NEW YEAR’S BASH TALENT & VARIETY SHOW RECAP: A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY AND INCLUSION

The New Year’s Bash Talent & Variety Show at The Haverstick was a joyful and heartwarming event filled with music, laughter, and community connection. Hosted on Saturday, February 1st, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, this incredible gathering brought together families, performers, and local organizations to celebrate the spirit of inclusion and talent.

A Warm Welcome and Community Connection

The afternoon kicked off with a warm welcome as guests arrived and checked in listening to an outstanding performance by Tory Kikuchi & Amanda McClaran with Infinity. The energy was lively as people mingled and participated in “Get to Know You” BINGO, a fun and interactive way to build connections among attendees.

Uniquely You Magazine, the host of this inspiring event, took the stage to express gratitude to the event sponsors and the community for their continued support. Michele Biddle, Director of Community Relations for ComForCare Home Care, shared a few words about their dedication to supporting families and individuals with special needs

Incredible Performances Take the Stage

The talent showcase officially began at 3:00 PM, offering a spectacular lineup of performances:

• The Best of All Band –Featuring talented musicians from GiGi’s Playhouse, this performance set the tone for an afternoon of uplifting music.

• Grace’s Touching Solo – Grace beautifully performed “You Are My Sunshine”, moving the audience with her heartfelt voice.

• Fulton Mraz’s Musical Talent – With his ukulele in hand, Fulton delighted the crowd with “Wagon Wheel”.

• New Horizons Gospel Choir – Led by LeeAnna Rowe, this selfadvocate group shared their faith and joy through song, directed by Jamey Rowe, a talented Berklee College of Music student with autism. Their performance was a true highlight, inspiring everyone with their message of inclusion.

• BOLD Dancers – Under the leadership of Sean Gehlhausen, BOLD (Benefits of Learning Dance) performers showcased incredible ballroom dance routines, proving that movement and music bring people together.

• Solo & Group Performances – Talented young performers, including Meghan Delaney, Maddie Best, Makayla Mills, Madyson Batchelder, Alden Newby, Michael & Jessica Newby and Charlotte Miller, wowed the audience with their confidence and passion for music.

• The BOLD Dance Group Formation – The grand finale brought everyone such joy as dancers and musicians united for a show-stopping performance of “The Greatest Showman”.

More Than Just a Show – A Celebration of Community

Beyond the incredible performances, the event was packed with fun activities for all ages:

A Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors

This free community event was made possible thanks to the generosity of its sponsors:

• Title Sponsor: ComForCare Home Care – Covering the event space

• GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis –Providing charcuterie & beverages

• Hometown Waiver Solutions

– Sponsoring desserts

• Abby Care – Sponsoring balloon creations

• Guardian Care – Sponsoring face painting

• Connections Case Management, LLC – Sponsoring BINGO prizes

A heartfelt thank you also goes to The Haverstick for allowing the use of their beautiful facility and to our dedicated team members, including Angie Arlington (Public Relations Manager), Zach Curtis (Community Engagement), and all volunteers who helped set up the event.

Looking Ahead – More Exciting Events to Come!

The excitement doesn’t stop here! Mark your calendars for these upcoming community events: Family Fun Day at We Rock the Spectrum – April 13th Moms’ Weekend Retreat – May 2nd-4th

#UniquelyYou

#InclusionMatters

#SupportLocalTalent