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  • Disability Reframed Presents: Benda Bilili! Documentary Film

    Posted Sunday February 17 2013 at 08:28 am in News

    Disability Reframed presents a free screening of the documentary film Benda Bilili!, followed by a lively audience discussion.  The screening will be held March 2, 2013 from 2pm to 5pm at the Salvation Army Kroc Community Center, 650 Dudley Street, Dorchester.

    Benda Bilili! is a 2010 documentary that follows a group of homeless musicians with disabilities living on the streets of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  They form a musical group called Staff Benda Bilili and eventually reach a worldwide acclaim.  "Benda Bilili" translates as "look beyond appearances" in Lingala, one of the languages of the Congo.  Come to share in their infectious music and compelling personal visions.  This film's soundtrack is in Lingala and French, with English open captions.

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    Free Webinar: Research on the Arts and Aging

    Posted Saturday February 16 2013 at 2:04 pm in News

    NEA's Art Works Logo

    National Endowment for the Arts' Inter-agency Task Force will host a public webinar about Research on the Arts and Aging, February 20, 2013, 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

    As the U.S. population ages, it faces more age-related diseases.  How can the arts serve to treat, prevent, or improve these conditions?  Representatives from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the University of California will discuss current investigations on the arts and aging, including new resources for researchers and arts practitioners.  The NEA also debuts a new publication on arts and aging research based on a convening at the National Academy of Sciences last fall.

    The webinar is free and open to the public.  Please register in advance.



    Meet the Intern: Alyson Finbow

    Posted Thursday February 14 2013 at 11:01 pm in Education

    Alyson Finbow

    Hello, Kind Souls!  My name is Alyson.  I grew up in New Jersey, and have been there until coming to Massachusetts for college.  I am currently a student at Lesley University.  I am studying Art Therapy, because I love making art and also love helping people.  I have recently started helping out as an intern for VSA MA!

    What are your favorite pastimes?
          "Drawing, playing volleyball, and singing."

    If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
          "I would be Bugs Bunny."

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