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When is A Mental Health Day
a Walk in the Park?
Review of Music for Mental Health Festival
Thomas Bull Memorial Park, Montgomery
Saturday, May 22, 1999
Story by Kevin Robinson
Pictures by Ellie Apuzzo
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Ken Durland and his orchestra opened the festivities
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The obvious answer to that question is (or should be): "Anytime you
choose." We've all taken the occasional "mental health day;" you
know, just walked away from the housework, the office, the college
classroom, whatever. Sometimes, just getting away from the stress and
strain of the workaday world, just taking a walk in the sunshine and
feeling the grass between our toes, is just the medicine we need to
replenish our famished soul, refresh our haggard bodies, and restore
some tranquility to our world-weary minds.
Nobody understands this better than folks in and around the mental
health community. And, thanks to the Mental Health Association of
Orange County and the Orange County Parks & Recreation Department, on
Saturday, May 22nd [1999], we all had the opportunity to enjoy a
"mental
health day" in the park. To be specific, it was the
Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, and the healing power went well beyond
the gloriously perfect weather and the marvelously maintained
facility. The air that day was filled with the sound of live music.
From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the bandstand echoed with food for the
soul. Host for the day was WPDH's own morning guy, Mark Cooper.
Bandleader and trombone player, Ken Durland and his orchestra opened
the festivities, followed by local singer/songwriter/keyboard wizard,
Charlie Lang. Durland woke the crowd, and Lang had many of them
dancing in the fresh cut grass. Local and regional bands followed,
including: Ariel, Judith Tulloch, Little Sammy Davis, Liz Queler, and
former Rhythm and News Magazine's Budweiser Band of the Month, Perfect
Thyroid.
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Ariel |
Judith Tulloch |
Little Sammy Davis |
Perfect Thyroid |
All day long, there were wandering jugglers and clowns entertaining
the children, as well as pony rides, Cassy the Jump Castle, and a host
of big cuddly costumed animal characters. "McGruff the Crime Dog" was
there with an official police escort. I even saw several mechanically
animated jungle creatures being gleefully ridden by "children" of all
ages! Three nationally recognized acts brought the near-perfect day
to a near-perfect conclusion. Folk legend, Cliff Eberhardt took the
stand at around 4:00 p.m., followed by the unforgettable voice of
Maria Muldaur. Larry Chance & the Earls took the show home, and
everyone left feeling better about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
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Cliff Eberhard |
Larry Chance & the Earls |
Maria Muldaur |
This was the "Second Annual Music for Mental Health Festival," and you
should mark your calender for next May now. Not because it's a
worthwhile project. Not because the Mental Health Association serves
over 32,000 children every year. Not even because you and/or your
company could make a difference by becoming involved. Sure, that
stuff's true enough; but, first, just make a date with your family.
Spend a day in the park together that will heal a host of worldly
hurts and hostile influences. Get your kids away from the TV and
share a mental health day with the ones you love.
Kevin Robinson
is a freelance writer/photographer, and
the author of three "Stick Foster" hardback mystery novels.
A former syndicated columnist for
the Detroit Free Press, his byline has appeared over 100 times in
national and regional periodicals. Kevin is a partner at
No Bull Productions,
and his PR credits include promotion and
booking work for several of Kansas City's top blues bands. Kevin can
be reached at nobull@NoBullProductions.com.
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Ellie Apuzzo owns and operates
Ellie's Consider It Done.
She provides
"on-site oversight for absentee owners" here in the Florida
Keys; and so far, this lifelong New Yorker just can't seem to
get into "Keys time!" Ellie can be reached at
ellie@elliesconsideritdone.com.
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