The Straz Center Offers 1st Of 4-Part Your VetChat Series

TAMPA, FL — The Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa is committed to the veteran community, their families and caregivers. This dedication has led to the creation of the Your VetChat series.

This year's new four-part series will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. in Maestro's Cafe at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Your VetChat is open to the public as a gathering of veterans, their families, friends, Straz Center staff and others who come together to share conversations, identify resources and celebrate the importance of connecting as a community.

Sessions are designed to create space for general dialogue and to discuss relevant information regarding support opportunities for veterans and civilians in terms of education and creating a foundation for a smoother transition for families returning to the flow of civilian community living.

Each gathering offers creative prompts for families in support of The Straz Center's efforts to continue to amplify the importance of the arts in the health and well-being of both individuals and the community. Also, each Your VetChat will focus on a different theme. This first event will be led by the Straz Center artist-in-residence and will bring participants together to create music.

This year’s Your VetChat season returns to in-person gatherings after successfully engaging virtually over the past three years. Moving forward, Your VetChat will be held in person, coupled with virtual sessions to maintain space for those veterans and civilians who value remote access.

Each Your VetChat will be hosted at a different venue throughout the Tampa Bay area. These events are free and open to the community but do require registration by clicking on the event page here and entering the requested information.

For more information about the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, visit www.strazcenter.org.

VetChat is funded in part by BayCare, State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts’ Creative Forces Initiative, in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance.