2023 Friends-in-Art Showcase: Wanna Perform?
Once again, FIA’s Showcase of the Performing Arts will be a highlight of ACB’s 2023 conference and convention. Unlike the past three years, this year’s Showcase is movin’ on up to the in-person portion of the ACB convention on Monday, July 3 at 8 p.m. Central time, featuring both a live and virtual component.
If you plan to perform in person, please note that we might have a keyboard accompanist available, and that we are exploring the possibility of putting together a “house band” to back potential performers. Of course, you are welcome to accompany yourself. If you are planning to perform live, it is not required that you send us something, but it would help us if you did.
Please send material and/or information you want to be included in the Showcase to [email protected].
Materials might include:
- Music: Any style; original material especially welcomed. Your selection may either be sent as an e-mail attachment, or you may send us a link from which the piece can be uploaded. Regardless of whether you send us your performance, please send us your name, city/state, e-mail address, if you plan to attend the in-person portion of the convention, and a brief description of the piece that you are planning to perform (to be used to introduce the piece). Please note that you MUST send us a performance if you want to be included in the Showcase’s virtual component.
- Prose/poetry. Original works preferred, especially if read by the author. Your work may either be sent as an e-mail attachment, or you may send us a link from which the performance can be uploaded. Be sure to include your name, city/state, e-mail address, whether you plan to attend the in-person portion of the convention, and a brief description of the piece that you are planning to perform (to be used to introduce the piece). Please note that you MUST send us a performance if you want to be included in the Showcase’s virtual component.
Deadline: June 1, 2023
In order to make it more likely that your selection will be included in the Showcase, please note:
- Each selection should not exceed five minutes, including the description of the work you are asking us to consider.
- We will consider including two contrasting short works if together they do not exceed five minutes.
- We prefer up-tempo to slow, but will consider anything.
- This is family entertainment; no profanity, please.
- We aim for a show of around 25 selections of varying styles. Originality, professionalism, and flair count.
- Please note that the FIA production team reserves the right to do editing or audio processing at their discretion in order to assure that the audience will get a high-quality performance.
We will contact you well before July 3 to let you know if you will be included in the show and/or if we need additional information.
Details are currently being negotiated, but we are planning to host an open mike event immediately following the Showcase. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening.
Questions? Please email us at [email protected]. Thanks for your interest. We look forward to receiving your material.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow… in Schaumburg, Ill.
by Anthony Corona
Blind LGBT Pride International has a very robust program set for this year’s convention, and we are excited to make new friends and greet our ardent supporters. This year we offer history, future, 3D Audio, FUN and, of course, wine.
This year, we’re partnering with FIA for the Showcase on Monday night, which is going to be a show-stopper! Plan to stay for the open mic, which will feature karaoke all-stars, poetry and YOU!
Our mixer, which is always fun, will also serve up the fun on Sunday night. For all of you excited to sip and learn, we have three wine tasting options for you! And then of course we have our dare to share event by invitation only. This convention staple is the after-dark, adult-themed conversation; more details to come.
Please peruse our offerings to decide which ones will take a spot on your convention dance card. We look forward to dancing and sipping over the rainbow with you all this July!!
Saturday, July 1
First They Came For: Why “Don’t Say Gay” Affects All of Us (Anthony Corona and Tristan Snyder)
1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
In-person
3D Immersive Sound Experience (Tristan Snyder)
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Hybrid
Sunday, July 2
BPI Mixer (Leah Gardner, Anthony Corona, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati)
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
In-person
Dare to Share (Leah Gardner)
10:00 p.m. - midnight
(*by invitation only)
Monday, July 3
Making Gay History (Anthony Corona)
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
In-person
Wine Tasting (Gabriel Lopez Kafati)
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
In-person
Showcase (Jason Castonguay, Leah Gardner, and Anthony Corona)
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Hybrid
BPI Open Mic (Leah Gardner, Anthony Corona, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati)
10:00 p.m. - midnight
Hybrid
Tuesday, July 4
Wine Tasting (Gabriel Lopez Kafati)
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
In-person
Wednesday, July 5
Aging Over the Rainbow (Miss Ruth Williams and Anthony Corona)
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
In-person
Mind-body: Sound Bath (Tristan Snyder)
4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
In-person
Wine Tasting (Gabriel Lopez Kafati)
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
In-person
South Carolina Revival
South Carolina is in the early stages of reviving its affiliate. We are interested in hearing from you if you want to join the Palmetto affiliate. Residence in South Carolina is not required.
In order to provide accurate and complete information to our national office and follow-up with interest meetings, elections, developing a constitution and bylaws, please send your complete name, address, email, phone, format choice for receiving “The ACB Braille Forum,” whether you are blind or sighted, gender, and ethnicity to Jennifer Bazer via email, [email protected], or text her at (803) 960-9977.