Artist, Derek Hess announces ACTING OUT! Three-Day Arts Fest for Mental Health Awareness, to benefit NAMI Greater Cleveland. Oct. 19th – 21st in Gordon Square Arts District.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Title: ACTING OUT! - 3 Day Arts Fest For Mental Health Fest: Comedy, Talk, Film, Art, Music
Wed, Oct 19 – Comedy - Happy Dog, 8pm – 11pm
Thur, Oct 20 – Talk - Happy Dog, 7pm – 8pm
Thur, Oct 20 – Film - Capitol Theatre, 8:30pm – 11pm
Fri, Oct 21 – Art - Derek Hess Gallery – 78 th St Studios, 5pm – 9pm
Fri, Oct 21 – Music - Happy Dog, 9pm – 2am
Contact: For additional information or imagery please contact Angela
Hetrick angelachetrick@gmail.com 216.773.0210 -or- Martin
Geramita marty@strhess.com | 216.288.4868
Website: www.actingoutcle.com | Facebook: facebook.com/actingoutfest
Artist Derek Hess is proud to announce, ACTING OUT!, a three day arts fest for mental health awareness happening in the Gordon Square Arts District of Cleveland, Ohio, Wednesday, October 19, 2016 through Friday, October 21, 2016.
ACTING OUT! is the brainchild of Hess and Martin Geramita. The mission of the fest is to help remove the stigmas surrounding mental illness, dual diagnosis and addiction through a special series of art, comedy, film, panel discussion, and music events.
This is a subject matter that’s especially important to Hess, whose struggles with bipolar disorder and substance abuse and are not only well known, they are the integral subjects of his emotionally charged artwork.
“ ACTING OUT! is a unique event that will provide a light to shine on previously preceded dark issues. Our goal is to remove the stigma attached to people with mental illness, addiction and dual diagnosis.My hope is folks will walk away with a new understanding of the issues that a fairly large segment of our population deals with.” says Hess.
The five-event series is spon sored in part by ADAMHS Board ( The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Se rvices Board of Cuyahoga County) with a portion of the proceed to benefit NAMI Greater Cleveland, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering persons affected by mental illness and their families.
SCHEDULE OF ACTING OUT! FEST EVENTS
ACTING OUT! COMEDY
Weds. Oct. 19th, 2016 - Happy Dog (5800 Detroit Road – Cleveland)
Doors: 8 PM | Show: 9 PM | $5
In partnership with Accidental Comedy , Wednesday features performances by comedians
diagnosed with mental health and/or addiction issues who use stand-up comedy to break down
stigma surrounding mental health.
Participating Comedians: Marty DeRosa (Wrestling with Depression Podcast / Chicago) + Cleveland comedy favorites, Jeremy Sheer, Mandi Leigh, Mark Collella, and more to be announced.
Tix available - Eventbrite or at the Happy Dog door starting at 9 pm the day of the event.
ACTING OUT! TALK
Thurs. Oct. 20th, 2016 - Happy Dog (5800 Detroit Road – Cleveland)
Doors: 6 PM | Discussion: 7 PM | Free
A panel of mental health and addiction professionals, along with creative professionals discuss mental health, the creative process and how the arts provide a healthy outlet for those suffering with mental health issues and addiction. Participating panelists to be announced soon.
ACTING OUT! FILM
Thurs. Oct. 20th, 2016 - Capitol Theatre (1390 W 65th St. – Cleveland)
Movie: 8:30 PM | $10
Special screening of the award winning documentary, “Forced Perspective” at the CapitolTheatre. “Forced Perspective” is an intimate character portrait of iconic Cleveland artist, Derek Hess, by filmmaker, Nick Cavalier. From Derek’s early Euclid Tavern concert posters to his expressive fine art pieces, the film is a journey through Derek’s struggle with alcoholism and bipolar disorder and how these demons have influenced his artwork. Following the film will be an intimate audience Q&A with artist Derek Hess, artist manager & producer, Martin Geramita, and director Nick Cavalier, along with a meet-and-greet / book signing.
Tickets available - Eventbrite & Cleveland Cinemas
ACTING OUT! ART
Fri. Oct. 21st, 2016 - Derek Hess Gallery (78th Street Studios, 1300 W 78th St. – Cleveland)
|5p – 9p | Third Friday Gallery Open House
The ACTING OUT! art exhibit opening in the Derek Hess Gallery will spotlight the creative response to mental illness and addiction through the works of artists who have been diagnosed with or personally affected by mental illness and/or addiction. The opening reception will be hosted in the Derek Hess Gallery, during the popular Third Friday open house in 78th Street Studios. Participating Artists: Jason Byers, Angela Oster, Ben Haehn, Raymundo Reynoso, Corey Wallace, Brett Crawford, Steve Nunez, Michael Arsenault, Bob Walls, Chuck Taylor, Bryn Adams, Lizz Brady, Jamie Cain, Mary Williams, Daryl Musick, Perry Barbarino, Shawny Walthaw, Elisabeth Wingerter, Ashley Ribblett, Jared Gepperth, Rich Cihlar, Hadley Conner, Zachary Clement, Brian Asquith, Meredith Haen, Hege Lien.
ACTING OUT! MUSICFri. Oct. 21st, 2016 - Happy Dog (5800 Detroit Road – Cleveland)
Doors: 8 PM | Show: 9 PM | $5
The closing party for ACTING OUT! will feature live music from popular Cleveland bands performing original music, along with a special tribute set, dedicated to musicians who battled with mental health or addiction. Silent auction during the event of Derek Hess original art. Proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to NAMI Greater Cleveland. Participating Musicians / (Tribute set dedicated to): Murderedman (Joy Division), Mourning A BLKstar (Gil Scott-Heron), New Lou Reeds (Roky Erickson)
Tix available - Eventbrite or at the Happy Dog door starting at 9 pm the day of the event.
For more information, please visit: Website: www.actingoutcle.com | Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ActingOutFest
About Derek Hess
From concert posters to politically charged fine art pieces, Cleveland-based artist, Derek Hess has tested the waters of the music and art worlds for over 25 years. Always a fan of music, Hess began booking shows at the Euclid Tavern, at the time frequent haunt for cover bands and Cleveland’s blues scene. Hess soon began to exert influence over the format of the bands being brought to the Tavern, booking bands and musicians that spoke more directly to him and his generation. He also started creating the promotional flyers for the shows using his own
unique artistic vision.
In 1993, while still booking bands at the Euclid Tavern, Hess’ flyers caught the eye of Martin Geramita, who suggested that Hess put his flyers onto a larger stage. Working together, with Geramita as his manager, Hess began exhibiting his work as full-color art and became the pre-eminent concert poster artist in Cleveland, a happenstance that coincided with an international revival in concert posters, launching Hess from Cleveland to the world.
His completely unique and inimitable style, garnered the attention of countless venues and touring bands, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the GRAMMY Museum and the Louvre in Paris—all of whom have Hess’ art in their permanent collections. About ADAMHS Board (The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County).
Mission: Promote and enhance the quality of life for residents of our community through a commitment to excellence in mental health, alcohol, drug, and other addiction services. Vision: Mental health, alcohol, drug, and other addiction services will be available and accessible for every county resident in need and the ADAMHS Board will provide a preeminent, seamless and integrated system of care.
