AUGUST 2013
the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center
Apple A Day
I
t’s that time of year again when our small college town begins to ready itself for the return of University students. The construction projects that began in May are still in full swing as they try to beat their August deadlines and young parents are almost finished navigating the complex web of camps and activities that kept their children active during the summer. For Nuçi’s Space, the summer months are a time of renewal and reflection as we too prepare for an active fall season. In addition to finishing a few maintenance projects around the Space, the staff and Board of Directors welcome the return of Camp Amped, our summer youth program designed to reach out to and nurture aspiring musicians. The idea for Camp Amped was first conceived in the Fall of 2006 by a group of University students who were working as interns at Nuçi’s Space. While discussing the average age (typically mid-to-late twenties) in which musicians sought counseling assistance, one of the students asked a simple yet transformative question, “What if we reached out to younger people and let them know we’re here now?” The unfortunate truth was that many of us watched our young friends and family members struggle for years, waiting until their situation was much darker, before seeking help. However, our discussion led to a much more complex question, “How would we do this?” We would have to bring young people into the Space to achieve our goal. Using the same building blocks and philosophy that our founder Linda Phillips started Nuçi’s Space with, the program focused on using music as a vehicle to educate, build community and promote a culture of health and well-being. Now in its seventh year, Camp Amped has grown into a well-known and respected program of Nuçi’s Space.
“Apples and Onions” During the two weeks that students and instructors come together for a session of Camp Amped, the end of each day is marked by everyone gathering together in a large circle, sitting next to one another. After a few announcements are made, the ritual of what has
by
Bob Sleppy
become known as “Apples and Onions” commences. One by one, each student and instructor shares with the group their best moments (apples) of the day and then their low-points (onions) of the day. The “apples” might include praise for the lunch that was donated by a local restaurant or for an instructor that helped them learn a difficult section of music. However, the most rewarding “apple” to witness is when the students choose each other as the highpoint of their day. It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “my apple was when Hailey ripped that guitar solo during rehearsal” or “my apple was when my band mates encouraged me to sing even though I don’t think I’m a very good singer.” The practice not only encourages everyone to share and build trust amongst each other, but helps to strengthen the bond that they will share for many years to come and possibly a lifetime. As expected, the final closing circle on the last day of camp is often bittersweet. For some of the students it signifies the last time they will attend the program as they prepare for their senior year in high school. During our first session of Camp Amped in June, I had the opportunity to listen to the students and instructors during their final closing circle. I was humbled by the maturity, intelligence and self-awareness these young people exhibited. I felt like an eager student as they taught me about friendship, community, bravery and support for one another. One by one, each camper expressed themselves without regard for how they’d be judged or perceived by their peers. What may have started out as 20 kids and 8 instructors had evolved into a family. Knowing how many people walk through our door, feeling alone and isolated from the world around them, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience this moment.” A few years ago the parent of a Camp Amped student wrote “a letter to the editor” to our local paper in support of Nuçi’s Space. She asked (and answered) “How does Camp Amped correlate with the Nuçi’s Space goal of suicide prevention? By reaching out to these young musicians and forming lasting relationships so that they will know where to turn in the future if they need any kind of support. What a brilliant idea!”
