The Main Event: To Write Love On Her Arms

Enjoying a night of live music could mean that someone else gets to enjoy the rest of their life.

On Thursday, October 8, musicians and songwriters from all across Lincolnshire will descend on Lincoln College of Performing Arts to help raise money for US not-for-profit organisation To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA).

The event is being organised by two eager teenagers, Annabelle this is spelt correctly Moore and Caoimhe this is spelt correctly McEvoy, working under the umbrella name of Heavy and Light.

The TWLOHA movement is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help and treatment for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-harm and suicide by connecting them to treatment centres, support groups and other resources.

The line-up for the evening will feature a range of Lincolnshire musicians, including Boston-based songwriter Ashley Lennon, and a number of bands and musicians studying at the college. The evening will be headlined by local acoustic folk-singer Elliott Morris.

Co-organiser Annabelle Moore explains her motivation for putting the Heavy and Light event together.

“Issues such as depression and suicide are often swept under the carpet because people are too afraid to talk about them,” she explains.

“What we want to do with this event is show people who suffer from these issues that they can get help, and that they’re not alone.

“It’s going to be a night which I think will be more than just music. Hopefully it will reach out and touch people’s hearts and move them in some way.

“I’m also putting on this gig to show ignorant, closed-minded people, that self harm and depression is not something that anyone ever has the right to tease others about.

“If somebody is harming themselves perhaps the question should be why they do it, rather than to laugh in their face.”

Prior to the various performances there will be a short video presentation explaining more about the history of the organisation and the work they do.

TWLOHA was founded by Jamie Tworkowski in March 2006, when he met 19-year-old Renee Yohe. Renee had been struggling with addiction, depression, and self-injury for a number of years. Mr Tworkowski began manufacturing and selling distinctive T-shirts to help fund treatment and rehabilitation for Renee.

TWLOHA continues to get exposure largely thanks to the alternative music community, who help endorse the organisation by wearing their merchandise and informing their fans about the work TWLOHA is committed to undertaking.

“I stumbled across TWLOHA following links from a band’s MySpace profile,” explained Annabelle.

“I thought it was such a fantastic thing that people suffering from depression, addiction, and other related issues had somewhere they could turn to for help and advice.

“It’s something I’m really passionate about supporting, and I think a lot of other people will be too. This is the first time I’ve ever tried to organise an event like this, but I think if people come a long and learn a bit more about it, then they might be interested in helping to support the cause too.”

Visit www.twloha.com for more information about the organisation, and how you can get involved.

IN THE KNOW
where: Lincoln College, Department of Performing Arts, Music and Media, Monks Road.
when: Thursday 8 October, doors opening at 7pm.
tickets: Tickets are available on the door for £3. All proceeds raised will be donated to TWLOHA.