Melody Moezzi's "Haldol and Hyacinths", Arts for Life, Jiliana Dulaney's Haute Chocolate, and Irata
This week on the show, Iranian-American attorney, writer, and activist Melody Moezzi shares her book Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life, with Associate Producer Bethany Chafin. It's been called “…blistering, brash and irreverent” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “…bold and courageous…” by Kirkus Reviews, and “…whip smart but whimsical” by “The Boston Globe”. Bethany Chafin finds out why and you get to come along for the ride. Arts for Life teaches artistic skills to children in the hospital who are battling life threatening illnesses. The AFL team is incredible and we'll get to meet two of them and find out what makes them tick. Chocolatier Jiliana Dulaney is rocking the entire chocolate world and she's doing it with only two main ingredients. And Greensboro-based guitarist Cheryl Hall is just simply rockin' with her band Irata. She sits down with Technical Producer Eddie Garcia to talk shop.
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Melody Moezzi and Haldol and Hycinths: A Bipolar Life
Melody Moezzi is an Iranian-American lawyer, activist, and award-winning author. Her latest book is titled Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life. The memoir chronicles Melody's road to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In it she talks about an early battle with pancreatitis, she addresses psychotic breaks and manic episodes, details the project of writing her first book, War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims, and comments on the stigma associated with mental illness. Melody brings out the humor and humanity in it all. This month, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the book was released in paperback.
This Friday, July 18th Melody will discuss and read from Haldol and Hyacinths at Scuppernong Books (304 South Elm Street) in Greensboro. The event is sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Greensboro and takes place 7:00-8:30pm. Melody's talk is titled "From Restraints to Recognition: Thriving with Mental Illness." The event is free and open to the public. You can also learn more about Melody through her YouTube Series A Saner Spin on Crazy.
Some of the resources mentioned by Melody in this interview include: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Arts For Life supports pediatric patients and families through arts education in four chapters across NC. The nonprofit began here in the Triad back in 2001 at Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem. Executive Director Rachel Zink and Program Director Betsey McLawhorn spoke with David Ford about the program.
Arts for Life patients in all three of their hospital-based programs: clinic waiting room art tables, bedside art lessons, and art support groups have been busy at work for months creating original artwork and an original film for their new show “Outside the Box". The exhibit will feature creatively recycled cardboard-inspired artwork (masks, sculptures, and costumes) from kids in Arts for Life's programs at Brenner Children's Hospital.
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Jilana Dulaney and Haute Chocolate
Moravian Spice Cookie Truffle with Fresh Ginger, Crème Brulee with Caramel and Hazelnut, Saffron Curry - these are just a few of the over 150 flavor combinations created by chocolate alchemist Jiliana Dulaney. Dulaney is the owner of Winston-Salem-based Haute Chocolate, now housed at Twin City Hive on Brookstown Avenue. A self-taught chocolatier and baker, Jiliana and her creations have been featured in publications such as Southern Living, and on the CNN food blog Eatocracy. Jiliana stopped by to tell Bethany Chafin about the art of chocolate making, and collaborating locally.
At Twin City Hive on Brookstown Avenue, visitors can also enjoy curated coffees from around the state of North Carolina. This Sunday, July 20th, is the Twin City Hive Artist Market. The Market begins at 12pm at 301 Brookstown Avenue, and will feature local artisans including Twin City Hive's two Artists of the Month, Jennifer O'Kelly and Dale Edwards. Their works are currently on display in the shop.
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Irata
The Greensboro based band Irata started in 2007. At that time they were an instrumental act, fusing ambient textures with progressive, metal leaning rhythms. After some lineup changes and self-imposed vocal training, they added full time guitar to the mix & brought the heavier aspects of their music to the forefront.
Irata have a new split 10” vinyl ep dropping this weekend, via Crimson Records. You can grab a copy and experience Irata live at two release shows – Friday July 18th at Ziggy's , and Saturday July 19th at Chapel Hill Underground. Irata guitarist Cheryl Hall stopped by WFDD and told Eddie Garcia about the writing of the epic song Semjase.
http://vimeo.com/63651802
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