TONIC

“Taking Our Noise Into Children’s hospitals”

tonic (tä’-nik)
n.
1. Medicine An invigorating, refreshing, or restorative agent or influence.
2. Music The first note of a diatonic scale; the keynote.

On May 16, 2008, a group of Love Street musicians visited the Texas Children’s Cancer Center to perform for the children and their families. The feedback from the staff was also tremendous. For just a little while, the music served as a diversion from the discomfort of the chemotherapy the young patients were there to receive. All of the musicians found the experience personally rewarding and something we wanted to do again (and have). But we certainly didn’t think the positive effects were unique to our performance. So we began to think about how we could involve a broader base of musicians.

From this the Love Street TONIC Hospital series was born. We started by talking informally with musicians we encountered. The vast majority of the musicians indicated that they would be happy to perform at children’s hospitals. The idea had even occurred to some, but few knew how to initiate the process and some seemed intimidated by it. So drawing from our own contacts and experiences, we established the TONIC program.

The TONIC program currently includes Texas Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children. Love Street solicits and schedules the musicians, provides needed equipment and makes all necessary arrangements with the hospitals. As currently established, musicians perform one hour sets at both the Cancer Center Clinic and Renal Care Clinic at Texas Children’s and then do the same in the main lobby of nearby Shriners. Where time and circumstances permit, the musicians may also visit patient rooms to perform for those otherwise unable to benefit. Love Street aims to make the process as hassle-free and unintimidating as possible for the musicians so that they may experience firsthand the rewards that we know they will.

If you are a musician interested in participating in the TONIC program, please visit our registration page. For more information, please contact info@lovestreetlightcircus.org.

We are currently booking July 2010 and beyond. For a complete lineup of upcoming acts, please see the TONIC Schedule.

Past Performances:

2009
Andy Vargas of Santana
The Convertibles Unplugged
David de la Garza of La Mafia
Dr. Rick and the Burners
Kozmic Pearl
Myrna Sanders
Tie-Dye Sky
Robin Kirby
The Snake Charmers
Wayside Drive - read Jeremy Osborn’s blog about his TONiC experience here.

2008
Abbey Rode
David de la Garza of La Mafia
Love Street Light Circus Band

In addition, we’d like to extend a special thanks to Ted Sewell.  Ted is a regular volunteer with the TONIC program.  He escorts musicians through the process and handles their technical needs.