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Westhampton
Beach,
NY October
15, 2010:
On Tuesday,
October 12,
the
Westhampton
Beach
Performing
Arts Center
proudly
launched the
first
session of
its
innovative
new Arts
Education
Program,
Melodies &
Memories
– a Creative
Aging
program for
area seniors
that links
the Center
with the
Town of
Southampton
Senior
Services.
The Creative
Aging
movement
seeks to
link the
basic human
need for
creative
expression
with an
improved
quality of
life for
older
adults. In
addition to
the mastery
of various
performing
and visual
arts skills,
Creative
Aging
programs
emphasize
the
importance
of
reminiscence
– which has
been proven
to increase
self-esteem,
reinforce
personal and
collective
identity,
and assuage
anxiety
about
getting
older.
This special
10-week
program is
the first of
its kind on
Long Island
and provides
an
opportunity
for seniors
to cultivate
skills in
music,
dramatic
performance,
creative
writing and
visual arts
- all while
sharing life
stories and
giving
meaning to
memories!
Each week,
the Director
of
Southampton
Senior
Services,
Pam Giacoia,
and her
staff will
transport
participants
to the
Center.
Teaching
artists
Julienne
Penza and
Patricia
Feiler along
with Peter
Pece, an
accomplished
pianist,
will lead
the 26
seniors as
they delve
into the
past,
listening to
and singing
beloved
songs from
years gone
by - all
while
sparking
memories and
sharing
stories with
one
another.
Special
guests will
drop in to
serenade the
seniors with
classic
favorites.
In addition,
participants
will browse
displays of
memorabilia,
fashions,
and books
spanning the
past 60
years to
stimulate
the process
of
remembering.
The group
will also
venture into
writing and
dramatic
presentation,
or a visual
arts project
as a means
to share
stories
through
creativity.
Weaving
together
music, drama
and art, the
program will
culminate in
a public
performance
and an art
exhibit at
the Center!
For more
information,
contact
Julienne
Penza at
631.288.2350,
ext. 114 or
by e-mail at
juliennep@whbpac.org.
SUPPORT
WHBPAC:
Learn about
the creative
ways to
contribute
http://www.whbpac.org/pages/ways.php
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