CREATIVITY MOVES NASHVILLE Hopes to Foster Collaborations Among Creative, Non-Profit Communities

Marshaling the creative troupes in an effort to mobilize Nashville's creativity to benefit the whole of the city is the focus of Creativity Moves Nashville, a four-day event slated for May 24-27.

Founded by Jacob Weiss-who also heads up Playing By Air, the critically acclaimed performance troupe based in Music City-Creativity Moves Nashville will feature a half-day professional development conference for creative leaders, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations, as well as public creative workshops, live performances and a free program for young adult cancer survivors on the power of sharing one's story.

Weiss says he recognized a need to facilitate partnerships between local creative leaders and non-profit organizations during his experiences in community-building projects across the fields of arts, entertainment, non-profits and health care.

"There are so many amazing people and initiatives in Nashville," Weiss explains. "And as more people discover the impact of supporting causes through creative approaches, they will be inspired to get involved in these programs and to start their own projects and partnerships."

According to Weiss, "creative individuals are looking for ways to give back while developing their hobbies and careers, and local non-profits are seeking creative strategies to build awareness and fundraising for their programs."

From musical revues that educate about cancer prevention to photographers capturing portraits for people in need, Nashville residents are finding meaning by applying their creativity to benefit the community, Weiss contends.

Creativity Moves Nashville takes place at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre, hosted by Nashville's Sideshow Fringe Festival (itself an off-shoot of Actors Bridge Ensemble, First Night's Outanding Theatre Company of 2010), with additional locations for the creative workshops. All elements of the program include components of both creativity and giving back.

Weiss explains that artists, entrepreneurs and other creative leaders will learn career-building strategies by developing mutually beneficial relationships with non-profit organizations and causes. In turn, representatives from non-profits will explore new approaches to connect with the creative community to achieve success in their fundraising and programming goals. 

Together, attendees at the four-day event will build a vision for the future of creativity and causes in Nashville through a hands-on workshop powered by LEGO Serious Play.

Individuals and families are invited to nurture their creativity by attending public performances featuring music, juggling, and comedy from Playing By Airand participating in workshops hosted by The Skillery. 

Sunday's free program for young adult cancer survivors and supporters will feature live entertainment, inspiring cancer survivor speakers and an interactive songwriting program led by Grammy and Emmy nominated, Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music award-winning songwriter Billy Kirsch.

Speakers include Sam Davidson (co-founder of Cool People Care), Lu Sipos (founder of Gabe's Chemo Duck Program), and Joy Huber (author of Cancer with Joy), along with other community leaders and cancer survivors.

Nashville-based Playing By Air will perform its nationally touring hour-long show on Friday and Saturday, May 25-26, joined by local artists and musicians from the Sideshow Fringe Festival. The shows-scheduled at Belmont's Black Box Theatre with an 8 p.m. curtain on both evenings, and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.-are open to the public and will include discussions with the performers about creativity, collaboration, and building community.

Playing By Air captivates audiences with a joyful fusion of music, juggling, and circus. The award-winning performers of Playing By Air share their sense of playfulness and breathtaking feats in a production enjoyed equally by adults, families and children. The company inspires, entertains, and supports many community arts and health initiatives, in particular, the cancer community through its Playing By Air Cares and Catch It Early programs.

Details are available at http://creativitymoves.com/playing-by-air-shows. The performers of Playing By Air have entertained audiences nationwide, on TV and recently performing at White House in Washington, D.C.

On Sunday, May 27, Playing By Air will donate a private show for young adult cancer survivors in partnership with local cancer non-profit organizations at Creativity Moves Nashville.

Creativity Moves Nashville: Mobilizing Our Creativity To Benefit Nashville will bring together Nashville's creative and non-profit communities to inspire giving back through creativity. The 4-day event includes a half-day conference for creative & non-profit leaders, creative workshops, public shows with Playing By Air, and a special program for young adult cancer survivors.

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

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