Especially Everyone
Words by Orlando Callegari Jr.
Have you ever been to a concert and thought, “This is just too much”?
Between the dark, overcrowded venues, the ear-splitting volume and the general sensory overload, going to a concert can be a nightmare to some.
Pete Kozak, founder of the Especially Everyone Experience, saw this problem and decided to seek a solution. As a musician, event producer, educator, and therapist, Kozak has a lot of experience welcoming people who want to participate.
Back in 2016, Kozak invited a client to his band’s concert. Despite their love for music the client declined the invitation, adding that they had never been to a concert and didn’t really have much of an interest in ever going to one.
Kozak recognized how much of the concert experience was off-putting to many potential potential audience members. Individuals with sensory challenges would be especially susceptible to the rigors of live musical performances. Within two years Kozak would form a band and found Especially Everyone, a sensory-friendly concert series.
Over the subsequent years, Kozak would incorporate original music and more audience participation, eventually debuting The Especially Everyone Experience in October 2023.
The Especially Everyone Ensemble blend a setlist of originals and covers while encouraging spectators to participate (singing, dancing, playing instruments) as much as they are comfortable with to maximize audience interaction. And for anyone needing a break from the show there is a designated break area where participants can rest. Volume levels are also kept moderate and anyone can use the earmuffs and earplugs, provided by the band, if needed.
Kozak explains what it’s like to attend a show. “Especially Everyone is an invitation to experience music and connect with other human-beings... It is a celebration of life through music, and an opportunity to be present without any pressure... We make all efforts possible to present music in an accessible manner that encourages people to open themselves up in whatever way that is comfortable to them, and we strive to create an environment that embodies the resilience and positivity of the human spirit.”
The band’s lineup typically includes guitars, a piano, percussion, a brass section, drums, bass, and vocalists but local guest performers will often share the stage as well.
Kozak shares one particularly memorable moment.
“One of the most impactful moments that stands out to me from an Especially Everyone event is when we featured one of our friends and bandmates, Jewels Harrison. Jewels is a phenomenal piano player who also has Autism, and has played with the band on many occasions. At one particular show, Jewels sat in with the band for three or four songs, then took a bow and joined his mom in the audience for the remainder of the performance. After the show, a man approached me and stated that he was incredibly impressed with Jewels’ musical ability, and even more importantly, that he had no idea that he had Autism until he finished playing and left the stage.
Through music, Jewels was able to reveal so many of the other qualities that make him unique and are often overlooked, and that is something that we try to replicate in as many ways as possible during our shows.”
Join us on September 21st, at the Williams Center, Rutherford New Jersey for the Especially Everyone Experience - Tickets here
Tickets for all events can be found at williamscenter.co.
For more information about The Williams Center and to arrange to speak to a company spokesperson, please contact Jordan Fried at 201-613-1844 or info@williamscenter.co
