Fight Back Against Mold Illness with Help from Proactive Wellness Centers

CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in Wolf Trap, VA

Experiencing mold toxicity is a terrifying thought for most people. Although it may seem like an interesting concept for a medical drama, nobody wants to experience the effects of mold exposure firsthand.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet environments, such as under tiles, wood floors, and ceilings, pipes, and roofs. While several types of mold exist, some are more hazardous than others, and some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to mycotoxins, the toxins that mold naturally produces. Exposure to excessive amounts of mold, or the types of mold that trigger health problems, can lead to mold toxicity and even CIRS - Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This acute and chronic systemic inflammatory response syndrome is typically acquired after exposure to mold or other producers of biotoxins, usually from damaged water buildings.

If you believe that you're suffering from mold toxicity or mold illness, it can seem like the world is folding in on you. No matter what you do, your symptoms persist, lowering your quality of life and eliminating your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is reason to be hopeful: Proactive Wellness Centers now offers a research-backed, highly effective mold illness poisoning treatment in Wolf Trap, VA for men and women just like yourself and your children as well if they have been impacted.

Service Areas

Understanding

CIRS and Mold Toxicity

CIRS and mold illness are on the rise, and accurate diagnosis of the issue plays a major role in this trend. Thanks to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, there is a huge body of evidence that covers diagnosing and treating patients with CIRS. Dr. Lawson is one of less than 30 practitioners in the United States that are fully certified by Dr. Shoemaker for diagnosing and treating CIRS. The body of evidence by Shoemaker and many associates is the largest body of scientific evidence that is published in major medical journals. Around 80% of CIRS/Mold cases are caused by indoor air contaminated with mold toxins and other triggers. However, it's important to note that CIRS can also be caused by biotoxin producers such as cyanobacteria and a marine dinoflagellate that produces the Ciguatera toxin found in certain types of fish.

When mold or biotoxins are not processed effectively, a series of biochemical changes known as the Biotoxin Pathway occur. Genetic studies have revealed that approximately 24% of individuals have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to developing an illness related to mold or biotoxins. The remaining 76% of the population can typically eliminate these toxins from their system and avoid the development of the Biotoxin Pathway that can lead to various diseases.

CIRS Treatment In Wolf Trap Wolf Trap, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Misdiagnosis

CIRS and mold exposure symptoms overlap with many other chronic illnesses, which makes diagnosis challenging and can even lead to missed diagnosis of CIRS. Based on research from Proactive Wellness Centers, CIRS is frequently misdiagnosed. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include:

  • Lupus
  • Chronic Pain Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • PTSD
  • More

Lyme disease, in particular, is often misdiagnosed. We have treated a number of patients whose symptoms were in line with Lyme disease. Fortunately, we were able to confirm the presence of CIRS and mold and were able to successfully help those patients using CIRS treatment in Wolf Trap, VA.

Note that many of these patients have CIRS and Lyme disease and in that case, it is necessary to treat both in order for full recovery. Treating one or the other will invariably leave the patient with debilitating symptoms and even more frustration with their medical team. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we are skilled In diagnosing and treating both.

 VA Wolf Trap, VA
 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Wolf Trap Wolf Trap, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Symptoms

If you're reading this page, chances are you're concerned that you might have CIRS or some form of mold poisoning. You may be wondering what you have - is it CIRS, or is it something else like Lyme disease? We can't provide the answer to that question without consultation and testing at our wellness center in Virginia. However, there are common symptoms of CIRS and mold toxicity you should know.

Some of the most common symptoms of CIRS include:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased Word Finding
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Morning Stiffness
  • Tremors
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Tingling
  • Night Sweats
  • Frequent Urination
  • Confusion
  • Mood Swings

Proactive Wellness Centers'

Tools for Diagnosing Mold Sickness and CIRS

Identifying and confirming if a patient is being impacted by CIRS and identifying the cause and source of the biotoxin are the two main steps in diagnosing CIRS and Mold Exposure. To diagnose CIRS and Mold Exposure, the following diagnostic tools are commonly used:

To learn more about the debilitating symptoms of mold sickness and to find out whether you have CIRS or something else, contact Proactive Wellness Centers. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way.

