Live at the Dry Bean

The music was HOT at the Dry Bean in Eminence MO Saturday as people came together for a worthy cause.

A HUGE Thank You to everyone who came out to show your support! You'll never know how very much your generosity was appreciated.

$268 was raised towards the $1000 needed to help fund glasses for the visually impaired students. These children need to have their vision corrected NOW, enabling them to be better readers, better students and better adults. This truly is a case of Children Are Our Future.

Imagine not being able to see the words on a blackboard clearly, no matter how close your desk is to the front of the room. The front row only holds so many students. From what I remember in grade school, those desks were reserved for the students teachers needed to keep a closer eye on.. not for ones who needed to see what she was writing on the blackboard.  If there really is such a thing as No Child Left Behind, where does that leave children who can't see what they need to - preventing them from being 'left behind' due to poor grade levels. It isn't their fault!

If you missed the benefit on Saturday, your contributions towards this program are still welcome. We'll get you set up with a way you can donate.  Email:   blindcat@centurytel.net 

Another bonus is the Kosmo Kings (out of West Plains MO), one of the HOT bands at the event (and who graciously provided sound equipment) did some recording that night and will be putting together a CD. Sales will go towards the Benefit proceeds as well.

Blues and Blessings
Blindcat and Mamacat

Kansas City - Blindness Isn't Black Appearance

‘Blindness Isn’t Black’ is the message being delivered at the Truman Medical Center in Kansas City through April 22, 2011. The exhibit is part of a VSA Missouri statewide of work by nine artists with disabilities.

In 2009 VSA Missouri published Blindness isn’t Black, an anthology of work by 23 Missouri artists and writers with disabilities. As with the anthology, this exhibit demonstrates that work by artists with disabilities is just as varied and rich as any other diverse group of artists.

The exhibit is on display and open to the public now through April 22 in the Health and Sciences Building of Truman Medical Center 2220 Holmes (across the street from the main hospital).

Blindcat and Mamacat took part in Celebration of Access and the Arts on April 6, 7, and 8. As you’ll see in the video below, it was an awesome event full of music and passion.

The events are free and open to the public thanks to funding from Arts KC, Truman Medical Center, Alphapointe Services for the Blind, The Whole Person, and Missouri Arts Council.

If you miss this one, the Blindness Isn’t Black tour travels to the Spiva Center – Joplin MO – in May.


Blessings
BlindCat & Mamacat

Upcoming Benefit for the Visually Impaired

I wrote this article for regional papers to inform the surrounding communities of the upcoming fundraiser event at the Dry Bean Saloon in Eminence MO.


 During the last several years, I have been searching for a way to give something back before I go to that big stage in the sky and I think I’ve found it.  As I wrote in my book, it was extremely difficult to read the blackboard when I was in school, then when someone had the bright idea of changing the black background to green, the lack of contrast made it nearly impossible.  When I attended S.M.S.U. in Springfield, Mo. in 1968, I was faced with the same problem, so I can relate to being visually impaired while in school.  It takes its toll physically and psychologically.

When it was brought to my attention there are students in need of proper glasses to correct their vision, being a blind musician, I knew I had found my cause for our community. They tell me I must raise $1000.00 to direct the funds where I want them to go so here it is.

A benefit will be held at the Dry Bean in Eminence, Mo. beginning at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16th, and as long as you stay, the music will play.  There is a $5.00 donation at the door.

Along with some locals, we plan to invite musicians from across the state, with an appearance of the Kosmo Kings out of West Plains and they will be providing sound equipment, along with mastering a C.D. to be recorded live at the event. The mastering will take place at their recording studio “Rideout’s Hideout” to be sold for $5.00 with the money going to visually impaired students.  Thank you Kosmo Kings!
  
Thus far, musicians from Poplar Bluff, West Plains, Springfield, Van Buren, Thayer, Cuba, Rolla, St. James, and Salem plan to attend, just to name a few.  Reservations have been taken at local motels and Bed and Breakfasts for the event.  I would like to thank the Riverside Motel for offering a special discount to people associated with the benefit.    
    
I realize this is not a venue for everyone, but hopefully this is only the beginning of a worthy cause, and the means of raising funds are limited by our creativity so I am open to ideas.  You may send your ideas to blindcat@centurytel.net

If you are unable or do not wish to attend an event, and wish to send a donation, send a check or money order in care of Michael McIntire, Rt.1, box 1860, Winona, Mo. 65588.  We plan to announce the amount of funds collected in the Current Wave and will periodically post an update in our newsletter and on this blog.  
  
I want to thank Ryan for donating the Dry Bean as a venue for this wonderful endeavor, Roger Dillon, owner of this fine local paper for his help with advertisement, and I am confident others will jump on the band wagon as it rolls on down the road.  Here’s hoping we can make a difference for students in need.  See you at the Shindig.

Michael (Blindcat) McIntire
          

You Tube

Michael has a lot of great videos on You Tube. Just search for him and you'll get a taste of his talent.  Here's one of him performing at a private party back in October of 2009 with Bob Mathews.

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