GISH AT THE MOVIES “ REELABILITIES ” SHOWCASES THE MANY SIDES OF DISABILITIES
Patrick ' s Day
Birthday
Perfect
2016 WAS A TOUGH YEAR FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES , ESPECIALLY WHEN A CERTAIN POLITICIAN MOCKED A DISABLED REPORTER . But that wasn ’ t the first time someone has been bullied for those kinds of differences . There is a long-standing problem with how we treat people who are differently abled , which is why the “ ReelAbilities ” festival was born . It was founded in New York City 10 years ago ,
and is in its fifth year in Houston . This year , Mayor SYLVESTER TURNER will join the Honorary Committee .
The film portion of the festival will take place February 19 – 23 at the Edwards Greenway movie theater . All 15 screenings are free – but advance reservations are suggested ( reserve tickets online at www . ReelAbilitiesHouston . org ). I have attended this event and it ’ s heartwarming to see people with “ real abilities ” in the spotlight .
ReelAbilities is a free , citywide arts festival that celebrates the lives , stories and talents of people living with disabilities . There is a film festival , live music jam , series of thought leadership talks and traveling seminars in Houston schools and businesses – all with the purpose of promoting inclusion and generating awareness about the art made by and about people living with various levels of ability .
The festival starts on Valentine ’ s Day ( so appropriate !) with a screening of ReelAbilities short films at the Houston Ballet headquarters downtown . The festival closes at the Secret Group space on February 23 with a performance by ReelMusic , an all-inclusive jazz and blues music jam in which professional musicians invite artists with disabilities to perform with them . In between ( along with the films ), there will be “ ReelPeople : UPAbilities ,” an event in partnership with The UP Experience which is a series of intellectually stimulating , 20-minute discussions . Additionally , Houston will continue to extend the ReelAbilities mission to local schools , via ReelEducation , and businesses , through its ReelWorkplace program , to conduct interactive sessions about the ways students and employees can respectfully live and work alongside their peers and colleagues living with disabilities . And finally , the festival also has a visual art component : “ ReelArt : The Art of Celebration ” will celebrate the grand opening of the Center for Art and Photography at Celebration Company , a public showroom and gallery to sell the artwork , photography and products of artists with disabilities . The exhibition will be up until March 31 at Jewish Family Services , the headquarters of Celebration Company .
WANT TO SEE MORE ART FILMS ?
CHECK OUT THESE VENUES
14 Pews ( www . 14pews . org ) Alamo Drafthouse ( www . drafthouse . com ) Asia Society ( www . asiasociety . org / texas ) Aurora Picture Show ( www . aurorapictureshow . org ) Blaffer Art Museum ( www . blafferartmuseum . org ) Café Brasil ( www . cafe-brasil . net ) Contemporary Arts Museum ( www . camh . org ) Discovery Green ( www . discoverygreen . com ) DiverseWorks ( www . diverseworks . org ) Holocaust Museum ( www . hmh . org ) Jewish Community Center ( www . erjcchouston . org ) Landmark River Oaks Theatre ( www . landmarktheatres . com ) Menil Collection ( www . menil . org ) Miller Outdoor Theatre ( www . milleroutdoortheatre . com ) Museum of Fine Arts , Houston ( www . mfah . org / films ) Orange Show ( www . orangeshow . org ) Rice Cinema ( www . ricecinema . rice . edu ) Sundance Cinemas ( www . sundancecinemas . com )
By Sarah Gish | www . gishcreative . com Photography courtesy of the ERJCC
36 LOCAL | february 17