 VA Wolf Trap, VA

Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in Wolf Trap, VA

Our approach to treating CIRS utilizes integrative and functional medicine, The Shoemaker Protocol along with the latest evidence-based approaches to treating mold illness and the related secondary issues that it causes. We begin by utilizing advanced diagnostics to confirm the presence of the condition and identify the specific environment causing continued exposure to biotoxins. Next, we take a stepwise approach to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate biotoxins from the body, and reverse any damage to cellular structures. Our goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery.

To do this, we not only have to identify the primary condition like CIRS or Lyme disease, but we then have to continue looking to see if you have any of the common secondary conditions like reactivated EBV, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others. Once we understand the totally of your condition, then we can implement a treatment plan tailored for you. Yes, it will leverage the Shoemaker protocol, but we have found that we have to extend the protocol to cover the secondary issues that we uncover.

The steps we follow to reach that goal include:

In order to initiate the recovery process, it is important to address and resolve any affected areas, or, alternatively, relocate the patient from that environment if necessary. Prolonged exposure to mold can hinder the success of the treatment plan and impede the healing process.

Two commonly used binding agents in the process of treating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome are Welchol and Cholestyramine. Cholestyramine is particularly effective in binding biotoxins that are processed in the liver's bile ducts and helps to eliminate them from the body. It has been scientifically proven, through placebo-controlled studies, to reverse multiple aspects of the inflammatory process associated with CIRS.

Many individuals experiencing mold sickness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses may have a staph infection called MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) residing deep in their nasal cavities. This infection is resistant to antibiotics and needs to be eliminated for the patient to fully recover.

Each patient requires a customized plan based on the affected areas and CIRS severity. Retesting is necessary after each step to confirm balance restoration. Testing may include some or all of the following:
  • VIP
  • TGF Beta 1
  • MMP9
  • ADH
  • Antigliadin
  • Androgen Imbalance
  • C4a
  • More

In order to halt the growth of mold fungi, patients need to avoid foods that can cause mycotoxins. Some examples of these foods include:
  • Barley
  • Cottonseed
  • Peanuts
  • Corn
  • Black Pepper
  • Figs
  • Rice
  • Bread
  • Beans
  • More
Proactive Wellness has a proven track record of treating patients who have experienced severe health issues without any clear explanation. Unlike other "syndromes," our diagnosis process involves specific tests to confirm a diagnosis rather than simply ruling out other diseases.
 CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment In Wolf Trap Wolf Trap, VA

Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain Syndrome are examples of illnesses that are often diagnosed without such confirmatory tests. If you are experiencing unexplained health issues or have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, it is possible that you are suffering from CIRS or a mold illness.

The good news is that we can diagnose and address this disease with a mold illness treatment program in Wolf Trap, VA tailored to your body and your symptoms. That way, we can help you regain your health as soon as possible.

Be Wary of These

5 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home or another environment, like in an office or warehouse, it's important for you to know about the symptoms.

Unfortunately, diagnosing mold issues can be exceptionally difficult. But why? The answer can be quite frustrating.

Understanding the Difficulty of Diagnosing Mold Symptoms

Many doctors fail to recognize the impact of mycotoxins emitted by certain indoor mold species, which can lead to chemical and inflammatory reactions. While conventional medicine acknowledges that mold can cause allergies, it may overlook this crucial aspect of mold-related health issues.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • Standardized treatment protocols for mold toxicity are offered mostly by Functional/Integrative physicians as the conventional physicians are not on board despite over 20 years of published research. Due to this issue, patients spend precious months/years going from doctor to doctor in the conventional channel with no answers.
  • Though ERMI testing has been accepted in the integrative/functional medical community, there isn't a "gold standard" in mold testing that is universally accepted.
  • Mold symptoms can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the patient.
VA Wolf Trap, VA

After understanding the points above, it's no wonder that mold poisoning can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, integrative and functional holistic medicine providers and wellness centers like Proactive Wellness are flipping the proverbial script. Unlike traditional clinics, our team considers environmental factors that can affect patient health and has advanced training to provide mold poisoning treatment in Wolf Trap, VA.

Now that you understand why mold symptoms are so hard to diagnose let's take a closer look at five of the most common indicators of mold sickness.

 Mold Toxicity Symptoms Wolf Trap, VA

Fatigue

Fatigue is probably the number one symptom of well over 90% of CIRS patients. The level of fatigue varies from 5 on a 10 point scale all the way to 10 on a 10 point scale. Many patients can no longer work or remain productive as in the worst cases, the fatigue is overwhelming. College students living in moldy dorms frequently have to drop out of school until the illness is treated effectively. Older adults have to retire or stop working due the fatigue. If you have overwhelming fatigue, CIRS may be a major contributor to your illness.

