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Mixing Work and Pleasure

The performers from HEAR ME NOW: A Celebration of Resiliency through the Performing Arts with Goldie Hawn

The performers from "HEAR ME NOW: A Celebration of Resiliency through the Performing Arts" with Goldie Hawn

On May 7, I had the chance to take my daughter to a wonderful event at the Shakespeare Theater Company’s Harman Center for the Arts in DC: Hear Me Now: A Celebration of Resiliency through the Performing Arts.

It was sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (where I work), in honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.  You may have seen their ad campaign, it has been running on major news networks in May.

Anyway, it was a fantastic event.  Eight youths with mental health challenges from across the country performed poetry, drum, dance, instrumental guitar, and solo piano.  And a band of psychiatrists named Pink Freud and the Transitional Objects opened and closed the show (definitely a finalist for best band name EVER!).  Caroline Lyders (WJLA TV anchor) was the MC, and Sabrina Bryan and Solomon Trimble were Co-hosts. Goldie Hawn was also there to receive a special recognition award.

Kate with Sabrina Bryan and Solomon Trimble

Kate with Sabrina Bryan and Solomon Trimble

Sabrina Bryan was the big draw for my daughter, but I enjoyed the performances best.  Many of these kids have used music or art as a way of working through their mental health challenges, and they clearly put a lot of passion into their art.  What an inspiring evening for an important cause.

More photos from the Hear Me Now event are available at zimbio.com.

The performers were: Jasmine Flenoy from Cuyahoga Tapestry System of Care in Cleveland, OH; Max Health and Kristian Smith from 7 Generation in Los Angeles, CA; Marquee James and Mya Meriweather from Allegheny County System of Care in Pittsburgh, PA; Marquita Jones from San Francisco System of Care in San Francisco, CA; Eddie Ortiz from Columbia River Wraparound in Dalles, OR; and Sam Stache from Community Circle of Care in Dubuque, IA.

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3 Comments

  1. brenda says:

    Thanks for uploading a picture of Sabrina Bryan with your daughter. What a cute picuture of the two.

  2. Ashley says:

    Wish I could have gone to see Sabrina Bryan and the performances. OMG Sabrina Bryan looks great.

  3. frets says:

    Thanks! It was very cool of Sabrina give her time to a good cause. She and Solomon did a great job, especially with the photo session which seemed to last a long time. They were very patient and kind with everyone.

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