BPG News

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

July 28, 2010 By BPG

WPCBPG Executive Director Olie Westheimer will give a talk about the Dance for PDSM 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 PDSM 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.

Filed Under: Awards, Events, People

Community Garden Leader

July 26, 2010 By BPG

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.

Filed Under: People

Folk Festivals

July 25, 2010 By BPG

Peter EcklundJazz 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.

Filed Under: People

Film Award

July 12, 2010 By BPG

sahlogoWhy 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 PDsm 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.

Filed Under: Awards

Spreading the Word!

July 12, 2010 By BPG

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

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.

Filed Under: Press

Current National Honor Roll

June 22, 2010 By BPG

honorrollThe BPG/Long Island University Fitness for PDsm 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 .

Filed Under: Awards

Off Broadway Production

June 20, 2010 By BPG

Sing for PDsm 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.

Filed Under: People

Party

June 18, 2010 By BPG

Brooklyn Parkinson Group honored Dance for PDsm 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 PDsm 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.

Filed Under: People

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