 Mold Poisoning Symtoms Wolf Trap, VA

Breathing Problems

Exposure to mold can cause a host of respiratory problems, such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and asthma, especially in individuals with a weakened immune system. Mold can worsen asthma, irritate the nasal passages, lungs, and throat, and lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Other health issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have also been associated with mold sickness.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Treatment Wolf Trap, VA

Sadness and Depression

Mold can cause a variety of illnesses that can show up in different ways, such as psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, concentration problems, and memory loss. It has been reported that nearly 40% of people who live in moldy homes experience depression. Researchers suggest that exposure to toxic mold and dealing with the physical symptoms of mold illness can contribute to mental health issues.

Due to this phenomenon, many mold patients are given antidepressant medications in the conventional channels.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Wolf Trap, VA

Feeling "Pins and Needles"

Numbness, twitching, or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, feet, legs, and arms, is another symptom of mold illness. The sensation is similar to pins and needles, which are often felt when the body is held in an uncomfortable position for a long time. While this sensation can indicate serious nerve damage or disease, it can also be a symptom of mold sickness.

CIRS Treatment In Wolf Trap Wolf Trap, VA

Digestion Problems and Disorders

When exposed to mold, individuals may experience various digestive problems. Some may lose their appetite, leading to unintentional weight loss. Others may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the influx of mold spores may trigger systemic inflammation, causing bloating and weight gain due to the digestive system's exposure to harmful mold.

Top Tips for

Controlling Mold in Your Environment

It's not possible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores from your home or place of work. However, since mold spores need moisture to grow, the best way to prevent or get rid of growth is to reduce the moisture in your environment. If you already have mold growing there, it's important to clean it up and address the issue causing dampness. If you only clean up the mold and don't address the underlying problem, the mold is likely to return.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture throughout your home or office:

  • Use A/C or Dehumidifiers. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area of the United States.
  • Ensure A/C drip pans are clean, dry, and obstruction-free.
  • Thoroughly dry areas that are damp or wet within 48 hours.
  • Be sure to install insulation in cold areas like your home's exterior walls and windows. Doing so will reduce condensation.
  • Work with an HVAC company to check your HVAC system. Doing so can help ensure your unit is removing as much humidity as possible.
  • Keep the humidity in your home below 60% whenever possible.
 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Wolf Trap Wolf Trap, VA
 VA Wolf Trap, VA

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in your kitchen:

  • Check for leaks near your ice makers, sinks, and anywhere else water is present.
  • Make sure your exhaust fans are directing moisture outside, not into your attic.
  • If you notice your appliances are causing moisture on windows and other surfaces, turn them off as soon as you're done using them.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in crawlspaces:

  • Use a plastic covering on the dirt in your crawlspace. Doing so will prevent moisture from saturating the ground.
  • Ensure that your crawlspace or basement is ventilated well.
  • Check your home's gutters. Make sure they're directing water away from your property, not toward your foundation or crawlspace.

Your Top Choice for

Mold Toxicity Treatment in Wolf Trap, VA

Trying to "tough it out" through life with CIRS isn't any way to live. If you're suffering from the effects of biotoxin illness, you should know that there are solutions available to help you reclaim your health and your life. With the help of a can-do attitude, healthy living, and mold illness treatment from Proactive Wellness, there's light at the end of the dark tunnel you're trapped within. Contact our office today to get started on your first step toward recovery!

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Latest News in Wolf Trap, VA

Wolf Trap Unveils Summer Lineup for 2024

Wolf Trap announced its 2024 summer performances at the Filene Center. The star-studded acts range from Brittany Howard to Gladys Knight. Many of your favorites will return, including John Legend, Lyle Lovett, and Wynton Marsalis.Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, February 16. Additional summer artists and the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods performances will be announced in the spring.Here’s some of what the lineup looks like, so far:June 2Sing and dance along to iconic summer songs lik...

Wolf Trap announced its 2024 summer performances at the Filene Center. The star-studded acts range from Brittany Howard to Gladys Knight. Many of your favorites will return, including John Legend, Lyle Lovett, and Wynton Marsalis.

Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, February 16. Additional summer artists and the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods performances will be announced in the spring.

