From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center –
BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES 100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE EVENT
(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center announces “Change to Heal, Heal to Change” on Aug. 6, from noon to 3:00 pm, an afternoon of storytelling and poetry on the ways change affects us: personal change, social change, climate change, change for growth, living in change, awakening through change. This spoken word event is one of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change (100TPC) worldwide events promoting peace, sustainability, and justice and calling for social, political, and environmental change. Award-winning slam poets, storytellers, and spoken word artists will share their commitment to environmental and social justice issues, including:
Jackson Gillman, a talented mime, actor, songsmith and storyteller, and the recipient of the Oracle Award at the National Storytelling Network. He has featured at the National Storytelling Festival multiple times, and has been Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center.
Thea Iberall has been called “a shimmering bridge between heart and mind.” An inductee into the International Educators Hall of Fame, she writes stories and poetry that springboard from the personal into emotional truths around climate change, racism, and discrimination. Thea is a member of Northeast Storytellers and is on the leadership team of the Jewish Climate Action Network.
Jamele “Harlem 125” Adams is a celebrated and high-energy slam poet whose TEDx Talk on “Race. Love. Freedom.” electrified audiences. He believes that with “love – inclusion – trust” no one will be left out, and our ability to come together amongst different beliefs is limitless.
Betsy Johnson, local poet and storyteller, will share poems on journey, transformation, lessons we teach our children, Alzheimer’s, and grounding.
Teddy Lytle is a performance artist and poet who co-founded Spectrum Theatre Ensemble, a neurodiverse theatre company. He has produced a number of solo shows focused on destigmatizing mental health and addiction and exploring how people and communities can change for the better.
Deana Tavares will share poems about moving through adversity towards healing oneself and the world, weaving in the topic of hope. She is a creatively fluid exhibiting visual artist, published poet, singer/songwriter, and actor. She is an Arts Connect International 2021 Ripple Grant recipient.
Change to Heal, Heal to Change is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this outdoor event. People are encouraged to register as well, for event updates, at https://bit.ly/BellforgePoets. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.
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About 100 Thousand Poets for Change: 100 Thousand Poets for Change (100 TPC) has organized over 5,000 poetry, art and music gatherings for the cause of Peace, Justice, and Sustainability across the globe in the last 10 years. Poets have come together year after year to lead and promote poetry readings, without any preconditions or censorship, where participants speak out for causes nearest their hearts. In the process, oppressions, exploitative practices, biases, and abuses of many kinds have been highlighted—whether based on gender, race, class, or religious affiliation, color, territory, language and cultural tradition, or any form of differentiation whatsoever. For more information, visit 100tpc.org.
About the Bellforge Arts Center: The Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex being built on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Bellforge currently offers outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, along with over 200 miles of nature trails and outdoor recreation space. Once fully renovated, the center will also offer visual and performing arts studios, arts education, a 300-seat performance venue, and more.
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