We're BAAACK! We are proud to announce that Goodwill Beacon 10 has welcomed us back for another season and Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities is collaborating with us to present an exciting program. Classes are FREE. There is an annual student fee to pay for students insurance, registration and awards. This year there will be workshops, field trips, talent showcases, community events, community service, performances, competitions and more.Check out a few of our upcoming events that we are hosting and participating in listed below.
FALLAPALOOZA 2005!
Fallapalooza, Community Festival by the Roberta Wells Conservatory - Saturday, October 22 at IS 10 School in Astoria and open to the public. There will be face painting, games, races, treats and prizes. Come wearing a costume! Special thanks to our sponsors Goodwill Industries Beacon Program at IS 10 School and COSTCO of Long Island City!
HUSH-UP!
HUSH-UP! a performance workshop where students will learn about the clandestine activities of American slaves and the Underground Railroad. The workshop will begin in October 2005 and conclude in February 2006, Black History Month. Workshop classes beginning with a placement audition will be held twice weekly. Classes will begin with a discussion group and warm-up. Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance technique will be taught and classes will conclude with choreography. The drama presentation of HUSH-UP! will be a short play about the Underground Railroad and the importance of secrecy. There will be 2 dance pieces that weave in the artistic and covert activities of slaves on plantations. One piece will be an African American square dance, the other a Negro spiritual. The performance will close with a cheerleading presentation to showcase the joy of the vast strides that have been made. The performance will be held at a rented facility (possibly Queens Theatre in the Park or Langston Hughes Library) in Queens.
The workshop will explore
1. What was American slavery and the Underground Railroad?
2. How did slavery affect children and families?
3. Do you think that slavery plays a part in culture today?
4.Why is it important that students of all ethnicities know about this part of American History?
Special Guests
Speaker Fiddler Drummer
ME
ME a youth art workshop and exhibit celebrating the hopes and dreams of young people. A 10 week workshop beginning mid-February will have 7 weeks of 2 hour a week hands-on workshops with a museum visit and 2 weeks of exhibit preparation (work selection, mounting) and conclude with an exhibit at a local gallery that is free and open to the public. ME will be presented by an experienced artist with Conservatory Director Tracie Spellman. Workshop projects will focus on youth discovering what art is to them and how they can use art to express themselves, document their history, search for themselves and possibly make a living. Projects and materials include:
My Neighborhood – Collage
Self Portrait in Blue – Water Color
Dream Drawings – Pencil
King/Queen for A Day – Crayon, Marker,
My Life in Pictures Photography
ME Painting – Yarn
Pennies from Heaven – Pennies.
Workshops will have discussions and presentations of noted artist of color like Pablo Picasso and the photographer/artist Gordon Parks. 4 weeks before the show date an artwork will be selected by all of the students to grace the cover of an invitational postcard and flier. Student’s names will be on these publicity materials and they will be responsible for publicizing their exhibit (handing out fliers, mailing postcards, using word of mouth) just as an adult artist would. During the 2 weeks of exhibit preparation students will practice speaking about their artwork to the public, approaching potential customers and mingling. Students will act out scenarios with people criticizing their work and asking questions they might not understand. There will be an Opening on a Saturday afternoon in April with students present and food (white grape juice, graham crackers and cheese) and programs (artist biographies) handed out by parents. The artwork will be available for sale with students receiving a portion of the proceeds to keep or donate to their favorite charity.
