AOF 2023 - Aurora's Eclipse

Official Souvenir Program

Welcome to the 5th Annual Art of Fitness

AURORA’S ECLIPSE

A fully immersive night of wonder, magic, and special surprises.

Tonight, we our honored for the opportunity to use this platform to make a significant impact by shining a light on and raising funds for a cause that needs our support. Mental health among LGBTQ+ youth has affected many members of our community. Let's come together in this moment to highlight the struggles, the triumphs, the bravery, the perseverance, the strength, as well as the setbacks, love, challenges, and successes of the past, present, and future.

This is:

The ART OF FITNESS

Art of Fitness 2022

Last year on December 3rd at The Cutler Mill in Warren RI over 22 performer transformed into original pieces of Art to be Auctioned off to the highest Bidder. $5,00 was donated to PPAL an Advocate League For Youth Mental Health in MA

https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm

Youth Mental Health Awareness Resources

LGBTQ+

2023 AOF Beneficiaries

Jessica’s Family Story of LBGTQ+ Mental Health

This year, the Art of Fitness will be raising funds for LGBTQ+ youth mental health awareness, under the theme “Aurora Eclipse.” An eclipse symbolizes the obscuring of light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer. We aim to transform day into night, representing the past, present, and future, which holds special meaning due to my personal experiences with the LGBTQ+ community within my immediate family.

My mother represents the past, as she knew her whole life that she identified as a lesbian woman back in the 1960s. However, during that time, the only way to attempt to live a so-called “normal” life was to marry a man. She chose an amazing man, knowing he would make a great father and fulfill her desire to be a mother. Her story mirrors that of countless others from the past who felt trapped with no other options. In 1976, my brother was born, followed by myself in 1980. It wasn’t until 1995 that she finally found the strength to speak her truth and live authentically.

Growing up, I always knew my brother would eventually find his voice and proudly embrace his identity as a gay man. He has been a constant presence and a significant inspiration in my life. Coming out in the 90s wasn’t easy, but that never deterred him. I have witnessed him bring about change in the LGBTQ+ community, standing up when no one else was brave enough to take a stand. The roads he has paved and continues to pave are truly worthy of an entire book. Looking ahead, my sister represents the future. After my father happily remarried an amazing woman, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Aubrie Rose, in the year 2000. She embodies the future of the LGBTQ+ community, living freely and authentically as a bisexual woman. Her journey demonstrates the success of the fight throughout our generations, though there is much more to accomplish.

As a forward-thinking straight woman, I believe that all souls are beautiful and deserve the truest form of love. I am the compassion that has helped heal the pain and heartbreak my parents went through when my mom found her voice. I stand up for the opportunity to have the power of choosing alternative options. I am the strength that fights against bullying, displacement, and discrimination, which my brother had to endure. I will always stand up to make a difference in this world, ensuring everyone can experience the freedom my sister has felt, living her truth.

Through the Art of Fitness Aurora Eclipse, let us celebrate the LGBTQ+ community because they ARE OUR FAMILY! Together, we heal our pasts, live in the present, and love more profoundly into the future.

Schedule of Events

Throughout history many have lived radical private lives outside the accepted sexual and gender norms of the time. An expression love and gender non-conformity has been constrained by repressive social attitudes and criminal persecution . Here are stories of finding your way to the life & love you desire no matter the cost.

15-minute Intermission

Though we have come along way in our goals for equality many are still being discriminated, bullied and prosecuted for choosing to live their lives in their pure truths. Today is a gift, we call it a present! Each day is a chance to make a difference! Here we are living in the PRESENT ! Here we are living in our presence! Here are stories of creating difference that will set in motion movements of cause & effect.

Act 1 – We are now in the PAST Act 2– This is the PRESENT Act 3– Welcome to the FUTURE

Future goes back to the Latin root futūrus "about to be," referring to things to come. It is a time to embrace us; the so-calledAliens in all forms! The paths of our ancestors have paved a road to freedom. Our present decisions have set into motion a future where we can now Stand Up, Be Free to Live & Say this is ME

ACT 1 – WE ARE NOW IN THE PAST

Throughout history many have lived radical private lives outside the accepted sexual and gender norms of the time. An expression love and gender non-conformity has been constrained by repressive social attitudes and criminal persecution. Here are stories of finding your way to the life & love you desire no matter the cost.

