If the heat is getting you down (RealFeel® 473°?) and you’re in urgent need of an energizing weekend shindig, we’ve got just the ticket! Tomorrow night we’re bringing you an extra special edition of our monthly Lion & Pirate Unplugged open mic event…

Together with VSA Texas (The State Organization on Arts and Disability) and the Pen2Paper creative writing contest, we’ll be celebrating the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed by President George H. Bush on July 26th, 1990, the ADA gives people with disabilities protections similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, age, sex, and religion. The ADA is a comprehensive piece of legislation—you can read the full text of the Act here—that assures equal opportunity for people with disabilities to access such necessities as employment, transportation, and government services.

And what better way to commemorate the anniversary of this landmark legislation than with a very special guest? We’re thrilled to announce that tomorrow’s open mic will be rocked by Australian comedian, journalist, and knitting enthusiast Stella Young. If you want a sneak peek of Stella in action, check out this recent TED talk, in which she explains why being in a wheelchair doesn’t automatically turn her into “a noble inspiration to all humanity.”

Yup, Stella will be a tough act to follow, but don’t let that discourage you from coming on down to Malvern Books and taking part. Musicians and writers of all ages and abilities will be warmly welcomed to our stage. (And, since we’re celebrating, cake will be warmly welcomed too. We like cake.) See you tomorrow at 7pm!

On Saturday evening we were delighted to once again team up with VSA Texas and Pen2Paper for another magnificent and merry installment of The Lion and The Pirate Unplugged. Our May open mic got off to a swingin’ start with an improvised performance by dance group Body Shift (pictured below). Launched in 2010, Body Shift is a mixed-ability dance project that seeks to create a welcoming environment where everyone can find their own unique way to enjoy contemporary dance. Three of the group’s members, Susie Angel, Juan Munoz, and Tanya Winters, gave a wonderful, expressive performance that captured the joy and spontaneity dance can bring to people’s lives.

But wait, there’s more! The ever-popular Dude Choir returned to the Malvern stage—and this time they brought with them a new dude, Caleb Garcia (below left, with Eric Clow and Felipe Archer). The first song they performed dealt with the “precarious situation” of falling in love with one’s personal care attendant! Have a listen…

And do check out the other fantastic acts below (and the additional pics on our Facebook page). We have performances from past mic-ers “Bear” Beam and Camille Euritt, as well as marvelous turns from Lion & Pirate newcomers Pamela Brouker and Stan VanSandt—and there’s also the debut of a play by K.K. Marshall, read by K.K., Pamela, Caleb, and April Sullivan. Thanks to everyone for making it such a brilliant night of open mic magic, and we hope to see y’all next month!

Saturday, March 29th, was Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day, and we celebrated in fine style with another awesome open mic, once again brought to us by VSA Texas and the Pen2Paper Creative Writing Contest (and with the help of a rowdy pirate and a watchful lion). As you can see, the performers had a (hair) flippin’ good time!

Pictured above are Sofia Jimenez, who had us all bopping in our seats with her tribute to One Direction, and Bear Beam, who introduced us to Oscar-the-drum. Our heartiest thanks to everyone who took part—your performances were, as always, a joy to watch, and we were delighted to have y’all strutting your stuff on the Malvern stage. You can check out more photos from the open mic on Facebook and watch footage from the event below. And if you’d like to take part in the next Malvern mic-tacular, be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar for all the details!