By Cynthia Whitty

Thanks to organizer Chrissy Reynolds, Illuminate Downtown Ashland on Dec. 11 was a successful, free event with something for everyone. Founded five years ago by Reynolds, owner of Annemarie’s Dance Centre, Illuminate Ashland was held “to shine a light on the important role art plays within a community.” Music and dance performances and art exhibits are held throughout the downtown both indoors and outdoors in a three-hour period beginning at dusk. 

“There is always a weather concern in December,” Reynolds said. “There’s been snowstorms, rainstorms, cold snaps, and this year—lots of wind. We needed to make last minute changes to the outdoor luminaries so they wouldn’t blow away, but we managed to hold a fire at The Corner Spot, and the Drum Nomads performed outdoors in the almost 60 degree weather.”

“A unique concern this year was holding an event where each indoor location needed to enforce the indoor mask rule, but there was no issue with those who attended the various locations. Everyone was respectful.”

Reynolds said one highlight of this year’s event was the Ashland High School Chorus performance at the Federated Church. “Many of the people I talked to had never stepped foot in the church. It is a beautiful, intimate location in town. Pastor Katie Keene was warm and welcoming to the entire community.”

Other highlights, according to Reynolds, included NATyA Dance Collective showcasing a section of new choreography created during the pandemic and all six members of Drum Nomads performed outdoors with a hooper in front of a fire; the Arreaux String Quartet, which sounded beautiful and full in the space of the Ashland Historical Society; and 19 student dancers at Annemarie’s Dance Centre, who performed work they created.

“The studio was full with an audience in all three rooms, which gave the dance students another opportunity to perform in front of a live audience, something they have not done much of since COVID. In addition, we displayed a community art project inside by hanging over 400 Ojo De Dios (God’s Eye) inside the studio from the ceiling and then lit them from above for people to walk through.”

Other locations for music, dance, and art included the town hall, Blush Bouquets, Needham Bank, and Ashland Reiki & Wellness.

The event is organized each year in collaboration with the town and Arts!Ashland Alliance. “We are always looking for artists/performers/musicians/businesses that care about the arts to partner with. Please reach out to me, Chrissy Reynolds at [email protected], if you would like to be part of the