July 2020 | Page 7

Seniors Program MASC has been serving up the arts to seniors for the past 9 years with programs featuring professional artists who bring opportunities for hands-on participation in engaging workshops and thrilling, multicultural performances. Participants and senior venue managers speak of the excitement of finding a creative ability, widening their understanding of other cultures and the pleasure of participating in a performance or hands-on workshop. In the words of long- time partner Robert Ienzi of St. Patrick’s Home: “We would like to let everyone know how great the years of partnership & collaboration that St. Patrick’s Home Long Term Care of Ottawa has had with MASC and we look forward to many more years together. The performances that they have provided to us from literature, cultural, theater or a musical performance have been spectacular and the talent that has been showcased has been stellar. MASC provides all with high quality performances and understands the importance of making it available to many and they are always introducing new performances yearly to the list of choices. The relationship with MASC staff over the years has been professional, courteous & they have been understanding of the residents’ requests we make from them and the performers have also been extremely understanding of our specific requests that are needed to make it a great production/experience for this audience. One of the residents once said to me, “Can we just get all our performances from them only and only them”. We have also had residents clap ecstatically and shout out at the end of the performance as if they were at the National Arts Centre. On a more personal note, from what I have witnessed with some of our residents over the years is their interaction with what they were witnessing, like tapping their feet or clapping their hands to the music or beat; residents, who may not have shown this at any other time. Our last thank you goes out to the MASC Donors who have provided St. Patrick’s Home with subsidies for these bookings. Without you, we may not have been able to bring these types of performances to the residents, since we are a non-profit home. You are appreciated and everyone who benefits from MASC blesses you for making it happen, especially for some of us who may not be able to do it financially. With your commitment to the Performing Arts and making it available to all, you understand the value it has on everyone mentally, emotionally and cognitively, Thank you all.” 7