"As remarkable a spokeswoman, activist, artist, author, and musician Donna is, her humanity is what really sets her apart; her humor, passion, wit and insight into the world around her; her ability to see beauty in everyday things, her playfulness, her way of being in the world. Donna not only changed the way I see people with autism; she changed the way I see everyone". - Stina R, USA.
Here you'll find my upcoming public events including:
MAKING MEANING An exhibition of figurative, abstract and photographic art works
One of the most well known people with autism in the world, DONNA WILLIAMS is best known as an internationally best-selling author. With 10 published books, she is also an artist, sculptor, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and public speaker. She has exhibited in New York, her work has featured in art books, magazines and newsletters around the world and sold internationally.
Donna's husband, CHRIS SAMUEL is a Systems Manager in Super Computing. A regular blogger, his site at www.csamuel.org receives thousands of visitors a month and features his writings on a range of social and environmental topics. He been doing photography since his teens and first exhibited his photography in 2009.
WHERE: The Bakery @ 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St, Upper Ferntree Gully
TIMES: Wednesday-Sunday: 8.30pm - 11pm, Sundays: 4pm - 6.30pm
ENQUIRIES: admin@1812theatre.com or phone 97583964 WEB: www.1812theatre.com.au
COST: There is no cost for the exhibition and 10% of all proceeds will benefit the 1812 community theatre.
Walking in Autistic Shoes: A presentation and question-answer forum with author and autism consultant Donna Williams
Born in 1963, thought deaf and assessed as psychotic at the age of two, Donna Williams acquired functional speech in late childhood and was diagnosed with autism in her 20’s. The author of ten books in the field of autism, an international public speaker and autism consultant, and artist and musician, Donna will provide a fascinating insight into the world of Autism as someone who has actually been there.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY:
“Never have I sat through a seminar that held me captivated the entire time. Donna is an expert on the subject and if you think you know a lot about Autism then think again”.
“As remarkable a spokeswoman, activist, artist, author, and musician Donna is, her humanity is what really sets her apart; her humor, passion, wit and insight into the world around her; her ability to see beauty in everyday things, her playfulness, her way of being in the world. Donna not only changed the way I see people with autism; she changed the way I see everyone”.
“Donna shares her knowledge with her audience in a way which makes it one to one, when in a room of hundreds. I would recommend her as a 'never to be missed' speaker”.
WHERE: Attwood House Community Centre, 202 Erinbank Crescent, Attwood. 3049
TIME: 7-8.30pm
ENQUIRIES: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net
COST: $5
BOOKINGS: Numbers are strictly limited and bookings are essential.
Footsteps of A Nobody
A powerful one woman rock-musical both written and performed by Donna Williams, author of the international best seller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl and musically supported by The Aspinauts.
This is a unique opportunity to witness the author herself perform a story that has changed the lives of millions. Through vibrant song, characterisations, gestural signing and evocative spoken word, Donna takes us on a journey from a seemingly deaf, psychotic, 'feral' child to life on the streets and ultimately on to her fight for equality among others.
Disabled access available. Suitable for teens and older children. Question time available after the show
REVIEWS OF DONNA'S WRITING:
She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before - NEW YORK TIMES
Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster - THE GLOBE AND MAIL
By turns fascinating and harrowing - PEOPLE MAGAZINE
TICKETS:Full Price: $20.00 |Concession $15.00
VENUE: Stag Theatre, Strathmore Community Hall, Loeman Street, Strathmore 3041
TIME: Show 8-9pm. Question time 9-9.30pm
ENQUIRIES: Email: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net
Brainfood 2010 Conference
“Flow of Knowledge” Stimulating individuals to actively contribute knowledge sharing
Donna Williams presents Jam Jar; the classic 1995 autism UK TV documentary. It follows Donna in her daily life with her first husband, a man on the autistic spectrum. Donna becomes our tour guide showing us the person beyond the labels on the ‘jam jar’. Poetic and artistic, the film explores Donna’s meaning deafness and meaning blindness in the context of autism and the social, emotional and communication bridges she uses to navigate with the world showing us the person beyond the labels on the ‘jam jar’. Jam Jar went on to be nominated for the UK's Mental Health Media Award, and was captured in the book, Everyday Heaven.
The film will be followed by a Q-A session with the audience.
WHERE: Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre, 613 Main Road Ballarat 3350
TIME: 6.15-7.15pm
ENQUIRIES: Kay Vrieze mailto:kayvrieze@aanet.com.au phone 5327 12906 or 5327 1293
Topic: 2010 Autism New Zealand conference
Details: TBA
Donna Williams will be a speaker at the 2010 Autism New Zealand conference.
