Join us for our FREE First Friday dance classes Friday, July 5 at the KCFAA Studio! AfroBeat begins at 6 p.m. and HipHop begins at 7 p.m.
Bring your friends, bring the family!
Our 2019 AileyCamp final performances are the perfect opportunity to show support for KCFAA and the students who have worked hard this summer! Join KCFAA as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary and experience the power of AileyCamp – now in its 31st season in Missouri and 19th in Kansas. Come out to see why your support matters.
AileyCamp began in Kansas City and has since been replicated in 10 cities across America. AileyCamp is a testament to Alvin Ailey’s commitment to “deliver dance back to the people”.
The program uses the art of dance to teach young students critical life skills, pro-social skills and healthy lifestyle choices. Each year, our staff members work with more than 200 middle school-age students (10-15), on both sides of the Stateline, to help them create the personal tools needed to improve self-discipline, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Come out to one or both of the final performances and experience the Ailey magic!
Tuesday, July 2
7 p.m.
Wyandotte High School
Wednesday, July 3
7 p.m.
Paseo Academy of the Performing Arts
Please join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our Summer Dance students! KCFAA provides the 4-week Summer Dance intensive program in partnership with the Kansas City Public Schools for students in grades 9-12. The Summer Dance curriculum focuses on ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop dance technique classes, and yoga classes, in addition to dance repertory classes. Students have been participating in two technique classes daily, learning choreography all in anticipation for the final performance!
Thursday, June 27, 2019
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
4747 Flora Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64110
4747 Flora Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64110
Join KCFAA as we celebrate our 2019 AileyCamp staff and students in Topeka! Come out to see why your support matters. AileyCamp began in Kansas City, Missouri 31 years ago and is in its 19th year in Kansas. AileyCamp has been replicated in 10 cities across America and is a testament to Alvin Ailey’s commitment to “deliver dance back to the people”.
The program uses the art of dance to teach young students critical life skills, pro-social skills and healthy lifestyle choices. Each year, our staff members work with more than 200 middle school-age students (10-15), on both sides of the Stateline to help them create the personal tools needed to improve self-discipline, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
We invite you to learn more about AileyCamp on June 19. An RSVP is not necessary, but appreciated.
Wednesday, June 19
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Family and General Public Tours
Topeka Shawnee County Library
Marvin Auditorium 101ABC
Join us Friday, June 7 for a special edition of First Friday at KCFAA! At 6 p.m. we’ll enjoy Afrobeat from Zonte Warren and Hip Hop at 7 p.m. EJ Staxx. Bring the family, bring your friends and enjoy a FREE evening at 18th & Vine!
Philanthropist Advocates for Women and the Arts
The Starr Women’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing extraordinary Kansas City women, preserving the history of their accomplishments and inspiring women everywhere. Bunni Copaken is one of the outstanding women in the 2019 class of honorees.
“Copaken is best known as a philanthropic leader and community advocate who believes unequivocally in the importance of equity and opportunity for women and in the power of the arts to unite people,” says Angela Gieras, executive director of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
Copaken is a founding board member of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), and a longstanding member of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre board of directors. She shares the belief of renowned dancer Alvin Ailey that the arts break down artificial barriers between people and unite communities. Fueled by this, she empowered and mobilized people to create a community around the arts in Kansas City.
“Copaken’s vision of the arts as a vehicle to promote racial understanding and inclusivity led her to create opportunities for people from disparate backgrounds to meet, connect and create something wonderful together,” Gieras says. “Out of these connections, which Copaken lovingly fosters to this day, has risen a city united and inspired by a common passion in the arts.”
She was instrumental in creating the KCFAA AileyCamp, now replicated in 10 cities nationwide, an award-winning day camp built on the philosophy that the skills needed to learn dance are the same skills needed for broader success in life.
Read the full article from UMKC Today by clicking here.
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) is proud to present the premiere of Gone Before, a brand-new dance odyssey about struggle, survival, hope and transformation on March 27 and March 28 at the Folly Theater.
Community groups, organizations, families and individuals are invited to special presentations of Gone Before. It is a universal migration story that challenges the ideas of borders and freedom of movement. This multimedia, educational and engaging dance theater performance is for individuals of all ages. It features dancers, poets, vocalists, percussionists, a turntablist and cartoonist.
Community Group reservations (made through KCFAA office):
$8.00 per group member
Free: 2 chaperones per organization
$8.00 each additional chaperone
General public (Online purchase): $10 per ticket
www.kcfaa.org/theater-performance-for-schools
Contact Ada McNeal at (816) 471-6003 x0 or ada@kcfaa.org to schedule your group to attend a Gone Before presentation.
Gone Before is a universal migration story that challenges the ideas of borders and freedom of movement.
** Your school may be eligible to receive a Big Yellow School Bus Grant!
Join Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s own Elaina Paige at 6 p.m. and/or 7 p.m., Friday, February 1 for a fun hour of hip-hop dance class. Feeling adventurous? Bring your friends to Elaina’s “heels” edition at 7 p.m. (heels are optional).
It’s First Friday – KCFAA style!
As part of First Friday, we will be hosting FREE hip hop classes at 6 and 7 p.m., Friday, January 4 at our studio: 1714 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108. We hope you can join us!
