Washington, D.C. — Veterans from across the country, all selected national winners in music, dance, drama or art contests, will arrive in Houston on Nov. 2 for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. The Festival culminates a year-long fine arts talent competition open to all veterans receiving medical treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities across the country.
These talented veterans, selected from among thousands of entries, are here for a week of rehearsals and workshops concluding on Sunday, Nov. 8, with a gala variety stage show and art exhibit at University of Houstonís Cullen Performance Hall. Artists will exhibit their work starting at noon, and at 1:00 p.m. (C.S.T.), the music, drama and dance winners will perform in a stage show backed by a professional orchestra. World renowned psychologist, radio personality, columnist and author, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and local television reporter and weekend anchor, Bob Boudreaux, will emcee the stage show production.
“I am proud of VA staff, in Houston and in the medical facilities throughout the country, who have helped to empower our veterans to use their talent and creative self-expression during the process of healing,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo D. West, Jr. “Their participation here proves that it is possible to triumph over illness or disability, and this magnificent show celebrates both the talents of the participants and the accomplishments of VA employees.”
The Festival is sponsored by VA with the help of this year’s co-sponsor, Help Hospitalized Veterans, and long-time national sponsor The Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund. It is hosted this year by the Houston VA Medical Center.
The public is invited to attend the gala performance and art show. Admission is free, but tickets are required. For ticket information, call (713) 794-7410.
For further information contact:
Roxanne Fischetti
VA Office of Public Affairs
(202) 273-5736
Kathy Salazar
Houston VA Medical Center
(713) 794-7349.
###
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.
