The performance will take place on Wednesday, July 12th at the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, 4747 Flora Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110.
This annual capstone event is a fantastic way to introduce your family – youth and elders, friends, coworkers and anyone else to the magic of modern dance and while supporting a program that utilizes the performing arts to educate and empower our youth. Learn more about AileyCamp here: https://kcfaa.org/aileycamp/
This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support AileyCamp will be gratefully accepted.
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Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) presents an AileyCamp Final Performance for the first time in Topeka and will be starring over 180 Topeka and Kansas City middle school students who have completed KCFAA’s award-winning summer dance program.
The performance will take place on Tuesday, July 11th at Highland Park High School Auditorium (2424 SE California) at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a cookie reception for the Topeka dancers from 12:30-1:15 p.m. sponsored by ARTSConnect Topeka.
This annual capstone event is a fantastic way to introduce your family – youth and elders, friends, coworkers and anyone else to the magic of modern dance and while supporting a program that utilizes the performing arts to educate and empower our youth. Learn more about AileyCamp here: https://kcfaa.org/aileycamp/
https://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/A-Camp-2015-8885.jpg550900kcfaahttps://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KCFAA_logo_horz_F-cut-out-1-1030x260.pngkcfaa2017-06-29 19:06:532022-05-12 13:38:56Topeka's First AileyCamp Final Performance - July 11
Those of you who have heard me speak about KCFAA know I often speak about the great story that we have to tell. It’s a story that started 33 years ago and continues to evolve. It’s a story of collaboration, vision, and the desire to bring together those who would most likely not come together. And it’s a story of passion and dedication and what a small group of individuals can do to change our community for the better.
So as you might imagine, I was drawn to hear Dawn Fraser speak recently at the Dance USA conference hosted by the Kansas City Ballet. Dawn Fraser is a story teller and she spoke on the importance of storytelling for those who are in positions of leadership. Her message was simple but profound, and something that I want to share with you.
She started, of course, with a story. The story was about her and her brother’s history as runners. She then deconstructed the story to illustrate what she sees as the value of storytelling and why stories matter.
Why Stories?
Stories have transformational power—they can change the way we see ourselves and the way we see others. As a leader, we use stories to enable others to achieve purpose in the face of uncertainty. Since we live in uncertain times, the stories we tell allow us to communicate our values, and to inspire, engage, and persuade authentically.
Most importantly, as changemakers, we need to use stories because of the deep connection that happens in storytelling. People remember stories.
Stories can be powerful and for those of us challenged to lead they can provide a means to share one’s vision of where we are today and where we need to be in the future. It is through storytelling that true leaders create a narrative of the future that we can envision together.
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https://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/AA_GoalofLiving.jpg7681366kcfaahttps://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KCFAA_logo_horz_F-cut-out-1-1030x260.pngkcfaa2017-06-24 08:21:492022-05-12 13:39:06Be Who You Are
Last week were the AileyCamp Open Houses. Our Chief Artistic Officer, Tyrone Aiken, gave tours in both Missouri and Kansas campuses. It was great to see board members, donors, and parents come by to get a first-hand view of AileyCamp.
It’s a powerful program, and you can’t help but be moved by the life changes that occur. Dance is the framework for that transformation. 90% of these students have had no prior dance instruction, but in 6 short, intense weeks, they will provide a performance. Through dance, students learn how to achieve what seemed impossible by breaking their challenges down into simple, guided steps. They discover strength, focus, and discipline within themselves they never knew was there. Just that aspect alone helps them move forward in life with more purpose and grace. Yet AileyCamp offers so much more.
AileyCamp is a holistic approach to youth development and includes classes in art and creative writing in a fun, engaging manner that the students enjoy. Personal development classes are taught by social workers to help the students with life skill development, life choices, personal responsibility, effective communication, and stress handling.
Everything is provided to these students free of charge: t-shirts, shorts, leotards, tap shoes, ballet slippers, tote bags, and even breakfast, lunch, and transportation to and from the daily camp. We do this to minimize any barriers that might prevent the student from attending.
Please consider donating to KCFAA today to help support this vital work for students.
https://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/20170613_092250.jpg30244032kcfaahttps://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KCFAA_logo_horz_F-cut-out-1-1030x260.pngkcfaa2017-06-19 20:35:162022-05-12 13:39:112017 AileyCamp Open House
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With AileyCamp starting up next week, it’s the perfect time to remember why this camp is so powerful. We have 200 students enrolled for this year (100 in Missouri, 100 in Kansas) with the Final Performance on Wednesday, July 12. So much to look forward to!
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I hear it over and over—it’s one of two reactions: “Oh, I love Misty Copeland! I’ve been following her career for years!” OR “Who’s Misty Copeland?”
For those in the latter group, in 2015 Misty Copeland became the first African-American female principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theater in its 75-year history. Her promotion firmly established her as an inspiring icon—thus the other reaction, “Oh, I love Misty…” Once you know about Misty, you can’t help but love and respect her.
Born in Kansas City but raised in Southern California, Misty was an early prodigy whose talent began to open doors for her shortly after she began her ballet training at the age of 13. In addition to dance, Misty has multiple stage, television, and film appearances. She comes back to Kansas City to promote her new hardcover, Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You.
“A Conversation with Misty Copeland”
KCFAA has partnered with Vivien Jennings and Rainy Day Books for “A Conversation with Misty Copeland” on July 31. For those interested in meeting Misty face-to-face, we encourage you to join as a KCFAA member before July 1 at the $240 level or up to attend a private members-only reception prior to the public event. Learn more here.
For those who are happy just to be in the same room with her and listen to her speak from her heart, admission packages will be available June 1 at RainyDayBooks.com/MistyCopeland.
We also appreciate the sponsorship of The Independent and the masterful editorial by Paul Horsley in the May 27 issue.
https://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MistyCopeland_BallerinaBody.jpg6861009kcfaahttps://kcfaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KCFAA_logo_horz_F-cut-out-1-1030x260.pngkcfaa2017-05-30 21:15:522022-05-12 13:39:42We're Excited to Bring Misty Copeland to KC
Those of you who have heard me speak about KCFAA know I often speak about the great story that we have to tell. It’s a story that started 33 years ago and continues to evolve. It’s a story of collaboration, vision, and the desire to bring together those who would most likely not come together. And it’s a story of passion and dedication and what a small group of individuals can do to change our community for the better.
