Archives

And Now I See: Race, Racism & American Music

An entertaining, informative, and eye-opening show that celebrates the rich tapestry of African American music, from Spirituals, Gospel, and Jazz to Soul, Hip-Hop, and R&B. Students will gain insight into the origins, evolution, and cultural significance of each genre, tracing their influences through time. The show addresses the impact of racism on musical styles and […]

Modular Origami Suncatchers

This STEAM focused workshop gives students hands-on experience with modular Origami, by having them fold multiple simple Origami pieces, that when assembled form a beautiful 8 or 10 point star. The special paper used in the program is translucent, and when hung in a sunny window will reveal more complex geometric shapes and designs within […]

Joy Resides Here: An Interactive Justice Journey of Oral History & African Diaspora Drum and Dance Traditions

  Uncover how Diasporic African Polyrhythms from Africa, Brazil and America create mechanisms for place-making. Experience a Porch Choreo-Story from a Historically Black Neighborhood while learning about the Great Migration. Oral History/telling practices allow us to document our own stories, and speak for ourselves. Using dance as text, students will dance a friendship quality in […]

American Dance: From Africa to Broadway

Two versatile dancers the OKRA Dance Company take you on a cultural tour through three centuries of American history to explore how the combination of migration, culture and communication created the popular American theater and stage dances we know today. From European classical court and folk dances and African plantation narratives, to vaudeville, tap, the […]

No Mystery in Black History!

This interactive program is filled with story, rhythm, history, and song. Featuring a call and response song followed by “An African Drum Story,” Queen Nur introduces various drums from West Africa and describes their communal importance. Engagement continues with Black History in the U.S. through freedom stories, civil rights chants, poetry, music and empowerment tales. […]

Beats Beneath My Feet

The Beats Beneath my Feet assembly features award-winning performing artist Quynn Johnson. This interactive and rhythmic performance shares the traditions and history of the American art form of tap dance, highlighting Quynn’s personal journey of perseverance to overcome challenges through dance. Beats Beneath My Feet combines dance and music with storytelling to inspire and impact […]

The REMIX

The REMIX is an action-packed, rhythmic roller coaster, that explores the five elements of percussive dance (rhythm, energy, musicality, improvisation, and our x-factor). This interactive performance, featuring three dancers, fuses Hip Hop music with Tap and Stepping, bringing audiences dancing along the way. The REMIX creates a safe space for students to become both dancer […]

Paper Quilling

Originating in 17th-century Europe, paper quilling is the art of rolling, shaping, and gluing thin strips of paper together to make complex designs.  Students will learn how to curl paper to create different shapes, and explore what makes good design and how to choose which colors and shapes to use to create dynamic three-dimensional pictures, […]

Tales from Turtle Island

Many Native Americans refer to North America as Turtle Island. Storyteller Rob Aptaker shares traditional Native tales, including Earth on Turtle’s Back (Iroquois), The Coming of Stories (Lenape), and more. Voices, gestures, animal sounds, and audience participation help bring the characters to life, along with authentic Native American songs accompanied by drum and rattle. Historic […]