Project Eyepatch: Local artist loses sight, gains vision for addressing health care cost
From donuts to dinosaurs, P.H. “Mister†Fred’s work over the last 20 years has been nothing if not topical…kind of like a rash or an ointment.  True to form, the New Orleans-based artist/performer/educator now finds himself in the center of the health care debate facing the same questions that baffle and intimidate the nation’s policy makers and television talking head politerazzi:  How on earth can anybody pay the skyrocketing costs of medical care?
Diagnosed with glaucoma at age 28, Fred has been treating the pressure behind his eyes off and on with medication for years until he learned recently that the optic nerve in his left eye was dying.  Costly laser surgery to remedy the situation was not only unsuccessful, but also resulted in the loss of the remaining 25% vision in that eye.  Now every day tasks like reading, cooking, and using the computer are difficult. Occupational therapy – not covered by health insurance – will be necessary if Fred wants to continue to drive.
As news travelled of Mister Fred’s predicament, consensus grew among fellow artists and musicians and they knew the time had come to take a cue from Microsoft:  When your system has a bobo, MAKE A PATCH!  And thus PROJECT EYEPATCH was born.  Part live music show and part auction, PROJECT EYEPATCH aims to close the $5,000 gap between the cost of Fred’s care and what his insurance will cover
For advanced viewing or photographing of eye patches, please contact Fred at [email protected] or (504) 458-2641. For more information on PROJECT EYEPATCH, visit www.facebook.com and search by key word “PROJECT EYEPATCH.â€
P.H. Fred is a recording artist, having worked most recently as band leader of the Round Pegs.  His comedic solo recordings earned him airplay on the Dr. Demento Show.  His paintings are currently on display at the Hyaena Gallery in Burbank, CA and at the Pop Gallery in Santa Fe, NM.  He is also a founding member of a local improvisational comedy troupe and author of “BLOG THIS: Katrina Killed My Momma.â€Â  Fred earns a living as an academic tutor specializing in working with special needs children. As long time readers will be aware he has also contributed a lot of material to HumidCity in the time since the levee failure.
WHAT:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PROJECT EYEPATCH live music show and auction
WHEN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7th 2009, 7-10pm
WHERE:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BANKS STREET BAR, 4401 BANKS ST, NEW ORLEANS LA
Performances by: THE ROUND PEGS, LYNN DRURY, JIM McCORMICK, CALEB GUILLOTTE, RON HOTSTREAM & MARY LASSEIGNE, THE SELF RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS, TONY SINOPOLI, JOHN LISI, TOM MARRON, HANNAH KRIEGER-BENSON, BELLA BLUE, CHRIS PERKINS, THE CONSOLATION WARS, and special surprise guests.
PLUS
Eyepatch art auction featuring 100+ artists including: VALERY MILOVIC, MIKE WATT, ANGUS OBLONG, MARK NEWGARDEN, MOLLY CRABAPPLE, AYA KAKEDA, FRANKIE BABYLON, MISS MINDY, CJ METZGER, and (of course) P.H. “MISTER” FRED.
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