Here’s some of what the lineup looks like, so far:

June 2

Sing and dance along to iconic summer songs like “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Good Vibrations” with The Beach Boys, led by Mike Love.

June 4–6

You see him as a coach on The Voice. Now see the multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and producer who has 12 Grammy awards as he comes back to Wolf Trap for three shows with his band and the Wolf Trap Orchestra. Last year, he regaled the audience with poignant stories about himself.

June 8

The friendship between the legendary duo has spanned more than six decades. They’ve taken the stage together many times before. See them belt some of their best R&B classics during this special show.

June 9

The Austin, Texas, blues guitarist who released four new songs in January makes a debut at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. Expect to hear music from his newest album, JPEG Raw, which his bio said picks up where his last album, This Land, left off. This Land earned Clark three Grammys and a fourth nomination.

June 15

Big brass sounds will be in the air as Trombone Shorty brings the language of the Big Easy to Wolf Trap for one night. Of course, if you really want to see him sooner as well, he’s playing Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in March and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May.

June 16

Over the years the pop-flamenco group from the south of France has added a little bit of everything from Cuban music to reggae to jazz to its work. There’s no doubt that lead singer Nicolás Reyes will have you wanting to dance.

June 18–19

Last year, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were supposed to play Wolf Trap, but poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires postponed the show until this summer. Expect the former lead singer for Led Zeppelin and the bluegrass queen to bring together some harmonies you’ll never forget for two nights.

June 20

A little over a week before Wilco’s Sound Solid three-day concert festival begins in Massachusetts, lead singer Jeff Tweedy and the rest of the Chicago alt-rock band take the stage at Wolf Trap.

June 21, 23, 27, & 29

Enjoy Mozart’s whimsical opera about two sisters and their soldier boyfriends as they play a complicated game of gender versus gender.

June 22

Brittany Howard, the Alabama Shakes lead singer who’s now a solo artist, brings her soulful vocals to Wolf Trap’s Out & About Festival that celebrates Pride on three stages. Set to play the festival with Howard are indie icon Jenny Lewis, alternative rocker Kim Gordon, Quinn Christopherson, Tiny Habits, Okan, Be Steadwell, and Laura Doherty & The Heartbreakers. Howard’s new single “Prove It To You” just came out, and hers is the voice you will hear in the upcoming Netflix movie, Thelma the Unicorn, out on May 17.

June 28

Indian singer and Bollywood megastar Shreya Ghoshal brings her music to Wolf Trap for one night. Expect to hear some romantic ballads from the now Indian Idol judge.

July 13

The National Symphony Orchestra plays John Williams’ Oscar-winning score to the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope.

July 19

Giacomo Puccini’s tribute to bohemian Paris comes to the Filene Center as the Wolf Trap opera presents La bohème with the National Symphony Orchestra.

July 20

Bestselling author Neil Gaiman describes what he does as: “I make things up and write them down.” He returns to the Filene Center. The English writer, known for Good Omen and the award-winning comic book series, The Sandman, was one of Time Magazine‘s most influential people of 2023.

June 26

This singer-songwriter will perform a powerful tribute concert to the career of Tony Bennett, accompanied by The Carnegie Hall Big Band. Together, Feinstein and the band will perform interpretations of songs like “Rags to Riches” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

July 28

The psychedelic soul duo of singer-songwriter Eric Burton and guitarist-producer Adrian Quesada makes a debut appearance at the Filene Center, just a day after playing at FloydFest in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

August 1

National Public Radio’s Peabody Award–winning news quiz takes the stage for an entertaining evening that will keep you laughing.

August 3

Another artist appearing for the first time at Wolf Trap is contemporary Christian pop star Lauren Daigle. The two-time Grammy winner’s most recent self-titled double album that came out last fall infuses a little hip-hop, soul, and acoustic ballads into the mix.

August 9

Lyle Lovett and his Large Band never disappoint as Wolf Trap regulars. The Americana singer-songwriter from Texas offers up witty lyrics and a fun night of music. Lovett, who has a total of four Grammys and 18 nominations overall, most recently won the Americana performance category in 2023.

August 9, 11, 15, & 17

Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prize–winning opera comes to The Barns at Wolf Trap for four performances. It recounts a spontaneous cease-fire that occurred during World War I among Scottish, French, and German troops.

August 15

Expect a wide-ranging repertoire as the world-renowned jazz musician, trumpeter, and composer directs the orchestra.

