Don't miss the 7th Annual Presentation of Inspired Voices, on Saturday June 23rd at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston. Inspired Voices features music, poetry, dance, and art from people who have received services at Tri-County Mental Health Services, alongside the Inspired Ensemble of professional musicians and performers. Since it began seven years ago the event has helped many people toward recovery and broken down misconceptions and stigma about mental health. This is the event featured in the powerful documentary film “The Rehearsal” by filmmaker Craig Saddlemire, winner of the “Best Maine Film” Award in the 2011 L/A Film Festival and broadcast on MPBN.
Each year it features some returning performers as well as some new friends taking the stage on their journey to hope and healing. Music Director Nick Place and Director Catherine Ryder are back for the 7th year, and the Nick is debuting an original composition at this year’s show. A longtime employee and advocate, Joan Detel, will share the stage as a guest Emcee. Joan has announced that she will be retiring this summer, after 24 years with the agency. During that time she has led the development of many programs, including Community Integration, ACT, Residential services and more. She has been a leader at the state and regional level as well and has made a huge difference in people's lives with her passion and advocacy. She will bring that joy and passion to the stage for us at Inspired Voices. "Inspired Voices shows that everyone has gifts to share, everyone has the capacity for joy and the ability to create beautiful music, dance, and poetry," she says.
This year's performance will incorporate some patriotic flavor, and proceeds will benefit Tri-County's outreach and program enhancements for veterans and family members. Visit www.inspiredvoices.com for tickets and sponsorship information and to view clips, or call Tina Clark at 783-9141 x 158.
