Roar House: All Artists are Gifted

Throughout history people who express themselves in greatness quite often have had a mental illness. Today many people often suffer without being acknowledged for their giftedness but that is what makes Roar House wild.

It is also wild that Roar House has no clinical aspects associated to it. Real artists: from all walks of life and varying abilities. They come together in a real cultural event. The venues are usually bars, pubs and festivals that are arts friendly. Thus, the cultural vibe is alive and wild. The sheer fact that such a person is able to go out to join in within cultural events that are active in Melbourne is promising. Also, the aspect of being recognized on stage, whilst enjoying life is a big step forward in the acceptance of indifference.

Mental illness though, is a tough nut to crack. I speak for myself who suffers from a mental illness when I say no matter how well education I am or the qualifications, etc: it appears disability means being disadvantaged. This in itself is a depressing thing when you want so much is just to be like everyone else and to be treated ‘normal’. It’s the desire to do what others ‘can’. That is why a group like Roar House is the wildest place that a person such as I can go and feel a sense of belonging. A place to connect with others on the same level!

Art is not about status. Since the 1960’s people have been expressing themselves without status quo. Art is the joy and satisfaction that you get from the expression of profanity that you can share with others in a creative medium. It can also be the act of artistic expression itself that can aid and heighten the benefits of good health such as through creative arts therapy.

I have been an active member of a number of Roar House events and happenings. On stage I give it all I have to create the best performance I can. When I was new to getting compliments it was a mind blowing thing for me. Until then most people threw ridicule my way, which dug deep and I truly believed I was incompetent. This sudden burst of seeing people who look happy and appear to like what I have done was at first a feeling: “I am great”. With time this led to an increase level of strength and happiness.

After a while though it appeared recognition of my greatness was everything. It became my enemy. The need for constant encouragement begins to become undesirable. It takes many years of developing, good friendships and discovering the world around us to recognize that we all need to feel inclusivity and to be supported. It was actually therapeutic for me because the negative self-worth and the many aspects that surrounded those early drama complexes eventually subsided. Now I go to Roar House gigs to enjoy good company and expressing myself freely.

Roar House will have a great line up of artists at The Espy gig on Wednesday 29th July 2009. They have a spot at this year’s Melbourne Fringe Show called: “Roarhouse - Inside Out” at Bar 303 in Nortcote on Thursday 8th October 2009.

Written by Frank Barresi
theonewhodoesnotexist@gmail.com
www.theonewhodoesnotexist.blogspot.com