Peter Yarrow Mother's Day Concert!

Peter Yarrow of Legendary 1960s Folk Group "Peter, Paul and Mary"

in a Mother’s Day Concert to Benefit Hope Academy of Music and the Arts

 

Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 7:00 pm

East Liberty Presbyterian Church
116 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15206

Admission is pay-what-you-can to benefit Hope Academy of Music and the Arts

In the early 1960s the music of Peter, Paul and Mary awakened a generation to activism and idealism. In 1963, the trio marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama and Washington, D.C.; they organized and participated in countless demonstrations against the Vietnam War, including the anti-war March on Washington, “The National Mobilization to End the War.” Their songs, “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “If I Had a Hammer,” have become classics, sung by children and youth in schools and choirs around the world. As a performer and social activist, Peter Yarrow continues to use music to inspire and bring people together to create a more just, peaceful and compassionate world. This concert is a celebration of his music and lifelong commitment to making positive social change.

The concert will take place in the beautiful sanctuary of East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Hope Academy’s teen theater company (HAT Co) will open the concert by performing contemporary songs with social justice themes. You can also hear HAT Co perform and promote this event on the Saturday Light Brigade radio show (88.3 WRCT) on Saturday, May 11 at 9:30 am.

Admission to the concert is pay-what-you can and all proceeds will support Hope Academy’s music scholarship fund. 

 This family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day together!

A Message and Video from Peter Yarrow

Peter Yarrow, who will be performing in a Mother's Day Concert to benefit Hope Academy on Sunday, May 12, sent this message about his ongoing activism related creating a safer world for our children. He was recently interviewed by Bill Moyers for a PBS special about Newtown.

 Dear friend and ally,

I was deeply honored to be interviewed by Bill Moyers along with Francine Wheeler who, lost her son Ben in the tragic shooting at Newtown.

This video includes two clips from a concert of “caring, healing and togetherness” that I was asked to organize for the Newtown community that will soon be aired as a PBS TV special – date tba.



 The concert was wrenching as well as uplifting and viewing it will, I hope, help to ignite the passion in America to make changes desperately needed in our gun laws and in our school environment that is far too often fraught with bullying and cruelty.

This concert harkens back to the Civil Rights struggle and the way music galvanized us to work for change. In a way, it was like a little “March on Washington” for only 400 people. For those attending, it signaled the growth of what is becoming a great movement in America today – a movement to assure our children the right to be free from the fear of going to school.

Children deserve to be safe and prioritized and our laws and policies need to reflect that.

We need to make sure that children are no longer made to suffer, harm themselves or take their own lives. We need to make sure they are not attacked by other students whose needs went unmet when they were suffering the wounds of ridicule, ostracism and bullying – some being (tragically) pushed towards a pathological behavior, such as injuring themselves or others.

This movement is directed at all our children.

It is a movement to make sure we extend ourselves with compassion and handle the current challenges with empathy but, above all, to be there, watching our children, waiting to help them if they are in trouble or are threatened by others, be they other children and youth or adults.

I fully believe that this concert will touch the heart of America. It was a most remarkable night, one that shows who we can be when we act with courage and allow our hearts to open up fully to one another. It is painful, cathartic, inspiring. It demonstrates who the citizens of Newtown are, and who we all can be, as we rise together to meet a devastatingly painful challenge with honesty and fearlessly reach for the change that can bring us a brighter day.

I will let you know when the “Concert For Newtown” will be broadcast on PBS but, until then, know that we at Operation Respect are fully dedicated to the effort to fulfill the Sandy Hook Promise – that is, to make sure that Newtown is remembered, not for the tragedy that occurred there, but as the place where desperately needed transformational change was sparked in America.

I’m sending you my most heartfelt love, in peace, as always,

Peter

BLUES SONGWRITING WORKSHOP BEGINS TODAY

Bubs McKeg, finalist in the International Song Writers' Competition in Norway, finalist in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, local musician and Blues Society member, is starting a series of blues workshops at Hope Academy today. He will help the HAT Co band write and orchestrate a blues song that will be incorporated in their public appearances this spring. 

