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(Photo credit: Megan Fischer)
In support of all things local, The Geller Center hosted its third annual Xaniscape festival Saturday. The money raised will fund different programs that the center provides for students.
Local bands such as Chamber Music Duo, Blue Grama Bluegrass, Cosmic Lum, Swashbuckling Doctors and Archie Funker donated their talent and time to support the fundraiser.
With the help of several other volunteers and interns, Peggy Christiansen, director of The Geller Center, organized the event.
“We emphasize that we want everything we have here to be local,” Christiansen said. “So we have a local food truck, local beer — we have root beer floats from Coopersmith’s and Walrus, and then all of the music groups are from here locally.”
The Silver Seed, the food truck at the event, opened up five months ago and is the only 100 percent vegan food truck in Fort Collins.
The owner, Taylor Smith, donated his time and an additional 75 dollars in support of The Geller Center and its programs.
“We’ve really tapped into a niche that is begging to be served,” Smith said. “It is a local event, which we totally support. We came and visited [The Geller Center] and it was just a really cool place, and we felt at home.”
The Geller Center is an interfaced spirituality center that focuses on students at CSU.
The Assistant Director, Laura Nelson, helped to organize Xaniscape as well as the other programs that the center offers.
“As someone who is new to this town it is a great way for me to get to know the community,” Nelson said. “We provide a safe place for the development of the spirit within the whole person. We promote healthy individuals, vibrant communities and a peaceful world.”
The event also offered face paintings, massages and a high tea was served.
Christopher Russett, a third-year volunteer at Xaniscape, helped set up, take down and watched the perimeter of the event.
“I guess I feel a strong connection with the Geller Center,” Russett said. “I’ve gotten a lot of clarity and support with these people.”
Collegian Reporter Veronica Baas can be reached at news@collegian.com and @vcbaas.
