Southfield musician creates safe space for sober creators
24 hours of live music event to support Greater Impact House
When producer and composer Alexander Vlachos (Greater Alexander), 41, Southfield, experienced suicidal thoughts because of his depression, he says creating his music saved his life. Paying it forward, he rescued an abandoned house blocks from the Motown Museum in Detroit, to make it an artists’ residency and creative hub for established musicians and artists to flourish physically and mentally.
While the Greater Impact House is not a treatment center, they are offering a safe space for artists to create, by simply removing the vices, and focusing on wellness.
“Our unique goal for Greater Impact House (GIH) is the intention of making it a substance- free space that brings awareness to mental health, and promotes inclusivity for those wanting to create sober, or in recovery,” said Vlachos.
Vlachos says many of his peers are looking for a healthier lifestyle, especially since the pandemic crisis. A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) states the number of deaths from drinking increased by 25% in 2020, according to the National Institute on Alcohol
Abuse and Alcoholism. A second study in JAMA this month reported findings that music interventions were associated with significant changes in mental health and quality of life, when added to treatment plans.
“To me, the GIH is a space of safety and community,” says local artist Lydia Bates, 35, Westland.” It offers solace where feelings are allowed to be fully expressed through the unique work of the sober artist—and it’s a place where healing can happen.”
Vlachos and partner Karianne Spans-Hanna, 35, Southfield — who has a Masters in Art Therapy and degree from the college for Creative Studies in Detroit — are busy fundraising to complete renovations to the 3,600-squarefoot house, built in 1911. Plans are also being made to convert the first floor to adapt to the needs of disabled artists, with the help of John Katona, at GM Able.
A recent Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign raised $10,000, and funds were used to rehab the roof and some plumbing and electric.
24 hours of Live Music and Art Supporting Greater Things
“We have an exciting, experiential event happening next month, ‘Greater Impact Live’ 24 hours of live music and art to support and raise funds for Greater Impact House,” said Spans-Hanna. “It will showcase a roster of top local musicians and others from out-ofstate like Nashville, playing for 24 hours, as well as contemporary artists creating pieces, live at the house.” (Artists interested in participating can sign-up with a submission online.)
The “Greater Impact Live” event hopes to raise $30,000. Tickets will be sold and streaming for the event will be available on April, 22.
The goal is to complete renovations by fall 2022, when they will have the artists’ residencies, eight studios to play music, create art and collaborate, as well as a hub for ongoing wellness initiatives offered for the growing artist community in metro Detroit. The Greater Impact House will have space for two artists for a live-in residency and two artists for a day studio residency.
Donors and sponsors, or artists interested in performing at the 24 hour live event can sign up at greaterimpacthouse. com/2424. For more information on Greater impact House, or to learn how to apply for an artist residency, visit greaterimpacthouse.com.