Bubs McKeg is a blues singer, guitarist and songwriter. His powerful and soulful voice, matched with his finger-picking guitar style, creates a blues experience quite unlike any other. Bubs started out onto the Pittsburgh music scene in the '60s with "The Igniters." Behind the "Rascals" the Igniters became only the second white band ever signed to Atlantic Records. Two singles were released, and then the band split up. After a few years of various bar bands, Bubs linked up with old band mate Norman Nardini and started "Diamond Reo" (no, not the country band). Diamond Reo signed a contract with "Big Tree" records, a subsidiary of Atlantic, and they were back in the record business. Bubs can be heard singing lead on the band’s only top 40 hit, "Ain’t That Peculiar," a remake of the Marvin Gaye hit.  After leaving Diamond Reo, Bubs recorded another top 40 hit, "Gimme Some," for Buddah and later recorded on Phantom Records under the name "McKeg" until hooking up with James Lawson. "McKeg Lawson" became a well known blues name in the Pittsburgh blues scene, but in 1994 James Lawson lost a battle with cancer. Bubs kept the band going under the same name for five more years. Since that time he has been gigging under his own name and recording some of his best work.

You gotta be singing, dancing, acting and playing in 2013!

Hope Academy courses and private lessons are back in action this Saturday, January 5. This term the Musical Theater and HAT Co acting students are preparing for the Pittsburgh Public Theater's Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest in March. HAT Co (singers and band) will be performing in two Martin Luther King day celebrations, as well as opening for Christopher Paul Curtis at the Pittsburgh Arts and Lecture Series; and Kelley Hunt at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. Some of our ballroom dancers are competing in the Steel City Classic; and EL CEO - our free community orchestra -- will be performing at "Love and All That Jazz" in February. 

If you haven't registered yet, there is still room in Recorder Karate, Ballroom Dance, Sing Together and EL CEO. Download a course brochure and registration form, fill it out and return it with your payment.

Nadine Mazingi Modeling in FashionAFRICANA Photo Shoot

Hope Academy student, Nadine Mazingi, was given a special invitation, by Demeatria Boccella, to participate in the upcoming Fashion AFRICANA event as a model for a photo shoot with Mario Epanya.

FashionAFRICANA GLAMAZONIA
On December 8, 2012 FashionAFRICANA will present GLAMAZONIA, a photography exhibition paying tribute to African Beauty and Hairstyles by renowned Paris- based photographer Mario Epanya. In this exhibit, Epanya celebrates African ancestry and customs by highlighting his interpretation of the aesthetics and shapes used by African ancestors for ceremonial and special occasion dress. This glorious showcase of Beauty features over 30 images of Black women from contemporary full- color photography to vintage black-and-white images, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Diaspora.

Nadine Mazingi's Story

"I came with my family to America. My dad came first to the U S and then me and my family came. We came from Congo. It was so hard to come here as a teenager, because I didn’t want to miss my family, friends, and I thought learning to speak English would be hard. I know a little bit now but it’s still hard.

When I was in my country I always would buy fabric take it to people who sew clothes and I would watch them. That’s why I became interested in fashion. I like to sew clothes and other things by myself. When I was in my country I saw people on TV modeling their clothes. That’s why I love to model. Last year I went to the Warhol Museum and learned how to design clothes and walk on the runway at Youth Invasion. I would like to learn to be a better model. The things I like about fashion are that I can sew clothes, bags, shoes, hats, and I like modeling the clothes I sew.

It makes me feel great that I was chosen for the photo shoot. I love fashion and I have never gotten the chance to model in a photo shoot before. I’m excited for the fashion show and to have my picture taken. Thank you to Ms. Demeatria and Ms. Linda my teacher at Hope Academy."

Cha Cha Practice Video for Ballroom Dancers

Cha Cha demonstration with Ms. Gena and Laela for our Wednesday Ballroom dance class.

Fall Term Registration is Open!

Sing a Song, Bust a Move, Act Up, Make Beautiful Music Together!

