The Aquarium of the Pacific’s Festival of Human Abilities Returns on January 25-26, 2025
Celebrate the talents and creativity of people with disabilities at the Aquarium of the Pacific with a weekend of performances, art, booths, and more
Dat Nguyen playing guitar Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific
January 14, 2025
The Aquarium announces that during this year’s festival it will honor Theresa May de Vera with its Heritage Award for championing disability rights
WHAT:
The twenty-second anniversary of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Festival of Human Abilities, which celebrates the creative talents of people with disabilities, will take place on the weekend of January 25 and 26. Everyone is invited to attend and experience live performances and workshops by dancers, musicians, and artists who have learned adaptive skills to hone their craft.
On the Saturday of the festival at 1:00 p.m., the Aquarium will present its Glenn McIntyre Heritage Award to Theresa May de Vera in recognition of her advocacy for people with disabilities at local, state, and federal levels. She currently serves as the commissioner on the Disability Access Board of the Department of Building and Safety, where she evaluates the compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act at different establishments. May de Vera also serves as the chairperson for the Access Services Board of Directors.
In addition to the award ceremony, the festival will also include wheelchair dancing with The Rollettes, live music with guitarist Dat Nguyen, hip hop dance with Straight Up Abilities and Homeland Crew, and wheelchair painting with Tommy Hollenstein. There will also be sign language interpreters and booths by participating organizations. The Aquarium is certified by KultureCity and offers sensory bags for check out, a quiet space, and more for visitors with sensory needs. Audio tours, Braille visitor guides, written descriptions, closed captioning for videos, and wheelchairs are available on an ongoing basis.
WHEN:
Saturday and Sunday, January 25-26, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 90802
COST:
Included with general admission: $44.95 per adult (ages 12+), $34.95 per child (ages 3-11), $41.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three / Reservations required
INFO:
(562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/festival_of_human_abilities