TOPIC: ‘Adult Life, Adult Issues’
DATE: Friday 10 September
TIME: 3.30pm till 5.00pm.
ONLINE: Visit www.autismnz.org.nz
ENQUIRIES: conference@autismnz.org.nz
Walking in Autistic Shoes: A presentation and question-answer forum with author and autism consultant Donna Williams
Born in 1963, thought deaf and assessed as psychotic at the age of two, Donna Williams acquired functional speech in late childhood and was diagnosed with autism in her 20’s. The author of ten books in the field of autism, an international public speaker and autism consultant, and artist and musician, Donna will provide a fascinating insight into the world of Autism as someone who has actually been there.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY:
“Never have I sat through a seminar that held me captivated the entire time. Donna is an expert on the subject and if you think you know a lot about Autism then think again”.
“As remarkable a spokeswoman, activist, artist, author, and musician Donna is, her humanity is what really sets her apart; her humor, passion, wit and insight into the world around her; her ability to see beauty in everyday things, her playfulness, her way of being in the world. Donna not only changed the way I see people with autism; she changed the way I see everyone”.
“Donna shares her knowledge with her audience in a way which makes it one to one, when in a room of hundreds. I would recommend her as a 'never to be missed' speaker”.
WHERE: Living Learning Pakenham, 6b Henry St, Pakenham
TIME: 7-8.30pm
ENQUIRIES: bookings(at)donnawilliams.net
COST: $5
BOOKINGS: Numbers are strictly limited and bookings are essential.
Walking in Autistic Shoes: A presentation and question-answer forum with author and autism consultant Donna Williams
Born in 1963, thought deaf and assessed as psychotic at the age of two, Donna Williams acquired functional speech in late childhood and was diagnosed with autism in her 20’s. The author of ten books in the field of autism, an international public speaker and autism consultant, and artist and musician, Donna will provide a fascinating insight into the world of Autism as someone who has actually been there. The sessions provide ample time for Q & A from the audience.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY:
“Never have I sat through a seminar that held me captivated the entire time. Donna is an expert on the subject and if you think you know a lot about Autism then think again”.
“As remarkable a spokeswoman, activist, artist, author, and musician Donna is, her humanity is what really sets her apart; her humor, passion, wit and insight into the world around her; her ability to see beauty in everyday things, her playfulness, her way of being in the world. Donna not only changed the way I see people with autism; she changed the way I see everyone”.
“Donna shares her knowledge with her audience in a way which makes it one to one, when in a room of hundreds. I would recommend her as a 'never to be missed' speaker”.
TIMES: 1pm-2.30pm and 7pm-8.30pm
VENUE: Rich River Golf Club, Tatalia Room, 24 Lane, Moama
COST: $30 per session
BOOKINGS: Linke Smedts-Kreskas ph:5480 2388 or email: lsmedts@clrs.org.au
MORE INFO: http://www.clrs.org.au/index.html
BALOOMBAWOP as part of the Eltham Children's Festival
The children's musical, Baloombawop was written and produced by qualified teacher/singer-songwriter/author, Donna Williams, and features musical collaborations with other Aspinauts.
Baloombawop is an interactive, off the wall, musical adventure for kids (aged 3 and upwards) and kids at heart. It should appeal to fans of Dr Seuss, Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl.
The land of Baloombawop and is magically brought to life through the complete dag-dom of Aspinauts For Kids and the gestural signing and characterisations of their storyteller-lead singer, Donna Williams as she plays 7 different characters (complete with costume changes!). It runs for an hour and audience members are invited to actively participate throughout.
Once upon tough time, there were Grumpy Gallumphies who didn't like strangeness it made them quite grumpy. Then a magical train arrived from a dream and those who could dare, they had dared to get in. It was off to Baloomba-wop where they had purple rain, and a shop that even sold new replacement brains!
They would meet Charlie Warmton whose best friend was a blanket, and the Brookenstein Fox who lives up on a shelf, and Bluster-McFluster with his technical gadgets and the Gimmety-Gimme with everything for herself. They'd meet Booger-Looger who picks his nose to perfection and the Whirly-twirl-girl who lacks any direction. And not to mention the Gadoodleborger who runs a magical shop which just happens to be where the train is to stop.
But deep in Baloomba-wop, a Grumpy Gallumphy, the notorious Dame Grumpty-Doobee-the-Fourth, she doesn't like strangeness at all so she wants to make everyone so very 'normal' of course. She is looking to change Baloomba-wop for forever. She's determined to make all these weirdoes quite plain. Will she be stopped before everything's 'normal', I wonder. Or succeed making all be exactly the same?
WHERE: Eltham Town Square
TIME: 2pm
COST: free