It may be referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many the holiday season can be accompanied by an overwhelming mix of emotions.
As magical as this time of year can be, it can also be a reminder of loss, heartbreak, and stress that makes putting on a happy face to attend holiday events feel daunting. This is the inspiration behind Hope For The Holidays, an engaging holiday benefit event that is meeting audiences where they are during this emotionally heightened season. Whether you’re celebrating or feeling melancholy, Hope For The Holidays aims to make everyone feel seen, valued, and cared for at this exceptional event.
Presented by True West Foundation, Hope For The Holidays: An Evening with Louis York & Friends will be held at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. The multi-artist concert features remarkable stories and music that incite hope, as well as provide access to inspiring and interactive resources onsite. The show will be hosted by Emmy-nominated television anchor Kelly Sutton, and in addition to the iconic R&B duo Louis York talent for the evening includes The Shindellas, Charles Esten, Jay Allen, and Steve Connell along with Scott Hamilton, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Ari Afsar.
Created and produced by award-winning writer and director David Fischette, the idea for Hope For The Holidays stemmed from Fischette’s own struggles with the holidays when what used to be his favorite time of the year became a reminder of the difficult loss of family relationships. Through this event, Fischette hopes to turn strangers into family by sharing stories through music, video, and spoken word that reach each attendee and help them to see they are not alone.
“Too often, I’ve seen firsthand the pain and sadness that people experience during the holiday season. So many of us feel obligated to plaster on a happy face and suit up with an armor of strength when the holiday events and parties are in full swing. In contrast, we have created a special holiday event that invites the audience to meet their feelings with hope and an opportunity to feel both seen and valued. We’re all in this together, and through engaging storytelling and beautiful music there’s no better time to connect than during the holidays,” says David Fischette, who in addition to being the creator of the Hope For The Holidays event is the founder of the True West Foundation.
And it’s not just attendees who can benefit from this concert. One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales for Hope For The Holidays will be given to this year’s participating organizations: The Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, The Alzheimer’s Association, The Onsite Foundation, and Nashville Peacemakers.
Beyond the incredible music and entertainment, Hope For The Holidays strives to be a much- needed reminder that no matter what you’re experiencing this season, you are never alone. Through the resources, community, connectivity, and storytelling featured at this event, Hope For The Holidays is an evening all about embracing vulnerability, togetherness, and, above all else, hope. (The Fisher Center, 2020 Belmont Blvd., 615-460-2255; hope4holidaysnash.com)