Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium Event

Festival of Human Abilities

Celebrate the Creative Spirit of People with Disabilities

Colours 'N' Motion

Experience wheelchair dance, live music, signing choirs, art demonstrations, storytelling, and service dog demonstrations.

Presenters will include Colours N’ Motion, a wheelchair hip hop dance group; Dat Nguyen, guitarist for the band Bayadera, who is blind; Kodi Lee, a singing musician who is blind and autistic; and Love in Motion, a sign language choir. Deborah Turner will present a tribute to the life of Wheely Willy, a paraplegic dog. Glenn McIntyre, a nationally known keynote speaker, will be the master of ceremonies. His canine assistant Zander will demonstrate his amazing skills. Tommy Hollenstein, an artist who has quadriplegia, will demonstrate painting with the wheels of his wheelchair. Cody Unser, a SCUBA diver who is paralyzed, will demonstrate that diving can be accessible to those with disabilities. All major programming will have sign language interpreters for guests who are deaf, and the Aquarium will provide audio tours for guests who are blind. Extra elevators and assistance dog relief areas will be available to the public.

New! FREE classes by artists with disabilities

Space is limited, so arrive early to sign up. Anyone can participate. Inquire at information desk to sign up. Each class will be 30-45 minutes in length.

Saturday, January 23

• 10:00 – Decorative hat painting -- with artist Michael Seal Jr.
• 11:00 – Drumming circle -- with Arts and Services for Disabled
• 12:00 – Hip hop dancing -- with Otis Smith and Ice Man Mike Rivera
• 1:00 – Playing music -- with No Boundaries rock music band
• 2:00 – Hip hop dancing -- with Auti Angel, whose credits include dancing with Ludacris
• 3:00 – Dancing -- with Bethune Theatredanse featuring Robin Olive
• 3:00 – Painting with wheelchair wheels – with artist Tommy Hollenstein
• 4:00 – Teaming up with an assistance dog -- with Glenn McIntyre, nationally recognized keynote speaker

Sunday, January 24

• 10:00 – Creative writing for children -- with Dana Commandatore, author of Michelangelo the Diver
• 11:00 – Creative writing for children – with Deborah Turner, author of the Wheely Willy books
• 12:00 – Singing in sign language -- with Love in Motion Signing Choir
• 1:00 – Writing music -- with Toby Forrest, lead singer of rock band Cityzen
• 2:00 – Hip hop dancing -- with Auti Angel, whose credits include dancing with Ludacris
• 3:00 – Learning SCUBA gear -- with Cody Unser First Step Foundation
• 3:00 – Painting with wheelchair wheels – with artist Tommy Hollenstein
• 4:00 – Teaming up with an assistance dog -- with Glenn McIntyre, nationally recognized keynote speaker

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Dat Nguyen from the band Bayadera.

Glenn McIntyre and Zander

Tommy Hollenstein