A silent auction, watching international films, and a night out in Saratoga. These are the ingredients for what promises to be a pleasant evening at The 6th Annual LUNAFEST which will take place at Skidmore College’s Gannett Auditorium on January 28 at 6:00 p.m. Nine short films will be shown, all made by women filmmakers (past films have included those made by well known actors and directors) and addressing women’s issues. Genres range from animated to documentary and run around fifteen minutes each. All proceeds from the fundraiser go to cancer research efforts.
The event is sponsored by Team LUNA Chix Saratoga Mountain Bike, a team of eight women mountain bikers based in Saratoga County as part of a traveling film festival created by makers of whole nutrition bars for women, LUNA. Nationwide, there are 26 LUNA biking teams, with 260 members. Admission for LUNAFEST is $10 presale, and $15 at the door.
Team LUNA Chix Saratoga Mountain Bike’s creator, Theresa Crombach, 35, a music teacher with the Hadley Luzerne School District, says, “I started biking several years ago as a way to enjoy more time outside and to be more physically fit.”
She started biking with her husband and a group of men, and soon discovered that a women’s biking group would be more fitting. So she contacted LUNA, filled out an application to form a group and was accepted to do so. That was six years ago and she’s loved every minute of the volunteer endeavor.
Every year, as part of fundraising efforts, LUNA biking teams from across the country take part in events to raise money for The Breast Cancer Fund. Fifteen percent of proceeds from each festival go to the fund, and local teams can then choose a charity to donate the remaining 85% of their fundraising proceeds. Crombach’s team will be donating to Caring Together, an ovarian cancer support, education, and awareness group based in Albany. According to ovarian cancer statistics, ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths among American women, and accounts for about 4 percent of all women’s cancers.
The Silent Auction portion of LUNAFEST will feature items from area businesses, including Frank Adams Jewelers, local spas, and Old Saratoga Brewing Company. Last year’s festival raised just over $4,000. This year the group hopes to raise $5,000.
Crombach says, “Our rides are open to everyone, and every other week is a women’s ride. When we do co-ed rides we’ll break everybody down into smaller groups according to ability. We always aim to meet the needs of our participants.” She also says that the group holds weekly rides May through October, and take place in many locations including Luther Forest, Colonie Town Park and Schenectady’s Central Park.
The Saratoga Mountain Bike group loves to get other women interested in the sport, and holds other fundraising events in the area including bike maintenance workshops. When asked about what it may cost to get involved with mountain biking for those interested in expanding their fitness horizons, Crombach advises an initial investment of around $400 for a bike, helmet and other equipment. In addition to her team’s rides, Crombach teaches biking clinics throughout the country.
So what is the best part about mountain biking for her? She says, “Just getting outside, and seeing other people on their bikes is great.”
To date, nationally, LUNAFEST, has risen over $360,000 for Breast Cancer Fund and over $570,000 for other women’s non-profit organizations.
For more information on this event, and the team, please visit teamlunachix.com.
