Livewires coordinator Darren Deland belts out tunes on the guitar while band member Antoine Lim-How flaunts his talent on the piano.By Shaun Inguanzo
THE Livewires are a well-earthed bunch of people using musical expression to bridge the social gaps that have divided mentally ill people from the rest of society.
The program is run by Eastern Regions Mental Health Association and is in its seventh year.
It is best described as an open-microphone night enabling the musically talented, and not-so-talented, a chance to be themselves.
On the first Tuesday of every month, upwards of 50 people pack into the John Pandazopoulos Hall in Power Road, Doveton, to not only play music, but to interact and mingle with other people.
Antoine Lim-How is a long-time Livewire and plays a combination of guitar, keyboard and bass guitar as backing music to participants’ songs of choice.
Mr Lim-How has battled a mental illness and said the Livewires was an outlet where there were no barriers to performance.
“In this place we are not here to judge you,” he said. “And we don’t expect you to judge any of us. It is a place where everyone can be themselves.”
Mr Lim-How said Livewires was a refreshing change from clubs and pubs where mentally ill people were stigmatised.
“When you have a mental illness, suddenly people put you into a lower grade of person,” he said. “It is a big horror to find yourself there.”
Livewires coordinator Darren Deland said Livewires was a creative outlet where anyone was welcome.
“Its aim is to get people who are isolated out and about,” he said. “We serve tea and coffee and light refreshments on the night.”
To be a part of the Livewires, rock up to the John Pandazopoulos Hall, Power Road, Doveton, on the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm.
The next evening is on Tuesday, 3 October.
For more information call 9706 7388.
