Creative Access Press Release

May 1, 2002
For immediate release
Contact: C. Finkle - 215.569.8311 TTY/Voice
craccess@aol.com - www.creativeaccess.org
Photos provided upon request
CK Williams, Pulitzer Prize Winner for Poetry 2000
and Edward G. Rendell
Special Guests at Creative Access's 10th Gala Celebration
Williams to read with American Sign Language Accompaniment -
Deaf poets to join him
Philadelphia, PA.

On June 1, 2002, from 5:30 to 10PM at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street in Old City, Pulitzer prize winning poet, CK Williams, and Honorary chair, The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, will read and speak as only they can, but to a different kind of 'mixed' audience. At the request of Carol Finkle, Founder and Executive Director of Creative Access, the region's only non profit advocating accessibility to the arts for Deaf and hard of hearing people of all ages, Mr(s). Williams and Rendell, both hearing, will highlight Creative Access's 10th GALA Benefit, accompanied by skilled and creative American Sign Language interpreters.

Mr. Rendell has committed to acknowledging the region's Deaf community by agreeing to be one of the Honorary Chairpersons, and to be present at the Gala, "whether [ he ]wins or not". Mr. Williams will read along side three Deaf poets - Fred Beam, Warren Snipe, Chris Smith and Sam Franklin - all part of the internationally acclaimed Deaf dance, poetry and hip-hop troupe, The Wild Zappers.

Last year, the "Zappers" played to a turn-away crowd of Deaf and hearing together at Creative Access and Painted Bride's first collaboration bringing the talent of culturally Deaf artists who perform, using American Sign Language as an art form, to the main stage of the Bride. Reports Finkle, "What was seen at the Bride for the first timed on that cold day last February was a different kind of 'mixed' audience, pushing the envelope when defining terms bandied about so often these days, I.E. "Inclusion, cultural diversity, and access"!

The GALA will celebrate a decade of what Finkle gushes has "successfully turned Philadelphia into a model city for "Accessibility Beyond the Ramp", with theaters, museums and presenting organizations' collective consciousness heightened to include dismantling of invisible barriers to communication, as well as dismantling of physical barriers". The second Honorary Chairperson for the event is Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of Greater Philadelphia Film Office, also a long time champion of accessibility to the arts for all people.
Though this is Creative Access's tenth year of operations, the first annual "Accessibility Beyond the Ramp" Awards will be given out to eight area arts institutions for 'walking the walk' of arts accessibility with Creative Access since its beginning in 1992. They are: Pennsylvania Ballet, Arden Theater Company, Freedom Theater, Mum Puppettheatre, Forrest Theater, Painted Bride Art Center and Mid-Atlantic Playbill Publishers.
Communication accessibility will be provided to Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing attendees at the Gala: Interpreting in American Sign Language for Deaf audience, Voice interpreting for hearing audience, and CART (Real Time Captioning) for people with hearing loss who do not communicate in sign.
Tickets are $60 before May 15, 2002, and $75 after May 15. Discounted ticket information is available by contacting Creative Access, 100 So. Broad Street, Suite 1515, Phila., PA 19110.
Phone: 215.569.8311 TTY/Voice.
Fax: 215.569.8104 Email: craccess@aol.com: Web: www.creativeaccess.org
for complete information about all Creative Access programs and services.
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PUBLIC SERVICE ALERT
WHAT: - Creative Access - 10th GALA CELEBATION - Deaf / Hearing Poetry Fest with special guest, CK Williams - Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 2000 - to
read with American Sign Language accompinament.
- Honorary Chairs, E.Rendell and S.Pinkenson to welcome audience: Ms. Pinkenson to introduce premier of Creative Access mini-documentary video (highlights Philadelphia as a 'model city' of arts accessibility)
- First-ever "Accessibility Beyond the Ramp" Awards - presented by Creative Access to seven Philadelphia arts institutions
- Creative Access to receive Mayor's Proclamation
WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 2002 - 5:30 to 10PM
Honorary Chairpersons - Hon. Edward G. Rendell and Sharon Pinkenson
WHERE: Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street - Old City, Philadelphia
WHO: Pulitzer Prize Winner for Poetry 2000, CK WILLIAMS: Deaf poets: The Wild Zappers
SPECIAL INTEREST: Pulitzer prize poet laureate, CK Williams (hearing) shares stage with Deaf poets; All reciting poems in American Sign Language and spoken English to Deaf / hearing audience.