HEART Family Vacation 2019

We decided this year to start calling our annual trip a “HEART Family Vacation” rather than a camp. Sure, we do camp activities like swimming, hiking, and campfire ghost stories, but we feel that the greatest takeaway is that it’s a chance for all of us to hang out together as a family.

This was our third year of “camp”, and second year at Camp Rockmont in beautiful Black Mountain, NC. We had 19 HEARTists and 5 staff stay in the Grey Eagle Lodge for 4 nights and 5 days. And woah, what a full 5 days we had! We planned, shopped, and prepared all of our meals together at the cabin, aside from our lunch downtown. We kept a full schedule, but also made sure to have some free time to relax. Here’s a glimpse at some of our activities:

• Hiking

• Swimming in Lake Eden, jumping off the high dive, and bouncing off the Blob

• S’mores and ghost stories around the campfire

• Cuddle Puddle movie night

• T-shirt and rock decorating

• A talent show

• Playing in the creek

• Exploring downtown Asheville

• Visiting the Puppet Clubhouse with Jen Murphy

These trips are extra special because it is rare that families with children with special needs have the opportunity to spend time away from each other. Some HEARTists had never spent a night away from their parents until our first year of camp in 2017! We find this temporary separation to be super important in giving adults with special needs a sense of independence and parents the opportunity to watch their adult children grow in confidence . Who doesn’t enjoy a vacation with all of your closest friends away from your parents?! We look forward to this fun-filled trip every year and are excited to watch it grow and evolve in the future!

STAR - Super Talented Actors Rasslin' footage is here!

A giant THANK YOU to everyone involved in making STAR - Super Talented Actors Rasslin’ a success! Actors, mentors, choir, band, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and attendees-it truly takes our whole community! Thank you to Piccolo Spoleto and The Charleston Music Hall for hosting us again! We are elated by the turn out and beyond proud of the HEART team for a job well done. Everyone nailed their roles and we could see the pride, excitement and confidence fill their being.

We had around 600 people in attendance for our STAR performance with over 100 honored guests from group homes and other organizations that serve people with special needs. We are thrilled to have such awesome support for inclusion in the Charleston arts community. We continue to receive rave reviews including this one below from a first time attendee and friend of a HEART parent;

“I was amazed and enthralled. I could see nuances in the show that allowed each individual performer to capitalize on their strengths and interests in a way that motivated them and also honored their human dignity. I could also see the wonderful, heartfelt relationships that have developed among the cast. I was beyond moved by the whole experience.”

If you were not able to attend or want to relive the joy, we’ve got you covered! Check out the clips below, filmed by Hannah Burke, and share the happiness with everyone you know!

Be sure to stay tuned for info about our next HEART production that is already in the works!

If you want to get involved, please contact rae@heartsc.org!

STAR - Super Talented Actors Rasslin'

STAR is another original musical by HEART and inspired by the Netflix series, GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling). HEART's productions feature some of Charleston's top musicians and vocalists together with the HEARTists. STAR covers songs by Queen, Bon Jovi, Panic at the Disco, Leslie Gore, Marvin Gaye, LL Cool J and more!

We had around 600 people in attendance for our STAR performance with over 100 honored guests from group homes and other organizations that serve people with special needs. We are thrilled to have such awesome support for inclusion in the Charleston arts community. We continue to receive rave reviews including this one below from a first time attendee and friend of a HEART parent;

“I was amazed and enthralled. I could see nuances in the show that allowed each individual performer to capitalize on their strengths and interests in a way that motivated them and also honored their human dignity. I could also see the wonderful, heartfelt relationships that have developed among the cast. I was beyond moved by the whole experience.”

STAR follows a group of out-of-work actors and actresses who take a life-line on an ambitiously pitched wrestling show run by a B-movie director with something to prove to the world, William “Alright, Alright” Simmons and a local soft-spoken, trust-fund kid and wrestling fanatic, Jimmy “The Boss” Miller. When a real wrestler, Reba “The Italian Tickler” Abele joins the team, things begin to look promising for this downcast group.

HEART is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides visual arts, music, dance, and performing arts mentorships for adults with special needs who want to develop and identify as artists. We are an inclusive arts community made up of artists of all abilities. Together, we create art that enriches and strengthens our community and makes us all happier and healthier.