FestAbility 2023 Event Recap
On October 7, St. Louis' disabled community came together to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with all-day activities.
Four people standing and one person sitting. They are all participating in a music circle.
Our day kicked off with a parade walk through the park that ended at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center. Over 20 people gathered in a line chanting, cheering, and playing enjoyable music. Fleur de Noise is an independent soccer supporter group from St. Louis, Missouri. Fleur de Noise has the goal to uplift the St. Louis community, by making noise for soccer matches, and supporting local businesses and with social action. We were honored to have them join us for the morning fun! It was a wonderful morning with the sun shining down on the celebration. Once the parade reached its final destination at the tennis center, a day of exciting booths, food trucks, drum circles, and games awaited the crowd.
A group of five images in a row.
Image one shows groups of people standing on or walking down a sidewalk while outside.
Image two shows a feminine presenting person walking outside while holding a paper sign that says "FestAbility 2023".
Image three shows a masculine presenting person standing outside with a drum stapped to his chest. The drum has the words "fleur de noise" on it. There are other people in the background.
Image four shows a parade of people walking down the sidewalk towards the camera.
Image five shows masculine presenting person stands outside while playing the trumpet. There are other people in the background.
Upon entering the museum, smiling faces greeted attendees at the front desk. Many booths were set up all over, with small businesses, nonprofits, and sponsors providing support, information, and activities. There were also some exhibits open and available for viewing and a sensory room for visitors to relax and take a break whenever they needed. People filled up the hallways with laughter, enjoyment, and excitement. The party continued downstairs with disabled art vendors, a story hour with the Duo Dogs, That Upity Theater Company, Purina, and the Novel Neighbor.
A group of five images in a row.
Image one shows a feminine presenting person sitting in a wheelchair next to the St. Louis Blue's mascot.
Image two shows a line of people in the background holding up various items. There are boxes and a table in the foreground.
Image three shows a feminine presenting person sitting in a wheelchair while petting a therapy dog.
Image four shows three people in a line who are smiling at the camera. The person on the left is standing, the person in the middle is sitting in a wheelchair, and the person on the right is kneeling.
Image five shows people sitting at a table working on an art project.
On the main stage, the party kicked off with a bang, quite literally, as a mesmerizing drum circle set the tone for an unforgettable day. The rhythmic beats resonated through the venue, filling the air with an electrifying energy that had the audience on their feet. Following the drum circle, we were treated to a sensational performance of "Rock What You Got" by none other than the talented author Aja La’Starr Owens and the remarkable That Uppity Theatre. Their powerful rendition of the song left an indelible mark on the audience, conveying a message of self-empowerment and individuality. But the surprises didn't end there. The event reached its zenith with a show-stopping performance by Tony Award winner Ali Stroker. Her breathtaking singing performance had the audience spellbound, and her vocal prowess was extraordinary. After her mesmerizing performance, Ali Stroker graciously engaged in a Q&A session, offering an intimate glimpse into her life and her journey to becoming a Tony Award winner!
A group of five images in a row.
Image one shows a feminine presenting person and a masculine presenting person sitting in wheelchairs side by side. They each have an arm around each other and are smiling at the camera.
Image two shows a feminine presenting person sitting in a wheelchair and singing into a microphone. There is an ASL interpreter in the background.
Image three shows a masculine presenting person who is sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at the camera.
Image four shows a feminine presenting person sitting in a folding chair and playing a drum.
Image five shows a masculine person who is sitting in a wheelchair and looking off into the distance. In the background there is a white van with it's label only half visible.
After a long and exhilarating day at FestAbility, a few of the team members found the perfect way to wind down and bring the event to a close. As the sun set and the day's excitement lingered in the air, everyone gathered to share some delicious pizza, toasted ravioli, and Fitz's soda. Amidst the relaxed ambiance and the comforting aroma of the food, the highlight of the evening was the enlightening conversations with the special guest, Ali Stroker. With her captivating presence and inspiring personality, Ali shared her experiences, insights, and stories that resonated with everyone in attendance. Thank you to everyone who made the day so special! We can’t wait to see you all again next year – SAVE THE DATE for October 5th, 2024!
A group of five people in the foreground and one person in the background. The five people in the front are sitting in a line and smiling at the camera.