alternate venues and Altruism

I have taken a temporary hiatus from playing the regular old venues (bars, clubs and the like) in favor of shows at different mental health facilities and locations where people have restrictions placed on them that disallow them from going to a "normal" concert. For those who don't know me, I've had some personal experience in the system.

I am playing at an Art and Wellness Festival on June 9th in Fulton, NY at 1:15 pm in Vorhees Park. The whole thing goes from 11am-7pm. This festival promotes mental wellness and supportive arts for those labeled mentally ill. It is put on by Catholic Charities of Oswego County and their offshoot, Step by Step Clubhouse ( a support center). There is food and lots of other good stuff, so check it out if you're in the area. Jamie Notorthomas also plays.

In the near future I will be starting an open mic coffee house at Hutchings State Psychiatric in coordination with their staff. The facility has received some criticism from my peers in the mental health system. However, I have found that mental health providers are usually kind people, but the sense of entitlement that our current health system allows at times makes for an arrogance that can harm patients. I hope to help invigorate things on some level.

I will likely be the headliner for another Wellness Festival in Syracuse, NY, on the Hutchings campus. This won't be until probably late August or September.

I am also in the process of setting up small scale performances at inpatient psych wards around Syracuse.

Basically, I really want to play for a good cause at a time when I feel our country is on a crooked path. peace to you,
Ben