Friday, October 25, Akron poet Walter Delbridge will join Theron Brown on stage for his album release show at EJ Thomas Hall, reading his poetry with Brown’s trio backing him. Delbridge made his debut at Jazz Fest in 2017 and earlier this year appeared at Greystone Hall, as the featured guest for Community Support Services 2019 Art of Recovery. 

Valedictorian and President of Garfield High’s class of 65, Delbridge (then Dancy), went on to study at Harvard, Yale and Morehouse College. He had just earned one of the first scholarships for African Americans to study at the esteemed Sorbonne in France when he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Instead of going to Paris, he was sent back to Akron to be institutionalized at Fallsview Psychiatric. While institutionalized, Delbridge’s poetry was published in anthologies alongside Langston Hughes, Leadbelly and Audre Lorde. He would not see these books until 2019, and he will be reading the newly recovered work at EJ Thomas. 

On Friday, August 23 Akron poet Walter Delbridge will return for a second time to the stage at BluJazz to open the 4th Annual Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival. Delbridge made his debut at Jazz Fest in 2017 and since then has appeared at Greystone Hall, as the featured guest for Community Support Services 2018 Art of Recovery.

Info and tickets at http://opentonemusic.org/rubber-city-jazz-blues-festival/

A benefit for Community Support Services’ Expressive Arts Therapy Program. The annual Art of Recovery Benefit has showcased over 200 original artworks by individuals living with a severe and persistent mental illness since it began as a yearly celebration in 2016.

This year, Walter Delbridge will give a special reading of poems from Isolation and Intellect and Comeback Evolution director Kate Tucker will close out the evening with a musical performance.

By bringing attention to artists' strengths through artistic expression, Community Support Services Arts Therapy Program helps to fight stigma still associated with mental illness. The public display encourages guests to witness the powerful impact creative expression affords in the mental health recovery process.

VIP Reception for Sponsors and Artists 5:00pm - 5:30pm
Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.
More than 40 pieces of original art on display with an option to purchase.

$60 – General Admission Ticket
$125 – Limited Edition Artwork Ticket (50 available) includes general admission ticket and an 11x14 print signed by Amy Freed.

Buy tickets here

Walter Delbridge returns to the stage for the first time since 1968, to read new poetry inspired by jazz, and a life of isolation. Tickets at blujazzakron.com

BLU Jazz+ 47 E. Market Street Akron, OH 44308 (330) 252-1190