Benefit in Mount Airy

I left the house at 4pm to avoid the rush hour traffic that is characteristic of Highway 52 to make sure I had enough time to find the restaurant where this evening's benefit was to take place. And sure enough, with Misty's help (yes, I've given my GPS a name), I became lost. Amongst the cows and dead end streets, I couldn't possibly be going in the right direction! However, I was only a few minutes away from where I needed to be, in downtown Mount Airy. As always, I was the first person on the scene. The restaurant, called The Bisrto, was delightful. A full, visible wine selection, warm wooden floors, and high ceilings made this venue feel like someplace out of a different city than little Mount Airy.

Around 6pm, people began to show up: friends and supporters of Heather, for whom the benefit was being held, local performers, and a few folks who just happened upon the place. Heather has just had surgery for breast cancer, but has no health insurance. The benefit will help her to pay her medical costs. The evening began with some country and gospel music, as people waited in line to choose from the buffet, what kind of pasta they wanted to eat. Music was followed by storytelling and a short ballet/story piece made by my friend, Linda, who is the Artistic Director of Mount Airy Dance Theater. The piece, called "My Great Aunt Arizona," is an adaptation of a lovely children's book of the same name, and features a cast of three very talented dancers. The story is narrated by Terry, a woman who's voice is clear and soothing. The story follows a girl named Arizona, who grows up to teach generations of students in the very school house she once went to school in. The piece is a delightful presentation that was well received by people of all ages!

After Linda's piece, there are more storytellers, poets, and a man who sings a beautiful jazz rendition of "If I Only Had A Brain" from the Wizard of Oz. A group of actors and singers perform a Ceilidhs, pronounced "kay-lee," which is a Celtic word for "gathering." Songs are sung, stories are told and traditional Irish dances are performed. And finally, it is my turn to perform! I rehearsed a little section from my play, "Lost and Found," and everyone really seemed to enjoy it! I got people clapping and snapping along with me, repeating the nursery rhyme from the play and having a great time! Heather's mother told me that I was a "breath of fresh air." And the Mayor of Mount Airy said the I was "the best dancer she'd ever seen!" I thought it was a lot of fun to perform in a non-theatrical context...I had to think on my feet, to re-space and improvise the dance sections for a very non-traditional space, as well as perform and engage with people scattered 360 degrees around me!

On the way home, I thought about the conversation Heather's mom and I had about participating in community events like this one. She explained to me how she has always made an effort to do good deeds for others out in the community, but how she felt embarrassed at first to ask for such an event to happen for her own family. She then explained how that feeling only lasted a few moments, when she realized that this is how a community should work. You never know if you are going to be the next person to need help. I thoroughly agreed. And I thought back to all the things I've done in my community lately; giving cans to the food pantry, volunteering at the mental health association, working with various constituents of my community to do art...and I think to myself that one day, I might need someone else's help, and I am glad to be of service!