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Band Together Pittsburgh gives performers on autism spectrum a chance to be in spotlight

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - 2/26/2023

Feb. 26—On the second Sunday of every month, something special happens at Moondog's in Blawnox, a bar, restaurant and club that hosts a variety of performers and uses the slogan "We Still Believe in Music."

Moondog's also believes that music is for everyone, including those on the autism spectrum. So, in 2016, Moondog's owner Ron Esser and professional musician John Vento, the front man for R&B group The Nied's Hotel Band, co-founded Band Together Pittsburgh.

The Steel City-based nonprofit's mission is to help people on the autism spectrum express themselves through music. To that end, Band Together Pittsburgh hosts what it calls an Autism Friendly Open Mic night.

"It's just as much of a social event as it is a performance," Esser said.

His son, James, who works as the official master of ceremonies for the Autism Friendly Open Mic nights, is on the spectrum, and Esser believes those with the condition need stimulation.

"If you don't push them, they will just stay by themselves," he said. "I was in Sam's Club, and this lady comes up to me and starts crying. I had no idea who she was. (She said,) 'I want to thank you. My son stayed in his room, didn't do anything and now he goes to Berklee College of Music (the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world).' "

Vento said they are focused on creating a safe, accepting and loving space for these performers.

"Music is simply the conduit. It's not the result," he said. "We're not here because we're trying to create brilliant musicians, even though we have. That isn't the objective at all. It's to create a social environment, with no judgment, with complete comfort, and we've created a space that otherwise doesn't exist."

The inspiration for the idea happened one night at Moondog's when Vento invited three teenage musicians, children of his friends, to open for his band. The three young musicians, all on the spectrum, were Bobby McGrath on keyboards, Justin Laus on guitar and Christopher Brozeck on drums.

"After that show, (Esser) said, 'We need to do this more often,' " Vento said.

Anyone with autism can take the stage and choose what they would like to perform.

"They can do a poem. They can sing, do karaoke. They can play guitar, or they can just hang out," Esser said.

Food and drinks are provided, and everything is free. Families are not required to pay for anything.

"We have never had a bad incident ... never, ever,"

Esser said.

Vento said one of their worries in the beginning was the volume in the performance space and the autistic performers' sensitivity to it.

"We've not had one single issue, and it's loud out there," he said. "The reason is they're expecting the noise."

But if it does get too loud for anyone, there is another room where they can retreat to hang out.

On the open mic nights, crowds pack into Moondog's, according to Esser and Vento. When asked if they could have envisioned how successful the program would be, the answer was an emphatic "no."

"I have a son who lives on the spectrum," Esser said. "When they're in school, they're in different rooms. They have the bocce ball team for kids with special needs.

"They are as good or better than a lot of the musicians I see here, and I said to myself, 'Why are we separating them from everybody else?' Autistic people are some of the most loving. They can see right into your heart."

Vento said the ability of many of these musicians is off the charts.

"Being around them, they might act a little different but who doesn't," he said. "But, man, they are so good at what they do."

Paul Guggenheimer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pguggenheimer@triblive.com.

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