12 Oct U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky and Chicago Singer Terisa Griffin at Chicago Premiere of There is a Bridge
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky will introduce the new Alzheimer’s documentary, There Is a Bridge (www.thereisabridge.org), at its Chicago premiere October 16, 2007 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Pinsky will be joined by the acclaimed Chicago singer and songwriter Terisa Griffin, who will perform, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which she performs in the documentary. Also, teens from Roosevelt High School who participate in the Chicago Memory Bridge Initiative, an after-school program that pairs Chicago area middle and high school students with people with Alzheimer’s disease, will attend. Two families, the Carters and Andersons, featured in the documentary will see the film for the first time.
WHAT:
Chicago premiere of There Is a Bridge, a Chicago-produced, nationally distributed documentary, explores ways to stay connected with those experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and severe dementia. The documentary highlights the Chicago Memory Bridge Initiative, which pairs inner-city Chicago school students with area nursing home residents in Alzheimer’s and dementia units; the work of a nationally acclaimed artist who depicts the memories of those with Alzheimer’s disease; and interviews with leading national experts on the personal and societal effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Distributed by American Public Television, There is a Bridge airs in Chicago on WTTW-TV, Channel 11, Sunday, October 21, at 4 pm, and on WYCC-TV, on Thursday, November 29. The documentary began airing on public television stations nationwide this fall and will continue to air throughout the fall and winter.
WHO:
- Robert Pinsky, host and narrator; professor of English, Boston University, and former U.S. poet laureate, will introduce the documentary.
- Terisa Griffin, Singer/songwriter, Will the Circle Be Unbroken
- Michael Verde, producer; founder and president of Memory Bridge: Foundation for Alzheimer’s and Cultural Memory
- Ted Kay, director; president, TMK Productions
- Students form Roosevelt High School
- Two families featured in the documentary seeing it for first time.
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 — 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- 6:40 pm – Remarks and introductions from Michael Verde, producer
- 7:00 pm – Remarks from Robert Pinsky, host and narrator
- 7:10 to 8:10 pm – Screening
- 8:10 pm – Introduction of families and other participants
- 8:25 pm – Terisa Griffin sings
WHERE:
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
South Gallery
2430 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, Ill. 60614
WHY:
With more than 5 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s disease today, and that number rapidly growing as Baby Boomers age, There is a Bridge studies the benefits and explores different ways of communicating with those who have Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Robert Pinsky will have limited availability while in Chicago for interviews and will be leaving the premiere early. Please arrange for an advance interview.
MEDIA CONTACT: To register or arrange for a pre-event interview, please contact Stephen L. Davidow, on behalf of Memory Bridge: Foundation for Alzheimer’s and Cultural Memory, 708-449-7760 office, 708-284-2300 cell, Stephen@davidowcommunications.com. For more information about the documentary, please visit: www.thereisabridge.org. Upon request, media may view the documentary on a password-protected Web site.