August 17–18

Boyz II Men brings “Motownphilly” to Vienna. The iconic 1990s group from Philadelphia returns with smooth harmonies and soulful ballads. And with the band will be Bell Biv Devoe, the hip-hop and R&B group that came out of New Edition.

August 21

Look for indie rock artist Andrew Bird to wow the crowd with his ability to play multiple instruments, sing, and whistle. The music of husband-and-wife duo, Amadou & Mariam, music mixes rock, blues, and influences from their native Mali.

August 25

The Indigo Girls of “Closer to Fine” fame and Melissa Etheridge, known for “Come to My Window,” are on a joint summer tour. Expect an evening of memorable tunes as they take the stage.

August 28–29

Grateful Dead founding member Bobby Weir plays with the Wolf Bros — Don Was, Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti. They’re bringing The Wolfpack, a string and brass quintet, to the two-night party, where they’ll also be joined by the NSO.

September 6

The indie rocker Katie Crutchfield, aka Waxahatchee, makes her Wolf Trap debut, joined by Snail Mail and Tim Heidecker, a comedian and musician. Waxahatchee describes her songs as two Katies in conflict. Her next album, Tigers Blood, comes out March 22.

September 7

Pop-rock vocalist Julieta Venegas is an American-born Mexican singer who sings in Spanish. Last year, she won best pop vocal album for Tu Historia at the Latin Grammys.

September 11

The renowned Alabama-born songwriter and award-winning musicians will bring their brand of Americana and Southern music back to Wolf Trap.

September 12, 14, 15

James Taylor brings his All-Star Band back for three September shows that will have you singing along all night.

September 13

Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming take to the stage. Chenoweth always delights with her honest humor and vocal range.

Editor’s Note: The original version of this story misidentified which orchestra would play with John Legend.

Feature image courtesy Wolf Trap

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Meet Arvind Manocha, the CEO of Wolf Trap

In an interview with Northern Virginia Magazine, Wolf Trap CEO Arvind Manocha sheds light on his experience running the arts and culture institution.When the pandemic hit in 2020, our focus really shifted to survival mode. We put the campaign to the side for a moment. In September of 2021, we had our 50th Anniversary Gala. We announced, at that point, the $50 million for 50 years campaign.Our point with the campaign is to invest in the organization...

In an interview with Northern Virginia Magazine, Wolf Trap CEO Arvind Manocha sheds light on his experience running the arts and culture institution.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, our focus really shifted to survival mode. We put the campaign to the side for a moment. In September of 2021, we had our 50th Anniversary Gala. We announced, at that point, the $50 million for 50 years campaign.

Our point with the campaign is to invest in the organization for its long-term success, whether it be in amenities that make the experiences better, or an endowment, which is a permanently protected source of programmatic funding.

Losing that entire 12 months prior only underscored just how important a strong financial underpinning is to an organization like ours. I think a lot of people in our sector felt the same way. We saw organizations that had the strongest foundations weather the storm better than those who didn’t. It just reminded everybody that things can change in an instant.

When we finally started to come out of the pandemic in the fall of ’21, things were open again and we were back to putting on concerts and celebrating our 50th, it felt like the moment to announce this campaign because we really need to make sure that Wolf Trap and other civic resources that we care about are going to be here for the next generation. … I’m very happy to say that we announced that we not only completed our goal but in fact surpassed it, ultimately raising $75 million to support Wolf Trap’s progress.

I’ve learned in this business over many, many years that the day you start talking about that holy grail or the fish, that tends to be the fish that got away.

Lauryn Hill was a favorite of mine. It was nice to have Sting back, too. The first two John Legend concerts were great because he was debuting a new production format. It was a very intimate show, with a lot of storytelling about his life.

I’ve found that the community here is truly a community. People care about each other, and people care about the world around them. Even as Northern Virginia continues to grow and become a new version of itself, it feels like even in the 10 years I’ve lived here, you can see the changes. With all that change, I think there’s still a core characteristic, which is that I think this community of people really cares about each other. I think that that’s what makes living here great.

Feature image of Arvind Manocha by Angelina Namkung

This story originally ran in our January issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.

