Yesterday we brought you a rundown of entertainment events in the Kansas City area. Today we showcase some of the exciting special events happening as part of the 2015 AMTA conference.
Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 pm: Pre-Opening Rumble
Thursday, November 12, 7:30pm: Opening Session
“The Same Sky Project” from A Place to Be
Twelve music therapy clients from Northern Virginia, each with unique life challenges, take the stage in this 30‐minute musical about being different, empathy, love, and MUSIC. Conceived by music therapist Tom Sweitzer and his team of therapeutic staff and students from his center “A Place to Be,” in Middleburg, Virginia, this touring production has been viewed by over 20,000 student audience members and has become a signature piece in the school system in Loudoun County, Virginia to teach others about diversity and acceptance.
Thursday, November 12, 9 p.m.
Opening Reception, Take-A-Chance Bidding Event, and Exhibit Spectacular
Head to the Exhibit Hall to connect with your friends and colleagues, bid on some exciting prizes, and get the best selection by shopping the Exhibit Hall early. See this post for more information & participation instructions for our Take-A-Chance event.
Friday, November 13, 6pm-midnight
Blue Star Connection/Kansas City Metro Music Therapy Night at Knuckleheads Saloon, sponsored by Blue Star Connection
Blue Star Connection is a non-profit dedicated to providing access & ownership of musical instruments to children and young adults with cancer and other serious challenges. They also provide instruments to music therapy departments in children’s hospitals around the country, including Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. They received the 2014 Advocate of Music Therapy Award from AMTA for their work.
They will be hosting a blues concert at local venue Knuckleheads Saloon on Friday, Nov. 13 from 6p-midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door for the general public, only $10 for conference attendees with a badge. They’ve got a great line-up, including Deanna Bogart, Albert Castiglia/Nick Schnebelen, Kate Moss, Crystal Shawanda, the AMTA Blues Band (composed of AMTA members) & Lauren Anderson (also a local music therapist). Come on out to Knuckleheads and help us support this great organization that has helped so many children and music therapy programs! More information is available on our event page.
Saturday, November 14, 8:30-10:30 pm
Rising from the Ashes and Grace Street: An Evening of Arts‐based Research Performance
Arts‐based research (ABR) is as an umbrella term for the use of the arts as a research method—where the art forms are primary in the research process—and as an overall methodology—where a creative worldview forms the philosophical foundation for an inquiry. Performance is central to the dissemination of ABR. Two arts‐based research performances will take place: Grace Street by Dr. Diane Austin and Rising from the Ashes by Dr. Michael Viega. Audience members will have a chance to evaluate the results and dialogue with the researchers to discuss the implications of these performances for music therapy, trauma, adversity, and recovery.
Rising from the Ashes is a cycle of songs that explores the lived experience of adolescents who have had adverse childhood experiences. For this performance, Michael Viega will be remixing original hip‐hop songs of songwriters who he worked with in music therapy in order to reveal a psychological journey from protecting vulnerability and exploring abandonment, to developing faith and love. Grace Street is a musical based on Diane Austin’s experience working with people in recovery for drug and alcohol addiction. These performances are sponsored by a research grant funded by the Mid‐Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association. For more detailed information, see our event post.
Saturday, November 14, 8 pm
Cadenza 5K Glow Run/Walk
Lace up your running shoes! The students of the Midwestern Region of AMTA will be hosting the Cadenza 5K, a fun run/walk during the 2015 AMTA national conference! Proceeds will benefit Midwestern Region student/intern scholarships.
The Cadenza 5K will be a glow run/walk on Saturday, November 14 at 8pm at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Park, near the Sheraton. Feel free to bring your glow necklaces & bracelets, or buy some at the race! Registration is now open. Invite your family & friends- you don’t have to be a conference attendee to participate!
A big “THANK YOU” to Med-El, Michelle Erfurt, West Music, Solid Brass Music, Bear Paw Creek, and Music Therapy Ed for being sponsors! Check out the race website, cadenza5k.com for all the details.
Sunday, November 15, 12-12:45 pm: Conference Wrap-Up
Featuring Delta Sol Revival
Other Special Events
There will also be many opportunities for getting together with other MTs and students to make music, and have fun. Check the final program for the schedule of Jam Rooms, Conference Choir, Chant Circle, Cabaret, Drum Circle, and more! Want to expand your network? Check out Thursday night’s Tweet-Up Networking and Friday’s Clinical Populations lunches, and other special group lunches.
