A Full Room for ‘Together We Shine’ on Staten Island
Over 150 fans and supporters filled Flagship Brewery on Staten Island for the inaugural Together We Shine Open Mic Night—a powerful celebration of creativity and community that welcomed performers of all abilities to the stage.
Held at local Staten Island venue the Flagship Brewing Company, the evening featured a unique and inspiring 1:1 performer ratio of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) performing alongside peers, friends, local musicians, and community members.
Emceed by a local open mic host and comedian, Donny Teachout, attendees were treated to performances by Rondu Covington, Ann Whitty, and Anna Beran from CP Unlimited, Markese, Rosey, and Sal from Community Resources Staten Island, a full chorus from the music class of A Very Special Place, Inc. (with instructor Monika Galus alongside Araed, Rachel, Matthew, Frank, Donna, Luis, Christina, Christine, Ashley, Allen, David, Steven, Tonisha, Clive, and Dana), and Miss Staten Island 2025, local band Emergency Revival, singer-songwriter Real-Life Superhero (Mike Tirado), and guitarist from Staten Island’s Superfuture, Justin Legends, among others.
What better place to launch such a powerful tradition than Staten Island—a borough that has always been home to CP Unlimited’s mission and heart. This was echoed in the opening remarks from the Agency’s President & CEO Joseph M. Pancari: “Our roots of direct services started right here, we are a Staten Island agency, so thank you, we are all Staten Islanders.” The team was honored to also welcome OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer to the event.
CPU thanks our sponsors Kibu, Henry Ginna, Colonia Funeral Home (Michael Lanza), and the Kings Plaza/Canarsie Kiwanis Club.
Together We Shine reminds us all that creativity belongs to everyone, and when inclusion takes center stage, the result is nothing short of transformative.
See our slideshow from the event:
Enjoy Dylan Accornero and Matthew D’Oria, students at P37R, singing New York, New York:
Hear Monika Galus, singer-songwriter and Music Instructor at A Very Special Place, Inc.:
Support CP Unlimited at our next event on April 29 at Gotham Comedy Club:
