By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — With an all-female revue performing to raise money for the battered women’s shelter, Chickweed became Salisbury’s own version of Lilith Fair on Saturday night.
More than 100 people turned out for the first Chickweed — Celebrating Indestructible Women. The event spilled out of the Looking Glass Black Box Theatre onto North Lee Street, an open-air festival offering music and dance, food and drink, foot reflexology, jewelry, chair massage and more.
Vendors donated some or all of their proceeds to the Family Crisis Council of Rowan County, the beneficiary of ticket sales.
Organizer Sue McHugh said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and generosity from the community as word spread about the event.
The festival began as a way for McHugh and six other female artists to perform together. “We knew if we were going to get the opportunity to play together, we were going to have to make it ourselves,” she said.
The group decided an all-female revue could turn into a fundraiser for women. Members chose the Family Crisis Center, which McHugh said needs more community awareness and support.
Similarly, the venue at 405 N. Lee St. is “an under-appreciated and under-utilized resource in Salisbury,” McHugh said.
Looking Glass Manager Sarah Hall said she would love to host more events like Chickweed. After four years, many people still don’t know about the venue, she said.
“People are just now discovering it,” she said.
Carrie Poole said she attended the festival to show her support for battered women.
“Being a woman, I want to support all things female,” she said.
Petie Palmer Foster came with her daughter, Jane Palmer.
“I think it’s fantastic that Salisbury can do something like this, with so many people not only coming but staying,” Foster said.
Performers and event founders were Willow Catherine, Chelsea Rae Childers, Laura Vella, Ashley Jo Farmer, McHugh, Diane Hoffman and Nadirah Dance.
McHugh said she hopes to make Chickweed an annual event.
Lilith Fair was a traveling music festival during the summers of 1997 to 1999 featuring female performers. The event raised more than $10 million for women’s charities throughout North America.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.