Well … after my military service, Peace Corps service (in Kenya, Armenia, and Ethiopia), American Red Cross Disaster Relief Service, and my two years serving with AmeriCorps Alaska, I guess it’s no surprise that I’ve also volunteered at the Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah. I began in 2010 and served five times. This year, I made sure to sign up and I am happy to report that I’ve finally received my Five Year Volunteer Service Pin. More importantly … I was able to serve at the final Sundance Film Festival, in Utah.

My chase for that five year pin was a long one. Back in 2022, I was selected to volunteer, but had to turn it down. The Sundance Film Festival planned on having in person events, following the COVID pandemic. I signed up and sought approval to take a mini vacation, from my AmeriCorps duties, in Sitka, Alaska. Shortly before booking my flight, the festival changed to a virtual format, due to a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant surge. My volunteer assignment was changed to online. Since I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure that I would always have Internet service, for my Sundance work shifts, I declined the offer.

In other years, I sort of declined to follow the volunteer policy about not bothering celebrities, both during work shifts and while in uniform. Well … to be fair, I wasn’t always working and I never packed a winter jacket, knowing that I would receive a volunteer one. Plus, what does “bothering” really mean? I was once waiting for the free Sundance shuttle and (as fate would have it) William H. Macy walked up! He was really great about my photo request. Another time, filmmaker Chuck Stone III (best known for the film Drumline (starring Nick Cannon) sat right next to me, on a shuttle. I knew his mom and dad. So … I sort of had to introduce myself and say hello, … in spite of wearing my Sundance jacket. Right?

At my worksite, I was “normally” careful about following the “no contact” rules. But …when I spotted Alfre Woodard, the Academy Award nominated actress and four-time Emmy winner, standing all by herself, minding her own business, and being ignored … I felt it was my duty to tell her how amazing she was and ask for a photo. My biggest score was the time a professor, from Utah, (who I met my first year volunteering at Sundance) asked if I wanted to have lunch with bell hooks? I would have tossed my Sundance jacket in a ditch for that honor. But, I had to say no, because of my work schedule that day.

As luck would have it, I met up with the two, the next day, at my worksite. We had lunch. Later that evening, we ran into each other again, at the premiere of Spike Lee’s screening of Red Hook Summer. The professor saw me in line and walked over to ask if I would be willing to sit with bell hooks? He was only escorting her to the venue and had to leave. There was no way I was turning down that invitation. I was removed from line and then immediately allowed into the theater, with Dr. hooks! And, guess who we sat next to … Sam Pollard, editor of Spike Lee films such as Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever, and Bamboozled. His documentary, 4 Little Girls, was nominated for an Oscar. I’m starting to think those Sundance volunteer jackets are good luck charms.

My attending Sundance was both volunteer service and work related. Back in 2010, I was the Librarian for African Studies and Librarian for African American Studies at Duke University. In Durham, The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival occurs each spring. Attending Sundance, in January, gave me a heads up on new documentary films being released. So, I always worked the first half of Sundance, then purchased a half festival pass. That way, I was certain to get into screenings, as pass holders were seated first. Once back at Duke, I had three months to prepare for Full Frame. You don’t want something like Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project happening with gaps in your library collection.

My non-volunteering week at Sundance was fun. I once booked a single night, at the Sundance Resort, because it was the only venue with available tickets for Stanley Nelson’s 2015 film, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution. I also stayed at the resort, in 2010. For my first time at Sundance, I wanted to experience as much of the festival as I could. I even attended a screening in Salt Lake City that year. Most of my celebrity sightseeing experiences happened in Park City. In 2012, while at a screening of Celeste And Jesse Forever, I spotted one of the film’s actors taking his seat. I did the international symbol of “will you take a photo with me” and he looked over and asked his wife. She smiled and then pushed him towards the end of the row. Sarah Wright Olsen … I owe you one!

Another favorite non work thing to do was walking around Main Street. My worksite, the theater in The Yarrow Hotel, wasn’t near Main Street. On my work days, I pretty much just hung around the hotel. During the second half of the festival, I was always on Main Street. There were filmmaker talks, free coffee and snacks, plus live music. One year, I was lucky enough to get a winter hat from Canada Goose. I was also able to attend a talk by Geena Davis. One morning, I was somehow able to sneak/attend a brunch held for African American filmmakers. I’m telling you, those Sundance volunteer jackets are magical.

Speaking of magical, I once took a picture with Adrian Grenier, while he was walking. He was very impressed. I would have explained my old days, in Hollywood, when I would get/sneak into the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, movie premiere parties (such as Grease (1978) and the such, but … he didn’t have the time. My favorite thing on Main Street was the small music venue, during the festival. One year, I was introduced to 2AM Club and later saw an amazing set by Leann Rimes. Another year, I saw Richie Sambora and Richard Marx! All these concerts were free!

The Sundance Mountain Resort was always my favorite place to view a film. The resort’s 144-seat, state-of-the-art theater features a rustic 1,100 square-foot lobby, with stone floors and a fireplace. Both years that I booked lodging at the resort, walking from my room to a screening was just amazing. Nothing in Park City or Salt Lake City really compared to the conversations happening in the Mountain Resort’s lobby, after a screening. You just never wanted to leave that space. I can’t remember, but I think I was able to purchase a mini Sundance Film Festival ticket package, when I stayed there the first time, in 2010. When I returned, in 2015, I received a lovely message welcoming me back to the resort. Who does that?

Now, after four decades in Utah, the Sundance Film Festival is moving to Colorado, in 2027. Will I attend the festival again? Maybe! Will I volunteer at the festival again, maybe not. As I prepare for my 70th birthday, I am being more honest about what I can and cannot do. Being on my feet, for a full Sundance shift, was barely doable this year. Thank goodness, I worked the front door, with two security officials. One had lost her voice, so I took over instruction duties. In return, she offered me her chair, whenever I needed to sit.

Knee replacement surgery has been offered, but I’ve not yet said yes. For now, I’m resting my knees and trying to remember to take ibuprofen for inflammation and pain. Trust me, that’s not happening. This getting old needs to be documented. Hey, … Sundance! XOXO—GGT