far away and expensive to experience good food, art or music or dancing. It's right here locally,” she added, echoing Middletown's unofficial motto: “It's all here.”
“It's a very special thing to draw people's attention to,” Biagiarelli explained.
She's always involved in the performances, and can't really enjoy other elements of the night — but Biagiarelli would love the opportunity. “Sometimes I want to go to arts fest — go. I'm in it, and I had no idea that was happening.”
Cinder + Salt will also host an open mic with emcee Dave TenEyck of the Time of Day band at the shop at 195 Main St. People are asked to bring their own instruments.
Vendors slated to attend include Ethereal Arts, a “mystical” art business that sells handpainted clothing, mini canvas paintings, stickers, magnets and colored pencil drawings.
SJ's Handmade sells gemstone, crystal and beaded earrings, necklaces, rings and more, often with a floral motif.
Risarranged by LMB is a photographic art-design business with a “queer, stargazing, antique hardware enthusiast approach to home decor and gifts.” the festival Facebook page says. Wares include matted and framed art, wall art, tabletop decor, canvas totes and accessories and more
Sarotonin Flow, a Connecticutbased fire dancer and performance artist, will entertain audiences at Mindbreaks, 646 Main St. Her shows offer “memorable high-energy” entertainment.
Yoga instructor Amy Staskelunas, who practices the Bapiste style and has been teaching for two years, will lead a class at the Church of the Holy Trinity lawn. People can bring their own mats or use those provided.
Rani Arbo, campus and community engagement manager for the Wesleyan University Center for the Arts, said she'd love to see the burgeoning, grassroots effort become a “habit” for people. “It's a great example of the kind of collaboration that makes Middletown great,” she said. Momentum “is building.”