Bowie’s Piano Man + The Symphonic Suite for Healing 2

Able ARTS Work’s inaugural benefit concert featuring an incredible performance by world-renowned pianist Mike Garson, best known for being David Bowie’s longest and most frequent band member. He performed across the globe alongside Bowie in over 1,000 concerts.

Bowie’s Piano Man + The Symphonic Suite for Healing 2 will benefit the life-changing work of Able ARTS Work.

This event will be hosted at the iconic art-deco Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, which was opened to the public in 1931 and was the first sound-equipped theatre in the South Bay.

The first half of this matinee event will unveil Garson’s newest Symphonic Suite for Healing, followed by a second half featuring Bowie hits such as “Life on Mars,” “Five Years,” “Lady Grinning Soul,” and Garson’s most famous Bowie collaboration “Aladdin Sane,” which includes his jaw-dropping solo you won’t want to miss live. Garson will be joined onstage by world-class musicians and vocalists, including Grammy nominees Gaby Moreno and Maysa Karaa, along with Joe Sumner and Brett Hool.

Of the matinee event, Garson shares “the world is waking up to understand the power of music which has the power to heal and change lives beyond entertainment. The Symphonic Suite for Healing 2 is conceptualized to speak to the condition of mankind, symbolically bringing together my creative and spiritual process, the mission and purpose of Able ARTS Work, and the artistry of David Bowie and his belief that there could be something better.”

Founder and CEO of Able ARTS Work Helen Dolas notes “we are honored to have Mike Garson performing at this special event, and to be kicking off our inaugural benefit concert. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to share Mike’s incredible talent with people of all ages, and we are humbled by his dedication to give back to the community and spread the word about our organization. We can’t imagine a better way to kick off our annual benefit concert event series.”

Able ARTS Work’s primary mission is to provide life-long learning, community service and vocational opportunities through the creative arts for people with disabilities in an environment of warmth, encouragement, and inclusion. Launched in 1982 (yet rebranded just two years ago) their day program provides creative studio settings and facilitation for disabled adults in music, drawing, painting, photography, and more. The programs are enriched with music therapy services as well, which has been especially effective for the adults with autism and cerebral palsy in the program. Dolas’ idea for the organization was born in the late 1970’s when she was a music therapy student and visited state run developmental centers—she didn’t see much activity in state hospitals, patients needed more hands-on treatment and it became one of her life goals to provide that.  Through art and music, Able ARTS Work has impacted tens of thousands of lives throughout Long Beach, Orange County, Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and Ventura County.