Hope Academy's fall term begins on September 17.  Classes fill quickly, so return your registration form with tuition payment and registration fee as soon as possible to make sure that a place is reserved for you.  The deadline for scholarship applications has been extended to September 4!

Download pdf versions of our course brochure, registration form, policies and scholarship applications ; or pick up hard copies at the front desk of East Liberty Presbyterian Church. 

New classes for the fall include Ballroom Dance on Wednesdays for 4 - 6 graders and Recorder Karate, a music class  for 5 to 7 year olds who are interested in playing an instrument but aren't quite ready for private music instruction. 

More classically-inclined musicians - of all ages and abilities - are invited to participate in EL CEO (East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra) under the direction of Alia Musica's Artistic Director and Conductor, Federico Garcia on Saturdays from 4 to 5:30.

HAT Co (Hope Academy Teen Theater Company) is accepting applications from singers, dancers, actors and musicians who are interested in becoming part of a more intensive learning and performing experience. Download the HAT Co application and return it as soon as possible to be considered. We have a few slots to fill so we are extending the deadline. If you have any questions, send us an email and we will get back to you.

There is something for everyone, from  Musical Theater Workshop, Shakespeare and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dance classes on Saturdays,  private music instruction (all instruments and voice) all week, Ballroom Dance, EL CEO (our free community orchestra), Dance Together and Make Music Together (for 3 and 4 year olds with a parent or guardian), and Recorder Karate.

HAT Co Teens Do It All!

We are now accepting applications for new members of our teen theater company: HAT Co!

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming part of a performing ensemble (singing, dancing, acting and rock band) please download and fill out this HAT Co Application.

HAT Co is an intensive training program that requires a high level of commitment -- not necessarily experience. Selected members take courses, participate in ensembles and receive private coaching and lessons in acting, movement, singing, dance and music (guitar, bass, keyboard, drums). This program is uniquely suited to multi-talented teens who are motivated to study and perform across a range of disciplines; and who have an interest in being part of an inclusive, supportive,  non-competitive group. 

We have extended the deadline and will accept applications until all of our slots are filled. 

Fill out the application completely... the more information you give us about yourself, the better.

If you would like to have an electronic version of this application emailed to you (so that you can fill it out on your computer) please call Norma at 412-441-3800 x11.

Quantum Theatre at ELPC: "Ainadamar"

We are excited to announce that Quantum Theater is presenting "Ainadamar" at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Oct 19 - Nov 3.

"Ainadamar," a chamber opera about the murder of Federico Garcia Lorca at the hands of Franco's facists, is the supposed site of the murder. It means "fountain of tears" in Arabic. 

By Osvaldo Golijov; Libretto by David Henry Hwang

Music Direction by Andres Cladera; 

Stage Direction by Karla Boos

October 19–November 3, 2012

LOCATION: East Liberty Presbyterian Church - Social Hall

For more information, visit: www.quantumtheatre.com/

Hope Academy Teaching Artists Reprise "For the Girl Who Sleeps in Snow"

"For the Girl Who Sleeps in Snow" is a physical theater piece created by Co(lab)trix - Hope Academy teaching artists and friends, Meredith Hoppe, Michael Walsh, Darrell Kinsel, Anqwenique Wingfield, Sophia Levine, Natalie Moretti,  Michael Chapman, Linda Addlespurger and Tracksploitation’s Jordan Taylor. A workshopped version of this piece was presented in July during Relative Positions at the Union Project. This longer, more developed site-specific version, will be presented throughout East Liberty Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 5 at 7:00 and 8:30 pm as part of Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn. 

Based on a poetic piece of text, For the Girl Who Sleeps in Snow explores how we survive in a dangerous world. Whether the “end of the world as we know it” comes in the form of a hurricane, nuclear explosion, zombie attack, divorce or death of a loved one, the ways we prepare for and deal with disaster are the same. Should we have a plan, say a prayer, or wish for the best? Stock up on supplies or dance as the sky crashes down? Bug In or Bug Out?

Meet at the door to the Narthex on Penn Avenue, across from the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. The audience for each showing will be limited to 40 people. Recommended for ages 13 and up.