R U OK, CLT? is a recurring program at The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson Street, that uses the arts to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Each program focuses on one aspect of mental health and features performances by artists, including musicians, poets and comedians.
After the performances there’s a panel discussion about furthering our conversations about mental wellness.
Community resources will be available to help support and address specific needs or questions before and after the event.
Admission is just $10, and proceeds from ticket sales benefit Mental Health America Central Carolinas. Purchase tickets here or at the door.
The next R U OK, CLT? event, on Tuesday, July 16th, 2019, at 7:30 p.m, focuses on wellness for teens.
Info on the discussion and performances:
Growing up is hard to do. For today’s teens, adolescence is an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life compounded with the pressures of social media and expectations of perfection. Mental health conditions are common among teens and young adults. One in five live with a mental health condition—half develop the condition by age 14 and three quarters by age 24.
Mental health support services are available and the earlier you access them the better. This month, RUOK will let the teens and young adults do the talking. Together with this month’s featured local artists singer songwriter Maya Beth Atkins and comedian Tyrone Thompson, we’ll hear their perspectives on what challenges they face and how they can best be supported. Given the topic, this will be an all ages show and we encourage parents to attend with their teens if able.
As the sixth in a year-long series, the event will feature performances from these artists followed by a discussion panel. There will be community resources on hand to offer support and address specific needs or questions before and after the event.
About the artist
Maya Beth Atkins: The question has been raised, ever since Maya Beth Atkins began performing at the age of twelve. “When will she make an album?” Now eighteen, and preparing to start her freshman year at UNC-Asheville, Atkins has her answer.
Maya Beth Presents: Whatever You Are came together over several months in 2017 and 2018. Produced by Old House Studios by renowned producer Chris Carges, Atkins recorded ten original songs that captures everything about her live shows that people have wanted to hear on an album. If you have seen her play solo that feeling of sparseness, and Atkins’ compelling voice is on this album. If you have heard her with a full band, or have wanted to do so, Atkins reached out to some of the best musicians in the Charlotte music scene to make this larger vision a reality. Mike Kenerley (Jolene, Loudermilks), Shawn Lynch (Mitch Easter, Eyebrows, Loudermilks), D.K. (Come On Thunderchild, Mike Strauss Band), Dan Hood (Blue Dogs), and her father, Jason Atkins, all put more than their time and talents into making this album complete.
Maya Beth Presents: Whatever You Are tells many stories. Tales of light and dark hues. Of questions not asked, and unanswered. Of dangerous travelers, and what happens with the trip ends too soon. Stories of love and hate, and all of the actions and emotions between the horizon. And, most importantly, it is the first series of snapshots of an artist whose voice (both in singing, and songwriting) is ready to be heard, for whomever discovers her in the days and years to come.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
