Our Programs
Creative SEA offers a variety of programs that are open to everyone. Each program offers something different and everyone is welcome to come observe or ump in and participate at their comfort level.
Community Song Workshops draw from formats like singalongs, song circles, open mics, and songwriter workshops. The initial goal is to develop a community song repertoire that encourages social engagement; people from diverse backgrounds come together to share music.
From this general gathering more specific workshop-oriented sessions are formed. Some folks want to improve their singing. Some folks want to develop their songwriting skills. Some folks want to learn more about music. Our model is a rippling out of possibilities.
Community Song Workshop
The Community Song Workshops draw elements from singalongs, song circles, open mics and songwriter workshops. From the general workshops more specific workshops can form.
The monthly Community Jazz Jam began in 2011 and was held at Kickbutt Coffee until 2020, when Covid forced a pause in live community events. In 2022 the CJJ was reinstated under the sponsorship of Creative SEA, presented at Barrel O’ Fun Mueller on the last Sunday of each month.
The principles and goals of the CJJ became formalized at this time. It is an all-ages, all-levels jam that explores the expansive jazz tradition. The overt purpose is to use music to encourage social engagement. The audience is an integral part of the jam. The performance format encourages participants to “learn by doing,” but it is not an exclusionary format, unlike many other jazz jams.
Participants range from professional musicians to students and amateurs, coming from a mix of musical styles and backgrounds. We also include creative expression from jazz-related media, such as spoken word, dance, comedians and magicians.
Community Jazz Jam
Community Jazz Jam is an all-ages, all-levels jam that explores the expansive jazz tradition. The performance format encourages participants to “learn by doing” and is open to all skill levels.
The ICCA performances evolved from Paul Klemperer’s musical performances at senior facilities around Austin. Paul saw first-hand the positive effects of these performances, including entertaining, energizing and encouraging social engagement. Interaction was an important principle, rather than a one-way transmission of information from performer to passive audience.
Beginning in 2018, Paul’s musical team focused on a two-way model that encouraged seniors to actively participate through singing, playing, dance, and sharing stories as part of the performance experience.
With grant support, more performers (particularly younger artists and students) have been included in these concerts.
Interactive Concerts For Creative Aging
ICCA performances encourage seniors to actively participate through singing, playing, dance and sharing stories.
Paul Klemperer began offering an inclusive multicultural winter holiday show in 2011, under the title Annual Festivus Celebration. This became the Annual Texas Festivus Celebration, as part of Creative SEA’s public concert programming. As a completely fictitious holiday, it can be whatever we make it, so there’s something for everyone. “When the stress of the holidays starts to get you down, it’s time for Festivus, a rollicking multicultural variety show of music, dance, and humor.”
In 2023 Creative SEA added a springtime concert to the programming: Earth Day Cabaret. Like Festivus, Earth Day Cabaret presents a revue of music, dance and humor to foster social engagement for all ages and backgrounds.
More seasonal shows are in the works!
Seasonal Concerts
Seasonal Concerts include the Annual Texas Festivus Celebration and the Earth Day Cabaret with the goal of fostering social engagement for all ages and backgrounds.