30th ADA Anniversary Amplifies Annual Houston Festival Message of Inclusion: ADA Architect Lex Frieden Named Honorary Festival Chair
The eighth annual ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival, a free, citywide event that promotes inclusion through visual arts, films, speakers and a final-night concert, returns February 11-20. . The ten-plus day Festival, annually produced by the JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, uses the arts as a vehicle to promote inclusion and celebrate the lives, stories and talents of people with disabilities, making an impact that lasts far beyond the Festival.
With the mission to foster inclusion, erase stigmas, change perceptions and create pathways to employment in the nation’s most diverse city, the Festival reaches thousands though numerous art forms. This year, ReelAbilities features 15 award-winning films, the UP Abilities speakers’ event, ReelMusic Concert, two art exhibits—including a Celebration Company art show—and educational programs in schools and workplaces around Houston. All art, film and music events are free.
“At its core a film festival and expanded in our city to include much more, ReelAbilities Houston is known as one of the most innovative among all others in the U.S.with yearlong initiatives anchored by the 10-plus day Festival, said ReelAbilities 2020 Houston Chair Dee Dee Dochen. “That this year is also the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act is an important milestone we are leveraging to amplify the Festival’s voice and reach.”
Dochen added, “We are particularly excited this year to announce that Houston’s own Lex Frieden, known as the architect behind the ADA who was with President George H.W. Bush at the bill’s signing, is the 2020 Festival’s honorary chair.”
“By setting a platform for people of all disabilities, both visible and invisible, to share their stories and talents, ReelAbilities Houston is truly a gift to Houston,” said Co-Chair Benjy Hershorn. “Through engaging speakers, music, film and visual arts, we learn empathy and gratitude, barriers come down,and our minds are opened to new possibilities.”
This year, ReeLAbilities features three preview events: The opening of Illuminating Dyslexia:A Multi-Sensory “Touch to See,” an art exhibit that will be on display through February 26 at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC featuring the work of Dr. Stephanie Skolik; the January 30 Nobody’s Perfect –Achieving Inclusion, Diversity and Access with Marlee Matlin, produced in partnership with Congregation Emanu El; and a February 5 ReelWork place panel discussion and luncheon hosted by the Greater Houston In Collaboration With Host City Organizer Partnership that, moderated by Frieden, presents a panel of experts discussing companies’ efforts in creating cultures of inclusion by leveraging everyone's unique abilities.
ReelAbilities officially opens on February 11 with ReelPeople: UP Abilities,an evening showcasing three extraordinary speakers who will open windowsinto the world of disabilities with both intimacy and urgency. Captivating the audience will be J.R. Martinez, an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor,best-selling author and Dancing with the Stars winner; Rebecca Alexander, author, psychotherapist, group fitness instructor,advocate, and extreme athlete who is almost completely blind and deaf; and Darrius Simmons, a young musician born with three fingers on his right hand and one finger on his left who will play piano and engage in conversation with musician and producer Chris Walker. UP Abilities takes place at the A.D. Players at the George Theater; more information and tickets ($25) are available at www.reelabilitieshouston.org/upAbilities.php.
ReelArt, a gallery exhibit at the Center for Art and Photography at Celebration Company, will host an opening night reception on February 13 that features the works of visiting artist Mara Clawson, recipient of the VSA/Kennedy Center Emerging Young Artists with Disabilities award. Mara uses the pastels and iPad technology to convey her perception of the world and all are welcome to visit her artwork until April 17 at Celebration Company, 4131 South Braeswood. Operated by JFS Houston’s Disability Services Program, Celebration Company is a Houston-based entrepreneurial program that supports employees’ vocational goals while also providing life and social skills training to enable greater independence.
The Film Festival gets underway Sunday, February 16 with the critically acclaimed film, “The Peanut Butter Falcon”and featured speaker Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who will address ReelAbilities’ mission of inclusion.The film stars Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome who plays Zak, a young man who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck. A total of 15 Houston-curated films will be shown through Wednesday, February 19 at Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24, 3839 Weslayan St., covering themes that are equal parts compelling, eye-opening, entertaining and even mystifying. Several films will be followed by interactive panel discussions to encourage audience dialogue. All films are captioned and audio described to be fully accessible. Admission and parking are free to attendees.
The Festival culminates Thursday, February 20 with ReelMusic, a celebratory night of jazz, rock and more, where accomplished musicians with disabilities join the ReelMusic house band on stage at White Oak Music Hall. Ernie Manouse, Houston Public Media PBS television host, will emcee the evening which gives many musicians their first chance to showcase their talents in a premiere venue. ReelMusic house band members are Kelly Dean, Andrew Leinhard, David Craig and Daleton Lee. Along with all ReelAbilities public events, Festival programming is additionally taken to dozens of schools, companies and organizations through ReelEducation and ReelWorkplace.
ReelAbilities Houston is made possible by lead sponsors Cornerstone Home Lending, Joan and Stanford Alexander and TIRR Memorial Hermann (Founding Partner). All film, art and music events are free; small fees for the two speakers events and ReelWorkplace are priced per event. Registration for all events is requested online at www.reelabilitieshouston.org.
(This post was taken from a release sent to me by ReelAbilities Houston)
