NORMAN — The community came together Friday night to celebrate military service during the Welcome Home Weekend veteran benefit concert at Sooner Theatre.
Organized by Norman Groovefest — a biannual human rights music festival — in collaboration with the city of Norman, American Legion and Firehouse Arts Center, the concert was a way to show veterans they aren’t alone.
“It is true to Groovefest’s mission that we are all guardians of freedom,” Groovefest events coordinator Aimee Rook said about coming together to thank active-duty and veteran Oklahomans.
The multimedia concert performed by Aquarian Exposition was free, but VIP tickets were sold and donations accepted, with proceeds benefiting creative arts therapy programs at the Oklahoma City Veterans Center, the Norman Veterans Center and the Goldsby Veterans Center.
Thanks to sponsors and donations, they were able to break even, Rook said, and she is happy to be able to support veterans.
The event included displaying veteran art at Form and Function Lab, 123 E. Main St.
“It’s all hanging up at Form and Function with their personal statements about how this is all bringing them peace or about how they’re looking forward to life and they weren’t six months ago,” she said about the veterans’ art. “I mean, it’s really powerful and they’re so grateful.”
Veteran art will be displayed at Form and Function Lab for the next month and can be viewed by appointment by emailing groovefest@gmail.com.
Additional support and sponsors included Riverwind Casino, Thompson Patio and Pool, Spirit Shop, Fowler VW, Sooner Theatre and the Norman Arts Council 2nd Friday Circuit of Art.
Hannah Cruz 366-3533 hcruz@normantranscript.com
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