MusiCares has announced the third annual Mindful May event, presented in collaboration with Sweetwater, taking place Tuesday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation in New Orleans. Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the free event will offer a restorative experience designed to support the mental, emotional and physical health of those working in music.
In such a fast-paced and demanding industry, Mindful May offers music professionals space to slow down, reconnect and explore supportive practices that can be carried into everyday life. The event will feature immersive wellness activations, including a group sound bath, yoga and meditation sessions, massage therapy, holistic chiropractic services, mental health resources, custom ear-mold fittings, guided tea ceremonies, and light refreshments. Throughout the event, attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with MusiCares staff members and learn more about the organization's year-round services.
A central moment of the day will be the panel discussion, The Calm After The Storm: Community Healing Through Music and Resilience, moderated by Candress Suber, a Client Manager of Mental Health & Addiction Services at MusiCares. The conversation will bring together six-time Grammy winner PJ Morton, the Recording Academy's Reid Wick, and therapist August Boyd to explore the role of music in healing, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. With deep ties to New Orleans, the panel will reflect on the lasting impact of Hurricane Katrina and the ways the local music community has supported recovery, connection and collective resilience.
Bringing Mindful May to New Orleans carries special significance. As the birthplace of jazz and home to generations of deeply rooted music culture, the city's music community reflects both extraordinary creativity and enduring resilience. In the years following Hurricane Katrina, music professionals across New Orleans faced immense loss and displacement, yet remained central to the city's cultural and emotional recovery. Today, from artists to engineers to live event crews, this community continues to shape music globally while navigating the same pressures and instability that exist across the industry.
"We've seen firsthand the strength and resilience of the New Orleans music community," Marshai Iverson, Managing Director of Mental Health & Addiction Recovery at MusiCares, said. "In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, MusiCares mobilized to support music people facing unprecedented loss, helping shape how we show up for this community in times of crisis. Whether someone is navigating a personal hardship or recovering from a large-scale disaster, our commitment remains the same: to help music professionals regain stability, access care and sustain their well-being over time."
Following the strong response to previous events in concert with Sweetwater in Los Angeles and Nashville, MusiCares continues to expand Mindful May as part of its ongoing commitment to providing accessible, holistic care for the music community where they live and work.
"Caring for musicians and creators throughout their journey is at the center of our mission at Sweetwater, and Mindful May is a powerful opportunity to further impact music-making communities," Sweetwater CEO Mike Clem explained. "We're proud of our long-standing partnership with MusiCares, meeting the music community where they are and ensuring they feel heard, seen and supported by our industry."
From preventive care to recovery support and disaster relief, MusiCares, the leading charity supporting the health and well-being of the music community, continues to provide a trusted safety net for music people in times of need. Through efforts like Mindful May and its continued partnership with Sweetwater, MusiCares is working to expand access to care and reduce barriers that too often prevent those working in music from seeking support.
Mindful May 2026 is supported by Sweetwater and StageWater.