(Washington, D.C. – October 4, 2012) – Beyond Mask Expressions (BME) will present the 8th annual public concert at the Historic Lincoln Theater on Thursday, October 18, 2012. The concert will feature ADTI’s Inspirational Choir and Moroccan Ensemble. This is a yearly event which has been continually enjoyed by sold out audiences.
This year’s concert will be co-hosted by long time ADTI friend, Captain Fly, a member of the legendary R&B Group, The Intruders, and children’s author and advocate for early intervention for children, Phyllis Cola. Laverdia Roach, Acting Director of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities Administration will welcome guests to the concert.
The Art and Drama Therapy Institute is the collaborative vision of Dr. Margaret Dickinson (Dr. Do) and Dr. Sirkku M. Sky Hiltunen (Dr. Sky) and has been heralded by the Washington Post as “a colorful, eclectic place, a magic land of artwork, costumes and musical instruments.”
“I have always believed that when God gave out gifts He did not miss anyone and my grandmother taught me that if you feed your faith, doubt will starve to death,” stated Dr. Do. “There is no doubt in my mind they will grace the Grammy stage in my lifetime.”
The program will include a duet with Brian Slaughter and Yahzareh performing “At Last.” “Marvin Gaye” will be performed by Kevin Christian. The Inspirational Choir and Moroccan Ensemble will also perform songs that have been recorded by Lou Rawls, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Edwin Hawkins, James Cleveland and Chuck Brown among others.
“The annual concerts in the Lincoln Theater, dating back to 2004, are ADTI’s way to give back to the community by providing this free concert, filled with joy, energy and love by the musicians of the Moroccan Ensemble and the singers of ADTI’s Inspirational Choir,” stated Dr. Sky. “Some of the audience members consist of Individuals with Differing Abilities and their concert offers them an opportunity to feel proud of who they are as well as gives them role models among peers who demonstrate that there are no limits for their creativity.”
Tickets to the concert are free and can be picked up at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office, 1215 “U” Street NW, Washington, D.C., 202-328-6000.
About Beyond Mask Expressions (BME)
Beyond Mask Expressions (BME) is a Not-for-profit, 501(c)3, company that was founded to promote the visual, literary, film, video, theatrical and musical arts featuring the artistic gifts of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. For more information please go to http://www.beyondmaskexpressions.org
About the Art and Drama Therapy Institute Inc.
The Art and Drama Therapy Institute, Inc. (ADTI) is a medically supervised, therapeutic day treatment center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The institute's innovative approach for the care and treatment of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the use of art, music, movement, and drama therapies, along with innovative behavior management techniques, has been hailed by the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities and The Washington Post as “a national model.”
ADTI is home to the Therapeutic Noh Theater®, the first ensemble with Individuals with Differing Abilities in the world to perform Therapeutic Noh Theater®, directed by Master Teacher, Dr. Sirkku M. Sky Hiltunen. In addition, ADTI has built its own authentic Keiko Komatsubara Noh Stage--the first of only two in the United States. Dr. Do is the Founder and Producer of ADTI's Inspirational Choir and Moroccan Ensemble.
About the Lincoln Theatre
The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, was the center of a cultural renaissance that predated Harlem. Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were joined by nationally
acclaimed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughn who performed regularly on their storied stage. Even FDR had his birthday parties at the Lincoln Colonnade, a festive party hall once located at the Theatre.
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