Music and Storytelling on Tap for Unique Night Focused on Parkinson’s Disease
Julie Bitely
| 2 min read
Do certain songs connect you to important memories and milestones in your life? Whether it’s a tune from a school dance, music that set the scene for a shared memory with a child or parent, or a song that reminds you of someone you’ve lost, we all have a soundtrack, with music that sparks joy and sorrow. That common human experience is part of the idea behind Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Foundation’s upcoming Vine & Vinyl storytelling event, taking place on Monday, Oct. 28. Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the night will focus on Parkinson’s disease, with proceeds benefiting Parkinson’s support programming at Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences.
Angela Paasche, donor relations and special events, Saint Mary’s Foundation, explains that Vine & Vinyl nights are a unique, intimate way to raise awareness about health conditions and the services offered through the health care system. The night kicks off with a cocktail hour, followed by a series of storytellers and ending with a fun, family-style dining experience. Storytellers at the Oct. 28 event include:
- Karen Custer, trustee, Saint Mary’s Foundation and a patient with Parkinson’s disease
- Jessica Hedeman, medical director, Movement Disorders at Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences
- Jack Lipton, professor & chair, Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University
Woven throughout the evening will be songs selected by the storytellers to complement the recounting of their experiences. The theme for the night’s music is “dancing in your kitchen” based on an experience Custer shared during the night’s playlist development. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of each storyteller’s unique perspective on Parkinson’s disease and enjoy a moving, music-filled evening. Tickets are still available – for more information and to purchase, visit the event’s website. Learn more about how Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease through a yearlong campaign. Like this post? Check these out:
- Kirk Gibson's New World Series Foe: Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson's Support in Northern Michigan
- Dissecting a Disease: What to Know About Parkinson's
Photos courtesy of Mercy Health Saint Mary's Foundation
