Happenings /// KiND MiND, a party to provide, tonight

By Robert Gay for Lockeland Springsteen

The monetary value of music may be up for debate, but if there’s one thing that Taylor Swift and file sharers can agree upon, it’s that “art is important.” It’s not just entertainment– it’s a way to learn more about our own hearts and minds in a way that can heal both the creator and observer. Maybe that’s why we artists continue to create even without the promise of a return on our efforts. It’s a purpose. It’s a calling. It’s therapy.

It should come as no surprise that many of us in Music City turn to the arts as a primary form of healing. We’ve seen songs bring back lost memories, painted our way out of darkness, and turned sleepless nights into meaningful writing sessions. As the second installment of a annual pay-what-you-want “Party to Provide,” KiND MiND is a chance to for local artists, businesses, and thinkers to give back to the creative spirit and to each other. This year, donations will fund the creation of a new music therapy program at local not-for-profit Centerstone, but there’s a therapeutic sense about the entire evening. This event is not about the Next Big Thing, but rather the next small step.

With reason to celebrate comes the question of how, and thankfully there will plenty of options on deck. For the musically inclined, founders KiND will offer the first major performance since a name change (the 5-piece electro-pop band was formerly known as VITEK), with support from Live on the Green veterans PHIN and a DJ set from Space Is The Place. Visual artists will include featured contributors Casey Pierce, Dylan Reyes, and Aaron Martin, with several pieces created as art installations specifically for the event. For the 21+ crowd, Little Harpeth Brewing and The Stone Fox will supply drinks.

Centerstone, a not-for-profit organization, is one of the nation’s largest providers of community-based behavioral healthcare. It provides a range of support, treatment and educational programs and services to individuals who have mental health and addiction disorders and developmental disabilities. Each year, the organization serves more than 84,000 people of all ages at nearly 150 locations across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. It also operates the Centerstone Foundation, Centerstone Research Institute, Advantage Behavioral Health, Centerstone Military Services and Centerstone Health Partners.

KiND MiND takes place at 1530 Demonbreun St, Nashville TN, at 8 PM on Saturday, November 15. There is no cover, but donations are encouraged. Attendance is 18+, must have valid ID. Must be 21+ to drink.