Scores of people were uplifted and entertained by ten performers at the Hope is Alive! open mic at Ol’ Merc Pizza in McArthur on Friday night May 18.
Chuck Darwin Hepburn and Stu Stoore playing the blues
The evening performances included songs, spoken word, poetry, and stand up comedy. Performers included Alex Colvin, Stu Stoore, Chuck Darwin Hepburn, Kimberly Davis, spoken word artist Angel, a stand-up comedian, Michael Bennett, Phil Dekker, George Whitfield, and a young woman poet who rose from the audience at the end to read.
Kimberly Davis sings a powerful song
Chuck Darwin Hepburn, not only played and sang on the guitar. He also provided innovative improvisation on his saxophone to accompany several other performers. Mr. Hepburn recently moved to Bieber.
Angel doing spoken word
As well as performing a variety of tunes on guitar and ukulele, Stu Stoore also did an excellent job of managing the sound system.
George Whitfield sings Dylan
A poet
Amy Sturgeon explains about Suicide Prevention
Hope is Alive! open mics celebrate the power of the creative arts to uplift, comfort and heal people in times of mental or emotional crisis. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Marc Dadigan. The program was sponsored by Stand Against Stigma funded by the Mental Health Services Act. Mid-program, Amy Sturgeon, a community education specialist in suicide prevention gave a short talk. Toward the end of the program Carrie Jo Diamond, director of Stand Against Stigma also spoke about the activities of Intermountain Mental Health Week.
Carrie Jo Diamond from Stand Against Stigma talks about Intermountain Mental Health Week
After the program, several musicians stayed to jam together.
Jammin’ on Saint James Infirmary
For more information about Stand Against Stigma, visit www.standagainststigma.com.
Pit River Country 