This is a story of loving the life you have but wanting more. Though the sunshine of life is beautiful, we feel an energy calling us. An energy so strong that we are drawn to follow the path of the night. It is in the night that we embrace the true love we have for ourselves.

Please welcome our performers!

Performing to : Cover Me In Sunshine Cry

Little Sister Bad Things

This performance is dedicated to our fellow freaks and their choice to accept their uniqueness. Embrace imperfections and ditch societal pressure to fit in. Let us turn our insecurities and oddities into self acceptance and self identity.

Welcome one and all to: Ariana’s Freakshow.

Performing to : FREAK SHOW

CAT Studio Owner, Trainer & Students Ariana CAT Studio Student Veronica, Godiva, Amanda , Kristen, Enchantress, Kayla, Synergy, And Carmen

CAT Studio Trainer Affiliation: Studio X

Living a life on the high sea can be lonely! Until one day you find your person. That special soul who you can be your complete self with. Together you can take on the world, time has no beginning and has no end!

Please Welcome: Hilary & Jolene

Performing to : Pirates

Rose Noir

CAT Trainer Affiliation: The Dancing Loon

In a state of depression and missing her deceased lover. She called upon Hecate: the goddess of magic for help. Together they cast a spell for her lover to return from the grave. Shall we see her lover rise from the ashes?

Please Welcome: Rose Noir

Performing to : Hecate

Jolene And Hilary

I cannot imagine where I would be had I never “found “ my wings. Tonight, I will take you on a journey of discovering self love through the art of dance and movement. From hiding in self doubt to daring to try and finally finding my wings.

Please welcome: Ashlyn Lynch

Performing to : Light Show

This performance represents strength in both feminine and masculine energy. As a person of the LGBTQ community, I encourage you all to embrace all parts of you. I used to be shamed for being this and too that I say… no more! Empower who you are through dance, & music; whatever your heart sings for. “My momma always told me that I’d make it , so I did it” -Miley Cyrus

Please welcome Phoenix Sapphire

Performing to : Mother’s Daughter

Ashlyn Lynch Phoenix Sapphire Trainer Affiliate Kimberly Carney Trainer Affiliation

Cat Studio

Sky High Studio

Paradign

Let’s talk about Secrets!

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others. Who in here is keeping a Secrets?

Shhhhh!

Please Welcome: Kim

Performing to : Please

CAT Studio Trainer & Students

Taking it back to the time of Burlesque with this rendition of Moulin Rouge. This piece is about embracing your sexuality within our culture, when it was once taboo to discuss the “ladies of the night” the song was written about, we now proudly shout to the world this is who I am in all forms.

Please welcome our performers

Performing to : Molin Rouge

15 Minute Intermission

Time to enjoy Mix set for our DJ Jackie Treehorn

Remember to Get Your Bingo Cards and visit the Cash Bar

Channa, Sarah ,Kelly , FaerieFae

544 Milford Rd, Swansea, MA 02777 (508)642-8591 www.cattstudio.net

Act 2 Welcome to the Present

Today is a gift, we call it a present! Each day is a chance to make a difference! We are living in our presence! We are living in the PRESENT!

Though we have come along way in our goals for equality many are still discriminated against , bullied and prosecuted for choosing to live their pure truths. Here are stories of cause & effect setting into motion movements that will create change!

Please join us in a Moment of Silence

Let us shine our lights onto LBGTQ+ mental health awareness. Please take out your cell phones or bingo card lights and turn on your flashlights. Let us take a moment to honor those who we have lost, those who are fighting and those that are continuing to heal.

Veronica Lynn & Godiva Rose

Use your voice to speak up if you see something say something! Cyber Bullying, Racism in any & all forms! Discrimination on any level! Use your platform to make a difference. Ask the question! What is going on?

