Arts & Leisure
Project Redway: A night of fun and fashion with a goal of saving lives
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Photos Courtesy of Ocean Exposure, C.A. Smith Photography
That's because the first-ever Project: Redway is coming to town on Wednesday evening, Aug. 23, with fashion, food and fun to benefit the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign.
So what is Project: Redway?
York Harbor resident and Go Red for Women Campaign Chairwoman Denise Rubin likened it to the hit Bravo show "Project: Runway," but with much, much more than you'll find in 30 minutes or an hour of television time.
"We'll have the funky, and the classics looks - and the kids. With lots of surprises," Rubin said.
And there are a full slate of cutting edge designers involved in the production - as well as former beauty queens, pageant competitors and recently-crowned Miss, Miss Teen and Mrs. Maines.
"This is going to be so fun," said Dani Connolly, who is coordinating the fashion show for the Go Red for Women Campaign. "I can't wait for everybody to see these fashions from these up-and-coming new designers."
The fashion show actually marks the first in a two-prong attack on heart disease Rubin has undertaken as chairperson of the Go Red for Women Campaign. The second part is On the Edge of Awareness, a special event at The Cliff House on Nov. 2 where women can learn how to protect themselves and take the reins when it comes to their own health care.
That is because, she said, there is a very serious side to all the fun of Project: Redway.
"Nobody wants to believe heart disease is the number one killer," Rubin said, adding that "women are the caretakers" by nature, and while they are quick to recognize the signs of heart distress in their husbands or loved ones, they do not always acknowledge them in themselves.
Part of the education component of her work as chairperson is to let women know that their symptoms can be totally different from those of men - and usually are. Rubin said she hopes the community will come out in full support of Project: Redway to have fun for a good cause, and will then stay tuned in the months ahead as "On the Edge of Awareness" approaches.
Rubin has a personal commitment to the cause. After she suffered a pulmonary embolism that was misdiagnosed at first, she realized the need for education on causes like the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign. And, as a dual resident of the Netherlands and York Harbor, she said heart disease is an international problem.
"My goal is spreading the word from York Harbor to New England to the world," Rubin said.
Rubin and Connolly, along with local resident and committee member Mary-Jean Huntley, have all been quick to thank the array of businesses and individuals coming forward to support Project: Redway.
The runway, which Rubin promises will be unlike any other fashion venue seen before, will take center stage at Foster's Downeast Clambake in York Harbor for a show blending the fashions of these cutting-edge designers with the latest in styles from Macy's, national sponsor of Go Red for Women.
"They are the backbone of this whole project," Rubin said of Macy's support.
Earlier this year, invitations were sent to every art and design school in the country seeking participants to create visions in red for this special project. In addition to the design schools, Connolly noted that some acclaimed local designers are taking part as well. Boxes are arriving from designers across the nation almost daily, she said, making it like Christmas for those behind the scenes of Project: Redway.
The event will be hosted by WGME 13's Kim Block, WPOR FM's Annie Snook and Maine film actor Aaron J. Patton and there will also be some local York celebrities modeling the designs, and many, many fun surprises, Rubin said.
"Anything red is going to be there," Connolly added - including some little red corvettes.
But, the organizers are not going to tell all of the surprises. Connolly, Rubin and Huntley have all pledged that from the makeup and hairstyles to the music, from the fashion to food, the night will be unforgettable for the approximately 400 guests who can be seated at Foster's.
The evening will begin with a reception featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres from Maude Hutchins Premium at 6 p.m. followed by the fashion show - and all its surprises.
Want to be a part of Project: Redway? Tickets are $50 each and are going fast. Tickets are available at the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, through the website www.projectredway.com or by calling 879-5700.
