TAO Masthead
January 2013
Sea Level Festival Turns 6
Arts and Health Connections

TAO January  Programs  

 

Click here to view

our calendar of

programs.

     

 

Thank you musicians, artists, dancers, storytellers, poets and volunteers who are contributing their talents this month. If you'd like to attend our programs as a guest, Volunteer, or Program Host, please call us at 965-5155, or email us at TAOvolunteers@gmail.com, so  we can make the necessary arrangements.   

Thank you!

 


Tidewater Arts Outreach  

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Look what's on the
TAO Website

Links to area artists

Arts in healthcare articles and videos

How-to  information about arts programs for people who have special needs

TAO Events

...and much more

 

Hail and FareWell!  TAO Welcomes Dottie Reish as new Volunteer Coordinator

Dottie Reish (L) and Marsha McGehee at TAO
TAO's part-time workers possess the magical ability to accomplish a great deal of good in a small number of weekly hours.  Since the fall of 2009, Marsha McGehee created a welcoming environment -- on a shoestring -- for the myriad volunteers who contribute their time and talents to make our group better, stronger and more capable of doing good. 

Marsha's going to be welcoming her first grand-baby into her world in a few months, and she has decided to embrace this course and turn over the reins of her position at TAO. We wish her and her growing family all the best.  Marsha has promised she won't be a stranger to TAO and the many friendships that have blossomed as a result of her years of involvement.  You can find and friend Marsha on FaceBook;be ready for lots of baby pictures!

We are delighted to welcome Dottie Reish to our office and staff, as our new Volunteer Coordinator.  Dottie brings years of volunteer program experience to the table and has already jumped in with both feet.  This position is only budgeted for a few hours each week, but we are confident that, with her skills, drive and passion, her time will be put to best possible use.

You can reach Dottie at TAOvolunteers@gmail.com. 
 
 
 'Toad' frontman Glen Phillips headlines 2013 Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival
Singer/Songwriter Glen Phillips
 
 It's official!  At a free concert & news event at TCC Plaza on December 18, TAO announced that 'Toad the Wet Sprockett' founder and frontman Glen Phillips will come to Norfolk to kick off the Sixth Annual Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival.  Phillips headlines our Thursday, April 4 concert at the Naro Cinema.  Opening for Phillips are local singer/songwriters Bria Kelly and  Grant Austin Taylor.  Purchase tickets to this concert here.

Big Wide Grin and Nate Sacks performed at this open to the public, outdoor holiday concert.  Kudos and thanks to all our supporting musicians!
Big Wide Grin, Sea Level Festival Kick-off Concert
(photo by George Everett)


The Emerging Artist Contest, which looks for up and coming area singer/songwriters to showcase in live performance in front of judges, will kick off in January.  This year's showcase will be held in one of Norfolk's premier theaters - stay tuned!

Singer/Songwriter and 2012 Sea Level Emerging Artist Winner Nate Sacks

The Instruments of Art Celebration and Auction will take place on Friday, March 22 at the Selden Arcade in downtown Norfolk.  Festival volunteers are busy planning for an exciting night of live music, great food, libations and a live and silent auction!  Invitations will go out to this ticketed event, which will be open to the public.  Visual artists are already picking up instruments to paint, deconstruct and re-create into works of art.  We hope you'll mark your calendar now and plan on joining us!
Drifting Away by Terry Hutson
'Drifting Away' by Terry Hutson
2012 Instruments of Art 2nd Place
photo by Drew Landman

Our Merrill Guitar is making the rounds at the Discovery Music Series concerts and other special events around town.  This gorgeous, custom, hand-crafted instrument will be taken home by a lucky ticket holder when his or her name is drawn on Saturday, April 6.  A $10 donation is all it takes; you may donate online, by mail or in person at TAO to be entered.  Only 1500 opportunities will be available, so chances are...
The one, the only, the Sea Level Festival Custom Merrill Guitar.  photo by Drew Landman

JPixx Studios created a video to promote this year's festival; view it here.

Potential Sponsors!  We will print hundreds of posters and thousands of program books promoting the 6th Annual Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival.  Sponsors will receive online and onsite recognition, event tickets and more. Click here for advertising and sponsorship information.  Thank you!


Sea Level Festival 2012 Sponsors:


In the News... the Demonstrated Benefits of Arts and Health 
 

Opening Minds Through Art.  Cedar Village, a southwestern Ohio long-term care facility, partnered with the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University for "Opening Minds through Art," a program based on the principle that individuals with dementia are capable of expressing themselves creatively. Opening Minds is founded on strengths-based psychology, capitalizing on what people with dementia can do. The sessions promote social engagement, autonomy and dignity for people with dementia providing creative and self-expressive opportunities. (read the full story here)   

 

Songwriting Works!   A Washington State non-profit works with seniors to create songs using the words and voices of participants.  The results are uplifting, affirming and a joy to hear and behold. Watch the video here.  Read the full story here.  

 

Young artist at Kids Arts Palooza, VB, 2009

An inspirational video from Seattle Children's Hospital shows how a music therapist reaches a young patient, with tremendous benefits. View the video here. To amplify, a great article about the benefits of therapeutic music on about.com is here

 

Art with Heart heals children who have emotional wounds through expressive, therapeutic books and programs.  Their books combine engaging art with therapies that help kids cope with overwhelming feelings even in the midst of a crisis. In this way, Art with Heart supports their emotional and social growth, paving the way for success in school and in life.  Read about this inspiring program here

 

Food for Thought:  The arts cultivate a healing environment, helping patients address the mental and emotional aspects of recovery.  

Recovery Wishes for Ann 
Ann Vernon

Visual artist, activist, educator, community volunteer, TAO programs presenter, longtime friend and supporter Ann Vernon is struggling to overcome the effects of a stroke she suffered in mid-December.  Stroke recovery is mighty hard work, and takes time, patience, focus and support.  Fortunately, she has a strong core group of family and friends who are at her side, but she still has a difficult road ahead.

Ann has contributed greatly to the Hampton Roads arts community over the years, and has been an active supporter of the YWCA, the Chrysler Museum of Art, Tidewater Arts Outreach and many more causes and charities.  Please send your thoughts and wishes for peace, good health and recovery her way.
 
 
Tidewater Arts Outreach 809 Brandon Ave., Suite 204 Norfolk, VA  23517

EIN 68-0583526         757-965-5155         TWartsOutreach@cox.net

The instruments to heal are in our hands.