Light in the Grove

On Wednesday November 30, the AIDS Memorial Grove will celebrate its 25th year with the annual Light in the Grove celebration. Since 1991 the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park has been a place of solace and healing for the surviving families, loved ones and friends of those who were lost to AIDS.

"The mission of the Grove is to insure in perpetuity that all the lives lost are not forgotten," Grove Executive Director John Cunningham said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, "and to insure that the story is not forgotten by future generations. We can never go back to a time when our government and much of the nation chose not to respond to the needs of its fellow citizens."

"The anniversary speaks to the loss and devastation suffered by the citizens of San Francisco," Cunningham said. "The City and County gave us ten acres not only to remember those who were lost but to stand as a beacon of hope and a place for healing. Not only for San Francisco but for our nation."

This year's event serves in part as a chance to honor the legacy and work of Grove co-founder Alvin Baum.

"Alvin has been a stalwart leader and and philanthropist for many LGBT causes," Cunningham said. "He's supported organizations such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Positive Resources, the National Center For Lesbian Rights and the Grove. He also has a very long history of supporting the Jewish community."

Cunningham added that Baum has been a personal mentor for him.

"He's a light to many organizations that have fought for equality and social justice," Cunningham said. "He has a lovely partnership with his husband Robert Holgate. Together they're shared passion for human rights and social justice has created a force to be reckoned with. Alvin was one of the early financiers of the Grove."

According to organizers, the event "brings together more than 600 people on the eve of World AIDS Day. For one enchanting evening, The Grove is artistically illuminated to honor the sense of loss and to celebrate the spirit of hope. Guests experience a candlelight reflection at the Circle of Friends, and wander reflectively through the spectacularly-illuminated Redwood Grove to a warmly-lit tent."
Guests at Light in the Grove in 2015. Photo: Mike Shriver

The evening includes cocktails, a buffet as well as a variety of performers.

"There will be singers and dancers," Cunningham said. "This year's special guests include Crystal Lee of Hardly Bluegrass and Jeanie Tracy; she was one of Sylvester's Two Tons of Fun. Jeanie will be walking down memory lane with Sylvester."

Sylvester (1947-1988) was a singer who specialized in disco, Rhythm and Blues as Soul. He enjoyed a number of hit records during the 1970s, perhaps becoming the first openly gay pop star. Sylvester appeared on a number of mainstream television shows including American Bandstand and The Merv Griffin Show. Sylvester's early death was an AIDS casualty.

"All in our community are invited to share," Cunningham said. "There are our own individual lights and the collective lights of our community."

Richard DellaFeve, a Board of Directors member for the AIDS Memorial Grove, describes the event as "a yearly celebratory gala that recognizes the work that's been done in the previous year and looks forward to the next year."

"We celebrate the people who contribute all year long to making the grove the peaceful and beautiful memorial that it is," DellaFeve said. "We honor the work done by various communities with respect to the AIDS crisis. It's a prelude to December 1, which is World AIDS Day."
A dance performance at last year's Light in the Grove. Photo: Mike Shriver

DellaFeve also said that around 600-650 people were expected to attend. "They'll gather in a beautiful tent and the Grove will be lit end to end, inside and out."

Cunningham also wants people to realize that AIDS is still an issue. Though now treatable in many cases, the disease is still not curable and continues to kill people.

"To the kids and to the generations that follow, it is important to realize that AIDS is not over," Cunningham said. "There are those who fought and died to insure the freedoms the younger generation has today. It is the younger generation's responsibility to pick up the torch and fight to preserve the rights of those in the future, those they will never know."

Light in the Grove takes place at the National AIDS Memorial Grove, Wednesday, November 30. $250 and up. 6pm-10pm. Nancy Pelosi Drive at JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.aidsmemorial.org