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Photo Credit: Kimberly Sullivan/Michigan Medicine  *Taken pre-covid

Trevor sharing his knowledge of rock n roll music with Meredith- music therapist.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Sullivan/Michigan Medicine. *Taken pre-covid

Music Therapist Meredith leading Skyline Cafe with Trevor for music night at C.S. Mott Children’s
Photo Credit: Kimberly Sullivan/Michigan Medicine *Taken pre-covid

EXCITED to announce a second fundraiser for 2016!

Produced and directed by Lynn Clark-Geiner of Launch Showcase. Dress your creative and Whimsical Black Tie!

This cool show unites more than 75 singers, musicians, dancers, models, designers, actors, ages 14 to 40, along with film makers, visual artists, culinary artists, local wineries, local breweries, unique local businesses & more.

Witness the stars of tomorrow bringing their talents together to give back to our community. All profits benefit the Dick Wagner “Remember the Child” Fund, helping to bring music therapy to hospitalized children.

Fashion designers include Dolce MODA, Ink Detroit, Derby Hats by Rachelle, MP Fashion by Mila Pershyna, C. and Creations Custom Sewing & Design by Cheryl Zemke; hair designs provided by Nude the Salon, and more.

Location: Blind Spot Studio, located within the Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay St, Detroit. Ticket includes 3 beverages, appetizers, Live & Silent Auctions, Music, Fashion, & Art Shows: $30 — and $50 for limited priority seating in first 3 rows and swag bag. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW at EVENTBRITE.

We’re thrilled and honored to welcome MARK MCMANUS, NEW HORIZONS COMPUTER LEARNING CENTERS, joining the DWRTC Fund as TITLE SPONSOR for 2017, 2018, and 2019! New Horizons Computer Learning Centers is the world’s largest independent IT training company with over 300 locations in 70 countries. New Horizons offers a complete selection of technology, applications, and business skills training – from basic desktop productivity tools to training certifications in complex server systems including Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix and VMware. Mark McManus, CEO of Great Lakes Holding Corporation and NH Learning Centers, is passionate about helping children through music therapy. We welcome Mark and New Horizons as partners in bringing music therapy to new hospitals across the nation. For those of you who attended our 2016 Annual Dick Wagner “Remember the Child” Concert, you saw Mark’s super talented young daughter, singer-songwriter Ali McManus, speak eloquently on how music therapy has monumentally changed her life. www.nhls.com

On June 30, 2016, the Dick Wagner Memorial Fund was proud to present Beaumont Children’s Hospital with a second donation of $10,000, for a total of $20,000 in cash donations. We have also had the great pleasure of delivering violins, guitars, percussion, ocean drums, keyboards, shakers, kazoos, and more — all to benefit the emotional and physical healing of children in hospitals. Our donations have enabled the hiring of board certified music therapist, Elizabeth (Betsy) Barone, who now brings music therapy to the children of Beaumont Hospital four days a week! Our sincere thanks to the talented young musicians of the Athens Creek Band, who joined us to perform songs for the children of Beaumont. Thanks also to Kathleen Grobbell, Kim Tyle, Dr. Brian Berman, MD, Betsy Barone, and the superb and caring staff of Beaumont Children’s Hospital. Thank you for embracing the many benefits and joys of music therapy for hospitalized children!

We are excited and proud to welcome our new “Youth Ambassador,” Ali McManus. Ali is a super-talented young singer-songwriter, whose life was monumentally altered by music. At age 7, Ali was diagnosed with a rare and degenerative bone disorder that left her wheelchair-bound and facing ten surgeries. She spent more than a year in rehabilitation at Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. With a 145 degree-curvature of the spine, Ali’s lung capacity was reduced to 19%. With her physical limitations, music has been Ali’s powerful outlet for creative and emotional expression. “Ever since my first lesson I fell in love!” Ali adds, “Performing is my 3 minutes of NO pain. Music has inspired me to keep moving forward each day. Music gives me the hope that I will walk again.” After life-saving surgery, Ali now has 30% lung capacity. She tells us, “It blows my mind everyday how I can belt out songs the way I do!” Ali is recording her first EP and looks forward to inspiring “as many people as possible” through her music and life experiences. www.nhls.com

The 2nd Annual Dick Wagner “Remember the Child” Memorial Concert kicked off on February 20, 2016: More than 25 rock stars regaled thousands of fans with more than 4 hours of passionate and joyous rock and roll! We honored legendary RUSS GIBB, founder of the Grande Ballroom with the first annual DICK WAGNER ROCK ROYALTY AWARD and welcomed Russ onstage to speak and accept his award. Performing artists included Johnny Bee Badanjek, Joe Bass, Jean Beauvoir, Jimmie Bones, Muruga, Paul Brown, Dennis Burr, Maryann Cotton, Dennis Dunaway, Gene Fiero, Micki Free, The Frost, Sandy Gennaro, Ray Goodman, Peter Keys, Laurie Beebe Lewis, Scott Morgan, Kenny Olson, Hal Patino, Derek St. Holmes, Robert Wagner, Brad Whitford, and David Winans II. Emcee Doug Podell, WCSX Radio, kept the night rockin’.
For Artist bios and details, see: https://dwrtc.org/about/artist-bios.
For Photos of this magical night, see Gallery https://dwrtc.org/gallery/pictures-2016.

Our first Donation Ceremony for Beaumont Children’s Hospital! Our Dick Wagner Fund team delivered our first check for $10,000 to inaugurate the new music program for the children of Beaumont hospital, along with dozens of musical instruments for the children to play – guitars, violins, kazoos, percussion instruments, and keyboards. We will continue to replenish musical instruments as some children ask to bring them home after they leave the hospital. Our funding makes possible the hiring of a Board Certified Music Therapist, who is formally trained in both musical performance and also in the aseptic medical environment. Thanks to the exciting and talented young musical group, the Cats & The Fiddlers, for performing for the children and guests Special thanks from us to Beaumont and Children’s Miracle Network personnel, Matt Romkey, Lisa Stewart, and Kathleen Grobbels, for allowing us to bring music and funding for the children. Beaumont rocks!