NC Symphony's first sensory-friendly concert is this weekend

Editor's note: Just a reminder that this weekend is the NC Symphony's very first sensory-friendly concert. Here's more about the concert from a post that originally ran in August.

The North Carolina Symphony is the latest Triangle performance group to make plans for a special performance aimed at kids with sensory issues and their parents.

The symphony will host its first Family Fun 4 Everyone Sensory-Friendly Concert at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

It joins Raleigh Little Theatre, NC Theater, the PNC Arena, Theatre in the Park, the Museum of Life and Science, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Marbles Kids Museum, and the Durham Performing Arts Center, among others, in offering special performances and events designed for those who have trouble with loud noises, bright lights or crowds because of sensory sensitivities, which are common in those with autism.

"We've definitely seen the rise of more groups doing it and wanted to be able to offer that experience for orchestral performances as well," said Meredith Kimball Laing, the symphony's communications director.

Grant Llewellyn will conduct the concert, which will feature classical family favorites during a one-hour performance. Ticket holders can get to the venue early to try out some instruments during the symphony's popular Instrument Zoo.

During the concert, the symphony will make some special accommodations for concertgoers, including:

• Providing a designated quiet space available throughout the concert.
• Creating a social story that prepares audiences for the concert experience, which will be provided ahead of concert day.
• Setting the lights at a lower level throughout the performance.
• Ensuring accessible accommodations, including wheelchair seating, ASL interpretation, Braille and large-print programs.

Patrons also can bring noise-canceling headphones or other assistive devices and may leave and re-enter the concert hall throughout the performance.

Tickets are just $5, and the symphony also is offering a flexible refund policy. The concert is made possible thanks to a grant from The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.

Laing said an advisory committee of groups who work with those with special needs helped the symphony plan the event.

"We've had a lot of support from those experts," she said.

The symphony already has a second sensory-friendly concert planned during one of of its Jan. 4 Young People's Series concerts, Laing said.

Tickets are on sale now for September's sensory-friendly concert. More information is on the NC Symphony's website.