nuçi’s space 396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 space@nuci.org www.nuci.org www.facebook.com/ nucisspace Newsletter Contributors
Bob Sleppy Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Laura Ford Will Kiser Linda V. Phillips Photos
Pam Baxendale Lesley Cobbs Design & Layout
Larry Tenner
Recent Donors
Nuçi Phillips
Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
President: Rebecca Hood Secretary: Ellie MacKnight Treasurer: Helen Pinson David Barbe Barrie Buck Julie Cheney Patterson Hood Bill Orr Sally Speed Beth Hall Thrasher Anna & Ken Zankel Founding Family
Linda Phillips Pierre Phillips KP Devlin Executive Director
Anonymous Apex Signs Athens Area Community Foundation Benson, Kristina Petti & Greg Campbell, Ann Carson Jr., Robert Cheney, Julie Clark, Elizabeth Classic City Rollergirls Coleman, Sarah Community Converse, Inc. The D’Addario Music Foundation DBT Recording, Inc. DeFilippis, Matt & Kelly Dickson, Betty Flicker Bar Gabriel, Janette & Kenneth The George Link Jr. Charitable Trust Gootman, Elliot & Marilyn Green, Derf Hansford, Donald The Jackson EMC Foundation, Inc. King, Harold Kissane, Emily Knox, John and Pamela Lamb, Cathy Lester, David McGough, Michael & Courtney
Mejias, Erin & Sergio Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia Monroe, Doug Nettles, Victor & Charlotte Quist Nicholson, Dr. Peter Padilla, Michael & Rosemary Pattavina, Denise Payne, Adam PHIL Athens Phillips, Dr. & Mrs. Pierre Purdin, Heather The Riverview Foundation Roberds, Thomas & Pamela Roberts, Don Ron and Lisa Brill Charitable Trust Sanders, Walter & Emily Scanlan, Rob & Margaret Seitz, Carole & David Sleppy, Bob & Rachel Smith, Walter E. & Rosie O. Sommer, Marc Spalding, Margie Starrs, Chris Stephenson, F.J. & Sharon Three Dimes Down Forum Members Thomas, Kecia Van Dyck, Peter & Marla Walton EMC Foundation
Pettigrew, Sharon & Harry Phillips, Dr. & Mrs. Pierre
Foundation Henchel, Crystal
In Memory of George Williams Sarah Coleman
In Memory of Vic Chesnutt Hood, Patterson & Rebecca Greene, Jessica
In Memory of A. Nuçi Phillips Culler, Kaye & Mel
In Memory of Herb Guthrie Athens Area Community
In Memory of Vince Gladin Patricia & Laurence Steinfeld
In Memory of Alan Sleppy David Sleppy
In Memory of Meredith Kinard Watkins Anthony, Milton & Jane In Memory of Alan Brown Chase, Suzy Jeffrey Brown Hopkinson, Marianita & Charles In Memory of April Hali Bachtel Kea, Betty Meyer Bonnie & Doug Bachtel In Memory of Michael Houser In Memory of Bill Doss David Wood Charles Burch In Memory of Nick Vassar In Memory of Casey Wood Kerry Clemmensen John & Noleen Casey In Memory of Peter Laux In Memory of Colin Sutton Joyce Laux David & Susan Raque In Memory of Sean Gavney In Memory of Craig Lieske Natalie Morse Hood, Patterson & Rebecca Justus, Matthew & Mary Beth In Memory of Sims Hibbert Rippberger, Karol Clark & Molly Barwick In Memory of Danny Shayotovich Donna Brown
In Memory of Ted Hafer Jessica Greene
Bob Sleppy Legal Counsel
Jim Warnes Mike Lavender Nuçi’s Space Staff
Will Kiser Laura Ford Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Matt Hudgins Peter Hill Dave Chamberlin
Happy 10 Year Anniversary, Will Kiser by
Linda V. Phillips
Build it and they will come! Someone said that to me when I first got the idea to create Nuçi’s Space. They were right of course. I knew the idea was sound and would fill a need in the community but I also realized that as important as the physical structure was, finding the right people to run the place was equally crucial. And you know what? I put the idea out there and they came! First, just the right person to be my right hand appeared. Then, others came as volunteers and just plain interested people. One of those volunteers was Will Kiser. Sometimes you just know it when you see it, and I knew it when
I saw Will. He has the heart, the imagination and the intellectual curiosity I was looking for. When I was doing the hiring, I always said “I want your heart!” That’s what Will has given Nuçi’s Space for 10 years. The Nuçi’s Space Family is incredibly grateful to Will for the dedication he gives day in and day out to our mission and to his role as Counseling Advocate. I know for sure that his job is not a mere 40 hours a week. It is one that he takes home with him on the weekends and at night. That’s the kind of person he is. Nuçi’s Space thanks you, Will, for coming to us!
