by Noella Noelophile®
Chelsie Hill performs with the Rollettes, January, 2020.
Inspiration, creativity and kindness are like sunlight pouring in through a window.
Amid the chaos and devastation of the California wildfires, now seems like a great time to spotlight organizations and individuals who illustrate all of the above.
Let’s start with one of my all-time favorite events at the Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach.
This Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th, mark the 22nd anniversary of the Aquarium’s Festival of Human Abilities.
Celebrating the creative gifts of artists with disabilities, this special event showcases dancers, musicians and artists whose adaptive skills have allowed them to shine in their areas of expertise.
Live performances will be happening in the Aquarium’s Great Hall. Guest artists will conduct interactive workshops. And a special award will be given.
Performing artists will include wheelchair dance troupe The Rollettes, hip hop dancers Straight Up Abilities and Homeland Crew, and guitarist Dat Nguyen. Sign language interpreters will be present, as well as audio tours and visitors’ guides in Braille.
(Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific, and used with permission.)
In addition, the Aquarium offers sensory bags for check out, a quiet space and more for visitors with sensory needs.
And whatever you do, don’t miss the interactive workshops–especially Tommy Hollenstein’s wheelchair painting!
(I admit, that’s a favorite. And while I don’t know if Chelsie Hill and the Rollettes will be teaching another interactive dance workshop this year, it was certainly a highlight when I attended before.)
Also, on Saturday afternoon, at 1:00, the Aquarium will present its Glenn McIntyre Heritage Award to Theresa May de Vera. Ms. May de Vera wears multiple career “hats”: she currently serves as the commissioner on the Disability Access Board of the Department of Building and Safety. Her work involves evaluating different establishments’ compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, she serves as the chairperson for the Access Services Board of Directors.
(And congratulations to her on her award, which recognizes her advocacy for people with disabilities at all levels: local, state and federal.)
Beauty, poignancy, a great learning environment and sheer exuberance Creativity doesn’t get much better than that.
Aquarium of the Pacific’s twenty-second annual Festival of Human Abilities happens Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th at Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, in Long Beach. Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, both days. General admission is required, and advanced reservations or timed tickets are required for weekends. Here’s the link for information.