Let's get Al on his Feet!

If you have attended a contra or square dance, an international folk dance, or similar activity over the past 20+ years, you have almost definitely met, and probably danced with, Al Yanas. Al is the quintessential "dance gypsy," regularly crisscrossing New England to show up at as many events as possible. He is a constant warm presence at each venue, and a highly skilled, energetic dancer. Folk dancing is his great love and means of expression.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here, Al is dancing with a certain famous folk star/feminist/activist we all know and love, circa mid 1990s.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What you might not know is that off the dance floor, Al ekes out a very meager existence collecting scrap metal and hauling it to junkyards. He has spent months at various times living in his truck. And now he faces a very serious medical situation: a congenital condition in his leg has worsened, and he has been in and out of hospitals over the past year. Various treatments and operations have largely failed. It is now almost a certainty that Al the Dancer will lose his leg.

Now is the time for the "village" of which Al is a staple member to show him the love and support he desperately needs as he faces this dreadful crisis. Al must have the financial means to stay "fed and in bed" and not working during upcoming treatments, and to reach a level of stability that will carry forward. He can claim some help from the state, but not nearly enough to afford housing, or decent prosthetics or physical therapy he will need to resume dancing or even walking.

In my time as a dancer and musician, I have witnessed incredible generosity in our community: reaching out to assist members in need and to bear them up. It is now Al's turn. Please help carry dear Al Yanas for a while so he can rejoin us!