Sunset Showcase,

About the event

Breaks In The Simulation (BITS) is pleased to present the first annual Sunset Showcase, which will be celebrated on September 22, 2022. This experience will be the fourth production of an event series rooted in mental health, healing, education, social justice, and artistic expression.

This event combines elements of live entertainment concerts, workshops, and retreats for an experience that is both fun and entertaining while deeply impactful. Attendees will explore the concept of Emotional Intelligence through interactive art installations and activities specifically designed to prompt conversation or action related to EQ. The showcase features a lineup of music performances, dance performance, and visual artists that creatively display emotional expression. It will also include applicable health and wellness resources, multidisciplinary artists, and vendors. This event is unique in its ability to meet people where they’re at, mixing business with pleasure just enough to allow everyone to be comfortable with vulnerability in a social setting, and not be confined to the traditional ideals of what therapy and healing is supposed to look like. This is a time for people to explore their vulnerability in a safe, intentional, creatively engaging environment with others that have similar interests. Attendees are sure to experience deeper connection and intimate conversation while enjoying art.

Why should you sponsor?

By creating and expanding a culture and community within creative industries that meets vulnerability with acceptance and understanding, we are helping creative industries improve and maintain conditions for growth, safety, and sustainability. People working in the creative industries are three times more likely to suffer from a mental health problem than the general public, studies show. We are seeing a significant rise in mental health crisis, making creative industries exploitative and unsustainable. Without the artist, there is no industry for art. Art is often used for healing, yet there are minimal resources or support for those creating the art to heal themselves. It is important that we create opportunities for honesty and growth in the industry without damaging the individual. To ensure that artists and creatives have the proper tools and skillset to sustain a successful creative career, there needs to be greater efforts in improving emotional intelligence and practicing vulnerability.

Over the past three years, BITS has successfully produced and hosted events in New Orleans that have fostered community amongst artists and prompted vulnerable conversation relative to creatives’ experiences. Events thus far have garnered support and collaboration with many other community organizations with aligning missions, such as the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, Beautiful Bipolar, and Glbl Wrmng artist collective. Events have averaged 150 attendees, the majority of attendees being artists, entertainment industry professionals, and mental health advocates.

Sponsoring this event provides the ability to connect with an audience who has a passion for arts and education, is open to unique experiences, and understands the benefits of investing in your local entrepreneurial community. You will have prominent exposure to an eclectic, diverse audience, as well as statewide exposure with all media platforms highlighting this event. Our reach includes 10k Instagram users across brand and personal accounts, features on WHIV radio, partnership with New Orleans Musicians Clinic, 100+ member email listserv, media and blog coverage, and more!

Your support will be used to ensure sufficient compensation for the artists involved, for resources to create interactive EQ installations, cover necessary rights and requirement fees, marketing, and other production needs. Together, we can ensure the continuance of artistic growth in New Orleans.

Raquel Haupt

I am a music artist and mental health therapist, and I'm grateful to have been able to combine both my worlds in a way that serves not only me but the entire art community. I have a unique way of bringing people together and taking time to reflect on the most important things in life. 

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