'Alive Inside' Free Screenings at Cheri Theatres

Audiences in Murray can attend free screenings of “Alive Inside” at Cheri Theatres, 1008 Chestnut St. in Murray on Thursday, March 26, .

The documentary film, a joyous cinematic experience, depicts the impact of music on one of society’s most isolated populations: those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. An Arts Access Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council to the Murray-Calloway Endowment for Health Care is funding two showings of “Alive Inside” at Murray’s Cheri Theatres at 4:30 pm and 7 pm on the 26th. 
 
Winner of the Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, “Alive Inside” leaves audiences humming, clapping, and cheering. Described as a “stirring documentary,” it demonstrates how music can combat memory loss and restore a deep and uplifting sense of self to those suffering from it.
 Cheri’s General Manager, Chris Hopkins, is one of many partners with the Endowment for Health Care on Arts Access grant activities. Other local artists and cultural organizations involved in the yearlong series of hands-on arts activities and programs about the elderly and their caregivers include:
· Constance Alexander, award-winning writer and winner of a 2014 Governor’s Award in the Arts
· Karen Balzer, Executive Director of the Jackson Purchase Dance Company
· Teri Cobb, Activities Director, Murray Calloway Senior Citizens Center
· Lisa Cope, Executive Director of Murray’s Playhouse in the Park
· Debi Henry Danielson, Executive Director of the Murray Art Guild
· Sandy Linn, Community Relations Coordinator, Calloway County Public Library

So far, grant activities have featured a play about a hospice patient and her volunteer caregiver, visual art, creative writing, and book discussion groups. In addition, two community forums invited participants to ask questions and express needs and issues associated with caregiving and the elderly. One of the issues that surfaced repeatedly was about the challenges associated with caring for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Based on that  input, bringing  
“Alive Inside” to Murray seemed to present a unique opportunity to showcase the power of music to heal when prescription medication falls short. 

According to Keith Travis, Vice President of Development for the Endowment, “With the construction of the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, the timing is right to bring the community together for positive dialogue about caregiving and end of life issues and challenges. The Arts Access Grant offers many opportunities to explore the issues through the panoramic lens of the arts.”

The Arts Access Grant was awarded to the Murray-Calloway Endowment for Health Care through the Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, which is supported by state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.  For more information about the grant, contact Keith Travis at ktravis @murrayhospital.org, or 270-762-1908.

View the “Alive Inside” official trailer on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaB5Egej0TQ. For more information, contact Constance Alexander at 2770-753-9279 or constancealexander@twc.com.