Virginia Native Jason Mraz Calls First-Ever Wolf Trap Show ‘Exciting’

Grammy Award–winner Jason Mraz, famous for hits like “The Remedy” and “I’m Yours,” returns to his home state to play at Wolf Trap for the first time.Two-time Grammy Award winner and Virginia native Jason Mraz is currently on tour, promoting his new album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride. Mraz, who won Grammys for “Make it Mine” and “Lucky” with Colbie Caillet performs for the first time at ...

Grammy Award–winner Jason Mraz, famous for hits like “The Remedy” and “I’m Yours,” returns to his home state to play at Wolf Trap for the first time.

Two-time Grammy Award winner and Virginia native Jason Mraz is currently on tour, promoting his new album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride. Mraz, who won Grammys for “Make it Mine” and “Lucky” with Colbie Caillet performs for the first time at Wolf Trap on August 6.

Mraz talks to Northern Virginia Magazine about his new album, the Jason Mraz Foundation that supports arts education and the advancement of equality, and what it will be like coming back to his home state.

Congrats on your new album. Tell us more about the vibe you were going for.

Touring last summer was quite insightful because we were able to test out new songs and get a feel for what songs the audience was not into. What they were telling us was that they wanted to stay on their feet and dance. So, we went into the studio to try and make a dance album. It’s been a bucket list item of mine for years. I knew it wasn’t going to be electronic dance music. I had to still figure out how my band and I could pull it off. I’ve made pop music my whole life, I’ll admit that. I stayed in that lane. Looking for new experiences, still, we’d never attempted to do something so up. We set out to make something you could dance to.

I’m always writing from wherever I am in life. I’m in my mid-40s, and it’s long enough to look back and see that I’ve been on a ride. I’m still optimistic about how much of that ride and time I have left, even though time is no guarantee. There’s a preciousness to the optimism on this record. I love this record and how it came out. There’s a freedom to it, and still a fresh naivete to it, but there’s also a little more learned experience and maturity inside of it as well.

What can people who go to your Wolf Trap concert expect to see?

It’s a Technicolor dream show. I’ve got all my best friends with me, 12 of us on stage including me. It’s a colorful recollection of my songs but celebrating the new album, too. We don’t play the new album in its own entirety. The way the new album feels and sounds is how we dress up the old songs as well. We’re also able to play some old songs I’ve never been able to play before because I didn’t have the personnel to help me recreate the song the way it’s recorded on the album. It’s a sonically big and beautiful and fun show. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, so it’s relaxed, too, with audience interaction, whimsy, and a whole lot of dancing.

Are you looking forward to getting back to your home state? Do you have any favorite places to visit in Virginia?

I would go see shows at Wolf Trap growing up in my high school years. In those formative years, I was going to concerts and daydreaming about your life. My daydreaming about my life was being on a big stage one day. I’ve never performed at Wolf Trap, so for me it’s quite exciting because I’ve seen so many shows there as a kid. Specifically, Ani DiFranco and Bob Dylan were big ones for me. I was a fan of both, guitar for Ani and, of course, Bob Dylan for his legendary songwriting.

When I saw Wolf Trap was on the tour schedule, I was very excited about coming back because it gives my family the chance to come up from Richmond to see me and have a bit of a reunion that day. It will be an extra special day on tour.

It seems like you are very dedicated to a lot of important causes. Can you tell us more about the Jason Mraz Foundation or other issues you’re passionate about?

I am sensitive to all the issues. It’s kind of hard to live in this world because everything from climate to equality, social justice, criminal justice, they all need our constant attention and help. I feel like unfortunately this country has been kind of bought and sold and far from the people.

Where I feel like I succeed because I’m an entertainer and performer is the arts education lane. I feel like I can connect with young people and help give them resources and great opportunities for them to pursue not just the arts but an experience of inclusion, acceptance, and compassion, which I think the arts are great at.

The foundation provides grants and scholarships to programs all around the country to help young people get involved in local arts programs. I feel like my superpowers really work best when they’re connected to the arts, so that’s where I tend to do my work.

You just released Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride. What are your plans for the rest of the year?

We have a program in schools from October to February in San Diego at eight different participating schools. After this tour, I won’t be touring for the rest of the year. I’ll be spending more time doing the foundation program and a television project that I can’t mention much about yet, unfortunately.

It gives me the ability to work from home and still contribute to society. I’ll resume touring probably next summer.

