August 1, 2006
6:45pm Meet & Greet at Bottoms Up 8:00pm Concert at Have a Nice Day Café
Tickets:
$30 Concert only in advance $35 Concert only at door
$60 Meet & Greet and Concert in advance only
Tickets available through Have a Nice Day Café on July 6th. Call 804.771.1700 for tickets by phone.
VSA arts of VA brings you Constantine Maroulis in the First Annual Creative Power Benefit Concert
During his run on American Idol Season 4 Constantine Maroulis conquered hearts nationwide. Since then, fans have been trekking from city to city to see him perform. Some of his fans have also been raising money for VSA arts of Virginia in his honor. Those fans facilitated a connection with the artist that has led to the planning of a benefit show launching Constantine’s fall tour.
VSA arts of Virginia (VSAVA) provides art, education and cultural opportunities by/for/with people with disabilities. Executive Director Erin Hickey says “The relationship we have with Constantine’s fans has enabled us to share our organization with a new audience. We’re so fortunate to have the support. It’s a lot of fun to watch such an engaging performer and to know that you’re supporting arts access for everyone.” Hickey states that VSAVA’s search for a venue demonstrates how people with disabilities are marginalized. The organization received a generous offer from a local venue to host the event but had to decline because of inadequate accommodations for people with disabilities. Several other accessible venues were considered but not chosen because they lacked the atmosphere a rock concert requires. “People with disabilities like all of the same forms of entertainment everyone else enjoys” says Hickey “There is every reason to believe that you’d see many more people with disabilities at this kind of event if their needs were taken into consideration at the beginning of the planning process”.
VSA arts of Virginia can provide the photo of Constantine for this event and a fact sheet about the organization upon request.
Event sponsored in part by FOX Richmond.
Information about writing with “people first language” can be obtained at http://iod.unh.edu/reporters-room.html.
