Welcome to the performing arts division of the National Federation of the Blind
National Convention 2009
Join us for this year's convention from Friday, July 3—Wednesday, July 8, 2009. We will be at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.
100 Renaissance Center Detroit, Michigan 48243 Reservations: Write directly to the above address or call 1-800-266-9432.
Once again our hotel rates are the envy of all. For the 2009 convention they are singles and doubles, $62; for triples, $66, and for quads, $68. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 15 percent. No charge will be made for children under eighteen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested. Please note that the hotel is a no-smoking facility. For 2009 convention room reservations you should write directly to the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, or call 1-800-266-9432. The hotel will want a deposit of $60 or a credit card number. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a $60 check. If a reservation is cancelled before June 1, 2009, $30 of the $60 deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. Guest-room amenities include cable television, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and high-speed Internet access—this last for a fee. Wireless access is available in the lobby. The Marriott Renaissance Center has several restaurants: Forty-Two Degrees North (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Starbucks, Musashi by BarOne (open for lunch), and Volt (open for lunch and dinner). In addition Coach Insignia is an elegant restaurant at the top of the tower, and on the Promenade level guests will find a food court. The hotel also has a fitness center and day spa.
Performing Arts Activities
The performing arts activities at the convention is as follows.
- Sunday, July 5, 1PM to 4PM. Division Meeting.
- Monday, July 5, 6:30 to 8PM. The guitar seminar.
- Tuesday, July 7, 7PM to 10PM. Showcase of talent.
Blind Entertainers Survey
The performing arts division is conducting a survey. This survey is for blind entertainers, and seeks to find out about the different experiences of those who are pursuing a performing art. Please take time to fill out the survey, as it will help the division better serve the blind entertainment community. If you have any questions about this survey, it's purpose, and what it will be used for, contact our head of media relations. Take our survey
For those who prefer or need to, you can download the survey in DOC format
Sound in Sight Vol. 1
The Performing Arts Division would like to thank you for supporting our efforts to assist blind artists. The money that we raise from the album will go to our scholarship, and other programs that will help further the goals of blind artists. Take a moment to read our history. you can click here to buy our album
This album has many different genres on it, so there is something for everyone. Be sure to buy your copy today.
You can see the pictures and bios of all the artists on this album by going to the bio page.
Proclamation
In June, Governor David Paterson of New York state declared the first week in July as Blind and Visually Impaired Entertainers week. The Performing Arts Division is proud of this proclamation and will continue our mission of serving blind entertainers across these great United States. Read the full proclamation on the New York State site.
Music Of The Movement
The Performing Arts Division has been working on an album of the tradissional NFB songs. The album is called Music Of The Movement. The album has taken a little longer than we expected, but we are finally ready to release the first single. The first single is downloadable from this site and it isThe Library song.
We are quickly working to finish the rest of the album. We will post updates when we have them.
In remembrance of one of our leaders
Mary Anne Parks. November 1, 1976 to August 25, 2007.
Mary Anne Parks was the secretary of the performing arts division. First elected in 2005, she helped oversee the division as it went through great exspanchin. AS one of the leaders in the division, she helped manage the summer conventions, kept records, and helped to put together and promote the Sound in Sight project that was released in 2007. In addission to the performing arts, she was also secretary of the NFB of Georgia. Mary Anne died on August 25, 2007 do to injuries sustained in an auto accident. She will always be remembered for the positive, upbeat, strong willed person that she was. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In 2008, the Performing Arts Division established a scholarship in her name. At the 2008 NFB talent show, Beth Allred opened the show by singing a slitely different virsion of the song called On the other shore. The song can be found on the 2007 Sound and Sight album.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Performing Arts Division is a division of the National Federation of the Blind created in 2000 to bring together blind and visually impaired people who have a common and professional interest in the entertainment field.
The Performing Arts Division, or PAD, serves as a promotional and networking resource to help its members achieve their artistic and professional goals. The Division provides artistic outlets for our members while raising media awareness for talented blind entertainers of all genres by sponsoring live performances and projects.
The PAD hopes to foster a vital artistic community, connecting the National Federation of the Blind to people and patrons it could never have reached otherwise.
Click here to read our constitution
Click here to read the Performing Arts road map of service.
Please join our Perform-Talk discussion group.