The Burden of Proof: Mental Health Metaphors by
Will Kiser
Anyone who spends a lot of time talking about mental health dedicates a surprising amount of attention to metaphors, for many different reasons. When you’re supporting a loved one who is fighting depression you find yourself searching for the perfect phrase—something clear that can help make sense of the situation. Communication is a big component of mental health treatment. Those who seek treatment for depression are assigned the task of describing—and in some ways interpreting—their symptoms. They have to be impeccable in describing those symptoms or risk deteriorating due to inappropriate treatment. It’s an unfair burden to place on a patient. How do you describe what you’re feeling when you’re not even sure what you’re feeling? What if your feelings are all over the map? At Nuçi’s Space, I meet with clients to help them find treatment, to keep their spirits up and to give them an idea of what to expect from their first session. A common approach is to use comparisons to physical medicine to explain, normalize and wipe away feelings of guilt and shame. Sometimes those people who come to Nuçi’s Space for help are confused and embarrassed about the process of seeking help. We have to help them remember that their life is something worth fighting for. Maybe they wonder if depression is even a real thing? You wouldn’t treat something that didn’t exist right? Here’s where language and communication come in: • True story: About a month ago I got hit on the wrist by a golf ball traveling at what I deemed to be the speed of light. It immediately swelled up and turned black and blue. I told the doctor what happened and said that “it hurts.” He x-rayed it and said “it’s not broken.” “Thanks,” I said “here’s three thousand dollars.” At no point did I have to put my wrist-pain into context or fill the doctor in on my feelings of loneliness and my family history of wrist injuries. I didn’t even have to try, I just laid my wrist on the machine and they x-rayed it. • I don’t have to “buy in” to a flu shot, I just receive it and go home and the magic happens on its own. In therapy I
have to WORK. A shot does the work for me. • People battling substance abuse have to be committed to their treatment every second of every day. I don’t have to feel committed to having dental work done—I don’t even have to be awake. But here’s the kicker: the very pursuit of The Perfect Mental Health Metaphor is in of itself, a reflection of the difficulty of describing depression. Someone with a broken arm would never have to come up with a concise, enlightening description of the pain they’re experiencing in their elbow (they could just point to the bone sticking out of their arm). One day that burden will not be on the patient, and we’ll be able to analyze the organ in distress and pinpoint what it needs to recover. In the past month, a team of researchers from Emory University published the results of a study that outlined the process of identifying a “biomarker” in the brain that will identify the best course of treatment for depression. No more questioning a patient’s motives or willingness to get better—we can just take the brain’s word for it. To read more about the Emory biomarker study visit tinyurl.com/npczhqn This is Will’s opinion. He is not a mental health professional. He is, however, a Counseling Advocate for Nuçi’s Space. For more information on our counseling assistance program or the Survivors of Suicide support group email him at will@nuci.org or call 706.227.6141.
CAAS Fall 2013 Halloween Session Our Camp Amped After School Program is taking on the exciting new form of an intense 1-week workshop. Participants will meet from 4:30–7:00 October 21st– 25th, have a long dress rehearsal on October 26th, and then play a Grand Finale show at Hendershot’s on Sunday, October 27th. The whole session will focus on Halloween-themed music, and the Grand Finale will be a giant costume party! Spots are filling up fast, so please register today! Details and registration forms can be found online at www.nuci.org/caas.
