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FREE WIG! FREE BREAST PROSTHESIS!>
Hopeful Hearts have music festival
The Sun Herald --
May 4, 2007 --
There's worthy causes, and then there's worthy causes.
About seven months ago, JoAn Niceley, a Long Beach-based stylist who operates JoAn's Hair Studio, received two visitors at her shop. Sisters, actually. Both cancer survivors. The first was there to take advantage of the Pink Heart Fund, a program Nicely founded several years ago to help female cancer victims acquire wigs.
The second was simply accompanying her sister.
"She asked if I knew anybody who helped with, or gave away, breast prosthesis. I referred her to the American Cancer Society, but she'd had trouble getting her size," said Niceley, 48, who is also a cancer survivor. "I happened to have her size in the shop, and when I saw the one she was wearing, it just broke my heart. It was eight years old, held together with duct tape. And that's when I decided to push forward with the Pink Heart Fund, make it non-profit, and not only do wigs for women who can't afford it but also provide breast prosthesis."
From there sprang the concept of the Hearts of Hope Cancer Awareness Music Festival, a fundraiser from noon-8 p.m. Sunday at The Shed, a popular barbecue and music joint on Mississippi 57 in Jackson County.
"It's all about giving. The reason we're doing this is to raise money for the Pink Heart Fund," said Niceley.
Organized by Niceley and four other local women, including Michelle Hirata, South Mississippi singer Rochelle Harper, and Brooke and Linda Orrison, co-owners of The Shed, the festival will feature vendors, cancer survivor speakers, food and beverages, and music by bands such as Fort Bayou Slim, Tree Logic and the MuleSkinners. Harper will also perform (backed up by a group of cancer survivors), and unveil a new song.
"A portion of the proceeds from both the vendors and food and beverage sales, and a dollar from every album Rochelle sells, will go to the Pink Heart Fund," said Niceley.
There will also be a silent auction, and a live auction featuring artwork by three very special contributors.
"Three children, ages 2, 5 and 14-years-old, that were helped by the Pink Heart Fund, have made small pieces of art to be auctioned off," said Niceley. "The 2-year-old and the 5-year-old are still undergoing treatment, and the 14-year-old is in remission."
Admission is free. For more info, log on to www.fatthumboriginals.com.
(P.S. - Niceley is requesting that readers who happen to have a spare wig or prostheses that may, say, be the wrong size, please either donate it to the American Cancer Society or bring it to the festival and donate it to the Pink Heart Fund. Thank you.)
Also this weekend, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport is hosting the 4th annual Bear Creek Bluegrass Festival from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, on the center's grounds. Bluegrass bands scheduled to perform include Whistlestop, Celtic Crossroads, Jerry's Kids, The MuleSkinners, Wing and A Prayer and Timberland Drive.
"This is our fourth year doing this event, mainly because we have a real commitment to the performing arts, and the prospect of youth in the performing arts," said Mary Anne Caldwell, Discovery Center spokesperson. "And bluegrass being such family oriented music, we just thought it's a good fit. And it's growing bigger each year."
According to Caldwell, there will be fiddle and guitar workshops (at 9:30 a.m., bring your instruments), plus fiddling and acoustic string contests. The contests, for various age groups, begin at 11 a.m., with the finalists set to perform at 3 p.m. on the main stage. (To pre-register for the contests call the Discovery Center at 228- 896-6039. Workshops and contests are free with festival admission.)
Opening ceremonies get under way at 10:30 a.m., and the bands begin performing at 11 a.m. There will also be children's activities, ongoing on the grounds from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., including a variety of folk art activities and face painting.
Admission to the 4th annual Bear Creek Bluegrass Festival is $10 for adults, and $5 for kids younger than 12. For more info, call the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center at (228) 897-6039.
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