May 17, 2012 (Sacramento):  Student artists from Sacramento City Unified School District will pound drums, breakdance, sing and perform original theater pieces at the 25th annual Very Special Festival of the Arts on Friday (May 18).

The one-day event is sponsored by I Can Do THAT!/Very Special Arts, the only program in Sacramento County that provides instruction in the arts to students with and without disabilities together through artists-in-residence at schools. Sixty SCUSD schools and 10 developmental centers participate in the program.

“By having students of all abilities work on artistic production together, labels disappear,” says program coordinator Alice Parente. “Students become dancers, painters, singers and muralists rather than ‘regular’ or ‘disabled.’ And friendships develop along with performances and art shows.”

The festival will include “funshops” led by local artists where kids and adults can make dream catchers, castanets, friendship bands, self-portraits and pinwheels. The event is free and open to the public.

“The festival is a wonderful opportunity for the general public to share quality time with young people with disabilities and have fun!” Parente said.
                                                                                                                                                                                
WHAT:                 “I Can Do THAT!”/Very Special Festival of the Arts
WHEN:                 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18
WHERE:               Coloma Community Center
                                4624 T St.
                                Sacramento, CA 95819