Date Posted:
04/08/2011
Title:
Clearwater Deaf & Hard of Hearing Festival A Feast For The Eyes
Summary:
On Saturday, April 16, the Cleveland Street District in Clearwater will be a visual feast with activities to educate the public and celebrate Deaf culture and sign language during the second annual Clearwater Deaf & Hard of Hearing Festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Body:
More than 165,000 deaf and hard of hearing individuals call Tampa Bay home, making the area the largest deaf and hard of hearing hub in Florida. On Saturday, April 16, the Cleveland Street District in Clearwater will be a visual feast with activities to educate the public and celebrate Deaf culture and sign language during the second annual Clearwater Deaf & Hard of Hearing Festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There is no admission fee for the festival. Most events and entertainment are free, as well, including a concert by up-and-coming deaf rapper Sean Forbes and performances by nationally known deaf entertainers Anderson Twins and Rob Roy. The company’s mascot, a Jack Russell terrier named Relay, will make an appearance, along with the artist behind the company’s popular “Relay” comics, deaf cartoonist Matt Daigle. Other local groups will also take the stage and all performances will have voice interpreters for those who do not know sign language.
Other free activities—including a mobile video game trailer, pirate ship and Easter egg hunt—will keep kids of all ages entertained. Plus, the first 500 people in attendance will receive a free t-shirt from The Z. Festival attendees also have the opportunity to learn more about video relay service (VRS), a process that allows deaf/hard of hearing customers to make and receive telephone calls from hearing people. The Z—a Clearwater-based company—provides the service to deaf and hard of hearing consumers across the country.
Two films will also be screened in Clearwater’s historic Capitol Theatre. The movies use American Sign Language with English subtitles. Tickets cost $5 per person per movie, with children under 12 free. Proceeds from ticket sales go to Family Center on Deafness and Blossom School. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors.
Over 800 people attended last year’s inaugural event. For a full list of activities and performance times, go to www.zvrs.com. Special thanks to event sponsors Cleveland Street District, Clearwater Downtown Development Board, Sprint Rely and Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach.