By David Davis
Skellies pose for group shot in front of the Howe Center before the parade begins.
For decades, the Skellies have been entertaining the Rutland area community under the leadership of Gary Meitrott, owner of Drum Journeys of Earth in Rutland. Musicians, dancers, puppeteers, acrobats, fire-jugglers, stilt-walkers and human-propelled floats have been part of this highly anticipated and well rounded group.
The new theme this year was Pirates of the Caribbean. The iconic giant skellie was adorned in pirate gear, and while the debut of the Black Pearl pirate ship did not disappoint. At almost 100 members, the group took over at least a block’s length of the parade.
“We look forward to the parade every year, the Skellies are always my favorite part,” said Margo Jones.
Meitrott, who has a masters degree in consciousness studies, said his inspiration for the skellies was driven to give his drum students a place to perform, which soon grew to adding dance and puppets to promote play and embody artistry.
“As a society, we often play from the intellect alone. However, when rhythm transcends to the body, we find a new source of our individuality. To keep our understanding in our mind alone limits ourselves. Dancing and music pulls together our physical, emotional and mental states; it enlivens the spirit,” said Meitrott.
When Meitrott shifts into his skellie character — this year as Captain Jack Sparrow — he unfolds and expresses himself, all while absorbing the power and connection of his feet on the street.
“The street is a place of power for the common person; to be seen and heard,” Meitrott said in a recent interview.
Bela Schug, make-up artist and dancing Bonita for 18 years, said she honors the creative outlet that the parade provides, but also the deeper meaning that Meitrott weaves into the underpinnings of the Skellie Clan.
The evolution of the Skellies has allowed Meitrott to address his desire to encourage all generations, youth, parent and elder, to participate together. Under the umbrella of our ancestors, we recognize each other through the play of music, dance and costume.
“We perform to honor our loved ones who have passed on. The deeper message is that forming loving bonds, having fun with those who are close to you and doing well by your neighbors, matters a whole lot more than your status in life,” Schug said.
Owner of Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center, Shelby Barsalou, has been dancing with the Skellies since 2005.
“I met Gary in 2003 when I took a class at his drum school. I saw his skellie group perform in the parade that year and my heart picked up a few beats. Once they integrated dancing into the show, it was an easy yes for me,” said Barsalou.
Between 20-40 skellies each year are made up of Cobra gymnasts. “I proposed a cartwheel clan to Gary and he was immediately on board. The kids have been tumbling in the streets now since 2011,” Barsalou said.
Karena Kuehl, 17, has been cartwheeling with the Skellies for over a decade.
“Growing up as a skellie gave me a chance to explore how I express myself, without the burden of judgment,” Kuehl said. “Now that I’m older, I feel a sense of freedom and comfort in myself and my performance that I think most of society loses as a child; Skellies has keep that joy alive in me.”
“Gary taught me long time ago that it is important to create a safe place for our youth and for each other to be creative, so they can develop themselves fully,” Barsalou said. “I have done that at Cobra and he has done that with not just the Skellies, but at his drum studio as well.”
As a result, Meitrott commented that “there are those willing to risk, to be vulnerable, to let in and to receive. Instead of being viewed as weak, they are a source of strength and courage for our communities.”
“Our culture is often concerned about getting from to point A to point B. With drumming and dancing you aren’t ahead or behind, you are right in the moment; and that is power,” Meitrott said.
At age 73, Meitrott is passing the leadership torch to his many volunteers and “clan leaders” who will carry the load of the organization forward in the years to come.
“He has taught us to find strength in the unity of a group, but to also recognize that we have individual expression that is vital to the pulse of our personal existence,” Barsalou said.
“I am deeply grateful for being given this opportunity to create. It gives me hope for our future generations,” said Meitrott.
