Brooklyn Parkinson Group

Brooklyn Parkinson Group is well represented at World Parkinson Congress (WPC) in Glasgow, Scotland, September 28 –October 1, 2010.

BPG — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:03:54 +0000

BPG Executive Director Olie Westheimer will give a talk about the Dance for PD^SM Program at the Congress, an international meeting for persons with Parkinson’s, Parkinson organizations, neurologists and specialists who provide therapies for PD. Leaders of DFPD classes in England will demonstrate during the lecture, and teach some Dance for PD^SM classes at the Congress.

A video created by Pam Quinn, who developed her PD Movement Lab class in collaboration with Brooklyn Parkinson Group, shared first prize in the WPC video competition. Pam’s video, about how she copes with PD, presented as a theater piece, will be shown at the Congress and appear on the WPC website.

Community Garden Leader

BPG — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:03:29 +0000

To quote participant Donna Davis when asked her about her recent awards, she replied they were for “doing something she loves.”

That “something” is working on her community garden in Garrison Beach, Brooklyn. In 2009 she was honored as leader of the parade that signaled the christening of the community garden. In 2010 State Senator, Marty Golden, presented Donna with a “Woman of Valor” award for her dedication to the upkeep of the garden, and AHRC (Association for the Help of Retarded Children) awarded her a certificate of recognition for her work with the disabled. Every Monday Donna directs six to eight young adults with mental challenges in the tasks necessary to maintain the garden.

Folk Festivals

BPG — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:03:51 +0000

Jazz trumpeter and BPG participant Peter Ecklund, played at the Provincetown Art Museum July 21, and at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival on July 24. Peter’s new CD, “Blue Suitcase”is now available through CDBaby.com and iTunes.

Film Award

BPG — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:06:20 +0000

Why Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, the film that Olie Westheimer and Brooklyn Parkinson Group produced in association with the Mark Morris Dance Group and David Bee Productions won first place in the Society for the Arts in Healthcare’s annual film festival, May, 2010.

The film explains why dance is an important activity for persons with PD, and serves as a training video for dancers who will lead new Dance for PD^sm classes. The film was made possible by a generous grant from the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), and donations from the participants and friends of Brooklyn Parkinson Group.

Spreading the Word!

BPG — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:03:45 +0000

The Spring, 2010 newsletters of National Parkinson Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation carried articles about Dance for PD^sm.

For the NPF newsletter, click here. For the Michael J Fox newsletter, click here.

Brooklyn Parkinson Group and Mark Morris Dance Group thank both foundations for sharing the Dance for PD Program with their readers.

Current National Honor Roll

BPG — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:43:02 +0000

The BPG/Long Island University Fitness for PD^sm Program was a key element that put Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, on the latest President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll— the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for volunteer community service .

Off Broadway Production

BPG — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:40:44 +0000

Sing for PD^sm leader, William Wade, wrote the music and lyrics for ImaginOcean, a John Tartaglia musical, for kids aged 5 and under that opened March, 2010. The cast album is already out.

Party

BPG — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:37:23 +0000

Brooklyn Parkinson Group honored Dance for PD^sm founding Dance leader Misty Owens, at a party on June 16. Misty is moving back to Dallas, her home town, but will continue to teach for Dance for PD^sm training workshops and give presentations.

Misty promises to come back to Brooklyn to teach class, as often as she can. BPG participant Leonore Gordon created a commemorative book of appreciation that was filled with poetry, art, photography, remembrances, all lovingly created by Dance for PD students. BPG caterer Richard Malanga created a huge, spectacular (and delicious) cake replete with a bouquet of live yellow roses and outline of the state of Texas on top.

At Misty’s send off, BPG also celebrated Support Group Committee Chair Judy Rosenblatt’s birthday, with song, well wishes and a piece of the equally delicious and fancifully decorated cake that Richard made for Judy.