An upcoming concert in Harrisonburg aims to highlight the mental health benefits of making and partaking in art. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
[Bobby Vaziri playing guitar, singing]
This is Bobby Vaziri of Vintage Harmonic Symphony, playing their new song "This Old House." The band is performing this Saturday in the Music for Mental Health benefit concert at Court Square Theater.
BOBBY VAZIRI: I would put us in the space of Americana, folk pop, art pop, where some of the stuff I write is from the voice of a singer-songwriter, and from the experience and storytelling about daily life and the things you go through, but I think the melodies and the production of it can have more of a fun, pop feel at times.
Proceeds will go to the theater and to the Arts Council of the Valley. Vaziri grew up playing piano, and later learned guitar and songwriting. He said writing and performing music have always helped him cope.
VAZIRI: You know, local art helps you process. It helps you gain perspective and experience things, and that helps with mental health. And we want to be accepting and have diverse art, so they all kind of go together, and when they move in the same direction it can have a really positive impact.
Representatives from local organizations The Arc, Friendly City Safe Space, and Adagio House will also be there with information about their services.
