NORTHAMPTON — With a mash-up of its own Friendship Band and the indie band Yo La Tengo, Whole Children and Milestones will celebrate its 20th birthday on Oct. 23 with an event titled “The Bash.” The organization, which offers afterschool and Saturday programs to children and adults of all abilities, will look to recognize two decades of inspiration and fun.
“The Bash promises an exciting night of music, inclusion and community spirit,” said Chris Harper, director of Whole Children and Milestones. “There will be a silent auction and raffle with great prizes like tickets to shows at the Bushnell, gift cards to many local shops and restaurants, and Boston sports memorabilia.”
The evening will take place at the Northampton Center for the Arts and will also feature food and refreshments. For Harper, the most exciting part will be watching the Friendship Band, an inclusive band that Whole Children and Milestones began in 2014, get up on stage with Yo La Tengo.
“I am most excited about playing with the Friendship Band in front of our biggest crowd yet. We have been working hard all summer, including being the opening act for Performance 34 at Look Park in August, and our hard work is paying off,” noted Harper. “Friendship Band practice is the highlight of my week, and I can’t wait for the community to see what we have been up to. We are especially thrilled to be able to share the stage with Yo La Tengo and are so thankful they are making the trip up for this event.”
The center at Whole Children welcomes youth ages 3 to 18 to an inclusive space of in-person and virtual classes, such as dance, art, cooking, yoga and video games.
“Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child is successful and valued for who they are, no matter their abilities or disabilities,” explained Harper. “Classes emphasize social skills, self-advocacy and fun.”
Whole Children and Milestones began in the summer of 2004 with 12 children taking one gymnastics class and has grown to more than 20 classes per session that serve hundreds of children in the area.
“There is something really special about Whole Children, and you can feel it as soon as you walk through our doors,” noted Harper. “We have incredible staff who are invested in the participants and craft programs and offerings based on their wants and needs. We are always aiming to improve what exists and create new options if there is interest. We couldn’t do this event without the generous support of our community and we look forward to seeing you at the Bash.”
The Bash will run from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Northampton Center for the Arts, located at 33 Hawley St. Tickets are $40 per person and are available on the organization’s website: wholechildren.org. All of the ticket sales will benefit the organization.
