CANTON − Alma Sepulveda at TRIAD Deaf Services envisions a reaction of wonder at Deaf-A-Palooza when deaf children watch entertainers.
Deaf performers will include hip-hop artist Sean Forbes, a pioneering musical artist.
“Sean puts on an amazing show that the kids love,” said Sepulveda, an advocacy and community outreach specialist at TRIAD, a Canton-based nonprofit agency that is coordinating and presenting Deaf-A Palooza June 19 and 20 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Hall of Fame Village.
“Seeing them watch deaf performers on stage with stars in their eyes made us see firsthand the importance of representation and aligns with our mission of building deaf leaders,” she said.
Forbes is only one example of what will be happening at Deaf-A-Palooza, which also includes cultural programming, other performers in the deaf community, a deaf poetry slam using sign language, more than 30 vendors, workshops, exhibitors, inflatables, carnival games, cornhole tournament, educational opportunities, food trucks, concessions and more.
Social media influencers from the deaf community will be in attendance, including Zavier Sabio and Mia La Bella. Also performing are deaf hip-hop artist WAWA’s World and dancer Brandi Mimms.
Performances will be visual and interpreted. All audiences are welcome.
“Having that exposure is good for all people,” said Danette Levy, director of interpreter services at TRIAD. “We hope the hearing community comes out and experiences a little bit of that culture shock to see that thing they were scared of, and there’s no reason to be scared. The water’s fine in the deaf world.”
A bigger Deaf-A-Palooza in Canton
Casey Ring, executive director of TRIAD, said sign language is an art and “the deaf world is a culture.”
This weekend’s event will be on a much larger scale than last year’s event, organizers said. People from across the country are expected to attend, Levy said.
“It’s going to be fun to see how many people come out,” she said. “There’s plenty of room for the hearing community to come experience (the deaf) world.”
The free portion of Deaf-A-Palooza runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19-20. Evening entertainment will be ticketed at Zimmermann Symphony Center at McKinley High School, next to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Ticketed shows also include an opportunity to meet performers.
More details about the night performances and event hours can be found online and at https://www.facebook.com/TriadDeafServicesInc.
Carnival games, cornhole and other activities will be on the field of the stadium. Some activities will be in the stadium concourse.
“This is going to be so much fun,” Levy said. “It’s going to be a blast for everybody.”
“People think if you’re deaf, you can’t enjoy the music,” she said. “They can feel the beat; they enjoy the lyrics and the vibrations.”
‘What it’s like in the deaf community.’
The event brings together the deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, ASL (American Sign Language) users, interpreters, allies and the broader community.
Ring, who is deaf, and Levy said the event is meant to both celebrate the deaf community and welcome in and educate the general public.
“I want everybody in the community to come and experience what it’s like in the deaf world,” Levy said.
Deaf-A-Palooza is also part of TRIAD’s efforts to support both deaf children and their parents and prevent language deprivation.
“We are really trying to make an impact on the kids,” Ring said. “If we teach ASL (American Sign Language) to these young kids, they will be able to improve their language acquisition.”
‘Deaf is awesome.’
Deaf children are not limited, Levy said.
“The only limitation they have is the one the hearing community has given them,” she said. “The only limitation is the one that people with hearing force on them. We want to show those with hearing that deaf is awesome.”
Deaf children will have an opportunity to meet deaf adults from different professions, including a deaf police officer.
“I want deaf kids to see (people) from so many professions who are deaf,” Ring said. “And they can think, ‘Wow, I can do whatever I want.'”
‘Equal to everyone else.’
Proceeds from the event will support TRIAD Deaf Services and the launch of Deaf Stork, which expands early language access for deaf children.
“We know that every day, a deaf person has trouble accessing services,” Ring said. “We want to spread awareness of services and provide accessibility to communicate so they can feel equal to everyone else.”
Deaf-A-Palooza is another way to do that.
“This event finally gives the deaf community full access,” Levy said.
‘We want everybody coming.’
The six-person staff of TRIAD, most of whom are deaf, has planned and coordinated Deaf-A-Palooza with support from sponsors, including Goodwill Industries, Gallaudet University and the Cleveland-based Bad Frogs.
“I am very excited, but I know for myself and the team, we’ve been working so tirelessly and have been overwhelmed,” Ring said.
Deaf-A-Palooza falls on the same weekend as the Juneteenth Festival, which runs June 19 and 20 at Nimisilla Park in Canton.
“We’re also supporting that community as well,” Ring said. “That’s why we’re having performers of color.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
If you go
What − Deaf-A-Palooza
When − 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19 and 20. Free admission.
Where − Morning and daytime activities are at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Hall of Fame Village, 2626 Fulton Drive NW in Canton. Evening entertainment is ticketed and will be at Zimmermann Symphony Center at McKinley High School, 2331 17th St. NW.
More details − More information about the night performances, tickets and overall event hours can be found online and at https://www.facebook.com/TriadDeafServicesInc.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘Deaf is awesome.’ Deaf-A-Palooza in Canton features games, fun, food
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
