Denise Roberts Hurlin, founding director of Dancers Responding to AIDS, has a knack for bringing people together.

As a dancer, she drew them to performances; at the helm of a non-profit, she connects them in support of one another.

Next week’s annual fundraiser Hudson Valley Dance Festival — one of the most anticipated events on Catskill’s arts calendar — gathers patrons to help those most in need.

DRA, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, provides necessary resources to those facing their greatest health, financial or emotional challenges.

The organization’s reach is significant enough that guests at the the Oct. 8 event can expect to mingle with many who have benefited from it.

What to expect at this year’s Hudson Valley Dance Festival

HVDF is now in its fourth year.

It draws hundreds to an historic Catskill, N.Y. venue overlooking the river to enjoy a performance featuring some of the most sought-after contemporary dance companies in the country.

Ticket information available here.

VIP tickets holders are invited to a reception at Joe’s Garage in Catskill, N.Y. where they can meet festival performers.

In the beginning

HVDF is produced by and benefits DRA which was founded more than 20 years ago.

At the time, as dancers with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in New York City, Denise and Hernando Cortez were driven to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis so prevalent their industry.

“When it’s happening around you, you’re compelled to want to make a difference, to do something,” Denise told us recently.

They set about raising funds to support sick performers: “people were distinctly ill, there was a public face to HIV/AIDS. We were trying to have a voice.”

Extending support beyond the arts community

As treatments evolved, DRA’s fundraising initiatives did too.

The organization’s focus expanded from supporting performance artists in crisis to supporting people throughout entire communities.

“We realized we had a moment to breath. Our focus shifted from helping people to die to helping them to live,” Denise says.

“HIV is the reason we started, but we’re now able to support a plethora of people in need.”

Impact: Where funds go

Denise shares Lumberyard’s excitement about the impact collaborative outreach can have.

“After separate Lumberyard’s shows at The Kitchen, performers Jack Fever and Brian Brooks appealed to their audiences for donations.

“Those funds made their way to AIDS service organizations in Hudson Valley.”

To date, Hudson Valley Dance Festival has directed more than $323,000 to local organizations including: family service organizations in all 50 states and nine based in Hudson Valley.

In 2016, the following organizations received support:

• Albany Damien Center
• Alliance for Positive Health
• Animalkind
• Columbia-Greene Community Foundation
• Community Hospice
• Hudson Valley Community Services
• Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center
• Matthew 25 Food Pantry
• TOUCH