Camp Amped 2013 Sponsors & Donors
Anna & Kenneth Zankel Apex Signs AthFest Educates BCB Art Collective Big City Bread Café Chase Park Transduction Clocked D’Addario Foundation David Canine Five Star Day Café Full Moon Studio Heirloom Café & Fresh Market Jimmy John’s John & Elizabeth Clark Mama’s Boy Nancy Owens Normal Bar Publix Scott & Cindy Saucier Strickland’s Restaurant Studio 1093 Subway (Prince Ave) Taqueria Del Sol Ted’s Most Best The George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust The Glow Recording Studio The Grill The Grit The Jackson EMC Foundation Thrasher Photo & Design Victor Nettles Walton EMC Foundation White Tiger
Camp Amped 2013 by
Laura Ford
For a few short weeks each summer, Nuçi’s Space has the privilege of working with some of the most remarkable young musicians in Athens when we produce Camp Amped. During this 2-week program, 20 middle and high school-aged musicians are arranged into 8 bands and each works with an instructor toward the end-goal of putting together a giant rock show. It is an intense couple of weeks, and it always goes by too fast for everyone involved. The level of support that Nuçi’s Space receives from the community is often overwhelming, especially during Camp Amped because it is all compacted into a couple of weeks. From to local bands coming in to “guest instruct” or play shows for the Campers to local studios and engineers donating their time to record our bands to local restaurants donating lunch each day, it seems like everyone in town is eager to be a part of Camp Amped. One of my favorite moments of each session is standing on the stage at the Grand Finale show and looking out at the crowd. The Space is always PACKED with parents, friends, teachers of Campers, but there are also countless community members in attendance just to show support to amazing young musicians that they’ve never met. As Bob mentioned in his front-page article, Campers and instructors share their apples and onions each day, and I thought I would just share my personal apple with you: Every summer I have a number of parents tell me how much Camp Amped means to them, and I have the privilege of passing all of these kind words on to the rest of the staff members. When we at Nuçi’s Space hear things like “I haven’t seen my child this happy in years,” or that Camp Amped has made someone’s child “really feel like they belong, and they haven’t felt that way in a long time,” those words mean a lot to us. It lets us know that Camp is working the way we intended- to be more than just a music camp, but a positive outreach program as welland that is a powerful feeling. Another apple for us at Nuçi’s Space is that, because of the generosity of all of our sponsors,
we’re able to provide $7,450 in need-based scholarships for participants to attend Camp Amped every summer. Since we began our Camp Amped Youth Outreach Programs in 2007, we’ve awarded 139 separate scholarships totaling $54,000. There is a list of sponsors on the side of this page, and we ask you to please read through it and take note of the wonderful national and local organizations and businesses that support Nuçi’s Space’s youth programs. With the support of our sponsors, we look forward to continuing the Camp Amped Programs for many years to come! If you’d like to be added to the Camp Amped Programs mailing list, please email Camp Coordinator Laura Ford at laura@nuci.org.
2013 Participants & Instructors Parker Allen Drew Appleby Evan Ayers Adam Baker Dominic Bielli Nick Bowdler Remy Buxton Nicholas Byrne Hampton Campbell Payson Caudill Jacob Conley Marcos Cotlar Mamie Davis Hailey Glenn Lewis Gutierrez Paulina Hafer Catherine Hennessey Audrey Hinkle Ben Hope Ethan Houseman Alex Kozlosky Keith Kozlosky Willow Martin Annabelle Martin Porter McLeod Violet Merritt Alec Peyton Dhruv Prakash
Jordan Rhym Seamus Rosenberg Tanner Rutledge Kallen Simpson Sascha Smith CJ Southall Henry Sutter Emily Rose Thorne Everett Vereen Mara Wayland Corwin Weik Simone ZaccariaJeffers Lead Instructor Dan Nettles Instructors Peter Alvanos Claire Campbell Betsy Franck Jojo Glidewell Shauna Greeson Allen Owens Thayer Sarrano Ted Kuhn Jim Wilson
Nuçi’s Space “Air Conditioned House Party” Recap by
Chris Byron
Would you rather watch amazing bands in the blazing hot sun or in the air conditioned comfort of Nuçi’s Space? That was part of the impetus for putting the “Air Conditioned House Party” together during AthFest weekend. We kicked off the show with the always awesome Fabulous Bird (Peter Alvanos) who plays what has been described as “blasting speakers to 1960’s bright pop AM radio sound waves”. Next up we had the electronica-chillwave sounds of Young Benjamin (Matt Whitaker) who fills out his live performances using a guitar, a looping pedal, and a vocal processor. Our next performer unfortunately had to bow out due to sickness, but in turn we had two great performers take his place! Splitting the time were LeeAnn Peppers, who plays finger-picked guitar accompanied with lush soulful vocals and Cortez Garda, who has an edgier Americana Folk style with guitar and harmonica. The first full band to take the stage was The Bread Brothers. These guys have been a staple in the Nuçi’s Space rehearsal rooms
for the past several months, honing their “Rock Funkabilly” sound. We then changed pace with the group Honeychild. This super-group consists of ukulele (sometimes through a delay pedal), acoustic guitar, percussion, and two stellar female vocalists harmonizing with each other. Androcles & the Lion was up next, and they did not disappoint! This group of three guys plays indie-rock that is as relaxing as it is intense. The show closed with the member sharing bands Free Mountain and Hayride. Free Mountain has a style that is consistent with 70’s rock and metal a la Led Zeppelin and Hayride has been described as “… mixing a Cheap Trick sense of melodicism and the arena-ready metal crunch of Motorhead…” While it was a somewhat “grueling” task to put an all-day show together with 9 performers, it all made it worthwhile to see how pleased everyone was to be here at “their Space.” We’d like to thank all of the performers for helping us make the House Party a fun event!
