September 12, 2017
Cleveland Hosts Four-Day Arts Fest for Mental Health & Addiction Awareness
READ TIME: 4 MIN.
Acting Out! Fest, the four-day arts festival for mental health and addiction awareness returns to Cleveland with an expanded lineup of free stand-up comedy, talk, film, music and art events happening in Cleveland, Ohio's Gordon Square neighborhood, September 13-16.
Participants include nationally known and local experts, comedians, artists, and musicians, and advocates, all putting the spotlight on mental health and addiction issues.
All events are free and open to the public.
Acting Out! Fest consists of more than 15 events over four days, with highlights including:
Mental health and addiction professionals involved in festival events include:
Dr. Joseph Calabrese (University Hospitals), Dr. Joan Papp (MetroHealth), Judge Joan Synenberg (Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas), Dr. Jason Joyce (Recovery Resources), Dr. Sam Maniar (Center for Peak Performance), Joseph Penola, (The You Rock Foundation), Dr. Julius Bailey (Author & Wittenberg University Professor) and more to be announced.
Artists include Angelo Merendino, David Smeltz, Archie Green, Lawrence Daniel Caswell, Dana Norris, and more to be announced. Live music and after parties featuring local talent happening at the Happy Dog (West) throughout the event series. A Festival village will provide info and resources.
The events are free but tickets are required for entry to most events. A full schedule with times, complete descriptions and ticket information can be found at www.actingoutcle.com
Acting Out! Fest is the brainchild of artist Derek Hess and his long-time business agent, Martin Geramita, along with Cleveland marketing / events guru, Angie Hetrick. Breaking down the stigmas that surround mental illness and addiction is a matter that's especially important to Hess, whose struggles with bipolar disorder and substance abuse are not only well known, but they're also integral subjects to his emotionally charged artwork.
Our core arts programming includes collaboration with local experts and nationally known celebrity mental health and addiction advocates, sharing their stories to help us deliver our message to a larger audience.
After Acting Out! 2016 we realized the greater need to connect the public and those in need with mental health and addiction resources. We strive to achieve this goal through programming partnerships with leading mental health and addiction organizations. Acting Out! 2017 is presented with generous support from The Centers for Families and Children, The Woodruff Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, Recovery Resources, Signature Health/Connections, Ohio Guidestone, Jakprints, and Gordon Square Arts District.