Please Welcome: Veronica and Godiva: Performing to-CALM DOWN

Erin CAT Studio Trainer

“Who knows why we were taught to fear the Witches and not those that burned them; over even those who stood by watching.”

Please Welcome: Erin

Performing to : Witch

Kayla Amber CAT Studio Trainer

Sex, sexuality, and sexy have always been words I’ve really struggled with. Sex appeal seems to be put into only certain categories, and it makes some of us “awkward people” feel uncomfortable in our skin. It took me a long time to realize that sexy isn’t just a certain look, pose, or object; it is embracing your true essence & being comfortable with exactly who you are!

Please Welcome: Kayla

Performing to : CandyMan

FaerieFae

CAT Studio: Student

Do not let the voices of others get in your head!

Dress how you want to dress!

Do what you want to do in this life!

Stand proud in your Goddess Form!

Share your power with others; let your strength guide them to their own self love!

Please Welcome: FaerieFae

Performing to : Self Love

Jared Wright

The Dancing Loon: Student

Music is power!

Let’s take a ride into a sensation of profound nostalgia and bliss.

Please Welcome : Jared Wright

Performing to : How High

Channa

CAT Studio: Trainer, Student

It is believed that Beethoven wrote Sonata 14, commonly know as Moonlight Sonata at a time when his life was at a breaking point for many reasons.

He was in love with one of his students. The Sonata was written to convey his longing for her. However, this was not his last heartbreak. Many years later in an unsent letter to his Immortal Beloved, he again expresses his loneliness and longing, signing the letter “Ever Thine. Ever Mine. Ever Ours.”

Enjoy this modern take on a story of immortal love!

Please Welcome: Channa

Performing to: Moonlight Sonata

Priscilla

CAT Studio: Trainer

One of the hardest things to accept in this world is ourselves. It is scary to step out outside of the boxes we were told to stay in, to express ourselves in any way we desire, to just be. It requires a lot of work but when that fear finally dissolves, it is the greatest feeling imaginable. You are free to look in the mirror and say “I like that”

Please Welcome: Pricilla

Performing to : I Like That

Kristen, Carmen, Tracy, Elizabeth, Enchantress

CAT Studio: Student

To belly dance is to be one with yourself & your body while marching to the beat of your heart & your own drum. To belly dance is to be proud of all that you are in the present moment. Please welcome our performers.

Performing to : Chione

15 Minute Intermission

Time to enjoy another Mix set for our DJ Jackie Treehorn

Remember to Get Your Bingo Cards and visit the Cash Bar

ACT 3: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE

Future goes back to the Latin root futūrus "about to be," referring to things to come. The paths of our ancestors have paved a road to freedom. Our present decisions have set into motion a future where we can now Stand Up, Be Free to Live & We are extraterrestrial!

Veronica Lynn Owner – CAT Studio & AOF Founder

Are we the Aliens?

Tiny objects placed on a delegate sphere traveling & floating preciously through time. How do you use your life force?

A force so powerful that with just one thought put into action transcend us into the future. Actions so strong they can take down walls!

Please Welcome: Veronica Lynn

Performing to : Jericho

CAT Studio Intern

Where does your love live?

A collision of two worlds; a full eclipse of the darkness of night over the colors of the day! Is Love a choice? Is Love choosing one or the other? We do know for certain that … Love is & can be EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE!

Please Welcome: Ali

Performing to : Victors Piano

Where is the line between real love & toxic love? Is it when your mind conflicts with your heart? Do you stay or do leave and never look back?

Please Welcome: Lisa Bella

Performing : Rain

ALI

Lisa Bella Trainer Affiliation

Jessica Li

CAT Studio: Student

“The rain falls for you, the same way I do Unapologetically over and over”

Please Welcome: Jessica Li

Performing to: Rain

There cannot be a rainbow without a storm. A light shines brightest in the darkest of rooms. Without adversity, there is no YOU. In this piece, Godiva Rose shows what is like to go on the journey of healing, pulling from the recesses of one's own mind to light every color of your rainbow. Because it gets better. It always gets better.

Please Welcome: Godiva Rose

Performing to : Product of My Design