Volunteer Profile: Angel by
Lesley Cobbs
While Angel Brown was studying Math at UGA she began to practice at Nuçi’s Space. Through her regular visits to the Space, she soon got to know and appreciate our mission and made a firm commitment to volunteer. In February she started to work the front desk each Thursday afternoon, answering phones and greeting bands as they checked in to their practice spaces. Angel became familiar with our reservation system and realized that she would be able to help us fix glitches in the software code, something that we had needed for months. Angel volunteered every week for about 5 months, making a huge impact on the Space and helping our reservation system operate more efficiently. In addition to volunteering at Nuçi’s Space, Angel plays guitar and ukulele, and she is studying to be a hatha yoga teacher. Angel recently accepted a new job and will be unable to continue her Thursday afternoon volunteer shifts, but will remain an active volunteer by assisting us whenever we need help with our reservation system. We feel so lucky to have Angel Brown as a part of our ever-growing Nuçi’s Space family!
nuçi’s space Recent volunteers
Adam Payne Alex Blankenship Angel Brown Bowen Kendrick Caleb Hunter Chris Saucier Deborah Jacobellis Dylan Lightle Emily Hansford Glen Reese Grace Polaneczky Jasmin “Mokah” Johnson Jayne Clamp Jenifer Strickand Julie Davis Karin Blankenship Katelyn Binder Lesley Cobbs Mary R. Stevens Pamela Baxendale Payne Adam Peter Hill Porter McLeod Raymond Neblett Sallay Jabbie Samantha Reyes Sascha Smith Sheridan Weaver Stella Zine Stephanie Ordon Veronica Smillie William James William Kissane
Coming Soon:
Neutral Milk Hotel Rock N Raffle If you haven’t heard by now, Rock N Raffle is one of Nuçi’s Space’s regular fundraising events in which supporters are able to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime music prize packages. The contest prizes have historically centered around huge Widespread Panic and Drive-By Truckers shows, including our most recent contest which featured tickets, hotel accommodations and more for the Widespread Panic shows at Red Rocks Amphitheater. This fall we will be offering an Athens weekend getaway prize package including a pair of (almost impossible to get) tickets to the “locals-only” Neutral Milk Hotel show featuring Circulatory System at the 40 Watt Club on Thursday, October 24th. The prize will also include hotel accommodations, gift certificates to local restaurants and more! Tickets for a chance to win this unique prize package will be on sale during the month of September, and the contest will end on October 4th. For more details, please visit www.rocknraffle. com.
Upcoming Events at Nuçi’s Space August
Save the date!
nuçi’s space is turning 13
come celebrate with refreshments, live music and more!
Friday, October 4th 5:30–9:30 p.m.
PUSH
Wednesday 21st: Survivors of Suicide Meeting, 5:30 pm
September Wednesday 18th: Survivors of Suicide Meeting, 5:30 pm
October Friday 4th: Nuçi’s Space’s 13th Anniversary Party, 5:30pm Thursday 10th: Nuçi’s Space Benefit Night @ Terrapin Brewery Sunday 27th: CAAS Grand Finale @ Hendershot’s, 7:00 pm
November
for options. color copies • forms• fax • digital output flyers • newsletters • binding full and self-service copies announcements & invitations volume discounts
Monday 18th: Athens Business Rocks Registration Opens
Mon - Fri 8 am - 7 pm • Sat 10 am - 5 pm • Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
163 E. Broad Street Downtown Athens
706-548-3648 www.bel-jean.com
right side glows the newsletter for nuçi’s space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center