Artreach's Music Heals Coffeehouse Returns May 30 & 31, 2025

Artreach, Inc. will present its popular Music Heals Coffeehouse on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 7:30 pm. The live musical performances will take place at Chestnut Street Playhouse located at 24 Chestnut Street, Norwich, CT. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ArtreachHeals.org. 

The Music Heals Coffeehouse is a longstanding Artreach tradition and will highlight Artreach program members performing popular music, while raising awareness of mental well-being and busting the stigma of mental illness. Each member picked a song to perform that is meaningful to them; they have been rehearsing with the volunteer band for over 3 months. The process not only develops musical skills, it also teaches life skills and builds community, something that has become increasingly recognized for its importance in maintaining mental health.

"May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Our music showcase is a great way to raise awareness about mental health and bust stigma. It's a great way to bring people together to make progress," said Becca Atkins, Executive Director of Artreach, Inc.

Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased or reserved online at www.ArtreachHeals.org, or by calling Artreach at (860) 887-0014. Limited seats will be available each night at the door. 

Individuals requiring accommodations should contact Carin.ArtreachHeals@gmail.com. Discounts available for groups of 6 or more.

Dime Bank and Charter Oak Federal Credit Union are sponsoring the event. Artreach, Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, receives funding from the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS); CT Department of Economic and Community Development/Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; CTHumanities; Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; Charter Oak Federal Credit Union Foundation; Chelsea Groton Foundation; Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut; Dime Bank Foundation; R.S. Gernon Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; Norwich Rotary Foundation; Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; and countless individuals.

ABOUT MUSC HEALS COFFEEHOUSE

Music Heals is a life-changing program that truly makes a difference for individuals in our community who are living with mental illnesses. Music Heals Coffeehouse not only provides musical training, it teaches life skills and builds community among participants. Artreach Music Director Dick Pape assembles a band of professional and community musicians who volunteer their time to rehearse and perform with the Artreach members over a twelve-week period, which culminates with live public performances.

ABOUT ARTREACH

Artreach heals through creativity. Using the creative arts, Artreach supports sustainable recovery from psychiatric disorders and raises awareness about mental health in the community-at-large. By providing theater, music, visual arts, and recreational opportunities to members, Artreach enhances the quality of its members' lives and teaches skills that help them achieve and sustain recovery after experiencing mental illnesses. Our public performances and art exhibits engage attendees in conversation about mental health and serve to bust the stigma of mental illness, creating social change in our community. Founded in 1985, Artreach is known for the Second Step Players sketch comedy troupe, the Music Heals Coffeehouse, and Mixed Bag performances of stand up comedy and music. www.ArtreachHeals.org and social media @ArtreachHeals.