2017 Symposium Date Announcement
We are happy to announce that our 2017 Symposium on Race, Place, and Diversity will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017. Please register at https://kcfaa.org/symposium/.
KCPS Summerfest 2017
The Kansas City Public Schools work hard to engage students—even before classes begin! This year, Summerfest has invited our AileyCamp the Group to perform. All pieces are choreographed by our Chief Artistic Officer, Tyrone Aiken and include:
Rain
Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto
Dancers: Alexis Cross-Tinely, Faith Andrew-O’Neal, AuJanai Hawkins, Kerryaunna Ross
You
Music: Sylvester
Class: AileyCamp The Group – Level 2
Dancers: Laila Atkins, Amaya Brown, Stella Brown, Brazil Carter, Anya Helzer, Na’Miah Khalil, Mar’ Jai Kinney, Christian Lunn, Tu”Ciah McDonald, Ty”Miah McDonald, Jye Scott, Michelle Thomas, Tori Wyatt
Passion
Music: Eroica Trio
Class: AileyCamp The Group – Level 3
Dancers: Laila Atkins, Daija Ammons, Faith Andrew-O’Neal, Laila Atkins, Ximena Flores, AuJanai Hawkins, Anya Helzer, Mar’ Jai Kinney, Skhyline McDonald, Kerryaunna Ross, Michelle Thomas
Stop by to enjoy the performance and take advantage of the many free activities (and food!) offered by KC Public Schools. Learn more at: https://www.kcpublicschools.org/summerfest.
KS/MO AileyCamp Final Performance – July 12
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) presents the AileyCamp Final Performance, the culmination of our 6-week summer AileyCamp program.
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/
This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support AileyCamp will be gratefully accepted.
Topeka’s First AileyCamp Final Performance – July 11
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/
This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support AileyCamp will be gratefully accepted. This performance has been made possible with support from Topeka Public Schools, Topeka Chapter of The Links, Inc., ARTSConnect Topeka, and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.
We’re Excited to Bring Misty Copeland to KC
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.