'Hope is Dope' comes to art center
Washboard” Tony Frochio of Connoquenessing has made a lot of music in a lot of different places.
But the longtime professional drummer and singer/songwriter considers his upcoming Monday night gig at the Butler Art Center as something special: a chance to give back.
Billed as “Hope Night,” and running from 7 to 9 p.m., the evening was put together by the Butler County Community College's Hope is Dope initiative, said Tracy Hack, BC3 community leadership initiatives coordinator.
“Hope is Dope is an opioid initiative BC3 took out to the community to battle the stigma of addiction,” said Hack.
As part of the initiative, she said Butler County Community College is offering a series of classes, “Reset Your Brain,” taught by Steve Treu, licensed therapist from Quantum Revolution in Cranberry Township and author of “Hope is Dope.”
Hack said a new series of classes is schedule to take place at the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, 127 S. Main St., starting April 1.
Treu, the author of “Hope is Dope” and “New Eyes,” will be the instructor.
Hack said Monday night's event is designed to get more of the community involved in the effort.
“We'll have resources about the Hope is Dope initiative available,” said Hack. “But there will be music, food and art all absolutely free.
Frochio, his son, Nic; and his friend, Rob Verone, will be providing the music.
The evening's aim to fight addiction has a special meaning for Fochio.
“It's very important at this time,” he said. “A good friend of mine, a bass player in the God's Country country church service band died in October of a heroin overdose.
“He was 62,” Frochio said. “It's not just goths. Anybody can be on it. I didn't realize how strong it was. I didn't see any signs that he was depressed or he was using again. I thought he was in good spirits, but losing him like that, who do you really know?”
Frochio said, “I'm inviting his family and his close friends to come by so we can have a celebration of his life.”
He said that after beating colon cancer he feels an obligation to give back to the community.
“I'm a cancer survivor, my purpose is to give back through music. People love music,” he said. “Maybe people will come in walking off the streets in a difficult moment. They'll have someone to talk to, or maybe they will be able to get help, be put in touch with professional people.”
Washboard Tony and his friends may be helping more than they know, said Hack.
“What opioids do is cut off the endorphins, the feel-good transmitters in the brain,” said Hack. “The opioid addict can't feel good and becomes socially isolated.
“Music and art, they help build the brain's endorphins,” she said.
WHAT: Hope NightWHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. MondayWHERE: Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St.INFO: Music, food and art, free of charge. Part of the Butler County Community College's “Hope is Dope” initiative. For more information, visit bc3.edu/reset