Feature image of Jason Mraz by Shervin Lainez courtesy Ashley White PR

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Fireworks, Concerts Kick Off Wolf Trap's Summer Season At Filene Center

VIENNA, VA — The summer season unofficially begins over Memorial Day weekend, and so does the summer concert season at Wolf Trap.Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a popular destination for summer concerts at its Filene Center, an outdoor amphitheater. Summer concerts kick off Thursday as ...

VIENNA, VA — The summer season unofficially begins over Memorial Day weekend, and so does the summer concert season at Wolf Trap.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a popular destination for summer concerts at its Filene Center, an outdoor amphitheater. Summer concerts kick off Thursday as The Avett Brothers perform on three nights.

Families can then enjoy a free concert with fireworks. On Sunday at 8 p.m., the popular Blast Off! with "The President’s Own" United States Marine Band returns. The band will perform concert band favorites, including tunes from "The Music Man," a medley of the Armed Forces’ service songs and more.

A fireworks display will be held after the concert around 9:45 p.m. Fireworks viewing areas will open around 9:30 p.m. This free event is open to all, but seating is offered first come, first served.

Wolf Trap's Filene Center has a packed season with big-name performers. Some shows have already sold out, including Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Charlie Puth and Sting.

Other concerts have limited ticket availability, including John Legend, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Steve Miller Band, KIDZ BOP, Train and James Taylor & His All-Star Band.

One other summer highlight will be the Out & About Festival headlined by Brandi Carlile and featuring 11 LBGTQ+ artists and allies to celebrate Pride month. The festival will be held June 24 and 25.

Beyond the Filene Center, the Wolf Trap Opera will perform its summer residency program at The Barns at Wolf Trap. The season includes three full scale productions, as well as recitals and concerts throughout the community.

For younger audiences, Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods performances will be held over seven weeks. The performances from June 20 to Aug. 5 range from music and dance to theater and puppetry. Children will stay engaged as the performances encourage audience interactions.

Those attending Filene Center performances can bring their own food and drinks, including alcohol, to enjoy at the new Meadow Overlook picnic areas or on the Filene Center lawn during performances. Another option is the returning The Fermented Pig at Ovations' farm-to-table barbecue buffet before Filene Center performances. New this year is a quick service bar with drinks and bites. Picnic boxes can also be preordered. Concession stands are also available during performances, providing meals, snacks and drinks.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is located at 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA. Parking is free but limited. A Wolf Trap Express Shuttle is available roundtrip from the McLean Metro station during all Filene Center summer performances.

To see the full calendar for Wolf Trap's summer season, visit www.wolftrap.org/calendar.

Bob Weir & Wolf Bros Announce More Shows With National Symphony Orchestra

Bob Weir & Wolf Bros will get their tuxedos back from the cleaners for another run of orchestral shows with the National Symphony Orchestra. The two-night run is set for August 28th and 29th at The Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA.The pair of shows will once again see the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Steven Reineke. Each ...

Bob Weir & Wolf Bros will get their tuxedos back from the cleaners for another run of orchestral shows with the National Symphony Orchestra. The two-night run is set for August 28th and 29th at The Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA.

The pair of shows will once again see the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Steven Reineke. Each night will feature unique sets filled with orchestral arrangements of classics from the Grateful Dead songbook, Bobby’s solo works, and other time-honored covers. Stanford professor and composer Dr. Giancarlo Aquilanti will once again provide the original arrangements.

An artist pre-sale for tickets to the Bob Weir & Wolf Bros run with the National Symphony Orchestra in Virginia will begin on Friday, February 9th at 10 a.m. ET followed by the public on-sale Friday, February 16th at 10 a.m. ET. Fans can sign up for access here.

Related: Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir Works The 49ers Sideline At NFC Championship Game [Photos]

This will mark the Grateful Dead guitarist’s fourth engagement of orchestral shows. Weir originally debuted the venture back in 2011 for a one-off benefit concert with the Marin Symphony Orchestra and then reprised the concept in 2022 for a four-night residency with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Then last October, Weir brought the orchestral program back to the West Coast for a show with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra, working once again with Dr. Aquilanti who has provided the arrangements for all of Bobby’s orchestra shows.

“These songs are visitors,” Weir told NPR in a 2022 interview about the effort to translate his music for an 80-piece orchestra. “[They’re] living critters and they’re visitors from another world, another dimension or whatever you want to call it, that come through the artists to visit this world, have a look around, tell their stories,” Weir said. “I don’t know exactly how that works, but I do know that it’s real.”

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