The suicide awareness event will utilize art, dance, music and video to promote mental wellness and inspire people to fight for their lives.
Las Vegas, NV – The Bringing Happy Back Experience is raising awareness by uplifting the mood with a benefit production on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Myron’s Cabaret inside the Smith Center For Performing Arts at 6:30 p.m. The inspiring show will be performed in front of a live audience and will also be streamed globally to veterans, military bases, first responders, wellness facilities and over 300 college campuses, including UNLV, San Francisco State, Princeton University, and UCLA.
This one-of-a-kind event will encourage the community to share personal stories, experiences and talents with the sole purpose of helping others find their way back from tragedy, depression or adversity. Las Vegas will unite to assure the rest of the world that their lives matter, empowering people to fight for their lives, ask for the help they deserve, and get their happy back. A portion of the evening’s ticket proceeds will benefit The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness.
“I am honored to be aligning with the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention by sharing their new movie, “It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health,” said Tonya Farrens, producer and founder of the Bringing Happy Back Experience. “It is perfect since we have over 300 campuses participating in Bringing Happy Back viewing parties. Their work to ensure our youth grow up strong and healthy, is beyond inspiring – and necessary.”
The memorable evening will be filled with entertainment, education, and empowerment, beginning with a cocktail reception and informative expo including live music and vendor stations – all strategically crafted to motivate and encourage individuals to do whatever it takes to create a healthier and happier life.
Following the cocktail reception, guests will be invited into the main showroom to enjoy live performances by various locally and nationally recognized entertainers including Clint Holmes, Brandon Nix of Baz and Rock of Ages, Douglas Crawford of Jersey Boys, Shaun Degraff, Ofi, The Soul Juice Band, Xico Peligroso, Jaclyn McSpadden of Vegas The Show, Anne Martinez of Baz and Alice Steampunk, Ashley Fuller, James Simpson, Paul Johnson, Tom Yankton, former member of the Rascal Flatts and more.
Farrens has long worked in the entertainment and special event production industry in Las Vegas. While the power of the arts was inspiring to Farrens, this occasion holds a greater significance for her.
Farrens, who lost her father to suicide in 2015, said, “Why am I producing BHB? Because no human should ever have to feel like suicide is their only option.”
The event is taking place in memory of her father’s 73rd birthday.
Through vibe raising entertainment, the primary goal of this event is not to shine a light on suicide, but rather all of the reasons to want to live, bring happy back, and #RaiseVibesSaveLives.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event, but limited. For more information, please visit www.bringinghappyback.org or call 702-426-2488. Tickets are now on sale by visiting www.thesmithcenter.com.
About Tonya Farrens Productions
Tonya Farrens, affectionately known as “the bringing happy back gal,” is the founder of Tonya Farrens Productions, a conscious marketing and event production firm and Lux Icery, a gourmet and spiked sno-cone company in Las Vegas.
After relocating to Las Vegas from Southern Oregon in 1995, she discovered her passion – production. She rolled up her sleeves and worked her way into executive roles with Cirque du Soleil, BEST Agency and even toured with best-selling author, Gary Zukav. She is a veteran in the event and entertainment industry and still enjoys every minute of it.
It wasn’t until she lost her father to suicide in 2015 that she realized that production wasn’t just about entertaining; it is also therapeutic. By utilizing art, dance, music and video, she is developing inspiring events to promote mental wellness and create platforms for open dialogue about suicide and the stigma surrounding it.
It is her most cherished work to date.
About The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement.
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